Abstract: An electrical connector part is disclosed of the type comprising a cylindrical housing having contact terminals therein which are mated with complementary terminals in a complementary connector part when the two parts are coupled. A cylindrical coupling ring is rotatably mounted on the housing and has on its internal surface coupling means, such as helical slots, for cooperation with a pin on the complementary connector part. The coupling ring is a composite member comprising an outer metallic cylindrical portion and a relatively thick inner metallic cylindrical portion adjacent to the leading edge of the coupling ring. The slots are provided in the inner cylindrical portion of the coupling ring and are produced by stamping slots in a flat blank, forming the blank into a cylindrical shape, and then assembling it to the outer cylindrical portion of the coupling ring. The invention eliminates the need for a separate metallic shell in surrounding relationship to the housing.

Abstract: Improved pin and socket type electrical terminals are disclosed. Each terminal includes a terminal body received in a tubular sleeve of metal having low corrosion characteristics, such as stainless steel. The tubular sleeves are secured to the respective terminal bodies by a first annular crimp intermediate the ends of the sleeves and engaging in an annular recess in the respective bodies. The socket terminal body includes a plurality of cantilevered arms which are protected against damage from overstressing by the sleeve. A second annular crimp in the socket terminal sleeve is used to set the contact arms to control the normal force applied to a mating pin terminal. An annular pad of lubricant can be positioned within the end of the socket terminal sleeve and held in position by the ends of the arms.

Abstract: A multi-contact electrical connector is disclosed for connecting a plurality of terminal pads on an integrated circuit ceramic substrate package to a like plurality of terminal pads on a printed circuit board. The subject multi-contact electrical connector includes at least two continuous strips of contacts, each formed by a plurality of parallel spaced contact members secured between two webs of flexible insulation material and folded upon themselves. One end of each contact is secured to a pad of a printed circuit board so that the strips are free standing extending normal to the plane of the board and define the periphery of the integrated circuit ceramic substrate package received therebetween. The free ends of the contacts resiliently engage the package pads. A profiled open housing is provided to surround the upper free end of the contacts and provide a resilient backing for them.

Abstract: A contact retention device is disclosed for positively retaining a contact within a housing in such manner that no special insertion or extraction tools are required to respectively mount and dismount the contact and which will provide an audible indication when the contact is positively latched properly. The subject retention device includes a spring member having one end mounted fixedly in a connector housing and the other end spring biased against a free end of a blade contact with a portion of the spring member projecting beyond the end of the contact to form a contact release tab. The retention device not only serves to secure the contact within the housing but it adds to the resilience of the contact to bias it into engagement with a mating contact.