Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously forming a radial collar (16) medially of an axial electrical contact of the type having a forward shoulder portion (14) and a rearward termination portion (18) and assembling a plurality of straight wires (24) into an axially passage (22) coaxially disposed with the shoulder portion, the apparatus being characterized by: a generally cylindrical male member (36) having a cylindrical hole (38) sized to receive and mount the termination portion (18); and a receiving member (46) including a collar portion (47) having an inwardly extending aperture (48) sized to receive the shoulder portion (14), the aperture having a cross-section slightly less than the outer diameter of the shoulder portion, the receiving member (46) being spaced from the male member (36), the axis of the hole (38) and the aperture (48) being generally coaxial with one another, and the members being adapted to be driven towards one another whereby the receiving member (46) simultaneously squeezes both radially and

Abstract: An improved method of making a retention collar (16) medially of an elongated electrical contact (10) of the type including a shoulder portion (14) and a termination portion (18), the shoulder portion (14) being formed with an axial passage (22) sized to secure several straight conductive wires (24) for mating. The individual wires are inserted into the passage and the shoulder portion then swaged (i.e., squeezed) by a pair of movable dies (36, 46) in an axial direction along the entire length of the passage so that an outer wall portion of the shoulder portion is pushed axially rearwardly and radially outwardly to thereby form the retention collar (16) and also pushed radially inwardly to thereby secure the wires within the passage.

Abstract: An electrical contact retention bushing (100) which is stamped and formed from flat stock. The bushing is stamped in a shape that includes a base portion (110) with a plurality of fingers (120) extending from the base portion. Each finger (120) includes at least one (and preferably two) retention tine (130). Once formed, the bushing fits within and seats on a shoulder (312) of a wafer (300) within an electrical connector. The bushing retains an electrical contact (500) by engaging a shoulder (510) of the contact with the tines (130) on the fingers (120). The bushing (100) is preferably stamped from a soft metal which is then heat-treated to harden it and formed into the desired shape to save weight and manufacturing and material costs when compared with a machined bushing.

Abstract: A cylindrical electrical contact assembly that is stamped and rolled into shape from a flat sheet of metal. The electrical contact assembly provides a secure electrical and mechanical connection when crimped to a wire without the need for welding or brazing a seam (31) that results from forming the contact. A plurality of axially arranged slots (32) arranged in the wire receiving end of the contact assembly allow the contact assembly to distort symmetrically when a wire is crimped inside the contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly in which the electrical connectors are capable of being quickly and easily coupled and decoupled with mechanism for preventing accidental decoupling of the connector through vibration. The coupling and decoupling is accomplished by a coupling nut mounted to one electrical connector, with the coupling nut having a screw thread adapted to receive a screw thread on a second connector. The connector assembly is adapted to remain coupled to said first housing by a spring mounted to the coupling nut and engaging ratchet teeth carried on an edge of the housing. The ratchet teeth are more steeply angled on the leading edge engaged during decoupling and more gradually angled on the leading edge during coupling, allowing for an ease in coupling and a greater resistance to decoupling.

Abstract: A three piece electrical contact assembly that includes an inner sleeve that is stamped and formed into a tubular shape from a flat sheet of metal. The electrical contact assembly provides a secure electrical and mechanical connection when crimped to a wire without the need for welding or brazing a seam (31) that results from forming the contact. The contact assembly includes: an inner sleeve having an enlarged middle portion (35) having forwardly and rearwardly facing shoulders for retention of the contact in a connector insert and a plurality of axially arranged slots (32) arranged in the wire receiving end of the contact assembly allow the contact assembly to distort symmetrically when a wire is crimped inside the contact; and a first and second outer sleeve (10,20) telescopically located over the front and rear portions, respectively, of the inner sleeve.