Abstract: A grommet for an electrical connector that comprises a main insulative body that defines a longitudinal axis and at least one inner bore extending through the main insulative body along the longitudinal axis and adapted to receive a wire. The inner bore is defined by a funnel shaped entry area, a contact receiving area opposite the entry area, and an extended longitudinal sealing web that is disposed between the entry area and the contact receiving area. The extended longitudinal sealing web being configured to provide a large surface area for continuous sealing contact with the wire.

Abstract: A backshell assembly that includes a housing configured to terminate a cable that has a main body defining a central longitudinal axis and a connector interface for mating with an electrical connector. At least one adjustment extension extends from the main body opposite the connector interface and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. An adjustable strain relief structure is coupleable to the cable and the housing. The adjustable strain relief structure includes at least one adjustment member coupleable to the cable that cooperates with the adjustment extension of the housing such that the adjustment member is moveable between different cable positions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. A biasing member is disposed between the at least one adjustment member and the at least one adjustment extension of the main body. The biasing member biases the at least one adjustment member into engagement with the at least one adjustment extension.

Abstract: A backshell assembly for mating with an electrical connector that includes a housing configured to terminate a cable. The housing has a main body defining an inner bore and a central longitudinal axis. The housing receives the cable in the inner bore along the central longitudinal axis. The main body includes a connector interface for mating with an electrical connector. The cable has a shielding braid with a terminal end. The terminal end is folded over the connector interface of the housing allowing direct contact with a connector shell of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A backshell assembly that includes a housing configured to terminate a cable that has a main body defining a central longitudinal axis and a connector interface for mating with an electrical connector. At least one adjustment extension extends from the main body opposite the connector interface and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. An adjustable strain relief structure is coupleable to the cable and the housing. The adjustable strain relief structure includes at least one adjustment member coupleable to the cable that cooperates with the adjustment extension of the housing such that the adjustment member is moveable between different cable positions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. A biasing member is disposed between the at least one adjustment member and the at least one adjustment extension of the main body. The biasing member biases the at least one adjustment member into engagement with the at least one adjustment extension.

Abstract: A backshell assembly that includes a housing configured to terminate a cable. The housing has a main body defining a central longitudinal axis, a connector interface for mating with an electrical connector, and at least one adjustment extension extending from the main body opposite the connector interface and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. An adjustable strain relief structure is coupleable to the cable and the housing. The adjustable strain relief structure including at least one adjustment member cooperating with the adjustment extension of the housing such that the adjustment member is pivotable between different cable positions with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the housing. A movable locking member is coupleable with the adjustment extension of the housing and the adjustment member of the adjustable strain relief structure to releasably lock the adjustment member in a selected cable position with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A data bus coupler includes a plated composite housing and a plurality of twin axial contacts, the shielding portions of each contact being connected to the housing by a conductive insert which serves to retain the contacts in the connector. The coupler also includes a printed circuit board carrying transformers and isolation resistors for providing stub connections to a data bus line.

Abstract: A current mode coupler for an unshielded twisted-pair cable includes an arrangement for establishing a low impedance, multiple point-of-contact electrical connection between a shielding base and cover. The grounding arrangement includes a conductive member on the cover which has an extension in the direction of assembly of the base to the cover, and resilient grounding fingers on the base for providing a wiping contact with the extensions on the conductive member when the base and cover are assembled to each other.

Abstract: A current mode coupler for an unshielded twisted-pair cable includes an elastomeric signal wire and E-core positioning member with integral strain relief, tapered E-cores for improved coupling to the wires, a write signal core which is twice the size of the read signal core, an all metal core suspension, an overcenter spring biased mounting arrangement, a metal enclosure for improved shielding, a resilient latch which avoids the need for pivoting of an upper housing member relative to the base unit during assembly, and contoured edges and corners for reducing heat accumulation.

Abstract: A durable, low loss splice connection for optical cables includes two ceramic optical fiber guide members which are held in axial and angular alignment by an alignment sleeve, and in butt joint intimate contact by a spring tension clip. The connection is mechanically and environmentally sealed by a heat shrink tube having an interior diameter coated with hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A resistance stack for terminating a data bus cable includes a stack of resistor chips, each having two conductively plated through holes. The resistance elements are kept in alignment and electrically connected to leads of the data bus cable by elongated members extending through the through holes. The elongated members may be discrete conductive rods, or soldered and pre-tinned leads of the cable. To facilitate assembly, solder preforms are provided between each of the resistor chips. The resistance stack is enclosed in a package which includes a cylindrical shell, a cable clamp, a cable strain relief member, and an end cap including a track for accommodating extensions of the elongated members beyond the last resistor in the stack, thereby aligning the elongated members. The package may be both electrically shielded and environmentally sealed.

Abstract: A cable coupling, particularly for data buses, includes a transformer and resistors to which the cables are directly wired. The components and all electrical connections are enclosed in a heat shrinkable tubing or sleeve filled with liquid encapsulant. Upon application of heat, the tubing shrinks causing the encapsulant to fill all voids between components. The encapsulant is then cured to provide an uncased coupling assembly which protects the components and electrical connections from breakage, while eliminating the need for a separate rigid housing. An overbraided shield and environmental seal may subsequently be added to provide further protection for the coupling.

Abstract: A multiple pin connector includes a printed circuit board positioned between insulating components of a connector insert. The printed circuit board electrically connects together contacts of the connector and is affixed to the insulating components by a bonding material. The contacts pass through the insert and are soldered to traces on the circuit board to thereby group circuits at a first end of the connector into fewer circuits at an opposite end of the connector.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling mechanism includes two identical coupling members, each including two latch arms and two detented locking ramp surfaces. The latch arms include surfaces which face a coupler interface, while the locking ramp surfaces face away from the interface. The latch arms are inserted through grooves in a collar on which the locking ramp surfaces are provided, and the members are then rotated relative to each other causing the surfaces on the latch arms to pass over detents on the locking surfaces, thereby locking the coupling members together against relative axial movement. The coupling members may be secured to respective contacts by a snap-fit arrangement.

Abstract: An arrangement for shielding a date bus coupler includes an overbraided shield electrically connected to each of the outer braids of the bus cables coupled by the coupler. The overbraided shield prevents shielding discontinuities at the terminations of the cables to the coupler.

Abstract: An electrical coupling assembly is disclosed having a receptacle portion attached to an electrical connector element and releasably attached to a housing, affixed to the opposite electrical connector portion, by engagement of a latching ball on the housing with a latching detent formed on the receptacle. Axial movement of an operating sleeve, with respect to the housing facilitates the coupling and decoupling of the housing and the receptacle. The operating sleeve is spring biased to assume a position with respect to the housing retaining the coupling portions together. A force exerted on a lanyard attached to the sleeve axially moves the sleeve with respect to the housing to decouple the coupling elements. A lanyard guide ring is attached to the housing and has an opening through which the lanyard passes such that the portion of the lanyard extending between the guide ring and the operating sleeve extends in a generally axial direction.

Abstract: A dielectric wafer 20 is sandwiched between a pair of dielectric inserts 12,16, each including an array of cylindrical passages 14,22,18 therethrough each being aligned to form a continuous through passage, each aligned array of passages receiving a cylindrical terminal 30 having a medial annular groove 34, the wafer including a plurality of fingers 24 which extend radially inward into its passage 22 to conformingly seat about the annular groove 34 whereby to retain the terminal within its respective passage.

Abstract: An electrical connector capable of withstanding a predetermined pressure differential without leakage and a predetermined axial load without dislocation of insert assemblies from their normal position in the connector shell is disclosed. The connector includes one insert assembly which may be a pin or socket insert assembly and an other insert assembly which is a socket insert assembly. The one and the other insert assemblies include contacts arranged in "piggy-back" relation. The one insert assembly is ring staked to the connector shell and the socket insert assembly is bonded to a grommet and sealed in the shell.

Abstract: A deformable plastic strip (44') is longitudinally slotted (60) along one edge to define a plurality of laterally separated longitudinal columns (62), cut, and then rolled into a tubular sleeve to form a retention member (44) which is configured to be coaxially driven into an annular passageway (72) formed between an insert (24) and a connector shell (10), engagement of the slotted end portion with an axial shell face (16) causing the columns to axially collapse in accordion like fashion and radially wedge themselves into the passageway whereby to interferencingly retain the insert in the shell.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve of a deformable plastic is longitudinally slotted to define a plurality of laterally separated axially weakened longitudinal columns (62) the respective forward leading edges (64) of which being inserted into an annular passageway (32) formed between an insert (20) disposed in a shell (10) so that the columns curl about and the column medial portions (66) collapse in an accordian-like fashion whereby to radially interferencingly wedge and lock the columns in the passage and thereby to retain the insert in the shell. The curling could be 180.degree. causing the leading edges to retreat coaxially rearward or be 270.degree. causing the leading edges to loop about and be driven radially outward, the leading edges in either possibly engaging its rearward medial portion.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved moisture seal for an electrical connector assembly. The invention is characterized by an annular rubber member (10) having generally flat surfaces (11, 12, 13, 14) and an annular groove (15) in one of the surfaces (11) that abuts against a forward surface of one of the housings (30). A second groove (16) extending radially from the annular groove (15) to a circumferential surface (14) provides an escape path for air that would normally be trapped in the annular groove (15) when the sealing member (10) is compressed.