Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a terminal position assurance (TPA) system. The assembly includes a connector housing having at least one terminal-receiving cavity. A terminal is received in the cavity and is adapted for terminating an electrical wire which extends from the terminal to the exterior of the housing. A TPA device is mountable on the housing and is engageable with the terminal. The TPA device has a strain relief portion engageable with the electrical wire. The TPA device also has a wire routing portion engageable with the electrical wire.

Abstract: A sensing terminal system is disclosed for an electrical connector. The system includes a first terminal adapted for connection to a voltage potential. A second terminal includes a first part and a second part, with the two parts being electrically isolated. The first part is adapted for connection to a sensing line. The two parts are electrically coupled in response to mating of a mating terminal with the second terminal. The second part of the second terminal is electrically coupled with the first terminal to complete a sensing circuit therethrough.

Abstract: A memory card which includes a circuit substrate having a generally planar surface, comprises a frame with an opening in one of a top or a bottom wall thereof for receiving the circuit substrate. A support structure on the frame supports the circuit substrate within the card. A cover closes the opening and encloses the circuit substrate and the electrical component within the internal card space created by the frame and cover. The support structure of the frame includes a plurality of shelves at different vertical locations within the frame to support the circuit substrate at different vertical levels to accommodate varying heights of electrical components mounted on one or both surfaces of the substrate. The circuit substrate includes a peripheral edge area with cutouts corresponding to only one of the shelves whereby only the periphery of the substrate need be modified for locating and supporting the circuit substrate at different levels within the card.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed, along with a method of fabricating the assembly, wherein a dielectric housing has a lower face for mounting on a top surface of a printed circuit board. The housing includes at least one terminal-receiving cavity having an opening in the lower face of the housing. A terminal includes a receptacle portion received in the cavity for mating with a complementary electrical component. The terminal has a solder tail portion projecting from the receptacle portion, past the opening of the cavity, into a hole in the printed circuit board. The receptacle portion of the terminal is located in the cavity spaced from said opening a distance sufficient to prevent solder material from wicking up the solder tail onto the receptacle portion when the solder tail portion is wave soldered from a bottom surface of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for terminating a coaxial connector to a coaxial cable. The coaxial connector has an elongated signal pin surrounded in part by an insulating jacket and an elongated shield member surrounding the insulating jacket while the coaxial cable has a signal wire surrounded by an inner insulating member, ground means surrounding the insulating jacket and an outer insulating sheath surrounding the ground means. The method includes providing an elongated conductive shield member having a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion of the shield member is secured onto the insulating jacket surrounding the signal pin whereby a portion of the signal pin is positioned within the rear portion. The ground means is electrically and mechanically bonded to the rear portion of the shield member. The signal wire is then electrically and mechanically bonded to an exposed portion of the signal pin within the rear portion of the shield member while the signal pin is held by the shield member.

Abstract: In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the miniature coaxial contact terminates a coaxial cable which includes a signal wire, an insulating jacket surrounding the signal wire, ground means surrounding the insulating jacket and an outer insulating sheath surrounding the ground means. The contact includes a signal pin having a contact end for mating with an appropriate receptacle contact and a terminating end having a coined portion for termination to the signal wire. Insulator means is provided about at least a portion of the signal pin. A grounding shield tube is provided about the insulator means. The tube has an inner surface for termination to the ground means of the cable.

Abstract: A female electrical contact is disclosed to include an elongate body having a terminal portion at one end and a receptacle portion at the other end for receiving a complementary male pin. A pair of cantilevered arms are provided of substantially equal length and in opposed relationship to each other with contact portions at their distal ends. The cantilevered arms are axially offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of insertion of the complementary male pin, whereby the male pin engages the contact portions sequentially. The cantilevered arms are bowed inwardly so that the contacted portion of one of the arms engages the other arm under a preload.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for interconnection to a printed circuit board having signal traces and ground circuitry thereon. The connector includes signal contacts for termination to the signal traces on the printed circuit board. A conductive housing has receptacles, including insulators, for mounting the signal contacts therein. A plurality of ground projections are formed integral with the housing for interconnection to the ground circuitry on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for extracting an electrical terminal having a canted locking lance from a first housing, and preparing the locking lance of the terminal for insertion in the same or a second similar housing. The connector housing includes an outer wall having a window formed therein for receiving a free end of the locking lance. The lance free end engages an edge of the window when the terminal is fully inserted in the connector housing, thereby preventing withdrawal of the terminal from the housing. A tool is provided with first and second lance engaging portions, the first lance engaging portion including a projection of predetermined dimensions receivable in the window to depress and deform the locking lance, allowing extraction of the terminal from the connector housing. Deformation of the lance is limited to a repairable amount. The second lance engaging portion of the tool includes a hook-like lance reforming member insertable beneath the lance and a floor of the terminal.