Abstract: A plurality of interface modules (200,300,400,500) having identical first mating interfaces (202,302) for mating with the mating face (100) of a cable tap connector (10), to enable interconnection therewith at second mating interfaces by different types of electrical conductors. A set of contacts in each module have identical first contact sections (212,318) along the first mating interface, and the contacts are secured in the module housing (206,306) under an insulative retention plate (210,360) that assuredly secures the contacts in proper position for accurate positioning of the first contact sections. The insulative plate (210,360) also protects the first contact sections during handling of the module.

Abstract: A connector includes a connector base, a contact housing, and a floating latch. The connector base has a first bottom surface, and the contact housing has a second bottom surface. The floating latch couples the contact housing to the connector base. The floating latch is adapted to allow the first and second bottom surfaces to move relative to one another.

Abstract: Interface modules (200,300) have identical first mating interfaces (204,304) to mate with the same cable tap connector (10). Contact arrays for either of the two different interface modules (200,300) are defined by use of the same first members (232) having first contact sections (224,322) and transverse body sections (228,324), being joined to one of two groups (226) or (336) of socket members by crimping pin embossments (242) or (338) at either closely spaced holes (248) or less closely spaced holes (250), to define a closely spaced array (254) or a less closely spaced array (258) along second mating interfaces (206,306) to correspond with smaller round cable connector (208) or larger round cable connector (308). Thereby a cable tap connector (10) providing connection to a flat cable (12) may be modified by selection of different interface modules (200) or (300) for use with different types of mating connectors (208) or (308) The contacts of each array may also be of different sizes.

Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) adapted to penetrate insulation of said cable upon actuation and engage the cable's conductors (16). A pair of gaskets (34,36;334,334;600,602) along faces of the housing and the cover define a seal surrounding termination regions of the cable upon installation of the connector to the cable.

Abstract: A connector includes a contact housing and a signal contact. The contact housing has at least two cooperating retention channels. The signal contact is coupled to the contact housing. The signal contact includes a finger portion, a base portion, and a foot. The base portion has first and second retaining tabs. The first and second retaining tabs are interference fit into cooperating retention channels. The foot is defined in the base portion between the first and second retaining tabs.

Abstract: A contact assembly (90) includes separate conductive members (42,54) with insulative material (90) molded about body sections (50,64) to define an integral unit for handling during connector assembly. The method includes stamping the conductive members (656,658,660,662) from a common blank (680) to have beams (610,612,614,616) associated in pairs to define sockets (606,608), second contact sections (648,650,652,654) at other ends, and body sections (656,658,660,662) joining the respective beams and second contact sections (648,650,652,654). Final separation of the conductive members may occur after molding of the insulative material (670), prior to which the conductive members may be retained on carrier strip facilitating the stamping, plating and molding processes.

Abstract: Connector (10) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12) remote from an end thereof and including a housing (20) and a cover (22) securable to each other around the cable, defining a channel (32) therethrough. Housing (20) contains a plurality of contacts (60) with first contact sections (66) in slots (62) that open onto the assembly face adjacent the cable jacket to penetrate the cable insulation and establish electrical connections with the cable's conductors (16). A pair of gaskets (100,102) are mounted to the housing and cover (20,22) and seated within grooves (104,106) thereof, with cable-engaging portions (132) extending outwardly of the grooves to be engaged by and compressed by the cable (12) during application of the connector to the cable, being compressed into the grooves (104,106), surrounding and sealing the sites where the contacts will penetrate the cable insulation during termination.

Abstract: Cable tap connector (10) applied to a cable (12) at an end thereof. End cap (70) is urged over the cable end (72) for sealing thereof and includes projections (84) that seat in openings (82) of either the connector housing (20) or the connector cover (22).

Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof at a point remote from an end thereof, such as after installation of the cable within a premises, and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) in slots (62,236,330) that open onto the cable face adjacent the cable jacket. Upon actuation of actuators (90,222,326), the contacts associated with the actuators are urged downwardly against the cable jacket, penetrating the jacket (14) and compressively engaging the cable's conductors (16). Second contact sections (68,232,348) are exposed along the mating face (72,214,310) of the connector for mating with complementary contacts of an interface module (400).

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) having a cover (70) pivotally secured thereto includes a housing (22) having a base (42), opposed side walls (26), and end walls (32), together defining a terminal receiving cavity (68) and a plurality of terminals (90) disposed in at least two rows therein. The cover (70) includes a hinge receiving slot (76) extending along a common one of its elongate sides (72) and inwardly from each end thereof. The cover (70) is secured to the housing (22) by a pair of hinges (78) with a base (80) of each hinge retained within in a respective one of the cover slots (76) and the leading end (84) of a leg (82) of each hinge (78) pivotally mounted proximate a middle position of a respective one of the housing end walls (32) adjacent an entrance to the cavity (68).

Abstract: A contact assembly (90) includes separate conductive members (42,54) with insulative material (90) molded about body sections (50,64) to define an integral unit for handling during connector assembly. The method includes stamping the conductive members (656,658,660,662) from a common blank (680) to have beams (610,612,614,616) associated in pairs to define sockets (606,608), second contact sections (648,650,652,654) at other ends, and body sections (656,658,660,662) joining the respective beams and second contact sections (648,650,652,654). Final separation of the conductive members may occur after molding of the insulative material (670), prior to which the conductive members may be retained on carrier strip facilitating the stamping, plating and molding processes.

Abstract: Connector (10) having a housing (12) and a latching member (30) mountable thereto at a fastening site (32) with a latching end (34) adjacent a mating face (18) and an elongate actuation arm (36) extending rearwardly along the connector and biased away therefrom. The latching member (30) is pivotable when actuated to delatch from a mating connector (42), by movement of actuation arm (36) toward the housing against spring bias to pivot the latching end (34) away from the mating connector to disengage from the latching section (44) thereof. Latching member (30) may be initially separate from the connector to permit selection from a set of latching members of different lengths prior to mounting.

Abstract: An electrical connector (3) for a fluorescent lighting fixture (1) comprises a circuit board (9) having an integral lamp ballast (10), a first bank of sockets (4) and wire connecting ports (11,12). A housing (16) encloses the ballast and the circuit board. The first bank of sockets are exposed from the housing for connection to fluorescent lamps, and the wire connecting ports are exposed from the housing for connection between external wiring from a source of electrical power and wiring extending to a second bank of sockets for the fluorescent lamps.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) terminating a multi-wire cable (56) and adapted for mating contact with another such connector of identical construction. The connector comprises a plurality of hermaphroditic contact members (12) retained within a housing (14,16). The housing includes channels (52) for holding the wires (54) of the cable and the contact members further have insulation displacing contact portions (36) adapted to engage respective ones of the wires. The housing is formed of two parts with a latching mechanism (58,60, 62,64).

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising: a conducting wedge (2), an inclined surface (14) on one side of the wedge (2), a conductive wedge receiving body (3), an opening (4) extending into the body (2), a wire engaging floor (5) on one side of the opening (4), a pair of arms (6) on opposite sides of the opening (4), and the wedge (2) being received in the opening (4) to clamp onto at least one wire (12).