Abstract: Blocks of wafer or plug connectors are held together by retainer members and are secured within a backplane connector by a latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a latching lever that has an engagement end extending to the base of the backplane connector. The lever is movably connected to the retainer member so that it may pivot, or rock, about an inflection point. The lever also includes a biasing member that constantly biases the lever into a latching position.

Abstract: Blocks of wafer or plug connectors are held together by retainer members and are secured within a backplane connector by a latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a latching lever that has an engagement end extending to the base of the backplane connector. The lever is movably connected to the retainer member so that it may pivot, or rock, about an inflection point. The lever also includes a biasing member that constantly biases the lever into a latching position.

Abstract: Blocks of wafer or plug connectors are held together by retainer members and are secured within a backplane connector by a latching assembly. The latching assembly includes a latching lever that has an engagement end extending to the base of the backplane connector. The lever is movably connected to the retainer member so that it may pivot, or rock, about an inflection point. The lever also includes a biasing member that constantly biases the lever into a latching position.

Abstract: A wafer connector for connecting cables to a pin header has a connector body portion that incorporates a strain relief member applied to the cables as part of the connector body portion. The strain relief member includes a cable clamp having a series of grooves that are separated by intervening land portions. The grooves receive the cables and space them in a particular spacing. The leads of the cable are terminated to corresponding tail portions of contacts of the connector. These tail portions are maintained in the same plane to enhance the electrical performance of the connector. An insulative material is molded over the tail portions and the cable clamp to form a connector with a cable clamp formed integrally with the body of the connector.

Abstract: An installation tool for installing multiple connector housings of a wire harness into engagement with opposing connectors includes a handle portion and a connector gripping portion. The handle portion includes openings that accommodate a user's hand and the connector gripping portion includes pairs of first and second engagement arms separated by intervening spaces. Individual connector housings of the wire harness are gripped by pairs of the first and second engagement arms which hold the connectors housings in a preselected alignment and orientation with the connector housings gripped by the engagement arms and with the opposing connectors.

Abstract: A terminating connector for a data transmission cable, wherein the cable is of a known characteristic impedance and is of the type having a signal carrying conductor and a shield. The connector is typically arranged to mate with a complementary connector of a backplane. An overmolded subassembly of the connector includes a first terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the shield, and a second terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the signal carrying conductor. A dielectric insert is disposed between the first and second terminals. The insert is dimensioned and has a dielectric constant such that the characteristic impedance of the subassembly substantially matches the characteristic impedance of the cable. The subassembly may be secured to a surrounding housing.

Abstract: A modular electrical terminating connector for data transmission cables of the type having signal carrying conductors, drain wires and a shield. The connector passes through a ground plate and includes a housing that mates with a complementary connector assembly of a backplane. Individual overmolded subassemblies for terminating each cable are detachably coupled to the housing. The subassemblies latch to the ground plate, and provide a ground path from the cable shield to the ground plate. The subassemblies are individually detachable, thereby enabling individual cables to be disconnected and serviced without disconnecting other cables of the same connector.

Abstract: A terminating connector for a data transmission cable, wherein the cable is of a known characteristic impedance and is of the type having a signal carrying conductor and a shield. The connector is typically arranged to mate with a complementary connector of a backplane. An overmolded subassembly of the connector includes a first terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the shield, and a second terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the signal carrying conductor. A dielectric insert is disposed between the first and second terminals. The insert is dimensioned and has a dielectric constant such that the characteristic impedance of the subassembly substantially matches the characteristic impedance of the cable. The subassembly also includes a latch mechanism for latching to a surrounding housing.