Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a block and a plurality of clip-type terminals mounted to the block. The block is a dielectric body having a central section and fanning strip sections at opposed margins. The terminals are loosely received through the holes and have wire receiving portions on one side of the central section and lying intermediate the fanning-strip sections and base portions on the opposite side of the central section. A retaining plate engages with the body for enclosing the base portions of the terminals within the dielectric body. The retaining plate further has a plurality of elongate, parallel and spaced-apart raised rib portions arranged for engaging the base portions of the terminals, such that wire receiving portions thereof are held in position projecting through the holes. The terminals comprise clip terminals having a flat body that includes two opposed resilent arms cantilevered from the base of the terminal.

Abstract: A snap-on hinge cover for a communications terminal block comprising an extruded plastic body having three longitudinally extending sections, the three sections being joined along longitudinally extending boundary regions to constitute a unitary structure. The outer longitudinal margins of the unitary structure having structure for snap-fitting onto the fanning strips of terminal block. Longitudinally hinge means is at one of said boundary regions. The hinge means is extruded along with components of plastic of the rest of the body, the hinge means having a resiliency which is high as compared to the resiliency of said body and constituting a memory which biases the hinged portion of the cover to an open position.

Abstract: A connector for a flat multiconductor flexible cable having a support surface for the cable having a nonplanar portion, and a clamping member having a clamping surface nonplanar in part which is complementary to the support surface for restraining longitudinal motion of the cable relative to the connector by forcing the cable into conformity with the contour of the support and clamping surfaces, and for stiffening the cable adjacent an array of electrical contacts to provide the cable with a rigid contact surface irrespective of localized contact between the clamping member and the flat cable. The clamping member is integrally hinged to a base member including the supporting surface, the hinge being interrupted to form an entrance aperture for the cable and guide surfaces for the cable, and a keying means cooperating with a notch in the end of the cable for insuring correct insertion of the cable.

Abstract: A pair of ECG cable sets are adhesively secured to disposable body electrodes, and also plug into a junction box which in turn is connected to an ECG machine. Each cable set is formed by printed circuit techniques. A pair of flat support sheets of insulating material are glued together. Signal leads formed of conductive ink are printed on the interior surface of one of the support sheets, and shielding layers also formed of conductive ink are printed on both exterior surfaces of the support sheets, thus forming a flat, flexible sandwich structure which resists entanglement. Entanglement is further minimized because the individual branch leads of each cable set merge into a common truck. The cable sets terminate in the printed circuit connectors which plug directly into the junction box, and the latter has clamping mechanisms to secure the connectors in place. A flexible housing surrounds the junction box terminal board, and permits the clamping mechanisms to be operated by squeezing the housing.

Abstract: Terminal clip and electrode constructions are disclosed for use with lead wires of instruments such as medical monitoring instruments which employ electrodes for attaching to a patient. The terminal clip includes a conductive member having a hook portion for engaging a terminal portion of the electrode. The electrode includes a terminal portion for grasping by the conductive hook portion of the terminal clip, and a loop for embracing the terminal clip housing to hold the terminal clip in position and prevent relative movement between the conductive hook of the clip and the terminal portion of the electrode. The terminal portion and the loop of the electrode are fabricated of a collapsible-memory material, such as heat formed Mylar or the like. The terminal portion of the electrode is coated with a conductive ink for electrical connection between a patient and the terminal clip.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting an electrical connector to an associated apertured panel board, the electrical connector having a pair of outwardly extending flanges at opposite ends thereof, and the assembly including a pair of connector clips for releasably securing the connector to the panel. Each clip comprises a body member having first and second spaced-apart engagement surfaces disposed in facing relationship to define a mounting slot therebetween, the body member being received through the aperture in the panel so that the engagement surfaces extend along the inner and outer surfaces of the panel to grip the panel therebetween. The body member has a mounting surface spaced from the first engagement surface to receive and hold one of the flanges on the electrical connector, and has spaced-apart abutment shoulders to limit movement of the connector in a predetermined direction. Retaining fingers are carried by the abutment shoulders for snap-in retention of the flange.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical assembly, such as an electrical cable assembly, to electrical elements such as electrical connector elements for terminating the assembly, and to housings for electrical elements. The housings for the electrical elements are formed of first and second housing members of insulating material, the housing members having mating sides which are fitted together to form the members into a housing. The first member has a plurality of pins projecting from the mating side thereof and the second member has a hole therethrough for each of the pins. The length of the pins and the relative position of the pins and holes are such that each pin passes through the corresponding hole and is exposed on the side of the second member opposite the mating side. The exposed portion of each pin is cold-flow expanded to hold the members together.