Abstract: A socket assembly includes a housing with a plurality of through openings that extend between opposite surfaces of the housing. First and second plurality of contact members are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The contact members each include major beams and minor beams with proximal ends attached to a center portion, and distal ends extending away from the center portion. The major beams preferably have a length greater than the minor beams. When the first circuit member is engaged with the socket assembly the ball grid array displaces the distal ends of the major beams to create a plurality of first and second forces. The first plurality of forces generally oppose the second plurality of forces. The first and second plurality of forces also generate an engagement force that biases the first circuit member toward the housing. The minor beams on the first and second plurality of contact members do not contribute to the engagement force.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a housing with a plurality of through openings that extend between opposite surfaces of the housing. First and second plurality of contact members are positioned in a plurality of the through openings. The contact members each include major beams and minor beams with proximal ends attached to a center portion, and distal ends extending away from the center portion. The major beams preferably have a length greater than the minor beams. When the first circuit member is engaged with the socket assembly the ball grid array displaces the distal ends of the major beams to create a plurality of first and second forces. The first plurality of forces generally oppose the second plurality of forces. The first and second plurality of forces also generate an engagement force that biases the first circuit member toward the housing. The minor beams on the first and second plurality of contact members do not contribute to the engagement force.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signals transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signal transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.

Abstract: An improved flexible circuit connector that is particularly useful in connections for circuit boards has a housing and a circuit card engaging assembly mounted therein. The circuit card engaging assembly includes at least two contact spring members having a U-shaped portion adjoining a body portion thereof such that when the two contact spring members are brought together at their body portions, a U-shaped channel is formed that supports two lengths of flexible circuity close to the surface and edge of a circuit board inserted into the connector channel.

Abstract: An improved flexible circuit connector that is particularly useful in connections for circuit boards has a housing and a circuit card engaging assembly mounted therein. The circuit card engaging assembly includes at least two contact spring members having a U-shaped portion adjoining a body portion thereof such that when the two contact spring members are brought together at their body portions, a U-shaped channel is formed that supports two lengths of flexible circuity close to the surface and edge of a circuit board inserted into the connector channel.

Abstract: A modular jack assembly for connecting and switching computer network cables. The jack assembly includes at least one jack module with two sets of connectors for linking wires from cables to the module and at least one jack. The modules within jack assembly slide between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the two sets of connectors linked to cables are electrically connected to each other, allowing normal through signal transmission. In the second position, the electrical connection between the connector sets is broken and the plug contacts within each jack are linked to one of the sets of connectors, allowing pass-through connections, such as a cross-connection, to be made.