Abstract: An I/O card (10) includes a frame (12) shielded by outer covers (14, 16), and an internal PC board (20) positioned therein. A connector (24) is positioned at one end of the I/O card (10) for mating a corresponding memory card connector in the computer. A deflectable I/O port assembly (30) which can be angularly displaced with regard to the I/O card (10), extends outwardly at the other end and comprises at least one standard I/O connector (32) whose dimension is substantially larger than the thickness of the I/O card (10). A displaceable section (42) is connected between the standard I/O connector (32) and the I/O card (10) wherein conductors (34) are positioned along the displaceable section (42) for electrically connecting the standard I/O connector (32) and the PC board (20).

Abstract: An interconnection system for use with a computer set comprises a connector module PC board (10) on which most I/O connectors (12) are integrated to be mounted. A first mating section (18) is positioned adjacent the bottom edge of the PC board (10) and adapted to mate with a second mating section (22) of a main board (20) in the computer set. A frame (24) is formed on the back side of the computer case, and such connector module PC board (10) is securely but detachably attached to the frame (24). As an alternative to connector (18) contact pads (15) at the bottom edge of the board (10) are usable to mate with a vertically positioned connector on the main board (20). In another embodiment (FIG. 4) a right angle adapter (54) is used to electrically join a connector module PC board (50) to a main board (56).

Abstract: An I/O card (1) includes a rectangular frame (10) sandwiched between a top cover (11) and a bottom cover (13). Connector means (16, 18) are positioned at the ends of the I/O card (1) to form an in-and-out interface, and is mounted on a PC board (28) in the I/O card (1). A pair of top and bottom grounding clips (40, 30) are respectively attached on two opposite sides of the frame (10) and electrically and mechanically engage the top surface (29) and the bottom surface (27) of the inner PC board (28), respectively, wherein both grounding clips (30, 40) can be pre-assembled with the frame (10) and the bottom cover (13) as a semi-finished product which is delivered to an I/O card manufacturer who assembles the internal PC board (28) and the associated interface connectors (16, 18) to such pre-assembly without any interference from either of the grounding clips (30, 40) and successively places a top cover (11) thereon to complete the final product.

Abstract: A socket contact (1) for use with a connector (40) includes a main body (10) and a tail (12) integrally extending from the rear portion thereof and perpendicular to the main body (10). An engagement section (14) is positioned on the front portion of the main body (10), and a retention section (16) is positioned on the rear portion of the main body (10). The engagement section (16) includes a thinner U-shaped member (20) at the front end, a thicker U-shaped member (22) at the rear end, and two curved beams (23, 24) integrally intermediating therebetween, respectively, oppositely facing to each other. The two U-shaped members (20, 22) horizontally and transversely lie in the corresponding cavity (44) in the connector (40) in the same direction, and therefore the two opposite curved beams (23, 24) can sandwich an inserted male pin contact therebetween in a vertical direction.

Abstract: An I/O card assembly (1) is provided having an insulative frame means (10, 40) sandwiched by a pair of generally similar conductive covers (50, 70). Each cover (50) includes a main plate (52) and two elongated side shielding walls (56) downward extending from two opposite sides of the plate (52) a first distance which is generally half of a height of the side wall (12) of the frame (10). A groove (18) horizontally extends along the center line of side wall (12) of the frame (10) for receiving both the hook sections (58) which are respectively inwardly formed at the outermost edges of the side shielding walls (56) of the top and the bottom covers (50, 70).

Abstract: An I/O card (10) includes an internal PC board (26) attached to the frame means (12, 18) which extend along the edges of the PC board (26). A top panel (60) and a bottom panel (40) sandwich the frame (12, 18) and its associated PC board (26) therebetween. A socket connector (34) is positioned at the rear end of the I/O card (10). Oppositely, a specifically shaped and dimensioned opening (21) extends through the front wall (14) of the frame (12) in a front-to-end direction whereby a projecting section (29) of the PC board (26) extends into the opening (21).

Abstract: A holding device (10) includes an elongated base (12) and two raised platforms (14, 16) respectively position at two opposite ends thereof. A central cavity (27) is formed in the base for reception of the protrusion portion (62) of the I/O connector (60) therein, and two retaining holes (17) respectively provided approximate or in the platforms extend perpendicular to the holding device (10) for reception of the corresponding screws (50), respectively. The holding device (10) can be attached to and hold the slide latch (30) by its resilience to combine these two components as one unit, and two screws (50) are also temporarily retained in the retaining holes (17) of the holding device (10) by the resilience of the holding device.

Abstract: A receptacle connector (10) includes an insulative housing (12) having a front mating portion (14) projecting from a front face (16) of a flange section (18) and having a mating face (20) in the front. A pair of rows of passageways (70) extend longitudinally within the connector (10) to receive a plurality of corresponding contacts (52, 60) therein, respectively. A central cavity (50) is positioned along the lateral center line and extends inwardly from the mating face (20) for receiving a blade of a complementary plug connector therein. A conductive shield (80) has a shroud adapted to surround the front mating portion (14) wherein the front portion of the shield (80) extends vertically an appropriate distance toward the cavity (50).

Abstract: A female connector (10) includes a housing (11) comprising an elongated base (12) and a trapezoidal island (14) protruding forward from the base (12). A plurality of two-row passageways (16) extend through the housing (11) to receive a plurality of corresponding contacts (18) therein. A groove (19) transversely through a front surface (13) of the island (14) and further backward extends along and through two side surfaces (15) of the island (14) until it reaches the base (12). A conductive shell (20) includes a plate (22) to cover the base (12) of the housing (11), and a circumferential fence (24) to receive the island (14) of the housing (11) therein. A blade type conductive member (30) having an elongated flat body (31) positioned within the groove (19) and a pair of legs (34) extending backward and obliquely outward from two ends of the flat body (31) to resiliently engage the conductive shell (20) for ESD protection.

Abstract: A user configurable integrated electrical connector assembly apparatus and method of using the electrical connector assembly to create a flexible manufacturing system are disclosed. The connector assembly is capable of being formed as a semi-finished product for inventory and at a later time may be simply and quickly reconfigured with insertable components to conform precisely to a customer's design specifications. The connector assembly includes a first insulator defining a plurality of first passageways, a second insulator defining a plurality of adjacent parallel passageways communicating with the first passageways over a portion of their length. A grounding plate has a plurality of through holes corresponding to the first passageways and is transversely to the passageways between the first and second insulators. Conductive shields surround the first and second insulators and contact the grounding plate.

Abstract: An electrical male connector assembly incorporates a floating shield that is resiliently held in a position on the connector body wherein the male contact pins are hidden or shielded from contact by the shield in its outermost position. When the connector member is mated with a corresponding female connector, the opposed face of the female connector impinges on the shield and cause it to be slid along the contact pins to a retracted position. Means are provided for biasing the shield toward its outermost position. The shield face is metalized to provide an exposed ground plane in electrically conductive contact with a metal portion of the connector member shell to drain off any electrical static discharges that might otherwise come into contact with the exposed contact pins.

Abstract: A user configurable integrated electrical connector assembly apparatus and method of using the electrical connector assembly to create a flexible manufacturing system are disclosed. The connector assembly is capable of being formed as a semi-finished product for inventory and at a later time may be simply and quickly reconfigured with insertable components to conform precisely to a customer's design specifications. The connector assembly includes an insulator defining a plurality of first passageways and a plurality of adjacent parallel passageways communicating with the first passageways over a portion of their length. A conductive shield surrounds the insulator and contacts the adjacent parallel passageways.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first insulative housing (12) which defines a plurality of first passages (14) extending therethrough for receiving corresponding electrical conductive members (22). The first insulative housing (12) also defines a corresponding number of apertures (42) thereof for receiving electrical filtering components (30), such as a TVS chip, and each apertures (42) is parallel to and communicates with one side of the first passage (14). A second insulative housing (16) defines a plurality of second passages (38) corresponding to the first passages (14) of the first insulative housing (12) for receiving the same conductive members (22), and also defines a corresponding number of cavities (40) thereof for receiving conductive bridge members (34).

Abstract: A housing has a hollow portion to receive a ferrule, and a support member is positioned between the housing and the ferrule. A plurality of electrical elements are selectively positioned within the housing in electrically conductive contact with the support member. A detachable shell is closely positioned on the housing in circumscribing relation with the support member and in electrically conductive relation with the electrical elements to completely shield and enclose the electrical elements. Removing the electrical elements, the rest parts of the assembly is deemed as a semi-finished product and can be stored as inventory for a later time use according to the customer's requirements.

Abstract: A user configurable integrated electrical connector assembly includes an insulated body comprising a first insulator and a second insulator, respectively, each insulator defining a plurality of passageways extending therethrough for receiving a corresponding electrical contact. A grounding plate is disposed between the first and second insulators transversely to the passageways and has a plurality of projections extending through the passageways for electrically coupling the electrical contacts inserted therein to ground. The grounding plate further comprises a series of parallel extending tabs on its opposed edges. The grounding plate includes a shield portion having a connection to complete ground which entirely covers the front section of the insulated body, thus providing an effective shield against electromagnetic interference. The electrical connector is formed in accordance with a flexible manufacturing system which enables the connector to be completely user configurable.

Abstract: The invention facilitates individual selection and even field replacement of individual component-carrying contacts in a multicontact electrical connector. On a modular circuit-by-circuit basis, each circuit can be individually guarded against overvoltages, undesired frequencies, etc.; and in event of damage to a protection component, the protection can be easily renewed for any individual circuit in just a few minutes. An overvoltage-bypassing diode or other electrical component is positioned within a central cavity that extends axially within the body of a cylindrical contact--i.e., either a male pin or female receptacle. The component is oriented axially in the cavity. Because the bypassing component is physically protected within the cavity, it is much less vulnerable to physical and electrical damage in installation and service than in prior component-carrying contacts.