Abstract: This invention relates to a locking mechanism for coupling anduncoupling electrical connectors. In the prior art, because of the large number of electrical contacts contained within the male and female connector parts, the insertion and extraction forces for coupling and uncoupling the connector parts are often sufficiently high to damage the supports for the connector parts. This is especially true with printed circuit boards wherein the insertion and extraction forces are applied normal to the flat surface of the board. The present invention overcomes this deficiency by providing an improved locking mechanism for coupling together and uncoupling mating electrical connector parts. One connector part is provided with an actuator pivotally mounted for applying force in both an insertion and an extraction direction as the actuator pivots. A projection on the other electrical connector part receives the insertion and extraction forces for coupling and uncoupling the connector parts, respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector for attachment to a printed circuit board which allows stacked printed circuit boards to be positioned closer together than previously possible. The connector comprises a housing, one surface of which is mounted against one side of the printed circuit board, and at least one resilient female contact having a terminal end extending through a passageway in the housing and attached to the printed circuit board. An intermediate portion of the female contact is bent such that the portion is substantially parallel to the printed circuit board. The other end of the terminal is folded over to form a wiping surface for contacting a mating male contact extending from an adjacent printed circuit board. The housing includes an opening adjacent the contacting end of the female contact to allow passage of the male contact through the housing and into engagement with the female contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector for removable connection with a plurality of spaced conductors in a flat strip, such as a length of ribbon wire. The connector includes a housing containing a plurality of contacts and a conductor supporting member movable relative to the housing between an insertion position and a clamping position. The contacts and the conductors supporting the member define a plurality of conductor-receiving passages, the passages becoming smaller in size when the supporting member is moved from the insertion position to the clamping position. The conductors of a flat strip may be easily inserted into the passageways when the supporting member is in the insertion position, and the conductors are securely clamped between the contacts and the supporting member when the supporting member is in the clamping position.

Abstract: An improved connector for terminating flexible parallel conductors in which a male part has a length of distal surface about which an end of a flexible group of parallel conductors is bent. The male part, with the group of parallel conductors bent thereabout is inserted into a female part having a closed slot therein and a plurality of contacts along one of the walls thereof. Upon mating of the two connector parts, the contacts of the female part electrically engages respective ones of the parallel conductors. Various means are provided for keeping the conductors aligned during the mating action and latch members on both male and female parts cooperate to releasably secure the two parts together.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the coupling and uncoupling of electrical connectors. The apparatus includes at least one rack gear on the body of a first of a pair of electrical connectors and a pinion member on the other, engageable with the rack and having an actuating lever for rotating the pinion member. As the lever is moved in a first direction, the pinion rotates and engages the rack, pulling the two connectors together. When the lever is moved in the other direction, the connectors are pulled apart.

Abstract: A female electrical contact for making electrical contact with a mating male pin contact. The female contact is formed from a single piece of sheet metal and includes a pair of opposed contact leaves encased in the end of a tubular member of rectangular cross section. The tubular member has a closed end with a small aperture at its center, opening into between the two opposing contact leaves. The base for the contact leaves is U-shaped and has a pair of tabs which are bent to retain one of the rectangular faces of the tubular member in firm fixed position. The closed end may be concave to provide a camming action for the male pin to be inserted in the aperture therein. Additionally, a terminal strip portion can be provided extending from the U-shaped face to provide connection for an external conductor. Opposite sides of the tubular member can be foreshortened to bear against the two leaves to aid in biasing the leaves inwardly toward one another.