Abstract: A connector capable of being mounted onto a substrate is disclosed. Such a connector may include a housing, and a contact mounted within the housing. The contact may include a body, terminal pins extending from a first edge of the body, contact beams extending from a second edge of the body, and a flared portion. The edges of a first contact beam and a second contact beam of the contact beams may be positioned proximate respective adjacent surfaces of the housing. The flared portion may also be positioned proximate a respective adjacent surface of the housing. The relationship between the first contact beam and its respective adjacent surface, the relationship between the second contact beam and its respective adjacent surface, and the relationship between the flared portion and its respective surface may inhibit bowing of the body of the contact when the connector is mounted on the substrate.

Abstract: A connector system includes a first connector, and a second connector that mates with the first connector. The same type of power contact is used in the first and second connectors.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector housing and a terminal tray. The terminal tray may include a tray body having a latch extending therefrom. The connector housing may define a latch receiving window. The latch and latch receiving window may be disposed such that the latch engages the latch receiving window only when the terminal tray is received in the housing in a preferred orientation. The terminal tray may include an electrically conductive contact having a board receiving end adapted to receive a printed circuit board and to exert sufficient pressure on the printed circuit board to retain the printed circuit board between the contact and the tray body. The connector may also include a plurality of cables bundled by a band, such as double-sided tape, such that respective portions of the cables are restrained from movement relative to one another.

Abstract: Strain relief devices for electrical connectors are disclosed and include an insert for insertion into a housing. The insert may include spring beams that deflect during insertion into the strain relief housing. When the insert is fully received in the housing, a slot in the housing may be shaped such that the spring beams return to a relaxed state, locking the insert in the housing. Alternatively, an end of a strain relief insert may be inserted into the housing until beams on the strain relief insert abut shoulders in the slot in the housing. The end may protrude beyond the housing, creating a tab that may be deformed or bent to prevent the insert from moving in a direction opposite the direction of insertion.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of power contacts include two or more opposing contact beams of a first type that are spaced apart along at least a portion of the length thereof when the power contact is in an unmated state; and two or more opposing contact beams of a second type. The contact beams of the second type are spaced apart so that the contact beams of the second type pinch the contact beams of the first type when the power contact is mated with a mating contact, thereby causing the contact beams of the first type of deflect inwardly toward each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of electrical connectors include features that facilitate circulation of air through and around the electrical connectors. The air can cool the power contacts of the electrical connectors, thereby allowing the power contacts to operate at higher currents that would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A cover for an electrical connector includes substrate mounting beams. When a force is applied to the top, the beams transfer the force to the lead frame, pressing contacts of the connector to an electrical device such as a substrate. Flat rock application may be applied to the top of the cover to connect the connector to a substrate. The cover may aid in retaining the lead frame assemblies in the connector. A cover for an electrical connector may include a back extending from a top such that the back includes resiliency and is able to be flexed while the cover is placed on a connector and flexed to remove the cover from the connector.

Abstract: An electrical contact for a ball grid array connector is disclosed for providing improved solder ball connection with a substrate. The contacts may be compressed, enabling solder balls of the connector to abut with the substrate prior to reflow. During reflow, the compression may be relieved by the contact extending further into the solder ball, returning the contact to an uncompressed state.

Abstract: An electrical contact for transmitting power to a printed circuit structure. The power contact comprises a main section that includes a first edge and an opposing second edge, and is made from electrically conductive material. A current-receiving interface is disposed between the main section first and second edges. And a plurality of terminals extend from the main section along the second edge. A void of electrically conductive material is formed in the main section for guiding current flow from the current-receiving interface to the terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector may include a connector housing and a terminal tray. The terminal tray may include a tray body having a latch extending therefrom. The connector housing may define a latch receiving window. The latch and latch receiving window may be disposed such that the latch engages the latch receiving window only when the terminal tray is received in the housing in a preferred orientation. The terminal tray may include an electrically conductive contact having a board receiving end adapted to receive a printed circuit board and to exert sufficient pressure on the printed circuit board to retain the printed circuit board between the contact and the tray body. The connector may also include a plurality of cables bundled by a band, such as double-sided tape, such that respective portions of the cables are restrained from movement relative to one another.

Abstract: A high speed electrical connector is disclosed. The electrical connector includes a plug portion and a receptacle portion. The plug portion has a first plurality of signal contacts contained in a plug back housing. The receptacle portion is adapted to mate with plug portion and has a second plurality of signal contacts in a receptacle back housing. The plug back housing is adapted to contain the first plurality of signal contacts for both surface mount and thru-hole termination and the receptacle back housing is adapted to contain the second plurality of signal contacts for both surface mount and thru-hole termination.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter mount for mounting optical connectors to a panel. The mount comprises a frame with a mounting section for attaching the mount to the panel. The frame has a housing section with an aperture adapted for connecting at least one multi-fiber optical connector with at least a row of multiple optical fibers to the housing section. The aperture in the housing has an axis of symmetry which is slanted relative to the mounting section. The axis of symmetry of the aperture is angled relative to a normal axis of panel when the mounting section is mounted to the panel. The connector connected to the housing section is oriented with the row of multiple optical fibers aligned generally vertically.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a frame, electrical contacts and a system for retaining and ejecting an electronic module with the electrical contacts. The frame has a receiving area which is sized and shaped to removably receive an end of at least one electronic module. The electrical contacts are connected to the frame. The contacts include spring contacts adapted to make removable connection to contact pads on the end of the electronic module at a first inserted position. The system for retaining and ejecting the electronic module with the electrical contacts includes at least one ejection unit having a spring, a pusher and a guide connected between the frame and a guide channel in the pusher. The ejection unit is adapted to stationarily locate the pusher at two positions on the frame based upon biasing force of the spring and upon location of the guide in the guide channel.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a guide boot for a fiber-optic cable mechanically coupled to a connector comprises a mating portion having an interior surface defining a passage for receiving a portion of the connector and the fiber-optic cable, and a plurality of ribs formed on the interior surface and extending along at least a portion of a length of the mating portion. A preferred embodiment of a guide boot also comprises a body portion adjoining the mating portion and having an interior surface that defines a passage for receiving the fiber-optic cable. The interior surface of the body portion is curved so that the body portion bends the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling optic fibers. The connector has a mating end for mating to another connector and a cable end for connection to a fiber optic cable having a jacket. The connector comprises a mating end outer shell, a ferrule, and a cable end outer shell. The mating end outer shell has a cavity for receiving an optic fiber of the cable, the cavity defining an axis through the connector. The ferrule is disposed in the cavity of the mating end outer shell. The cable end outer shell has a body portion and an extension member and is coupled to the mating end outer shell. The extension member extends from body portion, thereby providing an offset for deforming the jacket when the jacket is crimped to the connector.

Abstract: A connector is provided for coupling optic fibers. The connector has a mating end for mating to another connector and a cable end for connection to a fiber optic cable having a jacket. The connector comprises a mating end outer shell, a ferrule, a cable end outer shell, and a coupling sleeve. The mating end outer shell has a cavity for receiving an optic fiber of the cable, the cavity defining an axis through the connector. The ferrule is disposed in the cavity of the mating end outer shell. The cable end outer shell has a body portion and an extension member and is coupled to the mating end outer shell. The coupling sleeve is slidably mounted to the mating end outer shell. The coupling sleeve comprising a first piece and a second piece mechanically coupled together.

Abstract: An adapter for connecting opposing fiber optic connectors includes a housing having a through aperture about which a post is formed. An alignment sleeve is disposed in and retained by the post. A plastic cap is disposed over an end of the post. The plastic cap may include a lip for retaining the alignment sleeve, a conical or other oblique surface for self-aligning on a like surface of the post, and a latch that clips the cap into recesses in the housing. The post may include a recess for receiving the latch members.

Abstract: An optical connector adapter comprising a housing, and a pair of latch inserts. The housing has at least one passage formed therein for receiving a pair of connectors adapted to be mated to each other inside the housing. The pair of latch inserts are located in the passage of the housing. Each latch insert is adapted for locking a corresponding connector from the pair of connectors to the housing. At least one latch insert from the pair of latch inserts has a spring loaded projection. The housing has at least one detent formed therein. The spring loader projection on the at least one latch insert is bias into the at least one detent locking the at least one latch insert to the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a frame, electrical contacts, and a system for retaining and ejecting an electronic module. The frame has a receiving area which is sized and shaped to removably received an end of at least one electronic module. The electrical contacts are connected to the frame. The contacts include spring contacts adapted to make removable connection to contact pads on the end of the electronic module at a first inserted position. The system for retaining and ejecting includes springs adapted to push on the end of the electronic module when the module is moved past the first inserted position. When the electronic module is inserted into the frame the contacts are adapted to make electrical connection with the contact pads on the end of the electronic module before the electronic module moves the springs.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a frame, electrical contacts and a system for retaining and ejecting an electronic module with the electrical contacts. The frame has a receiving area which is sized and shaped to removably receive an end of at least one electronic module. The electrical contacts are connected to the frame. The contacts include spring contacts adapted to make removable connection to contact pads on the end of the electronic module at a first inserted position. The system for retaining and ejecting the electronic module with the electrical contacts includes at least one ejection unit having a spring, a pusher and a guide connected between the frame and a guide channel in the pusher. The ejection unit is adapted to stationarily locate the pusher at two positions on the frame based upon biasing force of the spring and upon location of the guide in the guide channel.