Abstract: A 3-module electrical connector custom assembled for specific applications by mating together a central module and first and second contact modules to form an insulative housing for electrical contacts. The central module has a single row of contact receptacles for housing electrical ground, voltage or signal contacts. The first and second contact modules are selected from a group of preformed contact modules having configurations of from one to three rows. By proper selection of the first and second contact modules, a 3-module electrical connector can be custom assembled to have a predetermined number of rows of contact receptacles. The total number of contact rows can be odd or even numbered, and can be symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the single row of contact receptacles of the central module. The 3-module electrical connector can be used for insertion mounting of the terminal portions of the electrical contacts in corresponding holes of a printed circuit board.

Abstract: An article dispensing system comprising a plurality of bins disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship and angulated for facilitating storage and discharge of at least one article contained therein. The system includes an x-y-z positioning mechanism adapted for being disposed adjacent the end of the angulated storage bins. The mechanism is adapted for both loading and retrieving individual ones of the articles into and out of the storage bins. By utilizing a gravity feed system, the mechanical complexity of the x-y-z positioning mechanism is greatly reduced as is the overall cost of the system. Each storage bin is constructed with a lip formed on the lower end thereof for retaining stored articles therein, which retaining lip is inexpensive to fabricate and facilitates simplicity in the mechanical loading and retrieving operation.

Abstract: A high density connector for connecting to the edge of a printed circuit board uses two different contact terminals, one of which is reversible, and a spacing block to guide the contact terminals into the connector and to maintain close spacing of the contacts on each side of the printed circuit board. The connector housing has openings in the center of the housing to allow for expansion of the housing material and to provide for an optional grounding bus.

Abstract: A modular printed circuit card edge connector or a cable connector plug is made in several parts including the connector body, a bottom plate, two separate end caps and a plurality of connector terminals. The body of the connector can be cut to any length and assembled with the other parts to provide a card edge connector or cable connector of a desired length. In a second embodiment of the invention, a press fit connector is made up of the modular parts. The base plate is not used and the body of the connector is used to press fit the terminals into a circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector for the terminating edge of a printed circuit board to form the portion of the printed circuit board adapted to engage bowed portions of contact fingers in a conventional card edge connector. The finger connector insulator includes a slotted head section for receiving the board edge and a blade section for engaging a conventional card edge connector. Each side of the insulator contains a plurality of spaced contact receiving sleeves formed by parallel, transversely extending recesses which face outwardly on the blade and inwardly from each wall of the slotted head and which are connected by coaxial apertures formed in the head section.

Abstract: A multiplicity of integrated circuit connector contact sockets mounted to a plurality of carrier strips are moved between pairs of orientation rollers with tails of the contacts protruding upwardly whereby an upper socket portion of one contact is aligned with an upper socket portion of a contact on a carrier strip in an adjacent row. A plurality of integrated circuit connector insulators having socket receiving apertures formed therein are held together in an array and placed over the contact tails with one tail being received within each aperture of an insulator. The carrier strips are simultaneously advanced beneath a work station wherein a tool presses the insulators downwardly to tightly fit the contact socket portions into the receiving apertures in the insulators. A shearing tool then severs the insulators in the array from one another except for the continued affixation of the contact sockets to the parallel carrier strips.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a printed circuit card edge connector having a pull through bellows contact and a lay-over insulator. Manufacturing steps include inserting contacts interconnected by a common support strip into the top openings of sleeves and positioning the projections of those contacts within alignment troughs such that the contact tails extend out of the bottom of the openings in alignment. The common support strip is removed and the tails of the contacts are inserted through apertures arranged in linear arrays through the substrate. Force is applied to the tails rigidly press-fit mounting the contacts to the substrate. Further disclosed are the forming of first and second extending ears as integral portions of the upper contactor and intermediate mounting regions of the contact, respectively, and the forming of alignment tracks configured to receive the first and second ears.

Abstract: A multiplicity of integrated circuit connector contact sockets mounted to a plurality of carrier strips are moved between pairs of orientation rollers with tails of the contacts protruding upwardly whereby an upper socket portion of one contact is aligned with an upper socket portion of a contact on a carrier strip in an adjacent row. A plurality of integrated circuit connector insulators having socket receiving apertures formed therein are held together in an array and placed over the contact tails with one tail being received within each aperture of an insulator. The carrier strips are simultaneously advanced beneath a work station wherein a tool presses the insulators downwardly to tightly fit the contact socket portions into the receiving apertures in the insulators. A shearing tool then severs the insulators in the array from one another except for the continued affixation of the contact sockets to the parallel carrier strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pull fitting contacts. Contacts tails initially are placed through apertures on a mounting member. A support member having a pair of clamping jaws which clamp the contact ends encloses an actuation plate which after the tails are clamped pushes the mounting member relative to the support member thereby inserting the contacts completely into an insulative housing.

Abstract: A plurality of integrated circuit lead clips having a circular top opening and four resilient planar tines are positioned in a holding fixture in a rectangular matrix array. A carrier strip including a plurality of equally spaced, transversely extending projections each having a generally rectangular cross-section is positioned above a row of clips positioned in the fixture. The strip is vibrated and then lowered to pass one projection into the top opening of each clip and through the four resilient planar tines. Vibrations of the projections at the same time the tips of the projections touch the clips causes the clip to rotate in the fixture so that the planar ends of the tines orient with respect to the four flat sides of each projection. The projections are pushed through the clips so that they are held to the projections by the resiliency of the tines.

Abstract: Pull through contacts and receiving sleeves within a connector insulator cooperate to permit the contacts to be inserted into the sleeves of the insulator in either direction and to be held there by interference between laterally extending, coined portions on the contact of a bellows type and the walls of the sleeve. Card edge connector contacts are formed from square wire stock by coining a central portion of each contact into a press fit region and a pair of lower alignment ears. The receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contact to be initially top loaded therein and held in position within the insulator by means of engagement of the lower ears on the contact with the side walls of the sleeves.

Abstract: Press fit contacts having upper mating portions are stamped, formed and oriented out of sheet material for simultaneous insertion and housing in a removable connector insulator. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be bottom loaded into the sleeves, seated and lightly held therein. Each contact includes an intermediate press fit collar portion which engages a mating shoulder in the insulator. The insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting insertion force applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for press fitting them into contact receiving apertures in a mounting substrate. The contacts held by each insulator are all simultaneously press fitted into the substrate by continuing to apply pressure to the top of the insulator until it is mounted flush upon the substrate.

Abstract: A solderless electrical connector comprising a printed circuit board and electrical contact terminals mounted therein. A printed circuit board is fabricated to the construction stage wherein conductive circuitry interconnects plated through holes formed therethrough. The exposed circuitry and plated through holes are covered with a conformal coating of insulative material which seals the outer surfaces of the conductive materials from the environment and its effects. The insulative coating obviates the need for solder to protect the conductive materials as well as precludes the use of solder for electrical interconnection therewith. The plated through holes are constructed for press fit insertion of contact terminals in tight frictional engagement therein. The press fit insertion of a contact having an angular edge portion effectively penetrates the insulative coating by deforming it away from that portion of the plated through hole brought to bear against the contact.

Abstract: Press fit contacts having upper mating portions are stamped, formed and oriented out of sheet material for simultaneous insertion and housing in a removable connector insulator. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be bottom loaded into the sleeves, seated and lightly held therein. Each contact includes an intermediate press fit collar portion which engages a mating shoulder in the insulator. The insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting insertion force applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for press fitting them into contact receiving apertures in a mounting substrate. The contacts held by each insulator are all simultaneously press fitted into the substrate by continuing to apply pressure to the top of the insulator until it is mounted flush upon the substrate.

Abstract: A solderless electrical connector comprising a printed circuit board and electrical contact terminals mounted therein. A printed circuit board is fabricated to the construction stage wherein conductive circuitry interconnects plated through holes formed therethrough. The exposed circuitry and plated through holes are covered with a conformal coating of insulative material which seals the outer surfaces of the conductive materials from the environment and its effects. The insulative coating obviates the need for solder to protect the conductive materials as well as precludes the use of solder for electrical interconnection therewith. The plated through holes are constructed for press fit insertion of contact terminals in tight frictional engagement therein. The press fit insertion of a contact having an angular edge portion effectively penetrates the insulative coating by deforming it away from that portion of the plated through hole brought to bear against the contact.

Abstract: Press fit contacts having upper mating portions are stamped, formed and oriented out of sheet material for simultaneous insertion and housing in a removable connector insulator. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be bottom loaded into the sleeves, seated and lightly head therein. Each contact includes an intermediate press fit collar portion which engages a mating shoulder in the insulator. The insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting insertion force applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for press fitting them into contact receiving apertures in a mounting substrate. The contacts held by each insulator are all simultaneously press fitted into the substrate by continuing to apply pressure to the top of the insulator until it is mounted flush upon the substrate.

Abstract: Contacts and receiving sleeves within a discrete connector insulator are sized to permit the contacts to be inserted into the sleeves of the insulator and secured therein by a small force applied to the top of the contacts. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be top loaded therein and lightly forced over detent means comprise a downwardly facing shoulder having an upper body portion tapering to the edge of the shoulder region complementarily formed for abutting engagement against the insulator shoulder for securing the contact in the insulator. The contacts are inserted into the insulator simultaneously while depending from a common support strip for facilitating assembly of the connector. The connector receives and electrically connects a mating printed circuit board through insertion thereof into the upper part of the insulative housing.

Abstract: Press fit contacts having upper mating portions are stamped, formed and oriented out of sheet material for simultaneous insertion and housing in a removable connector insulator. Receiving sleeves formed in the insulator are constructed to permit the contacts to be bottom loaded into the sleeves, seated and lightly held therein. Each contact includes an intermediate press fit collar portion which engages a mating shoulder in the insulator. The insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting insertion force applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for press fitting them into contact receiving apertures in a mounting substrate. The contacts held by each insulator are all simultaneously press fitted into the substrate by continuing to apply pressure to the top of the insulator until it is mounted flush upon the substrate.

Abstract: Electrical contacts are stamped and formed into a right angle configuration for simultaneous insertion and housing in an effectively removable connector insulator. Linear receiving sleeves may be formed in each of two sections so the insulator, which sleeves meet at right angles, one to the other, when the insulator is assembled. Each linear sleeve is constructed to permit one of the linear portions of the contact to be inserted therein. The assembled insulator serves as a holding fixture and seating tool for transmitting forces applied to the top of the insulator to each one of the contacts for inserting an extended portion thereof into a contact receiving aperture in a mounting substrate for rigid mounting therein, with the orthogonal portion of the contact lying generally parallel to the substrate. The contact of the assembled connector is then in a configuration for electrical engagement with a mating contact aligned generally parallel to the mounting substrate rather than perpendicular thereto.

Abstract: A metal voltage plate is drilled or punched first with alignment holes, placed upon a jig and drilled with contact clearance holes in preselected locations. A metal ground plate is also drilled or punched first with alignment holes, placed upon a jig and drilled with contact clearance holes in preselected locations. The clearance holes are preferably in the range of 80-90 mils in diameter and located in positions where contacts are to pass through a plate without making electrical connection therewith. Next, both the voltage and ground plates are coated, including the inner walls of the clearance holes, with a relatively thick layer of an insulative dielectric material, such as teflon, polyurethane, p.v.c., or the like. The coated voltage plate is then drilled or punched with an array of smaller connecting holes, on the order of 40 mils in diameter, through which contacts to be electrically connected with voltage will be pressed.