Abstract: An electrical connector for a multi-conductor flat cable wherein the connector housing contains three rows of contacts. The contacts have termination sections which make electrical connections to the conductors of the flat cable by insulation displacing techniques. The termination sections of one row of contacts is higher than those of the other two rows of contacts. The contacts in the other two rows are staggered relative to each other. The flat cable is folded generally longitudinally to provide two layers. A cap is used to force the conductors of one layer of the flat cable into the two lower rows of termination sections, while a second cap is used to force the conductors of the other layer of the flat cable into the higher row of termination sections.

Abstract: An electronic packaging assembly in which a box containing electronic components is slidably mounted on a support and carries at its rear an electrical connector assembly which engages with a mating connector member mounted at the rear of the support with zero insertion force. Means is provided for moving the contacts mounted in the connector assembly at the rear of the box to bring the respective contacts in the two connector halves into engagement. Such means includes a motion transmitting element which extends through the box and a pivoted handle at the front of the box which actuates the motion transmitting element. A hook is provided on the handle which latches the front of the box to the support simultaneously with the actuating of the movable contacts. The connector assembly is a modular assembly in which individual connector modules containing either movable or fixed contacts may be mounted in any arrangement in the shell of the assembly.

Abstract: A male contact and insulator mounting therefor including a conductive stamping having first and second split cylinders formed about the same axis at its opposite ends, the stamping having an oppositely disposed pair of strips connecting the cylinders, both strips being bowed outwardly from each other. The formed conductor is snapped into a rectangular hole extending all the way through an insulator body. The body has shoulders on the narrowest sides against which the external surfaces of the bowed portions of the strips bear respectively on corresponding ones of the shoulders. The outside diameter of the first cylinder, which acts as the male contact or pin, is slightly less than the hole width. The strip width is also slightly smaller than the hole width. The outside diameter of the second cylinder is larger than the hole width and bears against the insulator to act as a stop. The conductor can be released from the insulator by backing it out. This can be done by pressing the strips together with a tool.

Abstract: A contact retention assembly in which a contact is mounted in a contact cavity in a connector insulator from the rear and is released from the front of the insulator to allow removal of the contact rearwardly from the cavity. The contact is formed with a laterally and rearwardly extending spring retention tine that extends across the contact cavity and engages the wall of the cavity to prevent rearward movement of the contact in the cavity. An aperture is provided in the contact in front of the tine. A tool is inserted from the front of the insulator into the aperture, and threaded therein so that the end of the tool will deflect the tine rearwardly, thereby releasing it from its engagement with the wall of the contact cavity. The contact is then free to be removed rearwardly from the cavity.

Abstract: A contact retention assembly for an electrical connector in which the contact comprises a longitudinally split tubular body having outwardly projecting barbs on the wall of the body. The barbs have an interference fit with the wall of the contact cavity in the connector insulator to retain the contact therein. Overlapping tabs extend inwardly from the wall of the tubular body and cooperate to form an aperture therein. A tapered tool is inserted from either end of the contact into the aperture to cause the tubular body to contract and, thereby, release the barbs from the wall of the contact cavity. Thus, the contact may be removed from the cavity in the insulator without damaging the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: An electronic packaging assembly in which a box containing electronic components is slidably mounted on a support and carries at its rear an electrical connector member which engages with a mating electrical connector member mounted at the rear of the support with zero insertion force. Means is provided at the front of the support for moving the contacts mounted at the rear of the support to bring the respective contacts in the two connector halves into engagement. Such means also simultaneously latches the two connector halves together and positively latches the front of the box to prevent it from lifting off of the support.