Abstract: A multi-socket connection device, forming an electrical connection with flat ribbon cable, contains a series of individual connectors mounted in a multi-socket connector body. The connector body has a recess for accepting individual connector members and for holding the connector in engagement with the body. The connector member is aligned in its socket to resists displacement of the connector from the socket when a second connector is placed in an electrical engagement with the connector. Additionally, the connector has a means for engaging a cap. The cap is placed on top of the wires forcing the wires down into the connector to form an electrical connection and a latch means on the connector engages the cap to hold the cap firmly in place in the assembled position.

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 electrical connector in which two rows of resilient contacts are mounted in a connector housing which is adapted to receive therein conductors on an electrical component that are desired to be engaged by the contacts. The contacts have spring contacting portions which extend resiliently toward a center wall in the housing. Means is provided for retracting the contacts away from the center wall so that the conductors on the electrical component may be inserted into the connector housing with zero insertion force. Such retracting means includes laterally extending fingers pivotally connected to the center wall. The contacting portions of the contacts extend through vertical openings in the fingers. A cam actuator underlies the ends of the fingers. Longitudinal movement of the cam actuator raises the fingers, whereby the contacts are cammed outwardly away from the center wall in the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector in which a contact is mounted in a contact cavity in the connector insulator from the front and is removed forwardly from the cavity. The contact is formed with a forwardly and outwardly extending spring retention tine that engages a rearwardly facing shoulder in the cavity to prevent forward movement of the contact in the cavity. The tine embodies a relatively deformable area so that upon application of a predetermined forwardly directed force on the contact, the tine will fold back on itself at said deformable area, thereby allowing the tine to pass under the rearwardly facing shoulder in the cavity. Thus, the contact may be removed from the contact cavity without the use of a tool. The invention is particularly adaptable to contacts having wire-wrap tails which are accurately held in position by a stabilizing plate at the rear of the connector insulator.

Abstract: A printed circuit board connector is disclosed which contains insulation displacing contacts. A plurality of individual conductor inserting caps are mounted on the connector housing by integral thin hinge sections so that conductors may be independently connected to the contacts by the caps. A positive latch arrangement is provided which secures the caps in position on the connector housing after the conductors have been connected to the contacts. Thus, conductors can be removed or replaced individually in the connector.

Abstract: A zero insertion force printed circuit board connector in which two rows of resilient contacts are mounted on opposite sides of a printed circuit board receiving slot in a connector housing. The upper ends of the contacts are inclined toward each other. The connector housing is movable downwardly over the contacts to cam them into engagement with a printed circuit board mounted in the slot. A longitudinally extending rotatable cam is provided for shifting the housing downwardly to cam the contacts.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a zero force insertion upon mating of a first connector member and a second connector member. Each of the connector members contains contacts mounted in bores formed therein. The contacts in one of the connector members extend forwardly from the bores therein. A split insulator member in such connector member forms a pair of actuating plates. A rotatable actuating shaft is disposed between the plates and carries an actuating cam which, when the shaft is rotated, shifts the actuating plates apart to mate the contacting surfaces of the contacts in the respective connector members. A pair of additional actuating cams are rotatably mounted between the actuating plates on opposite sides of the actuating shaft.