Abstract: A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing. The pull tab has a configured shape that fits within the width profile of the connector and which partially envelops the cable.

Abstract: A shielded housing that provides a shield to a circuit board connector of the SFP-style includes a conductive body that encompasses the connector. The housing has an opening that defines an entrance of the housing through which an opposing mating connector may be inserted. The housing entrance includes one or more guide members that extend into the center of the housing and provide a guide for guiding an opposing mating connector into engagement with the circuit board connector.

Abstract: An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to thereby release it from the adapter frame. The adapter frame includes a wear sleeve that cams the bail latch free ends inwardly during some insertions of the module. C-shaped press fit pins are made with the adapter frame for better engagement with the circuit board.

Abstract: A plug connector is disclosed that has a body portion and a circuit card extending forwardly of a mating face of the connector. The circuit card is protected in place by a pair of protective flanges that extend forwardly from the body portion and which flank the circuit card to protect it from stubbing and to provide a first means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector. One or more projections formed on the exterior of the plug connector provide second means for aligning the plug connector with the receptacle connector.

Abstract: A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.

Abstract: A surface mount connector for high speed data transfer application has an insulative housing with a circuit card-receiving slot disposed along a front face thereof. A plurality of conductive terminals are supported by the housing so that contact portions of the terminals extend into the card slot. The terminals are supported on opposite faces of the connector housing, specifically the top and bottom faces thereof, and each of the terminals includes a tail portion, a contact portion and a retention portion that engages the connector housing so that the contact portions are cantilevered in their extent within the housing. The housing includes a hollow recess formed on its bottom that opens to the front of the connector housing. This recess serves as a keyway that may receive a male portion of an opposing mating connector to ensure the mating connector is oriented properly before engagement.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board includes a plurality of associated sets of terminals, each terminal set including a pair of differential signal terminals and a ground reference terminal. Each associated set of terminals is arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector, and the sets are fixed within modules or blocks that are engageable together to form a connector housing. The housing modules permit adjacent associated terminal sets to be easily inverted so that the ground reference terminals of alternating associated terminal sets are located along one row of the connector along with signal terminals of intervening terminal sets, while the ground reference terminals of intervening terminal sets are located along a second row of the connector, along with the signal terminals of alternating associated terminal sets.

Abstract: An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to thereby release it from the adapter frame. The adapter frame includes a wear sleeve that cams the bail latch free ends inwardly during some insertions of the module. C-shaped press fit pins are made with the adapter frame for better engagement with the circuit board.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board includes a plurality of associated sets of terminals, each terminal set including a pair of differential signal terminals and a ground reference terminal. Each associated set of terminals is arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector, and the sets are fixed within modules or blocks that are engageable together to form a connector housing. The housing modules permit adjacent associated terminal sets to be easily inverted so that the ground reference terminals of alternating associated terminal sets are located along one row of the connector along with signal terminals of intervening terminal sets, while the ground reference terminals of intervening terminal sets are located along a second row of the connector, along with the signal terminals of alternating associated terminal sets.

Abstract: An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to thereby release it from the adapter frame.

Abstract: A termination structure for mating a cable connector to a circuit board includes a plurality of associated sets of terminals, each terminal set including a pair of differential signal terminals and a ground reference terminal. Each associated set of terminals is arranged in triangular pattern through the connector in order to reduce the impedance through the connector, and the sets are fixed within modules or blocks that are engageable together to form a connector housing. The housing modules permit adjacent associated terminal sets to be easily inverted so that the ground reference terminals of alternating associated terminal sets are located along one row of the connector along with signal terminals of intervening terminal sets, while the ground reference terminals of intervening terminal sets are located along a second row of the connector, along with the signal terminals of alternating associated terminal sets.

Abstract: An adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module fits. The bail latch is movable between two positions and it engages a cam member formed as part of the module that cams two opposing free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the module to thereby release it from the adapter frame.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for mounting to a first side of a panel and through an opening in the panel. A connector housing is adapted for mounting through the opening in the panel and carries a plurality of terminals. A multi-function mounting/latch component includes at least one mounting boss for mounting the connector housing on a circuit board. The multi-function component includes at least one mounting aperture for receiving a mounting post of the connector housing for mounting the connector housing at the first side of the panel and through the opening in the panel. The multi-function component includes at least one latch arm projecting through the opening to a second side of the panel. A locking plate is engageable with the latch arm at the second side of the panel to hold the connector in assembly through the panel. The latch arm includes a latching aperture to facilitate latching the connector assembly to a complementary mating connector at the second side of the panel.

Abstract: An improved EMI shield assembly for transceivers is provided in the form of a metal shielding cage that has interengaging cover and base portions. The cover portion has two sidewalls that include leading edges that flare outwardly so that the cover portion sidewalls ride up and over the sidewalls of the base portion. Catches are formed in the base portion sidewalls that have curved surfaces which engage the flared portions to further facilitate the assembly of the shielding cage assembly.

Abstract: A stamped and formed metal adapter frame is provided for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel. The frame includes a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector. Supporting wall portions project from the receptacle portion. At least one first stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and includes a stop for abutting the panel. At least one second stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and defines a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through the receptacle portion. Integral flexible gasket fingers are formed about the periphery of the receptacle portion. At least one mounting peg is insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board and includes at least two levels of engaging surfaces for engaging at least two printed circuit boards of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is adapted for mounting to a circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a bottom mounting portion adapted for mounting to the surface of the circuit board. A one-piece conductive shield is mounted on the housing and includes an integral ground strap for connection to an appropriate ground pad on the circuit board, an integral locating peg projecting below the bottom mounting portion and adapted for positioning in an appropriate locating hole in the circuit board, and an integral boardlock post projecting below the bottom mounting portion and adapted for positioning in an appropriate locking hole in the board. The shield has at least one ear portion wrapped about an edge of the housing, with the ear portion having a threaded aperture and a positioning tab snappingly interengaged with a locking shoulder on the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a bail-type latch for latching the connector to a complementary mating connector. A housing has a base and laterally-spaced upstanding opposite sides. A generally U-shaped bail latch has a pair of spaced leg portions with upper ends joined by a bight portion and lower ends with inwardly directed shaft portions pivotally mounting the bail latch to the base for pivotal movement between and outwardly extending open position allowing mating of the connectors and an inwardly extending latching position. Knee portions of the leg portions grip the opposite sides of the housing to define a stored position for the bail latch. Stops on the shaft portions prevent movement of the bail latch outwardly beyond its open position. Redundant stop shoulders on the leg portions also prevent movement of the bail latch outwardly beyond its open position. The stops engage offset anchoring recesses in the housing to provide for polarization of a pair of bail latches at opposite ends of the housing.

Abstract: An assembly for removably connecting data storage devices is provided for coupling a plurality of such devices within a computer or file server. The assembly comprises a plurality of trays each having a data storage device and a first electrical connector mounted thereto. Each tray contains an adapter assembly, having a second electrical connector, for consolidating the plurality of signals between the computer and the device. The trays are removably inserted within a housing having a plurality of printed circuit boards for connecting to the first electrical connectors of the inserted trays. A plurality of locking and actuating assemblies mounted within the housing govern insertion and removal of the trays into and out of the housing and passage of signals between the electrical connectors.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.

Abstract: A personal computer includes a frame unit and a top cover mounted to pivot upward and outward to the rear of the system, or alternately, upward to the side. One or more DASD storage devices may be mounted to extend downward from the top cover. A planar board is attached atop the lower side of the frame unit, where flexible mounting hardware allows the attachment of one of several types of planar boards. A central support structure includes a riser card plugged into a connector of the planar board, and a number of card connectors into which option cards can be plugged for electrical connection with the planar board. The central support structure also includes a bracket extending along the rear of the computer, having slots through which port connectors of the option cards can extend. The central support structure is held in engagement with the connector of the planar board by the top cover when this cover is closed.