Abstract: A connector assembly is shown which includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector assembly. The plug connector assembly is comprised of a plug housing and upper and lower flanges. The plug connector housing is spring-loaded rotationally relative to the upper and lower flanges, and includes a stop feature to orient the plug connector to the upper and lower flanges. The plug connector can rotate relative to the flanges, but there is always a home position for the plug polarized position.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) includes a housing (12) having at least one conductor-receiving aperture (16) and an associated terminal-receiving passageway (32) intersecting each conductor-receiving aperture (16), and a terminal (40) disposed in each terminalreceiving passageway (32). Each terminal (40) includes a body (42) having a first connecting section (44) extending from one end thereof and a pair of upstanding arms (46) defining an insulation displacement contact at an opposite end. Each terminal (40) is partially inserted into the terminal-receiving passageway (32) in a first position and upon positioning the first connecting sections (44) in corresponding through-holes (62) of a circuit board (60), the terminals (40) can be secured to the board (60). The ends of insulated conductors (70) then can be inserted into respective conductor-receiving apertures (16) and terminated to respective terminals (40) therein by moving the housing (12) toward the board (60) to a second position against the board (60).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 20 for a card reader including a housing 24 having opposed major and minor sides 26,30 defining a card receiving mouth 32, a plurality of conductive electrical terminals 36 disposed in the housing 24 and having portions 38 thereof extending into the mouth 32, and a conductive shroud 50 encircling the housing 24, the shroud 24 having inwardly spaced contact portions extending into the mouth 32 along at least one of the major sides 26 of the housing 24, the shroud contact portions being spaced from the electrical terminal portions 38 when the shroud 50 is assembled to the housing 24. The inwardly spaced contact portions can be spring fingers 54 extending into the mouth 32 from an edge 53 of the shroud 50 or dimples 254 expressed into the mouth from an outer surface of the shroud 250.

Abstract: A card securing mechanism for retaining a card 90 in a reader includes a cam 66 pivotally mounted to a guide arm 20 associated with a side edge 94 of a card 90. The cam 66 is mounted at the entrance 34 of a card-receiving channel 30 proximate and beside a push button 36 slidably mounted along the guide arm 20 such that a first cam portion 74 can be rotated into and out of the channel 30. The first cam portion 74 has a notch 76 dimensioned to receive and secure a corner 96 of a card 90 when the card 90 is fully within a reader and the first portion 74 is rotated into the channel 30. A second cam portion 78 is adapted to be engaged by an actuator activated by the card ejection mechanism 50. The cam 66 is pivoted to a card engaging position upon insertion of a card 90 into the card reader.

Abstract: A conductive ground shroud (50) for use with an electrical connector (22) having a plurality of electrical terminals (36) with surface mountable contact sections (42) for electrically engaging circuitry (84) on a circuit board (80). The shroud (50) provides ground reference for the terminals (36). Shroud 50 includes an electrically conductive plate-like body 52 having first and second portions, (54, 62) the first portion (54) adapted to be disposed on a board remote surface (26) of the connector housing. The second portion is configured to extend over the surface mountable contact sections (42) when the shroud (50) is disposed on housing (24). The second portion (62) includes at least one second contact section (70) extending outwardly therefrom for engagement to ground circuitry of circuit board (80). The second portion further includes at least one elongated aperture (64) extending therethrough proximate the surface mountable contact sections (40).

Abstract: A connector array (10) for mounting to a circuit board is disclosed including a conductive shroud (16) and two electrical connectors (12, 14). The shroud includes a conductive first plate (60) that separates the two connectors (12, 14) and the leads (34) of one connector from the leads (38) of the other connector. The shroud includes solder tails (68) that electrically engage ground circuitry on the circuit board (18). A conductive second plate (64) is spaced from and parallel to the first plate (60). Contacts (72, 80) extend from edges of each of the first and second plates and are arranged so that when memory cards (28, 30) are mated with the two connectors the contacts electrically engage outer conductive surfaces of the two memory cards. The two connectors are secured in a vertically stacked position by means of a pair of clips (50) that are in interfering engagement with openings (52) formed in outer walls of the housings of the two connectors.

Abstract: An electricl connector (1) for mounting on a circuit board includes a housing (2) having a pair of spaced, rudimentary bottom walls (30) each having a bottom surface (31) for engaging against the circuit board. Each bottom wall (30) has formed therein, a through bore (39) opening into the bottom face (31) and also opening upwardly. A hollow board lock supported in each of the bores (39) has locking legs (37) projecting below the bottom face of the respective bottom wall (30) for insertion in a hole (H2) in a circuit board. The housing (2) has therein a header (8) carrying electrical terminals (64,66,68,70) having terminal legs (76) projecting rearwardly from the header (8) and terminating in soldering tails (78) depending below the housing for insertion in further holes (H1) in the circuit board when the bottom faces (31) of the bottom walls (30) are engaged with the circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector asembly (10) for mounting to a planar surface (96) has an elongate electrically conductive diecast housing (12) having an aperture (42) therein. A drawn shell (14) having an aperture therein is received in the diecast housing aperture (42). Barbs (60, 62) engage the peripheral edge (50) of flange (46), center drawn shell (14) and assure electrical continuity between drawn shell (14) and diecast housing (12). A burr relief pocket (70) in diecast housing (12) accommodates any burrs (68) from barbs (60, 62) such that flange (46) seats against housing surface (48). A thermoplastic header insert (16) having terminal receiving passages (78) with terminals (82) secured therein is received in and secured in the drawn shell aperture. Insert (16) engages barbs (60, 62) in an interference fit and is centered and partially retained thereby.

Abstract: Ribbon cable connector has latch members fixed to cover at opposite ends thereof. Each latch member is U-shaped, having first and second latch arms and a formed bight therebetween. The first arm has projections cooperable with web means on the end of the connector housing and cover which permits the cover to be moved between a first and second position and secured therein. The second arm at its distal end is formed with an outwardly directed hook cooperable with a complementary connector.

Abstract: Ribbon cable connector has stamped and formed metal latch members fixed to cover at opposite ends thereof. Each latch member is U-shaped, having first and second latch arms and a formed bight therebetween. The first arm has stamped apertures cooperable with detents on the end of the connector housing at two positions. The second arm at its distal end is formed with an outwardly directed hook cooperable with a complementary connector.

Abstract: An improved system is disclosed for retaining electrical terminals in associated housings. The subject retention system provides captivation of terminals in a housing in such fashion that the terminals can be mass terminated by known means and can be individually removed for repair or replacement by insertion of a simple tool. The subject retention system can best be compared to a butterfly extension on the terminal and a key hole in the connector. This serves both as orienting and stabilizing means while allowing limited float to improve matability.

Abstract: A cover latching assembly is formed by elongated grooves in opposite ends of a connector housing, the grooves extending between mating and rear surfaces of the housing and having a bridge spanning each groove intermediate the length thereof. Each bridge has a straight side directed toward the rear surface and a profiled side directed toward the mating surface. The cover has depending leg portions received in the respective grooves and engaging with the profiled side so as to have the cover spaced above the rear surface or closely adjacent the rear surface.

Abstract: A cartridge holder and interconnect system is disclosed formed primarily of two components, namely, a cartridge and an assembly for receiving and holding the cartridge. The holder assembly includes a housing of rigid insulative material and a connector member adapted to engage a circuit board or the like and to engage the cartridge. The holder assembly also has a replaceable face plate profiled for polarizing and keying reception of an appropriate cartridge in the housing. The face plate is detachably secured to the housing so that by simply replacing the face plate the housing can be adapted to receive different cartridges. The housing is also adapted to be situated spaced above a circuit board so as to accommodate components thereunder thereby preserving the available surface of circuit board.

Abstract: A cartridge holder and interconnect system is disclosed formed primarily of two components, namely, a cartridge and an assembly for receiving and holding the cartridge. The holder assembly includes a housing of rigid insulative material and a connector member adapted to engage a circuit board or the like and to engage the cartridge. The holder assembly also has a replaceable face plate profiled for polarizing and keying reception of an appropriate cartridge in the housing. The face plate is detachably secured to the housing so that by simply replacing the face plate the housing can be adapted to receive different cartridges. The housing is also adapted to be situated spaced above a circuit board so as to accommodate components thereunder thereby preserving the available surface of circuit board.

Abstract: A cartridge holder and interconnect system is disclosed formed primarily of two components, namely, a cartridge and an assembly for receiving and holding the cartridge. The holder assembly includes a housing of rigid insulative material and a connector member adapted to engage a circuit board or the like and to engage the cartridge. The holder assembly also has a replaceable face plate profiled for polarizing and keying reception of an appropriate cartridge in the housing. The face plate is detachably secured to the housing so that by simply replacing the face plate the housing can be adapted to receive different cartridges. The housing is also adapted to be situated spaced above a circuit board so as to accommodate components thereunder thereby preserving the available surface of circuit board.