Abstract: A tappable conductive bus bar (11, 11') has a longitudinal slotted recess (17, 19) receiving at least one louvered spring strip (22, 23). At least one tab (26) is received through a gap (21) in the bus bar (11) to engage the louvered spring strip (22, 23). The bus bar (11) supplies current, with minimum wiring and parts, to one or more tabs (26), and the spacing between adjacent tabs (26) is not critical. Thus, the bus bar (11) is completely tappable.

Abstract: A right-angle header (10) includes a main housing (50) and a post locating member (200) securable thereto along a rear face thereof and including an array of post-receiving passageways (222,224,236,238) extending vertically therethrough to a mounting face (30), including post-locating portions at least at the mounting face. Contacts (100,130,140,160) include contact sections (118,120,142) exposed for mating across the mating face, body sections (102,132,144) including a right-angle bend, and post sections (110,110',148) which extend through the apertures of the post locating member (200) and beyond the mounting face for insertion into through-holes of a circuit board (40) upon mounting the header (10) thereto.

Abstract: A post locating section (200) of a header (10) includes an array of post-receiving apertures (222,224,242) extending to a mounting face (30). Post sections (110,110',148) of header contacts (100,130,140,160) extend through the apertures of the post locating section (200) and beyond the mounting face for insertion into through-holes of a circuit board (40) upon mounting the header (10) thereto. The apertures (222,224,242) are referenced to a structure (270) of the post locating section defining a datum and are optimally dimensioned.

Abstract: An initially integral terminal useful for terminating to flat conductor cable includes upper and lower plate sections coextending from a hinge to define a cable-receiving region therebetween, with first and second portions of both plate sections defining opposed cooperative arrays of termination means for terminating to said flat cable upon said upper and lower plate sections being pressed toward each other and into the flat cable. Upstanding opposed side wall sections join the first and second portions which are otherwise separated by an aperture proximate the center of the flat cable, enabling easy severing of the side walls at the aperture to define separate electrical terminations after application of the assembly to the flat cable. One or two contact sections can extend from a free edge of one of the upper and lower plate sections for connection to another article, defining a mid-cable tap for either single- or dual-connector cable respectively.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a metal shell and a plurality of dielectric housings each housing a terminated end of each of a pair of flat cables of the type for transmission of electrical power at substantial current and voltage levels. Each mating terminal pair includes at least one having a contact section having an array of spring arm contact sections deflected by portions of the other when mated. Each termination is proximate a portion of a shell for heat dissipation. One of the shells is adapted for mounting to a bulkhead at a cutout, and the connectors are environmentally sealed to be appropriate for bulkhead mounting. Each connector includes a strain relief assembly suitable for use with flat cables of substantial rigidity and defines a cable exit, all after said terminated cables and housings therearound are assembled into the shell. A jackscrew system is used for facilitating connector mating.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a metal shell and a plurality of dielectric housings each housing a terminated end of each of a pair of flat cables of the type for transmission of electrical power at substantial current and voltage levels. Each mating terminal pair includes at least one having a contact section having an array of spring arm contact sections deflected by portions of the other when mated. Each termination is proximate a portion of a shell for heat dissipation. One of the shells is adapted for mounting to a bulkhead at a cutout, and the connectors are environmentally sealed to be appropriate for bulkhead mounting. Each connector includes a strain relief assembly suitable for use with flat cables of substantial rigidity and defines a cable exit, all after said terminated cables and housings therearound are assembled into the shell. A jackscrew system is used for facilitating connector mating.

Abstract: Upper and lower connecting structures for use with flat power cable by being applied to major surfaces thereof, include arrays of cable-engaging bosses alternating with boss-receiving relief recesses; when pressed together the structures at least press conductor strips out of the cable plane and into opposing recesses of the opposing structures, exposing conductor strip edges for electrical connection and defining an array of interdigitated joints. The upper and lower structures are mechanically locked together by forming pockets in the side walls of the relief recesses of each structure to be disposed beside forwardmost portions of the cable-engaging bosses of the opposing structure upon application to the cable, and then deeply staking each of the interdigitated joints to split axially the forwardmost portion of the cable-engaging bosses and force the split portions laterally into the pockets, so that a portion of each structure is locked behind an associated portion of the other structure.

Abstract: A tap or splice connector especially useful for a pair of dual conductor flat power cables includes two pairs of upper and lower structures which are applied to the stacked in-line cables side-by-side and then enclosed in a housing. The upper and lower structures each have a transverse array of cable-engaging wave-shaped bosses alternating with wave-receiving relief recesses when pressed together, so that the waves press strips of both cables in upper and lower arrays into the opposing recesses thus exposing conductor edges of the strips for electrical connection. Outer surfaces of the structures are then staked to urge the metal thereof laterally and tightly against the conductor edges adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated where the plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region so that when the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, the wave crests deflect integral strips of conductor cut of the plane of the cable, exposing sheared conductor edges for electrical connection therewith. Softer metal insert members are secured to and along outer surfaces of the plate sections and are then staked to deform the metal against the sheared conductor edges to engage and form gas-tight electrical connections of substantial surface area therewith.

Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes at least a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated. The plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region. When the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, shearing edges along each side of each wave shape shear the cable conductor by cooperating with shearing edges of the adjacent wave shape of the opposing terminating region, scissors-fashion. Crests of the wave shapes deflecting the sheared cable portions into the opposing relief recesses, forming a series of interlocking wave joints across the intermeshing terminating regions and terminating the cable between the plate sections.

Abstract: A pair of transition adapter terminals especially useful for terminating respective conductors of a dual conductor flat power cable, include respective contact sections at forward ends thereof. Cable-receiving slots across rearward ends thereof extend between pairs of integral bight straps or hinge sections joining upper and lower terminal plate sections. The slots receive respective tab-shaped portions of flat power cable insertably thereinto which are then disposed between the opposed slightly spaced upper and lower plate sections. The plate sections include opposing arrays of shearing waves shapes alternating with relief recesses transversely across, with each wave shape opposed from a respective relief recess.

Abstract: Two flat cables are interconnected to comprise a tap connection or a splice connection by stacking them and pressing together against them an assembly of upper and lower interconnecting structures which include opposing regions of alternating shearing wave shapes and relief recesses. The wave shapes shear the conductors of the cables and extrude the thus-sheared conductor strips into the opposing relief recesses so that newly sheared conductor edges are moved adjacent electrical engagement surfaces defined by vertical edges of the adjacent wave shapes. Dual conductor cables have their respective conductors interconnected by using a pair of assemblies of upper and lower interconnecting structures, each assembly having shearing wave shapes and relief recesses disposed transversely across only the half of the cables within which the appropriate conductors are disposed.

Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated where the plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region so that when the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, the wave crests deflect integral strips of conductor out of the plane of the cable, exposing sheared conductor edges for electrical connection therewith. Softer metal insert members are secured to and along outer surfaces of the plate sections and are then staked to deform the metal against the shared conductor edges to engage and form gas-tight electrical connections of substantial surface area therewith.

Abstract: A power distribution system utilizes flat power cable in combination with a plurality of adapter members for the distribution of power within electronics systems. The adapter members allow flat power cable to be interconnected to conventional crimpable contacts and thereafter routed through conventional electrical connectors. The adapters also allow interconnection between flat cable and power busses or between flat cables and printed circuit boards. The adapters can also allow the interconnection of tabs and receptacles to flat power cable. The adapters are crimpable to the flat cable by means of hand tools which provides for a versatile means of distributing power.

Abstract: A surface inspection system utilizes a laser light source, and a vacuum chuck to support the material whose surface is to be inspected. The vacuum chuck is rotatable. The laser beam may be translated across the work surface while the chuck is rotated, all the while maintaining mutual perpendicularity of the vacuum chuck work surface and the laser beam. An airtrack transports the material whose surface is to be inspected. Sensors are utilized to detect the position of such material along the track and to guide the system in its operation.

Abstract: A vacuum-chuck having no expensive, complex rotary unions in the vacuum lines maintains its vacuum by maintaining the surfaces which rotate with respect to each other in intimate contact with a glabrous, self-lubricating element. The vacuum is communicated to said revolving surfaces through openings in said element.