Abstract: An insulating member for a base for a light emitting bulb has an electrically insulating body formed from a thermoplastic plastic material and having a first surface, a second surface spaced therefrom, and a sidewall connecting the first and second surfaces. The sidewall is formed to flexibly receive and hold an electrically conductive element, such as the threaded portion of a screw base.

Abstract: A connector assembly, and method of fabricating such connector assembly, is provided. The connector assembly includes a cable/insulator/contact sub-assembly which extends into a connector shell and is attached thereto in such a manner as to seal the interface between the connector shell and the cable where the cable is inserted therein, and to mechanically attach the connector shell to the insulator. A connector shell useful in such connector assembly.

Abstract: A grounding device is provided for use with an electrical connector such as an antenna connector. The grounding device includes a forked member which may be inserted through a slot into an insulative connector body to (a) pierce the jacket of a coaxial cable positioned within the connector body and (b) thereby engage the ground wire braid of the cable. The forked member may be integral with a conductive connector shell into which the insulative connector body is inserted.

Abstract: An electrical connector which includes mating first and second connector bodies each including mating respective first and second contacts. Locking members are provided for locking the first and second connector bodies together in a connected mode. The second connector includes an elastic member which is engaged and compressed by the first and second connector bodies in the connected mode. The elastic member is decompressed, and thereby facilitates the disconnection of the first and second connector bodies, in a disconnected mode.

Abstract: A connector assembly useful in grounding applications is provided which includes an insulative housing and a conductive ground shell. The insulative housing includes a passage into which a contact and a cable may be inserted, and a passage which provides access to an inserted contact and cable to facilitate electrical and mechanical connection thereof. Passages in the insulative housing are also provided for inserting legs of the conductive ground shell into the insulative housing to electrically engage the ground wire braid of the cable. The insulative housing and conductive ground shell are constructed and arranged so that the various components readily mate with one another.

Abstract: A connector includes a contact extending in a first direction of a longitudinal axis. The contact is adapted for connection at one end to a mating contact extending in the first direction, and for connection at an opposite end to a conductor extending in a second direction that extends at an angle to the first direction. The connector includes a spring element that urges the connector away from a mating connector if the two are not fully engaged. A connector assembly including such a connector.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is provided which includes a connector housing and a mating bracket housing. The bracket housing mates with the connector housing in a first mode such that the bracket housing may engage the connector housing in a first locked position. The bracket housing may then be pivoted relative to the connector housing such that the bracket housing engages the connector housing in a second locked position. During such pivoting, the bracket housing bends a conductor that is coupled to the connector housing such that a first length of conductor extends in a first direction and a second length of conductor extends at an angle relative to the first length.

Abstract: A connector latch is provided which includes a connector housing which extends through an engagement member. The engagement member is movable from one end of the connector housing to the other end. When moved to one end, the engagement member cams flexible latch arms of the connector housing towards the longitudinal axis thereof in a locked mode. When moved to the opposite end, the flexible latch arms reslide away from such axis in an unlocked mode. An electrical connector which includes such a connector latch is also provided. In such an embodiment, when male and female contacts are properly engaged, movement of the engagement member in the locked mode causes protuberances which extend from the flexible latch arms to extend into a connector housing groove thereby preventing disconnection of the contacts.

Abstract: A female connector assembly that includes mating housings which may be latched together to enclose a female connector having resilient opposed curved arms and a resilient dome-shaped actuator disposed between such arms. Depression of the dome causes its lower edge to move radially outwardly to engage the inner surface of the arms to move such arms radially outwardly. Release of the dome allows the dome and resilient arms to resile to their original position. In use, the female connector assembly may be electrically and mechanically connected to a male connector to form a connector assembly. To this end, the male connector is inserted between the resilient arms of the female connector. Such insertion cams the arms radially outward until they are adjacent a recess in the male connector and snap radially inward against the male connector. To disconnect the connectors, the arms are caused to move radially outward by depression of the dome.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly is provided which is particularly useful as a vehicle antenna cable connector. Two mating connectors are provided, one having a male contact and the other having a female contact. A pair of latches is provided which engage one another when the contacts are fully electrically connected. A resilient member is contained in one of the connectors to urge the connectors apart if the connectors are not fully connected and the latches fully engaged.

Abstract: A positive latch connector is provided which includes a first component which includes at least one resilient arm having a pin extending therefrom at a distal end thereof. A mating second component is provided which includes inclined first and second ramps, and an oppositely inclined third ramp. In use, the pin is moved along the first ramp against an elastic member until the pin snaps into a first latch groove to lock the first and second components in place. To release the components from each other, the pin is moved further against the elastic member along the second ramp to a second latch groove from which the pin is urged by the elastic member in an opposite direction along the third ramp, thereby allowing the components to be separated.

Abstract: A connector assembly useful in grounding applications is provided which includes an insulative housing and a conductive ground shell. The insulative housing includes a passage into which a contact and a cable may be inserted, and a passage which provides access to an inserted contact and cable to facilitate electrical and mechanical connection thereof. Passages in the insulative housing are also provided for inserting legs of the conductive ground shell into the insulative housing to electrically engage the ground wire braid of the cable. The insulative housing and conductive ground shell are constructed and arranged so that the various components readily mate with one another.

Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

Abstract: A grounding device is provided for use with a coaxial cable. The grounding device includes a forked member which includes a channel into which a coaxial cable may be inserted to pierce the jacket of the coaxial cable so that the forked member engages the ground wire of the coaxial cable. A gate attached to the fork and bendable relative to the fork member is then bent at a fold line so that the gate closes the channel to sandwich the pierced coaxial cable between the gate member and the forked member. A method of using the grounding device is also described.

Abstract: A holding element which secures a cable or a bundle of wires in place relative to a surface. The holding element includes a retainer which grasps the bundle of wires and a mounting unit which is attached to the surface. The mounting unit is moveable relative to the retainer so that the mounting unit can be moved, to properly position it at the surface location where it is to be affixed, without moving the retainer relative to the bundle of wires.

Abstract: A cable locator is provided which includes a base, having a cable-receiving channel formed therein, and a cover which is releasably attached to the base. A locating element forms a part of the base or the cover for attaching the cable locator to an anchor point of a support surface. The cable locator is particularly useful in securing one or more automobile cables to an anchoring point.

Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.

Abstract: A connector and connector kit is provided which includes an insulative housing, a conductive shell and a contact. When assembled, the contact and conductive shell are contained in the insulative housing. In particular, the conductive shell includes one segment which is positioned in a cavity which extends into one surface of the housing, and another segment which extends out of such cavity and into a groove provided at an end of the housing. The contact is positioned in a bore which extends into the housing from an opposite end of the housing to the cavity. The contact and the bore include abutments which engage one another when the connector is assembled to assure proper positioning of the contact relative to the housing.

Abstract: A grommet for securement in a suitable aperture existing in a wall. The aperture has a diameter and the grommet comprises a body having a first portion formed to be secured to a cable which has a diameter. A flexible, second portion defines a closed chamber when the grommet is fixed to the cable, the second portion having a maximum unflexed outer dimension slightly greater than the diameter of the aperture and a maximum inner dimension substantially greater than the diameter of the cable. A third portion has a diameter substantially greater than the diameter of the aperture with a planar area between the second and third portions. An aperture engaging groove is formed in the planar area, the aperture engaging groove having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture.