Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed having a movable contact retainer that cooperates with the connector housing to either retain or release the contacts. The retainer in movable from a closed position where the contacts are secured in place with respect to the connector housing and to an open position where the contacts are free to be removed for repair or replacement. A latch mechanism is provided that is operable from outside of the connector to move the contact retainer to either of its two positions. The latch mechanism includes a latch lever having a raised surface that, when depressed flush with a surface on the connector housing by means of a tool and pushed in the appropriate direction, is made to move from its closed position to its open position.

Abstract: A stamped and formed electrical contact (34, 100) is disclosed for use in an electrical connector (30). The contact includes a plurality of retention features (66, 68, 110, 116) for securing a band contact element (42, 104) thereto. Each retention feature consists of a protrusion (66, 68, 110, 116) extending from the surface (64, 105) of the contact body (40, 102) and having an abutting wall (74, 78, 120, 122) facing the band contact element. The protrusions are equally spaced about the longitudinal axis (70, 112) of the contact body and are arranged in two groups, one group adjacent the end (62, 114) of the contact body and the other group spaced from the first group so that the band contact element fits between the opposing abutting walls of the two groups of protrusions. The protrusions are formed during the stamping process of the contact body.

Abstract: An electrical connector (20) for terminating to conductors (220) of a shielded cable (222) is prepared with an exposed cable shield (224). An insulated housing member (30) has a cavity (64) therein with a cable exit (66) extending between the cavity (64) and an exterior surface of the housing member (30). A shield member (26) is receivable in the cavity (64). The shield member (26) has a flange (190) extending into the cable exit (66). A staple (32) is adapted to be received and secured in the cable exit (66). The staple (32) is further adapted to be moved into the cable exit (66) to compress a cable (222) passing therethrough such that the shield member flange (190) is pressed into engagement with the exposed cable shield (224) on the cable (222). Strain relief is thereby provided and simultaneously electrical continuity is achieved between the cable shield (222) and the flange (190 ).

Abstract: An electrical connector 10 for mating blade-shaped members 114,130 includes a pair of subassemblies 12, each subassembly 12 comprising a housing member 14 and at least one first terminal element 50 secured to the inner surface of respective housing members 14, and means for securing subassemblies 12 together. Each first terminal element 50 includes body portion 52 and first and second arrays of contact arms 66,72 extending outwardly from opposite ends 62,64 thereof. In the assembled connector 10, the free ends 68,74 of contact arms 66,72 of respective terminal elements 50 extend inwardly toward each other defining first and second receptacles 110,112 for receiving first and second blade-shaped members respectively.