Abstract: A fiber optic connector is disclosed for optically coupling a pair of fiber optic cables or a single fiber optic cable and a light source or detector. A terminal member includes a pair of identical matching halves defining a through hole extending axially therethrough. The through hole has a first portion extending through a mating end of the terminal member and sized to snugly receive a length of the fiber core stripped of the outer coating and properly positioning the core with respect to the mating end of the terminal member. The through hole has a second portion extending through a rear end of the terminal member and sized for receiving the outer coating of the fiber optic cable. Projections are formed in the second portion of the through hole for clamping the outer coating to prevent lengthwise movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the terminal member.

Abstract: The end face of an optical fiber is urged against the highly polished surface of a disk as a laser beam is directed toward the disk to heat the end face above its softening temperature and cause it to conform to the contour and finish of the highly polished surface. A termination ferrule may be simultaneously mounted on the fiber optic cable with a heat bonding agent, using as a heat source either the laser beam or an auxiliary heat source. A hand-held, gun-type unit with a built-in disk and triggered laser can be used to polish and terminate optical fibers in the field.

Abstract: An electrical connector and termination tool are disclosed for making crimped, insulation-piercing terminations with insulation covered conductors. The connector includes a dielectric insert, a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the insert and an access passage for insertion of a termination tool to effect the crimp-pierce termination in situ. The termination tool has a bifurcated termination head including separate insertion and crimping members which are used sequentially to first press the conductor into the terminal portion of the contact and then to crimp the contact over the conductor to complete the termination.

Abstract: An insulated conductor is terminated in an insulation-opening portion of an electrical contact and the contact jaws are crimped over the conductor to secure the conductor therein. A tool includes a pair of cutting edges and crimping surfaces for cutting and folding over sections of the contact jaws as the tool presses an insulated conductor into an insulation-opening notch formed by the contact jaws. The tool includes a forward end having a surface for engaging and pressing the conductor into the notch, the surface acting against the conductor as a stop to limit the depth of cut of the cutting edges. The tool may also be used after conductor insertion by other techniques to perform the crimping operation. The side surfaces of the tool slidingly engage the cut edges of the contact jaws and prevent an inward movement of the jaws during cutting and crimping.

Abstract: An electrical connector and termination tool are disclosed for making crimped, insulation-piercing terminations with insulation covered conductors. The connector includes a dielectric insert, a plurality of electrical contacts mounted in the insert and an access passage for insertion of a termination tool to effect the crimp-pierce termination in situ. The termination tool has a bifurcated termination head including separate insertion and crimping members which are used sequentially to first press the conductor into the terminal portion of the contact and then to crimp the contact over the conductor to complete the termination.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously terminating a plurality of insulated metallic conductors in the insulation-piercing contact members of a multi-contact connector. The apparatus includes a base which supports the connector in conductor-receiving position and a carriage which carries a reciprocating insertion tool. The carriage is pivotally attached to the base and moves between an open position and an operating position wherein the insertion tool is aligned with the connector. Locating means are mounted on the carriage in fixed spatial relation to the insertion tool to align the connector for the termination operation as the carriage moves to the operating position. Self-actuated latch means retains the carriage in the operating position and includes a release means which may be actuated while returning the carriage to the open position, all in a single operation.

Abstract: A field termination tool for electrical connectors includes a connector support which is positioned between a pair of rotatably mounted insertion arms. Each of the insertion arms includes a multiblade insertion rod for engaging and pressing insulated conductors into respective insulation-piercing contact portions carried by a supported electrical connector. The connector support is constructed as a one-piece comb structure, preferably molded from glass-filled thermoplastic material with metal conductor cutting strips molded in, which is releasably engageable with the frame of the termination tool, and likewise releasably engageable with a bench-mounted support so that electrical connectors can be positioned in the comb structure and have the insulated conductors aligned with respective insulation-piercing contact portions at a point remote from the insertion tool. An insertion control mechanism takes two forms.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously terminating a plurality of insulated metallic conductors in the insulation-piercing contact members of a multi-contact connector. The apparatus includes a base which supports the connector in conductor-receiving position and a carriage which carries a reciprocating insertion tool. The carriage is pivotally attached to the base and moves between an open position and an operating position wherein the insertion tool is aligned with the connector. Locating means are mounted on the carriage in fixed spatial relation to the insertion tool to align the connector for the termination operation as the carriage moves to the operating position. Self-locking latch means retains the carriage in the operating position and includes a release means which may be actuated while returning the carriage to the open position, all in a single operation.

Abstract: A magnetically-locked switch assembly includes a switch unit having internal contact means positioned by an actuator arm between open and closed positions. Unauthorized actuation of the actuator arm is prevented by a locking pin which is displaced to release the actuator arm only in the presence of an externally applied magnetic field. The actuator arm is mechanically actuated from outside the switch housing through a slip-clutch to prevent damage to the actuator arm by application of excessive force when the actuator arm is locked.

Abstract: An insulated conductor is terminated in an insulation-opening portion of an electrical contact and the contact jaws are crimped over the conductor to secure the conductor therein. A tool includes a pair of cutting edges and crimping surfaces for cutting and folding over sections of the contact jaws as the tool presses an insulated conductor into an insulation-opening notch formed by the contact jaws. The tool includes a forward end having a surface for engaging and pressing the conductor into the notch, the surface acting against the conductor as a stop to limit the depth of cut of the cutting edges. The tool may also be used after conductor insertion by other techniques to perform the crimping operation. The side surfaces of the tool slidingly engage the cut edges of the contact jaws and prevent an inward movement of the jaws during cutting and crimping.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a tubular electrical interference filter mounted coaxially about an electrical conductor in a dielectric insert having means for flexibly engaging and mounting the filter in the dielectric insert. In particular, the dielectric insert includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs protruding into the passageway of the dielectric insert to flexibly engage and support the tubular filter therein and thereby isolate the filter from radial stress commonly occurring during the telescopic engagement of the electrical connector assembly by a complementary connector assembly.

Abstract: A support structure is disclosed for mounting a mobile antenna to a support plate and for connecting the antenna to a coaxial cable. The structure includes an electrically conductive nut adapted for mounting on the support plate, a dielectric cap to receive and house the nut and clamping means disposed between the nut and cap. The nut, cap and clamping means each has a central bore or passage to accommodate the cable. The clamping means is also constructed such that its frictional engagement with the cap is less than its frictional engagement with the nut, such that as the cap is threaded over the clamping means and nut, the clamping means remains generally stationary relative to the nut.

Abstract: The following specification describes a connector assembly employing a capacitor assembly having axially spaced radially extending capacitor plates carried by a ceramic or dielectric member. One plurality of plates are connected in common to the connector shell and other radially extending axially spaced plates are connected to respective contacts of the connector to form a filter capacitor for each contact. A conductive elastomer or metal spring engaging one of the common plates under axial pressure ensures a secure electrical ground connection between the plates common to the connector contacts and the shell while a metal spring preassembled to each contact at an axial position coincident with the capacitor assembly exerts a radial outward pressure to ensure an electrical connection to the capacitor plates associated with the respective contact.

Abstract: A field termination tool for electrical connectors includes a connector support which is positioned between a pair of rotatably mounted insertion arms. Each of the insertion arms includes a multiblade insertion tool for engaging and pressing insulated conductors into respective insulation-piercing contact portions carried by a supported electrical connector. The connector support is constructed as a one-piece comb structure, preferably molded from glass-filled thermoplastic material with metal conductor cutting strips molded in, which is releasably engageable with the frame of the termination tool, and likewise releasably engageable with a bench-mounted support so that electrical connectors can be positioned in the comb structure and have the insulated conductors aligned with respective insulation-piercing contact portions at a point remote from the insertion tool. An insertion control mechanism takes two forms.