Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: An interconnection system including a two-sided guide pin assembly for aligning connectors on circuit boards. The interconnection system may connect daughter cards disposed on two sides of a backplane. The guide pin assembly includes a first guide pin, a second guide pin facing in a direction opposite to the first guide pin, and at least one separable polarizing member disposed between the guide pins. At least one of the guide pins may be symmetrical and the polarizing member may provide a projection for blocking insertion of the guide pin into a guidance block unless the polarizing member is orientated to align with an orientation member inside the guidance block. Though, one of the guide pins may be asymmetrical to provide a keying feature that only fits into a corresponding guidance block configured with a complementary keying feature.

Abstract: A ruggedized, two-piece electrical connector. One piece, which may be configured for mounting to a daughtercard, is assembled from wafers. Each wafer includes a shield member and signal contacts held by an insulative member. Within the insulative member, the signal and ground contacts run in spaced, parallel planes. Both signal and ground contacts terminate in pads along a mating segment of the connector. The second piece of the connector, which may be configured for mounting to a backplane, has a housing with slots to receive the mating segments of the wafers. Within the slots, the backplane connectors have contacts that provide at least four points of contact with each pad. The contact points are at least two different heights on each side of the pad.

Abstract: Electrical connectors for interconnecting circuit boards. One such connector includes an integral flange for mounting a guidance pin in any of multiple orientations. A corresponding keying block may have a polarization component that can be mounted in a corresponding number of positions. The connector can accept conductive elements with different shapes for signals and grounds, but the housing may be adapted to receive either type of contact in any contact location. Protection of contact elements from excessive yield is provided within the insulative housing of the backplane connector. On the daughter card connector, height difference between ground and signal contacts in wafer assemblies protects components from electrostatic discharge.

Abstract: A ruggedized, two-piece electrical connector. One piece, which may be configured for mounting to a daughtercard, is assembled from wafers. Each wafer includes a shield member and signal contacts held by an insulative member. Within the insulative member, the signal and ground contacts run in spaced, parallel planes. Both signal and ground contacts terminate in pads along a mating segment of the connector. The second piece of the connector, which may be configured for mounting to a backplane, has a housing with slots to receive the mating segments of the wafers. Within the slots, the backplane connectors have contacts that provide at least four points of contact with each pad. The contact points are at least two different heights on each side of the pad.

Abstract: A slide bar for snowmobiles has sinusoidal grooves running lengthwise on the sliding surface that open at the aft end of the slide bar for drainage. The sinusoidal grooves retain packed snow accumulated during operation over snow-covered terrain, until the packed snow absorbs sufficient heat to soften and pass through the recurving path of the grooves. The retention characteristic of the sinusoial grooves for holding packed snow provides extended lubrication and cooling to the slide bar and track when the snowmobile leaves snow covered terrain to cross intermittent stretches of bare ground.