Abstract: A system for handling variable digital information comprising a key having an active integrated circuit component with leads extending therefrom, a battery for powering the component, unplated leads extending from the component to both the battery and to one edge of the key, and a container for sealing the component, battery and leads except at the edge of the container; and a receptacle having a plurality of unplated leads couplable at their inboard ends to electronic machinery and couplable at their outboard ends to the leads at the edge of the container.

Abstract: A system for handling variable digital information comprising a key having an active integrated circuit component with leads extending therefrom, a battery for powering the component, unplated leads extending from the component to both the battery and to one edge of the key, and a container for sealing the component, battery and leads except at the edge of the container; and a receptacle having a plurality of unplated leads couplable at their inboard ends to electronic machinery and couplable at their outboard ends to the leads at the edge of the container.

Abstract: Cast solder preforms, rings or donuts suitable for use in a reflow solder process to interconnect through-hole pins in an electrical connector to plated through holes in a printed circuit board are disclosed. A plurality of solder donuts are cast into an array so that the plurality of donuts are initially formed as a single unit. The donuts can be either cast onto pins in a connector or cast onto a separate carrier for subsequent insertion onto the pins in a connector.

Abstract: Shroud assembly for mounting to a panel opening includes a ground plane spring manufactured in continuous strip form. Individual spring strips are severed from the continuous strip and sandwiched between sidewalls of the shroud and a rim member. First spring fingers extend into the cavity which receives the connector and second spring fingers extend through apertures in the rim member to bear against the panel. Pegs on the sidewalls cooperate with holes in the strips and the rim member.

Abstract: A multiple terminal connector has structure which causes the profile of the multiple terminals contained therein to be altered thereby allowing low force insertion of the terminals into respective conductive holes of a multi-apertured device, such as a ceramic integrated circuit. The terminal connector comprises two pieces of insulative material forming a housing. The first housing portion has a plurality of terminals mounted therein and the second portion of the housing is moveable with respect to the first portion along the axial length of the terminals to modify the profiles thereof to facilitate their insertion into multiple plated holes of an integrated circuit board or the like.

Abstract: An improved electronics containing cartridge and cartridge holder are disclosed. The cartridge is utilized to encase electronic circuitry, such as a bubble memory, which can be selectively added to main equipment via the cartridge holder. The cartridge itself is made by an improved system which eliminates the environmental concerns of printed circuit board manufacture. The circuit board of the cartridge is formed by molding a substantially planar member with a plurality of circuit trace forming grooves therein. The circuitry is stamped from a metal web and inserted into the respective grooves. The contacts of the holder and cartridge are arranged for low wear operation. Both of the cartridge and the holder are provided with means which are readily exchangeable and provide a plurality of keyed configurations to assure that only the proper cartridge will be inserted into the respective holder.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed for effecting zero insertion force mating of projecting blade portions of terminals carried by a plug member with conductive holes in a circuit board or the like and enclosed in a header. The plug member has a housing, a plurality of terminals carried in the housing each with a blade portion projecting from a mating face and a conductor engaging portion, and hermaphroditic cover members enclosing a portion of the housing. The housing also has a cam surface and polarizing lugs. The header has means to mount it on a circuit board or the like with walls of the header forming a shroud around an array of conductive holes in the circuit board. A cam member is rotatably mounted in one end of the header to act on the plug member driving it transversely to bring the blades of the terminals into contact with the walls of the respective conductive holes.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed having both the capability of being mass terminated and for effecting zero insertion force mating with conductive holes of a printed circuit board or the like. The subject connector system includes a pair of identical housing members, each of which receives a plurality of terminals therein, and a pair of hermaphroditic cover members. Each housing member is an elongated member of insulative material having a mating face and a plurality of terminal receiving passages opening onto the mating face. The terminals each have a first end lying within the housing and capable of effecting mass termination of individual conductors by insulation displacing means and a second end extending from the mating face of the housing in resilient cantilever beam fashion. Each of the hermaphroditic cover members encloses a respective one of the housing members to form a complete subassembly.

Abstract: A power distribution block is disclosed for supplying bussed power to a circuit board. The block uses, in combination, a known connector having therein a plurality of terminals each having one mating end and an oppositely directed conductor engaging portion. A plurality of bus bars, each having at least one tine extending from each of two ends, are each electrically and mechanically joined to at least one connector and to a circuit board. The assembly of connector and bus bars is enclosed in a housing shell serving to both separate rows of bus bars and support the connector on the circuit board.

Abstract: An RF, EMI shielding assembly is disclosed having the capability of capacitively coupling the shielding to system ground so that there will be no ground currents flowing and shocks and arcing will be substantially eliminated. The assembly has a pair of metal shells enclosing a standard connector terminating a shielded cable and a capacitor assembly forming a capacitor with the shells. The capacitor assembly includes springs which make engagement with an equipment closure to effect the capacitive coupling assuring like ground potential throughout the thus connected system.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed for making a pluggable interconnection between conductive planes of adjacent pairs of stacked circuit boards. The subject connector can be used on any mating edge of a circuit board and does not require the use of either a back plane or a mother board. The subject connector can be especially effective as an add-on to original equipment but also can be used as a spacer and interconnect in new equipment. The subject connector has very cost effective stamped and formed contacts providing great economy for the connector.

Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed having both the capability of being mass terminated and for effecting zero insertion force mating with conductive holes of a printed circuit board or the like. The subject connector system includes a pair of identical housing members, each of which receives a plurality of terminals therein, and a pair of hermaphroditic cover members. Each housing member is an elongated member of insulative material having a mating face and a plurality of terminal receiving passages opening onto the mating face. The terminals each have a first end lying within the housing and capable of effecting mass termination of individual conductors by insulation displacing means and a second end extending from the mating face of the housing in resilient cantilever beam fashion. Each of the hermaphroditic/cover members encloses a respective one of the housing members to form a complete subassembly.

Abstract: A board mounted zero insertion force connector is disclosed. The connector has an actuator plate carrying a cam, a cam follower adjacent the actuator plate and responsive to movement of the cam, a terminal housing moved by the cam follower and carrying a plurality of terminals, and an outer housing against which contact arms of the terminals act and which holds the actuator plate in a fixed position against movement of the cam. The connector operates to spread the contact arms of the terminals carried thereby to allow mating with a plurality of fixed pins. The connector cam can either be directly actuated or remotely actuated.

Abstract: An interconnect system is disclosed which enables the interconnection of a plurality of modules, each terminating a different cable, in a single connector. Each module can be used to terminate an individual cable and an assembly of modules are secured together in a single interconnect housing. Thus it is possible, with this connector, to intermix cables of different types such as ribbon cable, jacketed cable, etc., as well as cables of different numbers of conductors and cables having different wire sizes and wire types, for example stranded or solid conductor.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for effecting mass insulation displacing termination of a plurality of conductors by a like plurality of terminals which have been pre-loaded into a housing. The housing has a plurality of terminal passageways therein opening onto a mating face and each passageway receives a terminal with a matable portion directed toward the mating face and an insulation displacing conductor engaging portion which lies in a rear portion of the passage having an opening to the side of the housing. The housing further includes a pair of hermaphroditic cover members which enclose the rear portion of the housing and also provide a strain relief function for the conductors when assembled on the housing.

Abstract: An electromagnetic shield is disclosed for use in combination with a standard connector to provide electromagnetic compatibility for the connector system. The shield includes a two part enclosure for a plug member, which enclosure is attached to the braided shielding of a cable and which requires no gasketing to provide complete shielding. A shroud is provided for a receptacle member and the two shields interfit in such manner as to obviate the need for further gasketing at the mating interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing insulated electrical terminals in which the insulation is uniformly distributed over all portions of the terminal which are to be insulated. The present invention concerns a treatment of the terminal between the stages in which the terminal is initially stamped and formed and the stage in which the coating of insulation material is applied to the terminal. In this intermediate stage the terminal is subjected to a treatment which reduces any sharp edges, burrs, or the like to have radii of curvature thereby allowing the insulation coating to uniformly flow on the entire surface of the terminal.

Abstract: A connector is disclosed which is made from a plurality of electrical contacts, each of which is a resilient spring, spaced along a continuous web of insulative material which serves to locate the contacts in desired positions and provides an insulation back or cover for the contacts. The method and apparatus for making the subject laminated connector is also disclosed. The plurality of contacts are first formed from a continuous strip of metal, an insulative web is laminated to the metal contacts, and the laminated connector is bent by a continuous roller or die forming operation to desired curvilinear arcuate shapes. Discrete lengths of contacts formed together with the carrier strip are broken away or otherwise separated from the carrier strip either prior to or after the bending operation.

Abstract: A connector system is disclosed for effecting mass insulation displacing termination of a plurality of conductors by a like plurality of terminals which have been pre-loaded into a housing. The subject assembly includes a housing having a plurality of terminal passageways therein opening onto a mating face. Each passageway receives a terminal having a matable portion directed toward the mating face and an insulation displacing conductor engaging portion which lies in a rear portion of the passage having an opening to the side of the housing. The housing further includes a pair of hermaphroditic cover members which enclose the rear portion of the housing and also provide a strain relief function for the conductors when assembled on the housing.

Abstract: An improved bussing connector is disclosed for interconnecting a plurality of printed circuit boards and the like by means of simple blanked metal strips loaded into an appropriate housing. The subject bussing connector can be used in combination with many varieties of housings to appropriately bus pads of stacked printed circuit boards for signal, ground and power interconnection. In a further embodiment of the bussing connector, a cam can be utilized to provide zero insertion mating with the bus connector.