Abstract: An electrical switch assembly includes a first switch contact having a base and an integral first contact arm folded over the base. The contact arm has an upwardly facing contact surface. A second switch contact arm includes a base and an integral spring contact arm folded into cantilevered position over the base. The spring contact arm has a distal end folded thereunder to define a downwardly facing contact surface opposing the upwardly facing contact surface and spaced therefrom in a normally open condition of the switch assembly.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly includes a first switch contact having a base and an integral first contact arm folded over the base. The contact arm has an upwardly facing contact surface. A second switch contact arm includes a base and an integral spring contact arm folded into cantilevered position over the base. The spring contact arm has a distal end folded thereunder to define a downwardly facing contact surface opposing the upwardly facing contact surface and spaced therefrom in a normally open condition of the switch assembly.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a flat flexible dielectric substrate having a generally round hole of a given diameter. A ductile conductive film is on the substrate in an area at least about the hole. A generally flat terminal blade has a transversely projecting pin portion inserted into the hole in the substrate in contact with the conductive film. Therefore, the flat terminal blade is generally parallel to the flat flexible dielectric substrate. The cross-dimension of the pin portion is greater than the diameter of the round hole. In the preferred embodiment, the dielectric substrate is less than 0.050 inch thick, and the difference between the cross-dimension of the pin portion and the diameter of the round hole is on the order of 5% to 50% of the diameter of the hole.

Abstract: An ejector mechanism (10, 110, 210) is disclosed for use with a connector apparatus which includes a housing (12, 112, 212) into which an IC pack is loaded and from which it is ejected. The three part ejector mechanism also includes a one-piece eject lever (14, 114, 214) and a one-piece actuator (16, 116, 216). The eject lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for ejecting the IC pack from the housing. The actuator is movably mounted within an integrally molded channel (34, 138, 234) on the housing and is engageable with the eject lever to effect actuation thereof. Complementary interengaging portions of the housing, the eject lever and the actuator cooperate to effect the relative movements therebetween without the need of extraneous components.

Abstract: A terminal block for receiving and terminating one or more conductors. The block comprises a housing of insulating material and screw-operated insulation displacement terminals (3) which are arranged in cavities (22) of the housing. Each terminal (3) includes a first contact member (4) which has an upper portion (5) containing a transverse opening (18) to accommodate one or more conductors. Furthermore, the first contact member (4) has a lower portion forming a downwardly extending pin (6) which extends through a base portion (14) of the housing and can be inserted into a plated-through hole of a printed circuit board. The terminal also includes a second contact member (7) forming a cage (8) which has on its top a threaded bore (11) for a screw (10).

Abstract: A chip carrier socket assembly is provided for an integrated circuit chip having leads extending therefrom. The assembly includes an insulating housing and an insulating cover for positioning a chip carrier therebetween. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing for contacting the leads of the chip carrier. At least one pair of resilient complementarily interengaging latch arms, one latch arm on the housing and the other latch arm on the cover, are provided for securing the cover to the housing about the chip carrier. The latch arms are concealed within a cavity of the assembled housing and cover to prevent unintentional unlatching of the latch arms. An access opening is provided in the cover, communicating with the cavity, and through which the latch arms can be unlatched from outside the assembled housing and cover.

Abstract: A reinforced latch structure for electrical connectors is provided. The latch structure comprises at least one latch on one connector in a mateable pair which is resiliently deflectable about a first axis and which is disposed to contact a cam on the opposed connector during mating. The deflectable latch and/or the cam on the opposed connector define a leading ramp surface, a trailing ramp surface and a locking surface. The leading ramp surface is disposed to resiliently deflect the latch arm and develop stored energy therein. The trailing ramp surface employs the stored energy developed in the latch arm to urge the connectors toward a fully mated condition. The latch arm includes a spring steel wire insert for reinforcement, such that the plastic latch arm does not become permanently deformed. The connectors may be disengaged from one another by biasing the latch arm about a second axis away from the associated connector a sufficient amount to clear the cam and enable disengagement of the connectors.

Abstract: An ejector mechanism (10, 110, 210) is disclosed for use with a connector apparatus which includes a housing (12, 112, 212) into which an IC pack is loaded and from which it is ejected. The three part ejector mechanism also includes a one-piece eject lever (14, 114, 214) and a one-piece actuator (16, 116, 216). The eject lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for ejecting the IC pack from the housing. The actuator is movably mounted within an integrally molded channel (34, 138, 234) on the housing and is engageable with the eject lever to effect actuation thereof. Complementary interengaging portions of the housing, the eject lever and the actuator cooperate to effect the relative movements therebetween without the need of extraneous components.