Abstract: An electrical plug has a multiplicity of contact terminals disposed on a wafer that is received within a housing. The wafer or substratum is grooved or channeled between each contact terminal. In this manner, the contacting surface of each terminal is essentially raised from the surface of the substratum. Generally, the groove takes the form of a modified V shape, however, other groove configurations may be utilized. By lowering the substratum surface during formation of the wafer, the contact surface of each terminal becomes elevated from the substratum surface, while remaining at the same height relative to each other. Any misregistration or misalignment of the terminals of the receptacle caused by tilting, twisting or otherwise that would cause an open circuit or poor contact is alleviated by the channel. The misaligned receptacle terminal is allowed to tilt and be received into the channel rather than contacting the substratum surface to be held away from contact.

Abstract: An electrical connector mountable to a substrate. The electrical connector comprises a housing, and a surface mount contact and hold down both secured to the housing. The hold down may be a surface mount hold down. A ball grid array connector comprising a housing, a plurality of contacts secured to the housing, a plurality of fusible elements secured to the contacts for mounting the connector to a substrate, and a hold down secured to the housing. The hold down may be a surface mount hold down. A method of mounting an electrical connector to a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate and an electrical connector having a contact and a hold down, and securing the contact and the hold down to the substrate. The contact may be secured to a surface of the substrate. A method of securing an electrical connector to a substrate. The method comprises providing a substrate and an electrical connector having a contact and a hold down, and mounting the contact to the substrate.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to multiple fish hook hold-downs to secure a connector housing to a circuit assembly at least prior to or during soldering of electrical terminals mounted in the connector to the circuit board. The multiple fish hook hold-down comprises contact portions whose one ends are joined together to form a common adjoining portion, intermediate portions whose proximal ends are integral with the other ends of the contact portions, and fish hook portions integral with distal ends of the intermediate portions. The multiple fish hook hold-downs are initially placed in the connector housing at the contact portion of the hold-down. Prior to assembly, the circuit assembly and the connector housing with the hold down in place may be separately transported. When assembling, fish hook portions of the hold-down are placed in a hold-down engagement hole, and the fish hook portions anchor themselves on an inside surface of the hole so as to secure the connector housing onto the circuit assembly.

Abstract: An electrical plug has a multiplicity of contact terminals disposed on a wafer that is received within a housing. The wafer or substratum is grooved or channeled between each contact terminal. In this manner, the contacting surface of each terminal is essentially raised from the surface of the substratum. Generally, the groove takes the form of a modified V shape, however, other groove configurations may be utilized. By lowering the substratum surface during formation of the wafer, the contact surface of each terminal becomes elevated from the substratum surface, while remaining at the same height relative to each other. Any misregistration or misalignment of the terminals of the receptacle caused by tilting, twisting or otherwise that would cause an open circuit or poor contact is alleviated by the channel. The misaligned receptacle terminal is allowed to tilt and be received into the channel rather than contacting the substratum surface to be held away from contact.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to multiple fish hook hold-downs to secure a connector housing to a circuit assembly at least prior to or during soldering of electrical terminals mounted in the connector to the circuit board. The multiple fish hook hold-down comprises contact portions whose one ends are joined together to form a common adjoining portion, intermediate portions whose proximal ends are integral with the other ends of the contact portions, and fish hook portions integral with distal ends of the intermediate portions. The multiple fish hook hold-downs are initially placed in the connector housing at the contact portion of the hold-down. Prior to assembly, the circuit assembly and the connector housing with the hold down in place may be separately transported. When assembling, fish hook portions of the hold-down are placed in a hold-down engagement hole, and the fish hook portions anchor themselves on an inside surface of the hole so as to secure the connector housing onto the circuit assembly.

Abstract: The current invention is directed to multiple fish hook hold-downs to secure a connector housing to a circuit assembly at least prior to or during soldering of electrical terminals mounted in the connector to the circuit board. The multiple fish hook hold-down comprises contact portions whose one ends are joined together to form a common adjoining portion, intermediate portions whose proximal ends are integral with the other ends of the contact portions, and fish hook portions integral with distal ends of the intermediate portions. The multiple fish hook hold-downs are initially placed in the connector housing at the contact portion of the hold-down. Prior to assembly, the circuit assembly and the connector housing with the hold down in place may be separately transported. When assembling, fish hook portions of the hold-down are placed in a hold-down engagement hole, and the fish hook portions anchor themselves on an inside surface of the hole so as to secure the connector housing onto the circuit assembly.

Abstract: An electrical terminal carrying substrate or wafer is maintained in a channel of a die-cast metal frame of an electrical receptacle by peens that create radiused retaining lips. The slip-fit wafer is thus held into place within the channel at one end of the receptacle housing by a plurality of lips that extend over flange portions integral with the wafer. The flange rests on ledges integral with the frame within the channel. The lips and flanges eliminate interference fit wafers that tend to bow the receptacle frame increasing chances of open circuits or poor contact between the receptacle terminals and the mating plug terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hold-downs for securing components to circuit assemblies and more particularly to lanced hold-downs for securing connectors to printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hold-downs for securing components to circuit assemblies and more particularly to fish hook hold-downs for securing connectors to printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle having a spring contact contained therein. The spring is formed with a nonflexing portion which provides a stiff section that acts as a positive stop to prevent overstressing the spring and permanently deforming it.

Abstract: A cross-shaped retainer post with an oval longitudinal base which may break through when the ribs of the cross are stressed upon insertion into a locating hole.

Abstract: An electrical jumper is disclosed as having a terminal member which is retained in a housing by a latch. The latch cooperates with rails in the housing on which the terminal member is supported, leaving clearance for the terminal member to ride under and snap onto the latch. The jumper can be provided on single or multiple units, including a bus bar configuration.