Abstract: A connector for connecting cables to a pin header has a connector body portion that incorporates a strain relief member applied to the cables as part of the connector body portion. The strain relief member includes a cable clamp having a series of grooves that are separated by intervening land portions. The grooves receive the cables and particularly space them. A stop is formed in the clamp to isolate the cable end. The leads of the cable are terminated to corresponding tail portions of contacts of the connector. These tail portions are maintained in the same plane to enhance the electrical performance of the connector. An insulative material is molded over the tail portions and the cable clamp to form a connector with a cable clamp formed integrally with the body of the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for terminating a plurality of electrical wires. A non-conductive connector housing mounts a plurality of signal terminals. A wire management module includes a non-conductive body mounting a plurality of ground terminals. The body positions a plurality of signal conductors and a plurality of ground conductors of the electrical wires, the ground conductors being terminated to the ground terminals. The ground terminals interengage with the connector housing to mount the wire management module to the housing with the signal wire conductors in position for termination to the signal terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for terminating a plurality of electrical wires. A non-conductive connector housing mounts a plurality of signal terminals. A wire management module includes a non-conductive body mounting a plurality of ground terminals. The body positions a plurality of signal conductors and a plurality of ground conductors of the electrical wires, the ground conductors being terminated to the ground terminals. The ground terminals interengage with the connector housing to mount the wire management module to the housing with the signal wire conductors in position for termination to the signal terminals.

Abstract: An adapter frame assembly is provided for receiving at least a pair of connectors in a stacked array with one connector above another connector at different spacings therebetween. The assembly includes at least a pair of frame structures including at least a top frame structure and a bottom frame structure each including a receptacle for receiving a respective one of the stacked connectors. The top frame structure may be mounted directly on top of the bottom frame structure and, thereby, space the receptacles and the respective connectors at a first spacing therebetween. A spacer is selectively mountable between the frame structures to thereby space the receptacles and the respective connectors at a second, increased spacing therebetween.

Abstract: A connector interface is provided with a body portion extending between two mating ends and is suitable for providing an interface between a cable and an electronic device. The connector includes a printed circuit board as its terminal and the circuit board extends through the body portion and has first and second mating edges that extend past the body portion of the housing at the mating ends. These mating edges permit the use of edge card technology to simplify the connector assembly and cost. One of the mating edges is enclosed by an extension portion of the connector housing such that the extension defines a receptacle that accommodates an opposing connector, such as a plug end of a cable assembly.

Abstract: An installation tool for installing multiple connector housings of a wire harness into engagement with opposing connectors includes a handle portion and a connector gripping portion. The handle portion includes openings that accommodate a user's hand and the connector gripping portion includes pairs of first and second engagement arms separated by intervening spaces. Individual connector housings of the wire harness are gripped by pairs of the first and second engagement arms which hold the connectors housings in a preselected alignment and orientation with the connector housings gripped by the engagement arms and with the opposing connectors.

Abstract: A latching shroud for use on a backplane connector is provided which has an integrated a retention feature. The backplane connector includes a receptacle portion that receives a plurality of mating connectors therein and the latching shroud includes a pair of sidewalls that slip over and engage the connector around the receptacle portion thereof. A plurality of series of latching arms are formed in one of the sidewalls of the latching shroud, while polarizing elements are formed with the other sidewall of the latching shroud. The polarizing elements assist in orienting the mating connectors and the latching arms extend up and partly over the connector receptacle. The latching arms include hook end portions that grip the top surfaces of the mating connectors to retain them in place in the connector receptacle.

Abstract: A metal adapter frame assembly mounts a first electrical connector in an aperture in a panel for mating with a second electrical connector. A metal body defines a first receptacle for receiving the first connector and a second receptacle for receiving the second connector, with the connectors mateable through the body. A metal shield is mounted over a substantial portion of the metal body. A metal gasket is mounted on the body for engaging the panel at the aperture and substantially surrounds the first receptacle. A metal shutter member is movably mounted on the body to close the first receptacle and is movable to an open position upon engagement by the first connector.

Abstract: A stamped and formed metal adapter frame is provided for mounting an electrical connector in an aperture in a panel. The frame includes a receptacle portion positionable in the aperture in the panel for receiving the electrical connector. Supporting wall portions project from the receptacle portion. At least one first stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and includes a stop for abutting the panel. At least one second stiffening rib is formed in at least one of the wall portions and defines a guide rail for the electrical connector inserted through the receptacle portion. Integral flexible gasket fingers are formed about the periphery of the receptacle portion. At least one mounting peg is insertable into a mounting hole in a printed circuit board and includes at least two levels of engaging surfaces for engaging at least two printed circuit boards of different thicknesses.

Abstract: An electrical cable management system is disclosed for dressing electrical cables, such as the cables of wiring harnesses, on appropriate support structures, such as within electrical connector cabinets. A cable support member has a hanger for hanging the support member on a support structure. At least one cable tie member embraces a cable and ties the cable to the cable support member.

Abstract: A terminating connector for a data transmission cable, wherein the cable is of a known characteristic impedance and is of the type having a signal carrying conductor and a shield. The connector is typically arranged to mate with a complementary connector of a backplane. An overmolded subassembly of the connector includes a first terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the shield, and a second terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the signal carrying conductor. A dielectric insert is disposed between the first and second terminals. The insert is dimensioned and has a dielectric constant such that the characteristic impedance of the subassembly substantially matches the characteristic impedance of the cable. The subassembly may be secured to a surrounding housing.

Abstract: A modular electrical terminating connector for data transmission cables of the type having signal carrying conductors, drain wires and a shield. The connector passes through a ground plate and includes a housing that mates with a complementary connector assembly of a backplane. Individual overmolded subassemblies for terminating each cable are detachably coupled to the housing. The subassemblies latch to the ground plate, and provide a ground path from the cable shield to the ground plate. The subassemblies are individually detachable, thereby enabling individual cables to be disconnected and serviced without disconnecting other cables of the same connector.

Abstract: A terminating connector for a data transmission cable, wherein the cable is of a known characteristic impedance and is of the type having a signal carrying conductor and a shield. The connector is typically arranged to mate with a complementary connector of a backplane. An overmolded subassembly of the connector includes a first terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the shield, and a second terminal electrically coupled at one end thereof to the signal carrying conductor. A dielectric insert is disposed between the first and second terminals. The insert is dimensioned and has a dielectric constant such that the characteristic impedance of the subassembly substantially matches the characteristic impedance of the cable. The subassembly also includes a latch mechanism for latching to a surrounding housing.

Abstract: A system is provided for producing a shielded connector assembly for connecting a round multiconductor cable to a complementary connector having a flat array of terminals. The cable includes a plurality of insulated conductors within a cable shield and surrounded by an outer insulating jacket which is stripped to expose the cable shield and the insulated conductors. An insulating housing has a receptacle for receiving the insulated conductors in a flat array. A plurality of terminals are provided for termination to the received conductors and for mating with the terminals of the complementary connector. A conductive connector shield is mounted on and about a portion of the insulating housing, with a portion of the shield extending into the receptacle. A round conductive crimp ferrule is positioned over the round multiconductor cable in engagement with the exposed cable shield and with the exposed insulated conductors projecting from an end of the crimp ferrule.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting to a substrate such as a printed circuit board or the like. The connector includes an insulative housing having a top, opposite sides and a base portion which is mountable to the printed circuit board. A conductive shield is positionable about at least a portion of the housing. A unitary conductive ground strap is mounted on the housing in engagement with the shield and includes a pair of legs depending along the opposite sides of the housing. The legs have tail portions at the distal ends thereof projecting beyond the base portion of the housing for insertion into holes in the printed circuit board to ground the shield to appropriate ground traces on the board.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting to a substrate such as a printed circuit board or the like. The connector includes an insulative housing having a top, opposite sides and a base portion which is mountable to the printed circuit board. A conductive shield is positionable about at least a portion of the housing. A unitary conductive ground strap is mounted on the housing in engagement with the shield and includes a pair of legs depending along the opposite sides of the housing. The legs have tail portions at the distal ends thereof projecting beyond the base portion of the housing for insertion into holes in the printed circuit board to ground the shield to appropriate ground traces on the board.

Abstract: A one-piece shield is stamped and formed of metal material for substantially surrounding and shielding a dielectric housing of an electrical connector assembly. The housing is generally rectangular and includes a top, bottom, front, rear and opposite sides. The shield includes a top wall for substantially covering the top of the housing, opposite side walls for substantially covering the opposite sides of the housing, a front wall for substantially covering the front of the housing about a receptacle opening in the housing, and a rear wall for substantially covering the rear of the housing. Detent members are provided on at least one side wall and the rear wall to secure the rear wall in a closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector housing with a latch structure is provided. The latch is releasably engageable with corresponding structure on a mateable electrical connector housing. The latch structure resiliently and deflectably extends from the electrical connector housing. At least one rib extends from the surface of the electrical connector housing adjacent the deflectable end of the latch structure to prevent fishhooking of cables or the like into the space between the latch structure and the housing. The rib for preventing such fishhooking is further engageable with the latch structure to prevent overstress. Side walls disposed in spaced relationship to the latch structure may further prevent overstress and fishhooking.

Abstract: A drawer connector is provided with modular components to facilitate the replacement of those portions of the drawer connector that are subject to the greatest wear. The drawer connector comprises mateable female and male panel mount drawer connector housings having mateable terminals press fit or otherwise lockingly engaged therein. The conductive leads are not permanently terminated to the terminals of the drawer connector. Rather, the conductive leads are terminated to modular connector terminals or terminal assemblies which in turn are lockingly but releasably mounted to the respective rear sides of the panel mount assemblies of the drawer connector. Thus, the panel mount assemblies can be discarded and replaced upon the damage of the frequently connected and disconnected terminals therein, while still retaining the time and labor intensive termination work on the conductive leads.