Abstract: A terminal position housing (34, 134) is used with an alignment plate (42, 142) to align male terminals or blades (12, 112) extending from a printed circuit board assembly (6, 106). A plug connector (14, 114) having multiple female terminals or receptacles (16, 116) is mated to the blades (12, 112) with the assistance of the terminal position housing (34, 134) and the alignment plate (42, 142). The terminal position housing (34, 134) includes a stationary plate (36, 136) having apertures (38, 138) through which the blades (12, 112) are inserted. The stationary plate apertures (38, 138) are aligned with apertures (44, 144) in the movable alignment plate (42, 142), and these aligned apertures keep the blades (12, 112) aligned with the receptacles (16, 116) even if the blades (12, 112) may be deflected due to forces applied by mechanical assist members, such as bolts (96).

Abstract: A terminal position housing 34, 134 is used with an alignment plate 42, 142 to align male terminals or blades 12, 112 extending from a printed circuit board assembly 6, 106. A plug connector 14, 114 having multiple female terminals or receptacles 16, 116 is mated to the blades 12, 112 with the assistance of the terminal position housing 34, 134 and the alignment plate 42, 142. The terminal position housing 34, 134 includes a stationary plate 36, 136 having apertures 38, 138 through which the blades 12, 112 are inserted. The stationary plate apertures 38, 138 are aligned with apertures 44, 144 in the movable alignment plate 42, 142, and these aligned apertures keep the blades 12, 112 aligned with the receptacles 16, 116 even if the blades 12, 112 may be deflected due to forces applied by mechanical assist members, such as bolts 96.

Abstract: A printed circuit card having a printed circuit board therein with ground contact pads. The printed circuit card is made of a conductive housing in which the printed circuit board resides. At least one ground contact clip is interfaced with both the ground contact pad on the printed circuit board and the conductive housing to complete a ground circuit for the printed circuit board and for protecting the connector against electromagnetic interference and electrostatic discharge. The ground clip further ensures that the printed circuit card has a high ground-to-signal ratio, thereby ensuring good data transmission through the card.

Abstract: An electrical connector for coupling the wires of a plurality of multiconductor flat cables with another electrical connector comprising, in combination a pluarlity of electrically insulating blocks; a plurality of signal contacts extending through each block, the signal contacts of each block adapted to receive the wires of one associated multiconductor flat cable; and a housing for supporting the plurality of blocks in a fixed position with respect to each other, the housing having means to releasably couple with another electrical connector. Also disclosed is the method of fabricating the electrical connector.

Abstract: Microstrip transmission of electrical signals between two arrays of signal conductors such as two printed circuit boards is maintained in an electrical connector in which signal contacts are disposed on opposite sides of the central ground bus. Signal contacts are urged inwardly into engagement with a central dielectric wall and a ground bus is similarly urged outwardly into engagement with the same wall to establish the microstrip configuration between each row of terminals in the central ground bus. The receptacle connector includes a right angle bend and signal contacts as well as the ground bus also have a right angle bend. The insulative housing of a right angle connector comprises upper and lower housing members which are snapped into engagement. Resilient arms, forming a part of the connector mounting assembly on the upper housing member, engage the lower housing member to hold it in place.

Abstract: A connector, a termination of a conductor to a ground bus in a connector, and a method for effecting the termination is disclosed. The ground bus includes a series of openings in one edge thereof, each having a pair of parallel walls that are spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the conductor to be terminated. Each opening includes a constriction which positions and holds the conductor so that it is spaced from the walls of the opening during the soldering operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for terminating a ribbon cable formed of electrical conductors in a web of electrical insulation during the attaching thereof to a connector. The apparatus comprises a guide member releasably coupleable with the cable at a predetermined location with respect to the end of the cable. The apparatus also comprises means to sequentially couple the guide member and cable end in operative relationship with a series of processing stations whereat the guide member functions to accurately locate the cable end with respect to the operating mechanisms of the processing stations. Such processing stations are operative for the attaching of the cable end to a connector. Also disclosed is the method of terminating a ribbon cable with such apparatus.

Abstract: Wire bending apparatus comprising a positioning fixture adapted to secure the stripped free end of a ribbon cable in a predetermined orientation; a bending fixture positionable adjacent the fixed free end of a ribbon cable secured in the positioning fixture; and means releasably interconnecting the positioning fixture and the bending fixture for the releasable securement therebetween. Also disclosed is the method of bending free ends of ribbon cables with such apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for coupling the stripped free end of a ribbon cable with a connector comprising a fixed recipient block having a slot for the receipt of the striped and bent wires of a ribbon cable; reciprocable blocks located on opposite sides of the fixed recipient block with crimping fingers secured thereto and reciprocal through apertures in the fixed recipient block; and means to move the reciprocable blocks and crimping fingers toward each other into the slot for effecting the mechanical coupling of the connector housing locate din the slot with at least some of the stripped wires. Also disclosed is the method of coupling connectors to the free ends of cables with such apparatus.

Abstract: A connector adapted to couple stripped electrically conductive wires of a flat cable with the traces of a printed circuit board through a mating connector upstanding from the printed circuit board. The connector comprises a housing formed with a longitudinal central slot adapted to receive an electrically conductive ground bus. The upper end of the bus is adapted to retain stripped ground wires of the flat cable by crimping and soldering. The lower end of the bus is adapted to be received within the mating connector. A plurality of parallel apertures are formed in the housing on opposite sides of the bus to receive signal contact, the upper ends of which are adapted to retain stripped signal wires of the flat cable by soldering. The lower ends of the signal contacts are adapted to be received within the mating connector.

Abstract: A twisted pair flat cable suitable for use in undercarpet environments is disclosed. A plurality of twisted pairs are positioned side-by-side, each in separate compartments formed within a hollow envelope of an extruded outer sheath. Separator ribs which do not extend across the entire height of the sheath prevent lateral movement of twisted pairs out of their respective compartments. By cutting the outer sheath at only one location, the outer sheath can be folded back to deploy the twisted pairs for termination. Laterally adjacent solid members suitable for withstanding compressive loads can be employed with a centrally disposed sheath.

Abstract: Apparatus for bending or deploying selected, individual, stripped, electrical wires at the stripped free end of a ribbon cable. The apparatus comprises a base having a box-like recess with fixed components or plate-like members or shims to individually position the wires to be bent. The fixed components include tall positioning shims with notches extending downwardly to contact the insulating web of a ribbon cable between its stripped wires and to properly position the web and the wires. The fixed components also include short ground wire shims located between some of the tall positioning shims for receiving, thereadjacent, ground wires of the received ribbon cable. The fixed components also include short signal wire shims located between others of the tall positioning shims for receiving, thereadjacent, signal wires of the received ribbon cable. Also included within the apparatus are bending fingers operatively associated with the fixed components for reciprocal movement with respect thereto.

Abstract: A connector adapted to couple stripped electrically conductive wires of a ribbon cable with the traces of a printed circuit board through a mating connector upstanding from the printed circuit board. The connector comprises a housing formed with a longitudinal central slot adapted to receive an electrically conductive ground bus. The upper end of the bus is adapted to retain stripped ground wires of the ribbon cable by crimping and soldering. The lower end of the bus is adapted to be received within the mating connector. A plurality of parallel apertures are formed in the housing on opposite sides of the bus to receive signal contacts the upper ends of which are adapted to retain stripped signal wires of the ribbon cable by soldering. The lower ends of the signal contacts are adapted to be received within the mating connector.

Abstract: A high performance controlled impedance low loss low attenuation cable having the characteristics of a shielded twisted pair cable is disclosed. The cable contains a plurality of pairs of associated conductors located in a single plane to give a low profile flat cable suitable for use in undercarpet wiring installations. The cable comprises a plurality of layers of extruded insulating material with a metal foil shield surrounding only associated pairs of conductors. Insulating material having different dielectric constants is employed in conjunction with the encircling foil shield to give the cable the characteristics of a conventional shielded twisted pair cable.

Abstract: An adaptor to couple a connector to a conductor of a flat, high performance, electrical cable is disclosed. The adaptor includes two mating halves through which the conductors pass. The adaptor is formed with an internal recess and further includes a ferrule therein to allow an electrical ground connection to an EMI shield of the cable. The adaptor is also formed with external threads whereby a threaded nut may be employed to maintain the adaptor halves operatively couples. The connector can then be attached to components of an electrical system without significant radiation occurring at the interconnection.