Abstract: A rigid-flex circuit connector is provided that includes a layered circuit board and an array of electrical contacts. The layered circuit board has a rigid board stacked above a flex board. The rigid board includes at least one rigid substrate and a rigid board circuit. The rigid board circuit includes a plurality of conductive vias extending into the rigid board from a top surface of the rigid board. The flex board includes at least one flexible substrate and a flex board circuit. The flex board circuit electrically connects to the conductive vias of the rigid board circuit. The array of electrical contacts is loaded in the conductive vias. The electrical contacts have mating ends that protrude from the top surface of the rigid board to mechanically engage and electrically connect to mating contacts of a mating electronic component.

Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a transceiver module having ribs and a thermal interface member on an outer surface and a receptacle assembly receiving the transceiver module. The receptacle assembly includes a heat sink and a clip coupling the heat sink to a guide frame. The heat sink has a heat sink surface facing the thermal interface member and a step extending from the heat sink surface with a module engagement surface. The ribs ride along the step during insertion into and removal from the receptacle of the transceiver module. When the ribs are longitudinally aligned with and engage the step, the module engagement surface is in an elevated position. When the ribs are longitudinally offset from the step, the module engagement surface is in a recessed position and in direct thermal engagement with the thermal interface member.

Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a transceiver module having ribs and a thermal interface member on an outer surface and a receptacle assembly receiving the transceiver module. The receptacle assembly includes a heat sink and a clip coupling the heat sink to a guide frame. The heat sink has a heat sink surface facing the thermal interface member and a step extending from the heat sink surface with a module engagement surface. The ribs ride along the step during insertion into and removal from the receptacle of the transceiver module. When the ribs are longitudinally aligned with and engage the step, the module engagement surface is in an elevated position. When the ribs are longitudinally offset from the step, the module engagement surface is in a recessed position and in direct thermal engagement with the thermal interface member.

Abstract: A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base configured for mounting to a mating component. The base includes a pair of opposite side surfaces. A pair of separate contact support members are mounted on the base. Each contact support member holds a separate set of electrical contacts. Each contact support member includes a mounting portion engaged with a corresponding one of the side surfaces of the base such that a portion of the base extends between the mounting portions of the contact support members. The sets of electrical contacts held by the contact support members cooperate to define a mating interface for a mating connector.

Abstract: A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a base configured for mounting to a mating component. The base includes a pair of opposite side surfaces. A pair of separate contact support members are mounted on the base. Each contact support member holds a separate set of electrical contacts. Each contact support member includes a mounting portion engaged with a corresponding one of the side surfaces of the base such that a portion of the base extends between the mounting portions of the contact support members. The sets of electrical contacts held by the contact support members cooperate to define a mating interface for a mating connector.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing and a plurality of contacts extending from the housing. The housing and the contacts define a mating interface and the first connector includes a light source. A second connector has a housing and a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface configured to mate with the mating interface of the first connector. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe assembly having a plurality of separate light pipe segments, wherein a first light pipe segment is provided with the first connector and directs light from the light source, and a second light pipe segment is provided with the second connector and receives light from the first light pipe segment to direct light to an external portion of the second connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface for a mating connector. A latch extends from the housing and is configured to securely couple the housing to the mating connector. The latch is depressible to an unlatched position. A tether is mated with the latch. The tether is movable between a released position and an actuated position, wherein the tether depresses the latch to the unlatched position when the tether is moved to the actuated position.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface for a mating connector. A latch extends from the housing and is configured to securely couple the housing to the mating connector. The latch is depressible to an unlatched position. A tether is mated with the latch. The tether is movable between a released position and an actuated position, wherein the tether depresses the latch to the unlatched position when the tether is moved to the actuated position.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing and a plurality of contacts extending from the housing. The housing and the contacts define a mating interface and the first connector includes a light source. A second connector has a housing and a plurality of contacts defining a mating interface configured to mate with the mating interface of the first connector. The connector assembly also includes a light pipe assembly having a plurality of separate light pipe segments, wherein a first light pipe segment is provided with the first connector and directs light from the light source, and a second light pipe segment is provided with the second connector and receives light from the first light pipe segment to direct light to an external portion of the second connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating end, a rear end opposite the first end, and an exterior wall extending from the mating end to the rear end. The exterior wall includes a cavity extending between the mating and rear ends. A pull tab is received within the cavity. The pull tab is linearly movable within the cavity between the mating and rear ends of the housing. A latch is held on the housing and covers at least a portion of the pull tab, such that the pull tab slides between the latch and the housing. A first element on the pull tab and a second element on the latch interact to move the latch between open and closed positions in response to movement of the pull tab relative to the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is shown having a stamped and formed shielded cage having a plurality of ports for receiving SFP modules. The cages have an opening extending through a lower face thereof for receiving a header connector having first and second extensions which are aligned with the first and second columnar ports in the cage. Thus, the SFP modules are pluggable into individual ports, whereby two modules are interconnected to a single header connector interconnected to a motherboard.

Abstract: A small form-factor (SFP) module for insertion into an SFP cage having a spring latch is provided. The SFP module has a housing with an open ended chamber configured to accept a plug. A latch tab is formed on and projects outward from a wall of the housing. The latch tab securely engages the spring latch when the SFP cage and module are engaged with one another. The SFP module also includes a pull release mounted to the housing which is slidable along a range of motion. The pull release has a release member extending outward from a body. The release member moves along a side of the latch tab to a fully released position to disengage the spring latch from the latch tab.

Abstract: A small form-factor (SFP) module for insertion into an SFP cage having a spring latch is provided. The SFP module has a housing with an open ended chamber configured to accept a plug. A latch tab is formed on and projects outward from a wall of the housing. The latch tab securely engages the spring latch when the SFP cage and module are engaged with one another. The SFP module also includes a pull release mounted to the housing which is slidable along a range of motion. The pull release has a release member extending outward from a body. The release member moves along a side of the latch tab to a fully released position to disengage the spring latch from the latch tab.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided including a housing and a cap having a first end that engages a mating contact and an open second end. The electrical connector includes a plunger contact having a first end projecting from the housing that engages a mating contact and a second end with a spring retention area that telescopically communicates with the open second end. The plunger contact and the cap move relative to one another along a contact motion axis. The electrical connector includes a spring provided between the plunger contact and the cap that engages the spring retention area. At least one of the plunger contact and cap include an angled surface that biases the spring at an acute angle to the contact motion axis to induce a lateral binding force between the plunger contact and the cap that causes the plunger contact and the cap to maintain a direct electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector has been provided that includes a housing having a base having a rear end and an interface end. The base includes at least one channel extending between the rear and interface ends. The electrical connector also includes at least one conductive wafer configured to engage electrical contacts. Each conductive wafer is divided into a rear portion and an interface portion. The rear portion is received and securely retained in a channel with the interface portion extending beyond the interface end of the base. The interface portion moves in a direction transverse to a plane of the conductive wafer to facilitate alignment with a mating structure.

Abstract: An electrical connector has been provided that includes a housing having a base having a rear end and an interface end. The base includes at least one channel extending between the rear and interface ends. The electrical connector also includes at least one conductive wafer configured to engage electrical contacts. Each conductive wafer is divided into a rear portion and an interface portion. The rear portion is received and securely retained in a channel with the interface portion extending beyond the interface end of the base. The interface portion moves in a direction transverse to a plane of the conductive wafer to facilitate alignment with a mating structure.

Abstract: A connector module pack is provided organizing and retaining multiple connector modules side by side in a predetermined arrangement. The connector modules are first organized into a desired arrangement with respect to each other. The connector modules may be mounted on a template to temporarily retain them in the desired arrangement. Once the modules are in the desired arrangement, an adhesive medium is applied to at least one side of each connector module. The adhesive medium retains the connector modules within the connector module pack. The adhesive medium may be one or more tape strips.

Abstract: A connector module pack is provided organizing and retaining multiple connector modules side by side in a predetermined arrangement. The connector modules are first organized into a desired arrangement with respect to each other. The connector modules may be mounted on a template to temporarily retain them in the desired arrangement. Once the modules are in the desired arrangement, an adhesive medium is applied to at least one side of each connector module. The adhesive medium retains the connector modules within the connector module pack. The adhesive medium may be one or more tape strips.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided including a housing and a cap having a first end that engages a mating contact and an open second end. The electrical connector includes a plunger contact having a first end projecting from the housing that engages a mating contact and a second end with a spring retention area that telescopically communicates with the open second end. The plunger contact and the cap move relative to one another along a contact motion axis. The electrical connector includes a spring provided between the plunger contact and the cap that engages the spring retention area. At least one of the plunger contact and cap include an angled surface that biases the spring at an acute angle to the contact motion axis to induce a lateral binding force between the plunger contact and the cap that causes the plunger contact and the cap to maintain a direct electrical connection therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hermaphroditic coaxial electrical connector (10) having an outer contact (12) formed of two halves (17, 18). The first half (17) is of a slightly smaller dimension than the second half (18). A dielectric (20) is profiled to fit within the first half (17). A signal contact (40) is disposed inside the dielectric (20) and has a contact point (42) along a mating surface (24) of the dielectric (20). Mounting feet (16) are provided on the base of the outer contact for surface mounting to a printed circuit board.