Abstract: A method of attaching a solder element to a contact and the contact assembly formed thereby. The contact assembly is used in a connector. The solder element is either staked or stapled to the contact. The solder element can take a variety of shapes and disclosed herein is a tear-drop shape, a “wolf's head” shape and a circular shape. An over-stress feature is also provided for when the contact assembly is mounted to a printed wiring board.

Abstract: An improved heating element connector assembly includes an insulative, rectangular frame with a central opening, and a plurality of conductive terminals which are press fit into openings in the frame. The terminals are spaced apart from each other lengthwise of two opposing sidewalls of the frame, and pairs of terminals are aligned with each other between the two sidewalls. A plurality of conductive strips are held together in an assembly and the ends of the strips are interconnected along two spaced apart lines by carrier members that may be molded over the ends of the conductive strips. The carrier members extend down into cavities on the frame and terminals are pushed into the cavities to bear against the ends of the strips and effect an electrical connection between the terminals and the strips.

Abstract: An improved heating element connector assembly includes an insulative, rectangular frame with a central opening and a plurality of conductive terminals which are press fit into openings in the frame. The terminals are spaced apart from each other lengthwise of two opposing sidewalls of the frame, and pairs of terminals are aligned with each other between the two sidewalls. A plurality of conductive strips extend across the frame opening to interconnect the pairs of terminals together. The terminals include compliant pin tail portions for receipt by corresponding holes formed in a circuit board of the assembly and deformable head portions for crimping onto the conductive strips.

Abstract: An improved heating element connector assembly includes an insulative, rectangular frame with a central opening, and a plurality of conductive terminals which are press fit into openings in the frame. The terminals are spaced apart from each other lengthwise of two opposing sidewalls of the frame, and pairs of terminals are aligned with each other between the two sidewalls. A plurality of conductive strips are held together in an assembly and the ends of the strips are interconnected along two spaced apart lines by carrier members that may be molded over the ends of the conductive strips. The carrier members extend down into cavities on the frame and terminals are pushed into the cavities to bear against the ends of the strips and effect an electrical connection between the terminals and the strips.

Abstract: A method of attaching a solder element to a contact and the contact assembly formed thereby. The contact assembly is used in a connector. The solder element is either staked or stapled to the contact. The solder element can take a variety of shapes and disclosed herein is a tear-drop shape, a “wolf's head” shape and a circular shape. An over-stress feature is also provided for when the contact assembly is mounted to a printed wiring board.

Abstract: An improved heating element connector assembly includes an insulative, rectangular frame with a central opening and a plurality of conductive terminals which are press fit into openings in the frame. The terminals are spaced apart from each other lengthwise of two opposing sidewalls of the frame, and pairs of terminals are aligned with each other between the two sidewalls. A plurality of conductive strips extend across the frame opening to interconnect the pairs of terminals together. The terminals include compliant pin tail portions for receipt by corresponding holes formed in a circuit board of the assembly and deformable head portions for crimping onto the conductive strips.

Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for connecting a conductor of an electrical wire to a terminal of a mating connector. A dielectric housing has at least one elongated terminal-receiving cavity defining a longitudinal axis. A terminal is received in the cavity and has a mating portion adapted to mate with the terminal of the mating connector, a conductor-terminating portion, and an intermediate portion joining the mating and conductor-terminating portions. The intermediate portion includes a base and a pair of elongated resilient side walls extending from the base. Each side wall has an upper free end portion. A pair of elongated slots are provided within a wall of the cavity receiving the upper free end portions of the side walls of the terminal to prevent movement of the terminal laterally or angularly of the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having an elongated terminal-receiving cavity for insertion thereinto of a terminal in a given insertion direction. The cavity includes a constricted opening leading to a locking shoulder facing in the insertion direction. An elongated terminal is adapted to be inserted into the cavity and has a body portion with a cantilevered locking arm formed out of a side wall of the body portion. The locking arm has a fixed end joined to the side wall and a free end projecting outwardly from the side wall oblique to and opposite the insertion direction. The free end is adapted to engage the locking shoulder. The housing and terminal are constructed such that, upon insertion of the terminal into the cavity, the locking arm is biased laterally inwardly and then resiliently returned to a locking position with the free end thereof engaged with the locking shoulder. The locking arm has a first portion bent inwardly from the fixed end oblique to and opposite the insertion direction.