Abstract: A socket connector for connecting module card to a circuit board includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed ends. The housing includes a mounting face configured for mounting on the circuit board and a slot configured to receive a mating edge of the module card. The slot has a bottom surface that defines a seating plane for the mating edge of the module card. An extractor is pivotably connected to at least one of the opposed ends. The extractor includes a foot having a card engagement surface that is relatively higher than the bottom surface when the extractor is in a closed position.

Abstract: A socket connector for connecting a card edge module to a circuit board includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed ends. The housing includes a mounting face configured to be received on the circuit board and a slot configured to receive a mating edge of the card edge module. A latch member is pivotably connected to the housing. The latch member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A locking member is positioned on the latch member and configured to prevent movement of the latch member from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A socket connector for connecting module card to a circuit board includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed ends. The housing includes a mounting face configured for mounting on the circuit board and a slot configured to receive a mating edge of the module card. The slot has a bottom surface that defines a seating plane for the mating edge of the module card. An extractor is pivotably connected to at least one of the opposed ends. The extractor includes a foot having a card engagement surface that is relatively higher than the bottom surface when the extractor is in a closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a contact loading end and a locking member rotatably mounted in the housing and substantially enclosed within the connector. The locking member has a circumferential edge portion that is exposed through a window of the connector to permit finger rotation of the locking member. A backshell at least partially encloses the housing. The backshell includes a chamber between the contact loading end of the housing and a back wall of the backshell. The backshell includes side walls that have windows opening to the chamber to provide access to the edge portion of the locking member.

Abstract: A socket connector includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed ends. The housing includes a mounting face configured to be received on the circuit board and a slot configured to receive the mating edge of the card edge module. A latch member is pivotably connected to the housing. The latch member is movable between an open position and a closed position. A biasing member is connected between the housing and the latch member. The biasing member biases the latch member toward the closed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mating with a complementary connector receptacle is provided and includes a housing configured and adapted for selective matable connection with a corresponding complementary connector receptacle; a pair of latch arms provided on opposite sides of the housing; and a pair of latch guards extending from the sides of the housing and overlying at least a portion of a respective latch arm. Each latch arm includes a hinge joint spaced a selected distance rearwardly from a forward end thereof for joining the latch arm to a respective side of the housing. Accordingly, as a latch arm is twisted about the hinge joint, at least a portion of the latch arm abuts against the respective latch guard and additional twisting of the latch arm about the hinge joint is prevented.

Abstract: An electrical connector for mounting to a panel includes a connector housing having a forward mating end and a first side. The housing is configured to be inserted into a panel opening that has an inner edge. The housing is inserted into the panel opening in a loading direction and is movable laterally relative to the panel opening in a latching direction to a latched position. The latching direction differs from the loading direction. A latch member includes a latch beam extending from the first side of the housing and a latch element is positioned on a forward facing surface of the latch beam. The latch element engages the inner edge of the panel opening when the housing is in the latched position to hold the housing in the latched position. A stop member is formed on the first side of the housing. The stop member is positioned to engage a rearward facing surface of the latch beam to inhibit removal of the housing from the panel opening while in the latched position.

Abstract: A socket connector for connecting a card edge module to a circuit board includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed ends. The base includes a mounting face configured to be received on the circuit board. Support towers are integrally formed with the base and located at the opposed ends of the base. The support towers extend upward from the base away from the mounting face. Each of the base and the towers includes open sided mating surfaces that collectively define a mating plane. The open sided mating surfaces are configured to receive the card edge module from a lateral direction with respect to the mating plane when the card edge module is loaded into the connector. Electrical contacts are held in the base. The contacts have mating ends extending laterally from the open-sided mating surface of the base. The contacts have mounting ends that extend from the mounting face.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a forward mating end and a rearward contact loading end. The housing includes first and second opposite sides. The housing is configured for insertion into a panel opening that has an inner edge. The housing is inserted into the panel opening in a first direction in an insertion position and is movable within the panel opening in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction from the insertion position to a latched position. A latch member extends from the first side of the housing and has first and second ends attached to first and second opposite ends of the first side of the housing. An arcuate latch beam joins the first and second ends of the latch member, and a latch element positioned on a forward facing surface of the latch beam engages the inner edge of the panel opening to hold the housing in the latched position.

Abstract: A connector family that has a central housing having a connector mating face and a board mounting interface. An outer shell is shaped to fit over the central housing. The outer shell at least partially encloses the board mounting interface and exposes the connector mating interface of the central housing. The outer shell has a cable interface that is configured to be joined to a cable. Contacts are held in the central housing. The contacts, central housing and outer shell are used in different configurations depending upon the application. In a first application, the outer shell is mounted over the central housing to form a first configuration. In a second application, the outer shell is removed to expose the board mounting interface on the central housing to form a second configuration.

Abstract: A socket connector for an electronic package includes a socket housing and a loading caddy having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes an opening dimensioned to receive the electronic package. The loading caddy is coupled to the housing for linear and rotational movement therewith. The loading caddy rotates through a first range of motion adapted to align the electronic package with respect to the housing, and descends linearly through a second range of motion to load the electronic package into the housing.

Abstract: A terminal for use with a zero insertion force socket is disclosed which electrically connects a mating connector to a printed circuit board or the like. The terminal has a pin engaging portion which has a pair of nonsymmetrical contact arms which are positioned to make electrical engagement with the mating pin. A first contact arm of the pair of contact arms is configured to have a longer electrical path across which signals are transmitted than a second contact arm. The first contact arm also has a reduced cross section compared to the second contact arm, such that the first contact arm is configured to have a matched inductance to the second contact arm. A retention portion extends from the pin engaging portion. Side edges of the retention portion are dimensioned to create a frictional interference with side wall of a cavity of the socket. A mounting portion extends from the retention portion in an opposite direction from the pin engaging portion.

Abstract: A pin grid array contact has been provided that includes a planar main body and first and second spring beams. The planar main body defines, and is arranged within, a primary contact plane. The main body has edges along opposed sides and along opposed ends. The first and second spring beams are formed integral with the main body and extend from a common one of the edges by different first and second lengths, respectively. The first length is longer than said second length. The first and second spring beams being are aligned with the primary contact plane.

Abstract: A pin grid array contact has been provided that includes a planar main body and first and second spring beams. The planar main body defines, and is arranged within, a primary contact plane. The main body has edges along opposed sides and along opposed ends. The first and second spring beams are formed integral with the main body and extend from a common one of the edges by different first and second lengths, respectively. The first length is longer than said second length. The first and second spring beams being are aligned with the primary contact plane.

Abstract: A terminal with use with a zero insertion force socket is disclosed which electrically connects a mating connector to a printed circuit board or the like. The terminal has a pin engaging portion which has a pair of contact arms positioned to make electrical engagement with a mating pin. The pin engaging portion has a pair of nonsymmetrical contact arms which are positioned to make electrical engagement with the mating pin. A first contact arm of the pair of contact arms is configured to have a longer electrical path across which signals are transmitted than a second contact arm. The first contact arm also has a reduced cross section compared to the second contact arm, such that the first contact arm is configured to have a matched inductance to the second contact arm. A retention portion extends from the pin engaging portion. Side edges of the retention portion are dimensioned to create a frictional interference with side wall of a cavity of the socket.

Abstract: An antenna (10) includes a first block-like portion (12) and a second mast portion (16) unitary with the first portion (12) at a first selected location. The first portion (12) has a selected area and shape to transceive a desired frequency band and includes a feed point (14) at a second selected location adapted to be electrically connected to a signal line (42) of an electrical article (52). The first portion (12) provides a wide frequency band and the second portion (16) provides flexibility for the antenna (10).

Abstract: A boot assembly (40) for an antenna (30) includes an elongate sleeve (42) and an end cap (60), the sleeve (42) having an opening defining an annular recess (44) dimensioned to receive the end cap (60) and be secured thereto in an adhesive joint. One of either the inner surface (46) of the annular recess (44) or the outer surface (62) of the end cap (60) has axially extending ridges (48) and the other of the inner and outer surfaces (46, 62) has corresponding axially extending recesses (64) dimensioned to receive the ridges (48) therein. The inner and outer surfaces (46, 62) provide a large adhered surface area and multiple shear planes that distribute stress upon impact and minimizing propagation of cracks in the adhesive joint thereby maintaining the integrity of the sleeve (42) and end cap (60).

Abstract: An antenna (20) including a continuous planar conductor (22) in a coaxial connector. The planar conductor (22) is made by stamping an array of slots (30) in a continuous sheet of metal with ends of adjacent slots (30) being offset from each other in an alternating pattern of long and short slot portions (32, 36) on each side of a centerline of the array; at least filling each slot (30) with a dielectric material (50), thereby defining a slot filled strip; and cutting along each side of the slot-filled strip intersecting each filled long slot portion (32) at a sufficient distance from the ends of adjacent ones of the filled short slot portions (36) to define a strap (42) of metal connecting the metal strips on each side of each slot (30).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) includes an insulating housing (12) and assembled thereto a plurality of terminal modules (30) and electrically conductive shields (60) therebetween. Each terminal module (30) includes an alternating pattern of first and second contacts (42,44), the intermediate portions (50) thereof being formed at selected locations therealong such that the intermediate portions of the first contacts (42) are encapsulated in the insulating web (54) proximate a first side surface (32) and the intermediate portions of the second contacts (44) are encapsulated in the web (54) proximate the second major surface (34) of the module. In the assembled connector (10), the first contacts (42) are spaced more closely to shield (60) along surface (32) and the second contacts (44) are spaced more closely to shield (60) along surface (34) thereby assuring primary coupling between each signal contact (40) and a respective ground shield (60) rather than to an adjacent signal contact (40).

Abstract: A method for making an electrical article includes: providing a conductive lead frame having a first contact section (129) adapted to be electrically and mechanically secured to a discrete second conductive member (144) and a holding section proximate the first contact section (129) adapted to hold a portion of the discrete second conductive member (144); positioning a discrete second conductive member (144) on the holding section with a first connecting end (146) in engagement with the first contact section (129)of the lead frame; terminating the second member (144) to the contact section (129), the lead frame and the second conductive member (144) defining a subassembly; overmolding the subassembly with dielectric material at least over portions of the lead frame and the second conductive member; and removing at least the holding section from the overmolded subassembly thereby defining an electrical article.