Abstract: An electrical terminal 10 stamped and formed from a single thickness of metal stock comprises a hollow body portion 12 and a plurality of contact sections 22, 24 extending forwardly therefrom, first and second opposing transition portions 36, 42, and a double layer barrel portion 48. The transition portions 36, 42 coextend rearwardly from respective opposing side sections 14, 16 of hollow body portion 12. The double layer barrel portion 48 includes first and second barrel sections 50, 56, which extends rearwardly from respective first and second transition portions 36, 42, the first barrel section 50 being nested within the second barrel section 56 such that a seam 53 of first barrel section 50 is basically diametrically opposed from a seam 59 of second barrel section 56 and a continuous portion of second barrel section 56 overlies the seam 53 of said first barrel section 50.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector assembly 20 comprising a pin terminal member 24 having a forward portion 26 including contact means therearound defining a frustoconical contact surface, a complimentary socket terminal member 72 including contact means and housing means that assures assembly of respective said pin and socket terminal members 24, 72 as they are moved axially together and electrical engagement of respective contact surfaces 30, 78 thereof upon full mating of said terminal members 24, 72. The surface of the pin terminal member 24 has an array of facets 28 disposed in selected areas therealong, the outer surface portions defining a plurality of contact areas 30. The socket member 72 includes a forward portion having a frustoconical contact surface defining a cavity 76 adapted to receive the forward section 26 of the pin terminal member 24.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Abstract: An oscillating device comprises a body support on which opposed open bearings are located, the bearings are compliant and have self-lubricating bearing members secured therein so that bearing-engaging sections of legs that are pivotally mounted onto a base are disposed in the bearings in engagement with the self-lubricating bearing members and springs are mounted on spring-engaging members on arms of the legs to maintain the legs in a substantially vertical rest position and to move the body support along an arcuate path when it is moved from the vertical position in an oscillating motion.

Abstract: A programmable shunting strip stamped and formed from sheet metal comprising of web (12) from which a series of contact fingers (13) have been stamped to extend transversely of the web substantially in its plane. Selected contact fingers 13' can be bent to extend transversely of the plane of the web (12) and received in an electrical connector socket (25) to common selected terminals (32) in the socket (25).

Abstract: A shielded and keyed electrical connector assembly comprises a shielded plug and a shielded receptacle. Forward portions of the plug are received in the plug-receiving opening of the receptacle. The shielding on the receptacle has integral shield contact members which extend into the opening and which engage the shielding on the plug when the parts are mated. Keying is achieved by at least one key in the plug-receiving opening and a keyway in the forward portion of the plug. The key and the shielding contacts are located such that they do not interfere with each others' functions.

Abstract: Electrical connector for connecting a ground conductor to a through conductor comprises an insulating housing on which is mounted a through conductor terminal having a wire receiving slot. The through conductor terminal is integral with a first tap conductor terminal located in a recess in the housing. A second tap conductor terminal is positioned in the recess and is spaced from the first terminal and a capacitor has its leads connected to the first and second terminals. The second terminal has an integral disconnect tap terminal which receives a terminal tab extending from a cover mounted on the housing. The cover serves as a section of the tap conductor and is bolted to a ground connection such as the frame of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Pre-insulated flag-type terminal device comprises a flag-type contact terminal and a housing which completely encloses the terminal. The terminal has a tubular crimp portion and a contact portion which extends laterally from the crimp portion. The width of the contact portion is the same as that of the crimp portion. The housing comprises a molded part having a terminal-receiving section and a laterally extending wire-receiving housing arm. An opening extends through the arm and communicates with the terminal-receiving cavity in the terminal-receiving portion. The crimp portion has a wire-receiving end which is immediately adjacent to the inner end of the wire-receiving opening.

Abstract: Connecting means comprises an electrical terminal and a housing having a terminal-receiving cavity therein. The terminal is a flat one-piece sheet metal device having two integral four-bar linkage mechanisms thereon arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis extending medially through the terminal. The connecting or floating links of the linkages are adjacent to the axis, the fixed links are relatively remote from the axis, and the crank links extend diagonally between the fixed and connecting links. When a wire is positioned between the connecting links and the two four-bar linkages are deformed by applying deforming forces to the ends of the connecting links, the connecting links move laterally towards each other and clamp the wire between their opposed surfaces.

Abstract: A continuous strip of stamped and formed connecting devices comprises a carrier strip having a plurality of sets of splicing devices extending from one of its side edges. Each set comprises first and second splicing devices which are symmetrical with respect to an axis that extends medially between their adjacent sides. Each splicing device has a wire crimp portion which is adjacent to the carrier strip, a connecting transition portion, and a prong crimp portion which is spaced from the carrier strip. The transition portions of each set extend convergently towards the axis of symmetry so that the prong crimp portions are closely spaced. The strip is used to connect first and second wires to first and second prongs extending from a component. Improved manufacturing techniques involving use of this strip for connecting the wires to the prongs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A crimpable terminal device in which the barrel is double walled, with the inner wall being formed from the same sheet of metal as the outer wall and being integral therewith. Specifically, the inner wall is formed by folding over extensions of the outer wall back upon the inner surface of the inner wall and then forming the resulting double thickness of metal into a barrel within which a wire is placed and the barrel crimped thereupon. The inner wall of the barrel can have slots or apertures therein or other irregular surfaces, all designed to bite into the conductor crimped therein to make good electrical and mechanical connection therewith. Because the inner wall has slots formed completely therethrough, and further because the inner wall can move relatively freely with respect to the outer wall, the crimping produces unusually good electrical and mechanical connections and with many side benefits.