Abstract: An electrical connector 10 is disclosed having a shorting switch 30 that shorts connector contacts 14 together when the mating connector 90 is separated therefrom and breaks the short when the mating connector 90 is mated thereto. The shorting switch 30 includes a shank 32 that is secured in an opening 24 in the base 16 of the connector housing 12. A first beam 38 extends upwardly from the shank 32 at an angle thereto and terminates in a radiused end 40 on one side of the centerline 37 of the shank 32. A second beam 42 extends from the radiused end 40 and terminates in a bifurcated contact end 50,52 on the other side of the shank centerline 37. The second beam 42 includes a knee 48 which is engaged by the mating connector housing 92 for camming the contact end 50,52 out of shorting engagement with the connector contacts 14 in such a way that the contact end 50,52 remains spaced from the mating housing 92.

Abstract: An arrangement for securing a body to a support by means of a post on the body which is inserted into an aperture in the support. The post is formed with a cavity into which there is inserted a resilient retaining member having tapered barbs extending outwardly of the post from opposite sides thereof. When the post is thereafter inserted into the aperture, the retaining member is compressed and the barbs engage the interior walls of the aperture to prevent subsequent removal of the post therefrom.

Abstract: An electronic assembly including a pair of complementary connectors (28,40), each mounted to respective circuit boards (22,34) and means for preventing damage to pin contacts (32) of one connector (28) when the connectors (28,40) are unmated, the connectors (28,40) and their respective circuit boards (22,34) defining first and second subassemblies. The pin saving means includes at least one pair of stop means (50) associated with one subassembly and adapted to cooperate with stop engaging means for the other subassembly. The stop means (50) includes a lower portion (52) extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the associated subassembly and a lower portion (54) extending outwardly from a leading end thereof and having a stop surface (56). The upper portion (54) is adapted to be moved from a first position wherein the stop surface (56) engages the stop engaging means to a second position wherein the stop surface (56) is removed from the stop engaging means.

Abstract: A tool for aligning contacts of an electrical connector with conductive areas of a circuit board comprises a base member with comb means movably secured thereto. The comb means are movable between a first position and a second position to cooperate with the contacts of the connector to insure that the contacts are precisely aligned as the circuit board is inserted into the connector. Securing and alignment means are provided to allow the comb means to easily adjust to the contacts of individual connectors. As the comb means is brought into engagement with the contacts a space bar is provided to prevent the contacts from entering the recess into which the circuit board enters. The contacts are maintained in position as soldering occurs, ensuring that a positive electrical connection is affected.

Abstract: A tool for aligning contacts of an electrical connector with conductive areas of a circuit board comprises a clamp for clamping the connector therein, a slide is movably mounted on the clamp and includes a comb between the teeth of which the contacts are disposed, and adjustment means moves the slide and comb thereby causing the comb teeth to move the contacts so that they are positioned in alignment with the conductive areas.