Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to a plurality of discrete terminal pins. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a front mating face and a rear terminating face. A plurality of terminal pin-receiving passages are provided in the mating face. A flat circuit-receiving receptacle is provided in the terminating face in communication with the passages. A circuit carrier is insertable into the receptacle of the housing and includes an attachment portion for attaching the flat flexible circuit of the carrier with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the carrier toward the terminal pin receiving passages. Insertion of the pins in the passages causes the pins to engage the conductors of the circuit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for interconnecting the generally parallel conductors of a pair of flat circuits out of sequential order relative to each other. The system includes a pair of flat circuits each having a plurality of generally parallel conductors covered by a dielectric film. A pattern of windows are formed in the film of each circuit to expose the conductors at different locations longitudinally thereof. The patterns of windows of the two circuits are coincident with each other when the flat circuits are overlapped with each other and with the circuits oriented so that the conductors of the circuits are at angles relative to each other. The conductors of the respective circuits are electrically connected through the windows.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for removably interconnecting first conductors of a flat flexible circuit to a plurality of second conductors without the use of conductive terminals. The assembly includes a male connector having a relatively rigid male body member with an edge about which the flexible circuit is wrapped, and with the first conductors of the circuit facing away from the body member at the edge thereof. An adapter or other female connecting device includes a first receptacle for receiving the male connector inserted edge-first into the first receptacle. A second receptacle receives the second conductors in position for engaging the first conductors of the flexible circuit at the edge of the male body member.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for a flat flexible circuit having a plurality of first conductors. The assembly includes an adapter for mating with a complementary connecting device having a plurality of second conductors. The adapter includes a receptacle. A relatively rigid male body member has an edge about which the flat flexible circuit is wrapped, with the first conductors facing away from the body member at the edge thereof. The male body member is insertable into the receptacle of the adapter. A spring member is mounted on the male body member for biasing the male body member in a mating direction relative to the adapter. A cam member is operatively associated between the male body member and the adapter. The cam member is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position. The cam member includes a cam surface engageable with the spring member for loading the spring member in response to movement of the cam member to its operative position.

Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a body member on which the flexible circuit is positioned. A latch arm projects from the body member for latching the connector to the complementary mating connecting device. A resilient web joins the latch arm to the body member for performing the functions of providing an anti-overstress structure and a spring device for the latch arm, as well as an anti-snagging feature for the connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for interconnecting a plurality of discrete electrical wires to the conductors of a flat flexible circuit. The assembly includes a first connector having a dielectric housing. A plurality of discrete conductive terminals are mounted on the housing and are adapted for termination to the electrical wires. The terminals have contact portions for engaging the conductors of the flat flexible circuit. A second connector is adapted for mating with the first connector. The second connector includes a body member for positioning the flat flexible circuit, with the conductors of the circuit positioned for engaging the conductive terminals when the connectors are mated. A yieldable backing structure is provided on the body member beneath the flexible circuit for resiliently biasing the conductors of the circuit against the terminals of the first connector.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an improved electronic device, along with the product of that method is disclosed. A flat flexible substrate is provided with a generally round hole of a given diameter and with a conductive film on the substrate in an area at least about the hole. A generally round terminal pin is provided with a given diameter greater than that of the hole. The difference between the diameter of the pin and the diameter of the hole is on the order of 5% to 50% of the diameter of the hole. A non-conductive adhesive is applied to a portion of the pin or the substrate surrounding the hole. The pin is inserted into the hole in the substrate such that the non-conductive adhesive is scraped longitudinally from or along the pin to an area about the hole and the pin, leaving the pin in contact with the conductive film. An improved interface is established between the pin and the conductive film of the substrate.

Abstract: A connector (10,10A,10B) is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors (12,40) of a flat mating connecting device. The connector includes a body member (22,48,50) having an edge about which the flexible circuit is wrapped. Locating pegs (20) on the body member engage and hold the flexible circuit (14,42) about the edge. A resilient strip (30) on the body member at the edge thereof spring loads the flexible circuit to enhance engagement thereof with the locating pegs.

Abstract: A female connector is adapted for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a female housing having wall portions defining a cavity for receiving the flexible circuit. The wall portions are relatively movable between an open condition allowing a yieldable backing structure to be assembled on a cavity-side of at least one of the wall portions and a closed condition defining the cavity. The yieldable backing structure resiliently biases the conductors of the flexible circuit received in the cavity against the conductors of the mating connecting device when the connector is mated with the device.

Abstract: A male connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a male body member on which the flexible circuit is positioned, with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the body member. A yieldable backing structure is disposed on the body member beneath the flexible circuit for resiliently biasing the conductors of the circuit against the conductors of the mating connecting device when the connector is mated with the device.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a flat flexible dielectric substrate less than 0.050 inch thick and having a generally round hole of a given diameter. A terminal pin is inserted into the round hole in the substrate. The pin includes at least one end section having a cross dimension less than the diameter of the hole in the substrate and an enlarged contact section adjacent the end section having a cross dimension greater than the diameter of the hole in the substrate adapted to make contact with the substrate. The difference between the cross sectional dimension of the enlarged contact section of the pin and the diameter of the round hole is between 7% and 67% of the diameter of the hole.

Abstract: A connector (10,10A) is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors (12) of a flat flexible circuit (14)to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a body member (22) on which a first length (14a) of the flexible circuit (14) is fixed. A second length (14b) of the circuit extends away from the body member. A resilient strain relief component (33) on the body member (22) is engageable with the flexible circuit (14) to locate the second length (14b) of the flexible circuit in a plane offset from the plane of the first length (14a) of the circuit. Therefore, pulling forces on the second length (14b) of the flexible circuit away from the body member biases the circuit against the resilient strain relief component (33). The body member may be a two-part housing (46) relatively movable between open and closed positions. A flexible molded-in-place (56) hinge joins the housing parts to accommodate their movement.

Abstract: A connector system for terminating a shielded flat flexible circuit includes a connector body member on which the circuit is positionable. The body member is conductive and includes at least one projection. A flat flexible circuit includes a plurality of signal conductors and at least one grounding conductor. The circuit includes a hole for receiving the projection of the body member in engagement with the grounding conductor to thereby common the grounding conductor with the conductive connector body member.

Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a carrier on which the flexible circuit is positioned with the conductors of the circuit facing away from the carrier. A housing has an opening for receiving the carrier. The carrier is slidably mounted into the opening in the housing to a preliminary loading position for receiving the mating connecting device between the carrier and the housing. The carrier is pivotable from the preliminary loading position to a final connecting position whereat the conductors of the flat circuit are biased against the conductors on the mating connecting device.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating flat flexible circuits which include a flat flexible insulating substrate having conductive circuit material thereon and electronic components mounted on the substrate. The method includes providing a continuous strip of the substrate. The strip is moved to a work station whereat the electronic components are mounted thereon. The strip, with the electronic components mounted thereon, is wound onto a reel for subsequent processing. The continuous strip of substrate is provided with a code for reading at the work station.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing fabricated of a first metal material and having at least one integral pin projecting from a face thereof. A flat flexible circuit is mounted against the face of the housing and includes a ground plane on a side thereof facing the housing. The circuit has a hole for receiving the integral pin of the housing. The ground plane is of a second metal material different from that of the housing. An omni-directional conductive adhesive is deposited on the ground plane over the area of the hole to expand the conductive interface between the metal housing and the metal ground plane. Preferably, the conductive adhesive includes abrasive grain-like particles.

Abstract: A multi-terminal filtered electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving passageways. A plurality of terminals are received in the passageways, with tail portions of the terminals projecting from the housing. A flexible capacitor filter circuit is mounted on the housing and through which the terminals extend. A ferrite block is provided with a plurality of through holes for receiving therethrough portions of the terminals. A terminal alignment plate may be provided for mounting the ferrite block. A second flexible capacitor filter circuit may be provided through which portions of the terminals extend. The ferrite block may be disposed between the two flexible capacitor filter circuits. The housing is constructed for mounting on a printed circuit board to provide either a right angle connector or a direct mounted connector.

Abstract: An electrical switch assembly is disclosed to include a housing mounting a pair of spaced switches. A rocker actuator is rockably mounted for movement relative to the housing about a rotational axis between the spaced switches, and with wing portions of the actuator on opposite sides of the rotational axis provided for alternatingly actuating the pair of switches. The rocker actuator is a one-piece component and includes a relatively stiff rocker arm rockable about the rotational axis, a connecting flange projecting outwardly from the periphery of the rocker arm, and an integral flexible intermediate wall joining the rocker arm and the connecting flange. The flexible intermediate wall supports the rocker arm in a neutral position. However, the rocker arm flexes the intermediate wall when the rocker arm is rotated about the axis in either opposite direction from the neutral position to alternate actuating positions.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a flat flexible dielectric substrate which is less than 0.050 inch thick and has a generally round hole of a given diameter. A ductile conductive film is deposited on the substrate in an area at least about the hole. A generally round terminal pin is inserted into the hole in the substrate in contact with the conductive film. The pin has a given diameter greater than that of the hole. The difference between the diameter of the pin and the diameter of the hole is on the order of 5% to 50% of the diameter of the hole.

Abstract: A multi-terminal filtered electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a plurality of terminal-receiving passageways. A plurality of terminals are received in the passageways, with tail portions of the terminals projecting from the housing. A terminal alignment plate, independent of the housing, includes a plurality of through holes for receiving and aligning the tail portions of the terminals. First complementary interengaging latch devices are provided between the housing and the alignment plate for readily assembling the alignment plate on the housing. A ferrite block is mountable on the alignment plate and includes a plurality of through holes alignable with the holes in the alignment plate for receiving therethrough the tail portions of the terminals. Second complementary interengaging latch devices are provided between the alignment plate and the ferrite block for readily assembling the ferrite block on the alignment plate.