Abstract: A contact module assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact module assembly includes a lead frame having a plurality of terminals and a commoning member at least partially including an electrically conductive material. The commoning member has a plurality of tabs that are electrically connected to selected ones of the terminals, thereby electrically commoning the selected ones of the terminals. The commoning member can be configured with different patterns of the tabs to selectively configure the lead frame with different patterns of commoned terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having an array of compartments, and substantially identical signal contact assemblies arranged in sets, each including a pair of the signal contact assemblies arranged opposite first and second orientations, and selectively installed in a respective pair of compartments. One ground contact may form a signal-signal-ground pattern, while two ground contacts may form a signal-signal-ground-ground pattern. Additionally, an electrical connector assembly includes a housing having at least two substantially identical signal contact assemblies, one in a first orientation, another in a second orientation. At least one recess is formed within the signal contact assembly; and at least one protruding ridge extends from the signal contact assembly. The recesses of the signal contact assembly in the first orientation receive at least one of the protruding ridges in a second orientation.

Abstract: A contact module assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact module assembly includes a lead frame having a plurality of terminals and a commoning member at least partially including an electrically conductive material. The commoning member has a plurality of tabs that are electrically connected to selected ones of the terminals, thereby electrically commoning the selected ones of the terminals. The commoning member can be configured with different patterns of the tabs to selectively configure the lead frame with different patterns of commoned terminals.

Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a plurality of contact cavities arranged in a matrix having M columns and N rows of contact cavities. Each of the contact cavities extend between a contact loading side and a mating side of the housing. Contacts are received within respective ones of the contact cavities, wherein a first group of the contacts are held within the contact cavities at a first depth with respect to the contact loading side and a second group of the contacts are held within the contact cavities at a different second depth with respect to the contact loading side.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided that includes a housing holding a plurality of contact modules. Each contact module contains a contact lead frame that includes signal leads and ground leads arranged in one of a first and second patterns. The first and second patterns each include pairs of signal leads and individual ground leads arranged in an alternating sequence. Each pair of signal leads is coupled to a ground lead in an adjacent contact module and the coupled ground lead in the adjacent contact module is substantially spacially centered between the pair of signal leads.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of contact modules in the housing. Each contact module includes a mating edge and a mounting edge. Each mating and mounting edge has a row of contacts including signal and ground contacts arranged in one of a first and second pattern. Adjacent contact modules in the housing have a different one of the first and second patterns. The first and second patterns each include pairs of signal contacts and individual ground contacts arranged in an alternating sequence. Each mating edge contact is electrically connected to a corresponding mounting edge contact by signal conductors and ground conductors extending along a predetermined path within the contact module. Each ground conductor has a width transverse to the predetermined path that is substantially equal to a combined transverse width across a pair of signal conductors in an adjacent contact module. The ground conductor shields the pair of signal conductors in the adjacent contact module.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a connector housing holding signal contacts and ground contacts in an array organized into rows. Each row includes pairs of the signal contacts and some of the ground contacts arranged in a pattern, wherein adjacent first and second rows have respective different first and second patterns.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a connector housing holding signal contacts and ground contacts in an array organized into rows. Each row includes pairs of the signal contacts and some of the ground contacts arranged in a pattern, wherein adjacent first and second rows have respective different first and second patterns.

Abstract: An electrical connector with a plurality of signal modules stacked therein is provided. Ground shields are interleaved between adjacent signal modules. The signal modules include signal traces that may, or may not, be arranged in differential pairs and mating faces configured to join a mating connector and a PCB. The signal modules include a notch formed in at least one edge. The notches align with one another to form a channel that receives a cross-link that reduces relative movement between signal modules. The cross-link may be a flat bar having a series of cutouts that are slidably received by the signal modules. The electrical connector may include one or more cross-links. Optionally, the cross-link may be made of a conductive material and engage the ground shields, thereby electrically interconnecting the ground shields.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided. The electrical connector assembly includes a stationary arm on a first connector to which a moveable latch on a second connector is locked and unlocked. The first connector includes a release arm for lifting the moveable latch from the stationary arm. A driving member on the first connector drives the release arm from first to second positions, causing the release arm to lift the moveable latch. A first spring returns the release arm to the first position, while a second spring returns the moveable latch downward after it has been lifted. The release arm may be flexible, slidable, or rotatable between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A strain relief assembly (10) for an electrical connector (84) includes a connector receiving frame (12) dimensioned to receive an electrical connector (84) along an insertion axis (A); a pair of members (26, 56) hingedly secured to and extending from the frame (12), the members (26, 56) being securable together to define a wire receiving cavity (24); and at least one cable securing arm (38, 68) extending outwardly from each of the hinged members (26, 56) to a leading end. Each leading arm end is dimensioned to surround at least a portion of the cable (98).

Abstract: An electrical connector system (20) includes first and second complementary connectors (22, 60), each connector having a housing (24, 62) with a mating face (26, 64), and a plurality of terminals (48, 86), each disposed in a respective terminal receiving passageway (40, 72). Each first connector terminal receiving passageway (40) includes a blade receiving slot (42) extending from the mating face (26) and through a portion of an adjacent housing side wall (38). Each first connector terminal (48) has a first connecting portion (50) adapted to receive a blade connecting portion (96) therebetween upon being mated thereto.

Abstract: An electrical interlock connector (40) includes an insulating housing (42) containing at least one terminal-receiving cavity (46) with an electrical terminal (58) disposed therein and a first circuit member (70) connected to a power source and attached to the housing (42). The terminal (58) includes a spring section (62) having an outer connecting portion (61) adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical unit (28). The outer connecting portion (61) resiliently extends outwardly of a first housing surface (41) to an open position wherein the terminal (58) and the first circuit member (70) are electrically disconnected. The outer connecting portion (61) is movable into the cavity (46) to a closed position by a first portion (26) of the apparatus (20) upon mounting the connector against first and second portions (26, 36) of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (20) including a body (22) having first and second connecting portions (30, 50). The first connecting portion (30) includes two beams defining a terminal-receiving slot (44) therebetween. Each beam (32) has a primary contact surface (38) and at least one beam includes a secondary contact surface (40) extending orthogonally into the terminal-receiving slot (44). The primary and secondary contact surfaces on the one beam are spaced both vertically and horizontally from each other. Upon mating a pin terminal (70) to electrical terminal (20) the secondary contact surface (40) engages the pin terminal (70) at a first location (74) thereon defining an electrical arc- arresting region. Upon further insertion the pin terminal (70) engages the primary contact surfaces (38) at second locations (76) thereon spaced at least horizontally from the first locations (74).

Abstract: Retention systems for use with processor modules (20) on circuit boards upon mating with connectors (12). Such systems utilize end blocks (44) at ends (36) of the connector, having retention members (54) for securing the processor module in its mated position with the connector, stabilizing the module and relieving stress from the connector. Resilient members (80) are compressed by a leading end (26) of the module at sides (32) thereof upon full insertion into the retention members (54), maintaining sufficient pressure on the latching system (34,60) to remove looseness from the assembly and stabilize the module against the effects of vibration and other movement.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly having a connector housing for terminating wires from a shielded cable. The cable has shielding therearound. A grounding clip commons the shielding from the cable. The ground clip has an opening through which the cable extends with tabs therein to provide electrical connection to the shielding of the cable and electrical engagement tabs to provide engagement with an adjacent structure. An overmolded housing is molded over the cable and the grounding clip, wherein the electrical engagement tabs extend above and below the overmolded housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) for mounting to a panel (80) includes a connector (12) having a housing (14) divided into forward and rearward portions (16, 22) by a peripheral flange (20), a plurality of electrical terminals (78), each terminated to a respective wire (76) and disposed in respective terminal-receiving passageways (40), each wire (76) extending to a wire-receiving face (24) on the rearward portion (22); and a cover (50) configured to be disposed over and surround the rearward housing portion (22) in a closely fitting relationship. A side wall (26) of the rearward housing portion (22) includes a wire-receiving recess 28) extending from the wire-receiving face (24) to the flange (20) and the cover (50) includes a cooperating a wire-receiving recess (60) that together define a wire-receiving passageway (62) proximate the housing flange (20) when the cover (50) is disposed over the rearward portion (22).

Abstract: A module retention system including a pair of retention assemblies (32) at ends of a board-mounted receptacle connector (36) for securing a processor module (10) thereto, where the module includes a massive heat sink (12) mounted along one side thereof. Each retention assembly (32) includes a resilient member (50) secured along the base of a rigid retention member (38) and against the circuit board (20) that has portions (62,66) engageable by the module leading end (22) and by the heat sink distal end (16) to stabilize the module and to absorb looseness in the arrangement.

Abstract: A plurality of interface modules (200,300,400,500) having identical first mating interfaces (202,302) for mating with the mating face (100) of a cable tap connector (10), to enable interconnection therewith at second mating interfaces by different types of electrical conductors. A set of contacts in each module have identical first contact sections (212,318) along the first mating interface, and the contacts are secured in the module housing (206,306) under an insulative retention plate (210,360) that assuredly secures the contacts in proper position for accurate positioning of the first contact sections. The insulative plate (210,360) also protects the first contact sections during handling of the module.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) mountable to a surface (41) of a printed circuit board (40, 48) for electrically connecting a component (50) to the board (40, 48). The connector (10) has a plurality of contacts (12) supported in a plurality of contact receiving apertures (18) of a connector housing (14). Each of the plurality of contacts (12) is in the form of a thin flat plate (12) having a conductive element engaging portion (32) and a tail portion (33) which is electrically connectable to the board (40, 48), and each contact receiving aperture (18) is a narrow slot (18) which receive a contact (12) and maintains the contact (12) properly positioned in the housing (14).