Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having complementary plug and receptacle subassemblies (100, 300) of similar construction. Each of the subassemblies includes a shell (110, 310) wherein the rear portion (126) has a longitudinal section removed therefrom, with the remaining rear portion of the shell subtending an arc of approximately 180.degree.. A strain relief member (116) of generally semi-cylindrical configuration is adapted for placement relative to the shell so that it substantially replaces the removed longitudinal section of the shell. The rear end (126) of the shell and the rear end of the strain relief member each have a projection (134, 154) directed toward the other, with the projections being angularly and longitudinally offset from each other.

Abstract: A panel-grounding contact (10) includes a wire-connecting section (14) and a panel-connecting section (12) having a deep U-shaped channel (46) between walls (30,42,44) that include opposed pairs of teeth (50,58) extending toward the channel bottom (54) and staggered inwardly from the channel entrance (48), with the points of the teeth (50,58) adapted to scrape away corrosion layers of a conductive panel (70) during mounting of the grounding clip onto an edge thereof as well as to secure the contact (10) on the panel. The wire-connecting section (14) extends orthogonally with respect to the panel edge after mounting of the clip onto the panel.

Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) adapted to penetrate insulation of said cable upon actuation and engage the cable's conductors (16). A pair of gaskets (34,36;334,334;600,602) along faces of the housing and the cover define a seal surrounding termination regions of the cable upon installation of the connector to the cable.

Abstract: Connector (200) for mounting to a thin circuit-bearing substrate (202) to establish electrical connections of contacts (206) with contact pads (210) of circuits on the substrate, for a high temperature environment. Connector (200) defines a low profile electrical interface of the substrate (202) with another electrical article such as a cable for power transmission. Clamp (242) is locked to housing (204) to establish sufficient clamping force to press the contacts against the contact pads (210) of the substrate after the tab (252) is inserted into a passageway defined between the clamp and the contacts (206). Bracket (228) is lockable to and about housing (204) to support and stabilize the structure of the plastic housing when subjected to high temperature.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (40) in which the elements (42, 44) providing electrical contact are separate from the element insuring sufficient normal contact force. The assembly is capable of operating at elevated temperatures by utilizing a stainless steel spring member (46) to provide the contact force, since stainless steel maintains its resiliency at high temperatures. The conducting elements (42, 44) are formed of a conductive material which maintains its conductivity over a wide range of temperatures. The assembly holds the conducting elements in a stack so that only a single spring member is required.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly with a plug housing having a contact receiving cavity with a forward mating end. A first contact has a forward seal thereon. The forward seal has two sealing portions. A first sealing portion engages the contact receiving cavity and forms a seal therewith, the second portion extends into the forward mating end, there is a space between the second portion and the housing. A receptacle housing has a contact receiving cavity and a forward. The forward end of the receptacle housing is received within the forward mating end of the plug housing in the space between the second portion of the forward seal and the plug housing. The second portion of the seal engages the forward end of the receptacle housing to form a seal therewith.

Abstract: Connector (10) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12) remote from an end thereof and including a housing (20) and a cover (22) securable to each other around the cable, defining a channel (32) therethrough. Housing (20) contains a plurality of contacts (60) with first contact sections (66) in slots (62) that open onto the assembly face adjacent the cable jacket to penetrate the cable insulation and establish electrical connections with the cable's conductors (16). A pair of gaskets (100,102) are mounted to the housing and cover (20,22) and seated within grooves (104,106) thereof, with cable-engaging portions (132) extending outwardly of the grooves to be engaged by and compressed by the cable (12) during application of the connector to the cable, being compressed into the grooves (104,106), surrounding and sealing the sites where the contacts will penetrate the cable insulation during termination.

Abstract: Cable tap connector (10) applied to a cable (12) at an end thereof. End cap (70) is urged over the cable end (72) for sealing thereof and includes projections (84) that seat in openings (82) of either the connector housing (20) or the connector cover (22).

Abstract: Capacitive coupling assembly (60) securable about a shielded connector (10), for isolating the connector shell (14) from a conductive panel (4) after mounting. Coupler (60) includes a dielectric member (61) secured between front and rear conductive sheets (62, 63), and includes a plurality of capacitors (72) held between the sheets and electrically engaged therewith. The dielectric member (61) includes a flange (67) that insulates the connector shell (14) from front conductive sheet (62) and the panel (4) at cutout (5). Front sheet (62) engages the panel (4), and rear sheet (63) engages the connector shell (14) at spring arms (78).

Abstract: A connector (10,200,300) for termination to a multiconductor cable (12,306) along a length thereof at a point remote from an end thereof, such as after installation of the cable within a premises, and including a housing (20,202,302) and a cover (22,204,304) securable to each other around the cable. The housing contains a plurality of contacts (60,220,320) with first contact sections (66,234,328) in slots (62,236,330) that open onto the cable face adjacent the cable jacket. Upon actuation of actuators (90,222,326), the contacts associated with the actuators are urged downwardly against the cable jacket, penetrating the jacket (14) and compressively engaging the cable's conductors (16). Second contact sections (68,232,348) are exposed along the mating face (72,214,310) of the connector for mating with complementary contacts of an interface module (400).

Abstract: Lamp assembly (10) including an array of lamps (44) connectable to electrical power sources by contacts (40,42), and aligned with lenses (14) of a display panel (12) upon mounting of the lamp assembly to the panel, to illuminate the lenses. Contacts (40,42) terminate the lamp leads (46,48), and common contact (42) commons all the lamps. Housing (30) enables dressing the lamp leads for termination by contacts (40,42) and accommodates resistors (50) on certain lamp leads (46).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly which includes a plug subassembly and a receptacle subassembly. The receptacle subassembly is substantially cylindrical with a diameter such that it passes through the hollow hinge pin of a refrigerator door. The receptacle body is formed with an outwardly extending abutment which is confined to the diametrical extremity of the cylinder and which cooperates with a latch member of the mating subassembly. The plug subassembly has a hollow forward mating portion for accepting the receptacle body therein. The forward mating portion is formed by an incomplete cylindrical wall having a longitudinal gap. The receptacle abutment is aligned with the gap and the plug latch member extends into the gap. Polarizing features are provided on both the plug and receptacle bodies to insure appropriate alignment of the plug and receptacle subassemblies.

Abstract: A switch (10) is provided that has a housing (12), an actuator (20), a contact blade (18), first and second shape-memory wires (28,30), and first and second contact points (70,71). The actuator (20) has a first end portion (52) pivotally coupled to the housing (12), and a second end portion (22) with first and second generally opposed arm portions (24), (26) extending therefrom. The contact blade (18) has the first contact point (70) positioned thereon, and is coupled to and moveable with the actuator (20). The first and second shape-memory wires (28,30) respectively extend between the first and second arm portions (24,26) of the actuator (20) and the housing (12). The second contact point (71) is coupled to the housing (12) and is electrically engageable with the first contact point (70) in response to movement of the actuator (20).

Abstract: Matable board-mount connectors (10,110) including add-on shields (40,140) that are adapted to groundingly engage during connector mating. Shields (40,140) have top walls (44,144), side walls (46,146), rear wall portions (52,152), retention sections (48,148) and integral boardlocks (50,150). Mating portion (142) of shield (140) is adapted to surround mating portion (42) of shield (40) and includes resilient sections (170,146) that assuredly engage shield (40) and be deflectable thereby, maintaining spring bias thereagainst in the mated connector condition.

Abstract: Multiple lens component (10,110) includes a transverse body section (12,112) for mounting along a front panel surface and defining a plurality of lens sites (14;114,116). Each lens site includes a rear projection (16;124,126,128,130) extending rearwardly from the body section to extend through a corresponding panel aperture (18;120,122) and define a light transmission path to the lens site from rearwardly of the panel (20,118). The component includes panel-mounting latches (30,132) on the rear projections, and further includes additional latches (32,134) enabling mounting thereto of a lamp assembly (28).

Abstract: Contact (10) including at least one latching arm (50,52) extending rearwardly from a forward end (26) of a socket contact section (12) to define a rearwardly facing latching surface (60) at a free end (56) thereof, for retention of the contact in a housing passageway (72). A single latching arm (108) may be oriented edgewise with respect to the contact-receiving channel and be deflected laterally during insertion, or a pair of such latching arms (50,52;206,208) coextend rearwardly for free ends thereof to be deflected toward each other during insertion. A single latching arm (320) may be oriented parallel to the bottom wall and extend to a free end (324) having side portions (326) bent up to be oriented edgewise and be deflected into the contact-receiving channel (328) during insertion.

Abstract: Contact (10) including at least one latching arm (50,52) extending rearwardly from a forward end (26) of a socket contact section (12) to define a rearwardly facing latching surface (60) at a free end (56) thereof, for retention of the contact in a housing passageway (72). A single latching arm (108) may be oriented edgewise with respect to the contact-receiving channel and be deflected laterally during insertion, or a pair of such latching arms (50,52;206,208) coextend rearwardly for free ends thereof to be deflected toward each other during insertion. The socket contact (300) may include a spring arm (330) along a bottom wall (332) to press the mating contact (308) against embossments (310) of the top wall (312) for assured electrical connection.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector having an insulating housing (4), a conducting outer shell (6) encircling the housing (4), and a conducting second or inner shell (7) engaging the outer shell (6) to provide electrical shielding (5), electrical contacts (2) extending inside multiple plug receiving cavities (3) in the housing (4), the second shell (7) extending inside each of the plug receiving cavities (3) to engage plug type connectors to be received in the plug receiving cavities (3).

Abstract: A shielding assembly for an electrical connector comprising: a connector receiving shell, a backshell assembled to the shell, tab receiving openings in the shell, tabs on the backshell projecting into the openings, the tabs engaging a housing of an electrical connector and biasing the housing forwardly relative to the shell.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) having a housing (12) and contact members (16) having vertical sections (36) extending along slots (42) of a rear housing face (24) and concluding in horizontal feet (40) adapted for surface mounting to a circuit board. Positioning recesses (60) receive flanges (62) of vertical contact sections (36) in a snug fit assuredly holding feet (40) along board-mounting face (26) facilitating surface mounting. A rib (64) is defined in each recess (60) to be deformed by a surface (66) of its associated flange (62) during insertion to anchor the flanges in the recesses.