Abstract: An electrical connector assembly which selectively receives a plurality of impedance networks enables selective interconnection of a plurality of remote signal stations having predetermined signal characteristics to a central signal processing system. The assembly includes a housing means comprising plural sidewalls and a bottom wall for defining a receiving cavity. A first multiple contact means within the cavity has a first plurality of contacts which are adapted for connection to the central signal processing system and a second multiple contact means within the cavity has a second plurality of contacts which are adapted for connection to the remote signal stations. A plurality of intermediate multiple contact means, each having a third plurality of contacts adapted for selective and independent connection to the impedance networks are also within the cavity.

Abstract: A modularized electrical connector is disclosed and has position adjustable contact elements for engaging selective second contact elements of a complementary electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a housing defining an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated cavity, with a top portion of the housing having an elongated end opening communicating with the cavity. A movable insert member is provided and includes an insert element constructed and arranged for disposition at any preselected one of a predetermined plurality of positions along the length of the housing cavity. Contact elements are supported by the insert member for mating engagement with selected contact elements of a complementary electrical connector according to the position of the insert member within the cavity.

Abstract: Modular connectors and associated adapter assemblies are disclosed for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment. The modular connector and a mounting plate are structured so that the connector sidewalls with integral bosses and/or the apertured mounting plate are resiliently deformable to permit simple insertion and snap-locking of the connector and mounting plate.Various adapter configurations utilizing one or more modular connectors in unique system arrays for interconnection to non-mating signal equipment are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly including apparatus for securing a metallic coupling ring on a connector body or shell. A metallic retaining ring is secured into the rear of the coupling ring bore through the interaction of an annular sawtooth groove pattern formed on the outside of the retaining ring and on the rear inside of the coupling ring bore. The dimensions of the sawtooth groove pattern are carefully selected so as to permit metallic materials to be used for both rings. The connector assembly includes a pair of shells, each having electrical contacts carried by a dielectric retention disc secured in a respective shell for engagement with the electrical contacts of the other shell. Each shell has a large diameter recess for receiving a large diameter portion of each disc force fit through a small diameter portion of the respective shell to thereafter retain the disc.

Abstract: An electrical ribbon connector is disclosed having a protective hood which is assembled to or disassembled from a locked position on the connector insert member by either a sliding or pivoting technique. The hood is also automatically locked or secured in its final assembled position, and the locked or latched structure may be easily disengaged using a simple prying device such as a screwdriver. The connector body or insert member also includes retent structure for maintaining the plug and receptacle connectors in fully mated assembly but which also prevents contaminants from reaching the interior of the fully mated connectors.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of electrical contact elements disposed therein for terminating one end of an insulated conductor and a shroud securable to the connector housing to cover the electrical contact elements. Improved strain relief for the terminated conductor is provided by base clamp means securable to the housing and engageable with the conductor, and fastener clamp means engageable with the conductor and securable to the base clamp means. The base clamp means includes first detent means adjustably matable with second detent means disposed on the fastener clamp means to enable adjustable locking engagement between the base and fastener clamp means to grip the insulated conductor therebetween, the base and fastener clamp means being easily engaged or disengaged without the use of tools and adjustable relative to each other to accept conductors of different sizes.

Abstract: Modular connectors and associated adapter assemblies are disclosed for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment. The modular connector and a mounting plate are structured so that the connector sidewalls with integral bosses and/or the apertured mounting plate are resiliently deformable to permit simple insertion and snap-locking of the connector and mounting plate.Various adapter configurations utilizing one or more modular connectors in unique system arrays for interconnection to non-mating signal equipment are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector member including a hollow housing member with an internal restricted passageway, an adjacent outer radial shoulder and a reference surface axially spaced from the shoulder oppositely to the passageway; and an insert member snugly retained against axial movement in first and opposite axial directions by said shoulder and surface, the insert member including a restraining surface in abutment with said shoulder, the restraining surface being shaped by plastic deformation of the weakened peripheral surface portion on the insert member by the wall of the restricted passageway during the final stages of the positioning of the insert member. The insert member before deformation includes the weakened peripheral surface portion formed by a plurality of axially extending knurls, and an adjacent protective collar which protects the weakened portion from deformation until the collar has passed through the restricted passageway and the insert member is in the final stage of positioning.