Abstract: A connection system between terminal blocks whereby one block has an extension and one block has a mating pocket. Upon connection, the various surfaces of the extension and pocket cause a frictional relationship between the blocks and maintain a uniform distance between the termination points around the connection.

Abstract: An electrical connector system with releasable latching. The system includes a plug having an insulative body carrying at least one first terminal element connected to a conductor extending from the plug. The system also includes a receptacle having a body of insulative material defining a cavity with an open end for receiving the plug and having at least one second terminal element aligned for mating engagement with the first terminal element when the plug is received in the receptacle. The plug includes a locking ear extending laterally relative to the axial direction of the plug with the receptacle having a cantilever latch extending alongside the plug and with the free end of the latch positioned past the locking ear. The latch has a window for receiving the ear to lock the plug to the receptacle. The latch is resilient and deflectable outwardly from a locking position wherein the latch holds the ear to a release position wherein the latch is disposed out of the path of the ear.

Abstract: A connector assembly for use in interconnecting a pair of electrical components. The assembly includes a connector having an insulative housing defining a connection chamber and a cable-receiving passageway communicating with the chamber. The connector further includes at least one metallic terminal element disposed in the chamber with the element having a conductor termination portion and a component connection portion. The assembly further includes a cable positioned in the passageway with the cable including a metallic conductor engaged by the conductor termination portion of the element, with an insulative jacket disposed about the conductor. Finally, the assembly includes a metallic band, at least partially encompassing the cable, positioned in the passageway and electrically isolated from the terminal element. The present invention also includes a method of forming the conductor assembly.

Abstract: A one-piece resilient metallic grounding clip for use with a shielded, jacketed flat cable. The clip includes a first arm, a second arm, a web joining the arms and defining therewith a channel for receiving the shielded portion of the cable, and an ear extending from the web for cooperating with one of the arms to deform a portion of the outer cable sheath. The spacing between the arms is less than the thickness of the shielded cable portion. Upon forming a slit in the outer sheath at one side of the cable, the arms can be moved from the side of the cable to flank the shielded portion of the cable and hold it compressively therebetween.

Abstract: A connector assembly for terminating a shielded flat cable of the type comprising an array of generally parallel, regularly spaced coplanar conductors embedded in an insulative layer with a metallic shield surrounding the conductors. The connector assembly includes a pair of metallic components adapted for assembly to form a housing. The assembly further includes a one-piece metallic grounding strap having a first leg, a second leg and a spring arm extending therebetween the legs and together with the legs defining a channel for receiving the cable. The housing formed by the metallic components defines a void for receiving the strap. The strap has a height greater than the corresponding dimension of the void so that by placing the cable in the channel and in one of the housing components, bending of the shield back over the spring arm and assembling the housing, the spring arm holds the shield in the firm contact with the housing.

Abstract: The combination of a metallic grounding clip and a shielded, jacketed flat cable of the type including a main portion having a plurality of spaced signal conductors, an offset portion including a drain wire, and a metallic shield which encompasses the signal conductors and extends into the offset portion in contact with the drain wire. The clip has a first leg, a second leg, and a web joining the legs and defining therewith a channel for receiving the offset portion. At least one of the legs has a termination member for piercing the offset portion to contact the drain wire. Thus the clip can be attached to the cable remote from the signal conductors at any desired location along the length of the cable and the shield of the cable can extend to the cable ends.