Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for mounting a leaded electronic component (70) to a circuit board (80) includes a housing (12) having a base (18) with side walls (44) and at least one end wall (30) extending upwardly therefrom together defining a component-receiving cavity (50) extending to an entrance along an insertion face 14. The housing (12) further includes at least first and second terminals (54) disposed in respective terminal-receiving passageways (32). Each terminal (54) has a lead-terminating section (56) exposed to the insertion face (14) for terminating to a respective component lead (80) during component insertion. Side walls (44) include inwardly directed retention latches (46) parallel to and spaced above base (18) and dimensioned to engage and extend over a respective portion of an upper surface of said electronic component to secure said component in said cavity upon full component insertion.

Abstract: A method for connecting two ends (34, 36) of a conductive member (32) to a circuit-bearing article (20) includes the steps of: selecting a conductive member (32) having two ends (34,36) adapted to be terminated to receptacles; selecting at least two heat-insensitive terminals (40), electrically connecting the terminals (40) to a respective circuit terminus (24) with a selected amount of fluid conductive material; and mating the conductive member ends (34, 36) to respective receptacles (44) of the terminals (40).

Abstract: This invention provides a modular jack receptacle connector (10) which has at least one light pipe (14) for transmitting light signals from a light emitting device receiving area (66) through an output face (76) along the mating face (24) of the modular jack receptacle (10).

Abstract: A receptacle connector (10) including a single plug-receiving cavity (20) adapted for mating with at least two different plug connectors (80,90). A pair of detection contacts separate from the signal contact array include contact sections (66) proximate tabs (34) of a conductive shield (14) and engageable therewith upon deflection of the tabs. Tabs (34) are so positioned as to be deflectable upon mating with one particular plug connector (90), and not deflected upon mating with another particular plug connector (80), generating a signal upon mating with the one connector (90) and not generating a signal upon mating with the other connector (80). Circuitry of a circuit board (24) becomes reconfigured upon receipt of the signal to correspond with transmissions from the one connector (90).

Abstract: A shield for an electrical connector for being mounted in a panel cutout (62), wherein spring fingers (46,102,202,302) of the shield are engaged with surfaces defining the panel cutout (62) and are deflected thereby toward sides of the connector. Free ends (48,104,204,304) of the spring fingers are so formed that upon spring arm deflection the free ends enter into electrical engagement with other portions (54,108,210,310) of the shield to enhance the shielding effectiveness.

Abstract: This invention provides a modular jack receptacle connector (2) which has at least one recess (10) for receiving an indicator (4). The recess is profiled to have a lead receiving section (26) with detents (32) along its sides for retaining at least one of the leads (6) which extend rearwardly and then downwardly from the indicator (4). Also provided along the sides of the recess are guide projections (12) for cooperating with guide recesses (14) in the indicator (4) for proper alignment of the indicator in the receptacle (2).