Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a first housing part and a second housing part, with the housing parts being movable relative to each other. At least one terminal is mounted between the two housing parts. The terminal includes a termination end secured in the first housing part, and a contact arm secured in the second housing part. A first flexible section is disposed between the ends of the terminal to allow for relative movement of the housing parts in a first given direction. A second flexible section is disposed between the first flexible section and the contact arm to allow for relative movement of the housing parts in a second given direction generally transverse to the first given direction. The second flexible section is juxtaposed generally parallel to the contact arm.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with resilient contact portions spaced along the slot. An elongated support member is mounted on the housing for providing reinforcing support therefor. The support member is positioned for backing the resilient contact portions of the terminals to perform a dual function of providing reinforcing support behind the resilient contact portions.

Abstract: An electrical device is provided for facilitating the connection of the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. A flat flexible circuit includes a flap integral therewith and bent out of the flat plane thereof. A relatively inflexible backing structure is fixed in a supporting position behind the flap for providing relatively rigid support for the flap when mated with the complementary mating connecting device.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber connector utilizes a cylindrical tube press-fit in a longitudinal opening of the connector housing for retaining a cable in the connector housing. The cylindrical tube has engagement projections formed on its outer circumference and guiding surfaces and detent projections formed on its inner circumference. The detent projections are adapted to cut into the outer sheath of the optical fiber when the optical fiber and the tube are inserted into the longitudinal opening of the connector housing for holding the optical fiber within the housing. The longitudinal opening traverses lateral opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the connector housing at such location that the projections of the cylindrical tube engage the lateral holes when the cylindrical tube is inserted into the longitudinal opening, locking the tube in the connector housing.

Abstract: A system is provided for mounting an electrical connector on a rear side of a panel having a hole through which the connector can mate with a complementary mating connecting device. The system includes a bracket having a body positionable against the rear side of the panel. The body has an aperture alignable with the hole in the panel. A plurality of flanges are arranged in a U-shape and project rearwardly of the body about the aperture for receiving the connector in an insertion direction generally parallel to the rear side of the panel. An electrical connector has a mating end positionable onto the flanges in the insertion direction and includes a mating portion alignable with the aperture in the bracket. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the mating end of the connector and the flanges for holding the connector on the bracket.

Abstract: An electrical connector system for terminating a flat flexible circuit. The circuit is elongated and of a given width and includes conductors extending longitudinally thereof. The circuit has a reinforcing plate defining a shoulder extending in the width direction of the circuit. An insulative housing has a plurality of terminals. An actuator is inserted into the housing for forcing the conductors of the flat flexible circuit into contact with the terminals. The actuator has an engaging portion extending in the width direction of the circuit for engaging the shoulder of the reinforcing plate and forcing the circuit into the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a flat cable. The connector includes a housing mounting a plurality of terminals in a generally parallel array. The housing has opposite sides and a front end, with an opening between the sides for receiving an end of the flat cable in engagement with contact portions of the terminals. A pressure member is rotatably mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing insertion of the flat cable into the opening and a second position pressing conductors of the flat cable against the contact portions of the terminals. Overhanging extensions project inwardly from the opposite sides of the housing to prevent release of the flat cable from the connector in the event undesired external forces are applied to the cable which would tend to bias the pressure member toward its first position.

Abstract: A lamp socket is adapted for receiving a fluorescent lamp of the type which has a pair of parallel contact pins extending axially from opposite ends thereof. The lamp is adapted to be moved at a right angle to its longitudinal axis into the socket. A socket housing has a pair of generally parallel slots for receiving the contact pins as the pins are moved into the slots in a direction generally perpendicular to the axes of the pins. A pair of terminals are mounted in the socket housing respectively exposed in the slots for engagement by the contact pins. A lever is pivotally mounted on the socket housing and includes blocking portions aligned with the slots. The lever is pivotable between a first position wherein the blocking portions are removed from the slots to allow movement of the contact pins into the slots and a second position wherein the blocking portions block the slots to prevent movement of the contact pins out of the slots.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for connecting a flat cable. The connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing has a front end adapted for receiving the flat cable in engagement with the terminals, a rear end and opposite sides. An actuator is pivotally mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a first position allowing insertion of the flat cable into engagement with the terminals and a second position biasing the cable against the terminals. An independent engagement part is mounted on the housing and includes a pivot about which the actuator is pivotable between said positions.

Abstract: A zero insertion force electrical connector is provided for a flat cable. The connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of terminals. The housing has a front end with an opening for receiving an end of the flat cable in engagement with contact portions of the terminals. An actuator is pivotally mounted relative to the housing for floating movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat cable into the opening and a second position biasing the cable against the terminals. A cam surface on the actuator abuts a counter cam surface on the housing as the actuator rotates and translates about a moving pivot from its first position to its second position sandwiching the end of the flat cable between the contact portions of the terminals and the actuator.

Abstract: A zero force electrical connector is adapted for terminating a flat cable. The connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing has a first end adapted for receiving the flat cable in engagement with the terminals, a rear end and opposite sides. An actuator is mounted to the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the cable into engagement with the terminals and a second position biasing the cable against the terminals. Complementary interengaging stops are provided between the housing and the actuator near the rear end of the housing for limiting rotation of the actuator relative to the housing in a first direction. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the housing and the actuator near the front end of the housing for preventing rotation of the actuator relative to the housing in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for interconnecting a flat flexible cable to a mating connector mounted on top of a printed circuit board. The mating connector has a plug portion projecting from the circuit board, with contacts exposed on opposite sides of the plug portion. The contacts are connected to circuits on the board. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a bottom-opening receptacle for positioning over the plug portion of the mating connector. The housing has an elongated slot for receiving the flat flexible cable. Terminals are mounted in the housing and are adapted for coupling appropriate conductors of the flat flexible cable with the contacts on the plug portion of the mating connector. An actuator is insertable into the slot of the housing to maintain the conductors of the flat flexible cable in engagement with the terminals.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved electric connector having terminals for contacting two circuit elements (34 and 35). Each terminal includes a flat intermediate base mounting section (2) having projections (7) on its opposite sides, a first cantilever contact beam (3) integrally connected to one end of the intermediate base section (2) extending toward the other end of the intermediate base section (2), and a second cantilever contact beam (4) integrally connected to the other end of the intermediate base section (2) extending toward the one end of the intermediate base section (2). The first contact beam (3) has a contact point (8) resiliently pushed against the upper guide wall (23). This will insure that the conductor (35) is sandwiched between the upper guide wall (23) and the contact point (8) making a good electrical connection. Likewise, the second contact beam (4) has a contact point (10) resiliently pushed against the upper wall (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a connector mounted to the surface of a printed circuit board including a housing having terminal receiving recesses and a plurality of terminals stamped from a surface plated metal sheet. The terminals have an intermediate section with a vertical axis, a lower section extending from the intermediate section with a transition section located out of the vertical axis and being generally C-shaped and a generally horizontal foot extending from the transition section and aligned with the vertical axis.

Abstract: A floating type electric connector adapted to be mounted on a circuit board comprising a housing having an integrally formed movable housing portion, a stationary housing portion, and a resilient joint portion connecting the four corners of the stationary housing portion to the corresponding four corners of the movable housing portion and a plurality of female terminals attached to each housing Each female terminal comprises a contact section and a base section joined together by an intermediate resilient section. The contact section of the female terminal is attached to the movable housing portion while the base section is attached to the stationary housing portion, thereby permitting the floating of the movable housing portion with respect to the stationary housing portion.

Abstract: An improved anti-bend pin spacer is disclosed for use in a multi-pin connector which includes a male plug having pins terminals fixed in its housing, and a female receptacle having pin holes and contact terminals fixed in its housing. The pin spacer is an insert molded part which is insert molded about free ends of the pin terminals simultaneously with the insert molding of substantial lengths of the pin terminals in the housing of the male plug.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved board-surface mounting type electric connector whose pin terminals are designed to be soldered to a printed circuit pattern by their tail sections. Each tail section is composed of a soldering portion, an intermediate stepwise joint and a non-soldering portion. The soldering portion of the tail section is laid on the printed board, and the non-soldering portion is laid on an isolation wall at a level higher than the printed board, thus leaving space between the printed board and the non-soldering portion available for printing desired circuit patterns. Connector housing may have at least one stopper to abut on the upper surface of each soldering portion for preventing it from rising, thereby keeping each soldering portion stable in position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric connector for connecting a flat flexible cable to an electric circuit, which connector is capable of putting its contact tips in exact registration with corresponding stripped conductor ends, thereby guaranting the connector free of poor contact between the conductors of the cable and the corresponding terminals of the circuit. A flat cable to be used in combination with the connector has enlarged conductor contact area alternately staggered with each other. The connector has forked terminal contacts each having a short or long front leg and a rear leg. The short-legged terminal contacts are designed to contact the enlarged conductor contact areas aligned in the forward transverse line whereas the long-legged terminal contacts are designed to contact the enlarged conductor contact areas aligned in the backward transverse line.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an elongated, electrically conductive female terminal formed from metal wherein the female terminal comprises a front end shaped to receive, in electrical connection therewith, a male terminal, said front end including a plurality of walls defining a male terminal-receiving opening, including a first wall portion defining a first slit therein and a second wall portion defining a second slit therein, said slits extending toward a rear end of the female terminal to provide resiliency to said wall portions for expansion of said opening when a male terminal is received in said male terminal-receiving opening. The first slit extends a greater distance toward the rear end than the second slit so that the first wall portion has a greater resiliency than the second wall portion.