Abstract: A wire dress cover is provided for an electrical connector. The connector includes a channel on the rear face into which the wire dress cover is slidably engagable. The wire dress cover includes a rib for slidable engagement in the channel and a locking projection for lockingly engaging the housing after a full seating thereon. The wire dress cover includes a slot extending centrally therein to enable the cover to be pinched for disengaging the locking prjections from the housing. In certain embodiments the wire dress cover is defined by a pair of wire dress cover shells which are lockingly engagable with one another.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with a transversely aligned terminal position assurance (TPA) component that is slidably insertable into a transverse keyway in the connector housing. The TPA component includes a plurality of flexing primary latches and a corresponding plurality of static secondary locks. The flexing primary latches are disposed to align with the terminal receiving cavities of the housing when the TPA component is in a pre-load position. The terminals can be inserted into the housing with the TPA component in this pre-load position such that the flexing primary latches at least temporarily retain the terminals in the housing. Upon complete insertion of all terminals the TPA component is indexed transversely into a final locked position such that the static secondary locks thereof positively engage each terminal to ensure complete insertion. A symmetrical front mating seal is configured to be held in the housing by suction to prevent separation during unmating.

Abstract: A sealed electrical connector assembly is provided for wire-to-wire electrical connections. The assembly includes a pair of mateable electrical connectors each of which includes a plurality of terminal receiving cavities extending therethrough. Each terminal receiving cavity preferably includes a static locking projection and a dynamic terminal positioning beam which deflects during insertion of the corresponding terminal and which resiliently returns to an undeflected condition for locking the terminal in the housing after complete insertion. A TPA component is mounted to the rear of each housing prior to insertion of the terminal. The TPA component includes terminal receiving apertures which function to rotationally align each terminal for efficient full seating in the corresponding terminal receiving cavity. Positive assurance of full terminal seating is achieved by advancing the TPA component from a first position into a second locked position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for a vehicular suspension system component. The connector assembly includes a male connector which is engageable in the suspension system component. The housing of the male connector includes polarization and anti-rotation lugs which are engageable with corresponding structures on the suspension system component. A female connector is engageable over the end of the suspension system component for electrical connection with the terminals of the male connector. The terminals of both connectors in the assembly are insert molded into the nonconductive housings. The locking engagement of the female connector on the suspension system component can be achieved with a metallic retention lever that biasingly engages an annular groove in the exterior of the suspension system component.

Abstract: A socket assembly is provided for low wattage bulbs. The socket assembly includes a nonconductive housing with a pair of electrically conductive terminals therein. The housing includes an inwardly directed shoulder adjacent the forward mating end an inwardly disposed locking structure. The terminals include inwardly directed locking tangs, the alignment of which prevents unintentional deformation prior to insertion of the terminal into the housing. Each terminal also includes a pair of contact beams angularly aligned toward one another. Portions of the contact beams are concave from side to side to contribute to alignment of the conductive leads of the bulb. The terminals also include tuning fork assist structures extending from an intermediate portion of the terminal forwardly for contact with the extreme forward mating end of each contact beam.

Abstract: A terminal is provided for receiving a blade terminal of an automotive fuse. The terminal comprises first and second U-shaped contact arms disposed in spaced relationship to define a blade receiving slot therebetween. As a result, a blade terminal inserted into the blade receiving slot will be contacted on its first side by the first U-shaped contact structure and on its second side by the second U-shaped contact structure. Each U-shaped contact structure is defined by forming the metal material of the terminal about an axis extending parallel to the plane of the metal. Each U-shaped contact structure comprises first and second contact arms and a connecting portion extending therebetween. Each contact arm comprises a generally convex arcuate contact edge extending into the blade receiving slot and generally toward the opposed U-shaped contact structure. Each terminal further comprises bases from which the U-shaped contact structures extend.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for automotive fuel injectors or temperature sensors. The connector comprises an insulator housing having a plurality of locking members disposed therein for locking engagement with conductive terminals. The housing is constructed to prevent improper orientation of the terminals therein. The locking members are further constructed to prevent insertion of a second terminal until the first terminal has been properly and fully seated and locked within the insulator housing. A TPA (terminal position assurance) component can be engaged on the insulator housing prior to insertion of the terminals to define a subassembly for shipment to a final assembly location. Movement of the TPA component into a second position on the housing assures proper positioning and alignment of the terminals therein.

Abstract: An accessory fuse block is provided for incorporating an electrical accessory into an automotive vehicle. The accessory fuse block comprises a housing and a plurality of terminals mounted therein. The terminals comprise a pair of spaced apart blade terminals for electrical connection to the fuse receiving terminals on the automotive vehicle. The accessory fuse block further comprises a pair of primary fuse receiving terminals which are in electrical connection to the respective blade terminals, and which are constructed to electrically engage the terminals of an automotive fuse. The fuse block further comprises a pair of accessory fuse receiving terminals which also are constructed to receive the terminals of an automotive fuse. A jumper is provided to electrically connect one accessory fuse receiving terminal to one blade terminal of the accessory fuse block.

Abstract: An I.C. chip carrier and header assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a generally rectangular shrouded header with pins force fit therein. The pins are connectable to conductive traces on a printed circuit. A protective tape may be disposed over the header to control the locations at which conformal coatings may be applied, and thereby avoid extensive cleaning operations. The assembly further comprises a carrier with receptacles for receiving box-type double female carrier terminals. The I.C. chip is mountable in the carrier with the leads thereof being connectable to the carrier terminals by soldering. A cover is locked into engagement with the carrier to define a plugable subassembly. The subassembly is then urged into lockable but removable engagement with the header and the pins thereof.

Abstract: A wiring harness assembly includes an electrical connector terminated to a cable including several electrical conductors. The connector is mounted in a cavity defined between front, rear and side walls of a retainer including snap mounting structure for securing the retainer in a panel opening. A connector doorway in a retainer side wall permits the connector to be loaded into the side wall in a direction transverse to the connector mating direction, and the rear wall prevents contact mating forces from pushing the connector from the retainer. The connector is releasably retained in the cavity, and can be removed in the transverse direction for repair or replacement. The connector has freedom of movement within the retainer to facilitate automated assembly.

Abstract: An improved sealed connector includes at least one terminal with an associated terminated conductor. The sealed connector includes a housing having at least one resilient arm with a free end finger extending within a terminal receiving channel for retaining the terminal within the terminal receiving channel. The housing includes a sleeve portion extending axially outwardly from a terminal entry wall defining a seal receiving cavity. A seal has at least one aperture for receiving the terminal and is disposed within the seal receiving cavity between the housing terminal entry wall and a connector cover. The connector cover includes terminal position assurance means and a keying member cooperating with the housing terminal retaining arm for securing the terminal within the terminal receiving channel and for keying alignment with the housing and the seal. The housing and the connector cover include cooperating locking mechanisms for securing said connector cover to the housing.

Abstract: A modular, multi-row, mass terminated electrical connector which mates with an array of pins. The connector includes a housing having top and bottom rows of elongated terminal receiving cavities each with a forward pin receiving opening. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the cavities with each terminal having a forward pin engaging portion and a rear insulation displacement portion. The cavities of the top rows are staggered with respect to the cavities of the bottom row and the adjacent top row cavities are spaced apart from one another. An access slot is formed in the top of each cavity to expose the insulation displacement portion of the terminals. The insulation displacement portion of the terminals received in the bottom row cavities are accessible between adjacent top row cavities so that all of the terminals of both rows can be mass terminated from the top of the connector. The housing is made up of a plurality of modules connected together by means of selectively removable connecting members.

Abstract: An electrical terminal adapted to be mounted in a connector housing cavity for interconnecting an insulated conductor and a contact member includes an insulation displacement contact portion adapted to receive the insulated conductor and a second contact portion adapted to make electrical contact with the contact member. A connecting portion extends between the insulation displacement contact portion and the second contact portion. The insulation displacement contact portion is generally U-shaped with a base and spaced first and second legs. The connecting portion extends from an end of the first leg. A first insulation displacement slot is provided in the first leg and extends into said connecting portion and a second insulation displacement slot is provided in said second leg.

Abstract: In an electrical commoning arrangement including a printed circuit board with at least two parallel rows of conductive pins mounted therein, a removeable shunt connector for electrically commoning two pins is disclosed. The shunt connector includes a terminal defining at least three colinear pin receiving portions whereby the shunt connector can be selectively mated with two adjacent pins of the same row, or with two corresponding pins of different rows.

Abstract: A connector assembly of the type including a first housing with terminals therein, and a second housing receivable within the first housing with terminals therein adapted to mate with the terminals at the first housing. Both housings are relatively moveable in the first direction with respect to one another between an initial position wherein the second housing is initially received in the first housing and an inserted position wherein the second housing is fully inserted within the first housing so that the terminals of the respective housings are in mating engagement. The improvement includes a generally rectangular-shaped actuator member reciprocally mounted in the first housing with cam slot means formed therein. The actuator is reciprocally moveable in a second direction generally transverse to the first direction between an unlocked position and a locked position.