Abstract: A connector assembly includes a frame mounted on a printed circuit substrate having a plurality of contact pads, and a spring member configured for insertion into the frame. The spring member has a flexible circuit supported thereon. The spring member and frame are shaped to exert biasing forces in two non-parallel directions when the spring member is inserted into the frame.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector portion and a frame. The connector portion includes a connector body, a shield member, and a plurality of signal contacts. The connector body is configured for receiving a plurality of cables. The conductive shield member is attached to the connector body and is configured for connection to ground conductors of the plurality of cables. The plurality of signal contacts each have a terminal end configured for connection to a signal conductor of a corresponding cable. The frame is configured for mounting on a printed circuit, and includes at least one conductive portion configured for connection to a ground of the printed circuit. The frame is configured to direct the connector portion into a receiving space at an oblique insertion angle with respect to the printed circuit.

Abstract: Indicator means located in a plug or connector indicates when at least one phase of an AC multi-phase voltage is absent. The indicator means can be any one of a variety of light sources and/or an audible generator. The light source can be, for example, an LED, an illuminating ring visible from any angle around the body of the plug or connector, etc. An opaque barrier can be used to totally or partially block the light from the light source when light from the light indicator may be objectionable such as during a stage lighting application. The indicator means for detecting the absence of at least one phase can be on a printed circuit board connected to receive power from the conductors in the plug or connector.

Abstract: A low cost communications device such as a modem reduces electrical interference or noise of signals received from a power line and transmitted to electrical devices. The modem forwards messages and commands between electrical devices and an external computer device. That is, the modem communicates over a power line without the use of a controller such as a microprocessor or microcomputer. The modem can reduce electrical interference of signals received from a power line through the use of an adjustable automatic gain (AGC) circuit.

Abstract: A probe block assembly has an electrically insulative housing and an electrically conductive plate. The front side of the housing has a forward face and a recessed face. The electrically conductive plate is positioned against the recessed face of the housing. A plurality of probes extend from the forward face of the housing and are electrically isolated from each other and from the conductive plate. A plurality of probes extend from a front surface of the conductive plate and are in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: A coaxial probe interconnection system includes a carrier assembly and a probe holder. The carrier assembly contains first coaxial connector halves. Each first coaxial connector half is terminated to an associated coaxial cable. The probe holder assembly contains coaxial probe connectors. Each coaxial probe connector includes a spring probe at a first end and a second coaxial connector half at a second end. Each second coaxial connector half slidably mates with a corresponding first coaxial connector half in the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A coaxial probe interconnection system includes a carrier assembly and a probe holder. The carrier assembly contains first coaxial connector halves. Each first coaxial connector half is terminated to an associated coaxial cable. The probe holder assembly contains coaxial probe connectors. Each coaxial probe connector includes a spring probe at a first end and a second coaxial connector half at a second end. Each second coaxial connector half slidably mates with a corresponding first coaxial connector half in the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A probe block assembly has an electrically insulative housing and an electrically conductive plate. The front side of the housing has a forward face and a recessed face. The electrically conductive plate is positioned against the recessed face of the housing. A plurality of probes extend from the forward face of the housing and are electrically isolated from each other and from the conductive plate. A plurality of probes extend from a front surface of the conductive plate and are in electrical contact with each other.

Abstract: A spring probe block assembly includes an insulative housing. A probe connector having a signal probe, an insulative layer, and a conductive shell is positioned within the housing. At least one ground probe is also positioned within the housing. The ground probe and the conductive shell of the probe connector are electrically connected by a grounding element. The grounding element is configured to elastically deform the ground probe in such a manner as to create spring energy in the ground probe. The spring energy generates a normal force between the ground probe and the grounding element which maintains the ground probe in its position. Also, a method for retaining a spring probe in a housing by elastically deforming the spring probe to maintain a spring force between the spring probe and the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating a shielded cable and connecting the cable to regularly arranged contact pins. The connector includes a connector body formed from an insulative material. The connector body has an upper surface and an opposing lower surface defined by a front edge, a back edge and two longitudinal side edges. The upper surface includes a plurality of longitudinal channels adapted to receive a plurality of socket contacts. A planar conductive ground plate engages the bottom surface of the connector body and extends across each of the plurality of socket contacts to establish a ground plane across the entire connector. A cover member encloses the longitudinal channels and socket contacts. A plurality of individual connectors may be stacked together and retained in a stack by a removable retaining rod.

Abstract: A spring probe block assembly includes an insulative housing. A probe connector having a signal probe, an insulative layer, and a conductive shell is positioned within the housing. At least one ground probe is also positioned within the housing. The ground probe and the conductive shell of the probe connector are electrically connected by a grounding element. The grounding element is configured to elastically deform the ground probe in such a manner as to create spring energy in the ground probe. The spring energy generates a normal force between the ground probe and the grounding element which maintains the ground probe in its position. Also, a method for retaining a spring probe in a housing by elastically deforming the spring probe to maintain a spring force between the spring probe and the housing.

Abstract: A spring probe block assembly includes an insulative housing. A probe connector having a signal probe, an insulative layer, and a conductive shell is positioned within the housing. At least one ground probe is also positioned within the housing. The ground probe and the conductive shell of the probe connector are electrically connected by a grounding element. The grounding element is configured to elastically deform the ground probe in such a manner as to create spring energy in the ground probe. The spring energy generates a normal force between the ground probe and the grounding element which maintains the ground probe in its position. Also, a method for retaining a spring probe in a housing by elastically deforming the spring probe to maintain a spring force between the spring probe and the housing.

Abstract: A coaxial connector assembly for attachment to a printed circuit board includes a plurality of dielectric insulators integrally formed with each other. A plurality of longitudinal signal contacts and shield tubes are positioned within and around, respectively, each of the insulators. A terminal end of each of the signal contacts and shield tubes is adapted for connecting to a printed circuit board. The connector may optionally include a housing integrally formed with the insulators.

Abstract: An electrical connector for an electrical signal transmission cable having a signal conductor and a ground shield. The connector includes a one-piece housing of electrically conductive material which is folded to form first and second enclosures that are separated by a central open section. Ground contacts extend from the front edge of each enclosure into the central open section for making contact with a ground pin. A one-piece dielectric connector body holding signal contacts slides into the one-piece housing such that a signal contacts is positioned within the first and second enclosures.

Abstract: A host electronics device has slot for receiving an IC card. An IC protection or dummy card is provided for insertion into the slot. The card is a one-piece, substantially planar molded body. One end of the body receives a portion of the connector of the device in a manner such that a surface of the body exerts a frictional force on the connector. Portions of the body provide reinforcement for the slot.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a latch for retaining an IC card. A card adaptor body receives the IC card. The adaptor body has a connector end including a pin header. A pair of opposed card side edge guides extend from the connector end and terminate adjacent an open end of the adaptor body. The IC card is inserted into the adaptor body and has a connector edge engaged with the pin header, a pair of opposed sides engaged with the side edge guides and a rear edge at the open end of the adaptor body. A retainer includes a flexible arm and a hook extending from the connector end into the open end. The hook is automatically engaged with the card rear edge when the card is inserted for retaining the card engaged with the pin header, and is movable out of engagement with the card rear edge to permit the card to be removed from the adaptor body.

Abstract: An electrical shunt for shorting adjacent electrically conductive pins in an array of electrically conductive pins includes an insulative housing containing an electrically conductive contact. The conductive contact preferably includes two longitudinal wipers for making electrical contact with each pin. The longitudinal wipers are connected by a transverse spring portion which provides a normal force between the contact and inserted pins. The shunt has a pin insertion axis which is transverse to the contact insertion axis to prevent the contact from inadvertently being dislodged from the housing during installation or removal of the shunt. When conductive pins are inserted into the housing, the pins are electrically connected between the first and second wipers of the conductive contact. The shunt preferably includes a frangibly attached application tool and extraction tool.

Abstract: An electrical shunt for shorting adjacent electrically conductive pins in an array of electrically conductive pins includes an insulative housing containing an electrically conductive contact. The conductive contact preferably includes two longitudinal wipers for making electrical contact with each pin. The longitudinal wipers are connected by a transverse spring portion which provides a normal force between the contact and inserted pins. The shunt has a pin insertion axis which is transverse to the contact insertion axis to prevent the contact from inadvertently being dislodged from the housing during installation or removal of the shunt. When conductive pins are inserted into the housing, the pins are electrically connected between the first and second wipers of the conductive contact. The shunt preferably includes a frangibly attached application tool and extraction tool.

Abstract: A stamped electrical socket contact for connection to a contact pin which is inserted along a pin insertion axis, and a method for forming such a socket contact. The socket contact includes a body portion from which a first longitudinal beam and a second longitudinal beam extend. The first and second beams are positioned about a central plane. When viewed from a direction normal to the central plane, the first and second beams intersect the pin insertion axis at an acute angle.

Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for use with a circuit card which has a generally planar substrate having multiple conductive elements disposed along at least one edge thereof. Each of the conductive elements is coupled to an electrically conductive trace on the surface of the planar substrate, and at least one conductive cover panel is provided which may be mounted to the planar substrate. An electrical coupling which includes multiple electrical contacts for external connection to the circuit card is provided, and each of the multiple electrical contacts is then coupled to an associated electrical terminal, such as a solder tail, which may then be mated to one of the multiple conductive elements on the planar substrate. A grounding clip is then mounted on at least one of the associated electrical terminals.