Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a dielectric body including a housing having therein an open-ended cavity with an opposing closed end formed of a contact support wall of the housing. The wall has extended through its thickness a plurality of laterally spaced holes which communicate with respective aligned channels in the outer surface of the wall. Each of the through-holes has a defining surface from which protrudes integrally a ripple-like projection extending linearly from adjacent the outer surface of the wall toward the cavity. Each of the channels has opposing side surfaces from which protrude integrally respective ripple-like projections having spaced opposing crest portions. The holes are dimensioned for having press-fitted therein contact engaging arms of respective right-angle contact members which compress the respective ripple-like projections in the holes and are pressed against respective opposing surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A connector adaptor assembly comprising a trough-like frame made of resilient dielectric material and having a connector retainer end portion wherein opposing side walls of the frame are integrally joined to respective taller resilient posts having respective inwardly projected portions extending toward one another. Distal end portions of the posts have adjacent an end of the frame respective surfaces supporting respective integrally protruding bosses which are spaced laterally a predetermined distance apart. The assembly also includes an electrical connector with a cylindrical body disposed recumbently in the frame and having chordally disposed in opposing portions thereof respective slots which are aligned with the respective posts. Adjacent the slots, an annular flange extends radially outward of the body and has a diameter greater than the predetermined distance of lateral spacing between the bosses.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly comprising a multi-conductor cable having an end portion terminating in a multi-contact connector which includes a rigid shielding shell of electrically conductive material disposed to receive therein a dielectric insert for supporting a plurality of terminal contact members secured to respective conductors in the cable. The dielectric insert comprises a trough-like body and a cover for disposing over the opening of the body, the cover and an opposing bottom wall of the body being provided with respective similar pluralities of mutually spaced holes wherein the terminal contact members are installed. The cover is provided with a plurality of flexible tabs which engage respective ramp portions of the body for locking the cover on the body to form a unitary terminal-supporting structure prior to assembly in the rigid shielding shell of the connector.

Abstract: An optoelectronic connector assembly having electrical and optical connector parts include housings which can be resiliently engaged and manually disengaged from each other. The electrical connector part housing has a socket receiving cavity therethrough for receiving an optoelectronic transducer. The transducer can be a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, or can be a light responsive element such as a photodiode. The two housings are engaged by means of a protuberance having an inclined ramp on one of the housings, the other housing having an interlock recess therein so that, when the two housings mate, the inclined ramp operates upon the interlock recess so as to provide for a resilient but positive and firm engagement of the two housings. The optical connector part housing has a pin contact receiving cavity for receiving a fiber optic light guide.

Abstract: An improved modular interface connector and connector assembly incorporating such connectors for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment, and particularly for electrically connecting multi-conductor cables to a plurality of conductors electrically coupled to telephone signal equipment. The modular connector assemblies of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a removable support member within an enclosure. The connectors can be mounted on the support member in at least two alternate orientations and retained in any one of a plurality of positions between spaced shoulders of the support member.

Abstract: Improved modular interface connectors and connector assemblies incorporating such connectors are disclosed for interconnecting telephones and telephone signal equipment. The modular connectors of the invention include improved mounting structures which permit each connector to be slidably mounted on a support member in at least two alternate orientations and to be retained at any position between two spaced shoulders of the support member. In addition, the modular connector is preferably an integrally molded plastic unit configured to permit its fabrication in a single-action mold. In one embodiment, the interface connector further includes a removable comb member which separates and aligns the active portions of the connector contact elements and prevents access through the entrance aperture of the connector to the free ends of the contact elements.

Abstract: An electrical contact member formed from an axially extended tube is provided intermediate its ends with an axially extending insulation-opening slot. The slot is terminated at one end in an entry opening through the tube. The entry opening and an inwardly tapered entry ramp are formed by a free-ended piece of the tube wall bent into the inner opening of the tube. An insulated conductor may be inserted into the contact member in either of two ways: by insertion through the appropriate end of the tube and deflection by the entry ramp through the entry opening; or, by insertion through the entry opening and deflection by the entry ramp through the end of the tube. After insertion by either method, the ends of the insulated conductor may be pulled to force the conductor into a narrowed engagement portion of the slot where the insulation around the conductor is opened by spreading or cutting and electrical contact is made between the tube and the metallic conductor.

Abstract: A contact assembly is disclosed including an inner liner and outer shell. The liner has a transverse slot dimensioned to always align with at least one of two inspection apertures on opposite sides of the shell regardless of the rotational orientation of the liner with respect to the shell. Thus, the liner need not be rotationally indexed with the shell during assembly of the contact in order to insure an unobstructed view into the crimp barrel.

Abstract: An electrical contact is disclosed which is formed from a single, integral piece of sheet metal and includes an active contact element, a terminal element and a hood. The hood covers at least the active contact element to protect the pin-engaging tines formed integrally therewith from inadvertant distortion or breakage.

Abstract: An improved electrical connector is disclosed for mounting and electrically coupling an integrated circuit device to a circuit board. A resilient cover applies pressure at several points on a substrate on which the integrated circuit device is mounted to press the substrate against support surfaces in the connector base. Each of a plurality of flexible electrical contact elements extending from the support surfaces engages a corresponding conductive pad on the substrate with sufficient force to insure good electrical contact between the contact and the pad which is electrically coupled to the integrated circuit device by a conductive path on the substrate.

Abstract: An electrical contact is disclosed which is formed from a single, integral piece of sheet metal and includes an active contact element, a terminal element and a hood. The hood covers at least the active contact element to protect the pin-engaging tines formed integrally therewith from inadvertant distortion or breakage.