Abstract: A PCMCIA card includes a support, circuit components for providing faxmodem functions with respect to the support, a housing containing at least part of the support, a retractable cord mechanism at least partly contained in the housing for connecting the electronic component with an external device for communications therewith, the retractable cord mechanism including a cord and a storage mechanism for storing at least part of the cord in the housing, and a connector coupled to the cord for connecting to the external device. Alternate embodiments use optical or radio signal coupling from the PCMCIA card and all embodiments do not require a separate telephone connector to a telephone wall jack.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card includes a support, circuit components for providing faxmodem functions with respect to the support, a housing containing at least part of the support, a retractable cord mechanism at least partly contained in the housing for connecting the electronic component with an external device for communications therewith, the retractable cord mechanism including a cord and a storage mechanism for storing at least part of the cord in the housing, and a connector coupled to the cord for connecting to the external device. Alternate embodiments use optical or radio signal coupling from the PCMCIA card and all embodiments do not require a separate telephone connector to a telephone wall jack.

Abstract: A seamless one-piece shield is provided for an electrical connector to prevent electromagnetic leakage. The connector includes a dielectric housing, with the shield substantially surrounding the housing. The shield is stamped and formed from sheet metal material and includes a base wall integrally joined to a pair of opposite side walls and a pair of opposite end walls, defining a generally box-like structure having an open side at a mating side of the connector housing opposite the base wall of the shield. The shield is void of any open seams and includes flap portions integrally joining the side walls to the end walls of the shield. Each flap portion is disposed in a folded condition against one of the side walls or the end walls of the shield.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed, particularly adapted for connecting an electronic control system to an adjustable automotive suspension component. The assembly includes a dielectric housing having terminals for connection to appropriate mating terminals on the suspension component. A separate dielectric latch is ultrasonically welded to the dielectric housing for latching the connector assembly to a complementary latch on the suspension component. The housing has a base and a receptacle projecting from the base. The separate latch has a shroud ultrasonically welded about the receptacle of the housing. The terminals are insert molded in the housing. The terminals are generally L-shaped with one leg of each terminal completely insert molded in the base, including its termination with an appropriate electrical wire, and the other leg of each L-shaped terminal defines its contact portion extending into the receptacle of the housing.

Abstract: A method for mounting electronic components, such as capacitors and the like, to a flat flexible insulating substrate having conductive material thereon. In one form of the invention, an electronic component is attached to a given area of the substrate with one conductive side of the electronic component in electrical connection with the conductive material on the substrate. A slot is formed in the substrate substantially about the electronic component but less than 360.degree. thereabout to define a tongue, including the electronic component, and an integral hinge portion of the substrate. The tongue is bent about the integral hinge portion to move the tongue out of the plane of the substrate and thereby move the electronic component therewith into a desired position for connection of an opposite conductive side of the electronic component to an appropriate terminal. In another form of the invention, a closed or 360.degree. slot is formed in the substrate.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for facilitating insertion of an exposed conductive element, such as an exposed wire end of an electrical cable, into an electrical connector in termination with a terminal in the connector. The device is in the form of a shroud of insulating material secured to an insulating portion of the conductive element and substantially surrounding a conductor portion of the conductive element. The shroud is configured to allow the conductor portion to be inserted into the connector in termination with the terminal therein. In the preferred embodiment, the shroud is insert molded to the insulating portion of the conductive element.

Abstract: A filter connector is provided with a housing and at least one electrically conductive terminal on the housing. A ground plate is provided on the housing in spaced relationship to the terminal. A capacitor is electrically connected to the ground plate. An electrically conductive spring is coupled between the terminal and the capacitor. The spring is mounted for free movement relative to the housing to isolate the capacitor from terminal vibrations or shocks.

Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal is provided for strain relief termination with a ribbon cable. The terminal includes a forward mating end and a rearward terminating end. The terminating end includes I.D. termination walls having a pair of spaced-apart insulation piercing points and an ID slot therebetween. Support walls are disposed to prevent deformation of the I.D. termination wall. Pairs of insulation piercing strain relief walls are disposed along opposite sides of the terminal. The insulation piercing strain relief walls are dimensioned and configured for crimping engagement with the insulation surrounding a conductor in the ribbon cable.

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 filter connector is provided for incorporation into signal lines of an electrical component on a vehicle. The filter connector includes a filtering assembly having a plurality of terminals mounted in spaced relationship to a grounding plate. A plurality of capacitors or a capacitor array are mounted electrically to the grounding plate and are connected electrically to the respective terminals. The grounding plate, the capacitors, and portions of the terminals connected to the capacitors are insert molded into a nonconductive housing.

Abstract: An electrical ribbon cable harness which includes a flat electrical ribbon cable terminated to an insulation displacement type electrical connector. The cable is manufactured such that upon displacement of the cable conductors, the webs between said conductors are separated along a groove and positioned out of the way thereby obviating a notching step in the production of said electrical ribbon cable harness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for notching a flat multi-conductor ribbon cable of the type having an encapsulating shielding medium completely surrounding each cable conductor and filling the spaces therebetween, and an outer jacket surrounding the encapsulating medium. According to the method, the outer jacket and the shielding medium are cut along two spaced-apart lines generally transverse to the conductors. Thereafter, the jacket and the shielding medium are cut along spaced-apart lines parallel and immediately adjacent to each conductor, thereby forming a plurality of slugs which are pushed from between adjacent conductors to expose the conductors in the termination region.The above-described method is carried out in an apparatus having blades which cut the jacket and the resilient medium along the transverse spaced-apart lines.

Abstract: A method for making a multi-conductor element includes forming a plurality of holes in an elastomeric base using a laser or mechanical technique to perforate the base and filling each of the holes with a slurry of conductive material in an uncured liquid vehicle. The filling step may be accomplished either by the force of a roller press while the slurry is applied or by stretching the base to expand the holes after which the slurry is applied to the latter followed by release of the base after the vehicle has cured, and in either case the ends of the conductive portions in the holes will bulge slightly above the surfaces of the base. An article manufactured using the method has a capacity or conductive density of at least approximately 11,500 conductive portions per square inch of base.