Abstract: An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a first and second terminal. An energy consuming module, which may include a light emitting diode array, is supported by the housing and is thermally coupled to a thermal bridge that extends below a lower surface of the housing. A cover can be positioned so as to secure the energy consuming module between the cover and the housing. A plurality of magnets can be configured to secure the energy consumption device to a rail that supports powered contacts so that the first and second terminals engage the powered contacts and the thermal bridge is pressed against the rail.

Abstract: A support structure includes a groove and a channel. The grove can be defined by a wall and a lip. An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a magnet and a first and second terminal and the magnet helps couple the energy consumption device to the support structure. The housing is positioned in the groove and the groove helps retain the housing in the support structure while the channel allows the energy consumption device to be visible. To help secure the energy consuming device, a header can be provided on both ends of the support structure so that the housing can be translated along the groove but cannot be removed from the support structure.

Abstract: An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a first and second terminal. An energy consuming module, which may include a light emitting diode array, is supported by the housing and is thermally coupled to a thermal bridge that extends below a lower surface of the housing. A cover can be positioned so as to secure the energy consuming module between the cover and the housing. A plurality of magnets can be configured to secure the energy consumption device to a rail that supports powered contacts so that the first and second terminals engage the powered contacts and the thermal bridge is pressed against the rail.

Abstract: An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a first and second terminal. An energy consuming module, which may include a light emitting diode array, is supported by the housing and is thermally coupled to a thermal bridge that extends below a lower surface of the housing. A cover can be positioned so as to secure the energy consuming module between the cover and the housing. A plurality of magnets can be configured to secure the energy consumption device to a rail that supports powered contacts so that the first and second terminals engage the powered contacts and the thermal bridge is pressed against the rail.

Abstract: An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a first and second terminal. An energy consuming module, which may include a light emitting diode array, is supported by the housing and is thermally coupled to a thermal bridge that extends below a lower surface of the housing. A cover can be positioned so as to secure the energy consuming module between the cover and the housing. A plurality of magnets can be configured to secure the energy consumption device to a rail that supports powered contacts so that the first and second terminals engage the powered contacts and the thermal bridge is pressed against the rail.

Abstract: A support structure includes a groove and a channel. The grove can be defined by a wall and a lip. An energy consumption device includes a housing that supports a magnet and a first and second terminal and the magnet helps couple the energy consumption device to the support structure. The housing is positioned in the groove and the groove helps retain the housing in the support structure while the channel allows the energy consumption device to be visible. To help secure the energy consuming device, a header can be provided on both ends of the support structure so that the housing can be translated along the groove but cannot be removed from the support structure.

Abstract: A modular system is provided for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array. The system includes at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another. Each assembly includes a frame structure having input and output faces, with an interior cavity between the faces. Input and output connectors are respectively mounted at the input and output end faces and project outwardly therefrom. A circuit board is located in the interior cavity and is electrically connected between the input and output connectors. A pair of end flanges project outwardly from at least one of the input and output end faces above and below the respective input or output connector to protect the respective connector. The end flanges have fastening portions to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array.

Abstract: A modular system is provided for arranging a plurality of electrical connector assemblies in a stacked array. The system includes at least a pair of electrical connector assemblies stackable one on top of another. Each assembly includes a frame structure having input and output faces, with an interior cavity between the faces. Input and output connectors are respectively mounted at the input and output end faces and project outwardly therefrom. A circuit board is located in the interior cavity and is electrically connected between the input and output connectors. A pair of end flanges project outwardly from at least one of the input and output end faces above and below the respective input or output connector to protect the respective connector. The end flanges have fastening portions to facilitate holding the frame structures and, thereby, the electrical connector assemblies in the stacked array.

Abstract: A clip connector includes an elongated main body, attachment arms extending from the main body, and protrusions for applying pressure extending from the main body. The main body is substantially elongated and the attachment arms are at one at each end. Intermediate the attachment arms are a plurality of protrusions for creating pressure points having spaces there between and adapted to be aligned with electrical conductors so that pressure is applied to the electrical conductors and electrical connections can be made.

Abstract: A circuit board for an instrument cluster comprises injection-molded plastic springs connecting islands of the circuit board to a main portion of the circuit board. Each island further has integrally-molded clips residing in the plane of the island. The clips are adapted for insertion and retention of terminals of electrical gauge movements. When the electrical gauge movements are attached to the circuit board via the clips, the springs provide compliance so that the gauge movements can then be attached to one or more face plates of the instrument cluster. The compliance provided by the springs allows tolerance stack-ups among the various components of the instrument cluster assembly to be overcome.

Abstract: An electrical audio jack connector. An insulative substrate is provided in the shape of an audio jack connector. A shield plating is applied to the outer surface of the substrate. A passage through the substrate is plated to provide the signal conductor for the connector. A plurality of relief recesses are formed in the bottom of the connector to provide spring action to firmly grasp a male pin inserted into the connector.

Abstract: A molded plastic circuit card edge connector. The connector includes two opposing rows of cantilever contact arms. The rows of contact arms are spaced apart adequately to allow insertion of a circuit board between the arms. The contact arms flex outward to provide spring pressure toward the circuit board. The contact arms include a main contact area which is dimensioned to produce a tapered entrance for receiving a circuit board. A plurality of stop ribs prevent the circuit board from going in too far while a pair of U-shaped guides serve to properly register the circuit board and guide it into place. The connector may be molded as an integral part of a printed wiring board.

Abstract: A molded and plated or etched connector pair for mating together two printed wiring boards or the like. The female connector includes a column molded as a part of one PWB having a tapered passage therethrough. At least the inside of the tapered passage is plated with a conductive material which is connected to the bottom of the PWB through a plated through hole. The male connector member includes a block molded as a part of its PWB. The block includes a channel which mates with the column of the female connector. A plastic pin is disposed in the middle of the channel and mates with the tapered passage of the female member. The pin is plated with a conductive material and is coupled to the bottom of the male member's PWB via a plated through hole. The pin itself is tapered and has a tapered aperture passing all the way through it terminating in the plated through hole.

Abstract: In a process for plating or etching metalization patterns on the surface of a three dimensional substrate, a flexible plastic mask is fabricated by first coating the surface of a thin plastic sheet with vacuum formable ink. The mask is then molded into the shape of the surface into which the pattern is to be formed. A low power YAG laser is used to remove areas of the ink through which light is to be allowed to pass. This mask may then be used in either a print and plate process or a print and etch process by drawing the mask into intimate contact with the workpiece by applying a vacuum between the mask and the workpiece. The workpiece may then be exposed to light through the clear areas of the mask.

Abstract: A lantern battery substitute, comprises an upper assembly including an approximately square upper plate with rounded corners and four edges and having a resilient snap latch situated at approximately the center of the upper plate projecting downward normal to the plane of the upper plate. Four battery retaining legs project downward, one at approximately a center of each of the four edges. The legs are wide enough and situated at a suitable distance from one another so that a standard D-sized battery cell will not readily pass between any two legs situated on adjacent edges. A lower assembly includes a lower plate which is parallel to the upper plate and a base for supporting the lower plate. The base has depth adequate to cause the battery pack to have an overall height approximating that of a lantern size battery. A latch receiving aperture is situated on the lower plate, for receiving and engaging the snap latch for securing the upper and lower assemblies together.