Abstract: An arrangement for positioning a printed wiring board relative to a rigid backplane without the need of support for the printed wiring board from below. Connector pins extend from the backplane and engage connector sockets mounted on the printed wiring board to support the printed wiring board. The printed wiring board is further prevented from falling away from the backplane by a retaining guide assembly which is mounted to the backplane and which engages the front edge of the printed wiring board at its upper end.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a terminal pin to a printed wiring board conductor via an electrically conductive elastomeric collar positioned about the terminal pin and pressed into a plated through hole connected to the conductor. Ridges are formed on an outer surface of the collar and a tapered lead-in is provided at one end of the collar to permit engagement with and the formation of contact areas between the collar and the plated through hole. The collar additionally may include a drive shoulder at an end opposite the end containing the tapered lead-in. Projections may be formed on the terminal pin which engage cavities formed in the inner wall of the central bore within the collar to retain the terminal pin within a collar. The collar may be of electrically conductive or electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: A double file printed wiring board module arranged to mount printed wiring boards on both sides of a centrally positioned interconnect or side plane while providing for the convection cooling of the printed wiring boards and the interconnection of same with conductors of minimal length. The printed wiring boards are supported by a connector at one side edge and a board guide at an opposite side edge. The interconnect or side plane includes an external termination connector mounted at its rear edge to permit the efficient connection of the circuit module to external terminations.

Abstract: A printed wiring board file arranged to mount printed wiring boards in an efficient manner while simultaneously providing for the convection cooling of such boards. The boards include components of varying heights. Each printed wiring board is supported by a connector at one side edge and a printed wiring board guide at the opposite side edge. Each board guide includes two sets of grooves which allow it to be used as a guide for the left or right sides of the boards. The first set of grooves is used when the board guide supports the left side of the printed wiring boards and the second set of grooves is used when the board guide supports the right side of the printed wiring boards. The grooves are formed in the board guide at a vertical spacing less than the minimum permitted vertical spacing for the printed wiring boards. Multiples of the groove spacing are selected to mount printed wiring boards with a minimum or greater than minimum spacing.

Abstract: A connector engageable with a plurality of circuit pins including a lock member located within a channel intermediate a plurality of pin receiving apertures. An actuator is provided and operated to deform the lock member in a direction toward side walls of respective ones of the apertures locking the engaged corresponding pins therebetween and preventing disengagement of the connector from the pins.

Abstract: A guide for use with a vertically oriented printed wiring board supported on a pair of support beams. The guide is of wire construction including guide fingers alternately formed on both sides of the printed wiring board. Attachment members are formed at either end of the guide and optionally may be formed at one or more locations intermediate the ends. The end positioned attachment members are connected to the support beams and the intermediate attachment members may be connected to an associated aligner rod to maintain the guide in a predetermined alignment.

Abstract: A low insertion force connection arrangement for establishing a connection between at least two printed wiring boards each of the type including at least one printed wiring board terminal. The connection arrangement includes at least one connection spring including an actuator engaging area located centrally on a side of the spring facing the printed wiring boards and between two pivot points. The pivot points are located on a side of the connection spring facing away from the printed wiring boards and between two contacts. The contacts are located at opposite ends of the connection spring facing and in alignment with corresponding ones of the printed wiring boards terminals.

Abstract: A low insertion force connection arrangement for establishing a connection between at least two printed wiring boards, each board of the type including at least one printed wiring board terminal. The connection arrangement includes at least one connection spring having a pivot point facing away from the printed wiring boards and located between two actuator engaging areas. The actuator engaging areas face the printed wiring boards and are located between two contacts. The contacts are located at opposite ends of the connection spring facing and in alignment a corresponding terminal of each of the printed wiring boards. A connector body is provided including a plurality of grooves each adapted to receive and retain one of the printed wiring boards in alignment with the other boards, and a plurality of spring receiving cavities, each cavity enclosing a pair of connection springs and including a molded-in fulcrum opposite each spring's pivot point.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus frame mounting a number of electrical assemblies. Access to said electrical assemblies is provided for maintenance purposes, while the assemblies are in operation. Access is provided by a slide out and hinge down arrangement. The electrical assemblies rest on support guides which may be inclined at an angle to the horizontal to provide convection cooling.

Abstract: A low insertion force arrangement for establishing a connection to a printed wiring board of the type including at least one printed wiring board terminal. The arrangement includes at least one connection spring including at least one actuator and at least one pivot point. A first embodiment includes an actuator engaging area located centrally on the spring between two pivot points which are located between a contact and a connection spring terminal. A second embodiment includes at least one connection spring including a pivot point centrally located on the spring between an actuator engaging area and a second pivot point both of which are located between a contact and a connection spring terminal. In both embodiments the contact is located at one end of each connection spring in alignment with a corresponding printed wiring board terminal. A connector body is provided including a groove adapted to receive and retain a printed wiring board.

Abstract: An arrangement of mounting printed wiring boards providing reduced backplane conductor congestion. The printed wiring boards are mounted in columns and interconnected within a column by conductors on interconnect planes. Connections between interconnect planes and between external terminations and the interconnect planes are accomplished by conductors on backplanes which connect to the interconnect planes. Congestion of backplane conductors is avoided by routing connections, not terminating to external points, directly from one interconnect plane to another interconnect plane by means of conductors on a cross-connect board connecting the two interconnect planes. The arrangement also includes a column between the backplane and the printed wiring boards which are mounted at an angle to the horizontal. Air flows through this column to cool the printed wiring boards by means of convection.

Abstract: A device for clamping a cable or similar article comprising two identical members. A pair of positioning arms and the latch of one clamp member engage positioning arm guides and a catch of the other member and vice-versa. Both clamp members together retain and hold the cable. The clamp may be mounted to a panel via an optionally provided mounting anchor connected to the base of each clamp member.

Abstract: A circuit board positioning arrangement for multiple of circuit boards. Support apparatus maintains the circuit boards in a spaced parallel relationship while permitting movement of one board relative to another. Sequencing apparatus fixed to one of the boards engages receiving apparatus on another, positioning one of the boards forward of another. When force is applied to the least advanced board, the most advanced board engages an associated connector. Continued application of force then causes the sequencing apparatus to release allowing the next most advanced board to engage its connector.

Abstract: A circuit card connector and support device, for supporting and providing electrical connections to two or more printed circuit cards of less than full size within a printed circuit card cage or rack at any position normally occupied by a full sized card. The connector, includes mounting members disposed to mount within a card cage or rack and an arrangement for slidably receiving and electrically connecting to at least one circuit card. The support device, is disposed to receive a second edge of at least one circuit card and includes latching guide members adapted to interlockingly engage the connector and position the support device perpendicular to the front surface of the connector. An indexing projection, on the support device engages the connector locking the support device in position.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical terminal system capable of use with fully automated assembly equipment. The terminal system includes a circuit terminal projecting above a base on which a circuit connection may be made. A second terminal projects from an adjacent side of the base forming individual component terminals, providing a mounting point for individual discrete components. The base contains two opposing parallel rows of the terminals and components are mounted between two of such bases. A bus strap may be mounted on top of the base and is held in place by a set of grooves. Terminals extend from the bus strap and may be connected to the individual component terminals. Further an insulating bus may be used where multiple buses are employed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a component terminal system adapted to receive a combination of integrated circuits and individual discrete components. The terminal system includes a circuit terminal projecting above a frame to which a circuit connection may be made. A second terminal projects inward from the adjacent side of the frame and forms a V-shaped trough for receiving the wire leads from the integrated circuit and/or discrete components. A bus strap may be placed on the top and/or the bottom of the mounting panel and a pin may be inserted through the mounting panel making contact to the respective bus to provide a connection point between the bus and the circuit terminals.