Abstract: A ZIF socket includes a cover slidably engaged with a base to which a cam is pivotably connected. The cam is selectively rotated in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction thereby driving the cover to move laterally in opposite directions with respect to the base. The rotational plane of the cam is substantially parallel to the plane of movement of the cover.

Abstract: A ZIF PGA socket includes a first housing and at least one second housing slidably received in the first housing. The at least one second housing defines a plurality of passageways for retaining corresponding number of contacts therein. Each contact has a first portion fixed in the passageway, a second portion fixed to a printed circuit board and a third portion deformably connected between the first portion and the second portion. When the at least one second housing is moved with respect to the printed circuit board, the third portion of the contact deforms to absorb stress to the second portion of the contact.

Abstract: A dual beam electrical contact is provided with a first connection section, a middle section, and a second connection section. The first connection section has opposing substantially parallel first and second arms. Each arm has a bottom end and a cantilevered top end. The middle section connects the bottom ends of the arms to each other. The middle section has a general "S" shape with a first end of the middle section connected to the bottom end of the first arm and an opposite end of the middle section connected to the bottom end of the second arm.

Abstract: An electrical connector shield is provided that includes a metal shield member, a dielectric spacer, and a fastener for fastening the shield member to a first connector. The shield member has a first section adapted to be connected to the first connector and a second section offset from the first section and spaced from the first connector to thereby form a second connector receiving area. The shield member is suitably sized and shaped to shield at least one substantially entire side of both of the first and second connectors when connected to each other.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a second electrical connector to a printed circuit board. The electrical connector has a housing with spring contacts. The spring contacts are adapted to be displaced by and make electrical and mechanical contact with contact pins of the second electrical connector inserted into the housing. The electrical connector further comprises a contact disconnector for moving the spring contacts away from the contact pins for easier disconnection of the second electrical connector from the electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided having a first electrical connector and a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector has a housing with a connector receiving area and spring contacts. The first electrical connector has contacts located in the receiving area and contacting the spring contacts with suitable frictional forces and shapes at their areas of contact to provide substantially no resistance, by the contacts, to movement of the first connector out of the receiving area. This is accomplished due to geometric spring action force vector being substantially equal and opposite to the frictional force vector in the direction of movement of the first connector out of the receiving area. However, the frictional forces and spring action forces are additive during insertion of the first connector into the receiving area to thereby wipe the areas of contact between the contacts of the two connectors.

Abstract: A connector system for providing electrical connection between two mutually opposed arrays of circuit contact pads including a housing (26) having an array of cells (30) corresponding to the arrays of circuit contact pads, with each cell containing a resilient connector element (21). Connector elements (21) are formed from connector blanks (10), each having a bow-shaped body portion (12). The body portion establishes a connector axis (20) and terminates at its opposite ends (14a, 14b) in respective first and second flag members (16a, 16b) which extend axially away from the body portion in respective opposite directions and terminate in electrically conductive contact surfaces, (17a, 17b, 18a, 18b, 56) to establish conductive contact with the circuit contact pads. The body portions (12) are disposed in a serpentine, single layer configuration defining an interior region into which the flag members radially extend.

Abstract: A zero separation force electrical connector which utilizes resilient energy developed and stored during mating to demate the mated contacts and separate the connector with zero separation force. In one embodiment, the contacts of first and second housing members are mated in combination to provide the stored resilient energy for subsequent demating of the contacts and the respective housing members with zero separation force. The first housing member includes male contacts with tapered ends and the second housing member includes female contacts with spring fingers. A securing mechanism is utilized to mate the first and second housing members in combination. During mating the tapered ends of the male contacts coact with corresponding spring fingers of the female contacts, biasing the fingers outwardly, to store resilient energy therein.

Abstract: A backplane/daughter board connector including a first connector element and a mating second connector element that fits between upwardly extending sidewalls of the first element, the first element being provided with an additional contact carried by one of its sidewalls, and the mating connector element being provided with a further contact carried by a facing outside wall, the sidewall contacts providing a short ground path.

Abstract: An electronic memory module socket is provided in which a memory module is easily insertable into and removable from the socket, and once inserted is locked into position for good mechanical retension of the module and proper electrical contact between socket contacts and module contacts. Locking-arms disposed at respective ends of the socket cooperate with openings in the memory module's circuit board to lock the module into the socket body. Detents are provided at respective ends of the socket body to additionally latch the module.

Abstract: A leadless component socket comprises a socket body of electrically insulative material and planar, substantially parallel, top and bottom surfaces, and a plurality of openings between the surfaces in an array to provide an intended contact pattern. A two-piece spring contact assembly is retained in respective openings, with one element retained within the opening and having an outwardly extending lead for soldering or other connection to a circuit board on which the socket is mounted, and the other element extending above the upper socket surface in a position to engage the confronting terminals of a leadless component or device, such as a leadless chip carrier.

Abstract: A junction block for tap-in connection to a continuous two-conductor line comprises a removably mutually engageable base and a cover, defining axially aligned wire entrance and exit apertures, and a passage admitting a plug. Conductor positioners each define a conductor path between the apertures; insulation displacement means are positioned for cooperative interaction with the positioners. Each displacement means is electrically connected with a contact spring adjacent the passage.A positioner and its cooperating displacement means together define a conductor engagement position generally on a level with the wire apertures, so that tension on the wire external to the block does not tend to pull the conductors out of the displacement means. The block has cooperating alignment means mutually engageable during assembly positively to align the positioners with the displacement means before the conductor insulation is engaged, and to prevent misassembly of the block components.

Abstract: A plurality of daughter printed circuit boards are detachably mounted on a backplane and electrically connected to a bus bar on the same side of the backplane via contacts on the daughter boards that mate with contact portions of the bus bar.

Abstract: A low-profile, conductive lead socket for insertion into a plated-through hole or conductive sleeve to receive a component lead inserted therein. The socket includes a cylindrical portion with upper and lower axial openings and a plurality of compliant fingers which extend from the lower opening to engage the inserted lead. The circumference of the socket frictionally engages the bore of the hole to establish electrical continuity between the lead and sleeve or hole plating. The fingers are angularly disposed in a helical arrangement about the central axis of the socket to shorten the socket profile without reducing finger compliance.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a daughter printed circuit board having an internal ground plane layer to a backplane including a daughter board connector element including a plurality of first signal contacts connected to signal lines on a surface of the daughter board near the bottom of the daughter board, the signal contacts extending outward from the surface and downward, and a ground contact electrically connected to the internal ground plane layer, the ground contact extending along the bottom of the daughter board so as to overlap a plurality of the signal contacts and having an elongated exposed lower contacting portion, and a backplane connector element including a plurality of second signal contacts arranged for mating with respective first signal contacts and an elongated bus bar aligned for contacting the mating portion.

Abstract: A backplane/daughter board connector including a first connector element and a mating second connector element that fits between upwardly extending sidewalls of the first element, the first element being provided with an additional contact carried by one of its sidewalls, and the mating connector element being provided with a further contact carried by a facing outside wall.

Abstract: A jumper adapted to electrically connect adjacent ones of an array of uninsulated conductive substantially rigid vertical pins. The jumper is formed of resilient, electrically conductive sheet material and comprises a generally vertical plate portion having a free upper lengthwise edge and two generally vertical side edges, and a pin-retaining spring portion integrally connected lengthwise to the plate portion. The jumper further provides position stabilizing means comprising two arms, each arm being integrally connected to a side edge of the plate portion and bent away from the plate portion at an angle of about ninety degrees thereto. The arms are lengthwise spaced apart by a spacing adapted to clear the outer surfaces of the two adjacent pins to be connected, whereby the arms stabilize the jumper to resist tilting thereof and to prevent shorting other adjacent conductive pins.

Abstract: An electrical switch with low profile and small button motion has a button close to a pivot and includes a ring like structure with bearing areas to open and close contacts. The actuating button is situated in an aperture and covered with a flexible membrane which seals the switch, prevents entry of dirt and gives an indication of the switch.

Abstract: A terminal and terminal block for connecting an insulated wire to electrical circuitry, without stripping and preparing the wire. The terminal has a pair of opposing spring arms, whose parallel edges define a wire-receiving slit. The terminal block has a base, in which the terminal is provided, and a top. In a first terminal block position, base and top allow a wire to be inserted into the block and laid over the terminal. The top is movable toward the base to reach a second terminal block position in which base and top are locked together. The motion of the top relative to the base forces the wire into the terminal slit; the edges slice the insulation to make electrical contact with the wire. The terminal remains compliant over a wide range of wire sizes. A clinch spring is provided in the terminal block top and provides additional retention of the wire in the block and resistance to pulling or twisting.