Abstract: An electrical connector (40) having a two part articulated housing (42) is disclosed. The connector, intended for surface mounting on a curved surface (74, 76) of a circuit board (56), includes two housing parts (44, 48) that are intercoupled by means of a flexible member (62) that permits relative movement of the two housing parts in a direction toward and away from the mounting surface but is substantially rigid in the lateral direction. The connector (40) is manufactured by stamping and forming a series of the flexible members (62) on a carrier strip (90), passing the carrier strip through a plastic injection mold machine (98) for molding the two housing parts (44, 48) insitu onto the flexible strip (62), and then passing the carrier strip (90) through a contact insertion machine (102) for inserting the contacts (46,50) into the two housing parts (44, 48).

Abstract: An electrical connector (40) having a two part articulated housing (42) is disclosed. The connector, intended for surface mounting on a curved surface (74, 76) of a circuit board (56), includes two housing parts (44, 48) that are intercoupled by means of a flexible member (62) that permits relative movement of the two housing parts in a direction toward and away from the mounting surface but is substantially rigid in the lateral direction. The connector (40) is manufactured by stamping and forming a series of the flexible members (62) on a carrier strip (90), passing the carrier strip through a plastic injection mold machine (98) for molding the two housing parts (44, 48) insitu onto the flexible strip (62), and then passing the carrier strip (90) through a contact insertion machine (102) for inserting the contacts (46,50) into the two housing parts (44, 48).

Abstract: An environmentally, sealed, feedthrough connector of the type that may be used for externally accessing an outdoor TV line amplifier. The connector includes a cylindrical housing having an insert molded contact centrally disposed therein and a deformable O-ring about the insert molded contact. The connector is assembled under an axially compressive force which deforms the O-ring into sealing engagement with the internal wall of the housing.

Abstract: Invention is directed to an improved, squeeze-to-release latching mechanism for a pair of intermatable transmission connectors, such as electrical or fiber optic connector assemblies, where access to the sides of the connectors may be limited, thereby preventing a traditional manual unmating thereof. The connectors typically comprises a plug consisting of a housing having top and bottom surfaces, where such housing supports a first transmission component, and a receptacle supporting a second transmission component, where the plug includes a pair of cantilevered flexible arms engagable with complementary latching projections on the receptacle. The arms have exposed intermediate portions manually movable toward one another, such as by squeezing, to disengage the latching projections from the flexible arms.

Abstract: A self-sacrificing latching system for a pair of intermatable electrical connectors, such as a plug and receptacle, which incorporates a mechanism for unlatching same by the application of a maximum predetermined separating force, such as may be the result of an accident to the plug and receptacle. A first electrical connector includes a pair of flexible arms projecting axially therefrom, where the free end includes a bifurcated portion, while the second electrical connector includes a forward ramp surface against which the flexible arms initially ride to effect mating of the connectors. Further, there is a rearward surface slightly angled, i.e. on the order of about 4.degree. to 10.degree., from a base toward the ramp surface, and a metal spring arm mounted within the second electrical connector in close proximity to the base of the rearward surface.

Abstract: A capacitive coupling includes a conductive clip 32 adapting to an outer profile of an electrical connector 1 and providing a capacitive coupling with multiple conduction paths through capacitor elements 33 held by the clip 32 in pressure engagement with a conductive shell 9 of the connector 1, the clip 32 further providing a voltage discharge path between the clip 32 and the shell 9.

Abstract: A switch activating plug 10 comprises a housing 12, an inner conductor 17, an intermediate conductor 18 spaced apart from the inner conductor 17, and a dielectric member 19 supporting the inner and intermediate 17,18 conductors. The dielectric member 19 is constructed with axial cavities 88,92 for slidable assembly with the conductive parts of the inner and intermediate conductors 17,18 and in such manner that the inner and intermediate conductors 17,18 are maintained by the dielectric member 19 in electrical isolation from one another. The inner conductor 17 comprises a shaft 58 having a contact head 60 at one end and a terminal 62 at another end. The inner conductor 17 further comprises a flange 66 along the shaft 58 and an offset portion 64 of the shaft 68 spaced from the flange 66.

Abstract: A connector and method of termination for high speed signal cable of small physical dimension. The connector embodies a wire manager plastic fixture (22) into which the fine signal and ground wires (18,20) of a cable (10) are inserted and folded back in a precise location to form an ensemble. This ensemble has a geometry to allow ease of handling and orientation to be inserted into the rear portion of a connector (40) with the wires (18,20) sliding in engagement with slotted connector blade portions (42,46) to assure proper assembly. Blade portions (42,46) are radially forced inwardly to cause the wires (18,20) to be captured in slots therein (44,48) to be additionally terminated as by welding. A variety of types of connector front ends are disclosed.

Abstract: A terminator 1 includes, a conductive shell 2, a disc 12 of insulative material having integral rivets 13 passing through the shell 2, a center contact 19 concentrically in the disc 12, a resistor 26 having a forward extending electrical lead 27 connected to the center contact 19 and having a rearward extending electrical lead 28 passing through the shell 2, and the shell 2 is overlapped and engaged by the rivets 13 and by the rearward extending electrical lead 28.

Abstract: A tap connector assembly (10) for coaxial cable networks includes a receptacle tap connect or (6) incorporated into the cable network and a plug connector (8) mateable therewith to connect external apparatus into the network. Receptacle tap connector (6) includes first and second signal-carrying contacts (122, 123) and a grounding contact (19) adapted to be connected to signal-carrying conductors (24) and conductive outer sheaths (222) of first and second cables (12a, 12b), respectively, in the network. Contact (19, 122, 123) are adapted to be engaged by terminals (186, 187, 188) in plug connector (8) when plug connector (8) is mated with receptacle tap connector (6) to connect external apparatus into the network.

Abstract: A tap connector assembly (210) for coaxial cable networks includes a receptacle tap connector (206) incorporated into the cable network and a plug connector (208) mateable therewith to connect external apparatus into the network. Contacts (219, 322, 323) are adapted to be engaged by terminals (386, 387, 388) in plug connector (208) when plug connector (208) is mated with receptacle tap connector (206) to connect external apparatus into the network. Receptacle tap connector (206) includes normally closed switch means (340) for providing a first signal path between signal carrying contacts (322, 323) when the receptacle tap connector is not in use, and the plug connector (208) includes cam surfaces (405, 406) for opening normally close switch means (340) when the connectors are mated to interrupt the first signal path.

Abstract: An assembly (1) of a coaxial electrical connector (2) and an electrical cable (3), wherein the cable (3) includes a drain conductor (18) and two coaxial cables (3a, 3a) within a common jacket (16), and conductive sheaths (14,14) of both coaxial cables are connected to a conductive shell (5) of the connector (2), and two signal transmitting conductors (12,12) of the two cables are connected to a center contact (10) of the connector (2) that is ordinarily suited for connection to a single coaxial cable.

Abstract: A tap connector assembly (10) for coaxial cable networks includes a receptacle tap connector (6) incorporated into the cable network and a plug connector (8) mateable therewith to connect external apparatus into the network. Receptacle tap connector (6) includes first and second signal-carrying contacts (122, 123) and a grounding contact (19) adapted to be connected to signal-carrying conductors (24) and conductive outer sheaths (222) of first and second cables (12a,12b), respectively, in the network. Contacts (19, 122, 123) are adapted to be engaged by terminals (186, 187, 188) in plug connector (8) when plug connector (8) is mated with receptacle tap connector (6) to connect external apparatus into the network.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for establishing an electrical connection between an outer conductive sheath (22, 22) of a cable (12a, 12b) to the connector (10) comprises an insulative fitting assembly (16, 17) having a first conductive member (42, 42) mounted thereto, an insulative connector housing assembly (14) having a second conductive member (19) mounted thereto. A cable (12a, 12b) having a portion of its conductive sheath (22, 22) exposed is extended through aligned passageways (43, 76, 43, 77) in the fitting (16, 17) and housing assembly (14). The first and second conductive members (42, 42, 19) include first and second, substantially radially extending, sheath-engaging surfaces (53, 53, 93, 94,) respectively, which clamp an exposed fanned-out portion of the conductive sheath (22, 22) therebetween when the fitting assembly (16, 17) is attached to the housing assembly (14).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a conductive electrical conductor having electrical contacts on tap portions, a composite insulative support for the conductor encircling the tap portions and being encircled by a hollow conductive shell, the shell having individual sleeve portions and a composite sleeve portion constructed of composite segments, a collar compressibly encircling the composite segments and urging them into abutment with one another without gaps therebetween, the individual sleeve portions being integral with corresponding composite segments, and corresponding individual sleeve portions urged by the collar into abutment with one another without gaps therebetween.

Abstract: A switching coaxial connector comprises an insulative body constructed for slidable assembly with an inner contact, an outer shell, an intermediate contact, and a disconnect switch with switch pole contacts, one of the switch pole contacts having a clasp for slidable assembly with the outer shell, and the remainder of the contacts having respective blades that are bent outwardly from the remainder of the respective contacts to form electrical terminals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for joining high current-carrying devices, such as bus bars, used in computers and the like. More particularly, the connector includes one or more contact units each consisting of two elongated contact blades held loosely together by spring members. Tab terminals are received into the units from either end. The contact blades are able to move, as a unit or separately, to accept misaligned tab terminals.