Abstract: An improved seal for use in scroll compressors incorporates a slanted coil spring. In the prior art, generally C-shaped leaf springs have been utilized. The slanted coil spring has better survivability against operational extremes than the prior art.

Abstract: A metering pump includes a set of externally-toothed gears, with a first of the gears, the drive gear, having a central opening to receive a drive shaft. The gears are supported within a housing defined between first and second housing plates. The first and second housing plates each have central openings aligned with the central opening in the drive gear, and inner wall surfaces adjacent opposite side surfaces of the gears. The first and second gears are rotatably supported within the housing such that the rotational axis of the gears are parallel to one another, and certain of the gear teeth intermesh together when the gears rotate. A first port in the housing provides an inlet fluid flow to an inlet side of the meshing gear teeth, while a second port provides an outlet fluid flow from an outlet side of the meshing teeth. An annular resilient, face-type lip seal is disposed against each side surface of the drive gear, surrounding the central opening in the gear.

Abstract: A compressor assembly including a housing having an oil sump containing a liquid lubricant, a compressor mechanism disposed within the housing, a vertical, rotatable shaft associated with the compressor mechanism and provided with a conduit having a downwardly directed open end extending beneath the surface level of the lubricant and through which oil is conveyed to the compressor mechanism, whereby the lubricant is drawn into the conduit open end, and a guard in surrounding relationship with, and having an aperture disposed beneath and proximate to, the conduit open end, the guard fixed relative to the housing, the sump in fluid communication with the conduit through the aperture.

Abstract: A replaceable mold cavity for use in the production of golf balls is disclosed herein. The mold cavity has a plastic insert with an inverse dimple pattern thereon that is formed from a plastic molding material, and a support cup in which the plastic insert is placed for the golf ball molding operation. The plastic insert may have a metal layer thereon that has an identical inverse dimple pattern. The entire replaceable mold cavity may also be composed of a plastic material. The use of plastic molding materials to form the plastic insert, or the entire mold cavity, allows for rapid production of golf balls having different dimple patterns which allows for expedited testing and introduction of new golf balls.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting whether platens in a mold clamp remain parallel throughout an entire molding process. The apparatus includes a frame, a first platen having a surface orthogonal to a predetermined axis, a second platen having a surface opposing the first platen, the second platen being reciprocatable along the predetermined axis, actuating cylinders for reciprocating the second platen along the predetermined axis, and positions transducers for electromagnetically detecting the positions of a plurality of points on the surface of the second platen.

Abstract: A new technique for efficiently manufacturing jewelry includes the use of a universal frame in combination with a low cost flexible mold. Various inserts can also be used to customize jewelry pieces made using the mold and frame.

Abstract: A runner plate for an injection molding system comprises a plate typically having a plurality of corners, and typically apertures extending through the plate for receiving leader pins of the molding system for support of the plate in the molding system. Also at least a pair of outrigger supports may be provided, the outrigger supports being carried by the plate, each at a different position on the plate, and typically extending diagonally outwardly relative to adjacent plate edges. Also the outrigger support may carry rollers which are positioned to engage tie bars of the mold press for rolling contact therewith and support of the system.

Abstract: A multiple axes electroform is created by first locating a plurality of reflex or optical pins and a mold matrix that extends generally parallel to a first axis. A second mold matrix is created by loading into a fixture yet another set of pins that are generally parallel to a second axis. Electroforms are then made from each mold matrix. The resulting electroforms are then placed into yet another fixture whereby a third electroform is made. The third electroform is then placed into a final fixture where a master electroform is made which will be used in the tooling that is used to injection mold the final automotive lens assembly.

Abstract: A generally flat rectangular pencil blank made from a composite celluosic and resin material or cross-linking agent includes a longitudinal axis, a first surface and a second surface with a repeatable profile transverse to the longitudinal axis on the first surface of the blank, the profile representing an approximate peripheral shape of a repeated series of longitudinal sections of an outside peripheral portion of a series of parallel elongated pencils, and an integral web between each adjacent pair of the series of longitudinal sections and extending to the second surface. In one embodiment, the second surface further includes a series of spaced parallel longitudinal grooves for reception of pencil cores, formed on the second surface and positioned laterally so as to be aligned to an apex of each repeatable profile. Methods of making the pencil blanks including dies and molds for making the pencil blanks are also disclosed.

Abstract: Device for injection moulding of plastics has one stationary and one moveable die platen, and a mechanism for producing a closing force between the half moulds carried by the die platens. The closing force is introduced exclusively into selected areas (19) of a supporting frame adjacent longitudinal spars and spaced apart from one another, and the ends of the spars (6) are connected by tension bars (11).

Abstract: The present portable exterminating apparatus uses an ignite charge of gas to produce both concussion and heat within the burrow of a rodent, along with residual toxic fumes, all contributing to rodent extermination. The apparatus includes a barrel, an injection control assembly, an ignition system, and a safety system including a pressure sensor and preferably a check valve. The mixing chamber of the apparatus mixes a flammable gas, such as propane, with oxygen, preferably from a bottled oxygen source, at a desired ratio. The barrel nozzle is placed into the burrow opening, and the flammable mixture is discharged into the burrow, and subsequently ignited. The ignition system including a battery, an ignition switch, and an improved ignition component inducing arcing across a pair of electrodes located within the nozzle of the barrel. The ignition switch is preferably located near the discharge valve for one-hand operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A safety device for a gas torch includes a frame movably inserted into a notch in a top of a handle of the gas torch and the ignition device of the torque is received in the frame. A pressing member is slidably connected to the frame and connected to lever of a valve for releasing gas from a tank. A front end of the pressing member is inserted in the notch of the handle to prevent the pressing member from being unintentionally pushed. The front end of the pressing member has to be pulled out from the notch before it is pushed.

Abstract: Burner firing method and device are presented where an oxidizing oxygen-fuel burner is fired at an angle to the reducing air-fuel burner flame to reduce overall NOx emissions from high temperature furnaces. The oxidizing oxy-fuel burner stoichiometric equivalence ratio (oxygen/fuel) is maintained in the range of about 1.5 to about 12.5. The reducing air-fuel burner is fired at an equivalence ratio of 0.6 to 1.00 to reduce the availability of oxygen in the flame and reducing NOx emissions. The oxidizing flame from the oxy-fuel burner is oriented such that the oxidizing flame gas stream intersects the reducing air-fuel flame gas stream at or near the tail section of the air-fuel flame. The inventive methods improve furnace temperature control and thermal efficiency by eliminating some nitrogen and provide an effective burnout of CO and other hydrocarbons using the higher mixing ability of the oxidizing flame combustion products.

Abstract: A decorative candle display including a non-opaque container of a defined geometrical shape and volume, and a heat-meltable, non-opaque candle placeable within this container. The candle has a defined geometrical shape which can be substantially complimentary to the shape of the container. Within the non-opaque gel of the candle are a plurality of image-producing gaseous cells and a conventional ignitable wick extending substantially there through with an exposed end for lighting. The density of the gel and the volume of the container are cooperatively correlated such that the volume of the container accommodates a sufficient quantity of water in which the candle will float upon introduction of this sufficient water quantity into the container.

Abstract: A decorative candle display and a method for its manufacture. The display includes a container with an open top and an interior wall surface and a core candle with an exposed wick situated within the container. Core candle size and placement is such that a chamber is formed between the candle and the wall surface, and a candle wax material filler is disposed within the chamber. A colored gelatinous structure is disposed on top of the core candle and has a substantially vertical aperture through which the wick, extending from the core candle, resides for ignitable exposure above the gel structure. Fabrication methodology includes application of heat to the gelatinous structure to round any pointed border portions thereof and to imbue a sheen to the structure as an inherent heat-induced reaction occurs in the gelatinous material for such sheen production.

Abstract: The kit consists of a container holding a plurality of candles of a first predetermined size and shape such that the candles can be assembled together to form a regular geometric solid of a geometric shape different from that of the individual candles. Specific embodiments of the invention include candles shaped like triangular prisms forming a square-cross-section solid when assembled together, combinations of L-shaped and cylindrical candles forming a solid of square-cross-sectional shape, as well as candles forming solids having octagonal, hexagonal, circular, etc. cross-sectional shapes when assembled in the kit. When removed from the container, the candles in the kit can be arranged in a variety of decorative patterns, including the pattern used in the kit.

Abstract: In a method wherein semiconductor wafers are accommodated within a treatment furnace that has been heated beforehand to a predetermined temperature, the temperature within the treatment furnace is increased to a predetermined treatment temperature, and the semiconductor wafers are subjected to an oxidation treatment, the temperature-increasing step is performed under a reduced pressure. This makes it possible to suppress the formation of natural oxide films during the temperature-increasing step, and thus makes it possible to form an extremely thin film of a superior quality on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A blue-light polymerizing system comprises a xenon arc lamp in which its sapphire window includes a blue-bandpass filter coating. This eliminates any external color filters that would otherwise be necessary for the polymerization of dental composite materials in a patient's mouth. The blue-bandpass filter coating causes the xenon arc lamp to heat an extra 10° C. higher than would otherwise be the case. So a special anode heatsink is fitted in which the front and back halves of each radial fin have been separated, and one of these groups of separated fins has been tilted off normal. Such changes the otherwise laminar airflow through the anode heatsink fins to a turbulent flow that is better able to collect heat and carry it off.

Abstract: A cover screw for a dental implant seals a threaded hole of an implant fixture formed in a mandible or maxilla. The cover screw is formed of a main body and a membrane fixing screw, and is attached to the implant fixture until the implant fixture is thoroughly connected to the mandible or maxilla in an implantation hole. The main body includes a first male screw to be screwed into the threaded hole of the implant fixture, an outer face formed on a side opposite to the male screw and facing an oral cavity, and a threaded hole formed on a side of the outer face. The threaded hole has a diameter smaller than that of the male screw and extends parallel to the male screw. The membrane fixing screw has a head, and a second male screw to be screwed in the threaded hole. A barrier membrane is properly held between the main body and the head.

Abstract: An adhesive for bonding items includes magnetic particles dispersed therein. Removal is enhanced by applying varying magnetic fields near the adhesive. Magnetic locking elements are biased to engage a catch portion. Removal is effected by urging the magnetic elements out of the catch portion by application of magnetic fields of opposite polarity.

Abstract: An improved rotary handpiece and endodontic file for cleaning and enlarging a root canal of a tooth are provided by the present invention. The handpiece includes a rotary drive connected to a chuck assembly for rotating the endodontic file and a movable latch assembly for holding the endodontic file while allowing the chuck assembly to rotate the file about its axis. Means for moving the latch assembly towards and away from the chuck assembly at controlled rates and thereby advancing and retracting the endodontic file at controlled rates are attached to the handpiece and to the latch assembly.

Abstract: The objective of this disclosure is to propose a method of designing an intelligent system assuring autonomy in problem solving to the largest extent. An architecture of a general purpose problem solving system and also a new modeling scheme for representing an object which may include human activity are discussed first. Then a special purpose problem solving system dedicated for a given problem is generated. It is extracted from a general purpose system using the object model as a template. Several new concepts are included in this disclosure to achieve this goal; a multi-level function structure and its corresponding knowledge structure, multiple meta-level operations, a level manager for building general purpose problem solving systems, a concept of multi-strata model to represent objects including human activity, and a method of extracting a special purpose system from a general purpose system and so on.

Abstract: A teaching aid is designed to develop intelligence of the preschoolers and is composed of a base and a plurality of sliding members. The base has a pathway portion which is provided with a plurality of intersecting paths. The sliding members are provided thereon with an alphabet, pattern, or symbol and are selectively slid in the paths of the base to locate at a predetermined position of the pathway portion of the base such that the alphabet, pattern, or symbol of the selectively-slid sliding members form a predetermined word or figure.

Abstract: A device and method for demonstrating number theory is disclosed in which the device comprises a frame consisting of the plurality of spaced parallel rods which are secured at their ends to transverse members. The rods carry slidable members which are arranged to define an triangle having the same number members on each side. The rods are spaced apart and the members are sized so that sliding movement of one bead will contact a bead located in the next adjacent rod and cause it to also slide. A member representing an ordinal number is selected and is moved along the rod to contact members adjacent to the selected member in the direction of movement to separate a sub-array of members from said equilateral triangle array. The selection of additional ordinal members contact with adjacent members is repeated so that depending upon the mathematical operation being demonstrated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recorded information conveyance and comprehension are provided that include a Virtual Interactive Teaching and Learning (VITAL) Center. The VITAL Center provides an interactive patient education and informed consent process that increases patient comprehension using presentations that offer a baseline education about medical and surgical procedures including the associated risks, benefits and alternatives. The patient's comprehension of the material is confirmed throughout the presentation using summary questions focused on key information. The patient is able to record their own questions or concerns about the procedure while watching the presentation. After the presentation is finished, A healthcare professional reviews the patient questions upon completion of the presentation, and any information the patient did not understand is further explained at this time.

Abstract: A new card connector has a connector element which has, at its opposite ends, projection portions, and a frame element which has a projection guide having a laterally elongated portion in parallel to a card insertion-withdrawal direction at a coupling portion between the frame element and the connector element. When the frame element is coupled with or released from the connector element fixed to a mounting board, an upper side of the laterally elongated portion of the projection guide of the frame element is guided by the projection portion of the connector element so that any contact is prevented between a grounding metal plate of the frame element and pin contacts of the connector element.

Abstract: A high density electrical interconnect is achieved by incorporating a flexible circuit (140) that is removably connected to a low insertion force, ball grid array connector (100). The flexible circuit has a plurality of conductive runners (142), and each of the runners has a termination (144). The terminations are arranged in an array on the end of the flexible circuit. The low insertion force connector consists of a substrate (120) that has a pattern of pads (122) corresponding to the array on one side. The other side of the substrate has a corresponding array (124) that is electrically connected to the pads by conductive vias. An alignment feature (470) aligns the array on the flexible circuit to the pattern of pads on the substrate. Contact between the flexible circuit and the substrate is maintained by a compression means (150) that provides sufficient compressive force (310) to establish electrical connection between the array and the pads.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing (12) that carries a plurality of circuit boards (13) in a parallel, spaced-apart array. The circuit boards are of two different types. One type has a keying recess (60) that is keyed to a land (39) in the housing, and the other type has a keying recess (62) that is keyed to a web (40) in the housing.

Abstract: A pin terminal alignment system which serves to fix pin terminal spacing, provide indexable spacing and provide ease of installation. A pair of alignment bodies, each having a generally planar, elongated shape and preferably formed of plastic, each have a plurality of alignment holes formed therein, wherein each alignment hole is allocated to a respective pin terminal of a header assembly. The system preferably includes an abutting interaction between the alignment bodies and the header assembly which indexably spaces the bodies with respect to the header assembly, as well as with respect to a printed circuit board to the pin terminals connect. The rigidity and locating features provided by the terminal pin alignment system serve to ensure geometrical dimension and tolerance precision of the pins as a whole, and the pin terminals in particular, with respect to both the header assembly and the PCB.

Abstract: A night light includes an electro-luminescent element (14) connected to an electrical plug by conductive elements (23) in the form of flexible or elastic conductive rubber elements, or conductive elements of similarly flexible and conductive plastic or metal material, compressed between contact areas (16) or the electrodes of the electro-luminescent element and prongs (19) of the electrical plug.

Abstract: The present invention includes a plug assembly and cord set for use with an automobile accessory that is mounted to an automobile body. The plug assembly includes a plug body having a contact surface, electrical contacts coupled to the plug body and projecting from the contact surface, and a protector cap that accommodates the contacts and protects the contacts from the surrounding environment when the protector cap is in its closed position. The protector cap includes a contact cavity and a cap seal surface surrounding the contact cavity at an open end thereof. The protector cap is coupled to the plug body for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position wherein the electrical contacts are disposed within the contact cavity and the cap seal surface engages the contact surface to seal the contact cavity when the protector cap is in its closed position.

Abstract: A protection cap for an electrical connector with several terminals extending from a first end thereof. The cap includes a body having a cavity for releaseably receiving a second end of the connector which is opposite the first end, at least one arm extending from the body for wrapping partially around the connector, and a terminal retainer arranged on the free end of the arm for engaging at least some of the terminals.

Abstract: A card cage for connecting circuit board cards to a computer is disclosed. The card cage includes connector receptacles for receiving circuit board cards such as PCI cards. The card cage also includes a connection mechanism for electrically coupling the connector receptacles to the computer. In one embodiment, the connection mechanism includes a compression connector and a locking mechanism for electrically and mechanically coupling the card cage to the computer. Thus circuit board cards may be easily coupled to a computer by inserting the circuit board cards into the card cage and attaching the card cage to the computer.

Abstract: In a battery cable clamp for vehicles with a mounting device for a cable end, in which two clamp parts (2,4) are connected together in an electrically conducting fashion by a pressed connection that can be broken with a high separating force by an auxiliary drive, the pressed connection is composed of a conical contact surface. An explosive capsule (3) may be used to provide the separating forces. A plastic sleeve (18,18′) may be used to control travel of the expelled clamp part and to prevent accidental reengagement. The explosive capsule may be part of the battery clamp (8) or part of the battery lead (5).

Abstract: A compact card connector is equipped with an efficient stop means for an ejection member and that affords easy mounting of the ejection member which serves as a card-ejecting means. The card connector has an ejection member (90) that is capable of pivoting within a connector (21) in order to eject a card. The pivoting of the ejection member (90) is stopped by a supporting member (50) that is fixedly mounted to the connector (21). Supporting members (50, 50a), along with a plate member (40), constitutes a support means for an FPC (30).

Abstract: An electrical connector in a portable telecommunication device with a built-in antenna to enable the device to connect with an external antenna, comprises a dielectric housing having a base portion defining first and second chambers communicating with each other via a passage, and a cylindrical portion defining a hole therethrough in communication with the first chamber, a first contact fixedly received in the first chamber and electrically connecting with speaker/receiver circuitry of the device and a second contact fixedly received in the second chamber and electrically connecting with the built-in antenna. When the connector does not connect with a mating connector in electrical connection with an external antenna, the first contact electrically engages with the second contact by a spring force generated from the first contact.

Abstract: A chamber capable of housing a short-circuiting terminal is provided in a female housing. An opening is formed on the front of the chamber, the base face thereof having a recessed opening. A relatively thick short-circuit canceling member of a male housing is inserted from the front opening into the chamber, whereupon resilient contact members of the short-circuiting terminal bend downwards. The free ends of the terminal enter the recessed opening. While the short-circuiting terminal is provided with a greater bending stroke, the chamber can be kept low in height due to the recessed opening. Accordingly, the male housing can be kept small, and thus miniaturized.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing an electrical connection with a mating connector for control of a vehicle transmission is disclosed. The mating connector has electrical terminals. The electrical connector includes a shank, a hollow receptacle, and terminals. The hollow receptacle is at the end of the shank for receiving the shaft of a mating electrical connector. The terminals are positioned within the hollow receptacle for providing electrical contact with the terminals of a mating electrical connector. The receptacle has a first side with a first slot extending substantially across the width of the first side so that the receptacle can interlock with any one of a number of mating male connectors. The receptacle has a second side having a second slot extending substantially across the width of the second side so that the receptacle can interlock with any one of a number of mating connectors.

Abstract: A battery receptacle connector comprises a dielectric housing forming a number of parallel terminal receiving grooves with a terminal received in each groove. Adjacent grooves are spaced by a partition. The housing further defines first and second engaging slots in communication with each groove for securing the corresponding terminal therein. Each terminal comprises a base, a tail portion downwardly extending from the base, positioning means consisting of a first positioning member and a second positioning member, a pair of cantilevered arms upwardly extending from the base, and a mating portion consisting of a first mating member and a second mating member. The first positioning member upwardly extends from the base opposite the tail portion, and the second positioning member forwardly extends from the base.

Abstract: A deskstand for a radio telephone handset or battery pack therefor, the deskstand having a retention mechanism including pivot members which allow an inserted handset or battery pack to be tilted into a locking position with respect to the deskstand, and to be located in relation to the deskstand.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a base having a number of contacts received therein, a cover movably mounted on the base, a pair of first plates and a pair of second plates. The first and second plates are respectively positioned at opposite diagonal corners of the cover and the base. Each first plate faces an associated second plate. In operation, a tool positioned between the faced first and second plates is used to push the second plate from the first plate thereby driving the cover along the base in the diagonal direction.

Abstract: An electrical adapter with dual, user-operable locking mechanisms for attachment to a standard electrical plug and outlet, one for securing the prongs of the adapter into a socket or wall-mounted outlet or receptacle and the other for securing a standard electrical plug thereto. The two mechanisms work independently of each other to secure the male and female sides of a conventional plug-and-socket combination together. The adapter can be used with existing appliances, hand tools, extension cords, and electrical outlets without the need for rewiring. The male and female ends of the adapter may be connected by an electrical cord to replace a conventional extension cord; alternatively, the locking mechanism can be built into replacement electrical plugs or a wall outlet having approximately the same dimensions as conventional outlets.

Abstract: A connector for preventing a half-fitting thereof comprises a first connector housing, a second connector housing for engaging with the first connector housing, a slide cover provided so as to cover an outer periphery of the second connector housing, the slide cover capable of sliding on the outer periphery of the second connector housing in a fitting direction of the first and second connector housing, resilient member provided in the second connector housing for urging the slide cover toward an anti-fitting direction, and at least three half-fitting detection mechanisms for detecting the half-fitting of the first and second connector housing respectively provided on outer face of front end portions of the first connector housing and the slide cover, the detection mechanisms arranged such that there are substantially equal intervals therebetween with respect to a circumferencial direction of the first connector housing and the slide cover.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector (IDC) assembly comprises a first connector mounted to an electronic element and a second connector matable with the first connector for terminating a flat flexible cable. The second connector comprises a second housing matable with a first housing of the first connector, a plurality of second terminals received in the second housing, a terminating cover attached to the second housing for pressing the flexible cable onto the second terminals, and a pressing member. The pressing member comprises a main body and a pair of latching arms perpendicularly extending from opposite ends of the main body for securing the second connector with the first connector. A curved connecting portion is formed between each latching arm and the main body for providing the latching arm with sufficient deformation space and proper resiliency.

Abstract: A readily installed or removed cover for boot for a connection in an electrical cable or fluid line is described. The boot consists of a body portion divided longitudinally into two sections for easy application. The body has a threaded cylindrical proximal end, a middle section, and a generally frustroconical distal end. The proximal end and middle sections are split by a plane preferably located to include the longitudinal axis of the boot. Just before the distal end the plane makes a sharp upward jog to form a shoulder. A slot through the upper part of the distal end completes separation of the two sections. In cross section this slot occupies about 60° of the distal end circumference. The lower section contains the major part of the distal end while the upper section has a tongue corresponding to the slot in the lower section. The edges of the tongue have outwardly extending ridges that fit into corresponding grooves in the lower section to lock the two together when assembled.

Abstract: In a contact-making device having a connector strip (1) that is to be fixed on a circuit board (2), a guide plate (3) is arranged between the circuit board (2) and the connector strip (1). The guide plate (3) has cutouts (8) for contact legs (7) of the connector strip (1) and aligns the latter relative to holes (9) in the circuit board (2). The mounting of the contact-making device is configured in a particularly simple manner as a result of this.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple conductor cable connector comprising a front insulative housing, a rear insulative housing, a number of contacts each comprising a piercing section and a connecting section, a pair of latching components and a shell comprising a base plate, a shielding section and a pair of latching arms. The front housing comprises a base board and a mating section forwardly projecting from the base board for mating with a mating connector. The rear insulative housing has a chamber for partially receiving the latching arms of the shell thereof. Several positioning holes are defined in the latching arms for latching with corresponding positioning members.

Abstract: A lamp base includes a base body, a lamp socket fixed under the base body, a housing protecting the base body and the lamp socket, and a cap closing up the housing. To terminals are provided in the base body to connect to two power wires passing through an upper wire hole of the cap. The cap has a short tube portion extending down from the wire hole to press down the power wires on an upper surface of the base body to secure the power wires tightly so as not to loosen off the two terminals if exterior force should pull the power wires by accident.

Abstract: A male type USB (universal serial bus) connector includes a substantially rectangular connector body, a cable connected to the connector body and extended out of a hole at a rear side wall of the connector body, two symmetrical insulative shells fastened together and covered on the rear side wall and two opposite lateral side walls of the connector body and a part of the cable to secure the cable in place, and an insulative cap fastened to the connector body and the insulative shells at a front side, the cap having a center coupling hole, which receives a front side wall of the connector body, and a backward coupling flange coupled to the insulative shells.

Abstract: There is provided a connector for connecting a flexible substrate to a plurality of contacts, including a housing having a first plane on which a flexible substrate is supported and second planes formed at opposite ends of the first plane and having a greater height than the first plane, a plurality of contacts assembled to the housing, and a lever rotatably supported above the housing, the lever being formed with a first outer surface and second outer surfaces formed at opposite ends of the first outer surface. The first outer surface makes contact only with the flexible substrate for compressing the flexible substrate onto the first plane, and the second outer surfaces makes contact only with the second planes for fixing the lever in a stationary position relative to the housing. The above-mentioned connector ensures that a maximum contact force allowable for the flexible substrate can be set at a time when the lever finishes its rotation.