Abstract: A microcombustor comprises a microhotplate and a catalyst for sustained combustion on the microscale. The microhotplate has very low heat capacity and thermal conductivity that mitigate large heat losses arising from large surface-to-volume ratios typical of the microdomain. The heated catalyst enables flame ignition and stabilization, permits combustion with lean fuel/air mixtures, extends a hydrocarbon's limits of flammability, and lowers the combustion temperature. The reduced operating temperatures enable a longer microcombustor lifetime and the reduced fuel consumption enables smaller fuel supplies, both of which are especially important for portable microsystems applications. The microcombustor can be used for on-chip thermal management and for sensor applications, such as heating of a micro gas chromatography column and for use as a micro flame ionization detector.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus (1) is generally composed of a principal part (5), a supplementary part (6) and a burner port assembly (3). Four metal plates (7,8,10,11) constituting the principal and supplementary parts (5,6) are pressed to have in them several protuberances and recesses. These metal plates are laid one on another to form in them some hollow spaces and sealed regions. These hollow spaces communicate with each other to form a thin gas passage (22) together with a thick gas passage (73) in this combustion apparatus (1) in such a manner that its condition of thick and thin fuel combustion is rendered more stable.

Abstract: An adjusting tool and associated method of use for turning orthodontic expansion screws are described. The tool or device consists of a contra-angled molded plastic handle or housing with a rotatable pin at the distal end for inserting into an expansion screw located in a patient's mouth. The tool housing is designed to limit the angular rotation of the pin to the arc required for insertion and subsequent activation of the orthodontic screw. When rotated to the position associated with screw activation, the pin is captured and held in place by a locking mechanism which then requires the tool to be disengaged from the screw prior to its removal from the patient's mouth. This feature eliminates the possibility of reversing and deactivating the expansion screw by pulling the expansion key straight out of the mouth. A manual release mechanism on the tool frees the pin to allow the pin to be rotated back to the insertion position.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a handle; a pair of opposed gripping members, each member comprising a gripping surface, each gripping surface comprising a forward edge; and a gripping member position and orientation indicator (GMPOI) positioned between the handle and the forward edges. A method of coupling an orthodontic bracket to a tooth comprising: providing a bracket holder comprising a gripping member position and orientation indicator (GMPOI); utilizing the bracket holder to grip a bracket and to place the bracket on a tooth; while viewing the position and orientation of the GMPOI relative to the tooth on which the bracket is being mounted, rotating and/or moving the bracket holder so as to set the orientation and position of the bracket; subsequently causing the bracket holder to release the bracket; inserting a portion of the bracket holder into the bracket; and rotating the bracket holder so as to rotate the bracket.

Abstract: A light-curable methacrylate based epoxy resin bonding pad molded to a ceramic orthodontic appliance, wherein the epoxy resin is made of bisphenol glycidyl methacrylate, tetra-hydrofurfuryl methacrylate, titanium dioxide, and camphor quinone, and the invisible light transmittance through the appliance and the pad is on the order of five percent plus or minus two percent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.

Abstract: A dough-like filler material and method of use thereof. The dough-like filler is used (in lieu of more expensive, less easily handled filler materials) in the process of making plaster dental molds for dental or orthodontic use to fill voids in dental impression molds, voids which otherwise would allow for the formation of obstructive plaster accumulations in the resulting plaster dental mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical or dental-medical treatment instrument (1) having a media line, in particular for water or spray, extending from its rearward end to its forward end region, in which line an exchangeable filter element (21) is arranged. In order to reduce the flow resistance of the filter element (21), while providing a small cross-sectional size, the filter element (21) has the form of a sleeve and the direction of passage of the medium is directed transversely to the sleeve wall (21a).

Abstract: An intra-oral molding compound ejection tip is provided to provide a substantially uniform expanding solid angle of the mixed molding compound upon molding compound ejection. A prior art intra-oral tip typically includes an ejection orifice defined about an axis parallel to the direction of mold compound ejection. In a preferred embodiment, two cuts are placed in the tip at right angles to one another within the plane of the normal axis of molding compound ejection. Each of these cuts is sized with respect to the ejection orifice to produce a uniformly expanding solid angle of the ejected molding compound. This uniformly expanding solid angle of the ejected molding compound has the property of having higher normal incidence to both preparation and margin to the preparation in teeth having dental surgery.

Abstract: A novel dental implant comprising an implant fixture assembly for attachment to a jaw bone at a first end thereof, the fixture assembly having a longitudinal axis; an abutment for mounting on a second end of the fixture assembly, the abutment having a longitudinal axis; and a fastener for connecting the abutment to the second end of the implant fixture assembly such that the abutment is movable on the second end of the implant fixture assembly and, upon disposition of the abutment axis at a selected angle to the implant fixture assembly axis, for connecting the abutment to the second end of the implant fixture assembly such that the abutment is fixed on the implant fixture assembly at the selected angle. A novel tool for deploying the novel dental implant is also disclosed. And a novel method for effecting a dental restoration is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for restoration of a patient's tooth. An electronic image of a patient's tooth or tooth preparation is generated in a dentist's office by the dentist. The image includes color information of the tooth preparation or of the patient's tooth shade. The electronic image is forwarded to a dental laboratory by direct computer link or e-mail. A technician at the laboratory evaluates the image and suggests restorative options to the dentist, including whether further tooth preparation is required. The technician also selects the appropriate restoration tooth shade(s) so that the dental prosthesis matches the color of the patient's tooth. The laboratory then manufactures the prosthesis utilizing a plurality of porcelain coatings. If desired, an image of the prosthesis can be generated in the laboratory and forwarded to the dentist for verification of color and/or fit prior to finalizing manufacture of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A simulator apparatus with at least two degrees of freedom of movement for an instrument which has an elongated shaft, has a holding device for the instrument, the holding device being designed such that the instrument has at least a first degree of freedom of rotary movement about the longitudinal axis of the shaft and at least a second degree of freedom of translatory movement in the direction of the shaft. The holding device has a gear arrangement for the first and second degrees of freedom, which has a first bevel gear, which is connected to the shaft and corotates with the latter about the longitudinal axis thereof, and has a second and a third bevel gear which are arranged on either side of the first bevel gear and are in rolling engagement therewith.

Abstract: A blank intended to be first customized by allowing an intended user to color feature sections and outlines thereof and then to be used as a decorating article providing a decorative design. The blank includes a generally rigid panel defining a pair of opposed panel surfaces. Grooves are formed in one of the panel surfaces for outlining the feature sections. The grooves are configured and sized for sufficiently separating adjacent feature sections so as to facilitate the application of a coloring material on the feature sections with reduced risks of overlapping. The grooves are also designed so as to guide a coloring implement during the application of coloring material to the groove bottom surface. The blank is made out of a material that allows sanding away of unintentionally colored areas. The blank may be used individually or combined with other complementary blanks for forming a composite decoration assembly.

Abstract: A cognitive matching skill learning aid may include a base having a plurality of different object images thereon and a respective matching block for each object image on the base. The blocks may be movable relative to the base. Moreover, each matching block may have a plurality of sides, and the sides of a given matching block may have different indicia thereon representative of different cognitive matching skill levels with respect to the corresponding object image on the base.

Abstract: This invention includes a system for teaching and learning a preferred ergonomic motion. The system includes a video camera for capturing successive images of a person executing an ergonomic motion. The system includes a threshold definition system that allows a user to define a spatial region of the video image through which motion should or should not interfere. If the spatial region is interfered, the system actuates an alarm, thereby providing feedback so the user may alter the technique of the next attempted motion. In one preferred embodiment, the system is used in teaching a golfer to execute a preferred golf swing. The golfer adjusts the spatial region to define a space through which neither the golfer's body nor club should pass. If the spatial region is intruded upon, an alarm is actuated. For example, the golfer may define the region such that if the club moves off plane during a swing, a tee removal system causes the ball to disappear.

Abstract: Automatically determining which one of a plurality of functions is to be associated with a movable member of an electronic device, depending on which one of a plurality of faceplates is coupled to the electronic device. A selected faceplate is coupled to a keyboard or other electronic device with movable members such as keys, buttons, knobs, etc. Protrusions or other configuration characteristics of the faceplate interface with one or more faceplate sensors, such as switches, that detect which faceplate is coupled to the electronic device. Based on the state of the faceplate sensors, the electronic device selects a predefined code, such as a scan code, that represents the coupled faceplate. The selected predefined code is communicated to a host computing device according to a keyboard protocol such as PS/2 or universal serial bus (USB). Consequently, an individual function is associated with each movable member based on the coupled faceplate.

Abstract: A method is proposed for analysing the usage of a toothbrush made by a subject. The position of the toothbrush is monitored using a position sensor on the brush, and the position of the teeth is monitored by a position sensor mounted in a known fixed relation to the teeth. The resultant data is used to find the relative positions of the toothbrush and teeth over time. Statistical analysis of this data permits the identification of habitual brushing failures by subjects of the toothbrush. The toothbrush may transmit the output of its position sensor to a data analysis unit as a wireless signal. The toothbrush may also be provided with further sensors, such as pH and pressure sensors, the output of which is used in the statistical analysis to enrich the results.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method teaches a user to evaluate a gemstone, such as a cut diamond. The method includes providing a computer system connected to an apparatus capable of capturing an image of a gemstone. The computer system is arranged to process a received image of a gemstone to determine one or more optical properties of the gemstone. In one aspect, the method presents on a display of the computer system a series of pre-stored screens comprising a graphical representation how the cut of a gemstone affects its light handling ability, and a user interface screen. The user interface screen allows the user to control the operation of the apparatus to measure the one or more optical properties of a particular gemstone provided to the apparatus, to view an image of the gemstone measured, and to view representations of the measured one or more optical properties.

Abstract: An electrical adapter includes a first electrical connector unit, and a second electrical connector unit coupled electrically to the first electrical connector unit. A foldable housing includes first and second housing parts. The first electrical connector unit is mounted in the first housing part, whereas the second electrical connector unit is mounted in the second housing part. The foldable housing further includes a pivot joint that interconnects the first and second housing parts and that permits relative rotation between the first and second housing parts about a pivot axis.

Abstract: An electrical connection assembly provides an electrical connection for an electrical component mounted on a movable bed of a vehicle. The electrical connection assembly includes a sub-assembly supported on the movable bed, and another sub-assembly supported on the frame of the vehicle so that the two sub-assemblies make electrical contact when the bed is in one position. The electrical contact can be broken when the bed moves relative to the vehicle frame. In one embodiment, both sub-assemblies are biased toward each other to maintain a solid electrically conductive path between conductive contacts on each sub-assembly. One sub-assembly can include a number of conductive plates, while the other can include a-like number of conductive plungers. The conductive components are supported on insulator plates. One of the plates defines a plunger bore to receive a plunger therein such that the plunger can reciprocate and pivot angularly relative to the plate.

Abstract: A surface mount interconnect is disclosed. The interconnect includes a solid conductor having a first section, a second section, and a central section between the first and second sections. The first section includes at least one curved surface, and the second section includes at least one curved surface. The central section includes first and second planar surfaces.

Abstract: A metallic thin film 15 is formed on a mold 11 having protrusions 12 complementary in shape to a conductor pattern to be formed; a substrate 17 having a transfer layer 16 of adherent (or adhesive) material applied to one side surface thereof is provided; and the transfer layer 16 side of the substrate is brought into intimate contact with the metallic thin film 15 laid over the protrusions 12, followed by pulling the transfer layer apart from the mold so as to transfer the metallic thin film 15 covering the protrusions 12 onto the transfer layer 16 to thereby form the conductor pattern 18 on the transfer layer 16. The metal film may include cooper and a weak adherence layer 13 which may be gold.

Abstract: An electrical contact (30) received in a socket connector (1) for connecting a CPU (6) to a PCB (5) includes a retention plate (31) and a spring arm (33) and a connecting arm (32) connecting the spring arm to the retention plate. The retention plate engages with the socket connector for securely retaining the electrical contact in the socket connector. The spring arm includes a first curved arm (331) bent from the connecting arm toward the retention plate, a second curved arm (332) bent from the first curved arm opposite to the retention plate and a third curved arm (333) bent from the second curved arm toward the retention plate. The first curved arm has a bottom contacting end (330) for contacting with the PCB. Similarly, the third curved arm has a top contacting end (334) for contacting with the CPU.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for a bridge clip used to hold an IC package to a process carrier in the semiconductor manufacturing processes. According to embodiments of the present invention, the bridge clip includes a bridge comprising a rectangular sheet having tabs at opposite ends the tabs having an irregular shape, a stiffener affixed to the bridge, the stiffener comprising a rectangular sheet sized to fit within the bent down tabs of the bridge and having a stiffening structure along a longitudinal axis of the stiffener, and a pressure plate coupled to the stiffener under the bridge and fitting within the tabs and long edges of the stiffener.

Abstract: A connecting structure between a junction box and an electrical component connector block that prevents material failure of the connecting structure. The junction box and connector block, which includes receptacles for components on an upper surface thereof, are adjacently connected by joint structure formed between mutually facing external sidewalls of the junction box and connector block. A hook portion, which is formed as an integral component of the connector block, connects to the upper edge of a sidewall of junction box when the connector block is joined to the junction box. This structure prevents the load applied by the insertion of components into a receptacle of the connector block from being concentrated at a single point, and thus prevents material failure of the connecting structure.

Abstract: Recesses are located along an elongated elastomeric member. Electrical contacts are associated with the elastomeric member in registration with the recesses. The elastomeric member expands or compresses along its length to receive one of the closely spaced plates in each of the plurality of recesses and to thereby register the electrical contacts with a corresponding contact point on the plates. The elastomeric strip is confined under compression between two adjacent members which may be parts of two plates or of a single plate. The adjacent members define a recess, including locking protrusions, adapted to resist removal of the connector from within the retention recess unless the elongated elastomeric strip is compressed. An associated method optionally includes allowing the compressed elastomeric strip to push against adjacent members to generate a force which pushes the contact points against the one of the closely spaced plates.

Abstract: A cable connector allows the electrical contacts thereof to come into elastic contact with a ground plate when the cable connector connecting with a shielded cable is fit-connected to a PCB connector through the ground plate. The contact effectiveness of the electrical contacts is improved so that a shield-ground path from the shielded cable to the ground plate has a low impedance. The connector is provided with electrical contacts which are composed of generally U-like bent spring plates. Each spring plate is supported at one end thereof on the shield shell, and comes into elastic contact with the ground plate when the cable connector is fitted into the mating connector.

Abstract: A connector hub assembly having universal joint comprises a housing including at least a first connector having its mating portion accessible from a surface of the housing. A joint device is universally attached to the housing such that the housing is moveable along a first plane. A second connector is attached to the joint device. The joint device includes a socket defined in a recessed portion of the housing and a ball joint swivelably received in the socket. Wherein the joint device further includes a pin shaft located on an end of supporting arm of the ball joint, wherein the second connector is pivotally mounted on the pin shaft.

Abstract: An electrical plug socket has a socket cover which is defined with first plug insertion holes, a socket body which is defined through an upper wall thereof with second plug insertion holes, terminals which are located inside the socket body, and an opening and closing member which is disposed on the upper wall of the socket body below the socket cover in such a way as to open and close the second plug insertion holes. The electrical plug socket further has a locking device which is installed on the opening and closing member to control movement thereof. The opening and closing member and the locking device are configured in such a way as to be actuated by insertion of a plug into the plug socket.

Abstract: A safety protective cover for socket receptacles includes an upper housing, a sliding base, a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a lower housing. The upper and lower housings are provided with receptacles, respectively. The sliding base is capable of vertical and horizontal movements between the upper and lower housings, and has elastic restoring forces. The sliding base further has stopping members that can be extended into the receptacles of the housings. When the stopping members of the cover are not simultaneously pushed away from the receptacles, the other stopping member not being pushed away blocks in the receptacle to stop horizontal displacement of the sliding base, thereby prohibiting an alien object from pushing away the stopping member and entering the socket.

Abstract: A squib connector assembly for energizing a gas producer to make it ignite, the squib connector assembly comprising a first component for supporting a male electrical connector element; a second component for supporting a female electrical connector element engageable with the male electrical connector element; and a short-circuit element selectively switchable between a short-circuit position to electrically short-circuit the male electrical connector element and a non-short-circuit position. A flat-plate-like noise filter having electromagnetic wave absorbing material is arranged between the first component and the short-circuit element, so as to allow the male electrical connector element to extend through it and surround the male electrical connector element. This can provide the squib connector assembly that can adequately meet the demand for miniaturization and space saving.

Abstract: A connector assembly has mating first and second electrical connectors and a holder in which the mated connectors are adjustable in an axial direction. The holder secures the first connector in a first position wherein electrical terminals within the first connector are engaged with shorting contacts in the holder. The first connector is held in this position while the second connector is pushed into the holder and mated with the first connector, causing terminals within the second connector to be brought into electrical connection with the terminals in the first connector and releasing the first connector from the holder securement. Further pushing of the second connector into the holder locks the connectors together and moves the mated connectors as a unit to a second position within the holder. Simultaneously, parts of the first connector force the shorting contacts out of electrical connection with the terminals. These parts exert a wiping action on the shorting contacts.

Abstract: A smart card connector switch that detects full installation of a smart card, includes first and second switch contacts (42, 40), with the second switch contact including a sheet metal switch blade (41) that can be depressed against the first contact. The second switch contact includes a polymer depressable element (60) mounted on the switch blade and having a rounded top (62) lying higher than the switch blade so a card engages and depresses the depressable element as the card approaches its fully installed position.

Abstract: An electrical connector may be utilized to connect bus bars having a wide variety of configurations to a wide variety of electrical equipment, without modification to the bus bars, electrical equipment, or connector, with the exception of cutting the electrical connector to a desired length.

Abstract: A self-locating connector comprising a first connector that houses male terminals or female terminals, a second connector that houses the female terminals or the male terminals, a support bracket that slidably supports the first connector, and a support bracket that slidably supports the second connector, in which one of the both connectors can be moved in substantially right and left directions when fitting the both connectors, the other one of the both connectors can be moved in substantially up and down directions, and thus an axial deviation between the both connectors is automatically adjusted.

Abstract: A combined terminal fitting assembly is provided to fix ends of three or more wires to one fixing place. Engaging portions (25, 26, 34, 35) for holding a right terminal fitting (TR) and a left terminal fitting (TL) assembled are provided on both upper and lower surfaces of terminal main bodies. Thus, the right terminal fittings (TR) and the left terminal fittings (TL) can be placed alternately one over another. As a result three or more wires (W) can be fixed to one fixing place. Upon assembling, the wire (W) of the right terminal fitting (TR) and the wire (W) of the left terminal fitting (TL) are brought gradually closer to each other from most distant positions. Thus, the left and right wires (W) neither overlap nor interfere with each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector for connecting welding torch, more particularly, it relates to the socket-like connecting member to be mounted on a welding apparatus.

Abstract: An improved socket structure comprises essentially a socket, an ellipse-shaped rotation foundation is disposed in the socket, a top is to combine with the top side of the socket and is firmly fixed on the rotation foundation for driving the rotation foundation to rotate; two sides in the socket are respectively configured with a ball, the ball is capable of entering the power jack of the socket; when the electric conduction copper flakes of a plug are inserted into the power jacks of the socket, the top drives the rotation foundation to rotate for generating an angle, then the ball is pushed into the power jacks by the rim of the rotation foundation and lodged in the power jacks into which the electric conduction flakes of the plug are inserted, thus the plug is inseparable from the socket; if the user wants to unplug the plug from the socket, he could just screw the top to make the balls out of the power jacks into which the electric conduction flakes are inserted, and makes it possible to separate the plug

Abstract: A connector has a housing (20) with a lock arm (28) that engages a lock (13) of a mating housing (10) when the housings (10, 20) are connected properly. Resilient members (50) are movable along a connecting direction (CD) of the housings (20, 10) and are displaceable along a direction (RDD) intersecting the connecting direction (CD). The resilient members (50) are pushed back by the mating housing (10) as the housings (20, 10) are connected. A spring (70) between the resilient member (50) and the housing (20) accumulates a biasing force to separate the housings (20, 10) as the resilient member (50) is moved back. An operable member (40) is movable along the connecting direction (CD) and has an operating portion (80) displaceable to an operable position where the lock arm (28) can be operated to cancel the locked state.

Abstract: A connector provides mechanical strength and impedance-conforming coupling between conductors in a cable and conductors on a circuit board. The conductors in the cable and the circuit board carry differential signals. The connector is comprised of a dielectric plug that has conductive terminals installed in it which comprise an electrical triad. A dielectric inner body has at least one triplet of three conductive terminals that extend into corresponding slots of the dielectric plug. The dielectric inner body has latching arm slots that receiving a latching arm of a mechanical coupling link member. A protective cover extends over a wire management support member and the dielectric inner body portion and at least partially over the dielectric plug member. The protective cover has retention openings that engage an actuator leg of a latching member. The protective cover also has at least one bias leg recess, for receiving a bias leg of the latching member.

Abstract: A connector has male and female housings (10, 40) that are connectable with one another. A moving plate (30) is movable in the male housing (10) from a first position to a second position during the connection process. A resistance arm (36) on the moving plate (30) must deflect to pass an abutting surface (21) on the male housing (10) during connection, and a lock arm (46) on the female housing (40) must deflect to pass a locking section (25) of the male housing (10) during connection. Resistance forces for deflecting the resistance arm (36) and the lock arm (46) reach peaks substantially simultaneously and before terminal fittings of the housings (10, 40) engage.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes an RJ type female housing defining a cavity. A first conductor is received in the RJ type female housing with one end of the first conductor received in the cavity. The first conductor adjacent the one end contacts a second conductor received in a cavity of an RJ type plug body when the RJ type plug body adjacent the cavity thereof is received in the cavity of the RJ type female housing.

Abstract: A securing device for immobilizing plural electric wires is disclosed. The securing device includes a notched supporting member having first and second support sides, and a signal concavity for each of the plural electric wires for allowing the plural electric wires to be placed therein, and a capping member having one end pivotally connected to one end of the notched supporting member, and being in a form of an elongated trough having a top and first and second cap sides extending from the top wherein in operation the capping member extends over a top of the notched supporting member with the first cap side extending over the first support side and the second cap side extending over the over the second support side when the capping member is closed over the notched supporting member for clamping each electric wire between the cap sides of the capping member and the notched supporting member.

Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (10), a number of contacts (20), a number of wires (30), a shell (40, 50) and a pull mechanism (60). The insulative housing includes a number of passageways (11). The contacts are received in the passageways of the insulative housing. The wires are electrically connected with the contacts. The shell is assembled to the insulative housing. The pull mechanism includes a mounting member (61) assembled to the shell and a pull tab (62) engaged with the mounting member and having a pull portion (621) for being pulled.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a system and method for indicating the orientation of a packaged IC in a socket. An LED is physically mounted to a socket. One lead of the LED is electrically connected to a positive voltage through a socket hole on the socket. When the orientation of the IC package in the socket is correct, the other lead of the LED is connected to a ground path on the packaged IC. As a result, the LED is activated indicating the orientation of the packaged IC is correct.

Abstract: An embodiment of this invention provides a system and method for sensing the status of a ZIF socket lever. An LED is physically mounted to a socket. One lead of the LED is electrically connected to a positive voltage through a electrical contact on the socket. When the ZIF socket lever is closed, the other lead of the LED is connected to a ground. As a result, the LED is activated indicating the ZIF socket lever is closed.

Abstract: A cable includes a number of wires. Each of the wires has a number of signal conductors encompassed by a dielectric sheath, and the sheath is encompassed by a conductive shield. The wires are arranged side-by-side in a row at an end of each wire, where a termination element is connected. The termination element has opposed major faces, with an array of first contacts on a first face, and an array of second contacts on the opposed face, each of the first contact being electrically connected to a corresponding second contact. Each of the signal conductors of the wire elements is connected to a corresponding one of the first contacts. The signal conductors may be a pair of wires arranged in parallel, so that all signal conductors are in a common plane.

Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (100) includes a base (2), a cover (3) fixed on the base, and a cable connector module (1) mounted between the cover and the base. The cable connector module comprises a cable (4), a plurality of shielding plates (8), and a plurality of signal terminals (7, 9). The cable comprises a plurality of lines (40) each comprising a first signal conductor (402) and a second signal conductor (404) located at an upper position and a lower position, respectively, and a grounding conductor (406). The shielding plates are respectively soldered with the grounding conductors. Each signal terminal comprises a mating portion (72, 92), and a tail portion (74, 94) being soldered with corresponding signal conductor. The tail portion comprises a plurality grasping portions (740, 940) extending vertically therefrom and grasping the signal conductor tightly for transmitting signals reliably.

Abstract: Adapters, computer systems, and methods utilize a signal pass-through for input devices to the computer system. The pass-through occurs through an adapter for the computer system that provides a housing having a first and second connector. The first connector can be connected to the input connector of the computer, such as a PS/2 connector. The second connector can be connected to a connector of the input device, such as another PS/2 connector. A cable extends from the housing so that signals from the input device are transferred through the second connector and away from the housing while signals to the computer are transferred to the housing and ultimately through the first connector to the computer. Another device, such as a network device, may be connected to the other end of the cable to receive the input device signal, receive input signals from other sources such as a network, and then deliver an input signal back to the computer through the cable and first connector.

Abstract: A connecting plug for connecting an input/output unit to a machine control with a central bus, wherein the input/output unit is to be connected to a multi-strand electrical cable connected to a bus node, has a housing with a first plug connection for an incoming cable and a second plug connection for an outgoing cable. The incoming cable is looped through to the outgoing cable forming a looped-through cable. The housing has a connector for the input/output unit. An electronic device is arranged in the housing and connected to the connector. The connector is connected by the electronic device to the looped-through cable.