Abstract: An automatic connector mutually-fitting mechanism in which a pair of connectors to be fitted together are mounted respectively on separate structural members, and the connectors are fitted together by connecting the structural members together. A male connector is projectably and retractably mounted movably in a connector guide groove of an instrument panel, a female connector is fixedly mounted on a gauge board, and a fitting lever having a cam groove is movably mounted on the gauge board. In a process of connecting the gauge board to the instrument panel, the fitting lever is moved relative to the gauge board, with a front end of the fitting lever abutted against an inner surface of the instrument panel, so that a driven pin of the male connector, fitted in the cam groove, is driven, thereby fitting the two connectors together.

Abstract: A connector connection structure includes a first connector supported on a holder and a second connector connectable to the first connector. The holder has support portions in the form of U-shaped grooves, for supporting the first connector such that the first connector is slidable in a direction of connection of the first and second connectors relative to each other. Swingable levers are swingably supported between the holder and the first connector, and there are provided drive portions that swingingly displace the swingable levers in response to the sliding movement of the first connector. Operating portions are also provided to increase driving forces of the swingable levers, and transmit the driving forces to the second connector, thereby driving the two connectors in a direction to connect the two connectors together.

Abstract: An apparatus for restricting a card within a card cage. The apparatus includes a clamping mechanism for frictionally restricting the facing sides of the card so as to restrict the card within the card cage and an actuating mechanism coupled to the clamping mechanism for actuating the clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A peripheral docketing module using a shape memory alloy actuator wire includes a shape memory alloy actuator wire controllably connected to an energy source; and a pivoting device mounted inside a system frame member architecturally positioned for occupying inside the system frame member together with a device docketed within the system frame member. Upon application of energy to the shape memory alloy actuator wire, the shape memory alloy actuator wire contracts and exerts a pulling force on the pivoting device. The result is that the pivoting device pushes and ejects the docketed device seated inside the system frame member. The employment of a shape memory alloy actuator wire replaces the employments of a solenoid and electrical motor and allows for a more compact design of an electronic system.

Abstract: The push-in/push-out lampholder has a guide track for an unlocking member which is permanently coupled to a fixation member. The guide track may be heart-shaped and be partly traversed by the unlocking member when a lamp cap is pressed into the lampholder. The lamp cap must be released if it is to reach an operational position under the influence of a spring. The fixation member permanently coupled to the unlocking member is then in engagement with a profile of the lamp cap and retains the lamp, pressed against contact members. It is not until a second, separate push is given that the unlocking member continues its path through the guide track. In a special embodiment, the fixation member and the unlocking member are combined into an integrated member, which may be a ball which is enclosed in inwardly narrowing bores of a cylindrical ball holder and in the guide track. The lampholder can be slim and can be manufactured mainly from metal or from synthetic resin.

Abstract: A flexible circuit board is used to provide the contact elements of a chip card reader. The contact area of the contact elements is obtained by deforming the flexible circuit board into cusps, with a contacting force being applied to the cusps by a single spring element. The flexible circuit board can be folded along a line which is either transverse or parallel to the card insertion direction in order to enable engagement of contact elements with both sides of the card.

Abstract: A bracket for removeably attaching a memory storage device in an equipment slide includes a frame having a face member, a lever and a pair rails. The rails attach to the face member and connect with a memory storage device. The lever rotates to eject the memory storage device from the equipment slide and the lever slides to lock the memory storage device with the equipment slide.

Abstract: An electrical interconnection system having a base unit with a cavity therein containing electrical terminals, an electrical connector adapted to be received within the cavity for mating with the terminals, a shorting clip having contact arms for shorting together at least two of the terminals within the cavity, the contact arms being displaceable therefrom in response to the insertion of the connector, and a retention system for positive retention of the connector to the base disposed along the side of the cavity; characterized in that the shorting clip is disposed at the bottom of the cavity and the contact arms are collapsible out of engagement with the terminals in response to the insertion of the connector. The interconnection system advantageously having minimal effect on the structure of the base and plug connector where the collapsible aspect of the shorting clip enables incorporation of the retention system along the side of the cavity.

Abstract: A retractable electric plug comprising a housing having a base end adapted for receiving an electrical power cord, a peripheral integral side wall connected to the base end and extended to a location to define a hollow interior and an opening; at least two electrically conductive prongs; a coupling mechanism for coupling the prongs to the housing such that they extend therefrom and are coupleable with an electrical receptacle; and a plunging mechanism coupled to the container and having a retracted orientation for allowing the prongs to be inserted within an electrical receptacle and an extended orientation for forcibly abutting the electrical receptacle for extracting the prongs therefrom.

Abstract: An ejector system is disclosed for use with an IC card connector apparatus. The ejector system includes a header connector into which an IC card is loaded and from which it is ejected. An ejector mechanism is operatively associated with the header connector and is effective to eject the IC card therefrom. The mechanism includes a push-rod reciprocally mounted on an appropriate support structure with a distal end thereof operatively associated with an ejector lever and a proximal end thereof opposite the distal end. A push-button is pivotally mounted on the proximal end of the push-rod for pivotal movement between an operative position projecting generally coaxially of the push-rod and an inoperative position rotated from the operative position to one side of the push-rod. Complementary interengaging detents are provided between the push-button and the push-rod to resist pivotal movement of the push-button from its operative position to its inoperative position.

Abstract: A system for controlling staggered connection timing of an adapter module so that live insertion, or "hot swapping", may be performed with the adapter module, has a connector with staggered pins, i.e., some pins being longer than others for initial contact with mating pins of a mating connector. The system further has a latch for controlling the timing of the connection of the staggered pins. As an adapter module is inserted into a housing, the latch allows the adapter module to be in one of three positions: (1) an entirely disconnected position where none of the pins of the adapter module are connected to the pins of the housing connector; (2) a "stopped", or partially connected, position where the longer of the staggered pins are connected between the housing and adapter modules connectors; and (3) a "fully-engaged" position wherein all pins of the connectors are engaged.

Abstract: A self-adjusting insertion/extraction apparatus is disclosed for inserting and extracting a printed circuit (PC) board into and from an electrical connector mounted at the base of a PC board rack, the apparatus being configured to function effectively regardless of limited variations in the height of the PC board. The apparatus includes a lever and a pawl pivotally secured to the PC board, at an edge of the board opposite the connector. A spring resiliently couples the lever to the pawl such that pivoting the lever from a raised position to a lowered position yieldably biases the pawl into engagement with the PC board rack, to insert the board into the rack connector. Further, raising the lever from its lowered position to its raised position moves a portion of the lever into engagement with the rack, to extract the board from the connector. Limited variations in the height of the board are accommodated by corresponding flexing of the spring.

Abstract: The present invention is a connector assembly mounted between two panels which are movable relative to each other. It includes a connector plug having a plug shell with an exterior flange, and a connector receptacle shell engageable with the plug shell and having an exterior receptacle flange. The receptacle flange has a multiplicity of openings each having an interior conical surface and an interior cylindrical surface. A multiplicity of self-alignment mounting assemblies is provided for mounting the receptacle flange to one panel. Each self-alignment mounting assembly includes an eyelet placed through the flange opening and mounted to the panel. The eyelet has an exterior conical surface engageable with the interior conical surface of each flange opening, and an exterior cylindrical surface with a reduced dimension for maintaining a clearance between the exterior cylindrical surface of the eyelet and the interior cylindrical surface of the flange opening.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lever mechanism for clamping a board to a housing. A support block is provided and is adapted to be attached to the board. A first lever, pivotally connected to the support block, is movable between first and second positions, and adapted to engage with the housing when in the first position and disengage from the housing when in the second position. A second lever is pivotally mounted on the first lever and adapted to hold the first lever in the first position by engagement with the support block. A spring is also provided for biasing the first lever towards the second position and also for biasing the second lever toward the position in which it engages with the support block.

Abstract: A plug-in terminal block is driven into a companion receptacle and drawn out of the receptacle by an actuator pivoted to the receptacle. The actuator, having driven the plug-in block into the receptacle, is in its blocking position, blocking the plug-in block against removal from the receptacle and blocking insertion of a terminal block into the receptacle. A locking device locks the actuator in its blocking position. The actuator is accessible for operating the locking device and for tilting the actuator via the door opening of an enclosure.

Abstract: A circuit board injector/ejector device for use with a circuit board to be accommodated in a rack housed in an enclosure comprises a body adapted to be secured to a front plate secured to the circuit board and a lever pivotally mounted on the body. The device is adapted to assist in providing the force necessary to effect a multiplicity of pin and socket connections at the rear of the circuit board when the circuit board is introduced into a rack and to assist in providing the force necessary to effect disconnection of the multiplicity of pin and socket connections at the rear of the circuit board when the circuit board is withdrawn from the rack.

Abstract: The grip of a plug-in module according to the present invention is rotatably supported on the upper side of a circuit board. A first end portion of the grip includes a convex portion which engages with a recessed portion in the housing to prevent the plug-in module from being dislodged from the housing by vibrations or the like. When the first and second engaging end are disengaged and the grip is rotated, a protruding end on one side of the grip abuts and applies pressure to the upper end of the housing to assist in removing the plug-in module from the housing. In addition, the above-described protruding end and an additional protruding end on the other side of the grip may be grasped by a robot to allow insertion or removal of the plug-in module by a robot.

Abstract: A tool (10) inserts and removes printed circuit boards (55) from a card cage (50) holding a plurality of such boards. The tool (10) has a guide (20), mounted on the card cage, a slider (30) slidably mounted to the guide, and lever arm (40), pivotally mounted to the slider. One tool can thus service all the printed circuit boards (55) in a card cage (50).

Abstract: An electronic device package accommodatable in an electronic device casing. When a high density multipin connector is caused to mate with a connector mounted on the casing, the former is once brought to a stop just before mating with the latter and, therefore, prevented from rapidly mating with the latter. This eliminates the damage to the body of the connector and the deformation of the pins of the connector.

Abstract: A power distribution system for office furniture includes a powerway having a power block with power block conductors therein. A outlet block is supported on the powerway and includes outlets for the office furniture. The outlets are connected to different conductors in the powerway by a jumper. The powerway may include at least three first connectors on one end and at least one second connector on the other end. The first and second connectors interconnect thereby facilitating connection with other identical powerways. According to one aspect, one component includes a projection and another component includes a recess which facilitate connection of these components using a substantially flat implement.

Abstract: A connector having a pair of opposed housings capable of being fitted to and detached from each other, guide slits formed in one of the housings, driven pins provided on the other housing, and a lever rotatably attached to the one of the housings and capable of engaging with the driven pins. The housings are fitted to or detached from each other by rotating the lever. Mating engagement holes and projections capable of engaging with each other when the housings are normally fitted are provided on one of the housings and the lever, and other engagement holes and projections for sensing the fitted state of the housings are provided on the other housing and the lever. An electric circuit for lighting a lamp to enable the fitted state to be sensed is also provided. Therefore the operator can easily confirm the locked state of the lever with the eye. Also, the mode with which the connector is designed and operated is improved.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a memory card ejection mechanism, where the card is electrically connected to a mating header, as known in the art. The mechanism comprises a memory card holder consisting of a pair of channel-shaped side rails for slidably receiving the memory card therebetween, where the rails extend between a closed mating header end and an open memory card receiving end. Each rail is defined by an outer wall, an inwardly directed upper wall, and an inwardly directed lower wall, and the joint or intersection between the outer wall and the inwardly directed upper wall is characterized by a recess extending a predetermined distance along the joint. The mechanism further includes a memory card ejector plate for slidably engaging the holder and consists of a base and a pair of upstanding side walls, where the base extends between a mating header end and a card receiving end.

Abstract: Release device for a cable used during seismic surveys at sea and towed through the water behind a vessel so that in the event of the occurrence of obstacles or other occasions when it is desirable to release the cable (1) from the towing vessel, a controlled release of the cable is possible so that it is not severed, but can be recovered for further use. At one or more locations in such cables release sections (2) are inserted which contain sensors which sense loading in the section and in the event of overloading or other occasions when release is desirable, an element (5) is activated which cause a release mechanism (6) to be activated and thereby causes a split in the cable (1) at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A removing mechanism for a plug assembly which is inserted in an retracted from a socket upon axial movement of the plug assembly, the mechanism having relatively movable concentric members arranged around either a plug assembly or a socket, one of the members being an actuating member, a retainer which holds the actuating member to the plug assembly or the socket and allows relative rotational movement, and one of the members transmitting axial movement to cause axial movement of the plug assembly to retract the plug from the socket; and a motion converting connection between the members including an angled cam on the actuating member and cooperating surface on the other member which converts a manual force applied to rotate the actuating member relative to the other member into an axial force pressing against the socket and an equal and opposite axial force applied to the plug assembly which moves the plug assembly axially in a direction away from the socket and retracts the plug assembly.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for receiving and ejecting a memory card which is connected to a electronic device, includes an ejection lever being able to slide on a surface of a housing plate for pulling out and disconnect the memory card from connecting pins by hooking at an edge of the memory card, and a rotating axis for enabling the ejection lever to swing on the surface of housing plate and holding the ejection lever rotatable through the housing plate by sliding contact within an internal surface of tubular projection of the lever.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect device includes an elongated socket for releasably holding a module in an engaged position therein and an ejector for ejecting at least a portion of the module from the socket. The device also includes a lever arm for rotating the module ejector means about an axis of rotation extending in the direction of elongation of the socket to move the module ejector against a module held in the socket. This action causes at least a portion of the module to be disengaged from the socket means to enable a user to extract the module from the socket means. The rotatably actuated module ejector is mounted on the device to lie between two modules that are held in side-by-side relation in the socket. The lever arm is pivotable about an axis of rotation either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to permit a technician to remove more than one module from the socket.

Abstract: A card connector is provided which avoid jamming and twisting of a closely guided card (10) during card ejection. The connector includes a frame (7) that closely slideably guides the card and an ejector (4) with parts (18) that engage opposite sides of the rear edge of the card to eject it. A lever (5) pivotally mounted on the frame has one end connected to a rearwardly movable ejector button (3) and an opposite end pivotally connected to the ejector, so rearward movement of the button causes forward movement of the ejector. The ejector is slidably mounted on the frame to move accurately in rearward and forward directions to avoid jamming and twisting of the closely guided card.

Abstract: An actuator for use with electric conductor systems using push-to-connect fittings, especially suitable for tractor/semi-trailer connections employing an actuator body having linearly displaceable plungers mounted upon a flexible conductor fitting which separates the conductor fitting and receptacle upon the plungers extending. A lever operator mounted upon the actuator body is connected to a flexible lanyard of a length less than that of the electrical conductor whereby tensioning of the lanyard occurs before damaging tension can be applied to the conductor and lanyard tensioning extends the plungers to disconnect the conductor fitting and receptacle.

Abstract: An IC socket has an IC accommodating portion, at least one ejection lever disposed in the IC accommodating portion, and a socket board for supporting a generally central portion of the lever in such a manner as to be able to effect a seesaw motion. An IC is supported by a push-up lever portion on one end of the lever for effecting the seesaw motion. A push-down force is exerted on the push-down lever portion on the other end for effecting a seesaw motion of the lever, thereby to move up the push-up lever portion on the one end in order to push up the IC. The IC socket is characterized in that the push-up lever portion is provided with a small projection on a lower surface of the push-up lever portion and a cone-shaped concave portion is formed at a position corresponding to the small production in the socket board so that the lever is correctly positioned with respect to the socket board.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for making connections between the pins of a multi-pin component and sockets mounted on a circuit board. A plurality of converter elements are installed between the component pins and sockets. Each converter element includes a receptor for mating with a pin of the multiple pin component. The receptor is sized to engage a pin having any diameter within a coarse range of diameters. Each converter element also includes a precision pin for mating with a socket on the circuit board. The diameter of the precision pin is held to a tolerance so that it is within a precision range of diameters. The variation in diameter within the precision range is less than the variation within the coarse range of diameters.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to provide electrical interconnections between a first electronic device (such as printer) having a plurality of external electrical connectors, and a second electronic device (such as an electronics PCB package) having an electrical connector (such as a mass pin connector) mounted on its housing. The apparatus has an interconnection assembly with a set of electrical connectors adapted to mate with the electrical connectors of the printer, and a mass pin connector along its bottom edge to mate with the corresponding mass pin connector on the PCB package. A predefined set of electrical connections exist between the printer connectors and the mass pin connector on the interconnection assembly.

Abstract: A connector apparatus to be connected to an IC pack comprises housing means for receiving and holding the IC pack inserted thereto, connector means for connecting electrically to the inserted IC pack, ejecting means for ejecting the inserted IC pack from the connector means having at least two ejecting arms having a U-shaped cross section, two opposing sections of the ejecting arm sandwiching the housing means, and the other section perpendicular to the opposing sections being arranged to contact with the front end of the IC pack, and means for activating the ejecting means so as to eject the IC pack from the connector means by pulling out with the ejecting arms kept in contact with the front end of the IC pack.

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: An apparatus and method are provided for removing an electronic module from a connector within a housing. The module is both insertable and removable through an opening within the housing. The apparatus includes a lever arm which is situated mainly internal to the housing except for an end portion of the arm which extends sufficiently far outside of the housing to enable a user to grasp the arm end portion. The lever arm includes first and second engagement points for contacting the module to assist in the extraction of the module from the housing. First, when the user initially pulls on the arm end portion, this action applies a first relatively high level extraction force to the module at said first engagement point. In this manner, the module is removed from the connector via a relatively high first mechanical advantage exhibited by the arm end portion with respect to the first engagement point.

Abstract: An electrical contact unit electrically connects a first main member, e.g., a camera housing, with a second main member, e.g., a camera lens, which is mountable on the first main member. The first main member is provided with a contact cradle, which has first electrical contacts, e.g. pins, and a rolling or sliding member. The contact cradle is rotatably mounted on a cradle axle. The second main member is provided with second electrical contacts and a receiving recess. When the second main member is in a first mounting position, it presses against the rolling or sliding member so that the contact cradle assumes a retracted position, in which none of the first electrical contacts are in contact with the second main member.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for use with a plug-in cartridge or the like. The latching mechanism comprises a body portion; a pair of walls extending from the body portion; a camming portion; and an actuating portion. The walls of the latching mechanism are snap locatable onto pivot pins on a face plate of the plug-in cartridge, or the like, and thereby allow the latching mechanism to pivot on the face plate. Furthermore, the walls of the latching mechanism have apertures which are snap locatable onto detents on the face plate thereby resiliently latching the latching mechanism when it is fully inserted into a cabinet. The camming portion projects from the latching mechanism and is used for engaging a cooperating projection on a cover of the cabinet.

Abstract: A machine-pluggable electronic package for sliding engagement into a machine having a first electrical connector and first and second locking means. The package comprises a first electrical connector, a second electrical connector positioned on the package so that the second electrical connector can be connected to a connector outside of the machine and a lever. The lever has first and second locking means and is pivotably mounted on the package so that when the lever is moved in a first direction the first locking means of the lever engages the first locking means of the machine and locks the package in the machine and engages the first electrical connector of the package with the first electrical connector of the machine. When the lever is moved in a second direction the second locking means of the lever engages the second locking means of the machine and disengages the first electrical connector of the package from the first electrical connector of the machine and unlocks the package from the machine.

Abstract: The subject invention is a separation device for first and second generally parallel printed circuit boards connectable by a plurality of pins projecting normally thereto. The separation device comprises a first member attachable to the first board and having a hole extending laterally therethrough. The device also comprises a second member having a shaft mateable with the hole, an eccentric body, and means for rotating the second member. When rotated, the eccentric body provides a separation force on the boards.

Abstract: A socket for the use of an electric part has contacts disposed in such a manner as to contact with contact pieces or leads of an electric part and a stage with the electric part supported thereon and able to move between a lower position where the contact pieces are brought into contact with the contacts and an upper position where the contact pieces are brought out of contact with the contacts. The socket further has a swingable crankshaft as means for restraining the stage in the upper or lower position. The crankshaft is provided with a crank bar portion disposed in such a manner as to vertically move upward and downward while supporting the stage and to push up the stage during a raising movement thereof and a crank arm portion which is swung about the crank bar portion and engaged with lock means thereby to restrain the stage in the upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A decoupler and method for decoupling a plug of a power cord from the electrical outlet. The device comprises at least one flanged means which is adaptable to be grasped by a user's fingers to exert a pulling force at a distance from the plug to decouple the plug from the outlet and means for retaining the decoupler to the power cord. The method comprises the steps of selectively positioning a flanged means on the wire of a power cord at a distance from the plug of the cord; fixing the flanged means to the power cord, grasping the flanged means with a user's fingers; and applying a pulling force to the flanged means with the user's fingers to decouple the plug from an electrical outlet.

Abstract: An IC package extracting mechanism used in an IC socket is disclosed. The socket has a socket substrate including an IC package accommodation section, and a contact for a contacting a terminal of the IC package which is accommodated in the IC package accommodating section. The socket includes a seesaw lever for pushing up the IC package. The seesaw lever has at its one end an IC package push-up lever portion disposed below the IC package accommodated in the IC package accommodation section and at its other end a push-down lever position. The IC package push-up lever portion and the push-down lever portion are able to move up and down in a seesaw motion balancing on a support disposed at the center between the portions. The socket substrate is provided with push-down means for applying push-down force to the push-down lever portion. The push-down means pushes down the push-down lever portion to move the IC package push-up lever portion up, so that the IC package will be pushed up.

Abstract: An electric power supply connector such as a plug or a plug adapter for supplying a power source voltage to an electrical appliance. The connector has conductive connecting legs of a metallic material having high electrical conductivity and formed to be projected from or recessed into the surface of a main part of the connector. An actuating member is resiliently urged to extend from the inside to the outside of the connector so as to be able to project from a surface of the main part of the connector.

Abstract: A connection mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a cable connector to a bushing mounted on an electrical apparatus comprising a saddle shroud adapted to be connected to the cable connector and having an upwardly extending extension, a plate connected to the electrical apparatus above the bushing for supporting the saddle shroud and for permitting movement of the saddle shroud relative to the bushing, the plate having a slot which receives and supports the saddle shroud extension.

Abstract: A connector device is provided for receiving a smart card having a plurality of electric contact areas distributed along a forward edge. The device has a reception case having a card introduction passage with a stop limiting insertion of the card. Flexible contact blades are placed so as to bear on the areas and to exert on the card a force tending to move it away from the stop; a resilient bolt is carried by the case and cooperates with a cam formed on the end part of the card. The end part of the card, the cam means and the bolt have a construction such that full insertion of the card and return under the action of the blades cause locking of the card in a set contact position and that a second thrust exerted by the card frees the cam means from the bolt.

Abstract: A tapered wedge-like member has a shoulder which abuts a printed circuit board edge. A yoke extending from the shoulder is pinned to a corner of the board. Two such tabs are attached to two corners of the board for providing finger accessible extraction of the board from a connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remote electrical connector which is particularly adapted for use in hostile environments, such as nuclear reactor plants. The connector comprises a static assembly and a removable assembly which can be connected and disconnected by means of a remotely-operated hook. One of the assemblies is provided with a guide rail at the bottom thereof which extends forwardly from the assembly, while the other assembly has a glide at the bottom thereof for sliding on the rail during connection or disconnection of the assemblies. The static assembly includes a male receptacle mounted thereon and a first cylindrical section which surrounds the receptacle. The removable assembly has a female socket mounted thereon with a second cylindrical section surrounding the female socket. The second cylindrical section is proportioned to fit within the first cylindrical section and is provided with a particular sealing ring for sealing and aligning with the first cylindrical section.

Abstract: A lever pivotally mounted on a forward brace of a removable control unit abuts a pin on the cabinet for limiting direct insertion of the unit to a depth insufficient to effect electrical engagement of plug-in connectors of the unit with bus bars in a motor control cabinet, such engagement requiring subsequent pivotal movement of the lever which automatically latches the unit in the cabinet. A compound movement of the lever is required to release the latch and separate the plug-in connectors from the bus bar. A detent structure maintains the lever in a first position for inserting the control unit into the cabinet and padlocking provisions are provided to insure the lever remain in that position when desired, thereby blocking full insertion of the control unit into the cabinet.

Abstract: A test socket for integrated circuit packages has a body member carrying a plurality of pairs of opposed contacts on either side of a circuit package receiving cavity which seats a depressible spring loaded platform. When a circuit package is inserted, the contacts make electrical contact with the circuit package terminals and are deflected outwardly as the package is pressed downwardly. The force exerted by the deflected contacts and the terminals is sufficient to provide good electrical contact and to overcome the biasing force on the platform to retain the circuit package in the socket. The circuit package is released by a tool which has a cavity to receive the body member and cam elements to deflect the contacts and permit the spring-loaded platform to move upwardly and release the circuit package.

Abstract: Insertion and extraction of a circuit board (40) into and from a car guide (10) is aided by a lever-like, rigid, elongated member (66) hingedly attached at one hinged end (62) thereof to one side (22) of the card guide (10). The other nonhinged end (64) of the member (66) is manipulatable so that the member (66) may be moved between an open and a closed position. A bump (70) on the member (66) contacts the trailing edge (44) of the circuit board during insertion as the member (66) is moved to its closed position. In the closed position, the member (66) extends from one hinge side (22) of the card guide (10) to the other nonhinge side (12) thereof. A locking device (94) on the nonhinge side (12) of the card guide (10) releasably engages the nonhinge end (64) of the member (66) in the closed position.

Abstract: Locking springs project from a plug body, and support bars are axially movably held against the locking springs. The support bars axially engage a coupling sleeve through engagement members. With the support bars in engagement with the coupling sleeve, the support bars are urged to move in a forward direction under the bias of a coil spring. When a plug is to be coupled to a socket, the support bars are caught by a front surface of a socket body, allowing the locking springs to be inserted into an insertion slot in the socket body. When protrusions on the locking springs are inserted in recesses in the insertion slot, the support bars are urged by the coil spring to be inserted into the insertion slot, and the protrusions axially engage in the recesses, whereupon the plug and the socket are locked together. When the coupling sleeve is pulled back against the bias of the coil spring, the support bars are withdrawn out of the insertion slot to allow the plug to be pulled out of the socket.