Abstract: A movable connector is provided which is more compact, reduces the attachment area on the board, increases the strength of attachment to the board, and increases the reliability of electrical connections. The movable connector has an insulating housing, contacts held in the vicinity of the mating portion of this housing, and retention legs (metal attachment members) held in the housing and fastened to the board. Each retention leg has a mounting portion mounted on the housing, and an attachment portion attached to the board and connected to the mounting portion in a position that is removed from the surface of the circuit board in the upward direction. Since the contacts and retention legs are flexible with respect tot he housing, a movable connector is obtained that can move over the surface of the board so that any positional deviation with the mating connector can be absorbed.

Abstract: A rectifier assembly employs a set of diodes to rectify alternating current from an alternator to direct current for use by the electrical system of an automobile. The rectifier includes a plurality of thermal safety disconnects coupled along circuit paths within the rectifier assembly. When the resultant temperature caused by the heat provided to the safety disconnect as a result of the diodes overheating is above a threshold level, the safety disconnect melts away to disconnect the circuit path associated with the safety disconnect.

Abstract: An electric connector with a terminal is provided, which includes: a first electric connector having a connector housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber is formed; a second electric connector with a second terminal; a first terminal to be accommodated in the connector housing and to be connected with an electric wire; an electrical contact section provided on the first terminal and having a contact piece to be electrically connected with the second terminal; a wire connection section provided on the first terminal for connecting an electric wire; and a space provided between the electrical contact section and an inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber for allowing relative movement between the electrical contact section and the connector housing. The space is formed by making a step between a bottom of the electrical contact section and a bottom of the wire connection section.

Abstract: When the holder 20 is assembled to the male side housing 10 (stationary side housing), the cam grooves 23a, 23b respectively engage with the cam pins 41a, 41b, so that the female side housing 40 (movable side housing) is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the assembling direction and located at the connecting position, so that both the terminal metal fittings 18, 50 are connected with each other. At this time, due to the friction caused between the terminal metal fittings 18, 50, a force resisting displacement of the female side housing 40 and also resisting assembly of the holder 20 is generated. However, a cam action is exerted by the cam grooves 23a, 23b which are oblique with respect to the assembling direction. Therefore, an intensity of the operation force to be given to the holder 20 in the assembling direction is low. When the above structure is adopted, it is unnecessary to provide a manual operation member which is independent as an assembly force reducing means.

Abstract: A connection structure for power supply to a vehicle door including a door side connector 4, a body side connector 3, a plurality of female terminals 9 provided in parallel in either one of the connectors, and a plurality of male terminals 46 corresponding to the female terminals provided in parallel in the other of the connectors, the female terminals 9 and the male terminals 46 being connected to each other when the door is closed, the female terminals 9 being arranged close to one another and synchronously swingable around a support shaft 15 in a direction of axial displacement with respect to the male terminals 46. The connection structure further includes a spring member 16 for forcing a pair of contact portions 20 of each of the female terminals 9 into a closed state, the spring member 16 including a pair of leg portions 16b1, 16b2 which are in abutment against spring receiving walls 36 of a housing 8 of either one of the connectors.

Abstract: The electrical connector of the present invention includes a female contact 1 having a pair of contact receiving cavities 5a and 5b at both ends that are capable of accommodating mating contacts A and B. One mating contact A is inserted into and removed from one of the contact receiving cavities 5a. A pair of lances 9a and 9b extend from the female contact away from each other and contact the side walls 16 of the cavity 14 of the housing 10, to allow contact float.

Abstract: An electrical connector is mountable on a substrate and receives a terminal pin of a complementary electrical device. The connector includes a dielectric housing adapted for mounting on an upper surface of the substrate and includes a receptacle extending into an appropriate hole in the substrate. A terminal is mounted on the housing and includes a contact portion in registry with the receptacle in the housing. The terminal pin of the electrical device is engaged with the contact portion of the terminal as the pin is inserted into the receptacle of the housing beyond the upper surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The electrical connector of the present invention includes a female contact 1 having a pair of contact receiving cavities 5a and 5b at both ends that are capable of accommodating mating contacts A and B. One mating contact A is inserted into and removed from one of the contact receiving cavities 5a. A pair of lances 9a and 9b extend from the female contact away from each other and contact the side walls 16 of the cavity 14 of the housing 10, to allow contact float.

Abstract: An electrical connecting configuration is able to accommodate large variations in assembly tolerances. Terminal fittings 35 are composed of electrically conductive fixed terminals 36, these fixed terminals 36 being fixed to electric wires 32 and being fixed on a connector unit 20, and movable terminals 37. The movable terminals 37 maintain a contacting state with the fixed terminals 36 and being capable of moving in a direction perpendicular to a direction of joining of two units 10 and 20. If terminal members 16 and the terminal fittings 35 show a dislocation in position when the two units 10 and 20 are to be joined together, the terminals 37 within the terminal fittings 35 change position, thereby absorbing the dislocation in position and allowing the terminal members 16 to fit without hindrance.

Abstract: A method of mounting a connector of a pair of connectors that are respectively mounted on a stationary panel and a movable panel, and that engage with one another. A first connector of the pair of connectors is movably mounted on one of the stationary panel and the movable panel via a spring. The first connector has a flange portion that extends outwardly from an outer periphery of the first connector and has a first through hole. A base plate has a second through hole that is aligned with the first through hole. The method of mounting the connector includes integrating the second connector and the base plate into an assembly by inserting a bolt having the spring into the first and the second through holes prior to the second connector being mounted on one of the stationary panel and the movable panel, and then fixing the base plate of the assembly on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel so as to movably mount the second connector on the one of the stationary panel and the movable panel.

Abstract: A connector comprises an insulative housing in which a plurality of passageways are defined. A plurality of contacts are received in the passageways. Each contact comprises an engagement plate loosely retained in the passageway, a positioning section connected to the engagement plate via a first flexible neck and mounted thereon a solder ball, a contacting section located above the positioning section and connected to the positioning section via a second flexible neck. When the solder ball is soldered on a printed circuit board and the housing and the contact is urged by an external electrical device, the housing is moved downward with respect to the engagement plate of the contact and the contacting section is pressed downward by the external electrical device, with the second flexible neck being deformed for providing a normal force facilitating the contacting section to abut against the external electrical device.

Abstract: An electronic control unit has a connector intervening between an external load and a printed circuit board inside the unit housing including a circuit casing and a connector casing both formed integrally therewith. At least one connector terminal of the connector is provided with a buffering portion effective to absorb an external stress. This connector terminal can be accurately and precisely constrained in a housing and can provide a stabilized electrical connection with a high workability.

Abstract: A ZIF socket of the present invention comprises a base, a cover slidably mounted on the base, a number of terminals received in the base and a cam mechanism arranged between the base and the cover for driving the cover to move along the base in one direction. Each terminal comprises an engaging portion, a retention portion, a neck interconnecting the engaging and retention portions and a mounting pad. The engaging portion comprises a pair of cantilevers symmetrically extending a predetermined distance from the neck in one direction and converging toward each other. The neck is flexible enough so that the engaging portion rotates with respect to the neck whereby the pair of cantilevers is reliably connected with a contact tail of an electronic package even when the contact tail is incorrectly positioned in the aperture.

Abstract: An electrical coupling device for connecting separable connecting leads between at least two switchrooms is in particular for medium voltage switchgears, the connecting leads being passed through container walls and surrounded, in each case, by a rotationally symmetrical insulating body, the insulating bodies being surrounded by an insulating collar that is common to both, the connecting leads being connected by a contact device in an electrically conductive manner. Lead-in pins are provided on front-form sides with a multi-contact which acts as an annular contact body for receiving a contact pin. The contact pin is configured in one piece and is also spherical in the area of the multi-contact. The contact pin is surrounded by a sleeve, which in the longitudinal middle area of the contact pin is configured so as to curve inward and is connected to the sleeve in an electrically conductive manner.

Abstract: A self-aligning electrical connector for providing electrical communication between two electrical devices includes an electrical contact. A terminal system is resiliently coupled to the electrical contact by a resilient frame. The resilient frame is capable of allowing the electrical contact to move relative to the terminal system along X and Y axes.

Abstract: An improved wiring system for vehicle doors allows the trim panel to be simply snapped to the metal door frame. Electrical connections are made by floating electrical connectors at the time the two are snapped together. Alignment pins on the floating connector are received within corresponding openings in the second connector to facilitate alignment. In other features, a water barrier may include electric wire holding structure such that the wires may be merely mounted to the water barrier, without the necessity of any complex wire harness. In other aspects of this invention, a plurality of electrical components may be connected through a single electrical connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coaxial connector element capable of coupling by translation along a coupling direction (23) with an associated coaxial electric connector element and comprising an electrically conductive outer body (8) intended to serve as outer conductor, a central conductor (11), fixed with respect to the outer body and located within the body and insulated from it and, on a face known as the coupling face of the connector element, a coaxial contact element comprising an outer contact (14) connected to the outer conductor, which is constituted by the body, and a central contact (12) connected to the central conductor. It comprises, between the outer contact (14) and the body (8) or between the central contact and the central conductor, an articulation, which permits the contact in question (14) to orient itself without being deformed in different directions forming an angle other than zero with the direction of coupling (23) of the connector element.

Abstract: A bus bar-holding structure includes a bus bar-holding member to which a bus bar including a base portion, a terminal portion and a bent portion formed between the base portion and the terminal portion is attachable, the bus bar-holding member having an insertion hole formed therein, in which the terminal portion of the bus bar is slidably movable in the insertion hole and partially projectable from the bus bar-holding member outwardly, a retaining member retaining a part of the base portion of the bus bar spaced from the bent portion, and a projection amount-limiting portion abutted against an inner side portion of the bent portion of the bus bar. Therefore, the bus bar can be elastically deformed and flexed about the retaining member in a retracting direction of the terminal portion.

Abstract: A combined power and fiber optic cable can be terminated and connected to a second such cable. The male plug, in addition to its two male blades and hollow ground pin, carries a fiber optic conductor spring mounted to the plug. The receptacle has the normal female contact and ground pin contact to receive the blades and ground pin, respectively. The receptacle further carries a fiber optic conductor. When the male plug and receptacle are joined the electrical circuit between electrical conductors joined to the plug and receptacle are closed. In addition the end faces of the fiber optic conductors within the plug and receptacle are joined. The spring allows the fiber optic conductor of the plug to stay in intimate contact with the fiber optic conductor of the receptacle.

Abstract: A connector connecting structure capable of smoothly connecting connectors, for example, on a vehicle door trim and on a door panel respectively, even in case of the door trim slantingly approaching the door panel. A projection having a terminal conductor is orthogonally arranged on a substrate and is rotatable about a flexible portion as a supporting point, while a slant guide corresponding to the projection is formed on a connector corresponding to the projection for enabling the projection to be inserted into the connector slidingly and rotatively along the slant guide. Practically, a vehicle door trim functions as a substrate and a connector is provided on a vehicle door panel for enabling a projection on the door trim to be inserted into the connector upon rotative assemblage of the door trim onto the door panel.

Abstract: A door panel (12) is provided with auxiliaries (2-4) and their respective connectors (7-9), and a door trim (5), which is joined to the door panel, is provided with a circuit body (6) having connectors (30-32) fittable to the connectors (7-9). The door trim (5) has a rib (34) projecting thereon, and end conductors (16a, . . . ) of the circuit body (6) extend onto the rib (34) to constitute connectors (30-32). The rib (34) is deflectable. The door trim (5) has a circuit body expand and contract member (47) through which the circuit body (6) extends to an automobile body side. The troublesome wiring work of a circuit body on the door panel side is obviated.

Abstract: Fixed electrodes 40 and terminals 30 are mounted on a casing main body 21 of a breaker device 10 with bolts 50. Each terminal 30 is firmly fixed between the end surface of a spacer 52 fitted on the bolt 50 and a mount base 24 by a fastening force of the bolt 50, and each fixed electrode 40 is pressed against the terminal 30 by an elastic force of a spring washer 52 fitted around the spacer 51 and is mounted such that it can be inclined by deforming the spring washer 52 by a remaining deformation margin. Accordingly, when the fixed electrode 40 is pushed by the movable electrode 44, the inclinations of the fixed electrodes 40 are automatically adjusted to reduce a sliding resistance which acts between the movable electrode 44 and the fixed electrode 40, thereby facilitating the switching operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coaxial cable plug-in assembly for coaxial cables and including an electrical connection assembly. The electrical connection assembly can be connected to ground potential. The plug-in assembly includes two complementary parts. At least one of the plug-in assembly parts embraces an electrically insulating base member which is intended to accommodate a connecting device and which includes at least one through-penetrating hole adapted for coaction with a first subpart of a sleeve-like connecting device, and with a second subpart adapted for coaction with a coaxial cable whose screening conductor is intended to embrace the second subpart of the connecting device. The electrical connection assembly includes a spring-like collar which extends completely or partially around the second subpart of the connecting device for electrical and mechanical coaction between the subpart and the collar, and further includes a supportive part which coacts with the collar.

Abstract: A coaxial connector adaptor for connecting at least a pair of coaxial connections disposed in an opposing relationship to each other and displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the opposing direction thereof, includes an outer conductor connection terminal whose opposite end portions slidably contact for angular displacement with outer conductors of the opposing coaxial connectors, and a central conductor connection terminal whose opposite end portions slidably contact for angular displacement with central conductors of the opposing coaxial connectors.

Abstract: A unitary electrical terminal including an internally threaded connecting post (11), an intermediate section (13), a helical flexure section (15) connected between the connecting post and the intermediate section, and an anchoring section (17) attached to the intermediate section. In use, the anchoring section is embedded in encapsulant material of an electrical device.

Abstract: A headlight for a vehicle has a housing, a gas discharge lamp arranged in the housing and having an opening, a closing part arranged to close the opening of the housing, a voltage source with which the gas discharge lamp is connectable, a plug connection provided for connecting the gas discharge lamp with the voltage source and including a stationary plug part arranged on the housing and a releasable plug part arranged outside of the housing. The closing part is releasable from outside of the housing for releasing the opening and has an extremity which in a position in which the closing part closes the opening, extends in the plug connection. The releasable plug part is elastically deformable at least in a region and, in an initial condition before its mounting, has a shape in which it is not electrically conductively connectable with the stationary plug part.

Abstract: An inductive charging system having a light-activated mechanical positioning system for aligning a charge probe to a charge port in an electric vehicle to charge propulsion batteries of the electric vehicle. The present invention permits automatic docking of the electric vehicle to the charging system without operator assistance or intervention. A light detector, such as an an array of photoelectric detectors is disposed adjacent the charge probe. A light source is disposed on the electric vehicle that is aligned with the charge port. The detector or array of photoelectric detectors is coupled to a servo control system that includes an X-Y-Z mechanical driver that moves the position of the charge probe relative to the position of the charge port. The servo control system moves the position of the charge probe relative to the position of the charge port in the X, Y, or Z directions, based upon signals provided by the detector or array of photoelectric detectors.

Abstract: A structure for contact points of a shift switch used in a computer. The structure includes an elastic contact plate disposed under the shift switch and having projecting contact points to contact the corresponding conductive contact portions of the circuit board. A sloped slot is formed between adjacent contact portions to separate the contact portions from each other and to avoid detachment and scattering of the conductive material of the contact portions. The contact points are designed with an elongated shape so as to provide a smooth sliding motion of the contact points through the sloped slots.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: There is disclosed a connector in which a metal terminal having stabilizers can be smoothly inserted into a terminal receiving chamber of a connector housing. The connector includes the connector housing having the rearwardly-opening terminal receiving chambers, and the metal terminals each having the projected stabilizers. A tapered insertion guide portion is formed at a rear end of a side wall of the terminal receiving chamber.

Abstract: A circuit board for an instrument cluster comprises injection-molded plastic springs connecting islands of the circuit board to a main portion of the circuit board. Each island further has integrally-molded clips residing in the plane of the island. The clips are adapted for insertion and retention of terminals of electrical gauge movements. When the electrical gauge movements are attached to the circuit board via the clips, the springs provide compliance so that the gauge movements can then be attached to one or more face plates of the instrument cluster. The compliance provided by the springs allows tolerance stack-ups among the various components of the instrument cluster assembly to be overcome.

Abstract: This invention provides a high-density planar contact array capable of interconnecting various electronic devices using a pad to pad approach or pad to pin, which is capable of accommodating non-coplanarity in the Z axis of printed circuit boards but which still maintains good electrical contact.The array comprises an insulative substrate sheet that has a plurality of parallel conductive lines terminating in a pad over a hole in the substrate.

Abstract: A miniature bulkhead connector (10) is disclosed having a novel anti-rotational mechanism for preventing rotation of the center conductor (90) during mating with a mating connector. The connector includes a metal housing (14) arranged to be mounted to a bulkhead (20) and an insulating insert (40) in a cavity (38) within the housing. The insert (40) has a central hole (54) therethrough on the longitudinal axis (43) of the insert. A series of ribs (62) are formed on the interior surface of the central hole (54) parallel with the axis and are arranged to form channels (64) between adjacent ribs. the channels (64) are sized to receive edges (94) that project from opposite sides of the contact (56). The edges (94) slide into the channels (64) allowing the contact to freely move along the longitudinal axis (43) but will not permit relative rotation thereof. Since there are a number of channels, there is a similar number of angular positions from which the contact may be inserted into the insulating insert.

Abstract: This invention prevents terminals 4 and 5 from being abraded or ground at contacting portions due to vibrations. An end of a male terminal 5 is secured in a part of a stepped hole 16 in a rear wall portion 12 and the other end off the terminal 5 18 coupled to a female terminal 4. Even if the female terminal 4 is displaced due to vibrations in a coupled position relative to the male terminal 5, the male terminal 5 can elastically deflect in another part of the stepped hole 16 in accordance with a displacement of the female terminal 4. Consequently, an abnormal contacting pressure caused by vibration at contacting portions of the male and female terminals 5 and 4 can be absorbed to reduce wear or abrasion between them.

Abstract: Positive mechanical alignment is provided between substrates using micro-bump contacts by forming "detented" conductive bump contacts on one substrate having a concave end which receive and align the generally convex contour of bump contacts on the other substrate. Various configurations of concavities and convexities are described. Flux may be disposed in the concave end of the detented bump contact to promote formation of joints between the concave and convex bump contacts. Both bump contacts may be formed of reflowable material, such as solder, or one or the other of the contacts may be formed of a non-reflowable material which may also function as a standoff between the two substrates. Each substrate is provided with a plurality of bump contacts, and one substrate may be provided with a combination of convex and concave bump contacts corresponding to concave and convex bump contacts on the other substrate. The inventive technique is useful for joining die-to-die, die-to-substrate, or package-to-substrate.

Abstract: An electric vehicle having a computer for controlling the charging of its battery includes a probe adapted to connect with a receptacle on a charging station which has a computer for controlling the charging voltage provided over the connection to the vehicle. In response to the vehicle announcing its presence with a broadcast signal, the charge station receptacle may be raised until it senses a laser signal presented by the vehicle to indicate alignment of the receptacle with the vehicle probe. The vehicle and station communicate over a current loop to establish battery type and voltage, method of payment and credit card number, as well as the cost basis for the power. When communications are complete, the system switches over to utilize the same connections for the charging current. The computers include stop modes which they rest in, and to which they return if performance of vehicle and station diagnostics (respectively) indicate inoperability or if other faults occur.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly which is adaptive to accommodate variations in the diameters of, and in the spacing between, pins with which it mates. The sockets of the assembly are formed with elongated fingers which deflect for larger diameter pins and are mounted to the connector housing in such a way that they have limited freedom of movement orthogonally to the longitudinal axes of the sockets to accept variations in the pin spacing.

Abstract: A female electrical contact comprises at least one flexible blade extending in a longitudinal direction and elastically deformable transversely to this longitudinal direction. It includes a contact member comprising the flexible blade or blades, a rear portion attached to the flexible blade or blades and an electrically conductive contact support. The rear part of the contact member and the contact support have complementary holding members which cooperate mechanically so that rotation of the contact member in at least one direction about its rear portion offsets its longitudinal axis relative to a nominal direction without significantly deforming the flexible blade or blades.

Abstract: An improved connector terminal is provided that is capable of being inserted more easily into a terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing.The connector terminal comprises a wire connecting part and an electric contact part that may be inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber of a connector housing having an opening edge. The electric contact part includes a rectangular cylindrical body having two pairs of opposing walls for a total of four walls and a guide protrusion protruding continually from the tip of at least one of the four walls of the body. The guide protrusion has a guide surface that slides along the opening edge of the connector housing when the electric contact part is inserted into the terminal accommodating chamber.

Abstract: A plug connector may include an electrically insulated contact holder and a plug contact or contact element located in a contact chamber of the contact holder. The plug connector may be configured as a multi-pole plug connector exhibiting a plurality of contact chambers and contact elements. A plug contact or contact element may have an outwardly curving annular bead and may be configured as a bearing support with an annular groove in the contact chamber. The annular groove may be configured to complement the contour of the annular bead. The annular groove may be located in the terminal area on the connection side of a contact chamber. Alternatively, the annular groove may be located in the contact element and the annular bead may be disposed in the contact chamber. The plug connector may be manufactured without a water tight connection, if desired.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a plurality of apertures receiving a plurality of terminals having pin portions projecting from the housing for insertion into complementary holes in a printed circuit board. At least some of the terminals are mounted in the housing for movement between first and second positions in response to mounting the connector to the printed circuit board. In the first position, the terminals are fixed relative to the housing to facilitate alignment and insertion of the pin portions into the holes in the printed circuit board. In the second positions, the terminals can float relative to the housing to accommodate a differential in thermal expansion between the housing and the printed circuit board. Other terminals are mounted in the apertures and maintained in a fixed position relative to the housing when some of the terminals are in floating positions.

Abstract: A multiple terminal connector capable of self alignment and blind plugging. The connector has high current and high voltage capabilities and allows flexibility in the positioning of connectors on a chassis since large amounts of misalignments can be tolerated. Spring means bias terminal stabs towards a central position while allowing lateral float to accommodate misalignment.

Abstract: A connector assembly for effectively coupling two pairs of connectors wherein one of the pairs is located on a first member, e.g., a chassis, and the second pair is located on a rigid second member, e.g., a slidable card/board structure, adapted for being positioned relative to the first member such that the one pair of connectors on the second member engage the pair on the first member. The receiving connectors are each adapted for movement in response to engagement by the engaging (partner) connectors to thus compensate for possible misalignment of the second connectors. The first of these receiving connectors is movable in two different manners of direction while the second is movable in at least three (and in one embodiment, four) different manners of direction. A component for an information handling system which uses such a connector assembly as part thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A terminal block has terminal cavities housing female terminals having a side wall and vertically spaced, deflectable lock tangs that project rearwardly and outwardly. The terminal cavities have internal projection locks on their respective top and bottom walls that cooperate with the deflectable lock tangs to lock the female terminal in place. An axial rail depends from each of the top and bottom walls of the terminal cavities to divide wide axial slots leading to the internal projection locks into two narrow parallel slots that accommodate the cooperating lock tangs of the female terminal. The axial rails locate the female terminals vertically in the terminal cavities and also prevent improper insertion of male blade terminals between the female terminals and the top or bottom walls of the terminal cavities.

Abstract: A connector (10) is disclosed for providing a connection, for example, a battery pack (16) and a medical instrument (14). The connector includes a grommet (18), which flexibly secures an internal conductive post (24) and external conductive post (26) to the instrument. Drop-shaped external and internal sections 28 and 32 of grommet 18 cooperatively engage external and internal flanges 54 and 58 on the instrument to restrict rotation of the connector, while a central section 30 of the grommet has a circular cross section to provide a seal between the connector and the instrument in the event the connector does rotate. The external section of the grommet is compressed slightly by the battery pack upon insertion into the instrument. A connector constructed with these features can be easily removed from the instrument for servicing and seals the interior of the instrument as well as connections made to the external post.

Abstract: The projecting underside connector portions on an electrical component are removably connected to surface mounted electrical contact points on one side of a printed circuit board using a specially designed interconnect device. The interconnect device includes a support board through which a spaced series of openings transversely extend, the openings being alignable with the component connector portions and the surface mounted contact points. Barrel portions of longitudinally resilient, electrically conductive connector pin members are anchored within the support board openings and have recessed first end portions positioned adjacent a first side of the support board and configured to removably receive and firmly hold the electrical component connector portions. Projecting outwardly beyond the second side of the support board are spring-loaded, longitudinally depressible second end portions of the connector pin members.

Abstract: A multi-pin electrical connector is adapted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes a header or housing having a plurality of pin-receiving through holes. A plurality of terminal pins are received in the holes of the header, with portions adapted for surface mounting on circuit traces on the printed circuit board. The terminal pins have spaced enlargements located on opposite sides of the header to retain the pins in the holes. The enlargements are spaced along the pins a distance greater than the thickness of the header about the holes whereby the pins can float in the holes to accommodate any non-uniform spacing between the header and the printed circuit board and ensure contact of the terminal pin portions with the circuit traces on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An improved electrical contact element for use in connector housings. More particularly, the contact element includes a U-shaped retention section having one resilient leg extending obliquely outwardly. Further included is a resilient web in between and connecting the forward termination section and retention section to provide a degree of independent movement of the former relative to the latter.

Abstract: A system interconnects electronic modules with one another, to a power supply and to signal lines through a printed circuit board. The modules are electrically connected to traces on the printed circuit board using blind mateable connectors. EMI shielding plates are mounted to the circuit board at the I/O connectors for the external cables. Guide elements, such as pin and socket guides and printed circuit board edge guides, are mounted to the circuit board to guide the blind mateable connectors. The syustem eliminates the numerous cables which would otherwise be required. The printed circuit board is mounted within the system housing and acts as an air duct barrier to aid proper air circulation. The circuit board also acts as a structured element helping to stabilize the housing and various module supports and serves as a mounting structure for various elements, such as cooling fans.

Abstract: A connector assembly for blind mated back plane interface connections of optic fibers with active optical devices includes a shroud mounted in a back plane panel within which are received a receptacle assembly mated to connector modules. The modules, each associated with a cable of a plurality of optical fibers, subdivide the mated fibers into separately connected groups to avoid expensive tolerance requirements. The receptacle includes a housing and shims for precisely locating the active optical devices relative to the ends of the optic fibers. The interface connections are shielded from interference by conduction between the receptacle housing, a fiber termination ferrule and a rear housing and strain relief portion of each connector module.