Abstract: An optical coupling connector portion, including ferrule portions, is provided at a widthwise central portion of a connector housing having a shape flattened in a direction of the width thereof. Female connection terminal portions, serving as electrical connection terminals, are provided in a distributed manner at widthwise opposite side portions of the connector housings disposed outwardly respectively of opposite sides of the optical coupling connector portion. An optical coupling connector portion, including ferrule receiving portions for respectively receiving the ferrule portions, is provided at a widthwise central portion of a second connector housing. Male connection terminal portions, serving as electrical connection terminal portions, are provided in a distributed manner at widthwise opposite side portions of the connector housing in corresponding relation to the female connection terminal portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector for securely maintaining the connector members in mated relation to allow for a continuous electrical connection. The electrical connector includes a male connector member or plug having a series of prongs and a female connector member or wall outlet box having a series of sockets that extend vertically for accepting the prongs. Each of the connector members is connected to an electric cable and may have a pair of wedges having serrated opposed sides to retain the cable within the connector member.

Abstract: The invention relates to auxiliary mounting means for electrical plug-in connections for placing plug-in strips on a mounting surface, preferably by means of a manipulator, wherein during mounting of a further component via the mounting movement of this further component at least partial areas of the auxiliary mounting means are bent or buckled so that the further component can be placed with minimal spacing to the other component, wherein at the same time the mounting time is lowered.

Abstract: An internally-fused capacitor includes a capacitor housing, at least one capacitor module, and at least one fuse assembly. The capacitor module is positioned in the housing and includes capacitor elements. Each capacitor element includes a first extended foil edge on a first end and a second extended foil edge on a second end. The fuse assembly is positioned in the housing and includes a fuse wire. The fuse wire is connected at a first end of the fuse wire to the first extended foil edge by a crimped connection.

Abstract: A connector having a hermaphroditic contact is disclosed. Such hermaphroditic contact extends longitudinally and is formed as a unitary body from a conductive material. The contact has a base residing in a plane and extending longitudinally and traversely in the plane, a blade arm extending longitudinally from the base and generally in the plane of the base, and a spring arm extending longitudinally from the base alongside the blade arm. The spring arm is springingly displaceable toward at least a first side of the plane of the base. To electrically couple first and second generally identical ones of the contact, the bases of the first and second contacts are aligned to be co-planar, and the blade arm of the each contact is aligned to face toward the spring arm of the other contact. The first and second contacts are then moved together such that the blade arm of each contact encounters the spring arm of the other contact.

Abstract: The invention provides exemplary connector systems and methods for their use. In an exemplary embodiment, a connector system is provided which comprises a first and a second connector. In turn, each connector comprises a connector body having a central axis. Each connector further includes a latch spring that is generally aligned with the central axis and includes an offset oriented generally toward the central axis, a lead-in ramp and an inset notch which is oriented generally toward the central axis on a side of the connector body generally opposite to the latch spring. The first and the second connectors may be connected by abutting the connector bodies, with each latch spring being received over the lead-in ramp on the abutting connector and engaging with the inset notch on the abutting connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises two identical crimp connectors each having an insulative housing and a number of identical conductive contacts received in passageways defined therein. A number of mating devices are formed on front faces of each housing enclosing mating openings of a portion of the passageways, wherein the mating devices are arranged so that each mating opening which is not enclosed by a mating device is adjacent to a mating opening that is enclosed by a mating device. Each contact consists of a crimping portion for retaining the conductive interior of a wire, a retention portion with positioning means for properly positioning and securing the contact within the corresponding passageway of the housing, and an interlocking portion for engagement with a corresponding contact of the other housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electrical component having an axial direction and two ends for making electrical contact with another component comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers in a matrix, the plurality of the fibers being oriented in the matrix in a direction substantially parallel in the axial direction of the component and being continuous from one end of the component to the other end to provide a plurality of electrical point contacts at each end of the component, wherein the component further includes magnetic particles.

Abstract: A multipoint electrical interconnection (10) provides a plurality of electrical pathways between electrically conductive hooks (15) on a substrate (12) and an electrical component (50). A plurality of electrically conductive hooks generally formed in the shape of a `J` have a head portion (20) affixed to the substrate such that a hook portion (17) protrudes above the substrate. An electrically conductive portion of a component is disposed against the substrate such that it contacts at least three of the electrically conductive hooks and deforms the hooks. The deformed hooks provide a spring force to effect a multipoint electrical connection.

Abstract: An electrical connector having two correspondingly configured electrically conducting members includes a fail safe mechanism which enhances and maintains the interlocking engagement between the members. The fail safe mechanism includes a latching structures which apply horizontal forces to the connector. These horizontal forces are translated and resolved in a vertical direction such that member retention forces in the vertical direction are increased and electrical contacts among the correspondingly configured electrically conducting tapered elements of the members are increased.

Abstract: A connector for shielded cables comprises a housing and signal and ground contacts mounted in the housing, the housing having an upper wall with inlet openings for the cables. A strain relief member for each cable joins an inlet opening, each strain relief member being unitary with the upper wall of the housing and projecting from the upper wall, wherein the shape of each strain relief member is adapted to the outer jacket of the corresponding cable.

Abstract: A vertically insertable-detachable connector which includes male and female connectors, and can be reduced in height to provide a compact construction when the two connectors are connected together, and can easily achieve waterproof and dust-prevention effects, and can save a space required for mounting a harness. The male connector include a male terminal having a wire retaining portion and a fitting contact tongue extending in a direction perpendicular to a direction of extension of a wire, and a housing containing the male terminal therein and having a notch which is formed at a front end portion thereof, the watch opening in a direction of extension of the fitting contact tongue.

Abstract: An improved connector for orthogonally mounting circuit boards. The preferred embodiment of the present invention includes 40 female contacts which protrude from the two coplanar triangular surfaces. An additional 40 male contacts are located within channels in triangular projections. Further, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has an additional 16 leaf contacts located adjacent to the inner walls of the triangular projections. Each leaf contact protrudes from the inner wall of the triangular projections and comes into electrical contact with a corresponding leaf contact of a mating connector as the leaf contacts of each connector slide past one another.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic electrical connection includes a pair of like electrical terminals. Each terminal has a front terminal mating end and a rear conductor connecting end. The front terminal mating end includes forwardly extending spaced-apart contact arms and a generally planar contact blade. The contact blade of each terminal is adapted to be slidingly received between the contact arms of the other terminal. The contact blade and at least one of the contact arms of each terminal include complementary interengaging guides extending longitudinally in a mating direction of the terminals for laterally aligning the contact blades and the contact arms during mating of the terminals. The contact arms are configured with opposing longitudinal side edges spaced-apart more closely than lateral mid-portions of the contact arms to define four points of contact between the contact arms and the contact blade.

Abstract: A high voltage connector is formed of a composite pultruded member that has an inner core including a plurality of high resistance electroconductive strands carried in a resin binder. The inner core is surrounded by an outer nonconductive shell, and extends from a laser cut end of the outer shell to a contact face. During formation of the contact using laser techniques, portions of the outer shell are removed to expose the inner core, the resin binder of the inner core may be removed, and the strands of the inner core may be fibrillated and patterned as desired. In one embodiment, the resistance of the strands of the inner core of the high voltage connector provide a load resistor for a circuit to which the connector may be connected.

Abstract: An assembly of matable connectors includes first and second connectors (10,100) each including housings (16,116) having a respective plurality of signal contacts (24,124) each having a front contact section (46,146) extending transversely of the connector's mating face (12,112) to a free end (52,152) from a bend section (44,144) adjoining the contact's body section (40,140). The front contact sections (46,146) of each associated pair extend forwardly of the respective mating faces to engage each other proximate their free ends and deflect each other rearwardly about bend sections (44,144), which results in low mating force and high cycle life. The connector housings (16,116) can include a durable latching system comprising a latch arm (18) of one connector (10) having a spaced apart pair of beams (208) having pairs of latches (210) and each being received into latching slots (252) of the other connector (100) near both lateral ends of the connectors, latching proximate both lateral ends.

Abstract: An hermaphroditic connection comprising two identical mating connectors. Each connector has at least one axially extending finger and at least one space. The spaces and fingers are sized and configured so that a finger of one connector is firmly insertable into the space of the other connector. For electrical connections, each connector may be provided with one or more conductors. The conductors may be simple conductors or co-axial conductors. Each conductor is split equally longitudinally along the length of the finger through which is passes. When a connector is mated with another connector to make a connection with a wiping insertion action, the split conductors are mated along a relatively large interface area. Electrical connections having very good resistance and impedance characteristics and very good connection and disconnection physical characteristics are attained.

Abstract: A connector system is provided that is especially useful for SCEM (small computer expandability module) systems wherein small circuit boards or "tiles" can be stacked at different positions on a small mother board, wherein each connector includes numerous very small matable contacts that must carry high frequency signals. The contacts of first and second matable connectors each have forward portions (80, FIG. 6) comprising an elongated beam (132) having a straight rear part (140) extending parallel to the mating direction (114) and having a forward part (144) with a sidewardly-projecting protuberance (146). When the connectors are mated, the protuberance of each contact engages the straight rear part of the other contact. Each connector housing includes an insulator with an upstanding support wall (91) having a plurality of grooves (122) spaced along a row of contacts, with each groove surrounding the axis (142) of each contact on three sides, except for the contact protuberance.

Abstract: Two electronic components having fine pitch arrays of terminals can be disconnectably interconnected by a multiple electrical connector that includes a pair of intermeshable members. Each of those members has an electrically insulative body with a structured surface including a plurality of tapered elements. Tapered sides of those elements fit flush against each other when the two members intermesh, and the members become strongly adhered to each other when the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting surfaces. Each of the members has a plurality of electrically conductive segments in position to make good electrical contact when the members intermesh.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has terminals which have first resilient legs and second rigid legs. The second rigid legs cooperate with the housing to secure the terminals therein. The entire length of the first resilient leg is utilized as a resilient beam. The first and second legs also provide two parallel paths over which signals can travel. The configuration of the terminals minimize the height of the assembly and provides a reliable electrical connection over which high speed signals can travel.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is formed of opposed hermaphroditically mating connectors, having two or more pairs of alternating male and female contact members. Each female contact member is carried by and disposed at the outer end of a linear elongated insulating member projecting from the end of the plug. The insulating members in cross-section are each in the configuration of a sector of a circle having a truncated central edge. The male contact members are disposed between the elongated insulating members. The elongated insulating members are so configured that when two of the connectors are mated together the elongated members will form a cylindrical shape. The connectors will mate together only in one orientation due to the fact that at least one of the elongated insulating members forms an arcuate part of the circumference of a circle that has a different length than at least one of the other elongated members.

Abstract: An electrical terminal structure is provided by a pair of hermaphroditic terminals. In one form of the invention, each terminal is bifurcated to define a pair of elongated semi-cylindrical arms of different diameters defining pairs of elongated spaced edges to provide a four-point contact array. In another form of the invention, a pair of hermaphroditic terminals each are trifurcated to define a central semi-cylindrical arm and two outside arms, combining to provide a six-point contact array.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect system employs electrical connectors in which both the housing (or support) and the contact(s) thereof are hermaphroditic, i.e., without gender limitations. Therefore, two such connectors may interconnect with each other. Contacts are arranged in a header or other housing or support in which at least two contacts, for example, adjacent contacts, respectively face in opposite directions. Bifurcated and trifurcated contacts have contacting portions respective ones of which face in opposite directions and are supported on parallel cantilever arms.

Abstract: Two electronic components having fine pitch arrays of terminals can be disconnectably interconnected by a multiple electrical connector that includes a pair of intermeshable members. Each of those members has an electrically insulative body with a structured surface including a plurality of tapered elements. Tapered sides of those elements fit flush against each other when the two members intermesh, and the members become strongly adhered to each other when the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting surfaces. Each of the members has a plurality of electrically conductive segments in position to make good electrical contact when the members intermesh.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a metal shell and a plurality of dielectric housings each housing a terminated end of each of a pair of flat cables of the type for transmission of electrical power at substantial current and voltage levels. Each mating terminal pair includes at least one having a contact section having an array of spring arm contact sections deflected by portions of the other when mated. Each termination is proximate a portion of a shell for heat dissipation. One of the shells is adapted for mounting to a bulkhead at a cutout, and the connectors are environmentally sealed to be appropriate for bulkhead mounting. Each connector includes a strain relief assembly suitable for use with flat cables of substantial rigidity and defines a cable exit, all after said terminated cables and housings therearound are assembled into the shell. A jackscrew system is used for facilitating connector mating.

Abstract: An obstruction across the flow chamber creates a one dimensional convergence of a sheath fluid. A passageway in the construction directs flat cells near to the area of one dimensional convergence in the sheath fluid to provide proper orientation of flat cells at fast rates.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector for use in pairs to join a plurality of electrical conductors includes a block housing of integral construction containing one or more stacked rows of a plurality of adjacent isolated passageways. A horizontal shelf extends forwardly from each such row and includes an inner shelf surface having a front nose projecting forward of the housing side walls. Each passageway is adapted to receive a conductor terminal having a planar tongue with adjacent lateral tangs and an integral, abutting spring arm. During insertion of each terminal into any one passageway, the tangs engage within lateral passageway slots and the spring arm is juxtapositioned the shelf inner surface with a lug on the terminal blade deflecting and becoming entrapped by a lock finger in the housing.

Abstract: A two-piece rotating contact zero insertion force connector is used to interconnect printed circuit boards (daughter boards) to backplanes (mother boards), cables to panels or cables to cables. This is accomplished by rotating one-half of the mating contacts relative to the other half to complete the necessary electrical connection. A number of different rotating contact designs are included which could be utilized to implement the overall concept.

Abstract: A plugable connector for splicing telephone cables comprising a pair of connector bodies each having a plurality of contact elements, one body with a male terminal and the other with a female terminal and said female terminal being in a recess and each male terminal being surrounded by an insulating wall to fit within said recess when said terminals are joined.

Abstract: A low insertion force mating electrical contact structure includes a pair of hermaphroditic terminals. Each hermaphroditic terminal is provided with dual cantilevered contact beams disposed in spaced parallel relationship and extending from a common base. The terminals are stamped from flat metallic material to provide each beam with a plurality of opposite but symmetrical bends relative to its initial central plane. The bends define rear and front contact surfaces on each beam and with rear and front cam surfaces leading into the respective contact surfaces. Identical hermaphroditic terminals as described can be mated with low insertion forces initially achieved by sliding cam interaction between the respective rear and front cam surfaces of two such terminals. The normal forces and deflection gradually increase as the terminals approach their fully mated condition.

Abstract: In order to provide a modular housing system for electrical contacts whereby contact banks of required size may be made up from common or modular parts, a contact module comprises a body 22 adapted to be slidably received and located in a housing 21, and at least one contact 32, 33 received in an individual groove 24 in the body 22 so as to project from the body 22. The contact 32, 33 has a configuration 37 co-operable with a corresponding formation 27 in the groove 24 to prevent longitudinal movement of the contact 32, 33 in the groove 24. As illustrated, the configuration is a slot 37 formed in part of the contact to locate on a corresponding abutment 27 in the groove 24. The slot 37 is received by an undercut in the abutment 27 to inhibit lateral movement of the contact 32, 33.