Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with resilient contact portions spaced along the slot. An elongated support member is mounted on the housing for providing reinforcing support therefor. The support member is positioned for backing the resilient contact portions of the terminals to perform a dual function of providing reinforcing support behind the resilient contact portions.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving a flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. The contact portions are fixed against movement relative to the housing. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position wherein a flexible plate portion of the actuator biases the circuit against the fixed contact portions of the terminals.

Abstract: A receptacle connector (12) is provided for mounting on a circuit board (14) and for receiving a plug (30) to deflect the plug contacts (32) against contact pads (20) on the board, wherein a receptacle connector of simple design provides EMI (electromagnetic interference) shielding, means for fixing itself to the board in a simple and accurate manner, and means for secure plug latching. The receptacle connector includes a die cast metal housing and a plastic molded cam wall (26) fixed to the housing. The housing has three solder pad projections (100, 102, 104) at its bottom which are soldered to ground traces (110, 112, 114) on the circuit board to hold the housing in place and with its horizontal plane accurately parallel to the plane of the circuit board. The metal of the die cast housing provides EMI shielding and provides metal strikes (54) against which plug latches (50) are latched.

Abstract: A connector system includes a receptacle housing (30) with a cam wall (32) lying over a row of traces (16) on a circuit board, and a plug connector (22) with plug contacts (20) that are downwardly deflected by the cam wall against the traces as the connectors mate, which is especially compact and which provides extra protection against damage to the plug contacts. The cam wall projects rearwardly from a front wall (50) of the receptacle housing, with the rear portion of the cam wall free of connection to the rest of the housing, so it can enter an opening (110) at the front end of the plug connector. This results the cam wall providing side spaces (64, 66) and areas therebelow where aligner slots (80, 82) are located for receiving aligners and where latches (90, 92) can enter to engage strikes (94, 96). Also, this enables the plug connector housing to have a top wall (122) that lies over the plug contacts to protect them.

Abstract: An electrical connection includes a wiring harness and an electrical device. The electrical device has a molded plastic support and a flexible printed circuit. The molded plastic support has an end wall that includes mechanical locks and the flexible printed circuit has a connector portion that overlies the end wall. The wiring harness includes a second flexible printed circuit and a plastic end connector that backs a connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit. A clamp bracket is attached to the end wall of the molded plastic support by mechanical locks and clamps the plastic end connector and the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit against the end wall with the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit engaging the connector portion of the flexible printed circuit of the electrical device. The clamp bracket may be insert molded or an integral part of an automotive trim piece, such as inner door panel or instrument panel fascia.

Abstract: The unitary clip for a tray and lid of a waffle pack includes a lower expanse with two upwardly extending hooks. The hooks include upper oblique surfaces which extend upwardly and outwardly. The upper oblique surfaces are immediately upwardly adjacent from inverted ledges which engage complementary portions of the lid of the waffle pack. The lower expanse is bowed so as to form a central apex which engages the lower planar portion of the waffle pack. The clip is engaged and disengaged from the waffle pack by a simple up and down motion.

Abstract: A connecting structure for connecting circuit conductors placed on a surface of an insulator plate of a flat circuit body with terminals of a connector. The terminals of the connector are formed by spring portions exposed above the surface of a housing of the connector. A locking member formed into a shape of square bracket having two arms encompasses the flat circuit body and the connector and hooks at the tips of the two arms engage with engagement grooves on the housing of the connector, while the circuit conductors of the flat circuit body are press-contacted against the spring portions of the housing of the connector.

Abstract: A connection structure for connecting a connection mold to a fixed member, wherein a connection member which is connected to the fixed member to surround the connection mold is provided, the fixed member and the connection mold are provided with first position restraining means arranged to be slid from a predetermined direction X so as to be engaged to the fixed member and the connection mold in order to prevent mutual movement between the fixed member and the connection mold, and the fixed member and the connection member are provided with second position restraining means arranged to be slid from direction Y perpendicular to the direction X so as to be engaged to the fixed member and the connection member in order to prevent mutual movement between the fixed member and the connection member in a state where the connection mold is surrounded.

Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical connector having a housing with a front face and a mounting face opposite to the front face. A plurality of contact receiving cavities extend longitudinally through the housing from the front fact to the mounting face. The cavities have side walls and slots extending laterally from the side walls from the front face partially through the housing. A contact is received in the cavity. The contact has wings extending from sides thereof. The wings being received into the slots providing alignment and stability of the contact and to prevent rotation of the contact in the cavity. The invention also comprises an electrical contact, having a body with a wire crimping section, an intermediate section, and a forward contacting section. A latching arm is disposed along the forward section. Wings extend laterally from the intermediate section to engage slots in a housing and provide alignment stability of the body within the housing and to prevent rotation of the body.

Abstract: A pluggable connector capable of connecting a large number of electrical transmission lines per connector, and small enough to enable a large number of connectors to be added to a multi-chip module. For example, 5 or 6 of these connectors can add over a hundred coaxial cables to a module. Improved I/O communications is added to a module by such coaxial cables, since they can communicate very high frequency signals in noise prone environments. The pluggable connector is embedded in a multilayer module (e.g. ceramic or glass) for conveying digital information to transmission lines internal or printed on the surface of a module. Each connector contains a receptacle 19 having a silicon contact structure embedded in an edge of a multi-chip module. The contact structure is formed with a plug-receiving angle for deflecting multiple cantilevered plug contacts 17 into engagement with corresponding receptacle contacts 22.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting a coaxial cable to a printed circuit card. The device comprises:a body having a connection face and a housing suitable for receiving the end of a coaxial cable having conductors comprises a central core and an outer braid;a fixing means suitable for holding said body with its connection face against a printed circuit card; andtwo axially compressible contact studs secured to the body and disposed in such a manner that one of them is electrically connected to the central core of the coaxial cable while the other one of them is electrically connected to the outer braid of the coaxial cable when the end of the coaxial cable is placed in said housing, each stud having an outer end outside the body projecting from the connection face thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connection system includes a frame, a main printed circuit "mother board", a series of secondary printed circuit "daughter boards", and interconnecting spacers formed of an insulative material plate with holes in it into each of which is inserted a buffer that is a good conductor of electricity. The frame includes a support plate with series of slides, the mother board resting on the support plate and receiving the interconnecting spacer. The daughter boards are slid into the slides and include, along an edge which cooperates with the interconnecting spacer, a heel-piece on which is mounted and to which is fixed a flexible printed circuit the tracks of which are connected to those of the daughter board and cooperate with the buffers. Arrangements are provided to fix the daughter boards to the frame.

Abstract: A modular jack includes a removable face plate or front shield that is adapted to removably retain line status LEDs. In the preferred form, the face plate may be used to retrofit standard dual receptacle modular jacks. The face plate holds various types of LEDs that are electrically coupled to the lines of the modular jack for indicating status or activity of the particular line, e.g. when the line is in use transmitting or receiving data. The LEDs may be coupled to the individual lines by standard leads or flexible ribbon cable. Additionally, the face plate is formed of a metal to provide protection against static discharge damage to the circuits. The metal face plate provides an alternative path for the electricity rather than through the LED which might cause damage thereto. In another form, the LEDs may be directly coupled to a flex circuit, without a face plate with the flex coupled to the individual lines.

Abstract: The disconnection protecting device (12) for an electrical connector prevents or makes difficult manipulation of the electrical connector (11) to by-pass an automatic stopping device of a motor vehicle. The disconnection protecting device (12) includes a lock member (32) which can at least indirectly lock the assembled electrical connector (11) preventing its disassembly. The lock member (32) can be a retaining member (18) at least partially covering the electrical connector (11) or a locking element (33) inserted directly in the electrical connector (11) in the form of a plug lock or clip lock.

Abstract: The present invention provides cable connector including (a) a plurality of contacts one end of which has connecting means for connecting the contacts to a cable conductors extending from a flat cable, (b) a supporting frame having an opening therein and an insulator portion for supporting the plurality of contacts intermediate between opposite ends of the contacts so that the contacts are electrically insulated from one another and the other end of the plurality of contacts are able to make contact with a pad disposed on a printed wiring board through the opening when the cable connector is mounted on the printed wiring board, and a projection formed on the supporting frame for detachably mounting the cable connector onto the printed wiring board. The present invention provides laborsaving mounting of a cable connector onto a printed wiring board.

Abstract: Generally, the invention includes a connector system for making an electrical connection between a flexible circuit and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board or semi-conductor device has contact pads for mating with the electrical traces of the flexible circuit. A mounting bar is provided and a leaf spring(s) secured thereto. The electrical traces of the flexible circuit that are aligned and overlie the leaf spring(s). Posts extend upward from the mounting bar, and the printed circuit board has slotted through holes formed therein for receiving the post. The posts of the mounting bar are inserted into the printed circuit board through holes and force is applied to the mounting bar to compress the spring(s). The flexible circuit/mounting bar assembly is then slid into the slots of the printed circuit board causing the flexible circuits contacts to wipe and come to rest in alignment with the printed circuit board contact pads.

Abstract: A connector for connecting a terminal and a conductor attached to a glass plate comprises a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is fixedly mounted on the glass plate and has a fitting hood bridging the conductor. The fitting hood has a first opening which opens towards the conductor. The second connector has a body to be fitted into the fitting hood. The body has a terminal accommodating chamber for accommodating the terminal and a second opening which allows a part of the terminal to project towards the conductor.

Abstract: In the case of the conductor film (4) resting on a base the contact conductor tracks are arranged on a tab attachment (5) so as to run parallel to each other. Furthermore, in the base an open shaft (6) which runs obliquely downward is provided, on whose obliquely sloping bottom surface the tab attachment (5) with the contact conductor tracks which are free at the top comes to rest. For making contact, a plug socket, together with its contact spring element (8) passed outward and facing the bottom surface of the shaft (6), is inserted into the shaft (6) in the direction of the free tab end and is fastened in the end position in a locking manner.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) is disclosed having an improved securing member (16) that serves to accurately position the connector on a circuit board (14), to secure the connector thereto, and to latchingly engage a mating connector (12) to hold the two connectors in mated engagement. The securing member (16) includes a U-shaped portion (60) that straddles an outer wall (46) of the connector housing (20), one side (62) of the U-shaped portion extending through an opening (42) in the housing and through a hole (92) in the circuit board (14). The other side (64) of the U-shaped portion extends along the outside of the outer wall (46) and terminates in a mounting foot (70) that extends outwardly at right angles thereto. The mounting foot (70) is soldered to a metalized mounting pad (90) on the circuit board (14). Latch projections (78, 80) extend from the U-shaped portion (60) inwardly into an opening (30) in the connector housing (20) that receives the end (32) of the mating connector (12).

Abstract: A selective call messaging peripheral (100) capable of receiving at least one message and communicating the at least one message to an electronic information processing device (200). An information signal is received and demodulated to provide a recovered information signal including an address signal and at least one message. A correlator (109) generates a detection indicating selection of the selective call messaging peripheral when the recovered address is substantially equivalent to a predetermined address. In response to selection of the selective call messaging peripheral (100), a PCMCIA communication interface (119) communicates the at least one message between the selective call messaging peripheral (100) and the electronic information processing device (200).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a mated communications receptacle for coupling a standard communications plug to a computer system is described. The method and apparatus includes using an IC card which forms at its rear edge a first communications receptacle half. The method and apparatus also includes using an IC card receptacle which forms a second communications receptacle half along one of its slot edges. When the IC card is inserted into the IC card receptacle, the first communications receptacle half of the IC card becomes located opposite the second communications receptacle half of the IC card receptacle, and a full communications receptacle is formed for coupling to the standard communications plug.

Abstract: A compact isothermal connector for a thermocouple temperature measurement system has electrical contacts with thermal mass sufficiently larger than the thermal mass of the corresponding contacts of a corresponding thermocouple connector to provide for improved settling times and measurement accuracy. The contacts are thermally coupled to a multi-layer printed circuit board containing layers of embedded thermally conducting material to achieve sufficient thermal coupling between the contacts. The contacts have sufficient thermal mass to achieve a desired settling time. A temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the printed circuit board and to each electrical contact to sense the temperature of the isothermal connector and provide the temperature information to a temperature measuring instrument to correct for measurement errors from the connector junction voltage.

Abstract: A board lock device 10 holding an electrical connector 40 to a one-piece essentially planar board lock member adapted to be received in a passageway 48 extending through a connector housing 40 and a board mounting post 50 extending from a mounting face 46 thereof includes a body 12 and a pair of cantilevered beams 18 extending outwardly in a first direction in the plane from a transverse body edge 14 to free ends 24. The beams 18 defining a slot 36 therebetween. The board mounting post 50 includes a protrusion 54 extending into the passageway 48 at least at the leading end 52 thereof. The inner edges 28 of the beams 18 are adapted to enter into locking engagement with the protrusion 54 upon full insertion of the device 10 into the passageway 48 to prevent any backward movement of the device when the connector 40 is mounted to a circuit board 60.

Abstract: A connector comprises a plurality of forked terminals, an insulating housing, a flat cable and a slide member. The terminals are inserted into the housing from an opening disposed at one side of slit-shaped through-openings arranged in parallel with each other. The flat cable and the slide member are inserted into the housing from an opening disposed at the other side of the through-openings. A pressing portion projecting from a base plate portion of the slide member presses the flat cable against the terminals. The area of a contact portion of each terminal is great to secure the connection between conductors of the flat cable and the terminals.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a self-retaining boardlock in which the barbs of the boardlock not only secure the electrical connector to the printed circuit board but also retain the boardlock within a boardlock retaining aperture of the electrical connector prior to connection of the electrical connector to a printed circuit board. The boardlock is preferably pressed into a molded hex nut opening of the electrical connector by fitting a tab portion of the boardlock in opposing corners of the hex opening. The other end of the boardlock has spring means with barbs thereon which protrude through the boardlock retaining aperture of the electrical connector and spring outward to retain the boardlock in the aperture during shipment of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A mounting arrangement is provided for mounting a coaxial connector (1) on a circuit board (2). The connector has an inner conductor (6) with a downwardly projecting pin portion (9) and has an outer conductor (40) with downwardly extending conductive legs (10-13) arranged in a circle (42). The circuit board has a center hole (17) for receiving the pin portion, and has a circle of outer holes (14-18) for receiving the legs. The pin portion (9) is offset a distance (X) from alignment with the board center hole (17), so an enlargement (44) of the pin portion is deflected as it enters the board center hole. In the final position, a shoulder (20) on the enlargement abuts a lower board surface (46).

Abstract: A new structure for a printed circuit board slot connector for securing the inserted printed circuit board and provides electrical contacts between the inserted printed circuit board and the mother board. Said connector mainly comprises a plurality of electrical conducting plates which are grouped together in a band. Said band of conducting plates can be installed into the connector from the bottom of the shell body in a single operation. Mechanical operation is used to cut and isolate the conducting plates from one another. The internal contact pins are longer than the external contact pins. Below the point of contact of the conducting plate with the printed circuit board is a projected portion which strengthens the conducting plate.

Abstract: In a data processing device, when exchanging a plug-in package with another without breaking off the power to be supplied to the data processing device, a package removing lever is equipped with a locking piece. The lever does not move and the package hence cannot be removed, until the locking piece is released. In response to the release operation of the locking piece, a switch is activated to break off the power supply for the package. After the package is mounted perfectly, the power for the package is switched on by the action of the locking piece, thus preventing any misoperation when removing the package.

Abstract: An interface for connecting co-planar printed circuit ("PC") boards (10,20) using a compressible circuit (50) for bridging the PC boards (10,20), a base (80) underlying the second PC board and integrally attached thereto, and a support housing (30) which sandwiches the compressible circuit (50) against the two PC boards (10,20). The compressible circuit (50) is insertable into the underside of the support housing (30) and may be electro-optically aligned therewith. The compressible circuit (50) is then staked to the support housing (30), and the support housing is mounted on the two PC boards (10,20). In order to mount the support housing (30) on the PC boards (10,20) with the requisite precision, the support housing (30) is provided with alignment means including resilient finger (39) on the underside, and the second PC board (20) is provided with cooperating guide tabs (25).

Abstract: A communications card capable of being mounted in electrical communications with a computer has formed therethrough an aperture so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. The media connector has a biased retention clip, a contact pin block, and contact pins. The retention clip has several standardized characteristics including a broad fixed end protruding from an outer surface of the contact pin block. The broad fixed end tapers abruptly at a transition notch down to a narrow free end, capable of being manipulated by a user to remove the physical/electrical media connector from the aperture in the communications card. In use, a media connector is inserted directly into the aperture in the communications card, the aperture being in contact with a plurality of contact wires fixed within the communications card.

Abstract: A pluggable connector system (10) has a male housing (11, 11', 11", 11"') snapped together with a female housing (12, 12', 12", 12"') thereby providing a quick-disconnect feature. One of the housings, or both, carries a flexible etched circuit (16). The flexible etched circuit (16) may engage another flexible etched circuit (16) or, via a suitable interface, may engage a printed circuit board (17) having at least one circuit pad (19) thereon. One embodiment of a suitable interface is a flexible electrical connector (21) having a plurality of circuit traces on an elastomeric core. In another embodiment, the flexible etched circuit (16) is backed up by resilient means (33, 35) and engages the circuit pad (19) directly. The means for releasably retaining the housings (11, 11', 11", 11"' and 12, 12', 12", 12"') comprises a pair of spring-loaded manually-releasable latches (24, 24', 25) or a pair of bifurcated latching ears (43, 44).

Abstract: A connector apparatus having a reduced total packaging height despite the presence of mounting receptacle connectors on each the surfaces of a mount board is disclosed. The mount board is formed from a flexible printed circuit bonded to a support plate. The mount board is bent in a stepped or offset relation to an axis extending perpendicular to the surface of the board mount to provide a pair of opposed step sections, lower and upper. A receptacle connector is mounted to the upper and to the lower step section of the mount board; that is, to the side of the board mount having the flexible printed circuit board side and one to the side of the board mount having the support plate. The upper and lower receptacles extend in mutually opposed directions along the axis.

Abstract: An interface for connecting coplanar printed circuit ("PC") boards (10, 20) using a flexible jumper circuit (50) for bridging the PC boards (10, 20), a base (80) underlying the second PC board and integrally attached thereto, and a support housing (30) with compression plugs (60) which may be tightened against base (80) for securing the two PC boards (10, 20) and for compressing the flexible jumper circuit (50) against the two PC boards (10, 20). The interface is precision aligned by a plurality of guide pins (34) which protrude from support housing (30) and conform to guide holes in the two PC boards (10, 20) and the flexible jumper circuit (50). Guide pins (34) fix the relative positions of the boards (10, 20) and circuit (50) within their respective planes.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) comprises first and second electrical connectors (12 and 14) and/or a printed wiring board (70) having electrical conductors thereon ending in termini (32, 34). Dimples (36, 38 and/or 72) are provided on the termini and provide connections between the flex cables or a flex cable and the printed wiring board. The dimples also provide self-alignment between the matable electrical connectors.

Abstract: An electrical connector for printed circuit boards comprises an insulative housing having opposing end portions with an insertion face defined therebetween, and a pair of metal latching assistor members. Each end portion has a resilient latching plate extending upwardly therefrom and a similarly directed positioning post and anchor bar to either side of the plate. A protruding pin and abutment are provided respectively on the positioning post and latching plate, on a side thereof opposite from the post, for the positioning of a printed circuit board held therebetween. The U-shaped latching assistor members are disposed between the anchor bars and latching plates of respective end portions of the housing, wherein each assistor member has a first leg thereof retained within an axial groove formed in an associated anchor bar.

Abstract: A connector is described that includes a housing (30, FIG. 1 ) with a latch (34, 36) at each end which can project through a corresponding hole (20, 22) in a circuit board to releasably hold the connector to the board. Each latch has a largely U-shaped arm (40) with a pair of largely parallel arm parts (42, 44) joined by a lower part (46). The arm parts are biased apart but can be resiliently deflected together to pass the lower portion of the arm into a circuit board hole (20), until an upwardly-facing shoulder (50) on one of the arms snaps below the lower face of the circuit board to prevent removal of the latch. The latch can be removed by squeezing the arm parts together so the part forming the shoulder (50) can be pulled up through the hole.

Abstract: A non-shearing connector for a flexible circuit comprising a top retaining isc segment having an exterior threaded section suitably contoured to be compatible with the hollow section of an exterior threaded connector body segment. A pressure plate having integral captive stub means suitably designed to cooperate with slot means positioned on the underside of the retaining disc segment. A center stub protrudes from an insulated bottom segment of the connector body, and in conjunction with the captive stub form clamping means for a stripline, when the device is assembled.

Abstract: A communications card capable of being mounted in electrical communications with a computer has formed therethrough an aperture so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. The media connector has a biased retention clip, a contact pin block, and contact pins. The retention clip has several standardized characteristics including a broad fixed end protruding from an outer surface of the contact pin block. The broad fixed end tapers abruptly at a transition notch down to a narrow free end, capable of being manipulated by a user to remove the physical/electrical media connector from the aperture in the communications card. In use, a media connector is inserted directly into the aperture in the communications card, the aperture being in contact with a plurality of contact wires fixed within the communications card.

Abstract: An IC socket structure suitable for supporting a surface-mount type of IC (integrated circuit) package includes an IC socket having electrical contacts disposed in corresponding relation to pins of the IC package, the electrical contacts being elastically held, a printed board on which a peripheral circuit associated with the IC package is disposed, the printed board having lands disposed in locations corresponding to the respective pins of the IC package and electrically connected to the peripheral circuit, and a lid having a projection and covering the IC socket. The lid fixes the IC package in such a manner that the printed board and the pins of the IC package are pressed in contact with each other between the electrical contacts of the IC socket and the projection of the lid with the pins of the IC package maintained in electrical contact with the lands of the printed board.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed which can electrically terminate flexible cable to a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulating housing having a plurality of terminals which extend forwardly towards the front face. The terminals are each provided with horizontal base sections, and a retention leg. The terminals include first contact portions. The terminals further comprise spring portions having a second contact portion opposed from the first contact portion. A lever section extends from the spring portion. A cam actuator is installed on the connector housing with individual cam sections aligned with, and below, the lever sections of the terminals. The cam actuator is rotatable relative to the housing to cam the terminals open for insertion of the conductors.

Abstract: A circuit board clamping assembly is characterized by connector pins (3) for the connection of the circuit board clamp to the circuit board. The clamping assembly furthermore has at least one mounting peg (8) that can be inserted in a corresponding mounting opening of the circuit board. The additional mounting peg facilitates the reliable absorption of forces, such as occur during wiring, at the conductor connections (2, 2a) of the clamping assembly and guarantees a reliable mechanical link between the clamping assembly and printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body and an array of posts extending out of one side of the connector body for mounting to a circuit board. At least one retention feature is provided, and this retention feature includes a bent portion of at least one of the posts. The bent portion includes a first portion extending from the centerline of the post to an apex, and a second portion extending from the apex to the tip such that the apex is laterally offset from the centerline to a greater extent than is the tip. At least the first and second portions are formed of post stock having four faces that intersect at radiused edges, wherein each of the radiused edges defines a radius of curvature no less than about 0.005 inches.

Abstract: A connector comprises, a housing having at least one open side surface, a plurality of contact end portions alternately arranged at a first position which is spaced away from the opening by a predetermined distance along a first surface perpendicular to the open side surface in the housing, and is close to a surface opposite the first said surface, and at a second position closer to the opening than the first position by a predetermined distance and shifted to the first side surface, and a slider having a structure which can be fitted in the housing to clamp a cable inserted forwards the first side surface in said housing for electrical connection with the contact end portion in the housing, the slider having an indentation at a distal end portion.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing having a first groove for receiving a heat seal film therein and a second groove for receiving therein a printed wiring board. A spring contact is supported by the housing for electrically connecting an electrode on the film received in the first groove and an electrode on the substrate received in the second groove. The first groove is preferably formed to have a wider opening at its entrance to permit the heat seal film to be wedged into engagement with the spring contact in the first groove. An actuator is slidably supported in the housing for bringing the spring contact into contact with the electrode on the substrate and for holding the substrate in the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is a compression connection apparatus for electrically connecting a disc drive motor to electronic signal sources. The apparatus comprises a circuit board attached to a disc drive motor having a pattern of metal contacts and each metal contact is attached to the internal motor electronics, a flexible printed circuit cable attached to the disc drive assembly's base deck having a pattern of metal contacts matching the metal contacts on the motor mounted circuit board, and a means for providing compressive force to maintain conductive contact between the aforementioned metal contacts.

Abstract: This invention proceeds from the type of stackable connectors for printed circuit boards, and it addresses the problem of being able to fasten such terminals in pricise and stable position to a printed circuit board, so that the solder connections of the terminals can be soldered to the conductive tracks with no problems. It is suggested to provide such connectors with a narrow-base catch peg that is located next to the solder connection of the terminal in the direction of stacking, with the width dimension measured across the solder connection and the narrow-base catch peg being equal to or smaller than the grid spacing of the conductive tracks of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a top clamp plate, two circuit bars, a resilient pressure pad, a bottom clamp plate, and means for fastening two flexible circuits and a third circuit device in mating electrical contact therein is disclosed. Each flexible circuit is mounted on and wrapped about a separate one of the circuit bars with an adhesive to provide a solidly backed sub-assembly. The top clamp plate is then fastened to the sub-assemblies with screws and retaining clips to create a single sub-assembly. The resilient pressure pad is mounted on the bottom clamp plate and the third circuit device is mounted thereon. Each circuit bar is then mounted over the third circuit device to make electrical contact between the third circuit device and each flexible circuit. The components are aligned using pins extending upward from the bottom clamp plate. The single sub-assembly is then fastened to the bottom clamp plate using screws to complete the assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) provides mechanical coupling and electrical contact between the multiple wires (12) of a flat cable assembly (14) and multiple electrically conductive pads (18) of a printed circuit board (16). The electrical connector includes a substantially rigid electrically nonconductive spacing element (30) having first and second opposed side margins (32 and 34) that include respective comb-like portions (35a and 35b) shaped in alternating tabs (36) and slots (40). The slots and tabs are adapted to respectively receive and hold in spaced-apart relation the wires of the flat cable assembly. A resilient material (42) that is electrically conductive in directions only substantially parallel to a conduction axis (44) is secured between the substrate and the spaced-apart wires held by the spacing element. The resilient material provides multiple separate electrically conductive pathways between the wires and the conductive pads.

Abstract: An electrical connector having first and second coacting parts which include spaced electrical contacts uses a flexible electrical tape having lead ends for connection to a circuit board. Side panels protect the lead ends from damage, during storage and shipment in one position and are releasably connected in a second position to provide support on the leads for bonding. After bonding, the side panels protect the flexible tape from operational damage.

Abstract: A flex circuit connector assembly of the present invention includes folding one end of a flex circuit having contact pads to form a male contact portion. The male contact portion is then inserted into a female socket of an edge connector for electrically interconnecting the contact pads of the flex circuit to mating contacts disposed in the female socket of the edge connector. The edge connector includes pins for mounting it to a receptacle of a wired circuit.