Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (2), a number of electrical contacts (6) received in the insulative housing, a cable (4) electrically terminated with the electrical contacts, a cover (3) assembled to the insulative housing, and a pull tab (5). The insulative housing includes a first wall (224) and a second wall (226) opposite to the first wall. Each of the first and the second walls forms a pair of protrusions (24) on a pair of ends thereof. Each protrusion defines a recess (240) therein. The pull tab is assembled to the insulative housing and includes a pulling section (50) and a pair of fastening sections (52). Each fastening section comprises a pair of branches (51) respectively received in the pair of recesses of the insulative housing.

Abstract: A connector assembly (100) includes a first connector (200) and a second connector (300). The first connector includes a first housing (1) including a mating portion (10) opening in a first direction, a number of first contacts (2), a number of leads (3) electrically connecting with the first contacts in a second direction, and a first grounding member (5) including a first grounding shield (50) and a second grounding shield (52) electrically connecting with each other. The second grounding shield includes a second body portion (520) and a second vertical portion (526) extending from the second body portion in the first direction. The second connector includes a second housing (7), a number of second contacts (72), a second grounding member (9) enclosing the second housing, and a second pulling member (8). The second vertical portion of the second grounding shield exerts a pressing force on the second grounding member in the second direction and is circled by the second pulling member.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a first insulative housing (20), a second insulative housing (10), a plurality of terminals (26) and a pull tab (30). The first insulative housing comprises a pair of first ends, the first ends includes a first retention structure (28) and a pair of positioning holes (224), respectively. The second insulative housing comprises a pair of second ends, the second ends comprises a second retention structure (12) engagable with the first retention structure at different angle and a pair of holes (122), respectively, the hole and the positioning align with each other. The pull tab comprises a main body (32) and a pair of positioning parts (34) extending from the main body (32), the positioning part extends through the positioning holes and the holes.

Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (2), a number of electrical contacts (6) received in the insulative housing, a cable (4) electrically terminated with the electrical contacts, an insulative cover (3) assembled to the insulative housing, and a pull tab (5). The insulative cover includes a first face (316) engaging with the cable and an opposite second face (318). The pull tab is assembled to the cover and wraps the second face of the cover.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a number of passages (27), a number of conductive contacts (3) respectively received in the passages, a cable (5) having a number of conductors (52, 54) respectively electrically connecting with the conductive contacts, a cover (8) partially enclosing the housing, a locking member (6) assembled to the cover, and a pulling member (7). The cover forms a pair of protrusions (80) on opposite sides thereof. The locking member comprises a main body (60) facing to the cover and a pair of arms (62) respectively engaging with the protrusions. The pulling member is sandwiched between the cover and the main body of the locking member for being pulled to disengage the cable connector assembly from a complementary connector.

Abstract: A constant force apparatus having a cam (12) with a non-planar surface (13), a compliant member (14) with a free end (18), a fixed end (16), and an intermediate contact area (20) therebetween, wherein the free end (18) of the compliant member (14) (slidably engages the non-planar surface (13) of the cam (12) and the compliant member (14) provides a substantially constant reaction force at the intermediate contact area (20) regardless of displacement (22) of the intermediate contact area (20). The compliant member (14) can further include a material capable of conducting electricity for use as an electrical contact. The apparatus can further comprise a docking station for use with a dockable unit to accept the dockable unit and provide an electrical connection thereto.

Abstract: A cable end connector assembly (1) includes an insulative housing (2), a number of cantacts (24) a shell (3), a pair of latches (5), a pull member (52) and a cable (4). The insulative housing has two opposite side walls (23). The contacts are received in the insulative housing. The shell encloses the insulative housing. The latches are pivotally assembled to the shell and located adjacent to the respective side walls of the insulative housing, and each latch has a claw section (5111) at a front end thereof and an inclined section (5132) obliquely extending from the claw section. The pull member includes a pull portion (523) and a pair of abutting sections (5221) extending from opposite sides of the pull portion and movably abutting against corresponding inclined sections of the latches as the pull portion being pulled. The cable includes a number of wires (41) connected with the corresponding contacts.

Abstract: A cable connector assembly (1) includes a cover, an insulative housing (20), a number of contacts (22) retained in the insulative housing, a cable (7) electrically connected with the contacts, and a first and a second pull tabs (8). The cover includes a first and a second covers (3, 4) joined together to define a front end and a rear end opposite to the front end. The rear end defines a receiving space (46) therein. The insulative housing is situated at the front end of the cover. The first pull tab (81) includes a first engaging section (812), and the second pull tab (82) includes a second engaging section (822). The first engaging section engages with the second engaging section of the second pull tab and the engaged first and the second engaging sections are together received in the receiving space of the cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical plugs capable of being easily removed from their associated receptacles with the aid of a pull ring. This improved pull ring is either pulled or pushed only in the direction that is perpendicular to the prong side of an electrical plug whereby making the storage and operation of the pull ring much easier to operate than the typical pull-ringed electrical plug arrangements that are currently available.

Abstract: A pull tab (1, 3) is adapted to extract an L-shaped electrical connector (2) from a mating electrical device. The electrical connector includes a mating portion (20) and a cable-retaining portion (21) for retaining a cable (4). The pull tab has a strip-like configuration and includes an engaging portion (11, 31) and a handling portion (12, 32) extending from the engaging portion. The engaging portion exerts an extraction force on the connector. The handling portion is provided for facilitating manual extraction operation.

Abstract: A pull tab (1, 3) is adapted to extract an L-shaped electrical connector (2) from a mating electrical device. The electrical connector includes a mating portion (20) and a cable-retaining portion (21) for retaining a cable (4). The pull tab has a strip-like configuration and includes an engaging portion (11, 31) and a handling portion (12, 32) extending from the engaging portion. The engaging portion exerts an extraction force on the connector. The handling portion is provided for facilitating manual extraction operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for use at an end of a cable in an underwater or severe environment, comprising a connector part for connection with the cable and adapted to be brought axially into engagement with another connector part, the connector part having a laterally directed fitting for connecting the cable thereto, and the apparatus further comprising a handle secured to the connector part at a location rearwardly of the fitting.

Abstract: An electrical connector for a cable such as a ribbon cable used in an electronic instrument. The electrical connector plugged into a connector of a printed circuit-board of, for instance, a notebook computer has substantially an inverted U-shaped handle with its pair of leg elements being engaged with socket elements formed in the sides of the connector. The leg elements are bent at about the mid points so as to reduce the height of the handle, thus allowing the handle to be fit within narrow interior space of the notebook computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical connector for detachably connecting a circuit board to a backplane. The inventive connector comprises at least one plug (10A) and at least one socket (10B) for receiving the plug (10A), whereby the socket (10B) comprises an outer housing (12) and an inner housing (13). Said inner housing (13) is mounted in the outer housing (12) such that it can be displaced in the direction of plug insertion, and a locking means (25,26) prevents the inner housing from being displaced inside the outer housing (12). In addition, unlocking means (20) are assigned to the plug (10A) which unlock the first locking means (25,26) when the plug (10A) is completely inserted into the socket (10B). Second locking means (20,21,23,24) are assigned to the plug (10A) which interlock said plug (10A) and socket (10B) when the plug (10A) is completely inserted. The aim of the invention is to obtain a compact construction and to increase the versatility of the plug system.

Abstract: A power cord retaining device for a portable AC powered tool. A retaining member holds the power cord plug engaged with a mating AC power jack in the housing of the power tool. The retaining member moves within the housing of the power tool from an unlocked position to a locked position. In one embodiment the retaining member slides within the housing of the power tool. In an alternative embodiment the retaining member rotates within the housing of the power tool. In the locked position the power cord plug is held in place engaged with the mating power jack in. the housing of the power tool. In one embodiment a release member having a biasing element locks the retaining member in place until it is manually unlocked by the user thereby permitting the retaining member to be moved away from the power jack to permit removal of the plug from the power jack. Another alternative embodiment incorporates a retaining member which is biased into engagement with a release housing portion of the power tool housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1, 1′) includes an electrical connector (3, 3′), a dielectric cover (5, 5′) coupled to the electrical connector and a pull mechanism (7, 7′). The pull mechanism includes a locking mechanism locked with both the electrical connector and the dielectric cover and a pull leash (70, 70′) assembled to the locking mechanism. The pull leash is rotatable on the locking mechanism.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1; 1a; 1b) includes an electrical connector (3; 3a; 3b) comprising an insulative housing (30; 30a; 30b) and a plurality of electrical contacts, a dielectric cover (5; 5a; 5b) coupled to the electrical connector and a pull leash (7; 7a; 7b) assembled to the electrical connector. The pull leash is rotatable on the housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) includes an electrical connector (20), a cover (30) coupled to the connector and a flexible pull tape (40) assembled to the cover and the connector. The flexible pull tape includes a pair of hollow frames (42) each having an upper bar (421) and a lower bar (422). The upper bar forms a protruding lid (4211) for engaging with a slot (33) of the cover and the lower bar forms a pair of barbs (4221) for mating with grooves (2113) defined in the housing. The flexible pull tape further includes a leash (41) connecting the pair of hollow frames at opposite ends thereof and provides a convenient device for a user to exert a pulling force on the electrical connector assembly to disengage the electrical connector assembly from a mating connector.

Abstract: Described is a quick connect/disconnect 10 for an electrical system comprising first and second separated electrical current carrying connectors 43A, 43B, a source of electricity, each with a first and second, respectively, receptors 40A, 40B for receiving a metallic prong; An electrical current carrying buss adapted to carry a pair of the metallic prongs 30A, 30B which cooperatively align, when connected, with the receptors of the current carrying connectors; and An electrically insulated handle 16, 18 that can be raised and lowered, which handle is attached at one end 24 to the buss and the opposite end adapted to be engaged such that in the lowered position the electrical system is connected so as to permit electrical current to pass from the first connector through the first receptor, through the metallic prong, through the buss to the other prong and to the second receptor, then to the second current carrying connector; and when the handle is in the raised position, current does not flow through the bu

Abstract: A connector with an elastic locking portion is formed to avoid exerting tension on a wire when the connector is disengaged from its mating connector. The elastic locking portion 28 is elastically deformable upward and downward on the top surface of a connector 20, and a pulling portion 34 projects at the rear side of the elastic locking portion 28. When the connector 20 connected with a mating connector is to be disengaged therefrom, the connectors are pulled in detaching directions while the elastic locking portion 28 is pressed. Since the connector 20 can be pulled by maneuvering the pulling portion 34 at this time, no tension is forcibly exerted on a wire.

Abstract: An ATA connector comprises a dielectric housing having a termination face and a mating face. A plurality of passageways is defined between the termination face and the mating face. A pair of retaining wedges is integrally formed on opposite ends of the housing. A plurality of terminals is assembled to the corresponding passageways. A cover is assembled to the termination face of the housing. A pair of retaining latches is integrally formed on opposite ends of the cover for engaging with the retaining wedges. A slot is defined between transverse sides of the cover.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention a connector assembly is provided for making an electrical connection with an electrical device having a plurality of electrical sockets. The connector assembly includes a mounting structure and a plurality of connection leads. Each connection lead includes an electrical cable and at least a first electrical connector secured to a first end of the cable. Each connection lead is secured to the mounting structure. The respective electrical connectors are mounted in position to the mounting structure so that movement of the mounting structure relatively towards the electrical device causes simultaneous engagement of each of the electrical connectors with a respective electrical socket of the electrical device.

Abstract: A flat plug structure including a base, a cover, a bent guide element, a semi-circular fastening ring, and two electrical conductive insert pins. The base and the cover are symmetrical circular plates, each having one side provided with an I-shaped groove for receiving the bent guide element, the opposite side being provided with a cut planar face. The base is provided with symmetrical recessed portions on left and right sides thereof. An inner end of each recessed portion is provided with a through hole for receiving the two electrical conductive insert pins, and a lower end thereof is provided with a deeper groove that extends to the I-shaped groove. A plurality of posts are provided in the recessed portion. The base or the cover is provided with a slightly projecting ring at an edge thereof, and high frequencies can be used to couple the base, the cover, the bent guide element, and the two electrical conductive insert pins together.

Abstract: A terminal fitting structure of a service plug is provided with a plug body provided with short-circuiting terminals, a turning shaft provided to the plug body so that the turning shaft is perpendicular to the respective fitting centers of the short-circuiting terminals, and a lever coupled to the plug body via the turning shaft so that the lever can be turned.

Abstract: A service plug is provided with circuit terminals respectively connected to the end of an open electric circuit, a circuit housing provided with the circuit terminals inside and terminal insertion holes, a pair of guide grooves stood on the surface on which the terminal insertions holes are made, guide grooves formed on the respective opposite surfaces of the guide walls, the plug body provided with short-circuiting terminals for short-circuiting the circuit terminals, a lever rotatably coupled to the plug body via a turning shaft which is long in the opposite direction of the guide walls, and bosses which are protruded from both sides of the lever, enter the guide grooves and position the circuit terminals and the short-circuiting terminals.

Abstract: A box-shaped main plug unit is connected at one end to a cable. A plug of the main plug unit is insertable into plug insertion openings of a connector socket. A lock claw of a lock member is affixed to the main plug unit, and is positioned to lock into latch openings of the plug insertion openings. A slider is slidably supported on the main plug unit. When the slider is slid on the main plug unit it forcibly disengages the lock claw from the latch opening. A pull-out handle is rotatably supported on the slider. The pull-out handle is rotatable between a protected inoperative position and a projecting operative position where it permits application of removal force on the main plug unit. A fixed projection is integrally formed on the slider to further aid in the application of a pull-out force to the main plug unit.

Abstract: A hard disk drive (HDD) drawer includes an outer casing fixed inside a computer and an inner casing which receives an HDD therein. The outer casing has two opposite side walls defining an open front end for removably receiving the inner casing therein. Each of the side walls has a guide slot extending from the front opening to an inner end and a second slot extending from the inner end of the guide slot to a top side of the outer casing in a direction substantially normal to the guide slot. The second slot has two opposite walls. The inner casing has a handle having two side limbs pivoted thereto to allow the handle to be rotatable between an insertion position and a securing position. The handle limbs are slidably receivable in the guide slots of the outer casing for inserting the inner casing into the outer casing.

Abstract: Novel connector-removing devices and method are disclosed which facilitate the disconnection of a connector from a receptacle or another connector, the devices being capable of being wrapped around the connector to firmly hold the connector within the device. One connector-remover apparatus includes a band, a strap, and fasteners attached to the band and strap. The band may be firmly positioned about a connector by wrapping the strap around the band. In a preferred embodiment, the band has attached to its ends a tether to facilitate pulling the connector. Additionally, the band may have apertures formed in the face thereof for receiving the prongs of an electrical connector.

Abstract: An electrical cord plug puller is disclosed for aiding in the removal of plugs from sockets. The plug puller acts as an insulator between the user's hand and plug to eliminate shock occurrences. Main components include a flat cord with 15 pounds of tensile strength, a tie-wrap for securing the plug puller to the plug and its power cord, and a 3 to 6-inch piece of plastic tubing which forms the pull loop. The cord is bent to form two loops, with one situated on each end of the cord, a plug loop and a pull loop. The plug loop is secured to the plug. The user's fingers are placed through the pull loop when pulling the plug from the socket.

Abstract: A thin safety power plug is provided which includes an upper bayonet cap, a lower bayonet cap, an upper retainer, a lower retainer, a pulling lever and a pair of pins. The power plug is designed to overcome the defects of existing power plugs, the improvement facilitating the removal of the plug from a wall socket easily and safely. The power plug makes use of the lever action between the pulling lever and the wall socket.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a planar gripping member which allows for improved manual gripping of the connector to facilitate easy connection/disconnection of the electrical connector from an interface point.

Abstract: An electrical plug removal device for use with electrical plugs of the type having an electrical cord, a cord cap or plug, and electrically conductive spaced apart blades or prongs, the electrically conductive spaced apart blades being plugged into an electrical outlet or receptacle. Many people remove an electrical plug from an electrical outlet by simply taking hold of the electrical cord and pulling on the electrical cord to remove the electrical plug from the electrical outlet. This action results in damage to the electrical cord or to the electrical plug itself that may lead to electric shock or electrocution of the person removing an electrical plug in this manner, or may lead to an electrical fire. The electrical plug removal device is constructed from thin non-conductive semi-flexible material designed to be used with a variety of electrical plugs having different types of cord caps and different shapes, configurations and numbers of electrically conductive spaced apart blades or prongs.

Abstract: A molded plastic low profile electrical plug comprising a thin molded plastic main body member, two electrically conductive blade members adapted for insertion into an electrical outlet, and two wire members forming an electrical cord, is disclosed. A removal handle receiving aperture is open to the back face of the main body member. A molded plastic removal handle having a base portion and a handle portion joined in flexible relation to the base portion, is situated with the base portion within the removal handle receiving aperture such that the main body member and the base portion of the removal handle are in interference fit with each other, so as to securely retain the removal handle in the removal handle receiving aperture. The handle portion is flexibly movable between an in-use position and an offset position. When the handle portion is in its in-use position it extends generally perpendicularly outwardly from the back face of the main body member so as to be readily graspable.

Abstract: An adapter plug including a central rectangular body having integral loop handles extending laterally from the opposed sides thereof and defining finger accommodating grips to assist in inserting and removing the adapter from a power source, wall receptacle or the like. Conductor prongs extend from one end of the adapter plug body for engagement within a wall receptacle while the other end of the adapter body includes conductive sockets for the semi-permanent mounting of an appliance plug thereto.

Abstract: An electrical connector, bridge connector and opening accessory to protect the contacts on flexible circuitry of such connectors from being damaged by the sharp edges of a printed circuit board like member wherein the opening accessory is provided with spaced apart cam means that spread apart cam bearing portions of the connectors outside flexible circuitry mounted thereon is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connection device for a printing head of a dot printer and a drive circuit therefor, which comprises flexible printed circuits easily connectable to solenoids accommodated in the printing head, and a male connector connected to these circuits. The male connector has electrically conductive pins arranged to be detachably engaged with socket terminals of a female connector fixed to a carriage, the socket terminals being connected to the drive circuit through a flat cable. To mount the printing head onto the carriage, the male connector is plugged into the female connector, while the flexible printed circuits and a flexible hook member are received in a receiving section of the carriage. Disconnection of the printing head from the carriage can be easily made by simply releasing the engagement between the two connectors with the use of the hook member. The flat cable well withstands repetitive bending attributable to reciprocal movement of the printing head.

Abstract: A cable termination assembly including a multiconductor ribbon cable of the woven or Teflon insulation type includes loop connection portions for respective conductors with a stiffening insert located in respective loops, the loops being coupled to contacts via a printed circuit board interface for connecting the cable conductors to an external member, and a strain relief system including a rigid bar-like member directly molded or otherwise affixed to the cable and to which a housing portion of the cable termination assembly may grab in order to transmit force between the cable and housing without applying forces to the connections of the loops and the circuit board and/or contacts to which such loops are connected.

Abstract: A device for disengaging a plug member from a receptacle includes an elongated strap member having an aperture therein for each prong or element of the plug which inserts into the receptacle, each aperture operatively engaging about its corresponding prong or element of the plug; the strap member forming a loop about the plug when mounted thereon and having flat faces with no protruding elements for latch ends of the strap together.

Abstract: A pivotable pull ring is permanently attached to a low profile electrical plug by fashioning a locking stub at the attaching ends of the pull ring. Matching lock stub cavities in the electrical plug have "one-way" locking tabs which accept the locking stubs into the locking cavity during assembly, but which block the removal of the locking stub from the locking stub cavity once the locking stub is assembled into the locking stub cavity. The locking tab has a gentle ramp on the outside, to facilitate displacement of the locking tab to allow entry of the locking stub during assembly, but has an abrupt shoulder on the inside to prevent displacement of the locking tab after assembly.

Abstract: A latch and combined latch locking means and handle for securing in place a plug-in electrical connector mated to a second connector. The latch comprises a latch plate pivotally joined to one end of the connector to permit deflection of the plate. A post is mounted on the receptacle at a position opposite the latch plate on the connector. Cooperating shoulders on the post and the latch plate restrain the connector from being withdrawn from the receptacle when the latch plate is in a first position. When the latch plate is deflected to a second position, the shoulders disengage to permit withdrawal of the connector from the receptacle. The latch locking means and handle comprises a bail pivotally mounted in the connector to permit the bail to be folded flush with the connector. In the flush position, the bail extends over the latch plate and prevents the plate from being deflected to a position disengaging the shoulders.

Abstract: A low profile alternating current electrical plug is disclosed in which the electrical pins are terminated in lands at right angles to the axis of the pins. These lands are used for crimping wires to the pins as well as for mechanically stabilizing the pins in the molded plug body. Forming these lands at right angles to the pin axis permits a very thin plug body. The electrical cord exits the plug head at an acute angle to the line of the power pins as well as at an acute angle to the axis of a mating electrical outlet. The wires exit the plug head, however, at a right angle to the pin axes and parallel to the wall, thereby maintaining the low profile.At the wire exit, a cone-shaped sleeve acts as a shock absorber for forces exerted on the cord, thereby absorbing most of these forces before they reach the pin area. A removal ring is made integral with the low profile plug, lying parallel to the plug when not in use, but pivoting to a perpendicular position when grasped by a finger.

Abstract: An electrical connector 6 comprises, an insulative housing block 7 containing multiple, spaced apart, conductive electrical contacts 9 for connection with corresponding conductors 3 of electrical wiring 2, and for disconnect coupling with corresponding multiple electrical terminals 14 arranged in an array, the housing block 7 includes at least one recess 16 without an electrical contact therein, said recess 16 is open for pluggable receipt of a corresponding said electrical terminal 14, a flexible lanyard 18 extends in a loop 19, said loop 19 is anchored to said housing block 7, and said loop 19 extends into said recess 16 and is anchored therein.

Abstract: In the attachment of an appliance's electrical supply cord to an ordinary electrical outlet on a wall, it is common to have a plug encasing the cord such that the cord adjacent to the plug will be parallel to the wall when the plug is inserted into the outlet, permitting furniture or other objects in front of the outlet to be set closer to the wall. In this invention, the protrusion of the plug from the outlet is reduced to the width of the electrical cord itself. The invention will be of great value in allowing the cord to lie substantially flat against a wall even at its juncture with the plug and in allowing furniture or other objects to be set approximately a mere width of the cord away from the electrical outlet surface. A pivoting tab whose end can be swung away from the main body of the plug to facilitate grasping for disengaging the plug from the outlet is provided.