Abstract: The invention concerns a card reader connector with microcircuit (1) comprising contacts (2) connected to an electronic circuit and designed, when the card (1) is integrated in the reader, to be connected to the card (1) microcircuit contact pads Said connector comprises a wafer (3) made of electrically insulating material comprising cells (4) each freely receiving a brush contact (2) the first end (5) of which projects from the cell (4) and is designed to be contacted with one contact pad of the card (1) microcircuit and the other end (6, 7) rests on one conducting pad of the electronic circuit formed on a card (10) of the printed circuit pressed against the wafer (3) made of electrically insulating material.

Abstract: When two connector housings are half fitted together, a fitting detecting connector causes one of the connector housings to be pushed in a direction of separation by means of springs which are provided within a female connector housing 5, a spring holder 15 being inserted into this female connector housing 5 so that it can move in an anterior-posterior direction. This spring holder 15 houses coiled springs 16 and, when the two connector housings are being fitted together, a locking arm 11 rises over a stopping protrusion 2. As a result of this rising up the spring holder 15 is engaged, its movement in a posterior direction is regulated, and the coiled springs 16 are compressed. When the connector housings are completely fitted together the locking arm 11 again moves, releasing the engagement of the spring holder 15, and the spring holder 15 is pushed in a posterior direction by the spring force. In this way the separating force does not act when the connector housings are fully engaged.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a failover for designating a primary network device and a backup network device and providing direct communication between the primary network device and the backup network device. The cable includes a plurality of conductive wires having a primary end and a backup end. A primary connector is connected to the plurality of conductive wires at the primary end of the plurality of conductive wires. The primary connector has a primary plug driver pin and a primacy select pin, and the primary plug driver pin is connected to the primacy select pin. A backup connector is connected to the plurality of conductive wires at the backup end of the plurality of conductive wires, the backup connector has a grounded pin and a backup select pin and the backup grounded pin is connected to the backup select pin. Thus, the primary end of the failover cable is distinguishable from the backup end of the failover cable.

Abstract: An IC socket for holding an IC having multiple parallel lead units and multiple pins each of which includes a tip unit that is bent with respect to the lead unit is equipped with a contact pin for contacting the lead units and a pressing unit for pressing the lead units onto the contact pin. The tip unit may have a soldering unit to be soldered to an object part. The pressing unit is installed at a position that faces the contact pin. The lead units are installed between the pressing unit and the contact pin. The contact pin has elasticity against a direction in which the pressing unit presses the lead units. In order for the contact pin to have this elasticity, the contact pin may have a hollow tube, a spring installed inside the tube, and an axis that the spring presses in an extending direction of the spring. The IC further has a conductive support pin, which supports the IC. A detection pin detects that the IC has been properly installed when the detection pin is electrically connected to the support pin.

Abstract: A sensor switch located in a patient cable adapts an incompatible sensor to a monitor in a pulse oximetry system. The sensor switch is particularly suited to adapting sensors to a monitor that utilizes an open-circuit detector to determine a no-sensor condition. A compatible sensor short-circuits the inputs to the open-circuit detector to indicate sensor presence. An incompatible sensor has such no short-circuit feature and fails to work on such a monitor. An incompatible sensor attached to a sensor connector at one end of the patient cable, however, actuates the sensor switch. The sensor switch, in turn, short-circuits the open-circuit detector inputs when the monitor is attached to a monitor connector at the opposite end of the patient cable. Thus, the sensor switch simulates the presence of a compatible sensor to the monitor.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to be mounted to a mother board, includes a casing defining a slot therein for receiving a daughter board and a plurality of pin pairs arranged in the slot for electrically engaging with the daughter board. The casing has a fixed member fixed in the slot and a switch key selectively fit into the slot at two locations corresponding to a 3.3V PCI connector and a 5V PCI connector. Thus, the connector may be selectively configured to be either a 3.3V PCI connector or a 5V PCI connector by setting the position of the switch key. The insertion of the switch key into the slot changes the spatial relationship between a pair of pins thereby transmitting a signal to the mother board for selecting the electrical voltage supplied to the connector corresponding to the configuration of the connector.

Abstract: A modular jack comprising an insulative housing having a substantially open front side and a rear side and first and second longitudinal walls. The second longitudinal wall is positioned over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel wall. A pair of lateral walls interposed in spaced parallel relation between said first and second longitudinal walls to form at least one transverse plug receiving cavity extending from the substantially open front side of said jack to the rear side. A light emitting diode (LED) module is fixed to one of said lateral sides of the housing to allow for easy visibility and reduced interference with signals to the jack. The LED module is also easily removable to allow field replacement.

Abstract: A port connector of a computing system is provided with a flexible electrical contact for determining the presence of the electrically grounded flange of a cable connector which may be attached to the port connector. Using this feature, the computing system can determine whether a peripheral device is attached to the port connector by means of a cable.

Abstract: A card connector includes a detecting unit indicating the full insertion of a card into a card-receiving slot that provides no pressure on the card in the direction of its ejection, thereby providing for better reliability of electrical connections between the connector and the card. Card (C) is inserted in card-receiving slot (4) of housing (2) of card connector (1). When the card (C) is fully inserted in the card-receiving slot, one side of the card presses down V-shaped contact section (52a) of sensing member (52) breaking its electrical contact with sensing member (54), thus confirming the full insertion of the card into the card-receiving slot. The V-shaped contact section (52a) exerts pressure against the card (C) in a perpendicular direction.

Abstract: A cable connector of the present invention includes a grounding device which comprises a grounding plate and a terminal module. The grounding plate is arranged in a symmetrical dual-layer configuration, being made from a sheet of metal symmetrically stamped and bended and then folded double. A clamping portion is formed at one end of the grounding plate. The clamping portion includes clamping sections used for retaining cables. A mating portion is defined at a second end of the grounding plate opposite the clamping portion for engaging with a mating connector. A locking portion is defined in a middle of the grounding plate proximate the mating portion and includes at least a spring locking member adapted to securely engage with the terminal module, which connects the grounding plate to the cable connector. A bulge is disposed on the mating portion of the grounding plate providing a mechanism for a user to sense positive engagement and disengagement between the cable connector and a mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a detecting member 17 is provided on the upper face of a locking member 9 so that it can slide freely in an anterior-posterior direction. A pair of arms 38 protrude in an anterior direction from two edges located in a width-wise direction of the lower face of the detecting member 17. A pair of plate-shaped ribs 41 which protrude upwards from the upper face of a corresponding male housing M correspond to the arms 38. If the detecting member 17 has been stopped in an advanced position before the housings M and F are fitted together, the anterior faces of the ribs 41 push against head members 39 of the arms 38 while the fitting operation is taking place and, as a result, the detecting member 17 is pushed back in a posterior direction. When the housings M and F are fitted further, the anterior end of the locking member 9 rises on top of the stopping member 15 and inclines.

Abstract: A card connector comprises a main body, a cover attached to a bottom face of the main body, and switching means disposed between the main body and the cover. The switching means comprises a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first leg and a second leg parallel to the first leg. The second leg forms a V-shaped projection adjacent to a free end thereof and projecting beyond a top face of the main body. The free end of the second leg electrically contacts the second portion. When a card is inserted into the card connector, a front edge thereof will slide along the V-shaped projection of the switching means thereby causing the free end of the second leg to electrically disengage from the second portion.

Abstract: An electrical card connector for electrically coupling with an external plug, includes an insulative housing that receives a plurality of contacts and a pair of mixed latching means therein. Each mixed latching means consists of a spring bar with a protrusion extending integrally with the housing, and a metallic spring buffer disposed inside the housing. Each spring buffer includes a spring arm portion preloaded by the spring bar at a first supporting section thereof, a second supporting section formed at a free end of the spring arm portion and spaced apart from a stopper wall formed on the housing thereby constructing the spring arm portion as a cantilevered beam. After the spring bar is progressively deformed to reach a specific deformation due to the coupling between the plug and connector, the second supporting section of the spring arm portion can abut against the stopper wall to transform the spring arm portion as a simple support beam.

Abstract: A smaller mating force connector assembly includes a first connector having a housing and a sliding frame formed with a cam groove, and a second connector having a boss movable along and within the cam groove. The first connector housing receives the sliding frame when the first connector mates with the second connector. The housing of the first connector has a first bracket and the sliding frame has a second bracket. Each bracket has a through hole for receiving a securing bolt the brackets overlap one another so that the through holes align with each other when the first connector housing receives completely the sliding frame. The bracket of the first connector is formed with a recess which fits with the second bracket of the sliding frame when the first connector housing receives completely the sliding frame. The sliding frame has a pair of side plates each formed with the cam groove and a front plate joined to each of the side plates by means of a compensating rib.

Abstract: A female connector 30 is provided with a reciprocative and slidable slide member 13; an operation lever 20 rotatably coupled to the connector for sliding the slide member 13 within the connector; and a guide groove 14 and a guide pin 44 arranged to be engaged to the slide member 13 and a male connector 40. The operation lever 20 is rotated to introduce the male connector 40 into the female connector 30 so that the two connectors are connected to each other. A projection 27 arranged to be brought into contact with the outer surface of the male connector 40 when the guide groove 14 and the guide pin 44 have incompletely been connected to each other is integrally provided with a side wall 22 of the operation lever 20 so as to prevent rotation of the operation lever 20. Thus, the connector structure will resist breakage and deformation even if excessive force is exerted on the lever when attempting to secure a connection while the male and female connectors are not completely connected.

Abstract: When two connector housings are half-fitted together, a fitting detecting connector causes one of the connector housings to be pushed in a direction of separation by means of springs which are provided within a female connector housing, a spring holder being inserted into this female connector housing so that it can move in an anterior-posterior direction. This spring holder houses springs and, when the two connector housings are being fitted together, a locking arm rises over a stopping protrusion. As a result of the locking arm rising, the spring holder is restrained, its movement in a posterior direction is regulated, and the springs are compressed. When the connector housings are completely fitted together the locking arm springs down, releasing the spring holder, and allowing it to move in a posterior direction under the spring force. All of the half-fitting detector components are provided on one of the connector housings; the other connector housing requires no modification.

Abstract: A lock-detecting connector capable of surely detecting semi-connection or complete connection thereof is provided. The lock-detecting connector consists of a male connector having a pair of protecting walls on both sides of a locking arm, a female connector having an engaging projection to bend the locking arm and to engage the arm in a resiled state thereof and having an opening for receiving the protecting walls, and a lock-detecting member installed on a rear portion of the male connector, wherein the lock-detecting member has a pair of detecting arms abutting the respective rear ends of the protecting walls. The detecting arms have respective outwardly-facing projections, and front corner-portions formed on both sides of the opening press the outwardly-facing projections inwardly. Slits for receiving the respective outwardly-facing projections are provided on the protecting walls, and upwardly-facing projections for abutting the respective protecting walls are provided on the detecting arms.

Abstract: The connector fitting structure includes: a first connector 2 including in the leading end portion thereof a pair of engaging grooves 7 and a pair of securing projections; and, a second connector 3 including a housing main body 4 which incorporates therein not only a pair of flexible lock arms 10 each having in the leading end thereof a lock portion 9 to be engaged with its associated one of the two engaging grooves 7 but also a slider 5 elastically energized in the axial direction thereof and including in the front end portion thereof a pair of contact portions 11 to be engaged with their associated securing projections 8. The slider 5 is mounted within the housing main body 4 in such a manner that it sits astride the lock arms 10 and it can be slided not only in the back-and-forth direction but also in the vertical direction; and, in the lock arms 10, there are provided the push-up projections 14 which are used to push up the contact portions 11.

Abstract: A connector is provided to independently perform connection detection and short releasing functions. The connector includes a connection detecting member 55 and a separate short releasing member 50. A connector is assembled by fitting a female connector housing 21 into a male connector housing 11, mounting the connection detecting member 55 and then mounting the short releasing member 50. The connected state of the connector housings 11, 21 is detected based on whether or not the connection detecting member 55 can be mounted on the female connector housing 21. If the short releasing member 50 is mounted after the two connector housings are properly connected, the shorted state of male tabs 13 is released in the male connector housing. Since the connection detecting member 55 and the short releasing member 50 are such separate members as to be independently mountable and detachable, both the connection detection and the short releasing can properly be performed.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a sealing face 30 provided along the entire circumference of a side edge and upper face of a foot member 25 and along outer side faces and an outer base face of a terminal housing chamber 23. An operating member 26B and short-circuiting terminal 24 are sealed by a boot 31, an opening edge 31A of the boot 31 fitting tightly with a continuous sealing circumference face 30, thereby preventing the entry of water or dirt. The arrangement ensures that the locking arm 26 can be operated without risk of breaking the seal.

Abstract: A testing unit is provided for mounting on a connector testing device for testing a connector which includes a plurality of metal terminals fastened to the connector by a lance system. A probe pin for testing conductivity is held by a molded resin slider having a pair of electrodes. The slider is integrally formed with a probe pin which holds a protrusion for testing, whether the fastening of the lance is complete. Positioning a lance testing member or protrusion relative to the lance can be achieved without providing a rotation-free stopper of the probe pin. In addition, individual failure testing can be achieved compared with the case which holds all of the probe pins. Furthermore, damage to the lance resulting from the material selection can also be avoided. Furthermore, a better connection between a probe pin and a lead wire is also provided when displacing probe pin of a connector testing device relative to the position of a lead wire.

Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing having a mating body and a plurality of passageways defined in the mating body; a plurality of conductive contacts received in the plurality of passageways; and detection means received in the mating body for detecting engagement of an external mating connector. The detection means comprises a first and a second plate juxtaposed together, each including a main body and a contact leg extending from said main body for engagement with a conductive contact of a mating electrical connector.

Abstract: A housing adapted to a connector position assurance system is incorporated in an electrical connector assembly. A first electrical connector includes a housing having a latch portion and an activating portion. A second electrical connector is mateable with the first connector and includes said housing having a latching member movable into engagement with the latch portion of the first connector when the connectors are mated. A connector position assurance device (CPA) is mounted on the latching member for movement relative thereto between an initial inactive position and a final indicating position to indicate that the connectors are mated. Complementary interengaging stops are provided between the CPA and the latching member to prevent the CPA from moving from its initial position to its final position when the connectors are not mated.

Abstract: In a half-fitting prevention connector 30, a lock portion 53 and a stopper projection 55 are formed in a juxtaposed manner on a flat surface portion 47 of a female connector (one connector) 31, and the lock portion and the stopper projection are spaced a predetermined distance 51 from each other in a direction perpendicular to a connector-fitting direction. An elastic lock arm 61 and a bar-like slider 63 are formed on a male connector (the other connector) 33, and when the two connectors begin to be fitted together, the elastic lock arm is brought into sliding contact with a slanting surface 57 of the lock portion 53, and is elastically flexed toward the stopper projection 55, and the slider 63 is urged in a fitting direction through a resilient member 69, and can be pressed by the flexed elastic lock arm 61 so as to abut against the stopper projection 55. The elastic lock arm 61 and the slider 63 are covered with a cover portion 67.

Abstract: A digital verification system and method is described for verifying that the terminal connector assembly of an automobile's battery cable is properly connected to the connector assembly of a power distribution module (PDM). The terminal connector assembly is provided with an integrated CPA assembly having an engagement member, such as an elongated appendage. The PDM connector assembly is provided with a shorting bar that contacts a bus bar so as to cause a short circuit to occur when current is supplied to the PDM connector assembly through the battery's terminal connector assembly. A sense lead in contact with the shorting bar sends a response signal through a printed circuit board to a microprocessor indicating that electrical power is flowing though the short circuit. The CPA assembly can only be engaged when the terminal connector assembly is fully mated to the PDM connector assembly.

Abstract: A connector is moveable between a coupled state and an uncoupled state with respect to a counter connector. Plural contact members of the connector individually contact respective, plural contacts of the counter connector when coupled together. A contact module of the connector has a pair of contacts individually contacting and short circuiting a corresponding pair of respective contacts of the counter connector, in a selected one of the coupled and uncoupled states thereof. The contact module may include a pair of output terminals corresponding to the pair of contacts and a switch, actuated between first and second states in accordance with the coupled and uncoupled states of the connector, a selected one of the coupled and uncoupled states producing short circuiting of the pair of output terminals.

Abstract: A connector position assurance system is provided for an electrical connector adapted for mating with another mateable connecting device. The connector includes a housing having a guideway and a stop surface near the guideway. A primary flexible locking arm on the housing includes a latch for mechanically interlocking with a cooperating latch of the mateable connecting device. A connector position assurance (CPA) device is slidable along the guideway between a first position allowing movement of the locking arm and mating of the connector with the mateable connecting device, and a second position blocking movement of the locking arm away from a latched position. The CPA device includes a flexible stop arm engageable with the stop surface on the housing to prevent the CPA device from moving from its first to its second position.

Abstract: An apparatus detects a trailing end of a memory card in a memory card reader. The apparatus has a first driven switch element resiliently displaced by the memory card and a second driven switch element resiliently displaced by the first driven switch element. The first driven switch element includes a first resilient contact piece extending in a direction of insertion of the memory card. The second driven switch element includes a second resilient contact piece likewise extending in the direction of insertion of the memory card. The first and second resilient contact pieces are arranged such that they extend along a surface of the memory and face each other in a direction of the thickness of the memory card.

Abstract: A contact face 16 of a rib 15 is arranged to be inclined downwards with respect to the fitting direction of connector housings 10,20. Detecting terminal fittings 14 make contact with the contact face 16 and are resiliently bent in a predetermined manner. If the rib 15 should be bent away from the detecting terminal fittings 14, the detecting terminal fittings 14 follow due to their inherent resilience and thereby maintain contact with the contact face 16.

Abstract: A switch 120 for a card reader assembly includes first and second terminals 122, 140 disposed in a card-receiving cavity 90. The first terminal 122 includes a board mounting section 124, a body portion 126 and a contact section 132 spaced from the board mounting section. The second terminal includes a board mounting section 142 at one end, a body section 144 and a switch portion 150 at an opposed end. Switch portion 150 has a card engaging end 152 and a contact engaging end 156 spaced therefrom and a fulcrum engaging portion 154 therebetween. The housing defines a fulcrum adapted to support the fulcrum engaging portion. Upon inserting a card 170 into the card receiving cavity 90, the card engages the card engaging end 152 of the second terminal causing the switch portion of the second terminal to pivot from one position to another providing an electrical signal indicating that the card 170 is fully inserted into the cavity 90.

Abstract: A fitting chamber 15 is formed with restricting ribs to be positioned in clearances between elastic contact portions 32 of a short-circuiting terminal fitting 30. When the short-circuiting terminal fitting 30 is mounted, a displacement of the elastic contact portions 32 along a direction in which they are arranged is restricted by the restricting ribs 17. As a result, the short-circuiting terminal fitting 30 is mounted securely in the fitting chamber 15 so as not to make any loose movement.

Abstract: A fitting operation of connectors is completed through the following steps of providing a first connector with a mating projection, and a second connector; providing a slide member which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first connector is pressed against the second connector; preparing an inclined groove provided in the slide member for receiving the mating projection when fitting the first connector to the second connector is started; temporarily securing the first connector in a fitting hole of a fitting body; pressing the second connector against the first connector in a connector fitted direction; fitting the first connector and the second connector together by moving the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitted direction by a pressing force via the inclined groove while releasing the first connector from being temporarily secured in the fitting hole; and completing the fitting operation between the first and second connectors by pushing the second co

Abstract: An electrical assembly including an electrical connector and a complementary test module configured for diagnostic testing of a circuit board connected to the connector when a test module is positioned within a receiving mouth of the connector. The connector includes a connector housing having opposed first and second sides and end sides defining a module receiving mouth, and a plurality of conductive electrical terminals disposed in the connector housing and having portions extending into the module receiving mouth. The electrical connector advantageously includes one or more recessed contacts located on the second side of the connector within the module receiving mouth. The recessed contacts have a portion extending within the connector housing and are adapted for electrical connection with a protruding contact on the complementary test module and are adapted to remain spaced from a conventional module. The electrical assembly further includes a conductive shroud encircling the electrical connector housing.

Abstract: A connector fitting construction in which a pair of male and female connectors can be fitted together easily, and a housing can be formed into a small size, and two connectors can be held in a good mutually-fitted condition. In the connector fitting construction, side rib-receiving portions are formed in an inner surface of a hood portion of a male connector, and a notch is formed in one side wall of the hood portion. An under-rib is formed on an outer surface of an inner housing. Side ribs are formed respectively on opposite side walls of a housing of a female connector, and extend in a connector-fitting direction. A bracket for mounting on other member is formed on an outer surface of the housing.

Abstract: A connector includes first and second connector housings which are fitted together. A seesaw or lever-type lock piece is provided in one of said connector housings and a hooking part is provided on the other connector housing for being hooked by a first downward projection of the lock piece. A detecting member is mounted for free sliding movement along the upper face of the lock piece. After a fitting operation of both housings is carried out, the detecting member is pushed forwardly. When the connector housings are in an incomplete fitted position or state, since the first downward projection is mounted on the hooking part and the lock piece is in an oblique position, the pushing of the detecting member is prevented and an incomplete fitted state is detected. When the detecting member is further pushed in, one of the housings is pushed in with the lock piece and is properly fitted.

Abstract: A pair of guide grooves (33) disposed on a double lock member (30) allow a pair of guide ribs (14) disposed on a female connector housing (11) to be inserted thereinto, respectively, at the time of engaging the double lock member (30) with the female connector housing (11). Accordingly, the pair of guide grooves (33) guides the double lock member (30) in such a manner that the double lock member (30) can take a predetermined position with respect to the female connector housing (11). The guide grooves (33) are formed so as to enclose substantially all the outer surfaces of the guide ribs (14) with inner sidewalls (34) and outer sidewalls (35) thereof, respectively. In addition, a distance (C) between outer side surfaces of the respective guide ribs (14) is set to a value equal to or greater than a distance (D) between inner surfaces of the outer sidewalls (35) of the respective guide grooves (33).

Abstract: An easily produced connector is provided with a partial engagement preventing function. A movable member 30 movably provided in a male connector housing along an engagement direction is biased by coil springs 40 toward a front end position with respect to the engagement direction. When the engagement is stopped when connector housings 10, 20 are partly engaged, the connector housings 10, 20 are separated away from each other by the forces of the coil springs 40, thereby informing an operator that the connector housings 10, 20 were partly engaged. The movable member 30 is formed with an engaging hole 31 which extends in a direction normal to its moving direction and is engageable with a lock arm 12 provided on the female connector housing 10.

Abstract: A mechanism for detecting an unlocked state of connectors is provided. An interfering portion for interfering with a slider which is not pushed in is formed on a mating component to which a component having first and second connectors is attached. The locking plate of the slider is provided with an inclined portion and a flat portion in a direction perpendicular to the connector engagement direction. The second connector is provided with an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined portion, a flat surface corresponding to the flat portion, and an insertion opening adjacent to the flat surface for accommodating the locking plate. When the flat portion is completely in contact with the flat surface, the length of the protruding portion of the slider is the same as the width of the clearance between the second connector and the interfering portion.

Abstract: A connector fitting-detection mechanism which is rigid and simple in structure. In the connector fitting-detection mechanism (1), a fitting detection member (6) having flexible detection arms (7), which are provided with engagement projections (8) at the tip portions thereof, is supported at the rear portion of a female connector (2) so that the fitting detection member (6) is slidable forward and backward. A provisional engagement hole (10) and a primary engagement hole (11) engaging with the engagement projection (8) are provided along the fitting direction at each of the opposite side walls of the female connector (2). A disengagement projection (12) is provided at the front portion of each of the opposite side walls of a male connector (4).

Abstract: An electrical connector for connection to a fuel injector in a motor vehicle includes a terminal insulator having at least one passage to receive at least one box terminal staked wire and a connector position assurance member cooperating with the terminal insulator to detect and indicate an unmated condition of the terminal insulator to a mating connector of the fuel injector wherein the connector position assurance member includes a preload stop finger engageable with the terminal insulator to prevent the connector position assurance member from prematurely locking to the mating connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) comprising a housing (20) with a latch arm (30), a CPA (40) received in the latch arm (30), an inner housing (50) received within the housing (20), a wire seal (60) disposed on the inner housing (50) and retained by a seal retainer (70) and posts (51); a wire cover (80), and a header housing (90). Wire seal (60) includes wire receiving slits (67) therein for advantageously receiving wires (17) during an insulation displacement type wire termination operation. CPA (40) is operative to assure the operator that the header (90) and housing (20) have been fully mated together and to prevent inadvertent separation of the housing (20) from the header (90).

Abstract: A card connector includes a switch installed therein for generating on/off status in response to the insertion/withdrawal of an electrical card. The switch includes an elastic plate having a fulcrum end fixed in the connector, a free end normally connected to two separated metal plates fixed in the connector and an intermediate portion connected between the fulcrum end and the free end. An extension is formed in the intermediate portion of the elastic plate for receiving a force from the inserted card to urge the free end away from contacting with the two metal plates.

Abstract: An IC card connector wherein an elastic piece is provided on a base of a housing, extending cantilevered in the direction of IC card insertion and using the free end portion thereof as a click projection. The IC card drives the click projection immediately before complete insertion to produce a feel of a click, thus completing the insertion of the IC card, so that the user inserting the IC card into a card slot of the housing will be able to definitely know proper card insertion by the feel of click and vibration.

Abstract: A connector-coupling detecting structure which can surely detect and prevent incomplete coupling of connectors by means of opening and closing operation of their covers. A couple of covers with a freely opening and closing mechanism are provided on one connector and abutting portions relative to an end portion of the other connector are provided at base portions of the covers, wherein the covers are pushed by respective spring members in their opening directions. The abutting portions push the other connector, being in a state of incomplete coupling, with pressure due to the spring members in a connector-uncoupling direction. Pushing inclined-walls relative to a rear step portion of the other connector are formed on the covers. A provisional engaging means is provided between the connectors and a final engaging means is provided between the covers.

Abstract: A sensor switch located in a patient cable adapts an incompatible sensor to a monitor in a pulse oximetry system. The sensor switch is particularly suited to adapting sensors to a monitor that utilizes an open-circuit detector to determine a no-sensor condition. A compatible sensor short-circuits the inputs to the open-circuit detector to indicate sensor presence. An incompatible sensor has such no short-circuit feature and fails to work on such a monitor. An incompatible sensor attached to a sensor connector at one end of the patient cable, however, actuates the sensor switch. The sensor switch, in turn, short-circuits the open-circuit detector inputs when the monitor is attached to a monitor connector at the opposite end of the patient cable. Thus, the sensor switch simulates the presence of a compatible sensor to the monitor.

Abstract: In order to detect via an external circuit whether male and female connector housings 1 and 2 have been correctly fitted together, a short-circuiting terminal 19 which bends when a locking arm 10 bends either short circuits or fails to short circuit a pair of detecting terminals 7 located on the male housing 1. The area surrounding the short-circuiting terminal 19 is surrounded by an interior protecting wall which is covered by a flexible sealing cover 27. The sealing cover covers only the short-circuiting terminal and the locking arm remains exposed. The upper face of the interior protecting wall has an opening 25A. When the locking arm 19 is bent while the housings are being fitted, the short-circuiting terminal 19 is moved via the sealing cover 27 and the short-circuiting terminal and the detecting terminals 7 separate.

Abstract: A system for providing a failover for designating a primary network device and a backup network device and providing direct communication between the primary network device and the backup network device. The cable includes a plurality of conductive wires having a primary end and a backup end. A primary connector is connected to the plurality of conductive wires at the primary end of the plurality of conductive wires. The primary connector has a primary plug driver pin and a primacy select pin, and the primary plug driver pin is connected to the primacy select pin. A backup connector is connected to the plurality of conductive wires at the backup end of the plurality of conductive wires, the backup connector has a grounded pin and a backup select pin and the backup grounded pin is connected to the backup select pin. Thus, the primary end of the failover cable is distinguishable from the backup end of the failover cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for reliably and positively connecting electric wires in receiving insulation-displacing slots. The pivoting connection pusher is closed by a locking catch borne by an elastic tongue and cooperating with a fixed closure stop. Locking is produced after passage of a hard point and provokes a clearly audible click which indicates to the installer that the insulation-displacing connection of the wire is then positively effected.

Abstract: Connector housings are provided that are easily lockable, but hard to be unlocked. The housings include a male connector housing 10 with an elastic portion 14, and a female connector housing 20 with a receptacle 21 and a lock projection 24. While the connector housings 10, 20 are being engaged, the elastic portion 14 and the lock projection 24 are engaged with each other when the connector housings 10, 20 are properly engaged after the elastic portion 14 undergoes an elastic deformation. As a result, the connector housings 10, 20 are locked. In this state, the elastic portion 14 and the lock projection 24 are concealed inside the receptacle 21 and the unlocking cannot be performed by directly operating the elastic portion 14 by hand or finger. Accordingly, the connector housings 10, 20 are not inadvertently unlocked.

Abstract: The invention includes an electrical connector system having first and second mateable housings and a connector position assurance member for bi-directional sliding movement on the second connector housing. The first connector housing includes a primary lock ramp thereon and the second connector housing has a primary lock constructed and arranged for pivotal movement and for locking against the primary lock ramp when the first and second connector housings are fully mated. The connector position assurance member is slidable on the second connector housing in a direction co-linear with the mating direction of the connector housings to a pre-staged position and so that the primary lock is uninhibited from pivotal movement.