Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for facilitating connection between interchangeable input/output cables and a high-density arrangement of traces on a circuit board inside a mainframe computer. The assembly comprises a collection of individual connector/terminal assemblies and individual flexible conductive elements, such assemblies and elements being specially formed and relationally positioned so as to optimize serviceability, high frequency performance, systematic routing capability and densifying capability.

Abstract: For the communications and data transfer wiring of a modern office building the invention provides a prewired cable trunking module with a number of socket outlets along its top surface. The module has a flat cable extending through the duct, sets of wires being split off the cable at intervals to connect with the outlets. Successive modules can have a single continuous cable extending through them, or can be connected by multiway connectors at each end of each module.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting the circuitry on a pair of flexible cables, the connector including a base member for having the two cables located thereon, means for aligning the two cables in precise alignment (e.g., a pair of pins on the base member), a clamp member for occupying first and second positions relative to the base member (the flexible cables being compressed and the circuitry thereof being in direct contact when the clamp is in the second position), compressible means (e.g., an elastomeric member) located between the clamp and base members for engaging at least one of the flexible cables to exert a force thereagainst when compressed, and retention means for retaining the clamp member in the second (clamping) position such that a high density connection is provided between both flexible cables. In one embodiment, the clamp is pivotally located on the base member, while in another embodiment the retention means is rotationally located on the clamp member.

Abstract: A tap or splice connector especially useful for a pair of dual conductor flat power cables includes two pairs of upper and lower structures which are applied to the stacked in-line cables side-by-side and then enclosed in a housing. The upper and lower structures each have a transverse array of cable-engaging wave-shaped bosses alternating with wave-receiving relief recesses when pressed together, so that the waves press strips of both cables in upper and lower arrays into the opposing recesses thus exposing conductor edges of the strips for electrical connection. Outer surfaces of the structures are then staked to urge the metal thereof laterally and tightly against the conductor edges adjacent thereto.

Abstract: Upper and lower connecting structures for use with flat power cable by being applied to major surfaces thereof, include arrays of cable-engaging bosses alternating with boss-receiving relief recesses; when pressed together the structures at least press conductor strips out of the cable plane and into opposing recesses of the opposing structures, exposing conductor strip edges for electrical connection and defining an array of interdigitated joints. The upper and lower structures are mechanically locked together by forming pockets in the side walls of the relief recesses of each structure to be disposed beside forwardmost portions of the cable-engaging bosses of the opposing structure upon application to the cable, and then deeply staking each of the interdigitated joints to split axially the forwardmost portion of the cable-engaging bosses and force the split portions laterally into the pockets, so that a portion of each structure is locked behind an associated portion of the other structure.

Abstract: Daisy chain connector comprises a dielectric housing in which an electrical contact assembly is secured. Contact assembly comprises identical contact sub-assemblies, each contact sub-assembly including electrical contacts having contact sections in alignment with apertures in a front surface of the housing and terminating legs for electrical connection with signal conductors and ground conductors of electrical cables. Contacts include contact plates in engagement between contact sections and legs defining bifurcated pairs of legs for each contact so that the signal conductors of one of cables are respectively connected to one of legs and the signal conductors of the other of the cables are respectively connected to the other of legs and at least one of legs forms a ground bar to which ground conductors are connected.

Abstract: The invention comprises a compact, reliable, and handy electrical connector for connecting two flat cables to a circuit board, by connecting the electrical circuits on the front side of the circuit board to one flat cable and the electrical circuits on the rear side of the circuit board to another flat cable.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connector assembly. More specifically, it relates to an electrical connector and assembly and to a method for spatially configuring multiple connector assemblies on circuit-bearing substrates. The connector assembly is configured with a ramp on the upper surface of the connector housing to guide and support the flexible cable of one connector assembly over the housing of an adjacent connector so permitting a denser spatial arrangement of connector housings on a printed circuit board than could be previously achieved.

Abstract: A pair of transition adapter terminals especially useful for terminating respective conductors of a dual conductor flat power cable, include respective contact sections at forward ends thereof. Cable-receiving slots across rearward ends thereof extend between pairs of integral bight straps or hinge sections joining upper and lower terminal plate sections. The slots receive respective tab-shaped portions of flat power cable insertably thereinto which are then disposed between the opposed slightly spaced upper and lower plate sections. The plate sections include opposing arrays of shearing waves shapes alternating with relief recesses transversely across, with each wave shape opposed from a respective relief recess.

Abstract: A flat, flexible cable construction comprises two flat, flexible insulating strips each including a plurality of electrical conductors extending along one side of one strip and the opposite side of the other strip, which electrical conductors are exposed at their ends on the inner contacting faces of the two insulating strips. Each of the insulating strips is formed with a transversely-extending slit starting from the edge of the side not including its respective electrical conductors and terminating short of the side including its respective electrical conductors, whereby the two ends of the insulating strips may be transposed by inserting the non-slitted side of one into the slitted side of the other to thereby transpose the outer exposed ends of the electrical conductors from the inner contacting faces of the insulating strips to the outer non-contacting faces of the insulating strips for connection to an electrical connector.

Abstract: A printed circuit board interconnect system having flat or ribbon cable folded in a pattern and supported in that pattern so that a large number of boards in an upper rack can be connected each by a respective cable to corresponding boards among a large number of boards in a lower rack in an orderly fashion while preserving the pin orientation for the boards. The cables are each folded at the ends in right angle bends that convert the horizontal direction to vertical but reverses the conductor orientation. In a central portion of the vertical extending cable, it is folded in two further right angle bends and mid way between them with a 180 degree bend. The central bend reestablishes the conductor orientation. A multi-row comb serves to support the ribbon cable in the central region and keep one cable separate from another.

Abstract: A flexible circuit having termination features incorporated as an integral part thereof and a method of making the same is presented. In accordance with the manufacturing process of the present invention, the end portion of a flexible circuit of standard construction (i.e., conductive traces sandwiched between a flexible base substrate and a flexible cover film) is folded back on itself, frequently with a spacer captured in the fold, and adhesively laminated together. This laminated assembly has a thickness equal to that required for formation of reliable connector pins. Next, a small section of this folded end portion has at least the outer non-conductive cover film removed, preferably by laser techniques, to expose a plurality of connector pins or fingers. The connector fingers will have the desired thickness, width and shape to allow for direct insertion into a mating component (i.e., through-holes on a rigid or flexible circuit board; or into a receptacle such as a female connector).

Abstract: A cable for use in ultra-low impedance electrical interconnections and a connector for optional use therewith. A two-conductor version of the cable is formed, for example, by the steps of, disposing an elongated first strip of electrical conductor on an elongated first strip of electrical insulator; disposing an elongated second strip of electrical insulator on the first strip of electrical conductor; disposing an elongated second strip of electrical conductor on the second strip of electrical insulator; and, winding the strips in combination from one side to the other to form the cable as a spiral in cross section. The electrical conductors can comprise elongated rectangular sheets of metal foil or, alternatively to provide a cable of increased flexibility, a plurality of wires disposed side-by-side along the length of the associated strip of electrical insulator.

Abstract: A multi-contact electrical connector employing a plurality of terminals mounted in aligned compartments in an insulating housing is especially suited for establishing interconnection between flat conductors in a flat cable and closely spaced free standing pins or posts. This invention is especially suited for use in interconnecting pins and flat conductors on centerline spacings no greater than 0.050 inch. A conductor engaging portion having a horizontal base is joined to a pin engaging portion having resilient arms and a vertical base. The horizontal base is joined directly to the vertical base by an axial bend line and horizontal arms joined to the bend line are not connected directly to the horizontal base of the cable conductor interconnection portion.

Abstract: A cable strain relief clamp assembly to securely hold a bundle of flat cables while providing quick assembly/disassembly from the main unit chassis. Identical clamp halves are positioned and fastened at a specified location on the cable bundle. The clamp (with the attached cable) is then snapped onto a bracket to become a subassembly unit. The bracket mates with the main unit chassis utilizing a snap fit detail oriented perpendicular to typical cable axial forces, thus fixing the cables in place. Accommodating varied thicknesses and numbers of cables can be accomplished by varying the aperture of the clamp. The clamp may also provide an electrical ground path between cable and chassis. Other features of the present invention are that: (1) multiple cables and varied widths can be accomplished; (2) it can be detached from main unit chassis without use of fasteners; (3) it does not depend on termination of the cables in male/female relationship; and (4) a consistent part outline is provided for all applications.