Abstract: A protective insert for use with a protective fixture for a chip carrier has walls and an arm. The insert is positioned in openings of the fixture by way of an interference fit. The arm contacts leads of a chip carrier positioned in the fixture, protecting the integrated circuit from electrostatic discharge. A hinge means provided between the walls and the arm allows the insert to protect the chip carrier during transportation while still permitting easy testing of the chip carrier. As the chip carrier is needed, the insert is removed and reused in transportation of another chip carrier.

Abstract: An electrical connector for particular use in the data communications industry includes an improved latching mechanism for engagement with a like electrical connector or with an apertured panel of a terminal box or the like. The latching mechanism includes a movable arm pivotally mounted integrally with the housing of the connector. The arm comprises a latch on the front end facing the mating end of the connector. A lever captively supported on the housing includes a cam for engagement in a first position with a cam surface on the back portion of the movable arm to dispose the arm in an inclined relation with the latch located closely adjacent the housing so that the latch may be placed for connection another component. When the lever is slid to a second position, a locking spacer thereon engages the front portion of the arm to move the latch away from the housing and cause engagement of the latch with the other component.

Abstract: A cable termination sub-assembly is provided for electrically terminating insulated conductors of an electrical cable exteriorly of the housing of a shielded electrical connector, the sub-assembly being adapted for attachment to the housing subsequent to electrical termination of the cable conductors. The sub-assembly includes an insulative contact holder and an insulative conductor holding block that are adapted to be joined together in terminating insulated conductors of an electrical cable. A contact holder supports a plurality of electrical contacts each having an insulation displacement portion and a deflectable terminal portion. The conductor holding block includes means for frictionally retaining insulated conductors individually therein. The block further supports insulatively a pair of electrically conductive shorting elements, each element including a pair of spaced, exposed terminals.

Abstract: A shunt connecting apparatus is equipped with a rectangular housing made of insulating material, housing to which rows of terminals are attached, and an elastic contact piece for shunting two adjacent terminals. Guide grooves are formed between the terminals of the housing. The end of the elastic contact piece widens and contains a cutout. The contact piece is selectively inserted into one of the guide grooves such that adjacent terminals are shunted by the widened portion of the contact piece elastically contacting adjacent terminals.