Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Cinch Connectors, Inc.

Charles J Shedore

Mario M Orrico

Earl J Genz

Daniel J Danek

Stanley E Filipiak

Harry N Etters

Thaddeus Rachwalski

Iran R Littman

Nicholas J Mercadante

Anthony W Meadors

John N Long

Brigg A Johnston

Albert N Hopfer, Iii

Stephan H Schramme

Thaddeus M Rachwalski

Albert N Hopfer

The electrical connector can be used to establish mechanical and electrical connection between a flexible component, such as, a flexible circuit or a flexible cable, and a printed circuit board. The connector generally comprises an upper housing, a contact housing, contacts, expandable leg members and post elements. The expandable legs are disposed on the upper housing. The contacts are disposed in openings in the contact housing. In order to use the connector, the flexible component is placed between the contact housing and the upper housing. Alignment posts ensure that the contacts and the conductors on the flexible component are precisely aligned. The connector is mounted to the circuit board by inserting the expandable legs in mounting holes in the circuit board. Once inserted, the expandable legs can be radially expanded by driving the post elements into the expandable legs. The circuit board also include alignment holes which ensure the proper orientation of the contacts to circuit board. The connector may also include an assembly tool which is adapted to both preload the contacts and drive the post elements into the expandable legs. Additionally, the electrical connector may include a removal tool which can be used to drive the inserted post elements out of the expandable legs.

Electrical connector

A method and apparatus for an electrical switch assembly generally comprising a snap-action electrical switch disposed in a module frame assembly and connected to electrical contact pins for mating with a contact pin connector. A switch module assembly is connected to the module frame assembly and includes a switch actuator assembly for actuating the snap-action electrical switch. The switch actuator includes a latch spring guide that may be configured for either 'alternate' or 'momentary' actuation of the snap-action electrical switch and emits audio and tactile switch status indicators perceptible to an operator. The module frame assembly and switch module assembly are releasably connectable to and form an integral unit with a cap base assembly having a cap module with a low power LED illuminatable display visible under extreme ambient lighting conditions for indicating switch status. The integral unit is interlockably receivable in a switch connector module that may include an electrical contact pin socket and is mountable in a bracket.

Method and apparatus for an electrical switch assembly

An apparatus for stabilizing operational movement of an actuator for a keyswitch mounted to a base, which has one or more unitary, substantially rigid members, which members are movably attached to the actuator at a first end and have a gripping means at a second end for slidingly gripping a free edge of the base.

Keyswitch stabilizing device

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Elmhurst, IL, United States of America

Charles J Shedore