Berg Technology, Inc.

Fci Technology, Inc.

David E Whiting

Stanley W Olson

Taj F Hanna

An electrical connector apparatus and method adapted for locating and mechanically supporting a connector to a substrate, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), in a manner that allows for a nominal insertion force, while at the same time a sufficient retention force to hold the connector on the PCB. The connector has a plurality of mounting projections extending downward from a bottom mounting surface of the connector housing that are adapted for connection to a corresponding plurality of holes formed in the PCB. The projections have one or more ribs extending outward along the longitudinal length of the projection. The ribs are tapered such that a circle around at least a portion of the upper portion of the one or more ribs has a transverse dimension greater than the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB, and the ribs tapers down toward the distal end of the projection such that a second circle around at least a portion of the lower portion of the one or more ribs has a transverse dimension not greater than the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB. This feature provides for a nominal insertion force to hold the connector on the PCB over a wide variance in the tolerances between the transverse dimension of the mounting projection and the transverse dimension of the hole in the PCB, and also variances in the tolerances between the distances between individual holes in the PCB, in relation to the distance between the mounting projections. In addition, the ribs deform, such that at least a portion of the rib is displaced to provide a sufficient retention force to hold the connector on the PCB.

Connector press fit mounting projection

Disclosed is a vacuum pick up cap for use in positioning an electrical receptacle on a printed circuit board (PCB). A vertical projection extends downwardly to engage the receptacle. The width of the projection is increased adjacent its lower terminal edge to prevent the vacuum pick up cap from disengaging from the receptacle when the PCB is inverted in an infrared (IR) conveyor oven during the manufacture of a two-sided PCB. A method of use is also disclosed.

Vacuum pick up cap with retentive feature and method of use

A shunt connector provides for electrical connection of a pair of adjacent terminal pins inserted into a housing. A spring contact having a convex bowed body portion extends into a cavity in the housing where the pins are inserted. The terminal pins are inserted into the housing along an axis which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the spring contact. The spring contact is resilient such that the body engages the terminal pins and pressure engagement is maintained between the spring body and the pins which ensures that a proper electrical connection is made. The spring contact comprises a conducting material such that the pins are shorted upon contacting the spring.

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Etters, PA, United States of America

David E Whiting