Thomas & Betts Corporation

Kevin G Henderson

Robert W Brush, Jr

Jeffrey C Howland

Arthur Eggers

Phil B Parker

Craig S Scruggs

Timothy A Jones

Richard A Johannes

Alignment apparatus for aligning contact pins exiting an electrical connector comprises an elongate body of electrically insulative material having a generally flat base defining a plurality of passages opening into respective upper and lower surfaces of the base portion, first projections integral with the body and extending upwardly of the base upper surface, the first projections being disposed interiorly of longitudinally opposed end margins of the body, and second projections integral with the body and extending upwardly of the base upper surface, the second projections being cantilever-supported by the base such that free ends of the second projections distal from the base upper surface may occupy positions variable longitudinally of the base. The first projections provide for registration of the alignment apparatus with a connector and are adjacent longitudinally opposed margins of the apparatus. The second projections include latching structure at the free ends thereof for mating with complemental latching structure of a connector.

Electrical connector and alignment apparatus for contact pins therefor

An electrical connector comprises a housing of electrically insulative material and defining an interior compartment and passages extending from the interior compartment to an exterior surface of the housing. Electrical contact members are resident in the housing passages. At least one of the passages is circular in configuration and a power contact member resident in the one passage has a portion resident in the one passage circular in configuration and in press-fit sealed relation with the housing. The contact member resident in the one passage has a further portion resident in the interior compartment of blade-shaped configuration. A method of making the connector includes a step of press-fitting the power contact member into the one passage from the interior compartment with the contact member circular portion leading the contact member blade portion, such that the circular portion is in interference fit in the one passage and that the blade portion is resident in the interior compartment.

Electrical connector and method of making the same

An electrical connector assembly comprises a first housing supporting an array of first contacts and defining a passage for receipt of a CPA (connection positive assurance) component, a second housing matable with the first housing by movement along a connection axis and having an array of second contacts for mating engagement with the array of first contacts, a CPA member having a first portion movable in the first housing passage and a having a second portion, and first and second latch members respectively with the first and second housings and engageable in the course of mating thereof, the first latch means being disposed in a path of movement of the CPA member second portion. The first and second latch members effect a first measure of securement of the first and second housings, and the CPA is engageable with the first latch member for effecting a second, cumulative measure of securement of the first and second housings.

Electrical connector and connector assembly

A method for making an electrical connector comprises the steps of configuring a housing and contact members such that the contact members may assume positions in the housing which are variable for each contact member and of assembling the contact members in the housing such that they assume positions therein giving rise to contact member coplanarity. An electrical connector so made comprises a housing defining contact member receiving channels and contact members resident in the channels, the contact members defining contact portions and contact member retaining means, the housing being configured to permit variable positioning of said contact member retaining means therein, whereby contact member contact portions may be coplanarly positioned irrespective of warp present in the housing.

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Gastonia, NC, United States of America

Kevin G Henderson