Flat cable assembly and methods of terminating and connectorizing the

Abstract

A flat cable assembly embodiment (10) is disclosed, as are two terminated cable embodiments (12,12') and methods for terminating and connectorizing same, when the cable is of the type wherein two overlying/underlying arrays of laterally disposed conductors (13, 14, 13', 14') are respectively laminated between a common insulative center film (16, 16'), and an associated one of two opposite side outer insulative films (18, 19, 18', 19'), with a plurality of isolating strips (23, 24, 23', 24') interposed between, and adapted to adhere selectively to, the center film and an associated one of the two arrays of conductors. The isolating strips are positioned transversely across the center film in aligned pairs at each of a succession of predetermined terminating sites (e.g., at 5, 10 or 15 ft. intervals) along the cable, as fabricated. In accordance with one terminated cable embodiment (12), where the isolating strips (23, 24) are adapted to adhere only to the center film (16), a terminated end section (18a or 19a) of each outer film, and the associated array of conductor end portions (13a or 14a) bonded thereto, that are then coextensive, and in contact, with an associated one of the then leading pair of isolating strips (23 or 24), are separated from the latter, and sharply folded back upon themselves to form a male-type terminated cable end. This results in the then outermost major surfaces of the conductor end portions (13a, 14a) in each array advantageously being fully exposed (with no conventional insulation stripping operation being required) for connectorization, such as with a female card-edge type connector (26) having two mutually disposed arrays of conductor-mating contacts (31, 32).