JPS63158766A - Terminator for multi-conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Cross reference: This application was filed on November 18, 1986 (EL-427
This is a partial continuation application of 1).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a terminator having electrical contacts.
(nator), in which each electrical contact is connectable to each of a plurality of conductors, and particularly relates to a terminator having a grounding structure to isolate each electrical contact.

The performance of prior art multiplex devices has increased so much that it has been recognized in the industry that electrical signal transmission within a given electronic device or between coupled devices must be approached from a systems perspective. Such a point of view requires that not only the individual components in a signal transmission system must be optimal for high-speed operation, but also that the interfaces between the components of the transmission system can be mutually achieved without degrading the performance of adjacent components. request.

One of the first components in a signal transmission system that receives attention is the transmission cable itself. It has been recognized that cables that handle high-speed signals are electrically equivalent to transmission lines in that they extend electrically over long distances relative to the wavelength of the signals being transmitted. This is true even though cables most often only extend physically short distances between components of a given device or cooperating devices.

The design of electrical cables has improved with the view that the cables can be manufactured to suitably exhibit predetermined electrical properties. An example of such a cable construction is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 769.725, August 27, 1985 (EL-4
222-A)), 892.30 of August 4, 1986
0 (EL-4258) and EL-067.767 of July 8, 1987, which are assigned to the same person as the applicant of this invention. The disclosed cable has a corrugated grounding structure that forms separate closed regions or envelopes that extend the length of the cable. Each envelope receives one or more commonly coated conductors. Grounding Structure When connected to a given electrical potential, the conductors of each envelope are generally isolated from the conductors located in the adjacent envelopes.As a result, the cables, although using plain jacketed conductors, It exhibits properties very similar to coaxial cables.

This system perspective has been extended to include the concept of electrical performance in the transmission region between the end of the cable and the cable terminator. The connector structure disclosed and claimed in Applicant's October 15, 1986 U.S. Pat. Utilizes ground planes, connector contacts, and their interconnections a predetermined distance from the ends of the connectors.

The density of the terminator, ie, the number of signals that can pass through a given terminator, is also important. In conventional systems, by simply dedicating every other contact in a linear row of terminator contacts as a ground contact,
Attempts have been made to extend the shield and control system inherence across the transmission line. Although the contact does not physically change, it is referred to as a ground contact and is connected to a predetermined ground potential. The basic consequence of these factors is that terminator density is limited.

In view of the above, it is considered advantageous to further extend the system concept to each terminator of the terminator system and to increase the density of the terminators. Thus, a terminator for multi-conductor cables and multi-trace boards that electrically isolates the contact elements of the terminator to prevent or minimize crosstalk between nearby conductors and to minimize signal transmission degradation. It is preferable to provide something. Additionally, it may be advantageous for the isolation structure in the terminator to be such that the contacts themselves do not need to be included as part of the isolation structure, thereby increasing the signal density of the terminator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a terminator for a multi-conductor electrical transmission system, which terminator is provided with a grounding structure that isolates each adjacent conductor placed in the terminator. The transmission system can be used as a multi-conductor cable or as a multi-trace board, and the terminator can be used for board-to-board, cable-to-cable, or board-to-cable interconnections.

In a first aspect, the terminator includes a metallic ground structure formed by a base plate. The base plate has a plurality of walls extending upwardly from the surface of the base plate. If preferred, the set of walls also extends from the opposite surface of the base plate.

The walls cooperate to form a plurality of transverse passageways on the surface of the base plate. An insulative support structure having a body having a row of fingers is mounted on the base plate such that the fingers extend into the passages in the base plate.

An electrical contact element is installed on each finger such that the distance that the wall extends above the base plate is greater than that of the electrical terminal. The fingers can each have a hole in which a spring electrical contact can be provided. As a result, the grounding structure is connected to a predetermined potential and each contact is electrically isolated from adjacent contacts and crosstalk between them is prevented or minimized.

The terminator can be configured as an edge terminator for a substrate, for example a circuit board, or as a plug terminator for a multi-conductor cable. In the former case, the grounding structure has suitable attachment means, so that the grounding structure has an edgewise relationship to the substrate (irl edQeW'+se rel
ationship>1' Installation can be done easily. In the latter case, a suitable housing with a plug part can be formed. In some cases, the walled grounding structure and the fingers of the insulative support member protrude from the front of the housing. In other cases, the housing coextends with the front surface of the insulating support structure and the grounding structure. The insulative support structure may have a groove for receiving each conductor of the cable. Alternatively, conductor wires can be facial welded (
(racially weld) L/ may be used.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a housing for a terminator. The housing has a row of lands separated in some cases by alternating grooves or in other cases by alternating slots. The lands have electrical contacts thereon. In the variant of the housing using slotted holes, the array of contact elements is provided in the groove. In the variant of the housing using slotted holes, the outside of the housing is provided with a grounding plate communicating with at least one of the slotted holes. In each case the housing is A signal transmission contact connectable with the plug and arranged in the passageway of the grounding structure electrically engages the contact element of the land.The wall of the grounding structure has a contact or slot installed in the groove. When combined, the plug and housing provide electrical shielding for the contact elements (in cable plug form or edge card form) within the terminator. , prevent or minimize crosstalk and quality degradation, and maintain electrical signal integrity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Throughout the following description, like reference numbers refer to like elements in all figures.

1-3, a terminator according to the invention in the form of a plug terminator for a multi-conductor cable 12 is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. In FIGS. Although cable 12 is shown as a round transmission cable in the drawings, it is shown here with a plug terminator (10 or 10', FIGS. 10 and 1).
It is within the scope of the inventive concept that Figure 1) can also be used with equal effect in flat cables (ribbon cables or loose wire cables).

Cable 12 has a jacket 14 (FIG. 3) of insulating material surrounding a plurality of each coated conductor 16. Each conductor 16 itself has an insulating sheath 16J surrounding the conductor 1!16W.

Conductive sheath 1 arranged under jacket 14 of cable 12
8 serves as part of the grounding and shielding structure for cable 12. The sheath 18 is terminated by a metal ring 20 as understood by those skilled in the art, such as in disclosed US Pat. No. 4,416,501 (assigned to the assignee of the present invention).

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heart of plug terminator 10 is metallic grounding structure 22. As best seen in FIGS.

Grounding structure 22 includes a base plate 24 having a major planar surface. There is an integrally projecting portion 28 forwardly from the base plate. Grounding structure 22 has upper and lower working surfaces 30A and 30B, but only a single working surface 3
A grounding structure 22 having a zero can be used and is also within the concept of the present invention.

More specifically, the H-end cap may be a grounding structure having only the upper working surface 30A of the grounding structure 22 (ie, the dividing surface 31 extending through the base plate 24 of the grounding structure 22). In that case, the opposite surface of the grounding structure 22 is preferably flat. Additionally, the remaining elements of the terminator described below may be modified appropriately to accommodate this shape of structure 22.

A plurality of walls 32 extend from forwardly projecting portions of upper and lower working surfaces 30A and 3013 of base plate 24. The walls 32 are arranged side by side to form a plurality of passages 34 laterally on the surface of the protrusion 12g of the base plate 24. Although in the preferred embodiment the axes of adjacent passageways 34 are parallel to each other, it should be understood that such a relationship need not exist.

Although each active surface 30A and 30B of base plate 24 is shown as having the same number of passageways 34, it should be understood that such a design need not be the case.

Flat portion 26 of base plate 24 behind protrusion 28
has a 7-lunge 38 that opens further rearward and slightly outwardly than the base plate 24. Flange 38 has posts 40. In some cases, it is preferred that the posts 40 be electrically conductive and make electrical contact with the electrically conductive material of the base plate 24. g! It should be noted that grounding structures with more than one working surface can be formed by arranging separate base plates 24 (each base plate having one or two working surfaces) in any overlapping relationship. This is something that can be done.

Although the grounding structure 22 is shown in the drawings as being formed as an integral metallic member, the grounding structure 2
It should be understood that any suitable configuration for 2 can be used. For example, grounding structure 22 may be formed of plastic and have upper and lower working surfaces 30A, 30B.
The entire projection 28 (including walls 32) can be lined with a suitable electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the base plate 24 can be formed or stamped from a plate of conductive material with a groove near the forward end. End wall 32 can be manufactured from a stamping with similar grooves. The base plate 24 and wall 32 may form a grounding structure 22 as shown through the grooves.

In one embodiment of the cable plug of the present invention, the plug terminator 10 further includes a contact support member 44 . The member 44 has a body portion 46 having an array of grooves 48 formed therein. Contact support member 44 is formed of an insulating material. A septum 50 having indentations 50G is provided near the front end of the body portion 46 of the contact support member 44. A row of holes 22 (seen in the lower member 44 in FIG. 2) is provided in the rear region of the bulkhead 50 in the body 46 of the support member 44. The matching holes 52 are aligned with the mouths of the eight grooves 48 for reasons explained later. A row of fingers 54 extends forwardly from the body 46. The number of fingers 54 corresponds to the number of passageways 34 in grounding structure 22. In the assembled state, the fingers 54 extend into the passageway 34 and the forward ends of the fingers 54 are coextensive with the forward ends of the grounding structure 22.

An array of electrical contact elements 58 of any suitable form is embedded in the insulating material of finger 54.

Contact elements 58 are arranged such that the planar blade of each contact element 58 is exposed on the surface of finger 54 . A contact element 58 extends rearwardly through the septum 50 from the finger 54 . Contact element 58 terminates in overlapping hole 52 in body 46 just forward of mouth 48 . As shown in the figures, the upper surface of wall 32 of grounding structure 22 extends above contact element 58 when the contact element is received in passageway 34 .

Plug 10 has a protective case, indicated generally at 64. Case 64 includes complementary shell members 66A and 66B.
It is indicated by. Each shell member 66A, 66B has an edge 65T
It has a front notch 68 having a . The shape of the notch 68 corresponds to the shape of the main body 46 of the contact support member in the vicinity of the partition wall 50. The rear wall of each shell member 66A, 66B has a cooperating recessed open lower 0.

Open lower 0 has a round or flat transmission cable 1
It has a size that roughly corresponds to the external shape of No. 2 and can tightly accommodate it.

Near the rear walls of the shells 66A, 66B are a pair of pedestals 72 having recesses 74. This depression 74 is the grounding structure 2
Appropriately press fit the pillar 40 of 2 (snuoIV)
It has a shape that accepts it. If preferred, shell 66
A and 663 are each made of a conductive material. It should be understood that the shells may be formed of a plastic material, in which case the light-conducting surface 76 is formed on each shell 66A,
66B (Figure 3). The side walls of the shells 66A, 66B have locking tabs 80 for holding the case 64.
It has a groove 78 sized to receive it.

In the assembled state shown in FIGS. 1-3, complementary shells 66A and 66B are closed together and tabs 80,
and are locked together by receiving the posts 40 in the recesses 14 of the platform 72. When so assembled, the edge 68T near the front of the case 64, near the notch 68, is approximately 50mm wide.
Engage with G. The multi-conductor cable 12 has a shell 66A.
, 66B, and extends through the space formed in the rear of the case 64 from inside the open lower 0 at the rear of the case 66B. A length of the outer jacket 14 of the cable 12 is stripped away from its end to expose each coated conductor 16 therein. Pressure welding (1nsulation)
(displacea+ent): The contact 82 cuts the jacket 14 of the cable 12 and electrically connects it to the ring 20 of the cable 12. The pressure contact 82 is captured within the recessed lower part 0 near the rear hole of the shell, thereby
The conductive surfaces 76 inside the case 64 are interconnected to a predetermined voltage.

Before closing the case by engagement of shells 66A, 66B, each conductor 16 of cable 12 is stripped of its own sheath 16J and conductor 1i! 16W is placed in one of the grooves 48 extending into the body 46 of the contact support 44. 8th lead @
The end of 16W overlaps one end of contact element 58. Conductor 1!16W and contact 58 are suitably attached by welding, soldering or crimping, and conductor 16W is interconnected to contact 58 and is within the concept of the present invention.

10 and 11 illustrate a cable plug termination form 1io' according to another embodiment generally similar to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-3.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the contact support member 44 includes a body 46 of insulating material from which a plurality of fingers 54 extend. Each finger 54 has a hole 5 formed with a lip 55L (FIG. 11).
5. Each finger 54 is therefore a substantially hollow member in which a spring electrical contact element 58 is received. A slot 58 is formed in the tail portion of the contact 58, and the tail portion of the contact is shaped generally similar to an insulation displacement contact. The head or front end of contact 58 is captured by lip 55L;
The tail end of contact 58, on the other hand, projects rearwardly from body portion 46 of member 44. Curved electrical engagement area 58
A generally straight section 58L between C and the slotted tail 58 is received in a groove 59 formed in each sidewall of the body of the support member 44 at the horizontal end of each side of the contact 58. In FIG. 11, a portion of contact 58 has been cut away so that groove 59 can be clearly seen.

Member 44 is attached to grounding structure 22 in a design substantially similar to that formed and shown in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. Fingers 54 of member 44 are each received in one of the passageways 34 formed by wall 32 of grounding member 22 . Member 44 is as shown in the drawings.
is positioned in the structure 22 by engagement of the body portion 46 of the structure with the inner end of the wall 34 of the structure. The member 44 is attached to the base plate 24 of the structure 22 in the position shown in FIG.
It is held by a stand 26A formed on the flat part 26 of. Of course, using any suitable method, section vI44
can be located on the -(or both) surfaces of the structure 22. Weld hole 52 formed in flat part 26 of structure 22
(perhaps most commonly seen in Figure 2) is removed.

This is because the welding attachment of the 131i116W to the contact 58 is accomplished by a surface (racial) welding method. For this purpose, the end of conductor 1116W of conductor 16 is bent as shown in FIG. extend in a straight line.

The protective case 64 of the connector 10' is also slightly modified from that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Shell portions 66A1θ6B extend forward and curve downward and upward, respectively, forming edge portions 68T such that the front end of the case extends coextensive with the front end 44F of contact support 1144. Shell members 66A and 66B are held together in a manner similar to that described in the connector designs shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, the posts 40 of the grounding structure 22 are press fit into the recesses 74 of the bases 72 of the shells 66A, 66B. Shell 66.
The side wall of 66B has a notch 78 and receives a locking tab 80. As with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case 64 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be integrally formed of conductive metal. However, as previously discussed, the shells 66A, 66B may be formed of a non-conductive material, such as plastic, and provided with a conductive layer 76 on their inner and outer surfaces. Layer 76 is shown in the drawing for economy of illustration.

In all other respects, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 is the same as that disclosed in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, other reference symbols used in FIGS. 10 and 11 correspond to those used to indicate corresponding parts in FIGS. 2 and 3. It will be noted that throughout this specification, walls 32, passages 3, shown when illustrating various aspects of the invention
4. No significant differences in the number of fingers 54 etc. are attached.

As seen in FIG. 11, plug 10' connects to header 81
It can be received within. Header 81 has an insulating housing 82 with a row of bins 83. Each bottle 83 is received in one of the holes 55 in finger 54. Each pin 83 electrically engages an electrical engagement region 58C of contact 58. Housing 82 also has spring contacts 84. This is the metal shell 66A, 66B (or shell 66
If A, 66B is formed of an insulating material, it engages a layer 76) formed thereon, thereby causing shells 66A, 6
Achieve a ground interconnection with 6B.

As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the terminator 10# of the present invention can be used in an edge card connector environment for a board, such as a printed circuit board 86, having a plurality of conductive traces 88. I can do it. In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, FIGS.
Grounding structures 22 similar to those described in connection with FIGS. 0 and 11 are mounted above and below substrate 86.

To facilitate this attachment, the grounding structures 22 are supported at their ends by ledges 90. Structure 2
2 each receive a contact support member 44' substantially similar to that described in connection with FIGS. 1-3 or FIGS. 10 and 11, except that the body 46' portion is shorter. As seen in FIG. 5, contact elements 58 emanating from support member 46' are oriented to couple to conductive traces 88 on the surface of substrate 86.

It should be understood that terminator 10'' can be used to receive only one of the surfaces of substrate 86.

In fact, the grounding structure 22 can be connected to a predetermined electrical potential (eg chassis or logic ground).

The wall 32 near the forward projection 28 of the base plate 24 extends over the signal transmission contacts 58 to form a U-shaped glue septacle within which the signal transmission contacts 58 are disposed. Grounding structure 22 thus electrically shields and isolates each signal transmission contact 58 from each laterally and/or vertically adjacent signal transmission contact.

6 and 7, the aforementioned terminator 10 or 1
Housing assembly 10 for receiving 0' or 10"
A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of 0 are shown. housing 100
has a body 102 formed of a suitable insulating material, such as molded plastic. The main body 102 is a terminator 1
It has a main opening that receives 0 or 10' or 10''.

The housing is substantially similar to that described in US Pat. No. 4,601,527 (same assignee as this application).

However, in the present invention, land portions (1and) 106 A 1 are provided on the upper and lower edges of the housing 102, respectively.
106B and grooves 108A, 108B are provided alternately. Appropriate electrical contacts 110A, 110B and 11 are provided on the surfaces of lands 106A and 106B and in the recesses of grooves 108A and 108B, respectively.
2A.

112B is provided. Contact is housing 100
held in the usual manner. It should be understood that, although weighted spring contacts are shown in FIGS. 6-9, the housing 100 (or ioo') of the present invention may use any suitable other shape of contacts. It is something that can be done.

As seen in FIG. 8, in the present invention, contacts 110 and 112 are connected to
In addition, contacts 110 located on land 106 are supported such that they extend a distance, measured from a predetermined reference, that is different than the distance that contacts 112 extend from the reference. For the upper row of lands 106A and grooves 108A, the reference is selected as the plane 116 that includes the upper surface of the housing 102. If so defined, the land area 106A
The contact 110A of the groove 108 is connected to the reference 116.
The distance 1 that the contact 112A of A extends from the reference 116
It can be seen that it extends from the reference 116 by a distance 118 which is greater than 20. Similar settings are applied to each land area 10 in the lower row.
6B and the contact 110 provided in the groove 108B
B and 112B also exist. In the latter case, the reference is chosen as a plane 122 containing the lower surface of housing 102, the distance defined between contacts 110A is indicated at 124, and the distance defined by contacts 112B is indicated at 126.

In the case of a dual row housing such as that shown in FIGS. 6-8, an equally useful reference may be defined by a bisecting surface 130 extending parallel to the rows and in the middle thereof. In that case, the contact 110A of the land portions 106A, 106B
, 110B are each a distance 134 from the reference 130, while the contacts 112A, 112B of the grooves 108A, 108B are each a distance 136 from the reference 130.

As a result of the staggered configuration of the land contacts with the groove contacts, the terminator 10 or 10' or 10'' is placed within the housing 100 such that the upper surface of the wall 32 of the grounding structure 22 is in electrical connection with the groove contacts. The contact 58 supported by the contact support 44 is connected to the land portion 106.
is received in electrical engagement with the contact 110 of. The location of the signal and ground connections on essentially two levels of the housing 100 allows for increased density of connectors. Since the ground connection is provided by the wall of the structure 22, the width dimension of the wall can be physically smaller than the width dimension of the signal carrying contact plate. This setting allows for increased signal density while maintaining transmission line characteristics.

Additionally, the two-level interconnection of signal and ground interconnect points further allows compression of the structure and leads to density.

Finally, since isolation is provided by the ground structure 22 and not by each contact, all blades are used for signal transmission 81, further increasing the density of the connector.

The structure of the housing shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 can be slightly modified as shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the lands 106 are separated by slots 140. Instead of the spring-type contacts 112, a contact plate 142 is placed overlapping a portion of the slot 140. The grounding structure 22 is slightly deformed and the wall 32 is
2 extends to a height sufficient to contact the contact plate 142. What you need to understand is this 1.
1! At t1 (similar to!! shown in FIGS. 6-8), plate 142 (and ground contact 11
2) is preferably connected in common.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that in view of the foregoing, a terminator and housing is provided in which sufficient continuity of the cable shield to the area of the terminator is provided while at the same time an increase in signal density is achieved. be able to. Those skilled in the art will also readily appreciate modifications to the termination/container and/or housing constructions described above. However, it should be understood that such modifications are within the scope of the invention as claimed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a perspective view of an assembled terminator according to the invention configured as a plug terminator for a multiconductor cable; FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the plug terminator shown in FIG. 1. Figure 3 shows 3-3 of the plug terminator in Figures 1 and 2.
1i1 is a cross-sectional view. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a terminator according to the invention formed in the shape of an EdgeCard terminator. 5 is a view of the back of the edge card terminator of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a housing assembly for receiving a terminator of the present invention configured for cable plug or edge card configurations. - FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the housing of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a front view of the terminator of FIG. 6. FIG. 9 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 6, of another embodiment of a housing assembly for receiving a terminator of the present invention configured for a cable plug or edge card configuration; FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a plug terminator for a multi-conductor cable substantially similar to FIG. 2; 11 is a cross-sectional view generally similar to FIG. 3 taken along line 11--11 and including the solid axis of the finger of the insulating support structure of the plug terminator of FIG. 10; 10.10', 10''...Terminator, 12...Cable, 16...Conductor, 16W...Conducting wire, 22...Grounding structure, 24...Base plate, 28...Protrusion Part, 32... Wall, 34... Passage, 40... Pillar, 4
4... Support member, 46... Main body, 50... Partition wall,
54... Finger, 55... Hole, 58... Contact element, 64... Protective case, 66A, 66B.
...shell, 68T...rim, 72...stand, 86...
- Board, 88... Trace, 100... Housing, 102... Main body, 106... Land part, 108...
Groove, 110, 112...Contact, 116, 1
30...Reference, 140...Slot, 142...Contact plate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A terminator for multiple conductors, comprising: a metallic grounding structure having a base plate having a plurality of walls, the walls jointly lining the grounding structure; an insulating support structure having a body portion having a plurality of forwardly extending fingers, each of which is received in one of the passageways; an electrical contact element disposed on each of said fingers and connectable to one of said conductors, wherein in use said grounding structure is connectable to a predetermined electrical potential and said electrical contact elements are electrically connected to each other. A terminator isolated in (2) from the base plate at the top of the wall; (3) the plurality of conductors comprising conductive traces on the surface of the substrate; and at each end of the grounding structure connecting the structure to the substrate. 3. A terminator according to claim 2, further comprising means for supporting at the edge. (4) the plurality of conductors comprising conductive traces disposed on the surface of the substrate; and means disposed at each end of the grounding structure for supporting the structure on the edge of the substrate; A terminator according to claim 1. 5. The terminator of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed within a cable, and the insulative support structure has a plurality of grooves each for receiving one of the conductors of the cable. 6. The terminator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed within a cable, and wherein the insulative support structure has a plurality of grooves each for receiving one of the conductors of the cable. (7) A row of land parts having grooves between adjacent land parts, and contact elements arranged in each land part and each groove, and the distance of the contact element of the land part from a predetermined reference is the contact of the groove. a housing with contact elements having different distances from the same reference of the elements, the housing having the grounding structure electrically engaged by the top of the wall with the contact in the groove of the housing; 4. A terminator according to claim 3, wherein the contacts on said fingers are adapted to receive electrically engaged contacts on said land portion. (8) A row of land parts having grooves between adjacent land parts, and a contact element arranged in each land part and each groove, and the distance of the contact element of the land part from a predetermined reference is the contact of the groove. a housing with contact elements having different distances from the same reference of the elements, the housing having the grounding structure electrically engaged by the top of the wall with the contact in the groove of the housing; 6. A terminator according to claim 5, wherein the contacts on said fingers are adapted to receive electrically engaged contacts on said land portion. (9) a row of land areas with slots between adjacent land areas;
a housing having a contact element disposed in each land and a plate located on the outside of the housing overlapping the at least one slot; of claim 3, wherein the housing is configured to receive such that the contact is electrically engaged with a plate of the housing and the contact on the finger is electrically engaged with the contact on the land. Terminator. (10) a row of land portions having slots between adjacent land portions; and at least one contact element disposed in each land portion;
a plate located on the outside of the housing so as to overlap a slot in the housing, the housing having a grounding structure with a top of the wall electrically engaging the plate of the housing; 6. The terminator of claim 5, wherein the contacts on the fingers are configured to receive electrically engaged contacts on the land. (11) A plug for a terminator for a multi-conductor cable, comprising: a case; and a metal grounding structure installed within the case;
A portion of the structure projects forwardly from the case, the projecting portion of the structure having a plurality of walls that together define a predetermined number of passages arranged side by side in the grounding structure; a metallic grounding structure, the axes of the passageways being substantially parallel; an insulating support structure having a body portion having a corresponding predetermined number of forwardly extending fingers, each of which is received in one of the passageways; an electrical contact element mounted on each finger and connectable to one of the conductors of the multi-conductor cable, the top of the wall extending over the contact element, and in use the grounding structure is connected to a predetermined electrical contact element; and electrical contact elements connectable to an electrical potential, the electrical contact elements being mutually isolated. 12. The terminator of claim 11, wherein said insulative support structure has a row of grooves in its body portion, each groove being sized to receive one of said conductors. (13) The terminator according to claim 12, wherein the grounding structure has a post that separates the grounding structure from the case and engages with the inner surface of the case. (14) The terminator according to claim 11, wherein the grounding structure has a post that separates the grounding structure from the housing and engages an inner surface of the housing. (15) The case has a conductive surface on its inside, the pillar is made of a conductive material, and the conductive surface inside the case and the grounding structure are in electrical contact with each other. Terminator described in section. (16) The case has a conductive surface on its inside, the pillar is made of a conductive material, and the conductive surface inside the case and the grounding structure are in electrical contact with each other. Terminator described in section. (17) comprising a housing for receiving the plug;
The housing includes a main body having a row of grooves formed of an insulating material and separated by adjacent land portions, the grooves and the land portions extending substantially parallel to each other; an electrical contact element disposed in a land portion, wherein the distance of the land contact element from a predetermined reference is greater than that of the groove contact element, and when mated with the plug, the groove contact Claim 11, further comprising an electrical contact element electrically engaging a wall of the grounding structure, wherein a contact element on the land portion electrically engages a contact element on a finger of the support structure. Terminator described in section. (18) A housing for the plug, the housing comprising a body formed of an insulating material and having a row of grooves separated by adjacent slots, the grooves and the lands being substantially parallel. a conductive plate overlapping at least one of the slots and an electrical contact element disposed in each of the grooves, the distance of the contact element of the land portion from a predetermined reference being the distance of the contact element of the land portion from a predetermined reference; the plate overlapping the slot electrically engages the wall of the grounding structure and the contact element on the land contacting the finger on the support structure when mated with the plug; Claim 1 comprising an electrical contact element and a conductive plate electrically engaging the element.
The terminator described in item 1. (19) A terminator for a multi-conductor substrate, the metallic grounding structure having a plurality of walls, the walls jointly defining a plurality of passageways arranged side by side in the grounding structure. an insulative support structure having a body portion having a plurality of forwardly extending fingers, each of which is received in one of the passageways; and a plurality of conductors disposed over each of the fingers; an electrical contact element connectable to one of the conductors on the substrate, the top of the wall extending over the contact element on the finger, and provided on the grounding structure for attachment to a surface of the substrate; a mounting bracket provided with a mounting bracket, wherein in use the grounding structure is connectable to a predetermined electrical potential and the electrical contact elements are electrically isolated from each other. (20) a housing for receiving the grounding structure, the housing comprising a body having a row of grooves formed of an insulating material and separated by adjacent land portions, the grooves and the land portions being substantially and an electrical contact element disposed in each groove and each land, wherein the distance of the contact element in the land from a predetermined reference is less than that of the contact element in the groove. Largely, when coupled to the grounding structure, the groove contacts electrically engage the walls of the grounding structure and the contact elements on the lands electrically contact the contact elements on the fingers of the support structure. Claim 19 comprising an electrical contact element that engages the
Terminator described in section. (21) a housing for receiving the grounding structure, the housing comprising a body having a row of grooves formed of an insulating material and separated by adjacent slots, wherein the grooves and the slots are substantially an electrical contact element disposed in each groove and a conductive plate overlapping at least one of the slots, the distance of the contact element of the land portion from a predetermined reference being A plate that is larger than that of the plate and, when coupled to the grounding structure, electrically engages a wall of the grounding structure and a contact element on the land is connected to the support structure. 20. A terminator as claimed in claim 19, comprising an electrical contact element and a conductive plate electrically engaging a contact element on a finger of the terminal. (22) A termination for multiple conductors, the metallic grounding structure having a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of walls formed on each of the upper and lower surfaces. a metallic grounding structure, the walls of each surface jointly forming a predetermined number of passageways disposed side by side on each surface of the grounding structure; and first and second insulating support structures. each having a body portion having a forwardly extending finger each received in one of said passageways, one support structure being disposed on one of the surfaces of said grounding structure, said each having a body portion having a forwardly extending finger each received in one of said passageways; first and second insulative support structures, each finger of the support structure being received in one of the passageways of the grounding structure; an electrical contact element, wherein the distance of the top of the wall of the grounding structure from the surface thereof is greater than that of the contact element on the finger; terminating device connectable to an electrical potential of and in which said electrical contact elements are electrically isolated from each other; (23) a body comprising a housing for the grounding structure, the housing comprising an upper row and a lower row of lands formed of an insulating material and each separated by an adjacent groove; a body in which the lands and grooves are substantially parallel to each other; an electrical contact element disposed in each land and each groove, wherein each contact element of the land is directed to a predetermined reference in the center of the housing; is greater than that of each contact element of said groove, such that when coupled with said ground structure, said contact elements of said upper and lower grooves apex the walls of said upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of said ground structure. the contact elements on the land portions are electrically engaged with each other, and each contact element on the land portion is electrically engaged with the first
and an electrical contact element electrically engaging a contact element on a finger of the second support structure. (24) a housing for said grounding structure, said housing comprising a body having an upper row and a lower row of lands formed of an insulating material and separated by respective adjacent slots; a body having holes and lands extending substantially parallel to each other; an electrical contact element disposed in each said land; and a row of electrically conductive plates respectively overlapping each said slot;
The distance of each contact of the land portion to the center of the housing is greater than that of each plate, so that when coupled with the grounding structure, the contact elements of the upper and lower land portions are connected to the first and the lower land portions. an electrical contact element and a conductive plate electrically engaging a contact element of a finger of a second support structure, the plate electrically engaging a top of a wall of the first and second support structures; 23. A terminator according to claim 22, comprising: (25) A housing for a terminator, the body having a row of grooves formed of an insulating material and separated by adjacent lands, the grooves and the lands extending substantially parallel. an electrical contact element disposed in each groove and each land portion, the distance of each contact element in the land portion from a predetermined reference being greater than that of each contact element in the groove; A housing equipped with an element. (26) A housing for a terminator, the body having a row of lands formed of an insulating material and separated by adjacent slots, the grooves and lands extending substantially parallel. an electrical contact element disposed in each groove and a conductive plate overlapping at least one of the slots, the distance of each contact of the land portion from a predetermined reference being overlapping the slot; A housing comprising an electrical contact element larger than that of the plate and a conductive plate. (27) A terminator for multiple conductors, the metallic grounding structure having a base plate having a plurality of walls, the walls jointly forming a predetermined line disposed side by side in the grounding structure. an insulative support structure having a body portion having a plurality of forwardly extending fingers, each finger having a hole and a metallic grounding structure defining a plurality of passageways; an insulative support structure that is receivable; and an electrical contact element that is placed within a hole in each of said fingers and connectable to one of said conductors, and in use said grounding structure is configured to provide a predetermined electrical connection. A terminator connectable to a potential and in which the electrical contact elements are electrically isolated from each other. (28) A case in which the insulating support structure has a front surface and a front edge surrounding the support structure, and the front edge extends to the same extent as the front surface of the insulating support structure. 28. A terminator according to claim 27, comprising: