Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Michael J. Porco
  • Patent number: 6217365
    Abstract: A connector with an elastic locking portion is formed to avoid exerting tension on a wire when the connector is disengaged from its mating connector. The elastic locking portion 28 is elastically deformable upward and downward on the top surface of a connector 20, and a pulling portion 34 projects at the rear side of the elastic locking portion 28. When the connector 20 connected with a mating connector is to be disengaged therefrom, the connectors are pulled in detaching directions while the elastic locking portion 28 is pressed. Since the connector 20 can be pulled by maneuvering the pulling portion 34 at this time, no tension is forcibly exerted on a wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6213095
    Abstract: A common rail is provided for promoting inner pressure fatigue strength at location in proximity to a branch pipe. The common rail includes a main pipe rail with a main flow path. At least one boss in provided on the peripheral wall and includes a branch hole communicating the main flow path. The branch pipe is provided with a connecting head that has a pressing face at and end of the branch pipe. The pressing face of the branch pipe is urged into a pressure receiving seat of the boss. A compressive residual stress is provided at location in the peripheral wall where the main flow path of the main pipe rail communicates with the branch hole. The compressive residual stress increases the pressure fatigue strength by substantially canceling tensile stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventors: Kikuo Asada, Masayoshi Usui, Eiji Watanabe, Kazunori Takikawa
  • Patent number: 6210223
    Abstract: A shielded connector is provided with an improved shielding characteristic. The shielded connector includes male and female shielded connectors (10a, 10b). A section of an inner conductor (51) of a shielded cable (50) that is not covered by an outer conductor (52) and a portion of an inner terminal (20a) at and near an inner crimping portion (24) that is fastened to the leading end of the inner conductor (51) are covered on three sides by a covering portion (45). Accordingly, shielding characteristic can be improved remarkably. By connecting the male and female shielded connectors (10a, 10b) with opening surfaces of the covering portions (45) thereof faced in opposite directions, radiation characteristic can be balanced. Therefore, an influence on a high-frequency signal transmitting through the inner conductor (51) can be reduced when it is passing through the shielded connectors (10a, 10b), with the result that shielding characteristic can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Aoyama, Masashi Saito, Takashi Koide, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6210688
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a method of forming a substantially non odorous barrier film, on human or animal skin on which a fragrance is to be applied, said method comprises applying a dermatologically inactive film-forming polymer to human or animal skin in a cosmetically acceptable carrier to form a substantially non odorous barrier film, on human or animal skin, onto which a fragrance is to be applied. A composition for use with the method of the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Rachel Ann Quayle
  • Patent number: 6206717
    Abstract: A connector is provided to securely prevent a partial connection while enabling a smooth connection with a mating connector without forcibly turning the mating connector aside. At the front end of the left and right side surfaces of a female housing 1, a pair of spring contact portions 14 laterally symmetrically project in the middle with respect to the height direction of the female housing 1. In the middle of left and right side walls of a receptacle 9 of a male housing 2 with respect to its height direction, a pair of spring accommodating portions 16 in the form of grooves into which the spring contact portions 14 are fittable are formed, and compression coil springs 29 are accommodated therein. When being pushed into the receptacle 9, the female housing 1 is subjected to the reaction forces of the compression coil springs 29.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6206727
    Abstract: A terminal is provided for secure electrical connection to a shielded cable. The outer conductor 52 of the cable 50 is exposed and folded onto the sheath. A folded portion 55 is placed on a bottom portion 48 of the terminal while a bottom projection 61 at the bottom portion 48 of an outer terminal 40 bites into the folded portion. A crimping piece 46 of the outer terminal 40 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the folded portion 55 and an upper projection 62 on the crimping piece 46 bites into a sheath 54 of the folded portion 55. A crimping piece 47 is brought into close contact with the outer surface of the folded portion 55 and the end thereof is placed on that of the crimping piece 46. The outer crimping portion 45 squeezes the sheath 54 and is crimped while being held in close contact with the sheath 54 beneath the folded portion 55, and the two projections 61, 62 bite into the sheath 54.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Aoyama, Masashi Saito, Takashi Koide, Masahiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6203741
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for forming micro spike thermoplastic liners and micro spike thermoplastic liners formed thereby are provided. A textured thermoplastic liner having at least one roughened surface with a plurality of irregularly shaped projections extending therefrom is disclosed. The thermoplastic liner of the subject invention is formed by using a calendering roll having a generally cylindrically shaped body with a non-smooth outer surface and a plurality of blind apertures, each having an irregularly shaped opening formed coextensively with the non-smooth surface. The liner is formed by having the non-smooth surface of the calendering roll impress a roughened pattern onto the liner and simultaneously form the plurality of irregularly shaped projections. The calendering roll is formed by initially drilling a plurality of blind apertures and, subsequently, roughening the outer surface of the roll such that the openings of each of the apertures are each caused to be irregularly shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: AGRU Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Heinzlreiter
  • Patent number: 6203358
    Abstract: An electrical connection box is provided for an automotive vehicle. The box can flexibly cope with a design change or the like. Internal circuits of the electrical connection box are formed by wires and push-in terminals that are provided on the inner surfaces of lower and upper casings 11, 12. A plurality of through holes 11a′, 12a′ in which connectors 19 are detachably mountable are formed in the lower and upper casings 11, 12, the connectors carrying push-in terminals in conformity with a circuit construction are fixedly fitted into the through holes 11a′, 12a′. The push-in terminals are connected with the wires as well as with external circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kasai
  • Patent number: 6203754
    Abstract: The present invention provides a brazing filler metal whose brazing temperature is 1060-1120° C. which is close to that of BNi-2 specified in JIS Z3265. The present invention also provides a brazing filler metal which has a melting point of 890-980° C. (which is close to that of BNi-7) and is capable of brazing at a temperature lower than 1000° C. The brazing filler metal of the present invention improves the base metal in corrosion resistance without deterioration. In addition, it has good resistance to oxidation and good resistance to corrosion by sulfuric acid. It has high strength, good heat resistance, and good wetting characteristics. It is used to produce durable EGR coolers by brazing. The first brazing filler metal is composed of Cr (20-30 wt %), P (3-10 wt %), Si (2-7 wt %), and Ni (remainder). It may be incorporated with another brazing filler metal composed of Cr (10-15 wt %), P (7-12 wt %), and Ni (remainder) in an amount of 2-15 wt %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha Limited
    Inventor: Motoharu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6200162
    Abstract: An inner terminal 11 is accommodated in an accommodating portion 20 of an outer terminal 12 via a dielectric element 13. A core 2 of a shielded cable 1 is fastened to an inner fastening portion 18 of the inner terminal 11 outside the outer terminal 12, and then the inner terminal 11 is inserted into the dielectric element 13. A braided wire 4 is folded back around an end of a sheath 5, and an outer fastening portion 22 of the outer terminal 12 is fastened to a folded portion 4A thereof. A covering wall portion 21 in which only the upper surface is open is provided between the accommodating portion 20 and the outer fastening portion 22 of the outer terminal 12, and the inner fastening portion 18 is located in the covering wall portion 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Aoyama, Masashi Saito, Takashi Koide
  • Patent number: 6200141
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for solderless connection to a land grid array integrated circuit package. In the first embodiment of the invention, a plurality of generally &Sgr;-shaped electrical contacts are disposed in through holes formed in a non-conductive substrate. The electrical contacts are maintained within the through holes due to dimensional differences formed therebetween. In the second embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrical contacts, each having a pad portion, are disposed in a non-conductive substrate, with the respective pad portions registering with an opening of the through hole. Each electrical contact having a spring arm extending through the non-conductive substrate from the pad portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Aries Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: William Y. Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6198872
    Abstract: A programmed illuminated display is provided. The display includes a panel having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. An optical fiber is provided for each aperture. Each optical fiber has an emitting end aligned with the front face of the panel and a receiving end extending beyond the rear face of the panel. The optical fibers are grouped in a selected manner, and each group of the optical fibers is connected to an LED. The LED's are connected to a control circuit that includes a programmable chip. The chip is programmed to generate a selected firing order for the LED's which in turn direct light through the associated optical fibers for providing a programmed illumination for the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Hyla Lipson, John Jones, David Jones
  • Patent number: 6193531
    Abstract: A lever type connector is provided with a lever that has a rotatable or pivotable range wider than its rotatable or pivotable range during the connection of male and female housings without changing a moving stroke of a moving plate. The lever 20 is enabled to rotate from a connection start position to a connection end position located opposite from a standby position, and each cam groove 24 is formed with a play area 24C for preventing the lever 20 from being interfered with by cam pins 32 of a moving plate 30 when the lever 20 is rotated or pivoted toward the standby position. Since the cam grooves 24 of the lever 20 and the cam pins 32 of the moving plate 30 do not interfere with each other while the lever 20 is rotated or pivoted from the connection start position to the standby position, the moving plate 30 will not move together with the lever 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Ito, Hiroki Osawa
  • Patent number: 6193495
    Abstract: A connector mold is provided to improve connector molding efficiency. Thus, a first insert 30 for a first male connector 10 and a second insert 31 for a second male connector 15 can be exchangeably mounted in a movable mold 22. A first closing projection 32 fittable into a second identification rib forming groove 26 of a fixed mold 21 projects from the front surface of the first insert 30, and a first preventing rib forming groove 33 for forming an error assembling preventing rib 13 of the first connector 10 extends on the upper surface of the first insert 30 on an extension line of a first identification rib forming groove 25 of the fixed mold 21. When the molds 21, 22 are closed, a closed connector molding space 20A is defined therebetween and the first closing projection 32 closes the second identification rib forming groove 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Sasai, Izumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6193017
    Abstract: A traction-sheave elevator is provided without a counterweight. The elevator includes an elevator car that is guided in an elevator shaft. A rope is used to carry the car. The elevator further include at least two motor-driven traction-sheaves that are connected one behind the other relative to the rope. The rope wraps around each traction-sheave to define a relative angle of wrap greater than 180°. A tensioning device is connected downstream of the traction-sheaves for self-adjustably applying a requisite tension to the rope after the rope comes off the second traction-sheave. Additionally, a braking device is provided for at least one of the traction-sheaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Blain Hydraulics GmbH
    Inventor: Regina Köster
  • Patent number: 6191364
    Abstract: A clamping construction is provided to hold an automotive wiring harness more securely. One end 1a of a connector holder 1 on which an automotive wiring harness 2 is placed and one end 3a of a clamp 3 are rotatably coupled by a hinge 7. A projecting guide 4 and a lock claw 5 are provided at the other end of the connector holder 1, and a projected portion 3d is formed at an other end 3b of the clamp 3. At the leading end of the projected portion 3d is formed a lock hole 6. The projected portion 3d is formed such that a contact portion of the outer surface of the projected portion 3d and the inner surface of the projecting guide 4 extends to the projecting end of the projecting guide 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Byrne
  • Patent number: 6191592
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided to facilitate connection inspections for a high tension cord 1. The apparatus includes a contact element that can be brought into contact with a distributor terminal T2. The contact element includes elastic elements 31b to 34b that are constructed to be displaceable between an enclosed state where they enclose the distributor terminal T2 to establish an electrical connection therewith and an open state where a high tension cord 1 can be mounted and detached. Since the distributor terminal T2 can be connected electrically without precisely positioning it, connection inspections for the high tension cord 1 can be made easier and, consequently, automation and labor-saving can be made possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ohsawa, Hitoshi Ohkubo
  • Patent number: 6186121
    Abstract: A structurally simple common rail is highly sealed and light weight manner. The common rail includes a thick wall pipe having a flow passage for accumulating pressure of high pressure fuel. The high pressure fuel is supplied from a high-pressure pump and distributed to an injection nozzle. The end portion of the thick wall pipe is reduced in diameter by drawing. A thread portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the diameter-reduced end portion. A connecting end of a piping component is connected to the end portion of the thick wall pipe by screwing a nut to the thread portion of the thick wall pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Usui Kokusai Sangyo Kaisha LImited
    Inventors: Tadahiro Uematsu, Nobuo Kato
  • Patent number: 6182387
    Abstract: A menu board system comprising a support structure, made of magnetically attractable material, and various strips indicating, for instance, products sold and magnetic elements indicating prices at which products are sold. Once all the elements and strips are in place on the support structure, the front surface of the menu board seems flat and continuous as all pieces are cut to fit perfectly in an edge-to-edge pattern. The price elements are easily removed by simply pressing an element's bottom portion allowing the top portion to lift off the support structure. The ease of removal is caused by a magnet fixed only to the top portion of the back surface of the price element. The bottom edge of the magnet acts as a fulcrum point and the back surface of the element left uncovered is simply pushed into the support structure, permitting the top portion of the element to be grasped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Enseignes Imperial Signs Ltee/Ltd.
    Inventor: Eloi Duguay
  • Patent number: D438746
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Creative Bath Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren Barker, Richard S. Lipton