Patents Represented by Attorney Stephen L. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 7883341
    Abstract: A connector includes a first and second housing that are configured to be coupled together. The connector may include two circuit cards supported by card supports. Mating edges of the first and second housing are configured to be coupled together and may include one or more crushed ribs positioned in an elongated channel/elongated shoulder interface. The one or more crushed ribs may be configured so as to be spaced apart a distance that acts to improve the electrical shielding provided by the connector. The connector may be configured to be coupled to a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Harold Keith Lang, Kent E. Regnier
  • Patent number: 7878853
    Abstract: A high speed connector with reduced crosstalk utilizes individual connector support frames that are assembled together to form a block of connector units. Each such unit supports a column of conductive terminals in two spaced-apart columns. The columns have differential signal terminal pairs separated from each other by larger intervening ground shields that serve as ground terminals. The ground shields are arranged in alternating fashion within the pair of columns and they are closely spaced together so as to face a differential signal terminal pair. The support frames support the ground and signal terminals utilizing radial spokes in which the spokes take the form of ribs that extend along the inner surfaces of one of the connector halves and define V-shaped air channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, John Laurx
  • Patent number: 7871294
    Abstract: A connector has an insulative housing and two edge card-receiving slots disposed in a stacked arrangement with in the insulative housing. Each slot receives an edge card of an electronic module therein. The slots support conductive terminals that extend from a plurality of individual terminal assemblies. The housing may be positioned in a cage that includes receptacles on a front face of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Jerry A. Long
  • Patent number: 7867031
    Abstract: A high speed connector with reduced crosstalk utilizes individual connector support frames that are assembled together to form a block of connector units. Each such unit supports a column of conductive terminals in two spaced-apart columns. The columns have differential signal terminal pairs separated from each other by larger intervening ground shields that serve as ground terminals. The ground shields are arranged in alternating fashion within the pair of columns and they are closely spaced together so as to define within the pair of columns, a serpentine pattern of ground shields that cooperate to act as a single “pseudo” shield within each pair of columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, John Laurx
  • Patent number: 7862347
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a plurality of connector units each having a pair of columns of edge coupled differential signal pairs separated by a ground shield terminal. The ground shield terminals each face a different signal pair of terminals in an adjacent column. Notwithstanding the different size and configurations of the ground and signal terminals, the terminals have mounting tail portions that are disposed in a uniform array different from the arrangement of the body portions of the terminals of the connector unit. The mounting tail portions are of a reduced length which benefit the electrical performance of the connector where it meets its supporting circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, John Laurx, David Brunker, Kent E. Regnier
  • Patent number: 7854634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a jack connector assembly having circuitry components integrated providing power over LAN-functionality, in particular for use with regard to Ethernet-networks. An object of the present invention is to provide a jack connector assembly providing integrated power over LAN-functionality and especially avoiding any undesirable and destructive heat accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Sven Filipon, Wolfgang Herrmann, Stephan Steinke, Michael Hartmann
  • Patent number: 7845985
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing with a set of broad-side coupled terminals configured to engage a pair of signal traces on a first panel and a second panel and transfer signals between the signal traces on the first and second panels. The connector may be slid onto the edges and then fastened to one or both of the panels with a locking feature. Multiple signal pairs may be included in the connector and may be electrically separated. The design of the connector helps facilitate high-speed data communication per signal pair with a return loss performance that does not exceed at predetermined level. Certain configurations of the connector may be used for co-planar configurations. Certain configurations of the connector may couple together panels of different thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: David L. Brunker, Timothy R. Gregori, David E. Dunham, Jason E. Squire, Kevin O'Connor, Joseph D. Comerci
  • Patent number: 7815475
    Abstract: A connector assembly of complex shape has a connector body with possesses a plurality of distinct surfaces both parallel and intersecting. Laser directed structuring is used to form patterns of conductive traces on the surfaces of the connector body and raised ribs are formed along the traces and interposed between them to form channels that encompass at least portions of the traces. The raised ribs increase the time in which plating solution can dwell over the laser excited areas and also form abrasion barriers to prevent abrasion for the conductive traces during the plating thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kirk B. Peloza, Victor Zaderej, John Dolaz, Stephen Rushing
  • Patent number: 7811134
    Abstract: A differential pair connector has a housing floor, an array of differential pairs passing through the housing floor, and a conductive grid integrated into the housing floor for reducing crosstalk between the differential pairs. The conductive grid can have various structures, such as conductive inserts, plated regions and/or a conductive housing floor surrounding non-conductive inserts protecting the differential pins. Although any suitable means can be used to fasten the conductive grid into the housing floor, the grid is preferably press fitted into the top of the housing floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig A. Bixler, John C. Laurx, Neil A. Martin
  • Patent number: 7806698
    Abstract: A surface mount connector for high speed data transfer application has an insulative housing with a vertically-oriented circuit card-receiving slot disposed along a front face thereof. A plurality of conductive terminals are supported by the housing so that contact portions of the terminals extend into the card slot. The terminals are formed with a thin configuration to reduce the overall capacitance of the terminals as a group as a means of regulating the impedance thereof. The terminals are supported on opposing sidewalls of the connector housing and each of the terminals includes a tail portion, a contact portion and a retention portion that engages the connector housing so that the contact portions are cantilevered in their extent within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Kent E. Regnier
  • Patent number: 7798852
    Abstract: A high speed connector with reduced crosstalk utilizes individual connector support frames that are assembled together to form a block of connector units in a vertical arrangement. Each such unit supports an array of conductive terminals that are arranged in two spaced-apart rows. The rows have differential signal terminal pairs separated from each other by larger intervening ground shields that serve as ground terminals. The ground shields are arranged in alternating fashion within each row of terminals and they are closely spaced together so as to define within the rows of each connector unit, a horizontal serpentine pattern of ground shields that cooperate to act as a single “pseudo” shield within each pair of terminal rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: John Laurx, Peerouz Amleshi
  • Patent number: 7789708
    Abstract: A backplane electrical connector electrically and physically connects a daughter card printed circuit board to a backplane printed circuit board. The electrical connect can be of a two-piece construction including a daughtercard connector mateable with a pin header. The daughtercard connector can be assembled from a plurality of wafers which each can include a plurality of conductive leads. The wafers can have an attachment edge that lies adjacent to the daughtercard and a mating edge that is directed toward the pin header. Each conductive lead can include a bifurcated contact extending from the mating edge and each can have a first arm and a second arm. The first and second arms can provide two redundant points of contact with a corresponding conductive pin disposed in the pin header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: John Laurx, Kent Regnier
  • Patent number: 7789692
    Abstract: A card edge connector comprises an insulating housing comprising a receptacle provided with a plurality of terminals therein and a pair of support arms disposed at opposite ends of the insulating housing. Each of the support arms comprises a flexible portion having a distal free end. The flexible portion comprises a latch element configured for establishing a latching engagement with the card module and a resistance provider applying a relievable resistant upward force to an improperly inserted card module and causing the flexible portion to deflect while an unusually large force is applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Daw Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 7753744
    Abstract: A pedestal connector that incorporates one or more grouped element channel link transmission lines is seen to have a dielectric body and two opposing contact ends that are intended to contact opposing contacts or traces. The dielectric body has an S-shaped configuration such that the transmission lines supported thereon make at least one change in direction, thereby permitting the use of such connector to interconnect elements lying in two different planes. The transmission lines include slots that extend within the frame and which define opposing, conductive surfaces formed on the dielectric body which are separated by an intervening air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Victor Zaderej, David L. Brunker, Philip J. Dambach
  • Patent number: 7749014
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting on a circuit board includes a pressing frame, a base, and a pressing pole. The base and the pressing frame may be mounted on two opposite surfaces the circuit board so that a pivoting portion and protruding pieces of the base respectively pass through the circuit board. The pressing frame is mounted on the pivoting portion. The pressing pole mounts to the protruding pieces and can be translated so as to urge the pressing frame toward a closed position. A receptacle connector may be mounted between the pivoting portion and the protruding pieces and secured by the pressing frame. A radiator may be mounted over on the receptacle connector. A plurality of fastener may extend between the radiator and the base so as to secure the radiator in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Chun-Hsiang Chiang
  • Patent number: 7736171
    Abstract: A small, low-profile plug connector for use with electronic devices provides a latching member with a pair of hooks that engage mating holes in a guide frame, and which can be easily delatched from the guide frame or opposing connector or housing. The hooks lock the plug connector into engagement with the frame or housing, but are readily released by way of a simple ramp and lobe mechanism in the plug connector. The ramp and lobe mechanism converts horizontal movement of a pull tab-like actuator into vertical movement of a latching member such that the hooks are lifted upward and disengaged from the guide frame or housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce Reed, Jay H. Neer, Cleaver Brinkerhoff, Dennis Lee Doye
  • Patent number: 7731537
    Abstract: A high speed connector with reduced crosstalk utilizes individual connector support frames that are assembled together to form a block of connector units. Each such unit supports a column of conductive terminals in two spaced-apart columns. The columns have differential signal terminal pairs separated from each other by larger intervening ground shields that serve as ground terminals. The ground shields are arranged in alternating fashion within the pair of columns and they are closely spaced together so as to face a differential signal terminal pair. In areas where the terminals are mounted to the connector units, window-like openings are formed in the large ground shield terminals to reduce the amount of broadside coupling between the differential signal terminal pair and the signal terminal pair are narrowed to increase their edge-to-edge distance to account for the change in dielectric constant of the connector unit material filing in the area between the signal terminal pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, John Laurx
  • Patent number: 7727017
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a plurality of connector units each having a pair of columns of edge coupled differential signal pairs separated by a ground shield terminal. The ground shield terminals each face a different signal pair of terminals in an adjacent column. Notwithstanding the different size and configurations of the ground and signal terminals, the terminals have mounting tail portions that are disposed in a uniform array different from the arrangement of the body portions of the terminals of the connector unit. The mounting tail portions are of a reduced length which benefit the electrical performance of the connector where it meets its supporting circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Peerouz Amleshi, John Laurx, David Brunker, Kent Regnier
  • Patent number: 7722400
    Abstract: A differential pair connector includes a housing having receptacles for receiving differential pair conductors and electrically conductive shielding tabs extending away from the housing between the receptacles for reducing crosstalk between the differential pairs. The tabs insert into a mated connector when an interconnect is formed. By inserting into the second connector, the shield tabs extend a larger ground plane around each differential pair, thus significantly reducing crosstalk within the connector. The connector can be a high density GbX® style daughter card connector mated to a GbX® style backplane connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig A. Bixler, John C. Laurx, Neil A. Martin, Tom Carlson
  • Patent number: 7713077
    Abstract: An interposer connector is provided that is suitable for translatable connection between a first and second connector. The interposer connector includes a housing with a face that includes an opening and a terminal positioned in the opening. The terminal is configured to pivot about the opening so that when the interposer is caused to couple the first and second connector, the terminal may translate along a first plane to account for misalignment in a first direction between the first and second connector. The housing may further be configured to allow the terminal to translate in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane so as to account for misalignment in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel B. McGowan, Kenneth M. Stiles, Kenneth T. Stead, Arvind Patel, Michael S. Bean