Patents Assigned to Kel Corporation
  • Patent number: 5679008
    Abstract: An electrical connector 1 comprises a mediate circuit board assembly 4, a housing 2, and a plurality of contacts 3. The mediate circuit board assembly 4 has a plurality of signal paths, to which signal cables 5 are connected, and the housing 2 houses this mediate circuit board assembly 4. The contacts 3 are retained in the housing 2 and connected to the signal paths of the mediate circuit board assembly 4, which is housed in the housing 2. Two double-sided circuit boards, each having at least the signal paths formed on the front face and a grounding path formed on the rear face, constitute the mediate circuit board assembly 4 when these two double-sided circuit boards are abutted with each other, connecting the grounding paths of their rear faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Hisafumi Takahashi, Kouichi Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 5647749
    Abstract: A right angled header connector assembly including a main housing having a circuit board connecting face from which respective circuit board connecting portions protrude horizontally rearward and forward therefrom for reflow soldering to the circuit board and a transverse mating face. A subhousing is releasably attachable to the main housing to extend forward at the mating face surrounding the mating portions of the contact elements and in adjacent covering relation to the forward protruding circuit board connecting portions subsequent to the reflow soldering step. Release of the subhousing from the mating face, enables access to the forward protruding circuit board connecting portions for the reflow soldering step, unimpeded by said subhousing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Atoh, Etsuro Doi, Shoichi Mochizuki, Mazakazu Koiso
  • Patent number: 5618191
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a first connector half having two rows of first contacts in an insulative housing and a second connector half having two rows of second contacts in an insulative housing. When the second connector half is fitted with the first connector half, the second contacts mate with the first contacts. In addition to these contacts, a plurality of third contacts are provided with a predetermined pitch extending between the first contacts in the first connector half, and a plurality of fourth contacts are provided with the same pitch extending between the second contacts in the second connector half. The fourth contacts are positioned in such a way that when the first connector half and the second connector half are fitted together, the fourth contacts will be offset in the direction of their alignment with respect to the third contacts by a distance of half the pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Chikano, Youichiro Azuma
  • Patent number: 5591036
    Abstract: An electrical connector of a right angle header type including a housing with a series of contact members having connecting portions and lead portions at mating and rear faces, respectively, the lead portions being bent through 90 degrees forming medial portions extending rearward from the rear face and board connecting portions extending downward so that free ends of the board connecting portions are insertable into respective connecting through-holes of a circuit board. A lead portion retaining member having lead portion locating groves on a lower face is releasably attached to the housing to extend over the medial portions to prevent upward movement thereof during insertion of the end portions into the respective connecting through-holes, thereby obviating risk of misjudgement that the connector is correctly installed on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Etsuro Doi, Kiyoshi Atoh, Shoichi Mochizuki, Masakazu Koiso
  • Patent number: 5542851
    Abstract: A electrical connector assembly comprising first and second, intermatable connector members including respective housings with rows of terminals and rows of ground plate portions extending in spaced apart, side by side relation. Ground plate portions of one connector member include resilient contact portions which are staggered so as to be offset on respective opposite lateral side of a center line of the row thereof and retained in respective housing cavities formed in the housing. A row of correspondingly staggered finger-like projections are provided in the other housing and have guiding and other ground plate supporting portions on respective opposite lateral sides thereof facing in opposite lateral directions and receivable in the respective cavities during movement of the connector members into mating engagement both to support the other ground plate portions in electrical engagement with the resilient ground plate portions and to guide the two housings accurately together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Chikano
  • Patent number: 5538433
    Abstract: A PGA connector for a microprocessor has a multilayer base board assembly with alternating conductive and dielectric layers of preselected thicknesses through which signal pins, current source pins and a grounding pin extend. The signal pins are insulated from the conductive layers and the current and grounding pin are connected to preselected conductive layers. A series of connecting apertures formed by holes with respective conductive linings extend through the layers at selected locations between pins to interconnect selected conductive layers. The connecting apertures interconnect all conductive layers of the base board or, in another example, alternately positioned connecting apertures interconnect only respective different sets of alternately positioned conductive layers of the base board enabling improved shielding and impedance regulation and matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5536182
    Abstract: An insulation displacement connector for flat cable comprising an insulating housing and one piece terminals, each having a mating contact portion and a slotted plate wire connecting portion joined by a conducting lead portion. All the mating contact portions are mounted in a common plane at the mating face as a row extending transversely of a mating direction and the wire connecting portions are arranged as four rows extending transversely of the cable axis and at predetermined spacings apart in an axially rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Atoh, Etsuro Doi, Shoichi Mochizuki, Mazakazu Koiso
  • Patent number: 5516297
    Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector having lead portions of first and second series of terminals extending in alternating closely spaced parallel relation across a circuit board from a rear face of a connector housing. The lead portions have transverse soldering portions on respective free ends and the lead porions of the second series are longer than those of the first series and the lead portion of each series are of equal length so that the soldering portions of the first and second series are located in first and second rows with the first row being closer to the housing than the second row. The soldering potions of the first row have respective upstanding heater engaging portions so that the heater can be brought into engagement therewith without interfering with adjacent lead portions or with soldering portions of the other row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Koyoshi Atoh, Etsuro Doi, Shoichi Mochizuki, Mazakazu Koiso
  • Patent number: 5507651
    Abstract: A film circuit connector in which respective conductive tracks in film contact areas on front, mating faces are pressed together into electrical connection between side walls of a metal channel-section receptacle spring and a compressible elastomeric plug spring which engage respective rear faces of the films, the compressible plug spring providing a counter-force to the receptacle spring force, accommodating any variations in receptacle spring force arising longitudinally thereof, ensuring constant contact force between all tracks. Tabs for anchoring and grounding the receptacle spring to the circuit board are struck out and bent down from opposite walls of the receptacle spring, enabling electrical shielding of contact areas. Linking portions of conductive tracks connecting the mating contact portions on the front face of the film to board connecting portions, are formed on the rear face of the film for electrical and mechanical protection and may be insulated on all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuho Tanaka, Akira Katsumata, Hiroshi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5501610
    Abstract: A flexible cable connector has an insulating housing with cable receiving cavities opening at respective mouths to respective opposite faces of the housing. Rows of electrical contacts are mounted in respective cavities and first and second, cable clamping sliders are latched by locking arms on opposite ends thereof to respective opposite ends of the housing with central cable pressing portions entering respective mouths. The locking arms on the same slider are offset to extend in different levels or planes so that the arms can move past each other along the end of the housing in a cable insertion direction from a cable admitting to a cable clamping position without interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 5499929
    Abstract: A connector for mounting an LGA device on a circuit board comprises a film contact having electrode bumps on inner ends of respective conductive paths at predetermined spaced apart locations corresponding to respective locations of the individual electrode lands on the LGA device and is clamped extending across a central cavity defined between housing base and frame members. A flat elastomeric biassing pad having a series of upstanding, closely spaced resilient projections is retained by the base member in the cavity with the projections supporting spaced apart locations of one surface of the film contact while a cover member retains the device in the cavity in the frame member with the respective lands thereof pressed against respective electrode bumps, compressing the biassing pad to assure sufficient contact pressure. The cover member has a camming detent which progressively engages the device during closing, moving the device across the film contact with a wiping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Shuichi Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 5498169
    Abstract: A connector comprises a housing having a cable receiving cavity with a cable admitting mouth; a row of contacts in the housing cavity, each having parallel arms providing between them a cable receiving gap adjacent the mouth, and a contact protuberance on one arm protruding into the gap adjacent the mouth; and a slider with a pressing portion extending along the cavity through the cable receiving gaps. The slider is movable between a cable admitting position remote from the mouth and a cable connecting position adjacent the mouth, forcing the cable into electrical connection with the protuberances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ikemoto
  • Patent number: 5490792
    Abstract: A multi-level memory card connector has a plurality of memory card receiving compartments located in vertical alignment with each other at upper and lower levels and memory card ejection mechanisms at the sides of respective compartment also in vertical alignment. Ejection buttons for actuating respective ejection mechanisms are exposed to a memory card insertion face at upper and lower levels but are laterally offset to reduce the risk of the operators finger inadvertently pressing two adjacent buttons simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Sugita
  • Patent number: 5480309
    Abstract: A universal laminated base board assembly for connecting an integrated circuit device to a pcb has a series of alternating, overlying, conductive and insulating layers with two of the conductive layers providing ground and current lines on respective opposite faces. A plurality of through-holes extend through the layers and insulated from the conductive layers for receiving respective socket forming body portions of contact elements selected from signal, current and grounding types with the signal contact elements remaining insulated from the conductive layers and the current and grounding types having conductive layer connecting portions bridging the insulation into connection with the current and ground layers respectively. The contact elements are inserted in those through holes which are aligned with signal, current and ground line terminal lead pins, respectively, of the particular device chosen, adapting the base board to any one of a variety of different devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5461546
    Abstract: A function expanding apparatus for a compact electronic device includes a casing having a supporting portion and a supporting plate attached to the casing to be movable in a predetermined direction. A pair of retaining portions are formed on the supporting plate. The rear portion of the electronic device is mounted on the supporting portion and is positioned in its width direction by a pair of positioning members provided at the supporting portion. The front end portion of the electronic device is mounted on the supporting plate and the retaining portions engage the front edge of the electronic device so as to restrain the movement of the electronic device in the depth direction thereof. The position of the retaining portion is adjusted by moving the supporting plate, in accordance with the depth of the mounted electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Takaichi Kobayashi, Kazuya Shibasaki, Takashi Hosoi, Masami Honda, Kazuyoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5390270
    Abstract: An inner, optical fiber core clamping ferrule has an optical fiber clamping portion for receipt in an outer ferrule and defining an axially extending through-passageway, an axial slit extending through the clamping portion divides the passageway into two opposed groove portions receiving a prepared end of an optical fiber extending along the through-passageway. The inner ferrule is force-fitted in the outer ferrule to extend co-axially therewith, with wall portions thereof maintaining the opposed walls of the spaced apart slit in open condition so that opposed walls of the groove portions are pressed into gripping engagement with the optical fiber. The opposed walls of the slit diverge as they extend radially outwardly away from the groove portions. The inner ferrule may be split for the entire length of the through passageway forming two halve hinged together at one end or have open slits formed in an otherwise imperforate tubular wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Hideyuki Hanzawa, Toshihiro Nonaka
  • Patent number: 5382168
    Abstract: A stacking connector assembly of adjustable height comprises a matable connector member mounted on a circuit board engaging positioning plate by a pair of spacing arms which are integrally formed in one piece with either the positioning plate or the matable connector member and are severable to selected lengths. Lead forming posts extend from a rear face of the connector member, away from a mating face, and the positioning plate is formed with a series of post receiving through-apertures, predetermined of which are of smaller cross-section than the posts to receive posts as a force fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: KEL Corporation
    Inventors: Youichiro Azuma, Shigeyasu Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5354207
    Abstract: An electrical connector has an insulating housing from a rear face of which extends a series of contact leg portions for connection to a series of conductive paths of a circuit board by a surface mount technique and a contact aligning member comprising a cover plate extending transversely from an upright wall having a bottom edge formed with a series of grooves at the same pitch as the conductive paths with respective, downwardly opening, divergent contact leg portion receiving mouths. Side walls extending rearwardly from opposite ends of the body have wall guiding surfaces intersected by a stop groove which receives a detent formed on an upright edge of the wall in a snap action when the contact aligning member is inserted downwardly between the side walls so that the respective contact leg portions enter the respective grooves, thereby being located at the same pitch as the conductive paths and in a common circuit board engaging plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: KEL Corporation
    Inventor: Koji Chikano
  • Patent number: 5316486
    Abstract: A film circuit connector in which respective conductive tracks in film contact areas on front, mating faces are pressed together into electrical connection between side walls of a metal channel-section receptacle spring and a compressible elastomeric plug spring which engage respective rear faces of the films, the compressible plug spring providing a counter-force to the receptacle spring force, accommodating any variations in receptacle spring force arising longitudinally thereof, ensuring constant contact force between all tracks. Tabs for anchoring and grounding the receptacle spring to the circuit board are struck out and bent down from opposite walls of the receptacle spring, enabling electrical shielding of contact areas. Linking portions of conductive tracks connecting the mating contact portions on the front face of the film to board connecting portions, are formed on the rear face of the film for electrical and mechanical protection and may be insulated on all sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: KEL Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuho Tanaka, Akira Katsumata, Hiroshi Arisaka
  • Patent number: 5292267
    Abstract: A function expanding apparatus for electronic devices having a mechanism for supporting a connector body. Two elastic members hold a connector body which is freely slidable between the two elastic members. The connector body is movable in multiple directions so as to connect to the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, KEL Corporation
    Inventors: Takaichi Kobayashi, Kazuya Shibasaki, Takashi Hosoi, Masami Honda, Kazuyoshi Takahashi