Patents Assigned to Woodhead Industries, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9559459
    Abstract: An inline multi-pin connector includes cylindrical male and female connector members which are electrically connected together by pushing the two members together end-to-end. Either the male or the female connector member has a metal cylinder disposed about its conductive pins or sockets, which are adapted for mutual engagement, while the other connector member is provided with inner threads. The metal cylinder includes plural resilient, spaced arms, or tabs, disposed about its outer periphery and urged radially outward and into engagement with the other member's threads to connect the two connector members. Coaxial seals are disposed between and in contact with the two members as is a compressible O-ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Jozwik, Joseph F. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20160233660
    Abstract: A GFCI receptacle assembly includes a housing having a junction box and a cover. The housing includes a cavity with a connection insert communicating with an opening in the housing configured to connect to a plug. An electrical assembly connected to the connection insert providing fault protection and a user interface remotely positioned to the electrical assembly and having a circuit assembly to control the electrical assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul SNAGEL
  • Publication number: 20160190742
    Abstract: An inline multi-pin connector includes cylindrical male and female connector members which are electrically connected together by pushing the two members together end-to-end. Either the male or the female connector member has a metal cylinder disposed about its conductive pins or sockets, which are adapted for mutual engagement, while the other connector member is provided with inner threads. The metal cylinder includes plural resilient, spaced arms, or tabs, disposed about its outer periphery and urged radially outward and into engagement with the other member's threads to connect the two connector members. Coaxial seals are disposed between and in contact with the two members as is a compressible O-ring seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Jozwik, Joseph F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9219329
    Abstract: A sealed electrical receptacle connector, either male or female, includes, in combination, a bushing and a shell threadably coupled together in an end-to-end manner. The bushing is adapted to receive a cable having plural conductors arranged in a spaced manner and separated from another along their respective lengths by an elongated nonconductive insert having plural radially extending spaced members, each disposed between a pair of adjacent conductors. A split washer is disposed between and in abutting contact with adjacent inner end portions of the receptacle and the shell and includes a slot extending therethrough. The split washer facilitates receptacle connector assembly and its slot is adapted to receive the plural conductors and an elongated axial strength member, such as a multi-strand steel cable, disposed within and along the length of the nonconductive insert to provide the receptacle connector and cable combination with high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Murphy, Randall G. Stone
  • Patent number: 9142914
    Abstract: An inline multi-pin connector includes cylindrical male and female connector members which are electrically connected together by pushing the two members together end-to-end. Either the male or the female connector member has a metal cylinder disposed about its conductive pins or sockets, which are adapted for mutual engagement, while the other connector member is provided with inner threads. The metal cylinder includes plural resilient, spaced arms, or tabs, disposed about its outer periphery and urged radially outward and into engagement with the other member's threads to connect the two connector members. Coaxial seals are disposed between and in contact with the two members as is a compressible O-ring seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Jozwik, Riccardo Comini, Joseph F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8920184
    Abstract: A high strength electrical connector includes an outer cylindrical, rigid support cover open at both ends and preferably comprised of a high strength metal. A first electrical lead extends through a tension bushing attached to one end of the support cover. A mating receptacle through which a second electrical lead passes is securely attached to a second opposed end of the support cover. Electrical connection between the ends of the first and second electrical leads is established within the support cover. Securely attaching the ends of the first and second electrical leads together within the support cover, which is preferably comprised of a high strength metal, directs axial and transverse forces exerted on the first electrical lead through the support cover, thus bypassing the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Murphy, Lucas Hartmann, Randall G. Stone, Keith Jozwik
  • Publication number: 20140342593
    Abstract: A sealed electrical receptacle connector, either male or female, includes, in combination, a bushing and a shell threadably coupled together in an end-to-end manner. The bushing is adapted to receive a cable having plural conductors arranged in a spaced manner and separated from another along their respective lengths by an elongated nonconductive insert having plural radi ally extending spaced members, each disposed between a pair of adjacent conductors. A split washer is disposed between and in abutting contact with adjacent inner end portions of the receptacle and the shell and includes a slot extending therethrough. The split washer facilitates receptacle connector assembly and its slot is adapted to receive the plural conductors and an elongated axial strength member, such as a multi-strand steel cable, disposed within and along the length of the nonconductive insert to provide the receptacle connector and cable combination with high strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Woodhead Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Joseph F. Murphy, Randall G. Stone
  • Publication number: 20140134871
    Abstract: An inline multi-pin connector includes cylindrical male and female connector members which are electrically connected together by pushing the two members together end-to-end. Either the male or the female connector member has a metal cylinder disposed about its conductive pins or sockets, which are adapted for mutual engagement, while the other connector member is provided with inner threads. The metal cylinder includes plural resilient, spaced arms, or tabs, disposed about its outer periphery and urged radially outward and into engagement with the other member's threads to connect the two connector members. Coaxial seals are disposed between and in contact with the two members as is a compressible O-ring seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Jozwik, Riccardo Comini, Joseph F. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8667123
    Abstract: A network diagnostic device is provided, which comprises a passive real-time measurement tool that is useful for, among other things, expediting fault identification, isolation, and repair of a communication network or bus. The device also facilitates prediction of failures by identifying marginal operating conditions. The device analyzes data flowing through the communication network, including through an analysis of variations in bit waveform shape carried by the network physical interconnect media. In one embodiment, an implementation of the network diagnostic device is particularly useful in a DeviceNet-compatible network or, more generally, a Controller Area Network (CAN). The device identifies faults by comparing measurements made on the actual DeviceNet bus with worst-case acceptable criteria. The device interfaces with a remote monitoring computer via an Ethernet compatible medium to display parsed bit-level waveforms, network warnings and errors, as well as an overall network health index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor Orton, William Turnbull, Sergei Kauzunovich
  • Patent number: 8371873
    Abstract: An illuminated or self-illuminating electrical connector is provided that has an internal light source with, electrical circuitry for illuminating the light source. The housing arrangement of the illuminated electrical connector is such that light emanating from the light source is visible through the housing arrangement to the extent that the light is visible through greater than half of the external surface of the illuminated electrical connector. Also visible through the housing arrangement, when the light source is illuminated, is an electronic component that provides an aesthetic and ‘high-tech’ enhancement to the illuminated electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilberto Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20120164870
    Abstract: A high strength electrical connector includes an outer cylindrical, rigid support cover open at both ends and preferably comprised of a high strength metal. A first electrical lead extends through a tension bushing attached to one end of the support cover. A mating receptacle through which a second electrical lead passes is securely attached to a second opposed end of the support cover. Electrical connection between the ends of the first and second electrical leads is established within the support cover. Securely attaching the ends of the first and second electrical leads together within the support cover, which is preferably comprised of a high strength metal, directs axial and transverse forces exerted on the first electrical lead through the support cover, thus bypassing the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Murphy, Lucas Hartmann, Randall G. Stone, Keith Jozwik
  • Patent number: 8162509
    Abstract: An industrial lamp fixture employing a high intensity lamp and suitable for use in a hazardous location or atmosphere includes a system for replacing the lamp without having to disassemble the front framework which protects the glass lens and prevents it from breaking or cracking. The fixture includes a shell having a boss extending from the shell along the direction of an elongated lampholder when placed in the operating position. The lampholder is easily removed through the boss, by hand, thereby permitting and facilitating lamp replacement without disassembly of the protective grid or lens. A tongue-in-groove arrangement both aligns the lampholder to insure proper forward orientation of the lamp in use, and fixes the position of the lamp laterally relative to the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P Mackin, Derrick Titus
  • Publication number: 20110300743
    Abstract: An illuminated or self-illuminating electrical connector is provided that has an internal light source with, electrical circuitry for illuminating the light source. The housing arrangement of the illuminated electrical connector is such that light emanating from the light source is visible through the housing arrangement to the extent that the light is visible through greater than half of the external surface of the illuminated electrical connector. Also visible through the housing arrangement, when the light source is illuminated, is an electronic component that provides an aesthetic and ‘high-tech’ enhancement to the illuminated electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gilberto Rizzo
  • Patent number: 7862366
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes first male and second female connectors having respectively a generally annular locking spring with inwardly directed flexible tines and an outer cylindrical coupling member. The tines are deflected outwardly by the outer coupling member when the second connector is inserted into the first connector for coupling the connectors. A locking clip having a pair of identical, semi-cylindrical mating sections adapted for mutual engagement and manual assembly about the coupled first and second connectors locks the two connectors together to prevent inadvertent disconnection. An uncoupling tool adapted for insertion in respective opposed slots in the two connected mating sections of the lock clip engages and axially displaces a release sleeve in one of the connectors, which, in turn, engages and outwardly deflects the locking clip's tines permitting the non-destructive separation of the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Stone, Joseph F. Murphy, Jimmy E. Adjunta
  • Publication number: 20100233904
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes first and second connector members each having respective complementary connecting elements, with the second connector member having an annular insert adapted for tight-fitting insertion in an annular recess of the first connector member. Attached to the second member is a circular spring having inwardly directed resilient tines which engage an outer surface of the second member for coupling the two connector members together in a locked manner. Attached to and disposed about the first member is a fixed apertured outer sleeve and the movable combination of an apertured inner sleeve and a release sleeve. Insertion of the flat blade of a tool into an aligned pair of outer and inner apertures, followed by rotation of the tool, causes its blade to displace the release sleeve into engagement with the spring, bending its tines and releasing the two connector members from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall G. Stone, Joseph F. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20100093205
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes first male and second female connectors having respectively a generally annular locking spring with inwardly directed flexible tines and an outer cylindrical coupling member. The tines are deflected outwardly by the outer coupling member when the second connector is inserted into the first connector for coupling the connectors. A locking clip having a pair of identical, semi-cylindrical mating sections adapted for mutual engagement and manual assembly about the coupled first and second connectors locks the two connectors together to prevent inadvertent disconnection. An uncoupling tool adapted for insertion in respective opposed slots in the two connected mating sections of the lock clip engages and axially displaces a release sleeve in one of the connectors, which, in turn, engages and outwardly deflects the locking clip's tines permitting the non-destructive separation of the two connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Randall G. Stone, Joseph F. Murphy, Jimmy E. Adjunta
  • Patent number: 7695302
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector including two mating connectors. A first plug section includes a receiving sleeve which encircles the first coupling section and which carries a locking element which includes flexible tabs movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and which are pre-stressed in its locking position. Held displaceably on the receiving sleeve is a sliding or release sleeve which may be manually moved axially to engage the locking element and release the mating connector. The second plug section has a plug tube which surrounds the second coupling section. When the plug tube is inserted in the receiving sleeve, the locking element rests on the outside of the plug tube in its locking position whereby the plug sections are connected. The connectors can be released by actuating the sliding sleeve to move the locking element into its unlocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Eissner, Norbert Roller
  • Publication number: 20100082805
    Abstract: A network diagnostic device is provided, which comprises a passive real-time measurement tool that is useful for, among other things, expediting fault identification, isolation, and repair of a communication network or bus. The device also facilitates prediction of failures by identifying marginal operating conditions. The device analyzes data flowing through the communication network, including through an analysis of variations in bit waveform shape carried by the network physical interconnect media. In one embodiment, an implementation of the network diagnostic device is particularly useful in a DeviceNet-compatible network or, more generally, a Controller Area Network (CAN). The device identifies faults by comparing measurements made on the actual DeviceNet bus with worst-case acceptable criteria. The device interfaces with a remote monitoring computer via an Ethernet compatible medium to display parsed bit-level waveforms, network warnings and errors, as well as an overall network health index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Trevor Orton, William Turnbull, Sergei Kauzunovich
  • Publication number: 20090161352
    Abstract: An industrial lamp fixture employing a high intensity lamp and suitable for use in a hazardous location or atmosphere includes a system for replacing the lamp without having to disassemble the front framework which protects the glass lens and prevents it from breaking or cracking. The fixture includes a shell having a boss extending from the shell along the direction of an elongated lampholder when placed in the operating position. The lampholder is easily removed through the boss, by hand, thereby permitting and facilitating lamp replacement without disassembly of the protective grid or lens. A tongue-in-groove arrangement both aligns the lampholder to insure proper forward orientation of the lamp in use, and fixes the position of the lamp laterally relative to the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: WOODHEAD INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. Mackin, Derrick Titus
  • Patent number: D622216
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gilberto Rizzo