Patents Examined by Anton Harris
  • Patent number: 7151223
    Abstract: Various embodiments of electric connector assemblies, each of which includes a connector body having a frustro-conically shaped outlet end portion that converges toward the outlet opening with a complementary frustro-conically shaped external ring circumscribing the outlet end portion wherein the frustro-conical retainer ring is integrally formed with a locking tang and electrical grounding tangs arranged to be snap fitted to a knock-out hole of an electric box, in combination with an internal unidirectional snap-fit wire conductor retainer disposed in the inlet end portion of the connector body to facilitate the connection of a wire conductor to the connector body and whereby unintentional separation of the wire conductor therefrom is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7148421
    Abstract: A lid (20) and a cover main body (10) are formed with sliding contacts (17, 23) that slide in sliding contact with each other immediately before the lid (20) reaches a lid-closing position for damping biasing forces given from coil springs (30) to the lid (20). Frictional resistance is created by the sliding contact of the sliding contacts (17, 23) and the biasing forces given from the torsion coil springs (30) to the lid (20) are damped by this frictional resistance. In this way, an impact given when the lid (20) reaches the cover main body (10) at the lid-closing position is alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinyu Nagashima, Akihito Maegawa, Mitsuru Tanigawa, Hiroyuki Kashiki
  • Patent number: 7129412
    Abstract: An adapter plate to provide a stable supporting transition between the curvature of an exposed log in a log-construction building and electrical components to be installed into the log includes a substantially flat front side, a curved back side, and a center opening. The back side is provided with a smooth curvature complimentary to the curvature of the exposed log surface for snug installation thereto and tracking engagement therewith. The center opening is sized to slidably receive an electrical box into which the component is to be installed. The front side is configured to support the electrical box and for snug installation of the cover plate. The adapter plate is configurable for use with one or more electrical boxes ganged together. The adapter plate conceals the entire electrical box and the space between the component and the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Kevin R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 7109411
    Abstract: The electromagnetic shielding device includes a frame and a lid. The frame includes sidewalls and upstanding male detent elements with outwardly extending detent protrusions. The lid includes a generally planar top with peripheral lip portions. Slots are formed at the intersection of the lid and the peripheral lip portions so that upstanding male detent elements can extend therethrough and detent engage the frame to the lid. Variations of the detent engagement are shown in different embodiments. In particularly, a reduced height of the electromagnetic shielding device can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Igor Vinokor, Vladislav Pirkhalo, Anatoliy Shlahtichman, Eugene Smyk, Zoilo Anthony Favela, Gerald English
  • Patent number: 7105745
    Abstract: A water resistant floor box cover assembly including a flange including an opening therethrough adapted to permit access to electrical connectors and a cover securable to the flange. The cover is movable between a closed position wherein the opening is covered and an open position wherein the opening is uncovered to permit access to the outlet box. The flange also includes an inner wall and an outer wall extending about the opening. The inner and the outer walls define a channel disposed therebetween. The outer wall including a slot formed therein providing a path out of the channel. The slot permits water in the channel to exit therefrom away from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Drane, Cong Thanh Dinh
  • Patent number: 7091415
    Abstract: A scalable mass interconnect device having a receiver assembly with module mounting members positioned in the receiver frame in a direction parallel to a plane of movement of the engagement cams in the receiver. Modules are mounted in the module mounting members such that the modules are perpendicular to a plane of movement of the engagement cams in the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl M. Ashby, Randall Garman, Jeffrey P. Stowers, David L. Rocker
  • Patent number: 7087836
    Abstract: An electrical outlet box assembly provides for the accommodation of dual voltage fixtures. The outlet box assembly accommodates electrical fixtures and data fixtures along separate mounting axes. The electrical outlet box assembly provides for increased capacity while meeting applicable code requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: John Archer, Dan Michaelis, Ron Wright
  • Patent number: 7078622
    Abstract: Deformation of a socket housing during connection of an IC package is prevented, and reliable electrical connections are secured in an IC socket assembly. The IC socket assembly is constituted by a plurality of electrical contacts; an insulative socket housing for holding the electrical contacts arranged in a matrix; a reinforcing plate having an opening at its center, through which the electrical contacts are exposed, for supporting the lower portion of the socket housing; a cover member, which is rotatably supported by the reinforcing plate, for cooperating with the reinforcing plate to sandwich and hold the IC package therebetween and to press the IC package against the electrical contacts; and reinforcing beams, which are supported by the reinforcing plate and provided across opposing edges of the opening, for supporting the socket housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electroncics AMP K.K.
    Inventors: Shinichi Hashimoto, Hiroshi Shirai
  • Patent number: 7075006
    Abstract: In an electrical junction box for an automobile vehicle, a casing includes upper and lower casing members. A lock section joints the upper and lower casing members. A vehicle attachment section extends outward from an outer surface of the casing above the lock section. A bracket projecting from a vehicle body is inserted upward into the vehicle attachment section to fix the electrical junction box onto the vehicle body. The electrical junction box comprises a lock protection section including right and left ribs that project from the outer surface of the casing on the opposite sides of the lock section so that the right and left ribs extend to a position higher than the lock section. A distance between the right and left ribs is set to be smaller than a width of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Nojima, Manabu Matsumoto, Mitsuhiro Kato
  • Patent number: 7075007
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end that slopes downwardly toward the outlet opening that is circumscribed by a complementary frustro conical outer snap-fit retaining ring mounted on the outlet end of the connector body. The outer frustro conical retaining ring is integrally formed from a blank of spring steel having integral locking and grounding tangs blanked or formed out of the plane of the blank. The connector assembly also includes an internal sleeve having inwardly formed spring fingers to secure an electrical conductor to the inlet end by a snap fit. In an alternate embodiment, a simple clamp arrangement is substituted for the internal snap fit sleeve for securing a wire conductor to the inlet end of the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7071409
    Abstract: An electrical enclosure having an improved sealing and shielding component and a method of manufacturing such an enclosure is provided. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a wire mesh is positioned against the surface of the enclosure. While the wire mesh is being positioned against the enclosure surface, a foam is formed on the enclosure surface adjacent the wire mesh. The foam generally adheres to the enclosure surface and holds the wire mesh in place. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the foam has a height equal to or greater than the height of the wire mesh. The improved sealing and shielding components can, for example, improve the sealing and shielding of the electrical enclosure as compared to conventional electrical enclosures. The present electrical enclosure may, for example, also reduce the cost of manufacturing electrical enclosures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hoffman Enclosures, Inc.
    Inventors: John Emil Richard, William Joseph Nepsha, Timothy Lloyd Mullen, Thomas R. Hurney, Paul Rutherford, Jr., Tom Erickson, Chuck Lavigne, Thomas E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7071416
    Abstract: A fuel tank for motor vehicles, for example an LPG fuel tank, contains inside it at least one electrical component and has a wall or a plate bearing at least one connector for connection of the electrical component with an electrical line external to the tank. The electrical connector has a body made of synthetic material or of elastomer material directly moulded on one or more conductor pins so as to guarantee hermetic sealing of the tank even in the presence of a pressure jump between the internal cavity of the tank and the external environment. In the case where the body of the connector is made of synthetic material, it bears seats for seal rings made of elastomer material. In the case where it is made of elastomer material, it guarantees directly the function of tightness. In either case, there are provided means for exerting an axial compressive force on the part that performs the tightness function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Ricco, Sisto Luigi De Matthaeis, Claudio Amorese, Onofrio De Michele, Annunziata Anna Satriano
  • Patent number: 7064272
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end which has an outer surface sloping downwardly toward the outlet opening, and having a complementary frustro conical outer snap retaining ring mounted on the outlet end of the connector body. The outer frustro conical retaining ring is integrally formed from a blank of spring steel having integral locking and grounding tangs blanked or formed out of the plane of the blank. The connector assembly also includes an internal sleeve secured to the inlet end formed with spring fingers to secure an electrical conductor to the inlet end by a snap fit. In an alternate embodiment, a simple clamp arrangement can be substituted for the internal snap fit sleeve for securing a wire conductor to the inlet end of the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7057107
    Abstract: An electric connector assembly having a connector body defining an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion interconnected by a through bore wherein the outlet end portion is provided with a tapering frustro conical surface that is circumscribed by an external retainer ring of a frustro conical shape complementing the frustro conical outer surface of the outlet end portion. The conical external retainer ring also includes locking and grounding tangs arranged to effect a snap fit connection of the connector assembly to a knock-out hole of an electric box or panel. The electric connector assembly further contemplates the use of internal wire conductor retainer associated with the inlet end portion so as to effect the attachment of an electric wire conductor thereto with a snap fit in a manner that prohibits any unintentional separation of the electric wire conductor therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7049513
    Abstract: A card-mounting rack for electronic part-mounting cards is disclosed by which a housing of a rack or the like produced in accordance with standard specifications can be used to mount a plurality of large cards in high density therein to achieve overall densification and miniaturization of a system such as a computer system. Cooling fans are provided on a front and rear faces of a housing of a rack. A mother board is horizontally placed at the center of the inside of the housing. A plurality of cards are mounted perpendicularly on top and bottom faces of the mother board using gondolas and driving mechanisms having a function for moving the cards upwardly or downwardly through a plurality of connector provided on the top and bottom faces of the motherboard. Further, spacers for stabilizing the cards are inserted on rear faces of the cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hisashi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7049510
    Abstract: A sensor with a carrier board which is arranged in a housing is at least partly produced by an injection molding process and fitted with electronic, optical, electromechanical and/or opto-electronic components. A region of the carrier board and at least some of the components disposed thereon are arranged in a hollow space formed inside the at least partly injection molded housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventor: Torsten Neuhaeuser
  • Patent number: 7041906
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a flat flex cable (1) or a so-called FFC, in particular for use in vehicles, wherein said cable contains at least two electric conductors (2) that are surrounded by an insulating layer (3) of a plastic material. The invention is characterized by the fact that electronic components (11) are arranged on a circuit layout (6) on the surface of the flat flex cable (1) and connected to at least one conductor (2) of the flat flex cable. The invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing such an FFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: I & T Innovation Technology Entwicklungs - und Holding AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang John
  • Patent number: 7038130
    Abstract: An electrical fitting for installation of electrical systems in poured concrete, includes a relatively flat body of material having an opening for receiving an electrical conduit, a number of equally spaced legs projecting from a side of the body where the legs are adapted to face a form wall opposing another form wall onto which an electrical box is mounted flush, and a tip disposed on a top of each leg. The tip of each leg is adapted to grip the form wall and provides a sturdy and solid base that holds an electrical box and a conduit in position during the pouring of concrete. The length of each spaced leg is sufficient to allow concrete to flow between the body and the form wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Gary Sing Choy Yip, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7030315
    Abstract: A utility box having a housing and a ring affixed on an upper circumferential rim of the housing. The ring forms a through hole with a bore that receives an attachment means from the cover. Tabs at a lower portion partially form a retaining recess that is disposed between the tabs and the bore. The tabs receive a fastener there through. The retaining recess receives a flexible washer, which deforms to pass through the tabs. The tabs retain the washer within the retaining recess against a first downward force, and allow the washer to be ejected upon application of a greater force. A fastener cavity is disposed between the bore and the retaining recess. The fastener cavity receives the fastener. The fastener is retained when the washer is within the retaining recess, and is loosed when the washer is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: United States Utility Enclosures L.L.C.
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Bobby C. Kent, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6998534
    Abstract: A partition structure of in a computer casing provides a partition with two guide grooves and a joining member with two engaging parts corresponding to the guide grooves respectively. Each of the guide grooves has an upper opening, a locating part and a lower opening respectively for engaging with engaging parts of the joining member. One of the guide grooves is shorter and the upper opening and the lower opening 322c are wider than rest part in the respective guide groove for facilitating the joining member 23 being assembled to or disassembled from the partition 32 handily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Asia Vital Component Co., LTD
    Inventor: Yen-Lin Chu