Patents Examined by Brian J. Biggi
-
Patent number: 5906517Abstract: An electrical connector includes a base, a contact housing plate and a cover. The contact housing plate is coupled to the base and includes an electrical receptacle which is adapted to engage an electrical plug. The cover is also coupled to the base and overlies the contact housing plate. The cover has an inclined surface which extends toward the base and an opening therein forming a recess for receiving the electrical plug that is engageable with the electrical receptacle. The electrical connector may further include a plurality of electrical receptacles and openings for receiving multiple electrical plugs. The electrical connector may also include a circuit board which may contain an on/off switch and a circuit breaker with surge suppression. In addition, the plug of the power cord for the electrical connector may contain a built-in GFCI circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1997Date of Patent: May 25, 1999Assignee: Fiskars Inc.Inventors: John J. Crane, Walter Millard Bailey
-
Patent number: 5902141Abstract: A low insertion pressure connector including a female connector housing, a male connector housing, a slider provided so as to be slidable in the female connector housing, a temporary lock mechanism for locking the slider in a temporary lock position, cam grooves for moving the slider from the temporary lock position to a normal lock position to thereby move the male connector housing from an initial fitting position to a normal fitting position, in which a lock claw acting as the temporary lock mechanism and a releasing protrusion are provided on a flexible arm so that the male connector housing is moved into the initial fitting position, an engagement convex portion to be fitted into the cam groove pushes down the releasing protrusion project into the cam groove to bend the flexible arm to thereby release the temporary lock.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventor: Yoshihiro Iwahori
-
Patent number: 5899765Abstract: A submersible connector having redundant bladders, each filled with a dielectric liquid. An inner bladder contains an electrical contact, and an insertion sleeve of the inner bladder is pinched closed by a spring. An outer bladder is disposed around the inner bladder, and also has an entrance sleeve that is pinched closed independently of the inner bladder. With this arrangement, the redundant bladders are constructed so as to provide independent penetrable seals.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Services, Inc.Inventors: Edward J. Niekrasz, Daniel A. Stephens
-
Patent number: 5899761Abstract: An electrical connector includes a base, a contact housing plate and a cover. The contact housing plate is coupled to the base and includes an electrical receptacle which is adapted to engage an electrical plug. The cover is also coupled to the base and overlies the contact housing plate. The cover has an inclined surface which extends toward the base and an opening therein forming a recess for receiving the electrical plug that is engageable with the electrical receptacle. The cover also includes a lid, which is movable between an open position and a closed position. When the lid is in the open position, the contact housing plate is exposed, facilitating access to the electrical receptacle. When the lid is in the closed position, the lid protects the electrical plug from debris and dislodgement from the electrical receptacle. The electrical connector may further include a plurality of electrical receptacles and openings for receiving multiple electrical plugs.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 1998Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Fiskars Inc.Inventors: John J. Crane, Walter M. Bailey
-
Patent number: 5899770Abstract: A modular plug for directing a plurality of twist pairs of core wires into an opening of a modular jack (500) for electrical connection, includes a guide member (140) for separating and arranging the twist pairs for each twist pair; a housing (110) for positioning and holding each twist pair for each core wire; and a plurality of contact terminals (120), each connected to each core wire. The contact terminals are arranged such that adjacent contact terminals are not substantially overlapped each other or overlapped only in part. The modular jack includes a plurality of contact terminals (520) arranged such that adjacent contact terminals are not substantially overlapped each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsuya Ezawa
-
Patent number: 5899767Abstract: An external connector mounted on a printed circuit board of a steering system is composed of a first movable carriage to which flexible terminals are secured, a second movable carriage for guiding the first movable carriage in the X direction, and a support carriage for guiding the second movable carriage in the Y direction so that the first and second movable carriages can move in the X and Y directions, respectively, with respect to the support carriage. When a fixed direct coupler of a rotary connector is connected to the thus constructed external connector, if the fixed direct coupler is displaced with respect to the external connector, the first and second movable carriages of the external connector move in the X and Y directions, respectively, with respect to the support carriage, whereby the relative displacement between the fixed direct coupler and the external connector can be absorbed.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Kato, Masanori Nakao, Kimihiro Furuichi
-
Patent number: 5897383Abstract: A cross-connect bus for plugging engagement with a cross-connect panel having a plurality of rows of projecting insulation displacement connectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: The Wiremold CompanyInventor: James J. Johnston
-
Patent number: 5897392Abstract: A wire retaining clip for guiding bundled wires extending from an electrical connector mounted to a power distribution box and securing the wires to the box to prevent vibration of the wires from causing them to separate from their terminals. The wire retaining clip is molded in a single piece and comprises a connector cover which snaps into attachment with the electrical connector to secure the wire terminals therein and a wire guide member attached to the cover by a living hinge. The wire guide member encloses the wires and routes them around an edge of the power distribution box and along a second surface of the box. The wires are taped or otherwise secured to the wire guide member, and a lock mechanism on the wire guide member engages cooperating means on the power distribution box to secure the wires to the box.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Takeshi Takahashi, Jeromy William Tomlin, Jerome Adam David Duhr
-
Patent number: 5895288Abstract: A new plant power line for making cords of all types appear as a growing plant. The inventive device includes a planter container containing a hook and an electric cord having an elongated body with simulated leaves extending from the elongated body. The electric cord runs into the planter container and fastens to the hook and then extends out of the planter container.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1996Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Inventor: Fern W. Nelson
-
Patent number: 5893767Abstract: Connector (20) includes switches (32,132) each having a movable switching terminal (34,134) with a spring arm (40,140) engaged by a stationary terminal (54,154) at a switch point when the connector is unmated. Upon connector mating, switching terminal (34,134) is deflected by the mating connector (90) out of engagement with the stationary terminal thereby disrupting a circuit therebetween. The stationary terminal (54,154) engages the switching terminal (34,134) by means of a spring arm (60,160) biased against the switching terminal when the connectors are unmated, resulting in a wiping action when the switching terminal is being deflected away therefrom or resiling thereagainst, during connector mating and unmating respectively.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventor: John Lawrence Broschard, III
-
Patent number: 5893768Abstract: Vehicle doors generally include a metal door frame connected to an interior trim panel. Electrical connections are made between trim panel electrical connectors, and mating electrical connectors on the door frame. A self-aligning connection system allows one of the connectors to float or aligns with the mating electrical connector by being allowed to move in three directions during assembly. The connection system includes a carriage (46) having a hole, a clip (48), and a base (44). The clip releasably holds one electrical connector (50). The clip (48) is disposable within the carriage (46) so that the clip moves along a first axis and a second axis within the carriage. The base comprises a plate (53) and at least one post (54) extending from the plate. The carriage is placed on the post so that the post extends through the hole. The diameter of the post allows the carriage to be slidably engaged therewith along a third axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: April 13, 1999Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.Inventors: Steven Gawron, Brenda R. Koehler, Lawrence M. Suwinski, John N. Topolewski
-
Patent number: 5890926Abstract: A cable bend controller (50) comprising a relatively rigid member includes a body section (52) having first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) at opposing ends thereof. The first and second cable-engaging sections (56) are securable to a cable at a first and second spaced apart locations. The said body section (52) is curved about a preselected radius such that said first cable-engaging section (56) is oriented at a substantial angle to said second cable-engaging section, (60) the body section thereby defining an externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54). Upon fastening the first and second cable-engaging sections (56,60) to the cable (42), cable (42) is required to assume a bend to lie along said externally arcuate concave cable-engaging surface (54).Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: William Vito Pauza, Harold William Kerlin
-
Patent number: 5890924Abstract: Disclosed is an insulation-displacement-contact connector comprising a first frame, a second frame, and tabs. The first and second frames pinch electric wires tight between them when assembled together. The first frame has an opening so that the insulation-displacement-contact pins of a mating material can pass through and touch the wires. The tabs on the second frame extend outwardly at an angle and bend exposed portions of the wires along the outer surfaces of the first frame, making the wires gripped more securely against pushing force exerted by the insulation-displacement-contact pins.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Mitsuo Endo, Yuji Hatagishi
-
Patent number: 5890920Abstract: Disclosed is a closure device which projects from the side elements of the frame of a memory card connector to provide security for the memory card. The activation of the closure means is coordinated with the movement of the card eject plate so that after the card is inserted the connector cannot readily be tampered with to remove the card.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.Inventors: James J. David, Scott S. Duesterhoeft, John M. Spickler, Naoki Hiyama
-
Patent number: 5890919Abstract: A lock-out device for electrical cables and associated plugs that is intended to allow the workman to protect against the possibility of a re-connection of any plug in the device, while the workman is working on the electrical apparatus associated with such plug. The lock-out device is comprised essentially of a flexible containment chamber, a keeper bar, a perforated strap, a fastener for the strap, a locking device for the keeper bar, and a pocket, which has two openings.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Inventor: James H. Geisler
-
Patent number: 5890918Abstract: Current Supply Device for Low Voltage Equipment There is disclosed a current supply device for low voltage equipment, in particular for supplying lighting fixtures, provided with at least one conductor rail (1; 1'; 1"; 1'") in the form of a section (2; 2'; 2"; 2'") having at least one longitudinal slot (3, 3'a, 3'b; 3"a, 3"b; 3'") in which at least one current conductor (6; 6'; 6"; 6'a, 6'b; 6"a, 6"b; 6'"a, 6'"b) is arranged which is capable of being contacted with a current collector (10; 10', 10"; 10'") that has a thread serving as a mechanical holding element and which is capable of being screwed into the longitudinal slot; preferably, the current conductor is arranged at the bottom portion (4, 4'a, 4'b) of the longitudinal slot (3; 3'a, 3'b) and is insulated on all sides by soft synthetic material or soft rubber, and the current collector (10) has a contact at its front side designed as a spike (14) which penetrates the insulation of the current conductor when the thread is screwed in.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1997Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Inventor: Andreas Hierzer
-
Patent number: 5888087Abstract: A docking device for a data collection terminal comprises a latch which positively retains an inserted data collection terminal in a docking position wherein communication and power contacts of the data collection terminal are communicatively coupled to complementary contacts of the docking device. The latch urges the inserted data collection terminal into a latched rest position with an optimal minimum contact engagement force, such that any shock or vibration has a tendency to increase the contact engagement force to thereby eliminate an inadvertent opening of contacts due to shock or vibration. The latch is adapted to facilitate one-handed insertion and removal of the data collection terminal into and from the docking device. The docking device includes a scanner bracket for holding a scanner operably connected to the data collection terminal wherein the scanner, inserted in the bracket, and the controls of the data collection terminal, inserted into the docking device, remain accessible to a user thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1996Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Norand CorporationInventors: George E. Hanson, John G. Pavek
-
Patent number: 5888100Abstract: A modular plug connector and cable assembly comprises a modular plug with a wire holder, and a twisted pair cable. The twisted pairs are braided in order to cross over conductors of the twisted pairs, and furthermore to separate the pairs of conductors and from and in order to reduce inductive and capacitive coupling therebetween. The wire holder helps to keep the pairs twisted and the straightened end portions of the conductors as short as possible. The cable assembly as described provides low cross talk and enables consistent termination with little deviation in the signal transmission speeds.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: Pedro Duran Bofill, Ignacio Freire Venegas
-
Patent number: 5888107Abstract: A two piece male contact, such as a harness contact for use in a harness connector. The two piece male contact includes an elongated contact pin which is connectable to a mating female contact, and a terminal, one end of which is electrically and mechanically attached to the contact pin and the other end of which is connectable to a conductor.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1998Date of Patent: March 30, 1999Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.Inventors: Douglas G. Seymour, Richard P. Walker
-
Patent number: 5885096Abstract: A switching coaxial jack includes first and second parallel aligned electrically conductive coaxial center conductors. The center conductors are divided into front and rear portions. The rear portions include movable springs to separate the rear portions from the front portions. A V-shaped switching spring connects the rear portions. Levers push the rear portions out of connection with the switching spring and into connection with the front portions upon insertion of plugs into forward ports of the jack.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.Inventor: Bruce C. Ogren