Patents Examined by Paramita Ghosh
  • Patent number: 5866853
    Abstract: There is provided a strain-relief, liquid tight for connecting conduit or the like to a bulkhead such as an electrical box, with the connector having a body having front and rear portions, and a substantially hollow inner throughbore formed along a longitudinal axis thereof. The front portion of the connector body is adapted for attachment to a bulkhead. A flexible seal member is mounted at least partially within the hollow inner throughbore for receiving a conduit inserted therethrough, this seal member facilitating a substantially liquid tight seal about an inserted conduit during use. An at least partially hollow grip for selectively gripping the conduit is included, and a clamp nut is telescoped over the rear portion of the body for selective longitudinal adjustment therealong. The longitudinal adjustment of this clamp nut provides inward radial compression of the flexible grip about the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Robert K. Sheehan
  • Patent number: 5736681
    Abstract: There are provided conductive bumps arranged at predetermined positions penetrated through an insulating layer during a press integration stage to ensure electrical and thermal conductivities between a wiring pattern and a conductive metal as well as electrical connections between the wiring patterns. More specifically, the sharp tip of the conductive bump is subjected to plastic deformation to form the interconnections between the wiring patterns or between the wiring pattern and the conductive metal. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a printed wiring board. A synthetic resin sheet is sandwiched by the surface on which conductive bumps are formed into a laminate. The laminate is heated until the resin component of the synthetic resin sheet in a plastic state or up to a temperature not lower than the glass transition temperature of that resin. At that time, the conductive bumps are forced against the synthetic resin sheet and are penetrated therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yuichi Yamamoto, Yoshizumi Sato, Tomohisa Motomura, Hiroshi Hamano, Yasushi Arai
  • Patent number: 5703331
    Abstract: A circuitized structure including a flexible circuit with at least one layer of dielectric having a plurality of electrically conductive members (e.g., copper pads) thereon. An elastomeric member including a plurality of upstanding portions each having a respective metallic pad member thereon is utilized, this elastomeric-pad structure being bonded to the flexible circuit at locations relative to respective ones of the conductive members so as to assure substantially independent force exertion thereon, e.g., when the flexible circuit is electrically coupled to a separate, circuitized substrate such as a printed circuit board. A method for making an elastomeric support member for use in such a circuitized substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Brodsky, James Daniel Herard, Thomas George Macek, Timothy Lee Sharp, George Joseph Shovlowsky
  • Patent number: 5703327
    Abstract: An electrical box includes a U-shaped main body and a pair of sidewalls. Each of the sidewalls includes coupling flanges along their transverse edges and along one of their longitudinal edges for overlapping edges of the main body. In some embodiments, the main body has opposite side edges, each side edges having a pair of flanges extending from a midpoint on a rear panel and along the end panels. The flanges on the sidewall are formed to complement the flanges on the main body to overlap with each other in a coupling relation. The main body and sidewalls are formed from a folded blank. The main body is constructed so that a plurality of identical main bodies can be ganged with the flanges of a first main body telescoping with the flanges of a second main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5689091
    Abstract: A multi-layer substrate structure and a method for fabricating the same are provided. Thin metal foils are laminated on the top and bottom sides of a non-conductive layer so as to form a laminated substrate. A plurality of plated-through holes are formed in the laminated substrate and are then filled with an epoxy. The laminated substrate is then patterned and etched. Epoxy layers are disposed on both sides of the laminated substrate. The laminated substrate is formed with a plurality of smaller plated-through holes extending through the epoxy layers and with a cavity to receive an integrated-circuit die. The through holes and the epoxy layers are metallized on both sides of the laminated substrate. The laminated substrate is patterned and etched again. A solder mask is applied on both sides of the laminated substrate so as to form selective wire bondable areas and selective solderable areas. The integrated circuit die is disposed in the center of the cavity and has a plurality of bonding pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Hamzehdoost, Kamran Manteghi
  • Patent number: 5686703
    Abstract: An anisotropic, electrically conductive adhesive film includes an insulating adhesive, electrically conductive particles dispersed in the electrically insulating adhesive, and transparent, spherical glass particles dispersed in the insulating adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5684272
    Abstract: An in-line cord ground fault circuit interrupter has a tripping relay whose various components are an integral part of the GFCI housing, instead of being self-contained. The front cover of the housing has the necessary bosses, guide slots, and screw holes for mounting of all the mechanical and electrical elements of the relay. The rear cover serves as a water resistant enclosure and holds the relay elements in position across the width of the housing. The relay's movable contact arms are attached directly to the printed circuit board of the GFCI. The relay armature is located by ribs on the front cover and is trapped in position when the relay coil and frame assembly is pushed over it using guide slots in the front cover. The armature has integral arms extending to each side wherein each arm has an actuating cam on its end. Gripping ribs and strain relief ribs are placed at the cord entrances to the housing with a chamber formed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Gernhardt, David Chan, Serge Krzyzanowski
  • Patent number: 5682015
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shield which prevents squirrels or other animals from causing faults in power distribution substations. Switch and bus insulators are primary points of contact when a small animal crawls from a grounded, supporting structure across an insulator to an energized conductor. The present invention provides for a barrier on switch and bus insulators which prevents animals from coming into contact with a grounded structure and an energized conductor simultaneously, thus eliminating a ground path from the energized conductor through the animal to the grounded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Georgia Power Company
    Inventor: Michael Harben
  • Patent number: 5679922
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shield which prevents squirrels or other animals from causing faults in power distribution substations. Switch and bus insulators are primary points of contact when a small animal crawls from a grounded, supporting structure across an insulator to an energized conductor. The present invention provides for a barrier on switch and bus insulators which prevents animals from coming into contact with a grounded structure and an energized conductor simultaneously, thus eliminating a ground path from the energized conductor through the animal to the grounded structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Georgia Power Company
    Inventor: Michael Harben
  • Patent number: 5677514
    Abstract: A PC board to be populated with electronic components, for insertion into the housing of an electronic device, has a core made of two metal plates connected together and spaced apart by reinforcing ribs, said plates being provided with a copper-invar layer and with a cover layer formed by several layers of polyimide film. To achieve high rigidity and good heat transfer, the metal plates are made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and are fastened in the housings by means of gibs and cotters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: MTU Motoren- Und Turbinen-Union Muenchen GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Schwamm, Kurt Ding
  • Patent number: 5675128
    Abstract: An improvement for a cable terminal which includes a terminal carrier 1 and a terminal clamp 12 tracked in the carrier where a flexible locking tooth 8 on the terminal carrier 1 works in conjunction with a toothed rack 24 on the terminal clamp 12. In this improvement the terminal carrier 1 is in the form of a hollow cylinder or cuboid whose upper edge includes two opposed grooves 2, 3 to accommodate a cable, and the terminal clamp 12 includes a clamping rib 19, 20, 19a, 20a which acts on the cable from above and/or laterally, centrally to the grooves, and which can be axially displaced and locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventor: Hans Simon
  • Patent number: 5672848
    Abstract: A ceramic circuit board wherein a copper circuit plate is directly bonded at a predetermined position on a ceramic substrate and heat is applied; or the copper circuit plate is integrally bonded through a brazing material containing an active metal, such as Ti, Zr and Hf; and a semiconductor element is bonded onto a semiconductor element mounting portion of the copper circuit plate through a solder layer. The copper plate element is formed with grooves or holes thereon and is bonded on the semiconductor element mounting portion of the copper circuit plate, and the semiconductor element is integrally bonded onto a surface of a grooved or holed side of the copper plate element through a solder layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Komorita, Tadashi Tanaka, Takayuki Naba, Takashi Hino
  • Patent number: 5661267
    Abstract: An alignment board for interfacing arrays of infrared detectors to a multi-layer module concerns an insulating board having a multiplicity of conductive vias with insulating sealing plugs and enlarged metallic pads that are attached to the ends of the vias. Preferably, an insulating layer is formed on opposing sides of the board. Openings are delineated in the layer coinciding with the metallic pads, and preferably solder contacts are deposited in the openings. A multi-layer module may be attached to one side of the alignment board using reflow solder processes. Then, arrays of infrared detectors may be attached to the opposing side of the alignment board using a lower-temperature reflow soldering process. The alignment board facilitates the interfacing and assembly of the focal plane of infrared detection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Harlan R. Isaak
  • Patent number: 5644106
    Abstract: A plastic holder for a thermistor includes a base portion having opposite ends and a thermistor support surface. Endwalls extend outwardly from the support surface for receiving a thermistor therebetween. Outwardly extending abutments on the base portion adjacent its opposite ends inhibit displacement of the holder from a pocket on a spring clip. One of the endwalls has an oppositely extending extension wall with a recess in its outer end for receiving an electrical lead. A thermistor retainer projection extends outwardly from the base portion perpendicular to the support surface intermediate its opposite ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul J. Gajeski, G. Lynnette Marks
  • Patent number: 5644104
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for permitting the transmission of an electrical signal between areas. A housing defines first and second areas having different pressures. A sleeve threadingly engaged with the housing defines a port, and an electrically conductive button is disposed at least partially in the port. An input wire extending into the port is connected to the button at a first point, and an output wire is connected to the button at a second point and extends into the second area. A first compressible insulator is disposed between the button and the housing, and a second compressible insulator is disposed between the button and the sleeve. An insulative O-ring is disposed between the first insulator and the second insulator, and a third insulator is disposed between the sleeve and the second insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventors: Fred C. Porter, Garth J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 5637831
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a barrier for an insulator having a central portion or stem with a plurality of sheds extending therefrom. The barrier is, in use, located between adjacent sheds of the insulator and includes a sheet of dielectric material having one or more discontinuities in its surface. The discontinuities can be in the form of holes in the surface or in the form of a joint between cut edges of the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Hydro Quebec
    Inventor: Peter J. Lambeth
  • Patent number: 5635678
    Abstract: A construction for and a method of waterproofing a group of wires of a wiring harness inserted through a tubular member, the construction including: a tube which has a closed distal end portion and an open rear end and is formed, in the vicinity of the closed distal end portion, with a number of pores; the tube being disposed at a substantially central portion of the wires of the wiring harness; and pourable sealing compound which is injected into the tube from the open rear end and is extruded from the pores of the closed distal end portion so as to be filled into gaps among the wires of the wiring harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Yasukuni
  • Patent number: 5633478
    Abstract: A composite electrical insulator includes a metal fitting (3, 4) fixedly secured to a fiber-reinforced plastic rod (1) at one end thereof. The rod has a stress-relieved zone (8) situated opposite to the metal fitting (3, 4), and formed by a heat treatment of the rod (1) after an end portion of the rod (1) has been inserted into a bore (5) in the metal fitting (3, 4) and the metal fitting (3, 4) fixedly secured to the rod (1). The heat treatment of the rod (1) is performed at a temperature which is not lower than a heat transition temperature of a matrix resin of the fiber-reinforced plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Ishino
  • Patent number: 5633477
    Abstract: A resin-rich electrically conductive felt material is described. The described conductive felt can be used to suppress corona discharge in high voltage generator coils. The conductive felt is prepared by treatment with electrically conducting polymers, such as polyaniline and polypyrrole, and resistivity values ranging from 4,000 to 100,000 ohms may be obtained. This treated felt can be readily impregnated with thermoset resins, such as epoxies, to provide flexible prepregs suitable for coil bonding applications in turbine generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: James D. B. Smith, Karl F. Schoch, Jr., Franklin T. Emery
  • Patent number: 5627340
    Abstract: A plastic floor box assembly for use with electrical raceways installed in concrete floors, having a plastic box, an activation ring, a cover plate for retaining an electrical outlet, and an outlet cover securable to the cover plate. The activation ring is secured within the open top of the floor box by a plurality of retaining clips, having barbs extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom. The barbs allow easy insertion of the activation ring into the box, while preventing withdrawal. In a second embodiment designed for use in tile floors, a pair of support clips are also provided on the activation ring to prevent over-insertion of the ring into the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Smith, David C. Weaver, Timothy S. Bowman