Patents by Inventor Duane I. Mikkola

Duane I. Mikkola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7115003
    Abstract: A terminal socket assembly for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with an associated input male input pin and an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage blank having first and second extending edges and a plurality of spaced apart and angled beams extending between the edges. The spring cage is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in an “hourglass shape”. A substantially tubular sleeve is provided for receiving the configured spring cage. The sleeve is compressingly engageable. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is capable of biasingly receiving and engaging an extending and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions are integrally secured to the tubular sleeve and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Alcon Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Duane I. Mikkola
  • Patent number: 6875063
    Abstract: A terminal socket assembly for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with an associated input male input pin and an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage blank having first and second extending edges and a plurality of spaced apart and angled beams extending between the edges. The spring cage is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in an “hourglass shape”, configuration utilizing any of a variety of different forming and bending operations. A substantially tubular sleeve is provided for receiving the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion. The sleeve is compressingly engageable, such as by forming an axially extending slit along the length of the sleeve with a predetermined incremental amount of spacing established between adjoining surfaces, and in order to create an interference fit with the axially inserted spring cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Duane I. Mikkola
  • Patent number: 6656002
    Abstract: A terminal socket assembly including a T-shaped sealed connector for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with a male input pin and output cable. A spring cage is formed into a substantially helix “hourglass shape” configuration. A tubular sleeve receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion and includes first and second extending bracket portions which are biased towards each other to create a compressing and interference fit with the inserted spring cage. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is receives and engaging and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions extend from a selected bracket portion and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables. A sealed connector housing forms a part of and encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and includes assembleable male and female housing portions and end seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Duane I. Mikkola
  • Publication number: 20020187686
    Abstract: A terminal socket assembly including a T-shaped sealed connector for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with a male input pin and output cable. A spring cage is formed into a substantially helix “hourglass shape” configuration. A tubular sleeve receives the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion and includes first and second extending bracket portions which are biased towards each other to create a compressing and interference fit with the inserted spring cage. The assembled sleeve and spring cage is receives and engaging and inserting portion of the male pin. Gripping portions extend from a selected bracket portion and fixedly engage an extending end of a cable to electrically communicate the two cables. A sealed connector housing forms a part of and encases the terminal socket assembly and extending connector cables and includes assembleable male and female housing portions and end seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Duane I. Mikkola
  • Publication number: 20020049006
    Abstract: A terminal socket assembly for interconnecting electrically powered vehicular components with an associated input male input pin and an output cable. The socket assembly includes a spring cage blank having first and second extending edges and a plurality of spaced apart and angled beams extending between the edges. The spring cage is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, and particularly in an “hourglass shape”, configuration utilizing any of a variety of different forming and bending operations. A substantially tubular sleeve is provided for receiving the configured spring cage in axially inserting fashion. The sleeve is compressingly engageable, such as by forming an axially extending slit along the length of the sleeve with a predetermined incremental amount of spacing established between adjoining surfaces, and in order to create an interference fit with the axially inserted spring cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Duane I. Mikkola