Flat Or Ribbon Type Patents (Class 174/117F)
  • Patent number: 5760340
    Abstract: A woven transmission cable formed of a plurality of conductor wires arranged in side-by-side relationship forming an array which extends along a single plane. Coating the conductor wires with a self lubricating insulating material and separating them with warp yarns which are located between adjacent ones thereof. Weaving a weft yarn, formed also of a self lubricating material, to pass alternately over and under the warp yarns and the wires of the array, forming a woven structure in which the wires are capable of longitudinal adjustment relative to the warp yarns and the weft yarns. The longitudinal adjustment allows the cable to be shaped into an arcuate configuration while maintaining the wires along a single plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Woven Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence William Orr, Jr., Kathryne R. Hammett, Sharon Ledbetter Adams
  • Patent number: 5750932
    Abstract: A multi-core cable (15) for communicating electric power and electrical signals to and from a hand held power nutrunner (10). Three longitudinal sections (16-18) are arranged in parallel with each other, and each has a geometric center (20-22) such that in any cross section of the cable (15) the geometric centers (20-22) are disposed on a straight line (24). A flex zone (A) is arranged adjacent the nutrunner (10) and has a preformed longitudinally twisted shape for obtaining a universal flexibility of the cable (15) and, thereby, a comfortable handling of the nutrunner (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
  • Patent number: 5742484
    Abstract: A surface mountable flexible interconnect (10) for connecting two circuit board (30, 32) consists of a flex circuit (12) with solderable runners (14) on one side, the runners traversing the flex circuit from one end to the other. There is a solderable pad (16) at the end of each runner, and each solderable pad has a solder bump (18) fused to it. A rigid carrier ring (20) is used to hold the flex circuit in position prior to placement on the PCB. The flex circuit is formed into a U-shaped loop (26), and the loop is aligned to the carrier so that the loop is situated in an aperture (24) in the carrier. The solder pads lie directly under the carrier ring and face away from it. An adhesive (22) bonds the flex circuit to the carrier ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Gillette, Scott G. Potter, Pradeep Lall
  • Patent number: 5720908
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber module including a plurality of optical fibers assembled and held together by a flexible resin, said method including a resin-application step in which said flexible resin is applied to the entire set of said fibers which are disposed parallel to one another so that their longitudinal axes lie in substantially the same plane;wherein said resin-application step is followed by the following steps:partially cross-linking said resin so as to obtain a ribbon;rolling up said ribbon by bringing together its longitudinal edges so as to give it a shape that is substantially cylindrical; andfully cross-linking said resin so as to maintain the cylindrical shape of the rolled-up ribbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventor: Pierre Gaillard
  • Patent number: 5700979
    Abstract: A flexible strip test cable is disclosed having an elongated flexible strip cable, a series of strip traces disposed lengthwise on the flexible strip cable and having electrical strip contacts near one end of the flexible strip cable, an extension cable integral with the flexible strip cable and having a width at one end greater than the width of the flexible strip cable, and a series of test traces on the extension cable having electrical test contacts near the end of the extension cable remote from the flexible strip cable. Each of the test traces is electrically connected to one of the strip traces, and the minimum distance between two test contacts is greater than the minimum distance between two strip contacts. The flexible strip test cable may have a tooling guide for aligning a cutting tool with the end of the flexible strip cable which is connected to the extension cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Discovision Associates
    Inventors: David E. Lewis, Kent T. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5696353
    Abstract: A flexible circuit has a backing including a reinforcement structure which has a cable retaining portion rising essentially perpendicular with respect to a backing surface, and a projection at a side face of the cable retaining portion for securing a cable extending from a circuit pattern to the cable retaining portion. The projection of the cable retaining portion is engaged with a hole of the cable at the location where said cable contacts the cable retaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nippon Mektron, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Kanno
  • Patent number: 5691509
    Abstract: The invention covers a flexible cable termination and a connector for securing the flexible cable termination to surface contact pads on a rigid substrate. The termination of the flexible cable includes flattened, axially extending conductor pads. Each of the conductor pads includes at least two nodes or pressure point contacts extending normal to the pad axis. The connection system includes threaded registration pins on the substrate and registration holes adjacent the conductor pads of the cable through which the pins extend so as to permit the conductor pads of the cable to be aligned with the contact pads on the substrate when the former is disposed atop the latter. The pins also hold a rubber compression pad and a pressure applying spring member atop the cable conductor pads, and bolts thread down over the pins to hold the components in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Alfiero Balzano
  • Patent number: 5682454
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical-fiber cable containing at least one optical-fiber module including a plurality of optical fibers assembled and held together by a flexible resin so as to define a ribbon, the ribbon inside the cable being rolled up so that its longitudinal edges substantially touch each other, and so that it is substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein the flexible resin is applied asymmetrically relative to the midplane of the ribbon in the unrolled state, which midplane contains all of the longitudinal axes of the fibers, and wherein the ribbon is rolled up by bringing its longitudinal edges together so that the majority of the resin is located inside the convex volume defined, when the ribbon is in the rolled-up state, by the surface that contains all of the longitudinal axes of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventor: Pierre Gaillard
  • Patent number: 5675298
    Abstract: A low-loss, low-inductance metal interconnect for an electrical signal in a microcircuit comprises a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal interconnect lines disposed in a plane over an insulating layer. The metal interconnect lines are interleaved with and electrically insulated from a plurality of spaced-apart generally parallel metal lines disposed in the plane. The metal interconnect lines together comprise a signal interconnect path, and the metal lines are coupled to a fixed voltage potential, such as ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Raghunand Bhagwan, Alan Rogers, John MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5665940
    Abstract: A flat cable has a plurality of parallelly disposed fine-conductive wires and insulating wires. The conductive wires are divided by the insulating wires into channels which are respectively connected to terminals of different devices. The channels may be arranged easily by changing the interposing position of the insulating wires. Since the conductive wires have a fixed resistance, desired resistance may be obtained by only increasing or decreasing the number of the conductive wires in a channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shigeki Chimura, Masato Kamino
  • Patent number: 5635677
    Abstract: A flat cable comprises a series of parallel electrical conductors (1 to 6) each carrying a spiral-wound tape insulation layer (30). The conductors are held together by braiding formed of a plurality of tapes (10 to 22) or fibres interwoven between the conductors. The braiding is preferably of a thermoplastic material which may be heat bonded to the insulation in order to set the cable in a desired shape e.g. for a wiring loom. The insulation and braiding is preferably formed from a mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(propylvinylether).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: David Wood, David McNaughton, John N. Kippen, Andrea Gellan
  • Patent number: 5596175
    Abstract: A molded cable comprises a plurality of conductors and a webbed conductor harness. The webbed harness has openings formed by intersecting strands, the strands including channels therethrough for the conductors. The webbed harness can be made in combination with the conductors or with a preform to form the channels. The preform can then be replaced by the conductors to form the molded cabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Esterline
    Inventor: Floyd Ysbrand
  • Patent number: 5594214
    Abstract: The signal transmission flat cable provided includes a first layer of substrate membrane, a second layer of a plurality of parallel traces for transmitting the signal, a third layer of finger array and a fourth layer of thin polyester membrane. The third layer of finger array covers the second layer. The fourth layer of thin polyester membrane is used to protect the second layer and third layer. The signal transmission flat cable is characterized in that the plurality of finger arrays are provided in the third layer at a plurality of predetermined locations along the flat cable and each of the plurality of finger arrays is spaced from each other by a given distance. A glue material is provided to bond the fourth layer and the second layer along the given distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Acer Peripherals, Inc.
    Inventor: Pin-Chien Liao
  • Patent number: 5577931
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a two-channel SCSI-compatible interconnection system and method, a dielectric material into which SCSI data and control signal carrying wires are embedded frees ground wires in the SCSI cable to carry first and second SCSI channels so that one conventional SCSI cable and cable connector can support two separate SCSI channels without signal ground wires. In another embodiment of a two-channel SCSI compatible interconnection system and method, a high-density, 100 position dual channel SCSI connector having connector positions doubled in number and spaced at halved intervals relative to a conventional SCSI cable connector supports two separate SCSI channels. In this embodiment, a single one hundred (100) wire SCSI cable or two (2) fifty (50) wire SCSI cables may be attached to the high-density dual channel SCSI connector. In all embodiments, the SCSI channel handling capability is effectively doubled over the heretofore known SCSI connectors for a given connector size or footprint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Eli Leshem
  • Patent number: 5565653
    Abstract: The high frequency transmission cable comprises insulated conductors assembled together in bundles which are themselves assembled together in at least one unit, and also comprising an outer sheath for overall protection. It further comprises a dielectric rod that is grooved lengthwise for assembling together the bundles in each unit, the grooves of the rod being open via respective slots and serving to hold individual bundles while keeping them apart from one another. The cable is particularly suitable for use as a computer cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Filotex
    Inventors: Patrick Rofidal, Serge Damilo
  • Patent number: 5561271
    Abstract: With a low-voltage power cable (1), which has an insulator (2) and, on both broad sides of the insulator (2), wire-cloth bands (3 through 6) serving as current phases, which are attached to the broad sides of a rectangular cross-section (11, 12) of the insulator (2), it is planned according to the invention that the insulator (2) forms a rail which is multiply flanged and slender in its main axis, and the wire-cloth bands (3 through 6) are arranged in profile chambers (7 through 10) which are formed by the rectangular cross section (11, 12) and the profile flanges (14 through 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Bruck GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Bruck, Achim Bredin
  • Patent number: 5554825
    Abstract: A cable (1) on an end of an electrical cable, is constructed with, a flexible and flat conductive shield (7), a flexible ribbon of insulation (3) separating the shield (7) from multiple flexible signal conductors (2) extending along the insulation (3), and at least one flexible ground conductor (6) between the insulation (3) and the shield (7), the signal conductors (2) are spaced apart on pitch spacings, with a signal conductor (2) being absent from at least one of the pitch spacings, and the ground conductor (6) extending above said one of the pitch spacings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen M. Parker, Thomas J. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5552565
    Abstract: A low cost shielded transducer cable provides electrical connection between an ultrasound transducer and a display processor. A wound transducer cable is constructed in a first embodiment using two layers of stripline assemblies helically wound in opposite directions around a flexible core. The layers of stripline assemblies are covered with a single metal braid and then coated with insulation. In a second embodiment a stripline transducer cable is formed from a stack of parallel stripline assemblies that may be coextruded with an insulating jacket. In a third embodiment a ribbon transducer cable is formed from a stacked arrangement of parallel ribbon cables and conducting shields that may be extruded in an insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Paul Cartier, Wojtek Sudol, Gregory G. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5532429
    Abstract: A composite shield jacket and woven electrical transmission cable assembly is disclosed wherein the shield jacket comprises an outer elastomeric cover and a metalized backing on the interior side of the cover which advantageously may comprise a thin flexible fibrous web formed either by weaving metallic coated fibers or forming a non-woven web from the metallic coated fibers, or by applying a thin metallic layer to the backside of the cover. In any case, a highly durable, flexible shield jacket is provided. When the jacket is applied to a flat transmission cable according to the invention, the side edges of the shield are on opposite sides of the cable so as to overlap the sides of the shield and cover so that exits from the shield are defined on opposing sides of the cable reducing the unwanted escape of interference noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Woven Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Marvella Dickerson, Douglas E. Piper
  • Patent number: 5529829
    Abstract: The present invention provides metal/polymer composites including a plastic substrate having longitudinally extending conductive members, adapted to make bonded electrical connections to an array of closely spaced conductive terminal pads. In general terms, the metal/polymer composites include a thin, flexible sheet-like plastic substrate having a plurality of longitudinally extending, regularly spaced, metal pathways or members on one major surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: David C. Koskenmaki, Clyde D. Calhoun
  • Patent number: 5509204
    Abstract: A flat flexible jumper is made from a preformed strip of conductive material which is cut to the desired jumper configuration and covered by a layer of insulation. The preformed strip is formed of a series of raised zones and flat zones. A stamping process is executed on the preformed strip utilizing a series of cutting dies to form the desired jumper configuration of the preformed conductive strip. A first die cuts away the material in the flat zone of the preformed strip leaving the raised zone remaining. A second die cuts away a portion of the flat zone and a portion of the raised zone providing a first transition region between the raised zone and the flat zone. A third die cuts away the material in the raised zone of the preformed conductor strip leaving the flat zone remaining. A fourth die cuts away a portion of the raised zone and a portion of the flat zone providing the second transition region between the flat zone and the raised zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Inventor: Amir-Akbar Sadigh-Behzadi
  • Patent number: 5499928
    Abstract: A flat connector cable assembly includes a connector having two rows of contact elements, a flat cable assembly formed of first and second flat cables respectively connected to first rows and second rows of the contact elements, and a fixture element for holding the first and second flat cables to form a single flat cable, wherein the fixture element holds the plurality of cables of the second flat cable with gaps formed therebetween such that the plurality of cables of the first flat cable are held in respective gaps formed between the cables of the second flat cable, and such that the fixture element holds the plurality of cables of the first flat cable with gaps formed therebetween such that the plurality of cables of the second flat cable are held in respective gaps formed between the cables of the first flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Youichi Satoh
  • Patent number: 5496970
    Abstract: This invention provides a high-density planar contact array capable of interconnecting various electronic devices using a pad to pad approach or pad to pin, which is capable of accommodating non-coplanarity in the Z axis of printed circuit boards but which still maintains good electrical contact.The array comprises an insulative substrate sheet that has a plurality of parallel conductive lines terminating in a pad over a hole in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5486654
    Abstract: An easy-strip cable includes individually insulated electrical conductors assembled into sets and a continuous insulative sheath around said sets and separating them into two groups. The sheath is divided into two tubular portions substantially partly open at facing locations along the cable and joined together by two peripheral continuity tongues allowing the sheath to be opened as required. The cable can be used as a high-frequency signal transmission cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Filotex
    Inventors: Karl Hanak, Daniel Prudhon, Serge Damilo, Patrick Rofidal
  • Patent number: 5483020
    Abstract: A twin axial or parallel pair cable for high data rate differential signal transmission with extremely low skew. The cable has first and second plated electrical conductors which extend in substantially parallel relation to one another. Preferably the conductors are surrounded by first and second foamed fluoropolymer insulating dielectrics, respectively. The dielectrics and the conductors are surrounded by a braided metal shield of plated electrical conductors. The dielectrics insulate the conductors from each other and from the shield, and are sufficiently crush resistant to maintain the conductors in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the cable. The shield may be covered with an optional jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Hardie, Craig R. Theorin
  • Patent number: 5481069
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiconductor, flat, insulated ribbon cable, the cable constructed of a conventional material such as PVC with multiple conductors therein arranged in spaced apart side-by-side relation, and including axially extending terminal reinforced edges composed of a material such as PTFE or PE. The edge reinforcement may be formed by a lamination or extrusion process thereby inhibiting tearing of the edges of the material when the cable is inserted or removed from an enclosure, e.g. of a personal computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Andresen, Jay H. Neer, Richard J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5468159
    Abstract: This invention provides a means of using flexible (also often referred to as simply "flex") circuit structures for external cabling in a small light package, particularly those utilized in portable computers. The external cabling is composed of a flex circuit that is strengthened by fiber strands, and a wrapped sheath of woven mesh netting. The cabling may be further encased in an overcoating for protection against abrasion and chemicals. The packaging scheme using this cable may include a storage device for the cable such that the cable is retractable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James D. Herard
  • Patent number: 5463186
    Abstract: A round cable is provided formed from at least one ribbon cable which has been twisted into a round shape and in which the ribbon cable comprises a plurality of electrical conductor elements arranged to be parallel and adjacent each other. A ribbon cable is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Inventor: Ulrich Schricker
  • Patent number: 5457287
    Abstract: A shielded coaxial electrical cable for transmission of electrical signals in which very fine wires or light-weight foils are used as shielding materials. The shielding materials are held in place by an adhesive to prevent dislodgement or misalignment of the shielding materials by forces exerted upon them during subsequent manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Junkosha Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Shimozawa, Yutaka Asami
  • Patent number: 5449862
    Abstract: This invention provides a high-density planar contact array capable of interconnecting various electronic devices using a pad to pad approach or pad to pin, and which is capable of accommodating non-coplanarity in the Z axis of printed circuit boards but which still maintains good electrical contact.The array comprises a flat, flexible insulative substrate sheet that has a plurality of parallel conductive lines or an array of circles or polygons of which each has had insulative material surrounding or on at least two sides of the conductive lines or polygons removed in the Z axis. The insulative material is removed in such a way as to create a generally trapezoid shape having a greater length side opposite the conductor when viewed through a cross-section of the X or Y axis. This trapezoid shape allows free Z axis motion while limiting X and Y axis motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Spencer
  • Patent number: 5446239
    Abstract: This invention permits reduction in space between conductors in a shielded flat cable, as well as improvement in shielding ability and cost savings of the shielded flat cable. The shielded flat cable comprises a cable body 8 including a base film 3, circuit conductors 1, and a ground conductor 2. The circuit conductors 1 are disposed in the upper surface of the base film 3 in a parallel relationship with one another. A lower cover layer film 4B is attached to the upper surface of the base film 3. The ground conductor 2 is disposed on the lower cover layer film 4B in a parallel relationship with the circuit conductors 1. An upper cover layer film 4A is placed over the ground conductor 2 and the lower cover layer film 4B. An area 7 having no upper cover layer film 4A is provided in the cable body. The area 7 having a predetermined width extends transversely of the cable body 8. A shield tape 5 is wrapped around the cable body so as to shield the cable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Mizutani, Kazuhito Saka
  • Patent number: 5439720
    Abstract: A multi-tubing ribbon wherein the side-by-side lengths of plastic tubing are ultrasonically welded together at spaced intervals along the length of the ribbon whereby to provide a multi-tubing ribbon having non-welded sections spaced along its length which renders it very adaptable for use in a variety of situations and a process and apparatus for fabricating same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Hrishikesh Choudhury
  • Patent number: 5428189
    Abstract: A cable arrangement with two pairs of conductors for two separate circuits, one conductor of a pair is split into two partial conductors. Neutralization, i.e., capacitive and inductive uncoupling of the two circuits is possible by symmetrical arrangement of the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Dorner, Sebastian Grimmeisen, Bernd Haussler, Thilo Kuhner, Franz-Josef Petry, Bernhard Rall
  • Patent number: 5428187
    Abstract: A shielded hybrid ribbon cable assembly is provided for conducting electrical power and data signals. The assembly includes a plurality of spaced, parallel, power conductors and a plurality of data signal conductors. An insulating material holds together and electrically insulates the plurality of conductors. An electrically conductive shield is disposed about at least the data signal conductors for shielding electromagnetic capacitive interference. An inductive shielding means is interposed between the power conductors and the data signal conductors for shielding the signals of the data signal conductors from inductive magnetic interference generated by the power conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Burke J. Crane, Augusto P. Panella
  • Patent number: 5422439
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a number of insulated wires removably attached to a tearable backing. This construction allows the simultaneous termination of the wires since they are held in position for mass termination equipment and permits the free flow of air around and between the wires, in addition to ease of routing the wires, once the backing has been removed after termination of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Massachusetts Manufacturing and Mining Company
    Inventors: Bruce K. Grove, Harry A. Loder
  • Patent number: 5416268
    Abstract: A transmission cable for transmitting differential logic signals is disclosed having an improved shielding. The cable includes a pair of insulated signal conductors in side by side relation with a layer of electrically conductive material wrapped around the two signal conductors. A non-insulated drain wire is disposed axially along the outside of the wrap of shielding material adjacent one of the signal conductors. The layer of conductive material is continued around the outside of the drain wire thereby forming an additional wrap of the shielding about at least a part of the cable assembly. The drain wire is in electrical engagement with the shielding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5408050
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flat cable having a plurality of parallel-arranged flexible conductor wires and two pieces of insulating tape applied to the opposite center areas of the parallel arrangement of conductor wires leaving their opposite ends exposed, thereby permitting the exposed ends to be used as terminal contacts, each of said conductor wires having an intermediate length of reduced width for increasing the flexibility of the conductor wire. An elongated strip of electrically conductive, flexible metal foil is unrolled and fed to be punched to provide at one time, conductor wires of the same number and parallel arrangement as a flat cable to be made; two pieces of adhesive, insulating tape are applied to the center areas of the parallel conductor wire arrangement; and finally the opposite perforation edges are cut and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignees: Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd., Tohoku Honda Denshi Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kinji Kashio, Hikaru Mitani
  • Patent number: 5401908
    Abstract: An insulated conductor pair includes a first insulated conductor including a first insulating material over more than half of an exterior surface of the first insulated conductor. The insulated conductor pair further includes a second insulated conductor including a second insulating material over more than half of an exterior surface of the second insulated conductor. The first and second insulating materials are distinguishable from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rodeghero
  • Patent number: 5399094
    Abstract: A device for digital data transmission includes a U-shaped support rail and a plastic strand which can be clamped into the U-shaped support rail. A strip-like metal contact conductor is mounted on a portion of the inner side of the plastic strand located frontally opposite and at a distance from an insertion gap for a collector shoe which is longitudinally movable in the support rail. The contact conductor contacts a contact body of the collector shoe. Compared to the plastic strand, the contact conductor has a significantly smaller thickness. A shielding member is provided between the inner side of the plastic strand and the support rail. The shielding member has shield contact surfaces which interact with a contact piece of the collector shoe. The contact conductor is clamped into a longitudinal channel of the plastic strand which is bent into a circular shape. The plastic strand is locked to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Stemmann-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Korth, Clemens Voss
  • Patent number: 5399813
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a high performance electrical telecommunication transmission cable, particularly for undercarpet applications. More precisely, this invention is directed to a low-profile, high performance flat cable, where the cable may be subjected to potentially damaging compressive forces from walking on an overlying carpet. The cable comprises a plurality of conductors arranged as plural sets of twisted pairs, with each conductor consisting of an inner conductive core surrounded by insulation, an outer dielectric member having plural longitudinally extending chambers, where each chamber includes two sets of the twisted pairs, spaced-apart and arranged in side-by-side fashion and generally parallel. The height of the chamber is dimensioned to exceed the wrap diameter of a set of a twisted pair of conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: David B. McNeill, Jerry B. Kilpatrick
  • Patent number: 5393933
    Abstract: Audio signal cable for interconnecting a power source and a load, e.g. a power amplifier and a loudspeaker, wherein the geometry of the conductors and the dielectric which separates them has been adapted to raise the capacitance and lower the inductance of the cable, therewith lowering its characteristic impedance to the same order as that of the load, typically 2-10 ohms. In a preferred embodiment this is done by providing a positive and a negative conductor each composed of a solid band of e.g. copper, substantially as wide as the cable which are sandwiched together with a thin interlayer of a dielectric material, e.g. polyester film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Inventor: Ole S. Goertz
  • Patent number: 5389741
    Abstract: A flat cable which has a connection termination with interlayer peeling films interposed between conductors and insulating films at predetermined intervals along a length of the flat cable. When connecting the flat cable, by cutting the termination with the interlayer films, the insulating film ends and interlayer film ends positioned at the cut portion are folded back to form a folded back portion. This folded back portion is made to catch on to the protective insulator of the connection device, so as to prevent poor contact etc. by ensuring that no intolerable force acts on the connection portion of the conductors even if a tensile force is applied to the connection portion. Further, in the connection termination, connection terminals are inserted between the interlayer peeling films and connectors to connect to the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5384430
    Abstract: A cable for a submersible pump has three insulated power conductors assembled in a flat configuration. The power conductors are wrapped with an inner armor such as a metal strip. An auxiliary line is placed alongside the inner armor and wrapped in an outer armor. The outer armor is also a metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger B. Anthony, David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 5384431
    Abstract: The present invention is a joint assembly for allowing relative rotational movement of a camera relative to a stationary base structure. The assembly has a first flexible member which allows the camera to pan the surrounding are and a second flexible member which allows the camera to tilt. Each flexible member has a first surface facing a first direction and second surface facing a second opposite direction. One end each flexible member is folded over onto itself so that a portion of the second surface faces the first direction. The flexible members are constructed in an essentially radial shape to define a radial path. When an end of a flexible member moves along the arcuate path the member rolls over itself. That is, the portion of the flexible member that is rolled over, has its second surface facing the first direction instead of the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Schaeffer Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Tusques
  • Patent number: 5384432
    Abstract: A tape lead wire includes a polymer resin film and conductor films. The conductor films are directly deposited on the surface of the polymer resin film without using any bonding layer. The total thickness of the tape lead wire can be made smaller than that of a conventional lead wire. The tape lead wire has a high flexibility, can be easily bent, can extremely reduce the bending spring rigidity and is suitable for a magnetic head having a reduced size and load, which is imposed by a head supporting device on the magnetic head, and lowered flying height and peripheral speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Noro, Masahiko Itoh, Nobuya Ohyama, Hiroshi Kanai, Masaharu Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 5373109
    Abstract: An electrical cable having a plurality of flat, flexible cable sections. Each section has flat, electrically conductive ground layers on at least the top and bottom surfaces thereof, and a plurality of flat, electrically conductive signal conductors between the ground layers. A plurality of dielectric layers separates the signal conductors from each other and from the ground layers. Each signal conductor includes an exposed surface extending a short distance from the end of the conductor along the length of each section. Adjacent cable sections are positioned relative to each other so that the exposed surfaces of corresponding signal conductors face each other. A plurality of connector assemblies is interposed between adjacent cable sections for electrically conducting the exposed surfaces of the corresponding signal conductors. Retaining means are provided for securing the ends of adjacent cable sections and connector assemblies in electrical contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Straty N. Argyrakis, Richard W. Oldrey, Eugene E. Steele
  • Patent number: 5373108
    Abstract: A dual durometer ribbon generally consisting of a preform and cover, typically formed by an injection molding process. The preform has a low durometer midsection and a plurality of high durometer ends. The high durometer ends are attached to the low durometer midsection at narrow blend areas where the high durometer material blends with the low durometer material. A plurality of printed circuit termination boards rests within recesses located on the top surface of each of the high durometer ends. The recesses are of uniform depth and have an outer border of uniform thickness. The printed circuit termination boards typically have slotted through holes at a receptacle end of the printed circuit board and female connectors are located on one of the surfaces of the printed circuit boards. A plurality of conductors rest within groves contained on the low durometer midsection. The conductors are terminate at the through holes in the printed circuit termination board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventor: Floyd Ysbrand
  • Patent number: 5371324
    Abstract: A ribbon cable which is light weight, noncorrosive and exhibits excellent electrical conductivity properties. The cable includes a plurality of conductors, each composed of exfoliated graphite, which are arranged to extend parallel to each other and are sheathed with an electrical insulative material molded of a synthetic resin. In another embodiment, a conductor composed of exfoliated graphite and metallic conductors, each having an elongated rectangular cross-sectional shape, are arranged to extend parallel to each other. The conductors are sandwiched between opposing sheets of synthetic resin which are adhered to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kanno, Hidenori Yamanashi, Tsuneyuki Horiike
  • Patent number: 5371325
    Abstract: A new insulation system comprising film coated, copper magnet wires covered under NEMA Standards No. MW1000, insulated with single or multiple layer(s) of extruded TEFLON.RTM. (any color) fluorocarbon resin insulation to meet the government or safety agency promulgated performance and construction requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Purushottam C. Kalola, Mathew Joseph
  • Patent number: 5367122
    Abstract: An ornamental electrical molding comprising a body made up of flexible and moldable insulating material, where tubular conductors made up of helically wound wire are located. The molding is covered on its bottom face by a plastic foam strip coated with contact adhesive, and permits--together with a set of fittings assembled to each other--the performance of exposed surface installations quickly, easily and decoratively. The body that houses the wire conductor tubes has a double function, as insulator and as the frame for ornamental designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventor: Luis A. R. de Olano