Moved By Mating Connector Patents (Class 439/137)
  • Patent number: 11929573
    Abstract: A thin safety door includes a baffle, a supporting frame and an elastic element. The baffle is provided with a front slope and a rear slope. The baffle is provided with a pair of sliders disposed side by side at a position between the front slope and rear slope of the baffle. A pair of slide ways are disposed on the left side and right side of the supporting frame. The baffle spans the supporting frame and the sliders are connected to the slide ways, so that the baffle can slide relative to the supporting frame. The elastic element abuts against the baffle, so that an elastic force is applied to the sliders of the baffle for returning to a higher position when located on the slide ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: JIANGSU GENERAL PROTECHT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hua Yan, Bin Chen, Sufeng Cai
  • Patent number: 11431122
    Abstract: A tamper resistant electrical receptacle comprises a housing including a cover having at least one plug outlet formed therethrough, the plug outlet configured to receive both line and neutral blades of an electrical plug. The electrical receptacle further comprises electrical contacts positioned within the housing below the at least one plug outlet, the electrical contacts being configured to be connect to AC power. A shutter disposed within the housing between the cover and the electrical contacts is slidable between a closed position blocking access to the electrical contacts through the plug outlet and an open position allowing access to the electrical contacts through the plug outlet, the shutter being biased toward the closed position. The shutter is configured to slide from the closed position to the open position only upon simultaneous insertion of both the line and neutral blades of the electrical plug in the plug outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: THE WIREMOLD COMPANY
    Inventors: Yi Quan, Xinguo Chang
  • Patent number: 11226378
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas Podlesak, Michael Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 11046196
    Abstract: A charge port covering assembly includes, among other things, doors moveable between a covering position where the doors block access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the doors permit access to the charge port. A door release assembly includes a portion that tilts in response to movement of a charger toward an engaged position with the charge port to permit movement of the doors to the accessing position. A charge port covering method includes, among other things, blocking access to a charge port using a doors in a covering position, and tilting a portion of a door release assembly with a charger. The tilting permits a transitioning of the doors from the covering position to an accessing position where the charger can couple with the charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael T. Zitkovic, Rodolfo Palma, Mohammad Usman
  • Patent number: 11014506
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin, a track assembly that is mounted to the cabin, and a carriage assembly that is received by the track assembly. The track assembly includes a rail structure and a conductive member coupled to the rail structure. The carriage assembly includes a brush that is movable to an extended position to engage with the conductive member of the track assembly and a first biasing member that provides an extension force when the brush is in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 10950961
    Abstract: A card edge connector structure includes an insulating case, a terminal assembly, a first grounding sheet and a second grounding sheet. The terminal assembly includes a first terminal set and a second terminal set and is configured in the insulating case. The first grounding sheet is configured between the insulating case and the first terminal set, and the second grounding sheet is configured between the insulating case and the second terminal set. A first arm of the first grounding sheet contacts the first grounding terminal through a first groove of a first terminal fixing component, and a second arm of the second grounding sheet contacts the second grounding terminal through a second groove of a second terminal fixing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: JESS-LINK PRODUCTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Lai, Ya-Fen Kao, Tung-Huan Hsieh, Chieh-Ming Cheng
  • Patent number: 10873177
    Abstract: A circuit breaker racking system and method may include a movable A-frame operable to attach to and release a circuit breaker, and move it forward and rearward along two space-apart arms. Rails associated with each of the arms may be movable upward and downward to lift and release the circuit breaker from a floor or platform. A drive screw assembly on the circuit breaker racking system may be actuated to pull a circuit breaker forward out of a cabinet or to push the circuit breaker back into the cabinet by engaging with a screw mounted to a wall of the cabinet. The circuit breaker racking system may be manually operated and moved about a control room, or may be remotely moved and actuated by an operator outside of the control room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ULC Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Lagosz-Sinclair, Robert E. Kodadek, III
  • Patent number: 10847919
    Abstract: An electrical outlet safety device includes a main body having electrical and ground contacts for receiving electrical current. At least one receptacle having a pair of electric slots and a ground aperture for receiving the prongs of an electric plug are provided along the front wall. A plurality of channels is disposed along the inside surface of the front wall for receiving a generally T-shaped safety tab. The tab is positioned within the channels and maintained in a closed position by a spring wherein the body of the tab obstructs the slots and aperture. Insertion of two prongs from an electric plug moves the tab from the closed position to the open position whereby the prongs are able to connect to internal circuitry to receive electrical current from the electrical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Haoxun Li
  • Patent number: 10756495
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle including a body having a first cavity and a second cavity, a plurality of first electrical connections in the first cavity and a plurality of second electrical connections in the second cavity, at least one electrical plug sensing device in the first cavity, and wherein electrical continuity to the plurality of first electrical connections from the plurality of second electrical connections only occurs when the at least one electrical plug sensing device senses a presence of an electrical plug in the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Jeffrey Baldwin, Ryan Liebengood
  • Patent number: 10698039
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States, as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Thomas Podlesak, Michael Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10587117
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution unit for overload prevention and a method for preventing overload of the electrical power distribution unit. The power distribution unit includes: (i) a plurality of sockets, each socket being an electrical power outlet socket, each socket having a plurality of receptacles for receiving corresponding pins of a power plug; (ii) a mechanical disabling mechanism configured to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug; and (iii) an excess power detector configured to detect an aggregate power drawn from the sockets. The method includes: monitoring, by the excess power detector, a first aggregate power drawn from the sockets; and determining that the first aggregate power exceeds a predetermined first threshold and in response, actuating the mechanical disabling mechanism to disable each socket that is unoccupied by a respective power plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Hewitt, Colin I. Holyoake, Richard Postlethwaite, Caroline J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 10559909
    Abstract: A tamper resistant electrical receptacle is disclosed that includes a cover having two cover apertures, a platform, a slider positioned between the cover and the platform and coupled to the platform, and a coil spring. The platform includes two platform apertures aligned with the two cover apertures, a channel between the two platform apertures, and a pin trap channel separate from the two platform apertures for trapping a pin inserted into one of the two cover apertures. The slider includes a post that engages the channel, and shutters connected to the post. The coil spring is coupled to the slider and has a resting state in which the shutters are interposed between the cover and platform apertures, and a compressed state in which the shutters are not interposed. The slider glides along the channel of the platform as the coil spring moves between the resting and compressed states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Vikramsinh P. Bhosale
  • Patent number: 10424863
    Abstract: A shutter assembly is for an electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle has a base. The shutter assembly includes a first shutter and a second shutter each structured to be coupled to the base and rotate between a FIRST position and a SECOND position, and a slider assembly having a number of slider members each structured to be coupled to the base. The number of slider members includes only one single slider member structured to slide between a THIRD position and a FOURTH position and engage each of the first shutter and the second shutter. Rotation of both of the first shutter and the second shutter from the FIRST position to the SECOND position cooperatively drives the one single slider member from the THIRD position to the FOURTH position in order to provide access through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Chuanchuan Zhuang, Fengguo Zhang, Erik Jeffrey Gouhl
  • Patent number: 10348026
    Abstract: A connector protection device includes a base plate, two connectors assembled at the base plate, a pivot shaft assembled at the base plate, a protection cover, a torsion spring assembled at the pivot shaft and a pressing button. The protection cover includes a connecting portion assembled at the pivot shaft and two covers, wherein each of the covers corresponds to one of the connectors. The torsion spring has one end abutting against the base plate and the other end abutting against the connecting portion. The pressing button is provided between the two covers, and has one end abutting against the connecting portion. The torsion spring applies a force on the connecting portion such that the covers tilt above and cover the connectors. When pressed downwards, the pressing button pushes the connecting portion to rotate in reverse, further driving the covers to rotate in reverse to expose the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Heng Cheng, Juei-Chi Chang
  • Patent number: 10266059
    Abstract: Disclosures of the present invention describe an industrial socket, comprising: an insulation body, a plurality of electrical connectors, a plurality of actuating units, and a plurality of elastic elements, wherein each of the actuating units comprises a slant surface portion and a cover portion. It is worth explaining that, when an electrical plug is inserted into a receiving opening of the insulation body, the slant surface portion enters a notch by a pushing force applied by the electrical plug, such that the cover portion correspondingly moves with the motion of the slant surface portion, so as to stop the shielding to an electrical end of the electrical connector. Therefore, this novel industrial socket has many outstanding functions of fool-proof, dustproof and contact protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignees: SOLTEAM ELECTRONICS (DONG GUAN) CO., LTD., SOLTEAM ELECTRONICS (SU ZHOU) CO., LTD., SOLTEAM ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun-Yun Chang, Cheng-Wei Lu, Chi-Han Huang, Ta-Feng Yeh, Ying-Sung Ho
  • Patent number: 10164386
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric socket outlet, in particular an electric socket outlet adapter (11) comprising a housing (13), a socket zone that is located on the housing (13) and includes a first socket (15) and a second socket (17) for accommodating plugs of a first standard and a second standard, the first and second sockets being provided with first and second plug holes. The socket outlet (11) also comprises a first movable protective element (19) which can cover the first plug holes as well as a second movable protective element (21) which can cover the second plug holes. In the closed position, the first or the second protective element (19, 21) is mechanically locked when the other protective element (19, 21) is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Urs Schläpfer
  • Patent number: 10151473
    Abstract: A switch and electrical outlet cover assembly for displaying illuminated pictures and hanging objects thereupon. The switch and electrical outlet cover assembly includes a wall-mounted assembly including a cover member adapted to be mounted upon a wall over a wall light switch or an electrical outlet and having front and back sides and also having recessed portions disposed in the front side and extending outwardly from the back side and also openings disposed through the front and back sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Marc Jon Olson
  • Patent number: 10096929
    Abstract: A safety socket device includes a carrier, a first movable assembly and a second movable assembly. The carrier has a first plug hole and a second plug hole. The first movable assembly including a first moving element is transversely movably disposed in the carrier. The first moving element has two first guide portions, and the two first guide portions are moved for exposing the first plug hole from the first moving element by an external pushing force. The second movable assembly including a second moving element is longitudinally movably disposed in the carrier. The second moving element has a second guide portion, and the second guide portion is moved for exposing the second plug hole from the second moving element by the external pushing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Tun-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 10063003
    Abstract: A tamper resistant (TR) mechanism for use in a receptacle is disclosed. The TR mechanism movable between a first or blocking position and a second position wherein a two-bladed plug with a ground pin may contact the underlining conductive terminals so that electricity can flow to the electrical plug. The TR mechanism may include first and second sliders for blocking the openings formed in the receptacle, first and second locking tabs, and a ground pin slider partially located with a ground plug opening formed in the receptacle. In use, inserting the ground pin causes the ground pin slider to move to a second ground pin slider position, which causes the first and second locking tabs to align with a stem portion of the ground pin slider. Thereafter, contacting the first and second sliders with the two-bladed plug causes the first and second sliders to move to their second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Vikramsinh P. Bhosale, Michael Mattei
  • Patent number: 10056711
    Abstract: A dustproof socket capable of stabilizing a plug of the present invention comprising a socket body, wherein a mounting cover is fixed on the socket body, and an opening is formed in the mounting cover; the two ends of the inner side of the opening are respectively provided with a sliding groove, and a baffle plate is slidably mounted in each sliding groove; when the baffle plate retracts into the sliding groove, the opening is opened, and when the baffle plate stretches out from the sliding groove, the opening is closed; an elastic reset mechanism is connected between the baffle plate and the mounting cover; the elastic reset mechanism is used for forcing the baffle plate to keep in a state of stretching out from the sliding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventor: Ziyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 9975440
    Abstract: An exemplary charge port covering assembly includes a door assembly moveable between a covering position where the door assembly blocks access to a charge port, and an accessing position where the door assembly permits access to the charge port. A plurality of ring segments are configured to move to permit the door assembly to pivot from the covering position to the accessing position. An exemplary charge port covering method includes blocking access to a charge port using at least one door assembly in a covering position, and moving a charger toward a coupled position with the charge port to transition the at least one door assembly from the covering position to an accessing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Xiankai Song, Michael Terrence Zitkovic, Rodolfo Palma
  • Patent number: 9958617
    Abstract: A connector (1), in particular cable connector, for producing an optical and electrical connection to a mating connector (2). The connector (1) has a connector main housing (3) and at least one housing attachment part (4) and at least one optical waveguide carrier (5), and the housing attachment part (4) is fastened or fastenable releasably to the connector main housing (3) by a releasable and reconnectable connecting device (6). The optical waveguide carrier (5) and at least one electric contact (7) are arranged on the connector main housing (3), and the housing attachment part (4) has at least one electric extension contact (8) which is connectable to the electric contact (7) of the connector main housing (3) by connection of the housing attachment part (4) to the connector main housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Neutrik AG
    Inventor: Matthias Koch
  • Patent number: 9944236
    Abstract: A mounting system includes a cradle disposed in a headrest in a vehicle, and a primary adapter. The cradle is shaped and dimensioned to receive the primary adapter. The primary adapter includes first to fourth lips forming a recess in the primary adapter. The recess is shaped and dimensioned to receive a first computing device or a secondary adapter. The first computing device, or a bezel of the secondary adapter, is substantially flush with an outer surface of the headrest upon mounting the first computing device or the secondary adapter to the primary adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: VOXX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick M. Lavelle, James R. Tranchina
  • Patent number: 9905974
    Abstract: A shockproof electrical socket is connected to a plug comprising a first latch and a second latch. The socket comprises a shell, a first elastic sheet, a second elastic sheet, a first elastic contact mechanism configured to connect the first elastic sheet and the first latch, and a second elastic contact mechanism configured to connect the second elastic sheet and the second latch. The first elastic contact mechanism comprises a first insulation block connected to the shell through a first elastic piece. The first elastic sheet is connected to the shell through a second elastic piece. The second elastic contact mechanism comprises a second insulation block connected to the shell through a third elastic piece. The second elastic sheet is connected to the shell through a fourth elastic piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei-Wei Yu
  • Patent number: 9893456
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a shutter support structure having a return position, at least one blocking position and an open position. A first shutter element is configured to rotate about a first dimensional axis within a predetermined angular range while being translated in two-dimensions between the return position to the open position, each of the two dimensions being orthogonal to the first dimensional axis. A second shutter assembly includes a second shutter element coupled to the first shutter element, the first shutter element allowing the second shutter portion to move in a first direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is in the open position, the first shutter element being configured to drive the second shutter element in a second direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is being translated into the return position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9885679
    Abstract: A detecting device for detecting a usage state of a socket includes a carrier, a movable assembly and a conductivity detecting module. The carrier has a first plug hole and a second plug hole. The movable assembly is movably disposed in the carrier. The conductivity detecting module is disposed on the carrier. The movable assembly is moved for exposing the first plug hole and the second plug hole by an external pushing force, and a detecting signal of the socket in-use is generated by the conductivity detecting module according to movement of the movable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: POWERTECH INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yu-Lung Lee
  • Patent number: 9837750
    Abstract: An electrical connector including: a magnetic element having a cavity; a contact protector movably accommodated in the cavity, the protector defining a front end and a plurality of slots through the front end; a plurality of contacts accommodated in the slots, each contact being retractable and having a front end located in the front end of the contact protector; and an elastic element urging the contact protector to extend the front end thereof out of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jerry Wu, Jian-Jun Zhu, Qing-Man Zhu
  • Patent number: 9735493
    Abstract: A power outlet having safety cover, the power outlet comprises a shell body, a base fixed in the shell body, a sliding element disposed between the shell body and the base; the shell body has at least one first outlet hole and at least one second outlet hole; the base has a first post, a third outlet hole and a fourth outlet hole; one side of the sliding element has a first inclined block, the middle of the sliding element has a through hole, another side of the sliding element has a second inclined block and a second post; an elastic element is disposed between the first post and the second post; wherein the through hole can contain the first post, the second post and the elastic element; a distance between the first inclined block and an inner wall of the base is smaller than the length of the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CYBER POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Heng Lin
  • Patent number: 9722346
    Abstract: A device which is equipped with a USB connection, and which is configured to receive a USB connector, includes a housing that defines a channel therein. A USB connection is positioned at an end of the channel. A slideable panel is engaged to the channel, and is slideable between a covered position and an uncovered position. In the covered position USB connection covered and protected. In the uncovered position the USB connection is exposed for use. Alternatively, the device does not include the channel and the panel is made up of one or more leaf covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BBY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Chris McWethy
  • Patent number: 9692189
    Abstract: A safety socket includes one or multiple socket bodies. A socket body has a live wire receptacle and a neutral wire receptacle, and includes a live wire connection circuit, a neutral wire connection circuit, and a locking and controlling mechanism. When the live wire pin and the neutral wire pin of a power plug are respectively inserted into the live wire receptacle and the neutral wire receptacle of the socket body, the locking and controlling mechanism is activated and is switched to the operating state so as to connect the live wire connection circuit and the neutral wire connection circuit. When the locking and controlling mechanism is in the idle state, the live wire connection circuit and the neutral wire connection circuit are disconnected. The safety socket can effectively prevent electric shock and is water-proof, thereby preventing electric shock accidents and ensuring the safe usage of the safety socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN SKT ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shifeng Lin
  • Patent number: 9647402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power connector provided with an improved Schuko grounding socket architecture. The Schuko grounding socket architecture includes a Schuko access portion, which includes Schuko contacts located beyond the top face panel. The Schuko contacts are configured in the form of a flat metallic surface substantially parallel to the top face panel to provide a sufficient surface area for physical contact with the flat grounding contact of the Schuko plug, thereby ensuring a good ground contact with the plug. Preferably, the Schuko contacts are in turn bent over to gain additional structural strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: EUROPLUGS LLC
    Inventors: Rock Lee, Harrison Lee, Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 9647375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power connector for receiving an electric plug. The power connector is provided with a three-piece safety shutter architecture to prevent unwanted or improper insertion of a single plug pole into the power receptacles. In this architecture, the locking bar is formed with a first and a second tabs. The first and second tabs work with a protrusion formed therebetween to engage with the safety shutters and keep the safety shutters spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, so that the safety shutters are slidably latched in parallel by the locking bar and only allowed to travel dependently of each other along the travel direction, making the invention to meet the strict international safety standards for household plugs, adapters and socket-outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: EUROPLUGS LLC
    Inventors: Rock Lee, Harrison Lee, Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 9627827
    Abstract: A communication connector with a housing door pivotably coupled to a housing. The housing door is rotatable with respect to the housing between open and closed positions. The housing door is configured to be electrically connected to at least one grounding component of a cable. The housing has a door gripping portion. One of the housing door and the door gripping portion has a projection configured to engage another one of the housing door and the door gripping portion when the housing door is in the closed position. When so engaged, the projection is configured to electrically connect the housing door with the housing to thereby electrically connect the at least one grounding component with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LEVITON MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventor: Charles R. Bragg
  • Patent number: 9620888
    Abstract: A debris exclusion and removal system for connectors which have a filament barrier configuration designed to clean connectors as they are mated together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Ivan I. Townsend, III, Robert P. Mueller, Adam G. Dokos
  • Patent number: 9590322
    Abstract: A connector housing, terminals which have press-connecting blades that are exposed from the back end surface of the connector housing, a bus bar plate which is mounted to the back end surface of the connector housing, and a cover which is mounted by a pressing force which makes the press-connecting blades that penetrate insulators to be press-connected to signal lines of a shield attached flat cable, and makes a shield member contact the bus bar, and which holds and fixes an electric wire sheath attached part between the cover and the connector housing are included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Iwahori, Keiji Hamada
  • Patent number: 9583863
    Abstract: A child-safety electrical socket includes a cover having at least two contact introduction apertures, which cover is disposed on a housing, and underneath which cover a slider is positioned, which stands under the influence of a spring, which supports itself on an intermediate bottom in the housing, wherein the intermediate bottom has at least two apertures and the slider has at least two apertures, which are provided with inclined surfaces, and the slider is disposed in the housing so as to rotate. The slider has a plate-like shape and stands in contact with guides on its circumference, which guides are provided on the cover, on the side facing toward the intermediate bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Schulte-Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hendrik Rittinghaus
  • Patent number: 9570834
    Abstract: An electrical socket (1) comprising a carriage (4), the carriage comprising shutter portions, each shutter portion associated with a respective pin receiving opening (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e), and the socket comprising a retainer arrangement, and the shutter portions (4a, 4b), when in a closed condition are inhibited from moving to an open condition by the retainer arrangement, and wherein all the shutter portions are required to be in a released condition from the retainer arrangement in order to allow the shutter portions to be moved to an open condition to allow the plug pins to be inserted therein, and also wherein, if not all of the shutter portions are moved to a released condition, the shutter portions are inhibited from movement to the open condition by way of engagement with the retainer arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: WUNELLI LIMITED
    Inventors: Geoffrey Paul Underwood, Mark Thompson
  • Patent number: 9543715
    Abstract: An electrical device includes a shutter support structure having a return position, at least one blocking position and an open position. A first shutter element is configured to rotate about a first dimensional axis within a predetermined angular range while being translated in two-dimensions between the return position to the open position, each of the two dimensions being orthogonal to the first dimensional axis. A second shutter assembly includes a second shutter element coupled to the first shutter element, the first shutter element allowing the second shutter portion to move in a first direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is in the open position, the first shutter element being configured to drive the second shutter element in a second direction parallel to the first dimensional axis when the first shutter element is being translated into the return position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PASS & SEYMOUR, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9531108
    Abstract: A tamper resistant receptacle having a spacer-shutter assembly including a rocker that requires simultaneous insertion of the hot and neutral tines of an electrical plug in order to slide shutters into the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Edward Robert Bazayev
  • Patent number: 9502806
    Abstract: A tamper resistant receptacle having cooperating shutter mechanisms wherein each shutter member has a lead-in cam surface having a steep initial point of contact and a flatter sliding surface (tangent fillets) to provide both an advantageous point of contact while also providing sufficient lateral clearance to un-shutter a blade opening, or lead-in cam surface having a continuously convex radius thereby providing a curved surface for the entire length of the camming operation, or a lead-in surface comprising a roller disposed in a fillet of a slide block cam surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen R. Ewer, Scott B. Wurms
  • Patent number: 9502807
    Abstract: A tamper resistant electrical receptacle comprising a slide housing disposed beneath the hot and neutral blade openings in the receptacle. The slide housing includes a neutral slide body and a hot slide body having slide pads and tabs for reducing friction when the bodies slide against each other as the spring bias of the bodies in the slide housing is overcome by simultaneous insertion of the tines of an electrical plug contact ramp surfaces and camming past the slide bodies causing them to slide against each other and spreading a gap area a distance sufficient for receiving the lateral neutral prong of a 20 A electrical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Sorin Mortun, Athanasios Diakomis
  • Patent number: 9484659
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power connector for receiving an electric plug. The power connector is provided with a three-piece safety shutter architecture to prevent unwanted or improper insertion of a single plug pole into the power receptacles. Preferably, the power connector is further provided with a Schuko grounding frame and a direct wiring architecture, allowing the invention to meet the strict international safety standards for household plugs, adapters and socket-outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: EUROPLUGS LLC
    Inventors: Rock Lee, Harrison Lee, Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 9478892
    Abstract: A tamper-resistant assembly for an electrical device, such as an electrical receptacle, includes a housing enclosing movable shutter members, each having a ramped surface protected by an overlying winged cover member engageable by an object, such as a plug blade, inserted in an opening in the electrical device. Each shutter member has a pair of pockets on opposite sides of the ramped surface that anchor the wings of the cover member. The pockets extend laterally outward from the sides of the ramped surface, and the wings of the cover member are configured such that they flex inward during assembly and then snap into the pockets. Other mating features of the cover member and the shutter member help ensure secure anchoring of the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas L Scanzillo, Edward Bazayev
  • Patent number: 9448586
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a pair of doors, and a memory. The doors are elastically and rotatably connected to the housing to shield the opening. Each door defines a guiding groove. When the memory card is inserted into the housing from the opening, the doors are rotated to open the opening, and the memory card is received in the guiding groove. When the memory card is removed from the housing, the doors shield the opening again so as to prevent contaminants from entering into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wu-Jen Lo
  • Patent number: 9444238
    Abstract: An electrical wiring device includes a device housing that has a front cover having a user-accessible portion having at least one set of receptacle openings formed therein. The housing also includes a back body having a major rear surface. A mounting strap includes a central strap portion. A stabilization structure includes a plurality of shutter stabilization elements coupled to the central strap portion and disposed in a substantially balanced array around the central strap portion. The plurality of shutter stabilization elements extends through the back body to form a three-dimensional reinforcing structure that rigidly interconnects the user-accessible portion and the major rear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Pass & Seymour, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Savicki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9444185
    Abstract: A guide device that guides a component terminal includes: a guide portion configured to guide the component terminal to a specified position; and a separating mechanism portion configured to move the guide portion away from the component terminal after the guidance of the component terminal, as compared with before the guidance of the above component terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Noguchi, Kazuhiko Ueda, Natsuki Nozawa
  • Patent number: 9386717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards electronic display support structures having an inductive power supply and associated systems, techniques, and configurations. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a display support structure configured to structurally support an electronic display, the display support structure including a power output module that is configured to inductively couple with a power supply charging module disposed in a floor, the display support structure being configured to electrically couple the power output module with the electronic display. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: E-BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: George Wang, Edward Wang-Chang
  • Patent number: 9368765
    Abstract: Rubber cover main bodies close opening shapes of terminal-connection openings when a battery pack is placed alone without being mounted on a tool body. When the battery pack is removed from the tool body and is placed alone, it is possible to regulate the entry of foreign materials, such as water or dust, by the rubber cover main bodies. Further, when body-side connection terminals are connected to battery-side connection terminals, the rubber cover main bodies themselves can be deformed due to elasticity according to the slide movement of the body-side connection terminals such that the body-side connection terminals can be inserted into the rubber cover main bodies. Accordingly, it is possible to protect the battery-side connection terminals in the terminal-connection openings such that the battery-side connection terminals are not damaged by regulating the entry of foreign materials from the terminal-connection openings without hindering electrical connection caused by slide mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Taga
  • Patent number: 9326402
    Abstract: A door structure includes a rotary cover, a pivotal portion and a shielding component. The rotary cover is connected to a housing in a rotatable manner. The rotary cover covers a slot on the housing as rotating to a closed position. The pivotal portion is connected to the rotary cover and passes through a pivoting hole on the housing to be pivoted on the housing so that the rotary cover is capable of rotating relative to the housing. The shielding component is installed on the pivotal portion and disposed inside the housing. The shielding component is for shielding at least one part of the pivoting hole on the housing when the rotary cover rotates to an open position to expose the slot on the housing and the shielding component pivots to a position corresponding to or nearby the pivoting hole with the pivotal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Ling Kuo, Chun Chang, Kai-Hsiang Chang
  • Patent number: 9312625
    Abstract: A safety socket includes hot/neutral slots formed in a bottom of the safety socket, a movable shielding member arranged in the safety socket to correspond to the hot/neutral slots, and an elastic element having two ends respectively fixed to the movable shielding member and a top of the safety socket. With such an arrangement, when the hot/neutral slots simultaneously receive plug prongs to insert therein, the movable shielding member is caused to move toward the top of the safety socket and when the plug prongs are withdrawn, the movable shielding member is returned by elasticity of the elastic element to shield the hot/neutral slots. Through such an operation, the moving direction of the movable shielding member is changeable so that unnecessary space of the safety socket can be eliminate to overcome the problem that a conventional safety socket has a bulky size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Yang Ji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Su-Chen Shen