Sequentially Connected Contacts, E.g., Zipper Type Patents (Class 439/285)
  • Patent number: 11799232
    Abstract: An electrical coupler has first and second housing halves and first and second contacts retained within the first and second housing halves. Wherein the first housing half is identical to the second housing half and the first contact is identical to the second contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Benjamin S. Novak, Satish I. Patel, Roman J. Churnovic
  • Patent number: 11266210
    Abstract: The invention provides a monitor device for monitoring the state of a zip closure system comprising an electrically conductive slider (4), a first tape (1), and a second tape (2), each provided with a series of members (3), such as teeth or spiral turns, that can be coupled and uncoupled with the series of corresponding members (3) by moving said slider. Two strips (5, 6) of electrically conductive material, referred to as conductive strips, that are secured to the first tape (1) and that are arranged transversely, preferably perpendicularly, relative to the longitudinal axis of the first tape (1). Said strips (5, 6) and the slider (4) are configured in such a manner that the two strips (5, 6) are electrically connected together by the slider (4) when said slider (4) is moved level with said strips (5, 6). Said device further comprises a detector system (8) configured to detect the state of electrical continuity between the two strips (5, 6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: GENIUS OBJECTS
    Inventors: Philippe Tourrette, Alexandre Faucher
  • Patent number: 7722374
    Abstract: A low-profile genderless connector uses interlocking tabs and spring levers to form a secure mechanical link with another identical genderless connector using rotational engagement. Upon full engagement of two opposing yet identical connectors, electrical contacts on each connector complete multiple signal paths for ground, power, and signal communication in a preferred sequential order. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling having optical contacts. In yet another embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling to provide strictly mechanical or structural connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Minds, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Luke Khanlian
  • Publication number: 20090227134
    Abstract: A low-profile genderless connector uses interlocking tabs and spring levers to form a secure mechanical link with another identical genderless connector using rotational engagement. Upon full engagement of two opposing yet identical connectors, electrical contacts on each connector complete multiple signal paths for ground, power, and signal communication in a preferred sequential order. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling having optical contacts. In yet another embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling to provide strictly mechanical or structural connectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Luke Khanlian
  • Publication number: 20090203244
    Abstract: An electrical zipper-type connector is provided which can be used in wearable electronics applications. The connector has a first connector part (20) with an array of connector members (21, 24) and a second connector part (30) with an array of connector members (31, 34), which can mate with the first array of connector members. The first and second connector parts (20, 30) have contacts for forming a conductive path when the connector parts (20, 30) are mated with one another. Once the connector parts (20, 30) have been mated a force is applied between the contacts, which maintains them in electrical contact. The force can be applied in a variety of ways, such as by: a resilient coating (26) on the connector parts; a cord which pulls the connector parts together; having one connector part clasp the other connector part; or binding the connector parts together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Jacob M.J. Den Toonder, Jan M. Krans, Johannes T.A. Wilderbeek, Michel P.B. Van Bruggen, Peter J. Slikkerveer, Marinus J.J. Dona, Erik E. De Kluizenaar, David A. Eves
  • Patent number: 7549883
    Abstract: A low-profile genderless connector uses interlocking tabs and spring levers to form a secure mechanical link with another identical genderless connector using rotational. engagement. Upon full engagement of two opposing yet identical connectors, electrical contacts on each connector complete multiple signal paths for ground, power, and signal communication in a preferred sequential order. In an alternative embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling having optical contacts. In yet another embodiment, the connectors rotationally engage to form a coupling to provide strictly mechanical or structural connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Minds, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Daniel Hillis, Luke Khanlian
  • Patent number: 7458847
    Abstract: A connection assembly for offsetting tilting caused by weight difference between two objects includes a first male connector, a second male connector linearly misaligned with the first male connector, a first female connector and a second female connector linearly misaligned with the first female connector. Both the first and second male connectors are formed on a first object and both the first and second female connectors are formed on a second object. Due to the misaligned relationship, weight of the combination between the first object and the second object is redistributed to avoid tilting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cyber Power System Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan-Liang Hsu, Lien-Hsun Ho, Tung-Yuan Chen, Chao-Yi Wu
  • Publication number: 20040266244
    Abstract: Contact-making device and method for connecting an electric conductor, in particular a wire-like and/or thread-like electric conductor which is arranged in a textile material, electrically to an electronic component. The device includes a substrate material, and at least one contact, which is formed on the substrate material, to connect the electric conductor electrically to the electronic component, the contact comprising a movable section and an immovable section. The movable section is formed such that, during the electrical connection operation, it is arranged substantially on a surface side opposite the immovable section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan Jung, Christl Lauterbach
  • Patent number: 6805568
    Abstract: A connector arrangement comprises first conductor teeth on a first support and second conductor teeth on a second support. A slider is provided for electrically and mechanically connecting and disconnecting respective first conductor teeth on the first support to respective second conductor teeth on the second support in the manner of a zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Maksim Kuzmenka
  • Patent number: 6790067
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector is provided having a housing with a rear end configured to receive a cable. A socket is provided on the front end of the housing and extends forwardly therefrom. The socket includes a shroud and a socket tongue formed on the housing and defining a pocket opening onto a front face of the socket. The shroud and socket tongue are configured to mate with another hermaphroditic connector having a similar shape. The socket includes at least one blocking member in the opening in the front face to interfere with foreign objects that may inadvertently come into contact with the enclosed conductive member. The blocking member may include ribs and/or beveled corner inserts provided in the pocket and extending at least partially along the length of the socket. A contact is held within the pocket and is configured to join a power, signal or ground cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: George H. Douty, Richard P. Walter, Ronald M. Weber
  • Publication number: 20040018763
    Abstract: A connector arrangement comprises first conductor teeth on a first support and second conductor teeth on a second support. A slider is provided for electrically and mechanically connecting and disconnecting respective first conductor teeth on the first support to respective second conductor teeth on the second support in the manner of a zipper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Maksim Kuzmenka
  • Patent number: 5499927
    Abstract: An electrical connector of the zipper type comprises first and second connector members with respective rows of contact elements and insulating elements which are brought into intermeshing relation when the connector members are closed together. The contact elements are located in a mold as stamped and formed contact strips and in-molded with a carrier of resilient insulating material, which also covers one side of each contact element in insulating relation, to provide an elongate connector member which can be handled as only a single piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignees: Texell Corp., Kel Corp.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Ohno, Fumio Narui, Shigeru Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4931021
    Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatus for connecting and disconnecting substantially planar arrays of electrical contact sites in a mechanically secure and functionally rapid and reversible manner. The invention utilizes technology availalble in the zipper manufacturing industry, to achieve a high contact site density by suitably disposing contact sites for electrical connections on zipper teeth, and through the use of a conventional zipper-type runner achieving the interconnection of a multiplicity of electrical contact sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
    Inventor: Paul Mohan