Butt Coupling Patents (Class 439/289)
  • Patent number: 7938697
    Abstract: A terminal (51) utilizes a torsional spring as its contact portion. The terminal is formed form a plate of sheet metal and first (52), second (53) and third (54) members are defined by two spaced apart slits formed in the plate. The members are formed in circular arcs and the first member has a free end that is extended out and away from of the arc and bent into a general U-shape to define the contact portion. The remainder of the plate serves as a base portion (57) for attaching the terminal to a connector or circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenji Inaba, Kazushige Asakawa
  • Patent number: 7891991
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulting housing, a mating face, a rear face opposite to the mating face, a first receiving groove defined into the mating face and a second receiving groove defined into the rear face, and the two receiving grooves extend towards each other. The first contact includes a contacting contact retained in the first receiving groove and a soldering contact separated from the contacting contact and retained in the second receiving groove, and the contacting contact defines a mating portion exposed to the mating face, and the soldering contact defines a soldering portion exposed out of the housing for mounting onto a printed circuit board and a resilient arm extending into the second receiving groove and soldered to the contacting contact. The separated mating contact and soldering contact are soldered together to provide a secure connection therebetween and a good electronic capability for the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 7794255
    Abstract: An electrical connector forms electrical contact by tightening of a movable, electrically-conductive spiral around un-insulated wire or wires. The spiral coils around the wire multiple times and tightens on the wire(s) when either one or the other end, or both ends, of the spiral is/are rotated relative to the other. One region of the spiral is preferably fixed to an insulating housing, while another region of the spiral may be rotated for the tightening on the wire and then preferably latched to the housing so that/the spiral remains in the tightened condition. A terminal end may extend from the spiral, or connectors without a terminal end may be used to electrically connect wires to each other that extend from and to other equipment not located on the connector itself. Multiple spirals may be provided in one connector, including spirals that tighten around separate wires at opposite ends of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Mark L. Melni
  • Patent number: 7794256
    Abstract: An implantable connector electrically connects multi-conductor leads to an implantable medical device such as a neurostimulator. The connector is assembled directly into a hermetic feedthrough of the device and utilizes the feedthrough housing as a sustaining structure for connector pressurization. The feedthrough pins are adapted to directly connect, confine, protect, and precisely position respective resilient compressible contacts. The compressible contacts can be coil springs, metal-particle-filled elastomer buttons, and fuzz buttons, and can be used with rigid tips where a contact preload and/or an enhanced contact tip robustness is desired. In one method of connector assembly an iso-diametric lead proximal terminal is first inserted into a seal without significant interference, and the resulting lead-seal assembly is subsequently installed in a clamping cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Jerzy Roman Sochor
  • Patent number: 7740499
    Abstract: An electrical connector for a helmet-mounted night vision system, or other electronic device, is provided. The electrical connector includes a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly each including a body having a revolved surface and an electrical contact. A protrusion extends from the revolved surface of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly and a cam surface is defined along the revolved surface of the other of the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly. Upon engagement between the assemblies, the revolved surfaces of the assemblies are positioned to face each other and upon rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another the protrusion is positioned to move along the cam surface causing the electrical contact of the plug assembly to bear against the electrical contact of the receptacle assembly thereby establishing a connection between the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles D. Willey, Gregory S. Bandy, Kyle Damiano
  • Patent number: 7717726
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to self-aligning electrical coupling devices and related methods. For example, one embodiment can include an aligning means for aligning a central axis of a male connector component with a central axis of a female connector component. The embodiment can also include a rotationally-aligning means for rotationally aligning a male connector component with a female connector component so as to achieve a predetermined rotational orientation. Some embodiments can also an electrically-communicating means for electrically communicating between the male connector component and the female connector component. Some embodiments relate to processes for assembling self-aligning electrical coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7699616
    Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of cables, including wires and/or coaxial cables, extending through respective ones of the plurality of through holes of the substrate. Each of the cables comprises a conductor and terminates about a surface of the substrate such that the conductors of respective ones of plurality of cables are planarly aligned and available for electrical contact. A system including a cable interface extending through respective ones of a plurality of through holes of a body of the interface; an interconnection component comprising a first plurality of contact points aligned with respective ones of conductors of the plurality of cables and a second plurality of contact points aligned to corresponding contact points of a device to be tested. Also, a method of routing signals through the conductors of the plurality of cables between electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Miller, Benjamin N. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7665996
    Abstract: A rotating power connector for an electric welding torch unicable includes a generally cylindrical outer housing having a longitudinal axis. A connector pin is fixedly, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from one end thereof. A rotating stud is rotatably, axially disposed within the outer housing and extends from another end thereof. The connector pin and the rotating stud have ends in contact within the outer housing. A secondary electrical contact ring also is disposed within the outer housing. The secondary electrical contact ring includes at least one contact portion contacting the rotating stud. At least one biasing member is disposed between the rotating stud and the contact ring. The biasing member urges the rotating stud into engagement with the connector pin and urges the contact ring into engagement with the rotating stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Jaeger
  • Patent number: 7635278
    Abstract: Embodiments of electrical connectors include substantially identical first and second halves. The first and second halves each include insert molded leadframe assemblies that comprise electrical conductors. Each electrical conductor of the first half engages a substantially identical electrical conductor of the second half when the first and second halves are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Shuey, Mark R. Gray, Lewis Robin Johnson
  • Patent number: 7607223
    Abstract: An electro-fluidic interconnection. The interconnection includes a body (200) formed of a ceramic material. The body (200) is provided with an aperture (206) having a profile suitable for receiving an interconnecting conduit (400). The interconnecting conduit (400) can be formed of the same type of ceramic material as the body (200). The conduit (400) is defined by an outer shell (403) with a hollow bore (402) for transporting a fluid. A mating portion (404) of the conduit has an exterior profile that matches the profile of the aperture. Moreover, the mating portion (404) of the conduit (400) can be compression fitted within the aperture (206). Conductive traces (406, 208) on the conduit and the body can be electrically connected to complete the electro-fluidic interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Mihael Pleskach, Paul Koeneman, Carol Gamlen, Steven R. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7559806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact for electronic devices. The contact includes an upper contact, a lower contact, which includes a contact portion, a lower contact coupled to the upper contact, and a spring fitted over a predetermined area between the upper contact and lower contact. The lower contact includes a second supporting portion, two elastic parts extending from the second supporting portion and provided with opposite to each other. A channel is defined by the two elastic parts of the lower contact, and provides a space to allow movement of the contact portion of the upper contact therein, when the upper contact is coupled to the lower contact. When the upper contact is coupled to the lower contact, the contact portion of the upper contact is insert into the channel defined by the two elastic parts of the lower contact. Thereby, the contact portion is in close contact with the retaining portion, and so an efficient and a short transmitted between two contacts is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Fu Lin, Shih-Wei Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7549884
    Abstract: A probe is provided for testing the electrical characteristics of a device. The probe includes a housing, a plurality of cables, a circuit board located within the housing, and a field-replaceable probe tip. The probe tip includes an array of contacts. Each of the plurality of cables is connected to a corresponding contact. The probe includes a retractable shroud that retracts as the probe is connected to the device. The contacts have bifurcated tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Samtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Emad Soubh, Doug McCartin, Jeremy Wooldridge, Steve Koopman
  • Publication number: 20090068871
    Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a submersible electrical cable connector having a cable-side connector assembly and a receptacle-side connector assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the cable-side connector assembly includes a generally circular printed circuit board having individual pin assemblies, each pin assembly having its own spring-loaded mechanism. The pin assemblies provide for an electrical connection between the cable-side connector assembly and the receptacle-side connector assembly. The printed circuit board also includes an oil valve that allows oil to flow between the cable-side connector assembly and the receptacle-side connector assembly when the two connector assemblies are coupled together. The cable-side connector assembly additionally includes a cap having a bleed valve that allows a user to remove air trapped within the submersible electrical cable connector when it is filled with oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: Schilling Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Klassen, A. Tyler Schilling, Jeffery D. Kroll, Stacy L. Wright
  • Patent number: 7484998
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for connecting an array of cables (e.g., coaxial cables) to a circuit board (e.g., the surface of the circuit board).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Winchester Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: John E. Benham
  • Patent number: 7462036
    Abstract: There are provided a printed circuit board connector for a backlight unit and a chassis using the same. The printed circuit board connector for a backlight unit including: a horizontal supporter; a vertical supporter having one end connected to the horizontal supporter to divide the horizontal supporter into first and second areas; at least one connecting terminal formed on the horizontal supporter to be partially exposed in each of the first and second areas of the horizontal supporter, wherein the connecting terminal electrically connects printed circuit boards having one ends placed on the first and second areas, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Shin, Hun Joo Hahm, Jung Kyu Park, Won Joon Lee, Hyung Suk Kim
  • Publication number: 20080254665
    Abstract: Systems and apparatuses are provided for placing interconnects or connector modules into stacked arrangements, wherein individual interconnects or connector modules can be readily accessed and repaired without disrupting the stacked arrangement. In one embodiment, the electrical connector system has a plurality of interconnects mounted together in a stacked arrangement. Each of the interconnects comprises a connector body and a backshell removably coupled to the connector body, wherein the backshell is configured to receive and retain a overbraid. Each backshell is designed to be uncoupled from the connector body while retaining the plurality of interconnects in the stacked arrangement, thereby making is possible to repair single a interconnect without disrupting the others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: James Friedhof
  • Publication number: 20080250638
    Abstract: A spring-loaded device is installed into a node housing at a predetermined location. The predetermined location is selected to correspond to another predetermined location into which a stinger may be installed. These predetermined locations on the node housing are selected to further correspond to a predetermined internal location of an RF interface connector. A conducting pin of the RF interface extends through a dielectric between a nail head shaped end, which provides electrical connection with the stinger projection, and an end soldered to a PCB of the amplifier. The amplifier may be installed and the node housing closed before the stinger and spring-loaded device are installed into the housing. This facilitates installation of the stinger into the housing without having to open the housing and remove the amplifier. External threads on the spring-loaded device facilitate installation thereof, but a unique torque is not required therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Steven C. PFISTER, Dennis MCLAIN, Lai HOANG
  • Patent number: 7431603
    Abstract: An electrical wire connector comprising a connector body; a spring contact having two leaf springs, with each of the leaf springs having a free end resiliently biased to engage the free end of the other leaf spring; a slide release having an approximate T-shape and further having a central axis portion capable of being slidably inserted between the resiliently biased free ends of the leaf springs; and a mateable connector cap. The slide release is manually operable to move the free ends of the spring contact between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. When the free ends of the spring contact are in a disengaged configuration, a conductive wire having a stripped end may be positioned therebetween. Manual operation of the slide release moves free ends of the spring contact into an engaged configuration thereby applying a clamping force to the stripped conductive wire tip positioned therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Inventor: Ryan Joseph Szmidt
  • Patent number: 7404298
    Abstract: Refrigerator including a body forming an outer appearance of the refrigerator, a terminal detachably mounted on the body for controlling the refrigerator, a power supply device at one side of the body, for receiving power from an outside of the refrigerator, converting to a predetermined charge power, and supplying to the terminal, and an electric connection part connected between the power supply device and the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Ho Kim, Ik Kyu Lee, Ki Cheol Woo
  • Publication number: 20080176436
    Abstract: A socket connector body includes a shroud adapted to receive a plug connector body, and also includes a lock arm integrally connected to the shroud and having a free end with an inwardly extending lock nib. The socket connector body further includes a transverse hold-down beam integrally connected to the shroud and being adapted to impose a hold-down force on the free end of the lock arm when the lock arm is pivoted from its free state of rest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: John R. Morello
  • Patent number: 7357656
    Abstract: A disconnection device is designed to separate a first portion of an electrical circuit electrically from a second portion of said circuit, the disconnection device including: at least one pair of contacts, one of which contacts is a moving contact, the pair of contacts having an open state and a closed state and a flexible conductor fixed at one end to the moving contact and serving to be fixed at the other end to one of the portions of the electrical circuit. The conductor comprises a flexible tube that is electrically conductive, at least at a surface portion thereof, and that has bending stiffness that is low enough to enable it to bend without kinking, and torsion stiffness that is high enough to enable it to take up a shape and a position that are substantially reproducible at least in the closed state. The device is used in particular in gas-insulated high-voltage electricity substations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Areva T&D AG
    Inventors: Ernst Andermatt, Andre Doessegger, Karsten Pohlink
  • Patent number: 7347744
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of auxiliary connector (10) includes an auxiliary housing (11), a seal (40) attached to the rear of the auxiliary housing (11), and a rear holder (50) mounted on the rear of the seal (40) to retain the seal (40). Auxiliary connectors (10) that are adjacent in an arranging direction are united by the rear holders (50). The united auxiliary connectors (10) are inserted into a frame (60) in the arranging direction through an insertion opening (60A) of the frame (60), and are retained in the frame (60) by engaging a lock (50B) on the last auxiliary connector (10A) and an interlocking portion (61) of the frame (60). The frame (60) has no partition walls between the auxiliary connectors (10). Thus, the connector is narrowed by a total thickness of the partition walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd
    Inventors: Masaaki Tabata, Takeshi Tsuji, Takehiro Nakata, Tomohiko Kobayashi, Satoshi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7335067
    Abstract: Two embodiments of a connector that can be mated without regard for its orientation are disclosed. One embodiment is mated and demated autonomously as part of a system for recovering, docking with, recharging and re-launching unmanned aerial vehicles. Another embodiment is employed on the decks of vessels to facilitate mating and demating of various equipment providing different functions to reconfigure the vessel. Because both embodiments are configured for connection irrespective of angular orientation over 360°, they are especially suited for harsh environments including autonomous operation, rough seas, darkness and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Physical Optics Corporation
    Inventors: Kang Lee, Thomas Forrester, Tomasz Jannson, Andrew Kostrzewski, Gajendra Savant
  • Patent number: 7335057
    Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of cables, including wires and/or coaxial cables, extending through respective ones of the plurality of through holes of the substrate. Each of the cables comprises a conductor and terminates about a surface of the substrate such that the conductors of respective ones of plurality of cables are planarly aligned and available for electrical contact. A system including a cable interface extending through respective ones of a plurality of through holes of a body of the interface; an interconnection component comprising a first plurality of contact points aligned with respective ones of conductors of the plurality of cables and a second plurality of contact points aligned to corresponding contact points of a device to be tested. Also, a method of routing signals through the conductors of the plurality of cables between electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Miller, Benjamin N. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7322842
    Abstract: For a modular plug connector in which different, replaceable modules can be inserted in a hinged retaining frame of two halves, it is proposed to insert modules in the form of sealed enclosures. At least one module is provided with electronic, optoelectronic or pneumatic components for controlling signal functions or generating signal variation for further control tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Harting Electric GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jakob Dück, Martin Kleine, Andreas Nass, Dirk Schmieding
  • Patent number: 7278853
    Abstract: Electrically conductive L-shaped blades are disposed in an insulative body as a mechanism for mechanically and electrically connecting circuit cards to circuit boards. In particular, the interconnection device herein provides a mechanism for providing greater thermal and electrical properties for connections from voltage regulator modules to high current conducting planes within a printed wire board while at the same time increasing the available bulk material cross-sectional area available for current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: William L. Brodsky
  • Patent number: 7270557
    Abstract: A high-density storage device has a housing and a memory and controller assembly. The housing has a plug part and a socket part receiving the plug part of other high-density storage device. The memory and controller assembly is mounted in the housing and has a circuit board, a source controller integrated circuit and a memory integrated circuit. The circuit board has an upper surface and a bottom surface. The source controller integrated circuit is mounted on the bottom surface. The memory integrated circuit is mounted on the bottom surface of the circuit board. Because the source controller integrated circuit and the memory integrated circuit are mounted on the same side of the circuit board, so high-density storage device has a reduced size. Furthermore, the socket part may connect with another high-density storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Walton Advanced Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Hong-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 7270558
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first insulating body and a second insulating body connected with the first insulating body. A plurality of first contacts are disposed in the first insulating body, and a plurality of second contacts are disposed in the second insulating body. The rear-touching portion of the first contacts and the rear-touching portion of the second contacts touch each other. The front-touching portion of the first contacts and the front-touching portion of the second contacts mate with other connectors. There are a plurality of fixing blocks provided on the rear portion of the first insulating body and corresponding fixing holes defined in the rear portion of the second insulating body, so the electrical connector assembly according to the present invention has a simplified structure and is convenient for assembling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Man Chiang
  • Patent number: 7261579
    Abstract: A wire-to-board connector for coupling electrically a circuit board to a transmission wire unit, includes a plug receptacle, a plurality of signal contacts and a mating header. The plug receptacle is mounted on the circuit board. The mating header includes an insert body that is disposed at one end of the transmission wire unit and that has a plurality of resilient metal elements. When the insert body is plugged into the plug receptacle, the resilient metal elements respectively contact with the signal contacts of the plug receptacle, thereby establishing electrical communication with the circuit board and the transmission wire unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: ASUSTek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Hung-Chung Ku, Chih-Kai Hu, Pin-An Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7258582
    Abstract: An improved tail cap assembly having features that allow direct electrical contact between a battery and the barrel of a flashlight is provided. The tail cap assembly includes a cap and a conductive spring. The cap is adapted to engage with the flashlight barrel. The tail cap assembly includes a cap which has a seat, two ears extending from the seat and gaps between the two ears. A conductive spring that includes a base portion is disposed between the ears. At least a part of the base portion is arranged to bear against the seat. And the base portion extends outward in a radial direction through at least one of the gaps. The conductive spring may be a coil spring, and the base portion is oval or asymmetrical shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Mag Instrument, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Maglica
  • Patent number: 7258571
    Abstract: A battery connector with retaining board includes an insulating housing and a plurality of terminals received in the insulating housing. Each terminal includes a connecting portion, a contacting portion and a soldering portion. The insulating housing has a vertical cooperating wall. A top wall and a retaining board backward extend from the backside of the vertical cooperating wall, thereby a retaining space is formed therebetween. The backside of the cooperating wall defines a contacting side formed between the top wall and the retaining board. A printed circuit board is retained in the retaining space and one end of the printed circuit board is depressed against the contacting side of the insulating housing whereby a firmly engagement is between the printed circuit board and the battery connector. Therefore, an electrical connection therebetween is stable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7242203
    Abstract: A probe retention kit may include a plurality of probe retention devices, each having: (i) a base; (ii) a retention mechanism, coupled to the base, for mechanically coupling a probe substrate with the plurality of probe retention devices; and (iii) solder legs to be inserted into a printed circuit board, the solder legs having opposite ends that extend through the base and provide an alignment mechanism for receiving the probe substrate. Alternative probe retention devices, and systems and methods using same, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock J. LaMeres, Brent Holcombe, Kenneth Johnson
  • Patent number: 7201595
    Abstract: A socket connector having a connector body co-molded with its peripheral and cable seals. In the first molding operation, a first tooling is placed into a mold and is configured so that plastic injected into the mold forms the connector body. In the second molding operation, a second tooling is placed into the mold and is configured so that elastomeric material injected into the mold passes through at least one passage of the connector body to thereby form the peripheral seal and, integrally therewith, the cable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Morello
  • Patent number: 7182614
    Abstract: Electrical contact with elastic return and process for forming electrical contact with elastic return. Electrical contact includes a conductive part having a front surface structured and arranged to face an open end. The conductive part has a cut arranged to form at least one flexible blade from the front surface of a conductive part. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Societe d'Exploitation des Procedes Marechal (SEPM)
    Inventor: Joseph Crestin
  • Patent number: 7150638
    Abstract: A detachable device for covering an end of an electrical connector, comprising a non-conductive cover, sealingly attachable, and completely covering the mating end of the connector. An external end of the cover is generally planar with electrically conductive pads corresponding to the conductive terminals of the connector, and electrically connecting the pads to the terminals. The electrically conductive pads are arranged in a pattern, oriented to provide a single line-of-sight for machine recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl E. Fonville, Roland C. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 7128592
    Abstract: A connector system including first housing having a first header, the first header including one or more conductive pads that are in electrical communication with a conductor. A second housing that is mateable with the first housing and includes a second header positioned on a mating face. The second header includes one or more conductive pad that are electrically engaged with a conductor and positioned in confronting relation with the one or more conductive pads of the first header. An interposer located between the first header and the second header, with an electrical contact that extends continuously through the interposer toward conductive pads on the first and second headers. The interposer is movable between a first position where the electrical contact is spaced away from the at least one of the conductive pads, and a second position where the electrical contact electrically engages one of the conductive pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Che Yu Li & Company, LLC
    Inventor: Che-Yu Li
  • Patent number: 7118384
    Abstract: A coupling for connecting model cars of a model train includes an integrated resilient contact supported by a first coupling member disposed against a mating electrical connector of a second coupling member. The first and second coupling members are configured to bear mechanical tension and compression, while permitting vertical movement of one coupling relative to the other. The resilient contact and mating contact are configured to maintain an electrical connection during relative vertical movement of the coupling members. Using the coupling, separate cars of a model train may be placed in electrical communication with one another without requiring a separate electrical connector. A wireless connection may also be made through the coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Lionel L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph Alvarez
  • Patent number: 7108546
    Abstract: An apparatus including a substrate having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of cables, including wires and/or coaxial cables, extending through respective ones of the plurality of through holes of the substrate. Each of the cables comprises a conductor and terminates about a surface of the substrate such that the conductors of respective ones of plurality of cables are planarly aligned and available for electrical contact. A system including a cable interface extending through respective ones of a plurality of through holes of a body of the interface; an interconnection component comprising a first plurality of contact points aligned with respective ones of conductors of the plurality of cables and a second plurality of contact points aligned to corresponding contact points of a device to be tested. Also, a method of routing signals through the conductors of the plurality of cables between electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: FormFactor, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Miller, Benjamin N. Eldridge
  • Patent number: 7097485
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a terminal-mounting seat configured with receiving spaces. Each of conductive members has a connecting base connected to a contact block that is disposed in the respective receiving space. Each of conductive terminals has a lower clamping end portion abutting against and contacting electrically and movably the contact block of the respective conductive member, and an upper contact end portion extending outwardly of the terminal-mounting seat via a respective one of guiding grooves in a top surface of the terminal-mounting seat. Upon depression by an electronic device, the resilient conductive terminals deform to provide a restoring force to bias the upper contact end portion thereof upwardly to contact electrically a respective one of electrical contacts of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Connection Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Shun Wang, Ming-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7077665
    Abstract: A contact pin made of an electroconductive plate comprising a contact portion formed at a first end edge portion of the plate, the upper end contact portion being designed to electrically connect a part and having a central portion protruded to be an arcuate shape, the central portion being designed to abut against the part to establish an electrical connection between the central portion and the part. A socket for en electrical part comprises a base having the contact pin mentioned above, an intermediate connector provided on the base for establishing an electrical connection between the contact pin and the terminal of the electrical part. The intermediate connector has a connecting electrode which is electrically connected with the contact pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Hokuto Kanesashi
  • Patent number: 7077709
    Abstract: A battery connector has contact elements and an insulative housing. The insulative housing defines channels and assembling grooves nearby the channels. Guiding elements are movably mounted in the channels for guiding the contact elements. Soldering elements are assembled on the assembling grooves. The contact elements include engaging ends and contact ends. The engaging ends are fixed on the guiding elements near the mating surface, and the contact ends have portions extending beyond the channels from the mating surface. The soldering elements at least have abutting portions contacting the contact ends of the contact elements all along. Spring elements are assembled to the guiding elements for providing the guiding elements with return force. Correspondingly, the overall height of the battery connector reduces, thereby meeting the tendency of miniature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: L & K Precision Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeh Shin-Ting
  • Patent number: 7070434
    Abstract: An electrical connector that avoids some of the disadvantages associated with electrical connectors in the prior art. In particular, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention uses spring-loaded contacts to maintain connection in the presence of the vibration associated with a rocket launch, and also includes an environmental seal and electro-magnetic shield so as to provide an environment for the electrical contacts that is isolated from the ambient environment and external electromagnetic radiation. Furthermore, the illustrative embodiment avoids the possibility of bent connector pins, which would make mating between the electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Buddy R. Paul, Greg W. Klein
  • Patent number: 7066756
    Abstract: A plug connector and printed circuit board assembly and method include a snap-on fastening arrangement wherein a row of resilient contacts on the plug connector are brought into engagement with a corresponding row of strip contacts carried by a planar surface of the printed circuit board, whereupon the plug connector is fastened to the printed circuit board in such a manner as to compress the resilient contacts against the strip contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Lange, Bernhard Delarue
  • Patent number: 7029287
    Abstract: In an electrical connector to be connected to a mating connector in a predetermined direction, an insulator defines an accommodating space and an opening communicating the accommodating space in the predetermined direction. A contact as a base portion held by the insulator and a spring portion connected to the base portion. The spring portion has a first portion extending from the base portion in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, a second portion turned opposite to the opening from the first portion and extending in the accommodating space to intersect with the predetermined direction, and a third portion extending from the second portion to pass through the opening. The third portion has a contact portion located outside the accommodating space to be elastically contacted with the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Akihiro Matsunaga, Masaaki Shimada, Akira Natori, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7021972
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a socket body and a plurality of conductors having tips exposed at one side of the socket body. A dielectric plug body is formed with a row of straight and longitudinally extending guides open at a front side of the plug body. The plug body is fittable with the socket body with the guides longitudinally aligned with the socket conductors. A plurality of plug conductors each have a rear portion generally fixed in the plug body, a straight front contact portion longitudinally shiftable in a respective one of the plug-body guides, having a tip exposed at the front side, and longitudinally displaceable in the respective guide between a front position and a rear position, and a connecting portion integrally formed with the front and rear portions, extending at least partially transversely, and elastically deformable to bias the plug-conductor tips into the front positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Lumberg Connect GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Richter, Joris Siliakus, Fabrice Ruck, Heinz Lentowitsch
  • Patent number: 7011555
    Abstract: A board-to-board connector is disposed between and interconnects two printed circuit boards electrically in such a manner that once a slight misalignment occurs therebetween the electrical connection thereof is unaffected by virtue of predetermined positionally limiting relationship between the holding and mounting members of plug and clamp bodies of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Long-Jyh Pan
  • Patent number: 6966781
    Abstract: The electromechanical connector proposed has a switch and an actuator. The switch can be connected by means of contacts to a power supply and has switching magnets with encoded magnetic elements mounted on a carriage. It is fitted in a housing as an enclosed unit. The actuator has actuation magnets with encoded magnetic elements and can be connected to a consumer. The switch can be connected to the actuator, connecting these two devices causing the switching magnets to move, against a restraining force, from an inoperative position to an operating position. The electrical connection between the switch and the actuator is thus established by means of contacts. The ends of the switch and actuator facing each other are fitted with alignment devices designed so that electrical contact between the switch and the actuator can only be made when the contacts are in a particular position with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: Achim Bullinger, Klaus-Dieter Fritsch, Hermann Neidlein
  • Patent number: 6942492
    Abstract: A flexible connector for use in a model train is provided. The flexible connector includes a first coupling member associated with a first train car, and a second coupling member associated with a second train car, wherein the second coupling member is configured for engagement with the first coupling member. The flexible connector further includes a first layer of electrically conductive material connected to a first circuit and disposed on the surface of the first coupling member. The flexible connector still further includes a second layer of electrically conductive material connected to a second circuit and disposed on the surface of the second coupling member such that the first and second train cars are mechanically and electrically connected when the first and second coupling members are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lionel L.C.C.
    Inventors: Joseph Alvarez, Morgan Wireman
  • Patent number: 6935906
    Abstract: An electric connector using a probe-type contact(s) is provided to prevent it from having contact failure and is characterized in that it comprises a housing having at least one through hole, a probe-type contact(s) inserted into the through hole(s), and a terminal portion(s) connected to the probe-type contact(s). In the probe-type contact, a pin-shaped contact(s) is housed in a conductive tubular body in such manner that the contact is energized to move freely by a spring. The tip of the pin-shaped contact is tilted upward at a predetermined angle in a horizontal direction, and is installed into the through hole so as to protrude from the front wall surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: J.S.T.Mfg.Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Orihara
  • Patent number: 6896535
    Abstract: A connector has a board with a plurality of contact pads electrically connected to a plurality of signal lines on one side. The connector also has a modularized structural unit on the other side. The structural unit includes a plurality of spring contacts as the mate to which the contact pads are electrically connected. The connector further has a shaft provided near the central part of the board and perpendicular to the board and a roller provided on the structural unit. To combine the contact pads and the contacts, the shaft is rotated to cause the rollers to engage with a projecting part provided at the tip of the shaft. The roller is provided higher in position than the circuit board on which the connector is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: ITT Cannon, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yamada, Kazuo Ikenaka