Including Lock For Retaining Means (e.g., Key Or Combination Lock Or Requiring "special" Tool) Patents (Class 439/304)
  • Patent number: 11965366
    Abstract: A vehicle latch system, including: a latch assembly; an electronic control unit removably attached to an exterior of a housing of the latch assembly, the electronic control unit having a printed circuit board assembly secured into a housing of the electronic control unit, wherein the printed circuit board assembly when inserted into the housing of the electronic control unit is press fit into electrical communication with a first pair of terminals molded into the housing of the electronic control unit, wherein the first pair of terminals are configured to have an interference fit with a second pair of terminals molded into a housing of the latch assembly when the electronic control unit is secured to the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTEVA PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alexander Ney, Donald Michael Perkins
  • Patent number: 11951853
    Abstract: An electric vehicle fastening and charging combined system for a charging and storage station, such as those used for bicycle or scooter sharing programs, where a multi-purpose cable extends between the charging and storage station and the electric vehicle, and serves to fasten the electric vehicle to the charging and storage station to prevent removal or theft of the electric vehicle, and to conduct electricity to charge the electric vehicle, and wherein the fastening and/or detaching of the cable is controlled by a wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Metro Mobility, LLC
    Inventor: David Montague
  • Patent number: 11843200
    Abstract: A connector includes a connector position assurance element having a contact receptacle for receiving an electrical contact element, and a connector housing having a contact receptacle for receiving another electrical contact element and a receptacle for receiving the connector position assurance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
    Inventor: Jonathan Benichou
  • Patent number: 11795735
    Abstract: Provided is a cable lock including a locking clasp including first and second clasp components having first and second security cable connection arms. The locking clasp includes at least one groove. The at least one groove is configured to receive at least one device cable. The cable lock includes a security cable having a wire rope and a vinyl coating. The wire rope includes a plurality of wire strings arranged in a plurality of clusters. The first and second security cable connection arms of the locking clasp are coupled to a first end of the security cable. First and second stop sleeves are disposed on opposite sides of the first and second security cable connection arms. A device connection means is disposed at a second end of the security cable opposite the first end of the security cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Inventor: Steven Joseph Jaworski
  • Patent number: 11790955
    Abstract: A storage drive assembly is provided. The storage drive assembly includes a storage drive sized and shaped for insertion into a slot within a chassis, a latching mechanism coupled to a first end of the storage drive, the latching mechanism including an actuation component actuable to transition the latching mechanism from a locked state in which the latching mechanism restricts displacement of the storage drive relative to the chassis to an unlocked state in which the latching mechanism enables displacement of the storage drive assembly relative to the chassis, and a drive secure cover plate adapted to removably mate with the latching mechanism in the locked state, the mated drive secure cover plate preventing physical access to the actuation component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Wu-Shu Lin, Fredrick Anthony Constantino, Kevin Jay Langston, Chia-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 11707794
    Abstract: A male welding lead connector apparatus including a slidable member to block the male welding lead connector from rotating relative to a female welding lead connector when the two connectors are engaged with one another. A method of locking a male welding lead connector to a female welding lead connector using a special male welding lead connector including a slidable member to block the male welding lead connector from rotating relative to a female welding lead connector when the two connectors are engaged with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Alpha/Omega Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley Lance Pearman, Kenny Lavelle Miller
  • Patent number: 11613185
    Abstract: Aspects relate to a connector of a charger and methods of use terminating a charging connection between the charger and an electric aircraft. A connector includes a controller that is configured to receive a control signal from a remote device and terminate the charging connection in response to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11611175
    Abstract: A connecting plug includes a locking pin arranged at a connector face. The locking pin has at least one latching element and a counter-piece. The latching element is configured for engaging with at least one counter-latching element of a second connector part. The locking pin includes a spring element configured for resiliently pressing the at least one latching element and the counter-piece against each other. The counter-piece is shaped and configured for pressing the at least one latching element in a radially outward direction and for positively locking the at least one latching element in an engaged position as soon as the at least one latching element is engaged with the at least one counter-latching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: ODU GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Josef Weigand, Stefan Seibuchner
  • Patent number: 11594841
    Abstract: A locking device for an electrical charging device of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric or hybrid vehicle. The locking device is equipped with a movable bolt element, which is provided for releasably locking a charging plug in a charging socket of the electrical charging device. In addition, the movable bolt element can be moved at least into the positions “unlocked” and “locked.” Furthermore, a motor-driven drive is realized, which is provided for moving the bolt element. According to the invention, the bolt element can be moved into a third “self-locked” position beyond the “locked” position, which can be reached by means of the drive and in which unlocking is impossible without the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Claus Töpfer, Winfried Schlabs, Benjamin Djedovic, Fatih Özdogan
  • Patent number: 11566807
    Abstract: A program for light commercial building system (LCBS) solutions. Solutions and other systems may incorporate lightweight alerting service, auto-adjustment of gateway poll rates based on the needs of various consuming applications, detecting loss of space comfort control in a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, HVAC capacity loss alerting using relative degree days and accumulated stage run time with operational equivalency checks, and HVAC alerting for loss of heat or cool capacity using delta temperature and dependent system properties. Also, incorporated may be triggering s subset of analytics by automatically inferring HVAC equipment details from controller configuration details, ensuring reliability of analytics by retaining logical continuity of HVAC equipment operational data even when controllers and other parts of the system are replaced, and an LCBS gateway with workflow and mechanisms to associate to a contractor account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gutha Stalin Sanghamitra, Ashley Noble
  • Patent number: 11495906
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a connector and a mating connector. The mating connector comprises a mating housing. The mating housing is formed with a release projection. The connector comprises a first housing and a second housing. The first housing is provided with a stopper. The second housing is provided with a stopped portion. One of the first housing and the second housing is provided with a second support portion which supports a supported portion. When the second housing is installed to the first housing, the stopped portion is brought into abutment with the stopper, and a movement of the second housing is regulated by the stopper. When the thus-regulated second housing is received into the mating housing together with the first housing, one of the second support portion and the supported portion is brought into abutment with the release projection so that the regulation of the second housing is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Masao Yamamoto, Michael Zayc, David Schneider, Stuart Kingswell
  • Patent number: 11366499
    Abstract: A computer host system includes a housing and at least one of a top expansion frame and side expansion frames. The housing includes a front panel, a rear panel, a top panel, and side panels. The top panel and the side panels are detachably installed respectively on top and both sides of the front and rear panels. The top expansion frame is installed on top of the front and rear panels to expand an accommodating space at a top portion of the housing. The side expansion frames are installed on both sides of the front and rear panels and used to expand an accommodating space on both sides of the housing. The top expansion frame has a same cross-sectional shape as the top portion of the housing, and the side expansion frame has a same cross-sectional shape as a side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsiang Hung, Jun-Bo Yang, Ching-Jou Chen
  • Patent number: 11325487
    Abstract: An electric connection device for electric or hybrid motor vehicles, said connection device being equipped with a charging plug socket, a charging plug, a movable locking element for releasably locking the charging plug in the charging plug socket, and a drive for moving the locking element, said drive having an electric motor and a multistage transmission for acting on the locking element. The multistage transmission has individual shafts, each of which is arranged parallel to the output shaft of the electric motor as part of the drive. The device may use gearing to actuate a sensor to determine how far one of the individual shafts has rotated. An emergency unlocking crank may be mounted to a separate shaft that is engageable with one of the individual shafts via a cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Benjamin Djedovic, Tim Sonnenschein, Winfried Schlabs, Claus Töpfer
  • Patent number: 11152726
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a connector device and a connector system capable of achieving reduction in manufacturing cost. Provided is a connector device including a first contact used in actual use, and a second contact used only in manufacturing, in which the first contact and the second contact have different core lengths in a case of being viewed from a connection target side. The present technology can be applied to a camera device electrically connected to a vehicle connector, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirofumi Owaki
  • Patent number: 11088487
    Abstract: An outdoor socket structure is disclosed, comprising an armature part and an outer cladding part enveloping on the surface of the armature part, wherein the armature part includes a fixation base and a top lid, and the inside of the fixation base is correspondingly configured with three fixing channels thereby allowing to position and connect electrode boards having different polarities, and one ends on the different power terminals of the plug part can be respectively connected onto the electrode boards having different polarities, while the other ends thereof extend out between the top lid and the fixation base, such that the electrode boards having different polarities can be connected to different power terminals without having to use power wires thus reducing labor and material costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventor: Chia-Hua Lin
  • Patent number: 11056830
    Abstract: A manual operation element includes a locking active surface and an unlocking active surface. A locking displaceable element includes a locking passive surface and an unlocking passive surface. When the manual operation element is operated in a locking direction, the locking active surface engages with the locking passive surface and displaces the locking displaceable element toward a locked position. When the manual operation element is operated in an unlocking direction, the unlocking active surface engages with the unlocking passive surface and displaces the locking displaceable element toward an unlocked position. When the locking displaceable element performs a displacement operation electrically, neither the locking active surface and the locking passive surface nor the unlocking active surface and the unlocking passive surface engage with each other in an entire area or more than half area of a displacement range of the locking displaceable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MURAKAMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Motomiya, Takayuki Miyazaki, Kenji Ichikawa, Hiroki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11001160
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrically operated vehicle having an electrical charging cable, by which a vehicle-side accumulator is chargeable by a vehicle-external power supply network in a charging procedure, wherein the charging cable can be unplugged from a vehicle-side terminal at least after completion of the charging procedure, in particular independently and without locking. According to the disclosure, the vehicle and/or the charging cable has a check function, which enables a charging cable usage if a usage authorization is present and blocks the charging cable usage if a usage authorization is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Stadler, Heiko Diederichs
  • Patent number: 10898688
    Abstract: A tool for loosening a needleless connector is provided. The tool is a holder for holding a catheter port connected to the needleless connector. The holder includes a front surface, a rear surface, a top surface, and a cavity. The cavity accommodates the catheter port. The cavity extends through the holder and has a front opening in the front surface, a rear opening in the rear surface, and a rear inner wall. The cavity is defined by at least a first cross-sectional dimension and a second cross-sectional dimension, the first cross-sectional dimension at least partially defining a front section opening to the front opening, the second cross-sectional dimension at least partially defining a rear section opening to the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Te Chih Chiang
  • Patent number: 10868389
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a first electrical contact device and a second electrical contact device. The first electrical contact device includes at least one first electrical contact and an actuator movable between a first position and a second position. The second electrical contact device includes at least one second electrical contact device and an interlock feature to engage the actuator when the actuator is in the first position. The actuator is in the first position when the first electrical contact is in electrical communication with a power source, and the actuator is in the second position when the electrical communication between the first electrical contact and the power source is disconnected. When the actuator is in the first position and the second electrical contact engage the first electrical contact, the interlock feature engages the actuator, thereby securing the first electrical contact device and the second electrical contact device against disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas Scanzillo, Edward Bazayev
  • Patent number: 10680383
    Abstract: Embodiments of electrode systems having non-uniform spacing between electrodes along the axial direction for track lighting and other linear systems are disclosed. These systems may be used to provide directional flexibility for removable lighting fixtures with an asymmetric light distribution by providing a range of module position and angular mounting options. Some embodiments include electrodes which overlap continuously or at a series of discrete crossover overlap nodes to provide lateral support without external spacers. Electrode segments may be electrically and mechanically attached at overlap nodes to create extended two- and three-dimensional structures with localized planar areas. Embodiments with preferential bending regions provide additional directional capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Apex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Albert Rudisill, Daniel John Whittle
  • Patent number: 10518747
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an inlet control system and apparatus for an electric vehicle. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an inlet control system and apparatus for an electric vehicle that permit the connector of the charging cable to be released from the inlet of the electric vehicle connected thereto only when an authorized user having a release control apparatus is adjacent to the electric vehicle regardless of whether one end of the charging cable connected to a power source is removed or not and prohibit release of the connector of the charging cable from the inlet of the electric vehicle when the user having the release control apparatus moves away from the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: YURA CORPORATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chan-hyun Park, Chang-jae Hwang
  • Patent number: 10442303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging control apparatus and a control method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Sanghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10427545
    Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) assembly includes a control box including a first fault indicator light assembly, a coupler including a second fault indicator light assembly, and a plug including a third fault indicator light assembly. The fault indicator light assemblies can be illuminated to indicate charging faults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Matthew Turek, Sriram Jala
  • Patent number: 10355427
    Abstract: A light pipe is for an EV charging handle. The EV charging handle includes a housing having a thru hole, and a light source coupled to the housing. The light pipe includes a body structured to be coupled to the light source in order to transmit light from the light source through the thru hole of the housing, the body having a first side portion having a first interior surface having a first surface roughness, and a second side portion extending from the first side portion, the second side portion having a second interior surface having a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness in order to increase a visibility range with which the light is transmitted through the thru hole of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Xianzhen Zhang, Lili Du, Haidong Zhang, Lin Yang
  • Patent number: 10336198
    Abstract: A charge cable lock device is for use with an inlet that includes an inlet housing. A charge cable including a rocking arm with a hooking portion is connected in a removable manner to the inlet. The charge cable lock device includes a lock member, a lock housing, and a fixing pin. The lock member is movable to a lock position and an unlock position and configured to contact the rocking arm to restrict disengagement of the hooking portion of the rocking arm from the inlet when the lock member is located at the lock position. The lock housing supports the lock member. The fixing pin is configured to be inserted into the lock housing and the inlet housing and fix the lock housing to the inlet traversing the lock housing and the inlet housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Takahiro Hirashita, Keiji Kahara, Hiroshi Aoyama, Eiji Kitano, Masaru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10328809
    Abstract: An inlet is configured to connect with a connector of a charging cable. An ECU is configured to switch between (i) a charging permitted state in which external charging is permitted and (ii) a charging non-permitted state in which external charging is not permitted. When the connector is in connection to the inlet, the ECU selects the charging permitted state in which external charging is permitted, even if a connector connection signal indicative of a state of connection between the connector and the inlet indicates a partially-connected state in which the connection between the connector and the inlet is not latched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomokazu Masuda
  • Patent number: 10259330
    Abstract: An electric vehicle, EV, connector configured for charging an electric vehicle, EV, charging receptacle, said plug connector comprising: a body having a first plug end configured to be coupled to an EV charging receptacle on an electric vehicle for charging or recharging; a second power cable end configured to be coupled to a power cable, wherein the first end includes a terminal interface having one or more terminal receptacles for receiving one or more terminals positioned within the EV charging receptacle, and wherein the first end also includes a latching member positioned generally above the terminal interface, and is hingedly coupled to a part of the body to allow the latching member to move along a vertical access for coupling or decoupling the EV connector to the EV charging receptacle, and wherein the latching member is controlled by an electro mechanical manipulator provided inside the body, and arranged to control and allow the latching member to move along the vertical access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Charge-Amps AB
    Inventors: Charlotte Eisner, Fredrik Jonsson
  • Patent number: 10153590
    Abstract: A socket structure is disclosed, which includes a socket body combined with a slantingly installed positioning plate, an opening is configured on the positioning plate and corresponds to a neutral wire power jack on the socket body, a high edge of the positioning plate is pushed and abutted by the top end of a release piece whose bottom includes a first elastic body, while a second elastic body abuts the positioning plate close to the high edge, the elasticity in the second elastic body is smaller than the elasticity of the first elastic body; in addition, when the positioning plate is in the inclination state, it is possible to snap in fixation the neutral wire insertion plate by means of the opening in the positioning plate; upon pressing down the release piece, however, the high edge of the positioning plate can be pushed downwards by means of the second elastic body such that the positioning plate stably turns back to a horizontal state thereby releasing the neutral wire insertion plate of the electric po
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Pei-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 9819117
    Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector has an electrical component including a first insulative housing and a first mating assembly having a number of first electrical mating members structured to be substantially enclosed by the first insulative housing. The electrical connection element includes a second insulative housing; and a second mating assembly comprising a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members. The second mating assembly is structured to move between a first position corresponding to the number of second electrical mating members being substantially enclosed by the second insulative housing, and a second position corresponding to the number of second electrical mating members being partially disposed external the second insulative housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Jason Rollmann, Mark Allan Juds, Kurt Von Eckroth
  • Patent number: 9768566
    Abstract: A jumper sleeve configured to be installed on an outer side of a male F-connector to facilitate easy connection of and maintain ground continuity across the male F-connector and a female F-connector. In one embodiment, a conductive element is installed on an inner surface of the jumper sleeve and conductively engages an outer surface of the male F-connector to maintain ground continuity across the male and female F-connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: PCT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon Wilson, Paul Sterkeson, Timothy L. Youtsey
  • Patent number: 9705231
    Abstract: A protective cover for a network cable socket is disclosed. The protective cover is moveably connected to the network cable socket. The protective cover of the network cable socket comprises a housing and two elastic sheets. The housing is moveably connected to the network cable socket. Each of the elastic sheets includes a fixing portion, an extension arm, a stopper and a guiding ramp. The two extension arms are connected to the two fixing portions, respectively. The two fixing portions are fixed to two sides of the housing, respectively. The two stoppers and the two guiding ramps are formed at the two extension arms, respectively. A distance between the two guiding ramps is larger than the distance between the two stoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chou Cheng, Chun-Dao Yu, Chyi-Cheng Wang, Kai-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9667002
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing having housing cavities extending between a mating end and a loading end. The housing having module latches associated with corresponding housing cavities. Contact modules are received in corresponding housing cavities. Each contact module having first and second module cavities extending between a front end and a rear end of the contact modules. The contact modules being held within the housing cavity by the corresponding module latch. Each contact module having an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) circuit, the UTP circuit includes first and second signal wires and first and second terminals terminated to the first and second signal wires. The signal wires being twisted along a length of the first and second signal wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 9647389
    Abstract: A plug connector part for connecting to an associated mating plug connector part includes a housing. A plug-in portion is arranged on the housing and can be plugged into the associated mating plug connector part in a plugging direction to engage with the mating plug connector part when in a connection position. At least one electrical contact element is arranged on the plug-in portion. The at least one electrical contact element is for making electrical contact with the mating plug connector part. A locking element is movably arranged on the housing. The locking element has a locking position for locking the plug connector part with respect to the mating plug connector part when in the connected position. The locking element can be moved out of the locking position to unlock the connection between the plug connector part and the mating plug connector part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT E-MOBILITY GMBH
    Inventors: Dirk Moseke, Marco Seelig
  • Patent number: 9610849
    Abstract: A feeding connector that connects a vehicle with an external power receiving device when electric power is fed from the vehicle to the power receiving device is allowed to be fitted to a connecting portion to which a charging connector that connects the vehicle with an external feeding device is fitted when an electric storage device installed on the vehicle is charged with electric power from the feeding device, and, when the feeding connector is in a particular condition of fit with the connecting portion, an impedance of a particular signal path provided in the feeding connector falls within an impedance range for feeding which is set as a range of impedance different from an impedance range for charging which is set as a range of impedance of a signal path provided in the charging connector and corresponding to the particular signal path. A method for identifying the feeding connector, a system for identifying the feeding connector, and a feeding system using the feeding connector are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroki Sawada, Yasuo Suzuki, Yuka Niikawa
  • Patent number: 9531127
    Abstract: A power feed connector includes: a tubular case that has a front end opening portion being open at a front end in a central axis direction; a connector main body that is accommodated inside the tubular case and is slidable in the central axis direction; an operation lever portion that has a first end being disposed inside the tubular case; a link mechanism that is directly connected to the connector main body and the operation lever portion and converts a turning motion of the operation lever portion into a linear motion of the connector main body in the central axis direction; and a grip portion that is integrally provided with the tubular case and extends in a direction intersecting the central axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: FUJIKURA LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Yahagi, Kenji Takahashi, Go Katsura
  • Patent number: 9446673
    Abstract: A lock mechanism, when a restricting member is being moved to a predetermined position which corresponds to one of a locked state or an unlocked state, imparts a torque, using a motor, to move the restricting member from an inner-side position near the predetermined position to the predetermined position using a toggle spring disposed between the restricting member and a vehicle body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Nakajima, Tsuyoshi Maruyama, Hiroyuki Senda
  • Patent number: 9413110
    Abstract: An embedded short leaf-spring-equipped crystal head includes a crystal head body insertable into a base slot of a base and a leaf spring disposed above the crystal head body to fasten the crystal head body to the base, characterized in that a length of the leaf spring is less than or equal to a length of the base slot. The length of the leaf spring is less than or equal to the length of the base slot. After the crystal head body has been inserted into the base slot, the leaf spring is disposed inside the base and thus is not exposed. Hence, space utilization rate of the crystal head body increases, and the positioning of the crystal head body is not compromised as a result of damage otherwise caused to the leaf spring, thereby preventing unauthorized persons from taking out the crystal head body and enhancing data security.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Inventor: Chao-Chieh Liu
  • Patent number: 9365125
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug connector for electrically connecting an electric vehicle to a charging device, comprising a pug or a socket (1) and an electromechanically driven locking device (3), wherein the plug or the socket (1) is configured for establishing an electrical connection to a second socket or a second plug of a second plug connector associated with the electric vehicle or the charging device, the locking device (3) is movable axially to the plug-in direction (7) of the plug or socket (1) to mechanically lock and/or unlock an interconnected plug/socket pair (1), and the locking device (3) and/or the plug or the socket (1) has a centering device (11) configured in such a way that the locking device (3) can be detachably fastened in a form-fitting manner to the plug or to the socket (1) in a position predetermined by the centering device (11). A significantly simplified assembly is thus made possible, even where space is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marco Seelig, Ralf Feldner
  • Patent number: 9331425
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a cable connector (1) for electrically connecting an electric vehicle to a charging apparatus, wherein the cable connector (1) is designed to form an electric connection to a device connector (2) associated with the electric vehicle or the charging apparatus, the cable connector (1) has a latching means (4) which is designed in such a manner that a pair of cable connectors (1) and device connectors (2) connected to each other can be latched to each other by means of the latching means (4), and the cable connector (1) has a counter-contour (10) which is designed in such a manner that a locking means (8) associated with the device connector (2) for locking the latching means (4) against being unlatched can be prevented from being unlocked by the counter-contour (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Marco Seelig
  • Patent number: 9246286
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic high speed data contact set having an insert shroud and a termination subassembly. A plurality of protective arms extend from its front to protect contact beams of the termination subassembly and provide multi-stage pre-alignment of contacts during engagement. A plurality of raised bosses engaged with a plurality of hollows in the bottom of an adjacent insert shroud to allow stacking of contact sets. A pair of latches lock the insert shroud into a module after insertion. A pair of keying members on the sides of contact set prevent incorrect insertion of a contact set into a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Patent number: 9209565
    Abstract: The electrical connector, having a tubular housing section, in which an insulating body is arranged which bears an electrical contact and is locked to the housing section via a locking device, which is engages with a receiving recess of the housing section, wherein the locking device has at least one flexible supporting element for the insulating body and the insulating body of the housing section is able to be unlocked releasably by a tool. According to the invention, the insulating body is releasable from the plug side of the housing section by a tool and the locking device and the receiving recess are realized separately in the circumferential direction of the housing section and have at least two locking parts that are separated from one another and a corresponding number of locking part receptacles which are at a distance to one another laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CONINVERS GmbH
    Inventors: Markus Michel, Manfred Brode
  • Patent number: 9178313
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging port control device yields a locked state in which disengagement between an active-engagement part of a charging connector and a passive-engagement part of a charging port is restricted by a restricting member and an unlocked state in which disengagement is permitted. The restricting member is moved to in front of a predetermined position for yielding the locked state or the unlocked state by being energizingly driven by a motor. Before the active-engagement part and the passive-engagement part are engaged, the restricting member is moved in a locking direction, and subsequently in an unlocking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9168840
    Abstract: A charging port device for an electric vehicle has an electrical driving mechanism for electrically applying a torque using a motor to move a restricting member to an inner-side position short of a predetermined position corresponding to a locked state or an unlocked state, and a mechanical driving mechanism for mechanically applying a torque to move the restricting member from the inner-side position to the predetermined position, when the restricting member is to be moved to the predetermined position, and a part of the restricting member overlaps the engaging member, when viewed from the direction of separation, at the inner-side position that corresponds to a movement to the locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9147973
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for securing a cell phone charger to a standard AC electrical wall power outlet while the charger is plugged into the wall outlet for being charged. The enclosure may be cube shaped having air holes being opened on its front for placing the charger therein. There is a tab thereon for securing the enclosure by means of a fastener to the AC power outlet and an aperture on the rear so that the connecting cord to the charger can be passed therethrough. Additionally shown on the upper portion of the rear wall of the enclosure is another tab having a hole therein for receiving a conventional zip tie to allow the connecting cord from the charger to be secured to the tab of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventor: Michael W. Madison
  • Patent number: 9088104
    Abstract: A lock device includes a lock member moved between a lock position, at which the lock member restricts removal of a locking subject from a power port, and an unlock position, at which the lock member permits removal of the locking subject from the power port. A transmission member is moved between a first position, at which the transmission member fixes the lock member at the lock position, and a second position, at which the transmission member permits movement of the lock member to the unlock position. A auxiliary unlocking mechanism includes a movable forcible unlocking member, which manually moves the transmission member to the second position, and a holding unit, which holds the forcible unlocking member while permitting such movement. The auxiliary unlocking mechanism may be used should there be failure of the main unlocking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Keiji Kahara, Toshiharu Katagiri
  • Patent number: 9033723
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided that includes a female body, a male body, and a safety pin. The female body has an insertion bore, a push bar, and an engagement portion. The male body is inserted in the female body. An upper end portion of the male body has an engagement hook positioned to correspond to the engagement portion to engage the engagement hook and the engagement portion when the male body is inserted into the insertion bore of the female body. In addition, a first side of the safety pin is inserted in an upper portion of the insertion bore in the female body and contacts first sides of the engagement portion and the engagement hook. A second side of the safety pin is exposed and has a pin recess into which a removal tool is to be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Su Jeong, Hyong Joon Park
  • Publication number: 20150118882
    Abstract: A connector (10) includes a housing (30) with a terminal accommodating portion (31) into which a plurality of differently dimensioned terminals (20) are to be accommodated, and a retainer (60) retains the terminals (20) by being inserted through a side surface of the housing (30). The retainer (60) is moved laterally by operating an operating portion (63) and is held at a partial locking position and a full locking position by locking pieces (65) of the retainer (60) that engage locked portions (44) of the housing (30). The terminals (20) include medium terminals (20M) locked by medium locking lances (56) fit into an escaping portion (68) between the operating portion (63) and the locking pieces (65) in the retainer (60). The escaping portion (68) includes a reinforcement (69) for preventing deformation of the escaping portion (68).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji Hirano, Yoshihiro Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20150118883
    Abstract: A connector (10) has a terminal accommodating portion (31) with a plurality of cavities (34) into which terminals (20) are accommodated from behind and a front holder (50) is mounted into the terminal accommodating portion (31). The front holder (50) includes locks (53) that move onto locked portions (49) on the upper surface of a narrow portion (45) of the terminal accommodating portion (31) when the front holder (50) is mounted into the terminal accommodating portion (31). The narrow portion (45) includes deformation preventing recesses (47) that fit to deformation preventing ribs (57) on the front holder (50) in a convexo-concave manner. The deformation preventing ribs (57) and the deformation preventing recesses (47) contact each other in a vertical direction when the locks (53) move onto the locked portions (49), thereby suppressing excessive deflection of the front holder (50) or the narrow portion (45).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Shinji Hirano, Yoshihiro Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8986032
    Abstract: A modular connecting device having protective casing includes a first connector, a protective casing, an adaptor, and a protective casing. The first connector has an insertion portion. The protective casing having a case body is movably disposed on the first connector, and the case body of the protective casing is selectively sleeved on the first connector. The adaptor includes a second connector and a third connector. The first connector selectively establishes an electrical connection with the second connector. The third connector is exposed from the case body of the protective casing or received in the case body of the protective casing. The protective cover is selectively sleeved on outer portions of the third connector. Thus, the instant disclosure can be used to protect the connectors and to prevent foreign objects or the connectors per se from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 8961210
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an electrical connector that includes a locking mechanism to securely hold devices to the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Zyxel Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Joe, Young Wen, Shawn Rogers