For Use With Tape Cable Patents (Class 439/422)
  • Patent number: 6309241
    Abstract: A branch connection structure includes a flexible flat cable (FFC)(21) and connection terminals (22) attached to the middle of the FFC. The FFC comprises conductive strips (23) arranged in parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, and a pair of insulating films (24) sandwiching the conductive strips. One or more slits (25) extend between any two adjacent conductive strips to define a plurality of separated regions (27) in the middle of the FFC, each region including one of the conductive strips. The connection terminal has conductive teeth (31) and a pair of retainers (30) positioned on both sides of the conductive teeth. The conductive teeth pierce through the conductive strip of the separated region from the rear surface of the FFC, and the tips of the conductive teeth are bent so as to pierce again into the conductive strip from the top surface of the separated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 6305970
    Abstract: A plurality of terminals 22 are fixedly press-connected to an end portion of the flat circuitry 21 in electrically connected relation respectively to conductors 21a, and the terminals 22 are inserted respectively into terminal receiving chambers 24 in a connector housing 23. Slits 26 are formed through the end portion of the flat circuitry 21 in such a manner that the slit is arranged between any two adjacent conductors 21a, and extends from the distal end of the flat circuitry to a position beyond press-connecting portions 25 of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Nagai, Yasumichi Kuwayama, Shinji Mochizuki, Akira Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6305968
    Abstract: Terminal hardware for a flat-type conductor is provided which can provide a high contact pressure between the terminal hardware and the conductor and a superior holding power against a tension tending to separate the terminal hardware from the conductor. At a terminal end of the flat-type conductor, the conductor is exposed on an upper surface. A base plate is formed to extend from a rear end of the terminal hardware, and a top plate is provided so as to face the base plate and be capable of being opened and closed. A pair of crimping portions are provided at opposite side edges of a rear end of the base plate. Further, both the base plate and the top plate have undulating portions, respectively. The terminal end of the flat-type conductor is inserted between the base plate and the top plate. The pair of crimping portions pierces the insulation sheet of the flat-type conductor from one side toward the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Hio, Hajime Okada
  • Publication number: 20010027052
    Abstract: A method is provided for connecting a terminal fitting and a flat conductor to achieve a high contact pressure between the terminal fitting and a conductive path. A FFC (10) has an insulation sheet (12) adjacent the end stripped to expose a conductor (11). The FFC (10) is inserted between first and second squeezing plates (22, 23) of a terminal fitting (20). Complimentary recessed/projected portions (32, 33) are formed on the outer surfaces of a pair of upper and lower press dies (30, 31) for pressing the terminal fitting (20). The terminal fitting (20) is pressed by the press dies (30, 31). Thus, the FFC 10 and the terminal fitting (20) are pressed together into a single unit and the squeezing plates (22, 23) are formed into a zigzag configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Masahiko Aoyama
  • Publication number: 20010016449
    Abstract: A bottom plate portion (3) of a flat cable terminal (1) is partially cut to form at least one spring piece portion (6). The at least one spring piece portion (6) is upwardly raised relative to the bottom plate portion (3). At least one barrel (4) pierces a base sheet (42) of a FPC (40) in a thickness direction thereof, and is so folded that a conductor (41) formed on the base sheet (42) of the FPC (40) is pressed and held between the at least one barrel (4) and the at least one spring piece portion (6). A fine projection (7) is formed on the spring piece portion (6) in order to firmly press against the conductor (41) of the FPC (40). A distal end of the barrel (4) is chamfered so as to facilitate penetration of the barrel (4) relative to the base sheet (42) of the FPC (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Hiroshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20010014553
    Abstract: A first piercing member is raised from a base member. The first piercing member is for piercing a conductor of a circuit body to be electrically joined. A second piercing member is raised from the base member and is apart from the first piercing member. A reinforcing member is between the first piercing member and the second piercing member. The reinforcing member is raised from the base member. The reinforcing member is connected to the first piercing member and the second piercing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 6267618
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (20) has a base plate (22) and a pressing plate (30) confronting the base plate (22). A side wall (23) is formed on one side edge of the base plate (22). A contact blade (25A) is projected on an upper edge (23A) of the side wall (23) such that the contact blade (25A) is widthwise flush with the side wall (23). A contact blade (25B) is erected on the other side edge of the base plate (22) such that the contact blade (25A) and the contact blade (25B) have the same height. On the bottom portion of the base plate (22), a raised part (27) is formed for a disposing position of each contact blade (25A) by folding the other side edge of the base plate (22). The height of the upper surface of the raised part (27) is a little larger than that of the upper edge (23A) of the side wall (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahide Hio
  • Publication number: 20010009820
    Abstract: A terminal connection structure for a flat circuit belt includes a flexible flat cable (FFC) (21) and a plurality of connection terminals (22) fixed to the end portion of the FFC 21. The FFC comprises a plurality of conductive strips (23) arranged in parallel to each other at a predetermined interval, and a pair of base films (24) sandwiching the conductive films. Each connection terminal corresponds to one of the conductive strip. The connection terminal has a base plate (28) and projections (31) rising from the longitudinal edges of the base plate so as to face each other with the base plate between them. The projections pierce through the associated conductive strip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION.
    Inventor: Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 6135779
    Abstract: A contact assembly for making contact with a conductor on a foil, in particular a flexible foil, having a first contact region for making contact with a complementary contact and a second contact region for making contact with the conductor where the second contact region has opposing contact arms between which the foil can be introduced and at least one contact arm, on opposing sides, has tongues which can be bent around the other contact arm in such a way that the two contact arms are pressed against one another, to hold the conductor of the foil therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Koch, Horst Teutschlander
  • Patent number: 6135806
    Abstract: This invention relates to a junction between an intelligent contact terminal (3) and a cable (1, 2), said junction comprising connector pins (4) extending from the contact terminal (3), penetrating into a cable insulation sheath (1) and piercing flat wires (2) included in the cable and provided with lip portions (10) pressing against the lateral faces of the pins. In order to provide a secure contact, the pins (4) are slightly conical or tapered at least within the region of said lip portions (10). By designing the flat wire as a multilayer wire, the lip portions (10) of the wire layers together can be brought to provide an increased contact area. In addition, the multilayer wire (2) is penetrable with a lesser application of force if the cable is provided with preliminary holes for the pins (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Oy IWS International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorma Pohjola
  • Patent number: 6086409
    Abstract: A flat-cable connector has a contact element formed from a single blank of flat conductive material. A flat body has jaws folded out of the plane of the blank. A pair of legs in the plane carry sharpened pegs on offsets out of the plane. A grooved connector shell has a flap that compresses the legs together in the plane so that the pegs in one leg slice through the cable and fold around the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Abe1Conn, LLC
    Inventors: Punjabhai B. Patel, Ronald D. Natzel
  • Patent number: 6068505
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical contact for a flexible flat electrical cable which allows connection with a high contact pressure and holding force, but which does not damage the conductor. The contact section (10) of the electrical contact (1) has two plates (2, 4), which have protruding ribs (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b). The plates (2, 4) are connected by a connecting member (6); a flat cable (50) is accommodated between the plates (2, 4), and the cable is held between plates (2, 4) by securing members (18, 20), which are disposed in the vicinity of the protruding ribs (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) on the side edges of the plate (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Noriaki Sai
  • Patent number: 5860831
    Abstract: The flat/round connecting device provides connection between conductors of a flat-ribbon, flat-conductor cable having at least two flat conductors and the round conductors of a round cable having at least two round conductors. The device comprises a plurality of individual connectors, each having two portions extending along a straight line or disposed at an angle of 90.degree. relative to each other. One of the portions has a flat conductor crimping zone with crimping tongues arranged at a mutual spacing for crimping to the flat conductors and the other portion has a round-conductor crimping zone with crimping tongues arranged at a mutual spacing for crimping to the round conductors and to the insulation of the round conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Jurgen Roder, Manfred Lange
  • Patent number: 5742130
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent lamp or an intelligent contact terminal for a lamp, which can be used in a lighting system comprising a plurality of individually controlled lamps (1; 5) linked in a common power-supply circuit (8, 9) and an operation control device for transmitting a desired operation control signal to electronic control elements (11, 12, 13), associated with the lamp or the contact terminal and reacting or failing to react selectively to various control signals. Together with the lamp or its contact terminal, said electronic control elements (11, 12, 13) provide a single replaceable component which, on the basis of a message included in the operation control signal, identifies itself to serve as an appropriate lamp. In addition, the electronic control elements (2; 6) monitor the condition of itself and that of the lamp and, if necessary, produce a fault indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Heikki Korkala
  • Patent number: 5643007
    Abstract: A metal piercing staple for piercing, securing and making electrical contact between a pair of wires in the form of a substantially U-shaped piece of metal having sharp ends and a plurality of metal piercing teeth depending from the U-shaped piece of metal between the sharp ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Power T&D Company Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Younger
  • Patent number: 5634813
    Abstract: An electrical terminal is adapted for use with an electrical conductor. The terminal has a terminating portion with a generally U-shaped cross-section having a web and a pair of sidewalls extending from two opposite longitudinal edges of the web. The sidewalls are generally trapezoidally shaped with relatively wide bases, joined to the longitudinal edges of the web, and relatively narrow tips. The bases are transversely aligned across the web. The tips are offset across the web so that the tips are spaced longitudinally of the web. Therefore, the tips will bypass each other when crimped toward each other to terminate the electrical conductor, all within the longitudinal confines of the bases of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Arvind Patel, Robert A. Klemmer
  • Patent number: 5611709
    Abstract: A method and assembly for electrically and mechanically connecting one or more flexible conductive members, with one or more insulated wires using one or more insulation piercing terminals. The flexible conductive member may have one or more electrically conductive layers attached to a pliable backing. The insulated wire may have one or more conductors. The insulation piercing terminal provides a low impedance electrical connection between the flexible conductive member and the insulated wire, while also providing a mechanical connection between the flexible conductive member and the insulated wire which minimizes movement of the insulated wire due to any axial and/or longitudinal forces that may be applied to the insulated wire or the flexible member during manufacturing and use. The insulation piercing terminal combines one or more piercing members with an integral mechanical securing means and an electrical contact for engaging the flexible conductive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: ValleyLab Inc
    Inventor: Michael J. McAnulty
  • Patent number: 5450664
    Abstract: An initially integral terminal assembly 84; 94 useful for terminating a selected conductor 74; of a flat power cable 72 having at least two insulated conductors 74, 76 includes upper and lower plate sections 26, 50 extending in diverging directions from a common bendable hinge 46 defining a cable receiving region therebetween. Each plate section 26, 50 has at least a first portion 28, 52 corresponding to the first conductor 74 and a second portion 36, 60 associated with a second conductor 76 of the cable 72. Each portion 28, 52; 36, 60 further includes conductor terminating regions 30, 38, 54, 62 intermediate opposed upstanding side walls 42, 66 of the upper and lower plate sections 26, 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Babow, Roger N. Polk
  • Patent number: 5447451
    Abstract: The invention features a strip of terminals formed from a single piece of sheet stock. The terminals have a clamp portion connected through a spring section to a base so that the clamp portion is positioned above the base is pressed down and locked against the base to engage a tab of flexible sheet with a conductive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventor: Julian J. Bishop
  • Patent number: 5389741
    Abstract: A flat cable which has a connection termination with interlayer peeling films interposed between conductors and insulating films at predetermined intervals along a length of the flat cable. When connecting the flat cable, by cutting the termination with the interlayer films, the insulating film ends and interlayer film ends positioned at the cut portion are folded back to form a folded back portion. This folded back portion is made to catch on to the protective insulator of the connection device, so as to prevent poor contact etc. by ensuring that no intolerable force acts on the connection portion of the conductors even if a tensile force is applied to the connection portion. Further, in the connection termination, connection terminals are inserted between the interlayer peeling films and connectors to connect to the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiichi Ueno
  • Patent number: 5356308
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting a flexible wiring plate, having circuit conductors coated with insulator films on the two sides thereof, to a box-like connector housing. The connector housing includes a housing body and a lid body detachably secured to the housing body. The housing body is provided with an opening in one of the top and bottom walls. An elastic seal member is mounted around the opening. A part of the insulator film of the flexible wiring plate is removed in accordance with the opening so that end portions of the circuit conductors are exposed from the insulator film in opposition to the opening. Electrical terminals are disposed in the housing body so that elastic contacts of the terminals engage with the exposed end portions of the circuit conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Toba, Yutaka Noro, Takuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 5299954
    Abstract: A terminal connecting structure securing and retaining a holding tongue of the terminal for connecting at a conductive end portion of the flat circuit body, the terminal connecting structure is provided with a covering plate retaining the terminal, the covering plate includes notched portions for engaging with the holding tongue at end of the flat circuit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Ishii
  • Patent number: 5219303
    Abstract: An initially integral terminal useful for terminating to flat conductor cable includes upper and lower plate sections coextending from a hinge to define a cable-receiving region therebetween, with first and second portions of both plate sections defining opposed cooperative arrays of termination means for terminating to said flat cable upon said upper and lower plate sections being pressed toward each other and into the flat cable. Upstanding opposed side wall sections join the first and second portions which are otherwise separated by an aperture proximate the center of the flat cable, enabling easy severing of the side walls at the aperture to define separate electrical terminations after application of the assembly to the flat cable. One or two contact sections can extend from a free edge of one of the upper and lower plate sections for connection to another article, defining a mid-cable tap for either single- or dual-connector cable respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Kenneth F. Folk, John G. Hatfield, Dean A. Puerner
  • Patent number: 5195908
    Abstract: A multicircuit cable connector which includes a multicircuit, an insulation layer thereon, and a matching circuit which is placed on the layer. The multicircuit is a plurality of conductive strips which run along the length of the cable. The matching circuit is a means for interconnecting certain of the strips with one another and consists of interconnecting portions carrying terminals thereon. The interconnecting portions extend transversely of the cable and their length and location are determined by the arrangement of conductive strips in the cable and which of them are to be connected to each other. A U-shaped clip of generally channel shape is provided and the bottom thereof is pressed against a multicircuit conductor and the sides extend through the layer and are crimped onto the terminals on the interconnecting portions of the matching circuit, thereby completing the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamamoto, Yasuharu Moriai, Kuniharu Kusumoto, Morichika Yamamoto, Tetsuaki Wada
  • Patent number: 5188541
    Abstract: A cable tap system is disclosed for selectively connecting a plurality of tap terminals to a plurality of conductors in either a continuous multi-conductor electrical cable or in two ends of two such cables butt up to one another. A closable cable clamp assembly clamps onto the continuous cable or cable ends. A terminal holder is positionable against one side of the cable clamp assembly and mounts a plurality of tap terminals for interconnection to the conductors of the cable. A backing member is positionable against an opposite side of the cable clamp assembly. A plurality of rotatable fasteners are operatively associated between the terminal holder and the backing member for sandwiching the cable clamp assembly therebetween and maintaining the tap terminals interconnected with the conductors of the cable. A tool is provided for simultaneously rotating the fasteners to close the terminal holder and the backing member in a uniform action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph D. Comerci, Robert DeRoss, Michael J. O'Connell, John E. Templeton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5174889
    Abstract: A method for introducing a heavy oil feedstock into a catalytic cracking unit is disclosed which comprises forming the oil feed into a sheet of flowing fluid and breaking down the sheet of oil by mixing the oil with a sheet of atomizing gas flowing normally to the sheet of oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Richard H. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 5137468
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises crimping pieces of tongue-like sheet integrally provided on the side edges of a web in such a manner as to erect therefrom and arc contact portions each comprising an arc substantially normal to the sheet body of the crimping piece, and the crimping piece is formed as a curled portion so as to be superimposed over the contact portion, whereby a flexible plane-type conductor cable is securely held between the superimposed portions for establishing electrical connection therebetween. The arc contact portion is formed as a recessed arc contact portion, and the external arc of the curled portion and this recessed arc are brought into concentric arc relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Murakami
  • Patent number: 5133673
    Abstract: A connecting element comprising a base plate, having contact teeth formed from the base plate by through cuts. Each of the through cuts adjoins two further through cuts to prevent tearing of the base plate. A punch is provided for both cutting the base plate and folding the contact teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Frank J. J. Dijkshoorn
  • Patent number: 5097099
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a strong, flexible composite shielding member to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding between power conductors and signal conductors for use in an electrical transmission system, such as a bundled hybrid cable. A preferred shield member comprises a flat dielectric central laminate having on each major surface thereof a metallic, electrically conductive film, where the core includes a plurality of longitudinally arranged strengthening members, such as fiberglass strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Vernon R. Miller
  • Patent number: 5078617
    Abstract: An insulation displacement terminal is provided for strain relief termination with a ribbon cable. The terminal includes a forward mating end and a rearward terminating end. The terminating end includes I.D. termination walls having a pair of spaced-apart insulation piercing points and an ID slot therebetween. Support walls are disposed to prevent deformation of the I.D. termination wall. Pairs of insulation piercing strain relief walls are disposed along opposite sides of the terminal. The insulation piercing strain relief walls are dimensioned and configured for crimping engagement with the insulation surrounding a conductor in the ribbon cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Gutierrez, Timothy R. Ponn
  • Patent number: 4975080
    Abstract: Upper and lower connecting structures for use with flat power cable by being applied to major surfaces thereof, include arrays of cable-engaging bosses alternating with boss-receiving relief recesses; when pressed together the structures at least press conductor strips out of the cable plane and into opposing recesses of the opposing structures, exposing conductor strip edges for electrical connection and defining an array of interdigitated joints. The upper and lower structures are mechanically locked together by forming pockets in the side walls of the relief recesses of each structure to be disposed beside forwardmost portions of the cable-engaging bosses of the opposing structure upon application to the cable, and then deeply staking each of the interdigitated joints to split axially the forwardmost portion of the cable-engaging bosses and force the split portions laterally into the pockets, so that a portion of each structure is locked behind an associated portion of the other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Songchin S. Lu, Frederick H. Rider
  • Patent number: 4975081
    Abstract: A tap or splice connector especially useful for a pair of dual conductor flat power cables includes two pairs of upper and lower structures which are applied to the stacked in-line cables side-by-side and then enclosed in a housing. The upper and lower structures each have a transverse array of cable-engaging wave-shaped bosses alternating with wave-receiving relief recesses when pressed together, so that the waves press strips of both cables in upper and lower arrays into the opposing recesses thus exposing conductor edges of the strips for electrical connection. Outer surfaces of the structures are then staked to urge the metal thereof laterally and tightly against the conductor edges adjacent thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Songchin S. Lu, Dean A. Puerner, Frederick H. Rider, David S. Szczesny
  • Patent number: 4957453
    Abstract: An electrical socket for mounting on a flat, flexible conductor carrier (FFC), for connecting an electrical plug (P) to a conductor (C) on the conductor carrier (FFC), comprises a base plate having a central plug receiving opening. A pair of contact springs extend from opposite edges of the base plate and have arcuate contact surfaces which project across the opening on one face of the plate for resiliently engaging the plug (P) between them. On each side of the opening is a pair of lugs depending from the other face of the plate and being adapted to be passed through the conductor carrier (FFC) and curled round towards each other to make electrical contact with the conductor (C). In use, the plug (P) is passed through the opening in a direction normally of the plane of the base plate, and through the conductor carrier (FFC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Leonard J. Owen
  • Patent number: 4950180
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated where the plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region so that when the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, the wave crests deflect integral strips of conductor cut of the plane of the cable, exposing sheared conductor edges for electrical connection therewith. Softer metal insert members are secured to and along outer surfaces of the plate sections and are then staked to deform the metal against the sheared conductor edges to engage and form gas-tight electrical connections of substantial surface area therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4938713
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes at least a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated. The plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region. When the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, shearing edges along each side of each wave shape shear the cable conductor by cooperating with shearing edges of the adjacent wave shape of the opposing terminating region, scissors-fashion. Crests of the wave shapes deflecting the sheared cable portions into the opposing relief recesses, forming a series of interlocking wave joints across the intermeshing terminating regions and terminating the cable between the plate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, William B. Fritz, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4927384
    Abstract: A transition block for interconnecting flat undercarpet power cable to round conductor power cable has stackable terminal blocks each having an electrical terminal mounted therein. The conductors of the multiconductor power cable can be separated and folded such that each cable is vertically aligned with the other. Insertion of the cable into the terminal blocks and forcing the terminal blocks together causes an insulation displacement portion within the terminal block to pierce the insulation of the flat cable. A poke through type terminal is mounted adjacent to, and electrically continuous with, the insulation displacement portion for electrically interconnecting flat cable to round cable. The assembled terminal blocks are profiled for installation within the standard wall mounted junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Reginald A. Bates
  • Patent number: 4915650
    Abstract: A pair of transition adapter terminals especially useful for terminating respective conductors of a dual conductor flat power cable, include respective contact sections at forward ends thereof. Cable-receiving slots across rearward ends thereof extend between pairs of integral bight straps or hinge sections joining upper and lower terminal plate sections. The slots receive respective tab-shaped portions of flat power cable insertably thereinto which are then disposed between the opposed slightly spaced upper and lower plate sections. The plate sections include opposing arrays of shearing waves shapes alternating with relief recesses transversely across, with each wave shape opposed from a respective relief recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, William B. Fritz, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4900264
    Abstract: Two flat cables are interconnected to comprise a tap connection or a splice connection by stacking them and pressing together against them an assembly of upper and lower interconnecting structures which include opposing regions of alternating shearing wave shapes and relief recesses. The wave shapes shear the conductors of the cables and extrude the thus-sheared conductor strips into the opposing relief recesses so that newly sheared conductor edges are moved adjacent electrical engagement surfaces defined by vertical edges of the adjacent wave shapes. Dual conductor cables have their respective conductors interconnected by using a pair of assemblies of upper and lower interconnecting structures, each assembly having shearing wave shapes and relief recesses disposed transversely across only the half of the cables within which the appropriate conductors are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Glenn E. Bennett, Frank H. Bermier, Jr., John K. Daly, Robert K. Grebe, Earl R. Kreinberg, Dean A. Puerner
  • Patent number: 4867700
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes at least a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated. The plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region. When the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, shearing edges along each side of each wave shape shear the cable conductor by cooperating with shearing edges of the adjacent wave shape of the opposing terminating region, scissors-fashion. Crests of the wave shapes deflect the sheared cable portions into the opposing relief recesses, forming a series of interlocking wave joints across the intermeshing terminating regions and terminating the cable between the plate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4859205
    Abstract: Relief against torque for a terminal terminated to an end portion of a flat conductor cable is provided by a low height rearward section of a metal member having opposed sections forwardly of a cable-receiving end having a transverse cable-receiving slot. The cable end is inserted through the slot for termination forwardly of the cable-receiving end and disposed between the opposed sections. The opposed sections are joined together by a pair of integral spaced bight straps or hinge sections beside the cable at the ends of the slot. The straps or hinges enable the metal member to resist torque applied to the termination by the cable. The metal member can be the terminal itself, a transition adapter for termination to flat electrical cable of the type having opposed plate sections applied to the major cable surfaces which include means for mechanical and electrical connections therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: William B. Fritz
  • Patent number: 4859204
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated where the plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region so that when the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, the wave crests deflect integral strips of conductor out of the plane of the cable, exposing sheared conductor edges for electrical connection therewith. Softer metal insert members are secured to and along outer surfaces of the plate sections and are then staked to deform the metal against the shared conductor edges to engage and form gas-tight electrical connections of substantial surface area therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4854883
    Abstract: An electrical connector (10) comprises a housing (12) housing electrical contacts (14). The housing (12) has securing means (16) which help secure the connector (12) to a printed circuit (18) (which may be flexible) comprising contacts (22) each including a back portion (24) having two sets of deformable spaced parallel legs (26). In an open position a contact (22) can be received between the legs (26) which can be crimped to a closed position to clamp them in contact with the contact (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Pressac Limited
    Inventor: Denis W. Tuckwood
  • Patent number: 4834673
    Abstract: A power distribution system utilizes flat power cable in combination with a plurality of adapter members for the distribution of power within electronics systems. The adapter members allow flat power cable to be interconnected to conventional crimpable contacts and thereafter routed through conventional electrical connectors. The adapters also allow interconnection between flat cable and power busses or between flat cables and printed circuit boards. The adapters can also allow the interconnection of tabs and receptacles to flat power cable. The adapters are crimpable to the flat cable by means of hand tools which provides for a versatile means of distributing power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Ernest L. Beinhaur, John K. Daly, Earl R. Kreinberg, Paul Vinson
  • Patent number: 4832620
    Abstract: An electrical connector terminal for a flexible printed circuit board which has an elongated plate-like bottom section, a plurality of projections rising from both edges of the bottom section and a contact piece coupled at one end thereof to the bottom section so as to extend over the bottom section with the printed circuit board therebetween, the contact piece being fixed to the printed circuit board in a manner such that the projections are bent to press and hold the contact piece against the surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Nobumasa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4828506
    Abstract: A connector (12) for flexible printed circuits comprises connector contacts (22) associated with a moulded plastics body (10) each having a first terminal (24) for connection to conductors of the printed circuit and a second terminal (28) e.g. providing part of a plug connector and a securing member (30) attached e.g. by ultrasonic welding retaining the contacts (22) in position and have moulded therein discharge contacts (36) each spaced from a respective one of the contacts (22) by a distance (which may be chosen according to the discharge voltage required) corresponding to a desired spark gap. Preferably the connector (12) has means (34) associated with the member (30) by which the connector is secured in a desired position e.g. on a car body. Preferably the contacts (36) are connected to a common conductor (38) which is earthed e.g. by contact with a screw used with the means (34) to secure the connector (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Pressac Limited
    Inventor: Denis W. Tuckwood
  • Patent number: 4784623
    Abstract: A multi-contact electrical connector employing a plurality of terminals mounted in aligned compartments in an insulating housing is especially suited for establishing interconnection between flat conductors in a flat cable and closely spaced free standing pins or posts. This invention is especially suited for use in interconnecting pins and flat conductors on centerline spacings no greater than 0.050 inch. A conductor engaging portion having a horizontal base is joined to a pin engaging portion having resilient arms and a vertical base. The horizontal base is joined directly to the vertical base by an axial bend line and horizontal arms joined to the bend line are not connected directly to the horizontal base of the cable conductor interconnection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Hoy S. Beck, Jr.