With Selectable Circuit, E.g., Plug Board Patents (Class 439/43)
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Patent number: 5599190Abstract: A communications wiring system includes a communications network interface device for routing a plurality of source signals between respective ones of a plurality of types of electrical sources and a number of reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly selectively establishes electrical connection with predetermined ones of the electrical sources, via a cable. The communications network interface device receives and splits the source signals into a predetermined number of subsignals which are routed to respective reconfigurable outlet assemblies. Each reconfigurable outlet assembly includes an outlet and a number of interchangeable electrical connectors, such as modular jacks, adapted to be removably mounted to the outlet for establishing electrical connection with a predetermined electrical source. In order to establish electrical connection with a different electrical source, a first electrical connector can be removed and a second electrical connector can be inserted therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1995Date of Patent: February 4, 1997Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventor: A. David Willette
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Patent number: 5549489Abstract: Disclosed is a connector module which permits a make-before-break contact when inserting jumper or test access leads. The stem portions of the contacts make physical and electrical contact at two points which are aligned with slots in the module so that one point remains closed while one point opens due to lead insertion. Ribs may also be provided to guide the lead insertion and control deflection of the leads and stems.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: William C. Baggett, Elliot A. Baines, Jr., Wayne S. Filus, Dianne W. Gilland, Theodore E. Kluska, Wayne D. Larsen, Mark G. Spaulding, Jeremia P. Starace
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Patent number: 5544004Abstract: In a pin-board matrix switch X- and Y-direction patterns are arranged in the X and Y directions to constitute a matrix. Crosspoint holes are formed at the crosspoints between the X- and Y-direction patterns. Each crosspoint hole has contacts formed therein. The contacts are connected to the patterns. A connecting pin has contact springs. The connecting pin is selectively inserted into the crosspoint holes to electrically connecting the contacts of the X-direction patterns and the Y-direction patterns which are adjacent to each other in the Z direction. Insulating members are arranged between the X- and Y-direction patterns. At least one pair of the X-direction patterns and the Y-direction patterns is constituted by first and second wiring layers arranged in the Z direction via insulating members.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 1994Date of Patent: August 6, 1996Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone CorporationInventors: Shuichiro Inagaki, Tadashi Hirono, Shigefumi Hosokawa
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Patent number: 5510960Abstract: A motor control unit for use in an electrical enclosure is provided, the motor control unit includes a connector stab assembly of a molded plastic housing having a base portion, at least one jaw connector cover extending from one side of the base portion and a corresponding bar cover extending from the other side of the base portion opposite the jaw connector. The jaw connector cover includes a pair of opposing u-shaped sidewall members. A metal bar is provided having a first end extending through the base into the jaw connector cover and a second end extending through the bar cover. The second end of the metal bar is adapted for connection to a wire conductor. A pair of jaw fingers extend from the first end of the metal bar and are partially enclosed in the jaw connector cover and are adapted to secure to a vertical bus bar. A pair of spring members are secured to the first end of the metal bar and engage each one of the jaw fingers for biasing the jaw fingers toward each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Square D CompanyInventor: Gary M. Rosen
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Patent number: 5480309Abstract: A universal laminated base board assembly for connecting an integrated circuit device to a pcb has a series of alternating, overlying, conductive and insulating layers with two of the conductive layers providing ground and current lines on respective opposite faces. A plurality of through-holes extend through the layers and insulated from the conductive layers for receiving respective socket forming body portions of contact elements selected from signal, current and grounding types with the signal contact elements remaining insulated from the conductive layers and the current and grounding types having conductive layer connecting portions bridging the insulation into connection with the current and ground layers respectively. The contact elements are inserted in those through holes which are aligned with signal, current and ground line terminal lead pins, respectively, of the particular device chosen, adapting the base board to any one of a variety of different devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 2, 1996Assignee: Kel CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Arisaka
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Patent number: 5479320Abstract: A printed circuit board modular assembly is disclosed. The disclosed invention comprises a first printed circuit board having an electronic terminal portion for providing electrical connection to the first printed circuit board; a second printed circuit board having an electrical terminal portion for providing electrical connection to the second printed circuit board; a spacing member disposed between the first and second printed circuit boards; and electrical signal transmission contacts situated on the spacing member for providing electrical connection between the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1993Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Compaq Computer CorporationInventors: H. Scott Estes, James J. Ganthier
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Patent number: 5452175Abstract: A construction of a panel includes at least one opening defined therein, a first and a second box are respectively disposed beside the opening of the panel, each of the first and second boxes has a hole defined therein and an extending live line and an extending ground line respectively extend from the first box and the second box and extend along sides defining the opening, one end of the extending live/ground line is in communication with the corresponding holes of the first and the second boxes. The extending live and extending ground lines are respectively and electrically connected to an electrical element disposed in the panel, which has two conductive plates extending therefrom, each of the conductive plates has an L-shaped plate extending transversely therefrom so as to receive the extending live/ground lines between the L-shaped plate and the conductive plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1994Date of Patent: September 19, 1995Inventor: Pei-Lien Tsai
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Patent number: 5446626Abstract: A printed circuit board that is formed as a shaped part of plastic. Interconnects formed of punched leadframes are embedded into this printed circuit board in one or more planes. Moreover, flat plugs are integrally formed by the leadframes. Components, particularly relays, are preferably welded to bent-off tabs of the leadframes.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Dittmann, Erwin Kruger
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Patent number: 5374200Abstract: The fully programmable DIN connectors constructed in accordance with the present invention have housing bodies comprised of a plurality of like cells that are each capable of receiving shorting clips and that, when shorting clips are selectively received therewithin, enable the same housing body to be programmed to satisfy the requirements of all possible applications. The shorting clips are preferably top loadable into the housing body, plural sockets are preferably bottom loadable therewithin and a top cover is attached to the fully programmable housing body.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1993Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: Augat Inc.Inventor: David C. Giroux
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Patent number: 5325269Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention is capable of housing a plurality of plug-in packages, each plug-in package being provided with a first connector. The apparatus includes, a housing having a front panel on which a plurality of insertion openings is provided through which openings the plug-in packages can be inserted into the housing, a first edge of each of the plug-in packages leading and a second edge of each of the plug-in packages trailing when inserting, a mother board mounted in the housing, the mother board having a plurality of second connectors fixed thereon, each second connector corresponding to one of the insertion openings formed on the panel, and a supporting member for pivotably supporting the first edge of each of the plug-in packages which was inserted in the housing so that the first connector faces to a corresponding one of the second connectors of the mother board.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Syouji Someno
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Patent number: 5293636Abstract: A computer system with a number of subsystems or modules on separate circuit boards employs electronic keying to ensure proper configuration of these boards. A power key arrangement associated with a plug-in connector enables a separate power supply for each set of boards. A power supply turn-on signal is routed through a uniquely-configured connector path for each board, so the power supply turn-on is inhibited for improper configurations. The uniquely-configured connector path may use either a series or a parallel implementation. The series implementation employs a set of diodes connected for conduction in either of two directions, with the mating connector having its conductor paths connected to match the diode configuration; in this manner, the power supply enable signal can only flow through the series path if the proper board is plugged into a properly-coded slot, in which case the power supply to activate this board is activated through the series path including the diodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1992Date of Patent: March 8, 1994Assignee: Tandem Computers IncorporatedInventors: William P. Bunton, John M. Brown, Patricia L. Whiteside
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Patent number: 5291377Abstract: A schematic patch panel includes an enlargement of a customer's floor plan that is dry mounted to a piece of 1/4 foamcore board or located on a plate, preferably by printing. The board is mounted in a frame that can be configured with a clear, locking cover for security purposes. The entire assembly is mounted on the customer's wall by brackets. At each of the computer wall outlet locations depicted on the dry mounted floor plan, a double-sided RJ-45 panel jack is inserted through the floor plan. These panel jacks snap into the floor plan, requiring no other means of fastening. Any wall outlet depicted on the schematic patch panel is activated by connecting a telephone-type extension cable between the network central controller and that wall outlet icon. By this transfer, a different unshielded twisted pair cable connection line is activated and the individualized identifiers and other information particular to a certain terminal are also transferred.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1931Date of Patent: March 1, 1994Inventor: Thomas H. DiGiovanni
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Patent number: 5277606Abstract: A fully programmable connector is provided in which selected ones of the connector contacts can be electrically shorted within the same connector housing body. The housing body includes a plurality of identical cells each containing an electrical contact and each configured to contain a shorting clip. One or more shorting clips are retained in intended cells of the housing body to short circuit the corresponding contacts.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1993Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Augat Inc.Inventors: David C. Giroux, David W. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 5266043Abstract: A fully programmable connector is provided in which selected ones of the connector contacts can be electrically shorted within the same connector housing body. The housing body includes a plurality of identical cells each containing an electrical contact and each configured to contain a shorting clip. One or more shorting clips are retained in intended cells of the housing body to short circuit the corresponding contacts.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1992Date of Patent: November 30, 1993Assignee: Augat Inc.Inventors: David C. Giroux, David W. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 5259776Abstract: The fully programmable DIN connectors constructed in accordance with the present invention have housing bodies comprised of a plurality of like cells that are each capable of receiving shorting clips and that, when shorting clips are selectively received therewithin, enable the same housing body to be programmed to satisfy the requirements of all possible applications. The shorting clips are preferably top loadable into the housing body, plural sockets are preferably bottom loadable therewithin and a top cover is attached to the fully programmable housing body.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1992Date of Patent: November 9, 1993Assignee: Augat Inc.Inventor: David C. Giroux
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Patent number: 5233505Abstract: A security device for protecting electronically-stored data comprising a protected circuit board which has a memory device for storing data code and a battery, a plurality of protective circuit boards respectively overlaid on each side of the protected circuit board, and a plurality of connectors connected between the protected circuit board and the protective circuit boards, wherein the printed circuit on each protective circuit board is respectively connected to the printed circuit on the protected circuit board forming into a series electronic circuit. Detaching either protective circuit board from said protected circuit board or damaging either protective circuit board will break the series electronic circuit causing any code data stored in the memory device to be erased.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1991Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Yeng-Ming ChangInventors: Yeng-Ming Chang, Wing-Fai Chun
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Patent number: 5203004Abstract: A computer system with a number of subsystems or modules on separate circuit boards employs electronic keying to ensure proper configuration of these boards. A power key arrangement associated with a plug-in connector enables a separate power supply for each set of boards. A power supply turn-on signal is routed through a uniquely-configured connector path for each board, so the power supply turn-on is inhibited for improper configurations. The uniquely-configured connector path may use either a series or a parallel implementation. The series implementation employs a set of diodes connected for conduction in either of two directions, with the mating connector having its conductor paths connected to match the diode configuration; in this manner, the power supply enable signal can only flow through the series path if the proper board is plugged into a properly-coded slot, in which case the power supply to activate this board is activated through the series path including the diodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1990Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Tandem Computers IncorporatedInventors: William P. Bunton, John M. Brown, Patricia L. Whiteside
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Patent number: 5156557Abstract: An electrical interconnection assembly which prevents a slack of insulated wire pieces interconnecting wire receiving terminals and is high in reliability in electric connection between them and suitable for high density wiring. The assembly comprises an insulating support body, a plurality of wire receiving terminals mounted on the insulating support body and each having a wire receiving slot formed at an end portion thereof, each of the wire receiving terminals having a terminal portion at the other end thereof, an insulated wire selectively received in the slots of the wire receiving terminals and cut into a plurality of wire pieces in such a manner as to form a predetermined wiring pattern, and a plurality of wire holding bosses provided on the insulating support body for holding intermediate portions of the wire pieces extending between the wire receiving terminals to retain the insulated wire in the predetermined wiring pattern.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1991Date of Patent: October 20, 1992Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Osamu Okafuji, Akiyoshi Sato, Akio Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 5078609Abstract: A wiring module is provided for use in a jack type electrical connector system and includes an insulative base module having a plurality of holes. At least two sets of electrical circuits are disposed within the thickness of the base module. The two sets of electrical circuits are insulatively separated from each other. Each set includes a plurality of circuits, and each circuit has a lead portion exposed at a side of the base module for electrical connection with a complementary terminal of a mating connector device. Each circuit in each set of circuits includes a contact portion exposed in a respective one of the holes in the base module. Therefore, a terminating device inserted into any one of the holes in the base module will engage a contact portion of one of the circuits in both sets thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1991Date of Patent: January 7, 1992Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Christophe A. Bouchan, Marcel D. Andre
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Patent number: 5057026Abstract: To standardize electric junction boxes so that the internal circuits can be applied to various requirements without markedly changing parts, the junction box is divided into plural stackable distributing units each connectable to each subharness via each subharness connector. The junction box comprises a plurality of stackable distributing units including a plurality of parallel arranged wires connectable with at least one external subharness; wire shorting bus bars or wire branch bars arranged so as to cross the parallel arranged wires; and an interlayer connecting unit or plural interlayer connecting terminals arranged so as to cross the surfaces of the plural distributing units for connecting the parallel arranged wires and the wire shorting bus bars arranged on different distributing units. Further, when male connector terminals are provided on each distributing unit, it is possible to form a subharness connector by use of these male connector terminals on each distributing unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignee: Yazaki CorporationInventors: Mamoru Sawai, Mitsugu Watanabe, Hiroshi Suzuki, Keiichi Ozaki
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Patent number: 5055973Abstract: A printed circuit board contains a plurality of component contacts for receipt of electronic components and a plurality of electrically conductive traces, each trace being electrically connected to a corresponding one of the component contacts. A corresponding plurality of interconnect holes is formed on a selected portion of the printed circuit board with each interconnect hole contacting uniquely a corresponding one of the plurality of electrically conductive traces. A multiplicity of custom conductive traces are then formed in an interconnect region such that each of the multiplicity of conductive traces interconnects at least one of the interconnect holes to at least one other interconnect hole thereby to form an electrically conductive path between each of the interconnect holes interconnected by the custom conductive traces.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Aptix CorporationInventor: Amr M. Mohsen
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Patent number: 5031073Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically connecting circuitry on a printed circuit board having a plurality of circuit regions, with each circuit region having components operatively associated with input and output signal lines that are electrically isolated from the signal lines of adjacent circuit regions. The input and output signal lines of a particular circuit region are arranged in a closely spaced pattern aligned with a corresponding pattern of traces on an adjacent circuit region. A plurality of connector members are selectively attached to the printed circuit board to provide signal communication among the regions. Each connector member has closely spaced conductive bars which are exposed to contact the signal lines. The conductive bars have a length and a pitch such that the bars place parallel trace patterns in electrical communication when pressed in place.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: Cheng-Cheng Chang
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Patent number: 4813886Abstract: A microwave device including various electromagnetically isolated components assembled with a microwave distribution bar in a single housing. A microwave distribution bar is formed to distribute microwave energy to those individual components which are selectively connected thereto.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: EIP Microwave, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Roos, Walter J. Messmer, III
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Patent number: 4799891Abstract: This invention provides a dual contacting apparatus for a chip-card and a contact set therefor, for use with chip-cards on which the contacts are located at different locations. A flat cable (24) is arranged in a manner such that it provides for a series or parallel connection of the insulation displacement contacts of the contact elements of the contact set to contact one type of card and the contact elements are adapted to contact the other type of card.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 1987Date of Patent: January 24, 1989Assignee: Amphenol CorporationInventors: Manfred Reichardt, Eberhard Raab
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Patent number: 4789344Abstract: A molded insulating housing is received in a slot in a rear panel of a removable control unit to extend on front and rear sides of the panel. Solid bus conductors mounted in the housing have their opposite ends disposed within front and rear openings in the housing. Plug-in connector clips are affixed to the solid bus conductors adjacent the rear openings for plug-in connection with control center vertical bus bars. The solid bus conductors are afforded limited transverse sliding movement within the housing relative to the vertical bus bars for self-alignment of the plug-in connector clips with the bus bars. Bolted connection of the solid bus conductors to control apparatus is effected at the front of the control unit using a solid preformed connector strap.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1987Date of Patent: December 6, 1988Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Ronald J. Fritsch, Allan E. Grams
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Patent number: 4764849Abstract: A coaxial data bus distribution apparatus for coupling a variable number of peripheral devices to the data bus with a predetermined electrical distance between each point of coupling. A coaxial cable of predetermined length is connected between the output connector of a first input-output pair of coaxial connectors and the input of a second pair of coaxial connectors. Connection between the coaxial connector pair, mounted on a bus interconnect board, and a peripheral device is made by a predetermined length two wire non-coaxial connection to a peripheral device back plane.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1986Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventor: Safina J. Khan
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Patent number: 4735574Abstract: An electrical connector for mating with a terminal assembly to complete an electrical connection with an insulation displacement terminal of the terminal assembly is disclosed. The connector comprises a dielectric housing having a latch for releasably latching the connector in a predetermined position on the terminal assembly and a male electrical contact member carried on the housing for insertion into the insulation displacement terminal. The electrical contact member has an inclined lateral surface for intimately contacting a surface of the insulation displacement terminal over an extended area when the housing is latched in its predetermined position on the terminal assembly. The extended area of contact is more resistant to wear and less vulnerable to oxidation than a point or line contact would be, particularly over repeated matings and unmatings of the connector with the terminal assembly.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1987Date of Patent: April 5, 1988Assignee: Northern Telecom LimitedInventors: Laurence A. J. Beaulieu, George Debortoli
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Patent number: 4701134Abstract: An electrical connector device for use in providing selectively switchable electrical connections between respective terminals of two circuit elements, comprising a unitary housing of electrically insulating material carrying a plurality of first socket terminals open to one face of the housing for receipt of terminals of a first circuit element, and carrying a plurality of second terminals projecting from a second face of the housing opposite to said one face, for connection to the second circuit element, and a plurality of individually operable switching elements each having an associated conductive portion which projects beyond said one face of the housing and each being selectively operable between a conductive state providing an electrical connection between said conductive portion and respective first and second terminals, a first non-conductive state in which said conductive portion is connected only to the associated first socket terminal, and a second non-conductive state in which said conductive porType: GrantFiled: April 16, 1986Date of Patent: October 20, 1987Assignee: PolyhitechInventor: Graeme P. Jones
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Patent number: 4684765Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a bus assembly which comprises a bus insulation plate having a base which includes a plurality of terminal stations and a plurality of guide stations. The terminal stations and guide stations are separated from each other so as to provide a network of wire channels which communicate with wire passages which extend through the terminal and guide stations. The terminal stations also have terminal cavities which extends through the base to intersect the wire passages. The bus assembly further includes electrical busses comprising lengths of electrically conductive wire which pass through various terminal and guide stations via the network of wire channels.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1986Date of Patent: August 4, 1987Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Lawrence R. Beck, Andrew J. Kocjan, Richard A. Natoli, Louis J. Liguore
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Patent number: 4678251Abstract: The installation system accommodates modular circuit boards, each board providing several RJ-11-style jacks. The circuit boards are secured to the front panel in a parallel, spaced apart configuration using mounting brackets which have metal shield plates to minimize cross talk and radio interference. Connections between a central computer and peripheral devices are conveniently made by plugging jumper cables into selected jacks. The jacks are arranged in a compact matrix with all entrance cables being provided with solderless connectors and being laid side-by-side and secured to the circuit board with tie straps. A method of interfacing a computer to peripheral devices is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1986Date of Patent: July 7, 1987Assignee: Installation Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephen J. Willard
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Patent number: 4676566Abstract: A shunt connecting apparatus is equipped with a rectangular housing made of insulating material, housing to which rows of terminals are attached, and an elastic contact piece for shunting two adjacent terminals. Guide grooves are formed between the terminals of the housing. The end of the elastic contact piece widens and contains a cutout. The contact piece is selectively inserted into one of the guide grooves such that adjacent terminals are shunted by the widened portion of the contact piece elastically contacting adjacent terminals.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1986Date of Patent: June 30, 1987Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventor: Hiroshi Abe
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Patent number: 4673108Abstract: A beverage dispensing gun includes a case housing a replaceable nozzle, which defines a number of liquid passageways, and a beverage selection button array. The liquid passageways are connected to flexible liquid lines. A printed circuit (PC) board, mounted within the case underlying the button array, includes pressure actuated switches actuated when the corresponding button is depressed. Holes in the rigid PC board beneath each button house light emitting diodes to light up the buttons to aid visibility. The PC board is protected from moisture using a flexible plastic film on the upper surface and a rubber boot covering the bottom and the peripheral edge of the PC board. A metal band sealingly secures the peripheral edge of the rubber boot to the PC board. The speed of the liquid is reduced as it passes through the nozzle by increasing the area of the passageway. This is achieved by either injecting the fluid into a common, enlarged passageway section or by enlarging each passageway with a venturi region.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1983Date of Patent: June 16, 1987Inventor: Heiko T. de Man