With Mating Connection Region Formed By Bared Cable Patents (Class 439/495)
  • Patent number: 6116948
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a plurality of discrete electrical wires. The wires are adhered to a backing plate. The connector includes a housing defining a receptacle for receiving the electrical wires and the backing member. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing for contacting the electrical wires. An actuator is engageable with the backing member to maintain the discrete electrical wires in contact with the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 6099346
    Abstract: In a cable connector for use in connecting a cable having a first and a second surface opposite to each other in twin thickness direction thereof, a conductive contact has twin contact portions to be opposed to the first surface and a pivot portion to be opposed to the second surface. A handle is used for pressing the cable between the twin contact portions. The handle has a cam portion positioned between the pivot portion and the cable and is made with a hole in which the pivot portion is inserted with a clearance. The pivot portion has a concavity corresponding to the cam portion. The cam portion engages with the pivot portion so that the handle is rotatable around the pivot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Hashiguchi, Yu Tatebe, Kanji Inoue
  • Patent number: 6093055
    Abstract: An improved flat flexible cable connector (1) for a flat flexible cable (6) includes a housing (4), terminals (3) and an actuator (5) movable between an initial engagement position and a final engagement position. The terminals include integral contact pieces (16) that are deflected by a pushing piece (8) of the actuator during movement of the actuator to its final engagement position. When the actuator is in the final engagement position, the cable is held in position by way of projections (21) on the housing which engage and retain corresponding engagement holes (20) of the cable, and, at the same time, the pushing piece of the actuator presses conductors of the cable against contact areas of the contact pieces (16) of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakano
  • Patent number: 6089904
    Abstract: A FFC connector comprises a dielectric housing having top and bottom faces. The top face defines an elongate slot extending into the housing and the bottom face defining an entrance in communication with the elongate slot for insertion of a FFC cable. A plurality of terminal cells is defined in the housing and each terminal cell being in communication with the elongate slot. A plurality of terminals is assembled in the terminal cells and each terminal includes a base portion received in the housing and a spring arm extending from the terminal cell into the elongate slot. The terminal further forms a soldering tail for mounting to a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 6089905
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulator (101) having an opening portion (102) for receiving a connection member (30) at a predetermined position over a plurality of contacts (103). A pressing member (105) is rotatably supported by the insulator (101). A locking arrangement (12, 128) is for locking the pressing member to the insulator only when the connection member (130) is properly positioned at the predetermined position. A detecting arrangement (105d, 119) detects improper positioning of said connection member. The locking arrangement comprises a locking portion (125) formed on the insulator and an engaging projection (128) formed on the pressing member (105) to be engaged with the locking portion. The detecting arrangement (105d, 119) comprises a pair of locking arms (119) formed on the insulator and a detecting projection (105d) formed on the pressing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Minoru Shimmyo, Tomoyuki Totani, Akira Ohno, Yu Tatebe
  • Patent number: 6074221
    Abstract: Contact films 9 are provided on a socket body 6, and a pressing plate 11 can freely advance and retract so as to move outward from the upper surface of a substrate 1a of the display panel placed on the contact films 9. A clamp lever 14 is provided above the pressing plate. The pressing plate 11 is advanced to place the front end thereof on the substrate of the display panel, then the back surface of the pressing plate is pressed by the clamp lever 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Yasushi Kajiwara
  • Patent number: 6062900
    Abstract: An FFC connector having a strain relief comprises an elongate dielectric housing (10) having front and rear faces (10a, 10b). The front face (10a) defines a lengthwise slot (10c) for receiving a flat flexible cable (20) therein. The housing (10) defines a plurality of passageways (11) communicating with the slot (10c). Each passageway (11) receives a terminal (12) therein for electrically connecting with a conductor of the inserted flat flexible cable (20). A supporting platform (30) is assembled to the dielectric housing (10). An elongate latch (31) upwardly extends from a front periphery of the platform (30) thereby defining a receiving space therein. An edge of a backing plate (22) of the inserted flat flexible cable (20) interlocks with the supporting platform (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Juntwait
  • Patent number: 6056572
    Abstract: A connector for printed circuit boards, particularly for flexible ones such as FPC or FFC, has an insulating housing (2) with a recess (7) opened up and base contacts (3) held in the housing at regular intervals and each having a resilient beam (14) and an arm (5) integral with the beam. Each beam has a conductive protrusion (17) in the recess, and each arm extending along the housing's top into the recess has a pivotal end (18) facing the protrusion. An insulated pressing cover (4) engaging with the pivotal ends is rotatable between its pressing position adjacent to and its releasing position remote from the protrusions. The pivotal ends (18) lock the cover then pushing the circuit board (30) against the resilient beams (14). The cover has cover contacts (20) rotatably engaging with the pivotal ends and corresponding to the base contacts (3), so that the pivotal ends, the cover contacts (20) and the printed circuit board (30) are electrically connected to each other at the pressing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignees: Japan Solderless Terminal Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Matsumoto, Nobuhito Ebine, Toshikazu Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 6036532
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detachable connecting terminal which connects an electric conductor in the form of a wire or strand with an electroconductive contact bar, wherein a pivotedly positioned terminal disk in the housing forces the conductor against the contact bar when swivelled. According to the invention, the terminal disk has a knife which, together with a counter knife at the contact bar, separates the insulation from the conductor upon rotation of the terminal disk and forces the stripped portion of the conductor against the clamping region upon further rotation of the terminal disk. This joint can be separated with a suitable tool by pressing against a locking nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Vera Feistkorn
  • Patent number: 6030246
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with resilient contact portions spaced along the slot. An elongated support member is mounted on the housing for providing reinforcing support therefor. The support member is positioned for backing the resilient contact portions of the terminals to perform a dual function of providing reinforcing support behind the resilient contact portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 6027366
    Abstract: A flat cable is formed by disposing a layer of conductor lines on one side and a conductor layer on the other side, respectively, of an insulating support layer so as to provide a connection part having a laminated structure including the conductor lines, the insulating support layer and the conductor layer in this order. The flat cable is connected with a connector including a housing and contacts disposed to be connected with the conductor lines and the conductor layer on mutually opposite inner surfaces of the housing. The resultant connection structure effectively utilizes both surfaces of the flat cable to be reduced in size and allows a stable connection and a stable potential level of the conductor and conductor lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Mori, Toshimichi Ouchi, Kazuhiko Murayama
  • Patent number: 6022242
    Abstract: A connector used for a flexible flat cable, comprises: a housing having a plurality of contacts mounted therein, and a cap plate for capping and retaining a flexible flat cable set in the housing. The housing includes an opening for receiving the flexible flat cable and a recess formed substantially in the center of the opening in the longitudinal direction of the housing. Contact portions of contacts extend to the recess, and are mounted along the long side of the housing at a predetermined pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventor: Masao Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6017244
    Abstract: An interconnection mechanism (1) for electrically connecting circuit paths (2) on respective flexible printed circuits (3) has clamping jaws (4, 5) to clamp a stack (6) of overlapped flexible printed circuits (3) that are in fixed registration on said mechanism (1), the clamping jaws (4, 5) having directly opposed, raised surfaces (14, 15) forcing said circuit paths (2) between the surfaces (14, 15) to engage at multiple spaced locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Laurence Alan Daane
  • Patent number: 6010357
    Abstract: An electrical device is provided for facilitating the connection of the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. A flat flexible circuit includes a flap integral therewith and bent out of the flat plane thereof. A relatively inflexible backing structure is fixed in a supporting position behind the flap for providing relatively rigid support for the flap when mated with the complementary mating connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 6004156
    Abstract: A flat flexible cable connector includes an insulative housing defining a receiving cavity for movably receiving an actuator. The housing defines a plurality of channels for receiving and retaining conductive contacts. Each contact has a fixed arm retained in the housing and a resilient arm extending into the space. The actuator has a tongue insertable into the receiving cavity. The tongue has a top face for retaining a leading end of a flat flexible cable whereby when the tongue is inserted into the cavity, the flat flexible cable engages with the resilient arms of the contacts. A plurality of spaced slots are defined in a bottom face of the tongue for guidingly receiving the fixed arms of the contacts thereby guiding the insertion of the actuator into the housing and eliminating transverse oscillation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David Roque, Eric Juntwait
  • Patent number: 5993247
    Abstract: An electrical connection includes a wiring harness and an electrical device. The electrical device has a molded plastic support and a flexible printed circuit. The molded plastic support has an end wall that includes mechanical locks and the flexible printed circuit has a connector portion that overlies the end wall. The wiring harness includes a second flexible printed circuit and a plastic end connector that backs a connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit. A clamp bracket is attached to the end wall of the molded plastic support by mechanical locks and clamps the plastic end connector and the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit against the end wall with the connector portion of the second flexible printed circuit engaging the connector portion of the flexible printed circuit of the electrical device. The clamp bracket may be insert molded or an integral part of an automotive trim piece, such as inner door panel or instrument panel fascia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Louis Kidd
  • Patent number: 5967785
    Abstract: A cable holder for holding a flexible flat cable having a film portion, flat wires running in the film portion, a reinforcement portion where a reinforcement sheet is attached and notches formed respectively in opposite side edges of the reinforcement portion, to electrically connect the flexible flat cable to a connector. The cable holder comprises a holder body, a holder guide portion provided with the holder body, wherein an inner shape of the holder guide portion corresponds to an outer shape of the connector; and a cable holding portion having protuberances formed on the cable holding portion, for engaging respectively in the notches for holding the reinforcement portion of the flexible flat cable such that a distal end of the flexible flat cable projects into the holder guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Maeda, Kunio Sawai
  • Patent number: 5961344
    Abstract: A connector for removably joining a plurality of electrical terminals to a flat cable. The connector has a housing containing two eccentric cams mounted on separate, parallel axes. The cams are spring biased to a closed position wherein the adjacent surfaces are relatively close together and are rotatable by a push-button actuated release mechanism to an open position wherein the surfaces are relatively far apart. An end of the flat cable is stripped of insulation to expose the conductors and is inserted through an aperture in the housing and between the adjacent surfaces of the cams from a first direction. The plurality of terminals is inserted through a second aperture and between the adjacent surfaces of the cams from the opposite direction into overlapping relationship with the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Steven Rosales, William Gronowicz
  • Patent number: 5954537
    Abstract: The flexible flat cable has an insulating base film, at least two sets of conductor groups and an insulating cover layer for covering the conductor groups. An end of the cable has, on one surface thereof, conductor contact areas formed by directly and partially exposing conductors of the conductor groups or partially exposing conductor area electrically connected to the conductors. The conductor contact areas are aligned along the width of the cable for each conductor group. The connector for connecting the cable has a connector body and a retainer plate and pinches the cable between the connector body and the retainer plate and contacts the conductor contact areas of the cable to the corresponding contacts on the opposite sides of the connector body to make electrical connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Toshimitu Sonobe, Masakazu Koiso, Akiyoshi Oshitani
  • Patent number: 5944553
    Abstract: Bus bars are integrally fitted to a resin-made bus-bar holder by molding, conductor exposed sections of a flat cable and conductor exposed sections of wires are connected to these bus bars either by welding or by soldering, and the flat cable is inverted to the rear surface of the bus-bar holder and is sandwiched between the bus-bar holder and an under case. With this structure, a tensile force of the flat cable is not directly applied to the connection portion, and a connection structure of the flat cable with high reliability can be provided at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsu Yasui, Hideki Adachi
  • Patent number: 5934932
    Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for terminating a flat cable. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining an elongated opening for receiving a flat electrical cable. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions spaced along the opening. An actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat cable into the opening and a second position wherein a pressure plate of the actuator biases the cable against the contact portions of the terminals. The actuator includes at least one narrow projection at a leading edge of the pressure plate for preliminarily engaging a narrow portion of the flat cable to bias the cable against only some of the contact portions before the actuator is fully moved to its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Tomoaki Ito
  • Patent number: 5934933
    Abstract: A device that allows for simple cost effective connections to flexible multilayered circuits and flexible membrane switches. The invention provides a connecting device that includes a housing that has a base and a closeable lid. At least one contact is attached to the housing. One end of the contact(s) extends beyond the housing and is suitable for making a connection to an electrical circuit. The other end of the contact(s) is positioned inside the housing for connecting to the flexible circuit board or flexible membrane. The lid can be fixed in the closed position whereby the end of the contact(s) inside the housing is compressed with the flexible circuit. The lid can be attached to the base with a hinge, and when the lid is closed it snap locks in place so that the contact(s) are firmly held to the conductive pads of flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: David L. Kordecki, John Zdanys, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5928029
    Abstract: A low insertion force multi-pin connector for a flat flexible cable includes an insulative housing, conductive terminals mounted in the housing and a slide member which is laterally inserted into the housing to press a flat flexible cable against contact arms of the terminals. The terminals have pin portions which protrude through a header side of the housing. The connector is mounted to an external surface of an electrical device such that the header side of the housing projects outwardly to provide external electrical connection to the pin portions of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Joe Chua Sze Lam
  • Patent number: 5928027
    Abstract: An electrical connector system for terminating a flat flexible circuit. The circuit is elongated and of a given width and includes conductors extending longitudinally thereof. The circuit has a reinforcing plate defining a shoulder extending in the width direction of the circuit. An insulative housing has a plurality of terminals. An actuator is inserted into the housing for forcing the conductors of the flat flexible circuit into contact with the terminals. The actuator has an engaging portion extending in the width direction of the circuit for engaging the shoulder of the reinforcing plate and forcing the circuit into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 5924891
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (10) for flexible film circuitry (70) includes an insulative housing (14) having a film-receiving cavity (40) extending into a circuitry-receiving face (16) thereof, and further including flanges (30) at opposed ends of the cavity (40); and a locking bar (50) extending between the flanges (30) and affixed to the housing (14) to one side (41) of cavity (40) in a manner permitting movement toward and away from an opposed side (42) of the cavity (40). The locking bar (50) includes at least one projection (54) to be received through a corresponding hole (78) of the flexible film circuitry (70) upon full insertion of the circuitry into the cavity and actuation of the locking bar (50) to a locking position. The locking bar (50) includes ears (56) adjacent the flanges (30) that cooperate with the flanges (30) to define unactuated and actuated positions of the locking bar (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Karen Elizabeth Benjamin, John Lawrence Broschard, III, Brent David Yohn
  • Patent number: 5921785
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in an electric connector for a flat, flexible cable having conductors on one side comprising: an insulating housing having a cavity to receive the connecting end of a flat, flexible cable and a plurality of terminal pairs parallel arranged at regular intervals and fixed in the cavity; and an actuator slidably nested in the insulating housing. The actuator has a blade to press the connecting end of the flat, flexible cable against the contacts of the terminals of each pair when the blade of the actuator is inserted in the cavity of the insulating housing. The contacts of the terminals of each pair face one side of the blade, and are aligned and spaced from each other in the direction in which the flat, flexible cable is inserted in the cavity of the insulating housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Hidehiro Ii
  • Patent number: 5921808
    Abstract: A ribbon cable plug-in connector is provided for plug-in connection of a strip-type electrical ribbon cable. One end of the ribbon cable is provided with a locking rib that cooperates with a locking arm and locking shoulder of a plug-in connector housing when the ribbon cable is inserted into an opening of the plug-in connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventors: Johannes Haftmann, Andrea Wagner, Anders Karlstrom, Ewald Bell, Seref Ozdal, Harald Steinmetz, Josef Muhling
  • Patent number: 5911597
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a connector for flexible conductive line components suitable for a lower mounted profile in a device mounted on a printed circuit board. The connector comprises a metal plate, resilient spring portions, and connection terminal portions wherein the resilient portions, which allow the metal plate and individual contacts to accommodate and clamp a inserted flexible printed circuit parallel with respect to the printed circuit board, are disposed such that the lengthwise spring extension thereof lies in the parallel direction, leaving the height unaffected. The metal plate further comprises a substantially U-shaped transverse cross section which affords both a low mounting profile and a stable connection that experiences minimal bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Ace-Five Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Oshitani
  • Patent number: 5906504
    Abstract: A connecting member for electrically connecting a flat cable with a connector unit mounted on an electric apparatus, wherein an end portion of the flat cable has a projection projecting therefrom and exposed conductor portions of conductor lines in the cable, while the connecting member has a plurality of contacts supported in an insulator for electrically connecting with the connector and for electrically connecting with corresponding ones of the exposed portions. The insulator has a cavity into which a slider of insulator material is inserted together with the flat cable when the connecting member is connected at the end of the cable. The slider has a receiving surface for receiving the flat cable and a stop for engaging the projection of the flat cable to prevent the flat cable from removal of the receiving surface. Each of contacts has a contact portion and an engaging portion projecting in the cavity towards each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronic Industry, Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Igarashi, Mamoru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5904589
    Abstract: Flat cable connector 10 having numerous flat-plate-form contacts 30 in an insulating housing 20. Each contact 30 has a first arm 33 and a second arm 34coextending forwardly from a base part 31 so that the two arms are substantially parallel to each other. A contact point 35 is formed proximate the free end of the first arm 33, and an engaging projection is formed on the free end of the second arm 34 that protrudes beyond the front surface 23 of the insulating housing 20 The end portion of the flat cable 50 inserted between the arms 33 and 34is pressed by pushing the tongue part 42 of the slider 40inward so that a contact pressure is applied between the contact points 35 and the conductors of the flat cable 50Furthermore, the slider 40 is fastened to the insulating housing 20 via the contacts 30 by the latching engagement of an engaging recess 47 with the engaging projections 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushige Asakawa
  • Patent number: 5904586
    Abstract: A flexible board electrical connector includes an insulating housing having an opening and a pair of holding sections on opposite sides of the opening; a plurality of contact elements having fulcrum sections and spring contact sections disposed in the opening; a pressure member attached to the holding sections for rotation between a closed position where it is close to the contact elements and an open position where it is spaced apart from the closed position; the insulating housing having receiving faces for supporting a leading portion of a flexible board; the pressure member having a pressure edge and bearing faces such that when the pressure member is turned to the closed position, the pressure edge depresses the flexible board between the spring contact sections and the receiving faces while the bearing faces engage the fulcrum sections of the contact elements thereby preventing separation between the pressure member and the contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Takayasu
  • Patent number: 5902142
    Abstract: A connector for a flexible printed circuit board or flexible flat cable includes an insulator having an insertion opening for a flexible printed circuit board or a flexible flat cable, a plurality of contacts supported by the insulator, contact leg portions formed on the contacts, which come into elastic contact with an upper or lower inner surface of the insertion opening in the insertion direction, and a pusher which is adapted to elastically deform the contact leg portions to disconnect the latter from the inner surface of the insertion opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Kyocera Elco Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kondo, Naoki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5897393
    Abstract: A plug-in connector assembly for ribbon cables comprises a ribbon cable, a plug-in connector, a locking spring and a locking spring housing. The locking spring may engage the ribbon cable in a shape-mated fashion to provide lateral guidance of the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable may be configured with a recess for spring-actuated engagement to provide strain relieving locking of the ribbon cable and to provide a region of electrical contact with the locking spring to enhance shielding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Johannes Haftmann
  • Patent number: 5895287
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for terminating a flat cable. The connector includes a housing mounting a plurality of terminals in a generally parallel array. The housing has opposite sides and a front end, with an opening between the sides for receiving an end of the flat cable in engagement with contact portions of the terminals. A pressure member is rotatably mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing insertion of the flat cable into the opening and a second position pressing conductors of the flat cable against the contact portions of the terminals. Overhanging extensions project inwardly from the opposite sides of the housing to prevent release of the flat cable from the connector in the event undesired external forces are applied to the cable which would tend to bias the pressure member toward its first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Masashi Seto, Shinsuke Kunishi, Minoru Fukushima
  • Patent number: 5895280
    Abstract: An electrical plug-and-socket connector for conductive foils is designed so that it continues to operate reliably long-term under rough operating conditions. For this purpose, the plug-and-socket connector has a plug that can be assembled from a top part and a bottom part with the conductive foil glued into the plug and therefore sealed between these parts when the top part and the bottom part are joined. Furthermore, a sealing element is mounted peripherally on the plug, which is in close elastic contact with a peripheral sealing surface of the socket when the plug is inserted in a socket, and seals the joint between plug and socket. The electrical plug-and-socket connector for conductive foils is intended particularly for use in automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Buss, Ralph Schimitzek
  • Patent number: 5893775
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing to receive a flexible film conductor, wherein a plurality of contacts having a first fixed end and a second freely movable end is arranged inside the housing and where a pressing block is introduced an opening in the housing where the flexible film conductor is to be received to press the conductor against the second freely movable end thereby generating a spring force in the contact by stretching a spring portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Willem Robert Annokkee, Dolf Campschroer, Walter Randolph Verbeet
  • Patent number: 5882223
    Abstract: In a connector for connecting a flat connection object with a circuit board having a signal circuit and an earth circuit, the flat connection object has a conductive signal pattern and a conductive shield pattern opposite to each other. The connector is provided with an insulator housing holding a conductive hold down which is used in fixing the insulator housing onto the circuit board and is connected to the earth circuit. In order to connect the signal pattern with a contact held to the housing, a pressing member is used and moved relative to the insulator housing. The pressing member is conductive and is brought into contact with the conductive shield pattern and with the conductive hold down when the pressing member makes the flat connection object be connected to the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Delectronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Isao Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5871369
    Abstract: A connector comprises a plurality of movable terminals, a a frame for holding the plurality of movable terminals in a row at prescribed intervals, a contact bar for joining under pressure the plurality of movable terminals and the terminal conductors of a cable disposed on the plurality of the movable terminals, and a cover for pressing the contact bar, whereby the cable is connected to the connector by a simple operation without the use of special tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: I-PEX Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Obayashi, Eiji Kawabe, Shuichi Endo
  • Patent number: 5863217
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for a flat electrical cable. The connector includes a housing loaded with a plurality of terminals. An actuator is movable mounted on the housing for biasing the cable into engagement with the terminals. A latching system is operatively associated between the housing and the actuator for retaining the actuator on the housing. The latching system includes a first latch mechanism latchable in a first direction and a second latch mechanism latchable in a second direction distinct from and at an angle to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Hidehiro Ii, Tomoaki Ito
  • Patent number: 5842883
    Abstract: In a connector for use in connecting a connection member (33) of a sheet-like having first and second surfaces opposite to each other in a predetermined direction, a contact member (35) is provided with a first arm portion (53) extending to face the first surface and a second arm portion (54) connected to the first arm portion and extending to face the second surface. The first arm portion is for engaging with an operation member (39) to be moved by manual operation of the operation member in the predetermined direction. The second arm portion moves together with the first arm portion to become in contact with the second surface of the connection member. When the first arm portion is moved, bending is caused in a bendable portion (47) extending from a fixed portion (32) which is fixed to an insulator (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Isao Igarashi, Nobukazu Kato
  • Patent number: 5839917
    Abstract: A connector for a flat cable comprises a housing including a rectangular-shaped base portion defined by opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides and first and second side walls provided on the third and fourth sides. A plurality of first contacts each has a first contact convex and a first lead terminal. First contacts laterally extend from the first side toward the second side. First lead terminals project outward from the first side. First contact convex portions face upward and are provided at inner and top end portions of the first contacts. A plurality of second contacts are provided, each of which has a second contact convex and a second lead terminal. Second contacts laterally extend from the second side toward the first side. Second lead terminals project outward from the second side. Second contact convex portions face upward and are provided at inner and top end portions of the second contacts. Second contacts are discontinuously aligned at a second pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Takahashi, Kenichi Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 5839916
    Abstract: A device for connecting a flat cable to a wiring board in which the cable is composed of a plurality of layers. A first insulating layer carries a shield foil layer upon which a central insulation layer is placed. A plurality of conductors, parallel to each other and spaced apart transversely, are on the central layer and, in turn, are covered by a second insulating layer. The cable has a connecting end wherein the first layer and second layer are absent, thus exposing portions of the conductors and the shield layer for making contact with the device.The device itself is made up of a housing containing a series of cavities which correspond to the conductors. Each cavity contains a fixed terminal. The terminals project out of the cavities and contact the wiring board. The other ends of the contacts have a pressing element and a terminal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masamitsu Chishima
  • Patent number: 5816845
    Abstract: When a slide member of a connector is moved toward a provisionally-retained position, each slanting guided surface is moved into sliding contact with an associated slanting guide surface, and is guided by the guide surface, so that the posture of the slide member is inclined upwardly outwardly. During this movement, the slide member is not interrupted, and therefore an operator's fingers will not be disengaged from the slide member. Therefore, the slide member can be withdrawn in a single continuous motion. Additionally, another feature of the connector prevents a flat cable from being erroneously inserted into a slide member insertion space in a provisionally-retained condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Chishima, Yutaka Noro
  • Patent number: 5813877
    Abstract: A connector for a printed circuit board having a housing defining a hollow. There is a plurality of slits in the back wall and a terminal is inserted in each one. The terminal includes a pressing piece which is capable of flexing under the influence of the introduction of a retainer so that it is spaced apart from the circuit board. The gap therebetween is greater than the thickness of the board. The housing is also provided with weakened areas, including slits in the sides of the housing and a line of reduced thickness on an upper wall of the housing, which facilitate movement of the upper wall and the pressing piece into the flexed position. The gap therebetween is greater than the thickness of the board. After the retainer and circuit board have been fully inserted, the pressing piece returns to its rest position, in which the gap is equal to or less than the thickness of the circuit board. This provides a good electrical contact between the pressing piece and the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 5803752
    Abstract: There are two alternatives to a board-to-board connector. One alternative includes a first connector and a second connector. The assembly of the first connector and the second connector is capable of electrically connecting a hard circuit board to another hard circuit board. The other alternative includes the first connector and a cap. The assembly of the cap and the first connector is capable of electrically connecting a flexible circuit board to a hard circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert G. McHugh
  • Patent number: 5800204
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a slot for receiving a flat electrical cable. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a housing wall defining one side of the slot. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing, with contact portions of the terminals spaced along the housing wall and projecting into the slot. A sheet metal support is mounted on the housing and has a support wall defining an opposite side of the slot. The sheet metal support is folded back onto itself to provide a double thickness for the support wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Toshihiro Niitsu
  • Patent number: 5785549
    Abstract: A flexible board electrical connector includes an insulating housing having an opening and a pair of holding sections on opposite sides of the opening; a plurality of contact elements having fulcrum sections and spring contact sections disposed in the opening; a pressure member attached to the holding sections for rotation between a closed position where it is close to the contact elements and an open position where it is spaced apart from the closed position; the insulating housing having receiving faces for supporting a leading portion of a flexible board; the pressure member having a pressure edge and bearing faces such that when the pressure member is turned to the closed position, the pressure edge depresses the flexible board between the spring contact sections and the receiving faces while the bearing faces engage the fulcrum sections of the contact elements thereby preventing separation between the pressure member and the contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Takayasu
  • Patent number: 5779498
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to reduce housing size and make it possible to provide connections between connecting members of a flat cable and electrical terminals at a high density in a limited housing space, while minimizing the number of flat cables mounted in the housing and keeping flat cable manufacturing costs down. The flat cable connector 10 comprises a housing 20 which accommodates and holds a plurality of electrical terminals 30, a slider member 40 which is supported on the housing 20 so that the slider member 40 can slide back and forth, and a flat cable 50 which is positioned in the housing 20 and connected with the terminals 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Kazushige Asakawa
  • Patent number: 5775938
    Abstract: A connector for a flat cable having a hollow casing with a cavity therein. The cavity receives a leading end of the flat cable through a front opening in the casing. The cable has a plurality of flat terminals on both sides of the leading end. Complementary front and rear terminals are inserted into the cavity from front and rear openings in the casing. Each set of terminals contacts one side of the leading end of the cable. The leads from each set of terminals extend outwardly of the casing in opposite directions, thereby reducing the density of leads and facilitating assembly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Noro, Hideto Nakamura, Masamitsu Chishima
  • Patent number: 5741154
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for connecting a flat cable. The connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of conductive terminals. The housing has a front end adapted for receiving the flat cable in engagement with the terminals, a rear end and opposite sides. An actuator is pivotally mounted on the housing for pivotal movement between a first position allowing insertion of the flat cable into engagement with the terminals and a second position biasing the cable against the terminals. An independent engagement part is mounted on the housing and includes a pivot about which the actuator is pivotable between said positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Mitsuo Fujikura, Shinsuke Kunishi, Minoru Fukushima