Laterally Flexed Finger On Coupling Part Patents (Class 439/557)
  • Patent number: 6361242
    Abstract: A connector security latching mechanism for enabling the quick and easy mounting of a connector includes a connector bracket for positioning at least one connector. The connector bracket includes a first end and a second end. A housing bracket for receiving the connector bracket in a predetermined orientation. The housing bracket includes a first end and a second end. A latching mechanism is provided on at least one of the first end and the second end of the connector bracket for enabling a latch to normally engage and lock with at least one of the first end and the second end of the housing bracket. A tool is provided for permitting the disconnection of the latching mechanism from the housing bracket. The tool permits authorized personnel to disengage the latching mechanism for removal of the connector bracket from the housing bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Publication number: 20020031955
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an insert for a jack. The insert includes a connector mount having a main body including a first side positioned opposite from a second side. The connector mount also includes a snap-fit connection structure positioned at the main body for securing the connector mount to the jack, a divider positioned at the first side of the main body, and an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the main body. A plurality of contact springs are separated by the divider, and a plurality of insulation displacement terminals are housed by the insulation displacement terminal housing. The insert further includes a circuit board that provides electrical connections between the insulation displacement terminals and the contact springs. The circuit board is mounted at the second side of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc
    Inventors: John David Schmidt, Roy Henneberger, David Coppock, Bradley Kessler
  • Patent number: 6334792
    Abstract: A telecommunications electrical connector positions the contacts in a manner to reduce crosstalk problems. An insert assembly positions the spring contacts within a jack for electrical contact with the contacts of a plug. The insert assembly staggers the relative positions of adjacent spring contacts in the y-direction, and staggers the spring contact pivot points in the x-direction, yet maintains a common contact region for all the spring contacts for contacting the contacts of the plug. The distal ends of alternating spring contacts are positioned so as to increase the isolation between adjacent springs. The insert assembly includes selected air passages between spring contacts mounted to the insert assembly to increase isolation and selected dielectric to increase crosstalk cancellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Schmidt, Chansy Phommachanh
  • Patent number: 6325667
    Abstract: Projections 9a, 9b are provided on a lower face of a circumferential area of a bore 14 in a connector 3. When a wire insertion tube 5 of a bracket 2 is fitted in the bore 14, the bracket 2 and the connector 3 can be tightly fitted due to elastic forces created when a peripheral part of the wire insertion tube 5 is deflected by action of the projections 9a, 9b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Patent number: 6322389
    Abstract: A connection assurance bracket system (100) which is interfaced between mutually interconnectable first and second connectors (108, 118) to provide assurance of the connection therebetween and eliminate relative motion therebetween. A connection assurance bracket (102) has a flattened horseshoe-shaped base (104) defining a rectangular cut-out (145), wherein a cantilever beam (106) projects normally therefrom. The first connector includes a pump-handle lock (110) for engaging a ramped boss (120) of the second connector. The pump-handle lock features a beam seat (112) for receiving a distal end portion (106a) of the cantilever beam, wherein the distal end (106b) thereof has a lip (140). The first connector further includes left and right rear guide tabs (114, 116) which abut opposing left and right end walls (126, 128) of the cut-out, as well as left and right forward guide tabs (162, 164) for respectively engaging left and right tab collets (122, 124) of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Reese, William G. Flask, John H. Bakker, Brian R. Nagy, Matthew K. Monden
  • Patent number: 6315606
    Abstract: A blind mate male connector has a dielectric housing having a rear surface and an opposite mating surface. A spacer plate integrally traverses an intermediate portion of the first housing. A pair of guiding posts extends from the spacer plate and beyond an imaginary plane of the mating surface of the dielectric housing for firstly engaging with a complementary connector when the male connector is initially engaged with a complementary connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jenq-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 6315607
    Abstract: An electrical system comprises a panel defining at least an opening and a retaining hole therein. A first connector is adapted to be attached to the panel. A panel-mount attachment is engageable with the retaining hole for attaching the electrical connector to the panel. The panel-mount attachment includes a base plate in which a housing of the connector is integrally formed therewith, and a supporting post extending from the base plate. At least a deflectable vane sector extends outward and downward from an top portion of the post toward the base plate and a gap defined between a free end of the vane sector and the base plate for receiving the panel therebetween. The attachment further includes a guiding device formed in the supporting post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenq-Yih Hwang, Andrew Cheng
  • Publication number: 20010016431
    Abstract: A base member 37 is disposed between a roof panel 33 and a roof trim 35 and attached to the roof panel 33 by means of a panel engagement member 51. The base member 37 is provided with a first connecting section 53 for holding a terminal 41a of a power supply electric wire 41. A bracket body 39 attached with a shaft 38 of a sun visor body is provided with protrusions 39a to be engaged with elastic pieces 52 formed with the base member 37. The bracket body 39 is also provided with a second connecting section 34 for holding a terminal 56 of a connection electric wire 42a and a third connecting section 36 for holding a terminal 57 of an electric wire 42b for earth. A first conductive screw 43 piercing the first and second connecting sections fixes the bracket onto the base member 37 and an engagement hole 33a together with a second conductive screw 45 piercing through the third connecting section and a screw hole 33c.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Masahiro Sawayanagi, Toshiya Togi
  • Patent number: 6273752
    Abstract: A modular connector panel has a planar front panel with opposite surfaces. A plurality of panel openings extend through the panel in an aligned array. Support members extend from a surface of the panel and have near ends connected to the panel and remote ends spaced from the panel. Abutments extend laterally from the remote ends of the support members and parallel to the panel, and have abutment surfaces facing the panel. The abutments are arranged in pairs, with each pair being aligned with a panel opening. A connector can be coupled by engaging a pair of abutments and extending into a panel opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Dale D. Martin, Steven O. Fournier, Rudolph A. Montgelas
  • Patent number: 6257910
    Abstract: An apparatus (60) for association with an electrical connector (68) includes an igniter (62) actuatable to initiate actuation of an inflator (10) in response to receiving an electrical signal. The igniter has a pair of electrical terminals (64, 66) for electrical contact with the electrical connector (68). The apparatus (60) includes a retainer (70) for supporting the igniter (62) adjacent the inflator (10). The retainer (70) has a recess (94). The apparatus (60) includes a shorting clip (100) for maintaining the electrical connector (68) in electrical contact with the electrical terminals (64, 66) and for establishing a short circuit between the electrical terminals when the electrical connector is not in electrical contact with the electrical terminals. The shorting clip (100) includes a main body portion (102) and at least one locking foot (140, 150) movable relative to the main body portion and into the recess (94) in the retainer (70) for attaching the shorting clip to the igniter (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent J. Mramor
  • Patent number: 6257925
    Abstract: A connector assembly comprises a first connector and a second connector, with a printed circuit board located therebetween. The first connector comprises a first mating housing and a socket integrally connected to the first mating housing. The second connector comprises a second mating housing, a first board lock and a second board lock integrally connected to the second mating housing. The printed circuit board defines a first hole, a second hole and a third hole in such locations respectively corresponding to the locations of the second mating housing, the second board lock, and the first board lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis B. Jones
  • Publication number: 20010005642
    Abstract: Projections 9a, 9b are provided on a lower face of a circumferential area of a bore 14 in a connector 3. When a wire insertion tube 5 of a bracket 2 is fitted in the bore 14, the bracket 2 and the connector 3 can be tightly fitted due to elastic forces created when a peripheral part of the wire insertion tube 5 is deflected by action of the projections 9a, 9b.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Patent number: 6241551
    Abstract: There is provided a divided-type connector comprising a male connector 20 and a female connector 40, one of the connectors being divided-type into a plurality of connector units, so that each of the connector units so divided-type is coupled to the other connector, wherein the one of the connectors comprises a fixing part 23 having an opening hole 24 formed in a coupling face thereof and a moving part 22 adapted to be received in the opening hole 24 for locking therein with a part thereof being left projecting from the coupling face in a coupling direction, and wherein after the moving part 22 is coupled to the other connector, the fixing part 23 is coupled to the other connector while the moving part 22 is being moved in a direction opposite to the coupling direction into the fixing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6238242
    Abstract: An electrical system comprises a computer enclosure having at least a panel thereof and which defines an opening with a pair of retaining lugs extending from edges of the opening. A connector is adapted to be assembled to the panel and includes a housing with a mating portion aligned to the opening. The housing includes a front flange portion engaged with the retaining lugs when the connector is assembled to the panel. An interlocking device arranged between the panel and the housing, which includes locking arms extending from the housing toward the panel, and a cutout formed on the retaining lug for engagement with a free end of each locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jenq-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 6234836
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an insert for a jack. The insert includes a connector mount having a main body including a first side positioned opposite from a second side. The connector mount also includes a snap-fit connection structure positioned at the main body for securing the connector mount to the jack, a divider positioned at the first side of the main body, and an insulation displacement terminal housing positioned at the first side of the main body. A plurality of contact springs are separated by the divider, and a plurality of insulation displacement terminals are housed by the insulation displacement terminal housing. The insert further includes a circuit board that provides electrical connections between the insulation displacement terminals and the contact springs. The circuit board is mounted at the second side of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Schmidt, Roy Henneberger, David Coppock, Bradley Kessler
  • Patent number: 6231385
    Abstract: An electrical connector mountable at an opening in a panel comprises a dielectric housing with terminals received therein, a shield enclosing the housing, a cable terminated to the terminals, and an insulative casing molded to engage with a rear end portion of the housing and a front end of the cable. A first latch is formed on each side wall of the shield for engaging with a corresponding second latch formed by the panel on each side edge of the opening. A top wall of the shield is accommodated in an upper slot defined between the housing and the casing and is spaced from an upper surface of the housing. A lower slot is also defined between the casing and the housing for receiving a support plate provided by the panel on a bottom edge of the opening thereby securely retaining the connector in position relative to the panel. The casing is made from resilient material and has a push portion at a top, front end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Kuo
  • Patent number: 6210217
    Abstract: An electrical connector system includes an electrical connector and a conductive panel for mounting the electrical connector thereon. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing and a shell enclosing the insulative housing. The shell has a top surface, a bottom surface and a pair of side surfaces. A top flange, a bottom flange and a pair of side flanges respectively outwardly extend from forward edges of the top surface, the bottom surface and the pair of side surfaces. A latching rib upwardly and forwardly extends from a rear edge of the top surface of the shell, and a distal end thereof bends downwardly and forwardly. A retaining flange depends from the bottom surface of the shell adjacent to the bottom flange of the shell. The conductive panel defines a mating slot for accommodating the shell therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Yun Ping
  • Patent number: 6190200
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing simple and effective attachment of a lamp holder base to a mounting plate includes providing in the mounting plate an opening having a wide opening portion and a relatively narrower opening portion, which together define at least one mounting tab of the mounting plate, the mounting plate further having an outer surface and a latch edge portion; providing on the lamp holder base an elongated body and a latch member, the elongated body including at least one mounting channel having a base surface and an inclined surface which define a first channel opening and a second channel opening, the inclined surface terminating at the first channel opening to define a pivot edge, the latch member including a latch surface region; inserting the elongated body in the wide opening portion until a cross section of the mounting plate is generally aligned with one of the first channel opening and the second channel opening; moving the mounting plate in a direction such that the at least one m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lyall Assemblies, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Burwell
  • Patent number: 6186827
    Abstract: A mounting opening 26 is formed. A first connector 30 comprises a first connector body 31 and an engaging lever 32 which is pivotally supported by a pivot 33 such that the engaging lever 32 project from a rear end surface of the first connector body 31. Projecting from one end of the engaging lever 32 are an engaging projection 43 engaging with a back surface side of a mounting plate 21 around the mounting opening 26, and a cam lever 42 engaging with a front surface side of the mounting plate 21 nearer to the pivot 33 than to the engaging projection 43. A connecting projection 40D projects from the other end of the engaging lever 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Okabe
  • Patent number: 6139369
    Abstract: A coaxial connector for providing a terminal at a panel for equipment in a transmission network, comprising a housing with two housing halves with at least two connector passageways. At least two of the connector passageways are provided with connecting jack elements. The housing forms a U-link type connector which is adapted to be mounted in an aperture in said panel. The housing halves are made of an electrically conductive material and a holder of an insulating material is provided for mounting the connector in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Viktoria Arwidi, Ingela Blomberg, Anders Forslund, Tore Sjodin
  • Patent number: 6132246
    Abstract: A connector to be inserted into a movable connector is provided. This connector has stopper protrusions on its housing main body, and the stopper protrusions are to be engaged with lock arms standing from the inner wall surfaces of the attachment slots formed in the frame of a movable connector. A pair of guide ribs are formed on both sides of each of the stopper protrusions so as to prevent displacement of the lock arms. The guide ribs are arranged in parallel with the insertion direction of the connector. After the connector is inserted into the attachment slots, the rear end surfaces of the guide ribs are situated on the same plane as the contact surface of the frame. With this structure, the connector can be prevented from slipping off the attachment slots of the movable connector even if external force larger than the insertion of force is exerted on the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 6123579
    Abstract: An electrical connector mounting arrangement according to the present invention comprises an electrical connector and a panel for mounting the electrical connector thereon. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing having a pair of receiving openings, a shell mounted to the insulative housing, and a covering securing the shell to the insulative housing. The shell has a casing portion comprising a first longitudinal wall, a second longitudinal wall and a pair of transverse walls. A resilient latching tongue forwardly depends from a rearward edge of the first longitudinal wall of the shell. The panel defines a pair of mating slots spaced apart from each other for aligning with the pair of receiving openings of the insulative housing. A fastening plate depends from an edge of each mating slot of the panel and is perpendicular to the panel, a recess being defined at an inward edge of each fastening plate for receiving the latching tongue of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching Yun Ping
  • Patent number: 6113423
    Abstract: A panel attachment for attaching an electrical connector to a panel having at least a hole therein, the attachment comprises a base plate. A supporting upright extends from the base plate through the hole of the panel. A pair of deflectable vane sectors extends outward and downward from a tip of the upright toward the base plate to an extent such that a gap is defined between free ends of the vane sectors and the base plate. Flexible strips are formed between the upright and the vane sectors for limiting over-stretching of the vane sectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeng-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 6109960
    Abstract: The invention comprises a connector tower assembly having a housing with insert molded contacts therein. The housing has one end with a groove for receiving a seal therealong. The housing has a central portion with a sealing surface extending therearound. A second end of the housing has latching members for engaging and securing the housing to a connector box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Melvin Cooper, Donald Gray Stillie
  • Patent number: 6106330
    Abstract: An adapter housing for insertion into the outlet of a base product wherein the outlet is configured to receive a connector. The adapter housing includes a front wall, a top wall extending rearwardly from the front wall, and a bottom wall extending rearwardly from the front wall. The adapter housing also includes a means for mounting the housing to the outlet. The adapter housing may also be provided with a flush front wall for future expansion of the outlet or a front wall with an opening for the mounting of a connector. The adapter housing provides extra support at the back of the adapter housing by including a first leg and a second leg at the back of the housing. Each leg extends between the bottom wall and the top wall. The first and second legs are spaced from each other and from the front wall. Preferably, the legs may be arch shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: International Connectors and Cable Corporation
    Inventor: Mike H. Lin
  • Patent number: 6099350
    Abstract: A connector includes a contact extending in a first direction of a longitudinal axis. The contact is adapted for connection at one end to a mating contact extending in the first direction, and for connection at an opposite end to a conductor extending in a second direction that extends at an angle to the first direction. The connector includes a spring element that urges the connector away from a mating connector if the two are not fully engaged. A connector assembly including such a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Wright
  • Patent number: 6089909
    Abstract: A connector is provided for mounting to a panel without any shake regardless of the thickness of the panel. The connector includes a housing 1 is held in its oblique position and a fixed first lock groove 10 at the upper side of the housing 1 is engaged with an upper side edge of a mount hole 5 formed in a panel. Thereafter, the housing 1 is rotated to its horizontal position, and a movable second lock groove 16 at the lower side of the housing 1 is engaged with a lower side edge of the mount hole 5 while an elastic portion 12 is elastically deformed. In this way, the housing 1 is mounted on the panel. At the respective lock grooves 10, 16, elastic pushing portions 18, 20 obliquely project from a jaw portion 7 which forms one side surface of each of the lock grooves 10, 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Tokuwa
  • Patent number: 6065983
    Abstract: A connector, which is attached into an attaching hole formed on a panel body and has an engagement waiting state and a complete engagement state, comprises a first connector housing, a cover member for accommodating the first connector housing so as to be slidable in an engagement direction, a holder for accommodating the cover so as to be engaged therewith provisionally under the engagement waiting state and so as to be slidable in the engagement direction under the complete engagement state, the holder includes at least one pair of stoppers stacking on rear face of the panel body in a peripheral portion of the attaching hole, at least one pair of flexible engagement members elastically abutting against a front face of the panel body in the peripheral portion of the attaching hole and at least one pair of alignment members elastically fitted into the attaching hole; and a second connector housing to be engaged with the first connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Teruhisa Norizuki, Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 6053765
    Abstract: A light emitting electrical connector is disclosed that includes an electrical circuit, which is secured to a housing of the electrical connector, having a light emitting source and a resistor. In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a terminal connecting portion for providing electrical power to the electrical circuit, which is molded to the housing of the electrical connector. Preferably, the electrical circuit includes a light emitting diode as the light emitting source. The housing further includes a mounting structure for securing the housing to a surface. In a most preferred embodiment, the mounting structure comprises at least two snap fit tabs for mounting the electrical connector to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Bert William Eakins
  • Patent number: 6053764
    Abstract: A patch panel and a distribution module for mounting thereon has at least one aperture in the panel into which the module is fitted. The aperture has sloped latching surfaces on its upper and lower edges, and the front housing of the module has spring latches and latching tabs for mounting to the panel. A circuit board has spring blocks thereon, at least one of which engages a corresponding spring latch to prevent its becoming disengaged from the panel. A rear housing latches to the rear of the front housing to hold the circuit board in place therebetween. An identifying label holder is adapted to be affixed to the front of the front housing of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wynn Curry, Timothy Charles Miller
  • Patent number: 6042419
    Abstract: A securing device for securing on a panel a jack, wherein the panel has a window, an outer side and an inner side. The device includes: a plate having a hole for inserting a plug therethrough from the outer side of the panel into the jack located on the inner side of said panel; and an engaging means including two pieces extruding from one side of the plate, having thereon tenons respectively for positioning and securing the engaging means and the plate on the windows of the panel, and slots for engaging therein the at least one barb of the jack to secure the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Dan-Chief Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Danny Liu
  • Patent number: 6039579
    Abstract: A plug-in lamp socket assembly is provided that maintains connections sealed to the environment between the electrical lamp leads, electrical socket contacts and circuits of the circuit carrier. The assembly has a lamp socket member for receiving a lamp in an aligned manner. A cap plate connects to the lamp socket member and is non-removable therefrom. The lamp socket has tabs that require proper alignment of the tabs for insertion into a circuit carrier having circuits molded therein. An O-ring seals the removable connection between the lamp socket, cap plate, assembly and the circuit carrier. The circuit carrier is sealed to the lens housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Tricon Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald C. Paul, Joseph C. Bennett, Joseph A. Bettini, Edward J. Gordon
  • Patent number: 6033241
    Abstract: A fitting operation of connectors is completed through the following steps of providing a first connector with a mating projection, and a second connector; providing a slide member which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first connector is pressed against the second connector; preparing an inclined groove provided in the slide member for receiving the mating projection when fitting the first connector to the second connector is started; temporarily securing the first connector in a fitting hole of a fitting body; pressing the second connector against the first connector in a connector fitted direction; fitting the first connector and the second connector together by moving the slide member in a direction perpendicular to the connector fitted direction by a pressing force via the inclined groove while releasing the first connector from being temporarily secured in the fitting hole; and completing the fitting operation between the first and second connectors by pushing the second co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Iwata, Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6024590
    Abstract: A self-aligning connector system is provided for facilitating mating an electrical connector assembly with a complementary mating connector. The system includes a housing having a forward end, a rearward end and side walls extending between the ends. At least one deflectable aligning beam is cantilevered from at least one side wall of the housing. A detent structure is operatively associated between the housing and the aligning beam for holding the beam in an inoperative condition spaced outwardly from the side wall of the housing and, upon mating the connectors, for releasing the beam to a deflectable condition to facilitate self-aligning the housing and mating it with the complementary connector. A frangible break-away web may be provided between the housing and the deflectable aligning beam for holding the beam in its inoperative condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell L. Mackowiak, Anthony J. Pill
  • Patent number: 6012947
    Abstract: A system for fixing one of two plugs (3, 4) of an electrical connector to a mechanical device (1), the one plug (4) being designed to be connected thereto in a detachable manner, the other plug (3) being attached to an assembly (2) to which the device (1) has just been coupled mechanically along an axis parallel to the axis of the electrical coupling, characterized in that it includes means for assembling/disassembling the plug (4) to and from the said mechanical device (1), the assembly/disassembly being carried out parallel to the coupling axes, assembly being made simply by clipping, while disassembly is carried out simply by pulling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Olivier Zann, Henri Ullius, Jose Ramon Sanz Pinedo, Luis Gras Tous
  • Patent number: 5993264
    Abstract: A customer bridge has a base which can accommodate modular network interface components, and allows the customer output connector to be installed in a selected one of two different positions. The base has a jack which is connectable to an external telephone network. The jack is adapted to receive a plug. The base has a connector mount for mounting a connector. The connector is connectable to the plug by a cable. The connector mount is configured so that the connector is mountable in either a first position or a second position. The second position is upside-down relative to the first position. The base is part of a telephone interface. The telephone interface includes a connector for attaching lead wires. The connector is connected to one end of a cable. The base has first and second jacks positioned in the base so that an electrical connection is formed between a first plug and a second plug when the first plug is inserted in the first jack and the second plug is inserted in the second jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel H. Daoud
  • Patent number: 5984722
    Abstract: There is disclosed a printed board connector whose leg structure has a high strength, is further provided with an appropriately strong spring property and can securely fix a connector to a printed board even if there is a slight dispersion in dimension precision. A pair of right and left leg components are extended from an under end surface of a housing, and spaced apart from each other. Tip-end portions of the leg components are interconnected to form an integral structure of a leg. At least one of the leg components has on its outer side surface a substantially hemispheric projection to be engaged in a fitting hole of the printed board. The leg component also has a V-shaped hollow portion on its inner side surface, with the top portion being positioned on a substantially horizontal center line of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Taiko Denki Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 5980296
    Abstract: A connecting structure for connecting circuit conductors placed on a surface of an insulator plate of a flat circuit body with terminals of a connector. The terminals of the connector are formed by spring portions exposed above the surface of a housing of the connector. A locking member formed into a shape of square bracket having two arms encompasses the flat circuit body and the connector and hooks at the tips of the two arms engage with engagement grooves on the housing of the connector, while the circuit conductors of the flat circuit body are press-contacted against the spring portions of the housing of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Mori, Keiichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 5975946
    Abstract: A connector A has a plurality of connector chambers 32 of a connector housing 31. A plurality of terminals 3 each having an elastic contact piece 3a are accommodated in the connector chambers, respectively, and exposed from the upper face of the connector housing. A connector holding component B constitutes an L-shape composed of a first face and a second face. The connector A is inserted into a connector holding component B through an opening formed in the face so that the lower face of the connector housing 31 is opposite to the second face of the connector holding component B. Between the connector A and the second face of the connector holding component B, a connector contact spring 40 is placed which serves as an elastic member compressible in a direction Q perpendicular to the direction P of inserting the connector A. An auxiliary device C provided with a printed board 10 having connection terminal strips 10a is pushed toward the connector A in a direction Q.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5967839
    Abstract: In a stand-by condition, a distal end of a lock portion is received in a lock protective portion and it is not projected beyond a hood portion of a housing, and therefore the lock portion will not be broken during transport. When fixing the connector to a panel, pawls of the housing portion are inserted into a through hole in the panel, and are positioned relative thereto, and then the lock portion is slid, and therefore the lock portion will not accidentally strike against the panel, and hence will not be damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Katsura Uchida
  • Patent number: 5941731
    Abstract: A first elastic arm with respect to a panel is provided in a movable connecting body having a connector. The movable connecting body is supported by the first elastic arm so that it is movable in a centripetal direction and by the second elastic element so that it is movable in a connector connecting direction. The second elastic element is provided on the panel or onto the movable connecting body. The panel is formed with a recess portion into which an electric wire from the connector is guided, and the second elastic element is provided within the recess portion and is constituted by an elastic spring element formed integrally by cutting and bending a section of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 5934913
    Abstract: A board mounting-type connector in which an external force, applied to the connector, will not act directly on solder portions on the connector, and the efficiency of an assembling operation is high. A board mounting-type connector (6) is fixed to a board (10) supported within an equipment body (16), and projects outwardly from a connector opening (18) formed in an equipment cover (7) which cooperates with the equipment body to cover the board (10). Board terminals (8) are soldered at their one ends (8a) to the board (10), and other end portions (8b) of the board terminals are received in the connector. Connector-supporting projections (14) are formed on an outer peripheral surface of that portion of the connector projecting outwardly from the connector opening (18), and the connector-supporting projections abut against a peripheral edge portion of the connector opening (18) so that an external force, applied to the connector in a direction toward the board (10), can be supported by the equipment cover (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 5924879
    Abstract: An opposed-contact connector (11) in which terminal contacts are prevented from projecting from the connector except when they are to be electrically contacted with their respective mating electrodes, and the terminal contacts can be projected to have an appropriate contact pressure only when they are electrically contacted with the mating electrodes, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kameyama
  • Patent number: 5902149
    Abstract: A movable connector is provided. The connector is inserted into a panel hole so as to engage stoppers of movable locking arms with the inner rim of the panel hole. Thus, the connector can be movably mounted to the panel by virtue of the elasticity of the movable locking arms. Fixed locking members each having a stopper head at the top of the pin are provided outside the movable locking arms, while locking member receiving holes are formed through the panel. When the connector moves toward one side within the panel hole and approaches or reaches the disengagement position, where the movable locking arm on the opposite side is disengaged from the panel hole, the bottom surface of the stopper head of the corresponding fixed locking member is engaged with the rim of the corresponding locking member receiving hole so as to re-lock the connector to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Harunori Tashiro, Kiyohito Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5897395
    Abstract: A jack frame includes a jack frame block having a front surface, a pair of side surfaces and a top surface. The front surface has a plug opening with a plug axis along which a plug connector can be inserted to connect to the jack frame block. The front surface is dimensioned to be received in a jack opening in a face plate, and the inner periphery of the jack opening is defined in part by a pair of side walls and a top wall. The top surface of the jack frame block has a first surface portion that extends at a first angle relative to the plug axis of the plug opening in the block's front surface, and a second surface portion that extends at a second angle relative to the plug axis. Either the first or the second surface portion can be aligned with the top wall of the jack opening, so the frame block can be mounted on the face plate with a desired orientation depending on which one of the first and the second surface portions is aligned with the top wall of the jack opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jaime Ray Arnett
  • Patent number: 5890923
    Abstract: A connector alignment guide is provided which prevents inadvertent rotational movement of a male connector relative to a female connector and allows for connection of such connectors in a predetermined fixed orientation. The connector alignment guide includes a tubular segment having an open region at one end through which extends a bent or curved portion of a cable and a cable clamp associated with a respective connector. Such bent or curved portion engages edges which form the boundary of such open region to prevent such rotation and provide such fixed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: John O. Wright, Patricia M. Reagan
  • Patent number: 5876246
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a dielectric housing having a pair of accessory mounting stations integrally formed with the housing on respective opposite sides of the housing, and a pair of resilient latch arms extending forwardly from respective ones of the accessory mounting stations. In a preferred embodiment, each of the accessory mounting stations includes a lug extending laterally from the housing and a beam extending forwardly from the lug. The lugs are configured to be gripped by an accessory to the connector. The beams flank the housing and are spaced from the housing, thereby defining pockets which are configured to receive portions of the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl Craig Martin, Todd Edwin Harriman
  • Patent number: 5871370
    Abstract: A clip for movably retaining a movable connector in a fitting hole. The clip includes a plurality of retaining clips, each being adaptable to abut against a respective side of the fitting hole by elastic force when the clip is inserted into the fitting hole. Each of the retaining clips have a retaining protrusion extending from its surface. The retaining protrusion has a tapered guide surface which is tapered along a direction of insertion of the clip into the fitting hole, and a tapered retaining surface which is also tapered along a direction of insertion of the clip into the fitting hole opposite to the guide surface. Each guide surface is adaptable to abut against a corresponding edge of the fitting hole so as to properly align the clip with the fitting hole during insertion. The retaining surface is adaptable to abut against a corresponding edge of the fitting hole when the retaining protrusion is in the fitting hole to movably secure the clip in the fitting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Kameyama, Hideto Kumakura
  • Patent number: 5868586
    Abstract: A clip fixes a connector housing having a bore for preventing generation of a shrinkage mark in the vicinity of an outer peripheral wall onto a panel. The clip comprises a clip body including: an engagement portion for engagement with the panel; and an attachment portion having a felled-U shape in side view, the attachment portion being constituted by a first holding member which is able to be inserted into the bore of the connector housing and a second holding member which is designed to sandwich the outer peripheral wall of the connector housing between the first and second holding members when the first holding member is fitted into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiro Maejima
  • Patent number: 5836786
    Abstract: Components of a patch panel snap together for easy assembly and disassembly. The patch panel includes a mounting panel, an interface housing with a snap latch attachment to the mounting panel, and a connector assembly with a snap latch attachment to the interface housing. The connector assembly can be removed from the patch panel without removing the interface housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Paul John Pepe