Safety, E.g., Electrical Disconnection Required Before Opening Housing Patents (Class 439/911)
  • Patent number: 6398367
    Abstract: The invention provides a light source device of an easy maintenance, and a projector using the light source device. The light source device includes a light source lamp, a reflector, a lamp housing for covering substantially entirely almost the outer surface except for an opening plane of the reflector and a front glass for covering the opening plane of the reflector. The light source device is formed so as to be integrally exchangeable as a unit in the projector. Since the lamp housing covers almost the whole surface of the reflector, even if the light source lamp and the reflector burst, fragments thereof do not scatter to the inside of the projector, there is no need to remove the outer casing to clean the inside of the device, and maintenance of the projector can be facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuo Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6390836
    Abstract: The card connector has an eject operation detection switch SW arranged to turn on immediately after the ejection button has begun to be pressed, and an eject operation mechanism arranged to, in response to the pressing operation of the ejection button, start a card eject operation after the eject operation detection switch SW has turned on. This card connector reliably avoids a card error even when the ejection button is erroneously operated, thereby preventing a data loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Motegi, Shigeru Sato
  • Patent number: 6302568
    Abstract: A head lamp for a vehicle having a power supply includes a discharge bulb, a reflector for holding the discharge bulb, a lamp body for accommodating the reflector, the lamp body having an opening in the reflector for replacing the discharge bulb, a back cover coupled to the lamp body to close the opening, a starting circuit coupled to the discharge bulb for lighting the discharge bulb, a first connector coupled to the starting circuit, a second connector coupled to the power supply; and a detachable lock member fastening the back cover to the first and second connectors, wherein the lock member is covered by the first and second connectors when the connectors are coupled with each other, so that the back cover cannot be open before disengaging the lock member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sumito Ohtaki
  • Patent number: 6280211
    Abstract: An electrical appliance has a plug receptor to receive the plug of another appliance such that both appliances can draw power from a single electrical outlet. The appliance of the present invention is operable at different wattages and has a switch which is movable to different switch settings to determine the wattage at which the appliance is operating. When the switch is set such that the appliance operates at a high wattage, the plug receptor is blocked from access to the plug of the other appliance to prevent over loading of the electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Art K. Tateishi
  • Patent number: 6261123
    Abstract: Described is a quick connect/disconnect 10 for an electrical system comprising first and second separated electrical current carrying connectors 43A, 43B, a source of electricity, each with a first and second, respectively, receptors 40A, 40B for receiving a metallic prong; An electrical current carrying buss adapted to carry a pair of the metallic prongs 30A, 30B which cooperatively align, when connected, with the receptors of the current carrying connectors; and An electrically insulated handle 16, 18 that can be raised and lowered, which handle is attached at one end 24 to the buss and the opposite end adapted to be engaged such that in the lowered position the electrical system is connected so as to permit electrical current to pass from the first connector through the first receptor, through the metallic prong, through the buss to the other prong and to the second receptor, then to the second current carrying connector; and when the handle is in the raised position, current does not flow through the bu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Kruger, Georgette N. Young
  • Patent number: 6225153
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector and a female connector. The male connector has electrical contacts for conducting AC or DC current. The female connector includes electrical contacts for coupling with the male electrical contacts for conducting the AC or DC current. A mechanism to eliminate current arcing during disconnection of the male and female connectors is coupled with at least one of the male or female connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Otto Dunkel GmbH
    Inventors: Larry L. Neblett, David A. Lescamela, Thomas E. Zielinski, Guenter Rohr
  • Patent number: 6210036
    Abstract: An aircraft ground connector is described for delivering electrical power to aircraft parked at airports. The connector includes a thermal sensor arrangement which is positioned in the normal insulating body of such connector, which sensor reacts to a rise of temperature in such body higher than a predetermined temperature by cutting off the flow of electrical power through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventors: Gerald P. Eberle, Alan J. Janis
  • Patent number: 6127639
    Abstract: An apparatus for activating and deactivating a switch mounted on a circuit board includes a bracket and a switch actuator opening formed in the bracket to receive a switch actuator. The switch actuator is operatively connected to the switch and is biased in a first direction. The bracket further includes a mounting post having an opening formed therein for receiving a fastener. A sleeve member is positioned over the mounting post. The sleeve member includes a flange portion for contacting the switch actuator to activate and deactivate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald A. Greco, John J. Connell, Daniel J. Lecinski, Amir Koradia
  • Patent number: 6128198
    Abstract: The front system has an upper and a lower end piece (5) which are fastened to the upper and lower front corner region (3), respectively, of the printed circuit board assembly (3). An upper and/or a lower lever pull handle (19), which is fitted to the upper and/or lower end piece respectively, is used for levering the printed circuit board assembly into and out of the monitoring rack. A latching mechanism (25) is provided to fix the lever pull handle in the appropriate position when the printed circuit board assembly has reached the point where it has been fully inserted into the mounting rack. A switching element (31) is integrated in the upper and/or lower end piece in such a manner that the switching element is actuated by the lever pull handle when it is in its fixed position. By this means, the printed circuit board assembly can be electrically enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Kurrer, Werner Koerber, Ernst Billenstein, Kurt-Michael Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6123576
    Abstract: A safety jumper cable has two cable segments each with conventional terminal clamps on one end and a coupling on the other end. The terminal clamps are adapted to be secured to the battery terminals in the conventional manner. The cable couplings cannot physically be connected together by means of a positive fail-safe lockout unless the clamps are secured to the proper battery terminals. This lockout is provided by a normally extended, locked safety blade that is slidably mounted within each coupling. When the terminal clamps are attached to the proper battery terminals, the safety blades are unlocked and the safety jumper cable can be coupled together away from either battery and the danger of sparking and explosions. The safety jumper cable may also be provided with a manual override device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Robert M. James
  • Patent number: 6062663
    Abstract: A door for a computer case is provided which can be moved to a blocking position for blocking access to bays and/or drives of the case. The door can be attached to the case by a slide connection for sliding it along the front of the case between its blocking and accessing positions. In the preferred form, the case is a vertical tower type of case and the door is preloaded on track guides so that when it is raised such as to the blocking position it will not fall back to the accessing position under the influence of its own weight. A gear drive can be provided between the door and housing to provide for smooth manual sliding of the door to readily allow the door to be pushed to overcome the frictional resistance provided by the preload without hang ups in the track guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation Japan
    Inventors: Roger You, David Chen, Matthew Herron, Jacques Louis Gagne, Dore Chin Mark, Kevin Christian Coullahan, Tony Hieu Nguyen, Brian Keith Williams
  • Patent number: 6053756
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a safety connector apparatus for making an electrical/power connection in an electrical/power system comprising an interlock cover disposed on a connecting end of a power cable, a housing disposed over a power connector, the housing having a cover receiving cavity and a switch adaptable to enable power transfer when the cover is safely and securely locked by the cover lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Flanigan, Vince Burkhart
  • Patent number: 5993226
    Abstract: A connector for an automotive door mounted switch unit and a wiring harness for efficient coupling, having a first connector, with follower projections movably supported on a bracket, a second connector with guide slits for the follower projections on a unit part, a cover panel for the unit part with levers provided with slide slits for the follower projections, the cover panel rotated and assembled to the unit part while bringing the slide slits of the levers into sliding engagment with the follower projections, to move the latter into the guide slits of the second connector and couple the first and second connectors to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5989043
    Abstract: A power on/off mechanism of a plug-in unit driven by an insertion/ejection device in a printed circuit board (PCB) which is adapted to various power switch on/off switches in accordance with a characteristic of a plug-in unit, thus reducing manufacturing costs and easily maintaining parts. The mechanism includes a power switch on/off lever having a protrusion formed in one end thereof which is inserted into a guide groove formed in a center portion of the handle when inserting/ejecting the plug-in unit and a jaw formed in another end thereof for receiving the power switch lever. The power switch on/off lever is inserted into a lever engaging hole formed in the bracket, and the power switch lever is position in the interior of the jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jae-Sup Han, Kwang-Soo Kim, Young-Soo Lee, Nam-Il Her
  • Patent number: 5984718
    Abstract: A safety jumper cable has two cable segments each with conventional terminal clamps on one end and a coupling on the other end. The terminal clamps are adapted to be secured to the battery terminals in the conventional manner. The cable couplings cannot physically be connected together by means of a positive fail-safe lockout unless the clamps are secured to the proper battery terminals. This lockout is provided by a normally extended, locked safety blade that is slidably mounted within each coupling. When the terminal clamps are attached to the proper battery terminals, the safety blades are unlocked and the safety jumper cable can be coupled together away from either battery and the danger of sparking and explosions. The safety jumper cable may also be provided with a manual override device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventor: Robert M. James
  • Patent number: 5961356
    Abstract: A receptacle apparatus for a compact electronic module for effectuating data communication between the module and an interface circuit. The receptacle apparatus includes a cover arrangement and a combined locking and communication effecting structure. The receptacle apparatus is also designed in various embodiments to be installed on a removeable cover of a system so as not to hamper with removal of that cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Dallas Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Nicholas M. G. Fekete
  • Patent number: 5959843
    Abstract: The front system has an upper and a lower end piece (5) which are fastened to the upper and lower front corner region (3), respectively, of the printed circuit board assembly (3). An upper and/or a lower lever pull handle (19), which is fitted to the upper and/or lower end piece respectively, is used for levering the printed circuit board assembly into and out of the mounting rack. A latching mechanism (25) is provided to fix the lever pull handle in the appropriate position when the printed circuit board assembly has reached the point where it has been fully inserted into the mounting rack. A switching element (31) is integrated in the upper and/or lower end piece in such a manner that the switching element is actuated by the lever pull handle when it is in its fixed position. By this means, the printed circuit board assembly can be electrically enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Kurrer, Werner Koerber, Ernst Billenstein, Kurt-Michael Schaffer
  • Patent number: 5949652
    Abstract: A device for securing a power supply in a computer chassis includes a power supply housing having a handle movably mounted thereon. An insertion and extraction cam device extends from the handle and is pivotable into and out of engagement with a cam receiver in the chassis. A housing locking device extends from the handle and is slidable into and out of engagement with a lock receiver in the chassis. A power switch actuator tab is connected to extend from the handle and slide into and out of engagement with a power switch actuator arm mounted in the power supply. A power cord lock is connected to extend from the handle and slide to and from a lock position adjacent a power cord plug attached to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dell U.S.A., L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, R. Steven Mills, Eric Holloway
  • Patent number: 5919060
    Abstract: A safety electric socket adapter includes a body having two longitudinal front sliding tracks and two longitudinal rear sliding tracks at two opposite sides, a first metal rack and two second metal racks respectively mounted in the body for receiving the grounding prong and metal blades of one of a set of electric plugs, a face panel and a back board respectively detachably fastened to front and rear sides of the body, the face panel and the back board each having two longitudinal side flanges respectively inserted into the front sliding tracks and rear sliding tracks of the body, the face panel having a grounding plug hole and two power plug holes for receiving the grounding prong and metal blades of one of a set of electric plugs of different specifications and spring-supported gate means forced by respective spring means to automatically close the power plug holes, a first metal plate and two second metal plates respectively mounted in the body and connected to the first metal rack and the second metal rac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Chiu-Shan Lee
  • Patent number: 5865640
    Abstract: An apparatus that lockably connects a connector of a peripheral device to the apparatus. The apparatus includes an apparatus body having a receptacle portion that receives the connector and a locking mechanism that locks the connector in place in response to a main switch of the apparatus being turned ON. The locking mechanism includes latching members that are connected to a connecting arm and at least one of the latching members being connected to the main switch. By moving the main switch, portions of the respective latching members enter the receptacle portion and lock the connector in place. The apparatus optionally includes a control device that controls whether a signal flows to the receptacle portion based on if the connector is detected as being locked in place. Also, the invention optionally includes a compulsory unlocking mechanism and provisions for allowing the connector to be inserted into the receptacle even though the main switch is in the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 5848904
    Abstract: A device for connecting an equipment and a case accommodating the equipment, includes first means which operates in accordance with an operation for accommodating the equipment in the case, and second means for setting a state for allowing an electrical connection between the equipment and the case in accordance with the operation of the first means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 5820413
    Abstract: A fuse is attached to an inner wall surface of a cover body that opens and closes in a hingelike manner while arranged over an opening of a housing. A pair of connected terminals is fixed to the housing at a predetermined interval in a longitudinal direction. Terminals of the fuse are electrically connected to the connected terminals when the cover body is closed, so that a circuit formed by the electric wires connected to the end portions of the respective connected terminals is caused to conduct. When the cover body is opened, the terminals are electrically disconnected from the connected terminals so that the circuit is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamada, Hisaharu Kato
  • Patent number: 5803762
    Abstract: A data interface assembly for the transfer of data between a processor unit and a smart card is disclosed which includes a receptacle 20 for receiving a smart card 10, the receptacle having electrical communication means 25 for establishing electrical communication with electrical communication means 12 on said smart card; and a solenoid 22, 26 for locking the smart card in the receptacle upon establishment of electrical communication between the respective electrical communication means. Data transfer enabling means operates in response to operation of the solenoid to allow data transfer for modifying data stored in the smart-card and/or the processor unit when the smart card is locked in the receptacle by the solenoid and to prevent such data transfer when the smart card is not locked in the receptacle by the locking means. The data transfer enabling means is activated by a photoelectric cell 24 which senses the condition of the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: COMS21 Limited
    Inventor: Graeme Allan Green
  • Patent number: 5762512
    Abstract: A battery-powered device (10), especially a hand-held, data collection terminal having an electro-optical scanner, includes a housing (11), a battery pack (12) separate from the housing (11), and a latching mechanism (18) for latching the battery pack (12) in its assembled position on the housing (11) in which it is partially received in a receiving recess (17) of the housing (11). The mechanism (18) includes a slidable latching member (19) with a portion (33) for engaging the recess (17) in the battery pack (12) and a locking button (20) that is transversely movable into position to retain the latching member (19) in its recess engaging position. Electrical circuitry in the device is shut down prior to battery pack removal by movement of the locking button (20) to effect release of the latching member (19) and to operate a power shut-down switch (34). In another embodiment, a battery compartment door (112) is used to operate a shut-down switch (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Trant, Robert Doran, Philip W. Swift, Carl Thelemann
  • Patent number: 5688134
    Abstract: An IC card connector apparatus including a lock mechanism comprising: a box-type casing having card-receiving opening formed at one end thereof for inserting and ejecting an IC card; an electric connector mounted within said casing opposite said opening for mating with an edge of the IC card; and an eject mechanism including an eject rod disposed on one side of the casing. The connector apparatus further includes a shutter plate slidably mounted at one end of said insertion opening for preventing passage of the IC card therethrough when in a blocking position; and an ON-OFF switch operatively associated with said shutter plate to shut off the electrical connection between the IC card and the connector when the shutter plate is in an open position. One end of said shutter plate engages an end portion of said eject rod as a result of the slide movement of said shutter plate into its blocking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Hideyuki Hirata
  • Patent number: 5584716
    Abstract: A hermetic terminal assembly has a plurality of conductor pins which define integral fusible links (36). A unique plug is provided which both separates the individual wires (70) leading to the conductor pins and allows, in cooperation with a fence or with the shell (21) of the compressor (10), for the restriction of access to the conductor pins while the conductor pins are connected to a power source. This unique plug also allows for the positioning of the integral fusible link on the outside of the shell (12) thus resolving the problems associated with compromising the integrity of the shell (12) upon separating of the fuse-like link (36). In addition, the plug insures that the conductor pins are maintained in an electrical isolated fashion should the fuse-like link (36) separate. The fence can be formed as a separate member or alternately to be integral with the terminal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventor: Ernest Bergman
  • Patent number: 5504655
    Abstract: An electric vehicle power distribution module including a chassis containing electric power distribution components. A battery connector is disposed on the chassis for electrically connecting the power distribution components to a battery. A safety cover is secured to the chassis and includes an aperature in a side wall for receiving an electric cable from the battery to be selectively engaged with the battery connector. The aperture is positioned with respect to the battery connector so as to preclude removal of the safety cover from the chassis without disengagement of the electric cable from the battery connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Underwood, James H. DeOms, Todd M. Zaranski, Brian H. Smith
  • Patent number: 5476392
    Abstract: In a connector device, a female connector is fixedly mounted on a first base body, and a male connector 10 is mounted on a second base body which is swingable about a rotating axis with respect to the first base body, in such a manner that the male connector is loosely fitted in a guide, being displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the rotating axis, and is kept urged towards the rotating axis by urging means. Hence, the guide member of the male connector is engaged with a guide hole of the female connector while abutting against the wall surface, on the side of the rotating shaft, of the guide hole, which makes it possible to decrease the dimension L1 of the guide hole in the direction perpendicular to the rotating axis. That is, the connector device can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Shigemi Hashizawa, Hidehiko Kuboshima
  • Patent number: 5292259
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a plug and complementary socket. The plug includes a main body having a portion adapted for insertion into the socket, and a resilient tongue biased away from the main body and extending laterally therefrom generally in the direction of plug insertion. The tongue and the socket are provided with respective catch means which mutually engage when the plug is inserted into the socket. The catch can thus be released simply by squeezing the tongue against the main body. In order to prevent the tongue catching on obstacles and to help prevent inadvertent actuation especially in the context of a portable radio telephone, a rigid joining member is provided between the rearward end of the tongue and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones (U.K.) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Sheldrake, Adam White
  • Patent number: 5244411
    Abstract: An electrical appliance includes housing structure for accommodating a drive motor and at least one rechargeable storage cell cooperating with the drive motor. A storage cell charging circuitry and appliance plug structure are provided on the appliance, the appliance plug structure includes a connector base with a receiving aperture in which contact pins are provided for engagement with a mating connector of a power cord supplying electrical power to the storage cell. The connector base is rotatably mounted, serving to locate the housing structure on the appliance and to interrupt the supply of power from the contact pins to the storage cell charging circuitry prior to disassembly of the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Horst Schinke, Robert Jung
  • Patent number: 5193718
    Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing valve having an exterior housing consisting of a main housing cover and an access plate slideably engageable therewith. The access plate houses electronics for controlling the operation of the valve wherein the electronic control is electrically connected to a power source and an operating solenoid through a plug connection. The plug connection provides for complete removal of the access plate from the remainder of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Hassell, Karl A. Senghaas
  • Patent number: 5169332
    Abstract: A cable connector, terminator, or shield is fastened in place over a port connector in a unit having a lockable cover, by fastening means which can only be accessed when the cover is unlocked and opened or removed. In a first version, the cable connector, terminator, or shield includes a pair of tabs extending into the unit through a slot at each end of the port connector, with each tab having a notch which forms a latching surface. A rotatable bracket, engaging these latching surfaces, prevents the removal of the connector, terminator, or shield. With the cover opened or removed, this bracket can be rotated into a position in which the latching surfaces are released. In a second version, a locking bracket is provided to extend around an outer portion of the cable connector, terminator, or shield. This locking bracket includes a shaft extending through a hole into the unit, to be fastened in place by a nut engaging a threaded portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Cooke, Ronald V. Davidge, John R. DeWitt, Paul J. Galinis, Jay H. Neer, Thomas H. Newsom
  • Patent number: 5102345
    Abstract: The present invention describes a safety device for a socket portion of an electrical cord. The safety feature involves the positioning of a conducting ring around the positive slot on the receiving socket. The conducting ring is grounded, and when used in conjunction with a ground fault interrupter, prevents the completion of an electrical circuit through the child's saliva from the positive contact in the socket and the flesh of the child's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: University of Manitoba
    Inventors: Richard S. Stanwick, Trevor Maguire
  • Patent number: 5061033
    Abstract: A semiconductor die, either an optical emitter or detector, is attached to an end of an optical fiber. Electrical connections on the semiconductor die are electrically coupled to a circuit board of a module. The electrical coupling is maintained by a removable cover that holds the connections on the semiconductor die in contact with the circuit board. The cover, along with the optical fiber and semiconductor die, can be removed from the module and reattached without effecting the optical coupling between the semiconductor die and the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred V. Richard
  • Patent number: 5050211
    Abstract: The safety interlock for a cover of a housing in a telephone apparatus provides electrical safety for the user by requiring the apparatus to be disconnected from a telephone line before the cover of the housing can be opened. The apparatus is connected to the telephone line by means of a two-part pluggable connector, with one of the parts being a receptacle fixed in the case of the apparatus. The safety interlock comprises a flap (8) which slides inside the case (1, 2) of the apparatus over the opening (5) giving access to the telephone line connector receptacle, with the flap sliding between a closed position in which it disengages the opening (5) while holding the cover (8) of the housing closed, and an open position in which it obstructs the opening (5) while allowing the cover (3) of the housing to be opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Telic Alcatel
    Inventors: Giovanni Dortu, Francois Buhagiar
  • Patent number: 4945872
    Abstract: A disabling device for electronic circuits includes a female connector with an easily accessible front surface and an inaccessible rear surface. A large array of contact pairs are found in the female connector. A predetermined number of input/output wires join the female connector in series with the circuit across randomly selected contact pairs in the array. A number of non-functional dummy wires also connect in the array to further complicate the non-uniform connection pattern. When a male connector containing an internal arrangement of jumper wires is inserted into the female connector, the jumper wires short across the proper contact pairs and close the circuit. Subsequent removal of the male element again opens and disables the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Inventor: Paul E. Embry