With Circuit Conductors And Safety Grounding Provision Patents (Class 439/92)
  • Patent number: 7182611
    Abstract: The present invention provides a grounding bushing assembly essentially comprising a first bushing section, a second bushing section, select pivot structure, select latch structure, and select ground conductor attachment structure. The first bushing section, second bushing section, select pivot structure, select latch structure, and select ground conductor attachment structure are all preferably constructed from electrically conductive materials for allowing electric charges to migrate through the material. The first and second sections each comprise an arc length intermediate the section ends, which are lengths together function to cooperatively form an annular, dual-sectioned, grounding bushing. The resulting grounding bushing comprises an inner annular surface, an outer annular surface, a conductor inlet end, a conductor outlet end, and unique ground conductor attachment structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: Aaron M. Borden, Tomas J. Zanzola
  • Patent number: 7175443
    Abstract: A connector is mounted on a printed circuit board in an enclosure. A member is interposed between the enclosure and the printed circuit board so as to hold the printed circuit board on the enclosure. The member allows change in the attitude of the printed circuit board relative to the enclosure. When the connector is coupled to the other connector, the connector receives a force from the other connector in the electronic apparatus. The force induces the change in the attitude of the connector and the printed circuit board. The change in the attitude in this manner enables consumption of the energy of the force within the member. Generation of stress can be suppressed in a bonding member such as a solder coupling the connector with the printed circuit board, for example. Generation of cracks can be prevented in the solder. Shockproof is improved for the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yusuke Mizuno, Sonomasa Kobayashi, Katsuichi Goto
  • Patent number: 7168416
    Abstract: A fuel pump module has a flange located proximate to the top of the fuel tank, a first strut rod, a second strut rod, a fuel inlet tube and a fuel outlet tube, each extending through the flange from a first side of the flange to a second side of the flange. A multi-point grounding plate is located on a side of the flange to contact and ground the strut rods, fuel tubes and adjacent parts. The grounding plate is generally disposed about a periphery of the flange, and a grounding wire, a first end of which is disposed on the grounding plate and a second end of which is disposed on a vehicle ground location, provides the necessary grounding path for the grounding plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Powell, Akiyoshi Mukaidani
  • Patent number: 7170002
    Abstract: A junction for joining a first section of conduit to a second section of conduit is described. The junction has a body, which has a first connecting portion for connecting a respective first section of conduit to said body and has a second connecting portion for connecting a second respective section of conduit to said body. The body defines a volume extending between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. The junction also has a lid which is engagable with the body and is adapted to close the aperture. The junction also has at least one earth connector which is located within the body and has at least one channel adapted to receive at least one earthed electrical cable in electrical contact with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Richard John Thompson
  • Patent number: 7156670
    Abstract: A device and method for creating an electrical contact region between an electrical contact shoe and a stud is provided. The stud includes a flange having a contact face facing a threaded shank. A welding portion extending from the flange faces opposite to the contact face. The welding portion is stud welded to a metal sheet having a thickness of 0.6 mm or less. A cap nut made of a plastic material is fastened to the stud, the plastic material permitting self-locking. To prevent deformation of the metal sheet, a maximum torque of 4 Nm is applied to the cap nut. The cap nut serves a first function of sealing against paint penetration into the electrical contact region and a second function of creating electrical contact between the contact shoe and the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Harald Schäty
  • Patent number: 7154042
    Abstract: An electric connector assembly disclosing various embodiments, each of which includes a connector body having a frustro-conically shaped outlet end portion that converges toward the outlet opening and having a complementary frustro conically shaped retainer ring circumscribing the outlet end portion wherein the retainer ring is integrally formed with a locking tang and ground tangs arranged to be snap fitted to a knock-out hole of an electric box. The latest embodiment includes a frustro-conical retainer ring having an auxiliary tang arranged to permit the connector assembly to be obliquely inserted and locked to a knock-out hole of an electric box using a minimum of applied force for effecting a snap fit connection to both lock and electrically ground the connector assembly to the electric box and a method of installing the associated connector body to an electric box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7151223
    Abstract: Various embodiments of electric connector assemblies, each of which includes a connector body having a frustro-conically shaped outlet end portion that converges toward the outlet opening with a complementary frustro-conically shaped external ring circumscribing the outlet end portion wherein the frustro-conical retainer ring is integrally formed with a locking tang and electrical grounding tangs arranged to be snap fitted to a knock-out hole of an electric box, in combination with an internal unidirectional snap-fit wire conductor retainer disposed in the inlet end portion of the connector body to facilitate the connection of a wire conductor to the connector body and whereby unintentional separation of the wire conductor therefrom is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7143954
    Abstract: A short circuiting device for an electric railway system having a conductor rail for supplying electric power to drive the vehicles. The function of the device is to provide a short circuit between a track rail and the conductor rail. The short circuiting device contains a first contact element providing a face to make contact with the track rail and a contact arm that is coupled to the contact element via a jointed connection and has a contact face for making contact with the conductor rail. The jointed connection is a multi-hinged connecting facility containing two levers which are joined to each other via a knee-type joint and joined via the respective first and second connection hinges to the contact element and the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Alcan Technology & Management Ltd.
    Inventors: Timo Netzel, Gerd Bittlingmayer
  • Patent number: 7128583
    Abstract: A grounding element attached to a tab having a hole. A spring portion is connected to one side of a bottom of the grounding element and extends in a first direction, and a latching portion is connected to another side of the bottom. When the grounding element is attached to the tab, the spring portion and the latching portion hold edges of the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: BENQ Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Jung Tsuo
  • Patent number: 7128017
    Abstract: A corrosion resistant connection system including a base structure, a threaded orifice in the base structure, a seal about the threaded orifice and a threaded stud with a distal end, a proximal end, and an intermediate shoulder defining a sealing surface opposing a support surface. The distal end of the threaded stud is received in the orifice of the base structure driving the sealing surface of the shoulder to engage the seal to prevent corrosion of the threaded orifice, while maintaining electrical continuity. A terminal is disposed about the proximal end of the threaded stud seated on the support surface of the shoulder. A threaded nut is disposed about the proximal end of the stud engaging the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: John R. Guarino, Robert M. Olson, Robert C. Earl
  • Patent number: 7098398
    Abstract: An adjustable spring grounding pin for grounding separate parts of an electrical device, for example end shields and a stator of an electric motor, automatically adjusts its circumferential dimension to provide a tight grounding fit between aligned holes of different interior diameters in the end shields and the stator of the device as the grounding pin is driven into the aligned holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Clifton Wade, III, L. Ranney Dohogne, William R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7090513
    Abstract: An electrical card connector (1) is provided for accommodating an electrical card. The electrical card connector comprises a dielectric housing having a plurality of connector terminals (20), a pair of soldering pieces (30), a shielding (40) assembled on the dielectric housing and defining an insertion port for insertion therein of the electrical card, and an ejector (70) for ejecting the electrical card received in the card connector. The soldering pieces are received respectively in slots of the dielectric housing and have legs for engaging with grounding pads of a printed circuit board. The shielding is formed with tabs (433, 443) extending to abut against the soldering pieces in the slots for establishing grounding pathes between the shielding and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Lun Kuo
  • Patent number: 7082203
    Abstract: A wireless audio transmission apparatus and method for coupling audio players to audio receivers for broadcast of audio signals stored in and processed by the audio player. A housing carrying operative circuitry is electrically connected by a multiconductor cable to an audio player for receiving stereo channel signals. Band pass filters couple the stereo signal and signal ground conductors in the cable to the stereo encoder in the housing. The filtered stereo signals are received by a stereo encoder in the housing and modulated onto a radio frequency carrier signal. A transmitter coupled to an antenna carried in the cable wirelessly transmits the carrier signal and the audio signals to a remote radio frequency receiver for demodulation and broadcast of the audio signals. Preferably, the carrier signal is an FM radio frequency signal. The carrier signal is optionally selectable from a plurality of different carrier signal frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventors: Niko Drakoulis, Ronald G. Pace
  • Patent number: 7075007
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end that slopes downwardly toward the outlet opening that is circumscribed by a complementary frustro conical outer snap-fit retaining ring mounted on the outlet end of the connector body. The outer frustro conical retaining ring is integrally formed from a blank of spring steel having integral locking and grounding tangs blanked or formed out of the plane of the blank. The connector assembly also includes an internal sleeve having inwardly formed spring fingers to secure an electrical conductor to the inlet end by a snap fit. In an alternate embodiment, a simple clamp arrangement is substituted for the internal snap fit sleeve for securing a wire conductor to the inlet end of the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7074056
    Abstract: A connector cap assembly mechanically and electrically couples to the connector back shell that has connector contacts. A boot housing is formed of an electrically charged dissipative material. The housing is sized to receive the connector therein. The boot housing comprises a floor that contacts the connector contacts. A retainer is positioned on the housing and retains a ground wire in contact with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Kappel, Gary Warrichaiet, Gregory Zeman, Joseph J. Lacey
  • Patent number: 7074058
    Abstract: A method of coupling a metal strut 14 to a metal flange 10 of a fuel supply unit is provided. The method provides a metal flange 10 having a plurality of tabs 46 coupled to and extending from a bottom surface of the flange 10. A plastic strut holder structure 36 holds at least one metal strut 14. The plastic strut structure is engaged with the tabs 46 thereby securing the strut with respect to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Jurcak, Paul F. Briggs
  • Patent number: 7074057
    Abstract: There is provided a transmission device (A) arranged in an electronic apparatus (1) having a circuit board (3) for input and/or output and a conductive body (9). The transmission device (A) comprises a relay cable (7) having first and second ends (7a, 7b). The first end (7a) of the relay cable (7) is connected to the circuit board (3). A receptacle type connector (11) attached to a reverse surface (9a) of the body (9) is provided at the second end (7b) of the relay cable. In order to prevent generation of radiation noises from the relay cable (7), a metal shell in the receptacle type connector (11) is grounded to the body (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: J. S. T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohiko Chiran, Takashi Suyama
  • Patent number: 7060900
    Abstract: A snap engagement electrical fitting for securing electrical cables or conduit to an electrical panel or junction box. The fitting features a flangeless tubular connector body having a snap fit retaining ring surrounding its leading end. The connector body and snap fit retaining ring are electrically conductive. The snap ring includes an inward directed retainer tang for securing the snap ring to the connector body. One or more tangs are cantilevered outwards radially from the snap ring and include locking tangs and grounding tangs. The locking tangs snap engage and lock the electric connector assembly to a knock out in a panel or junction box when it is pressed therein and provide strain relief to prevent easy withdrawal of the connector therefrom. The grounding tangs establish good electrical continuity or ground between the connector assembly and the panel or junction box when it is connected thereto. The connector body is flangeless to reduce cost of construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 7057107
    Abstract: An electric connector assembly having a connector body defining an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion interconnected by a through bore wherein the outlet end portion is provided with a tapering frustro conical surface that is circumscribed by an external retainer ring of a frustro conical shape complementing the frustro conical outer surface of the outlet end portion. The conical external retainer ring also includes locking and grounding tangs arranged to effect a snap fit connection of the connector assembly to a knock-out hole of an electric box or panel. The electric connector assembly further contemplates the use of internal wire conductor retainer associated with the inlet end portion so as to effect the attachment of an electric wire conductor thereto with a snap fit in a manner that prohibits any unintentional separation of the electric wire conductor therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7052291
    Abstract: A system permitting vertical and horizontal movement of a first board for proper mating of a first connector on the first board to a second connector on a second board. The first board being aligned pivots about a pivot pin, which is mounted on a mechanical plate at a first end of the board that is opposite to a second end of the board to which a first connector is mounted. This pivoting allows transverse (horizontal) movement of the first board. The first board floats on springs located between the first board and the mechanical plate to which the first board is mounted. These springs afford longitudinal (vertical) movement of the first board, while also providing a friction fit between the first board and the mechanical plate. When the first connector is aligned properly with as second connector on a second board, the first and second connectors can be mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Barina, Dean F. Herring, Glenn E. Myrto
  • Patent number: 7044753
    Abstract: A contact assembly having a spring contact strip and a contact element, in particular, a subrack front panel. The spring contact strip has a contact limb that is bent over, with an end that can be freely pivoted. To improve the mechanical stability of the spring contact strip, the inventive contact limb extends an entire length of the spring contact strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Rittal RES Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kurt-Michael Schaffer, Eike Waltz, Werner Körber
  • Patent number: 7044754
    Abstract: An adjustable clamping device provides means for attaching a grounding wire to a metal boxes and in particular metal boxes coated with a thin layer of paint or other nonconductive material. An adjustable C-shaped clamp is provided with a grounding block between the wall of the meter box and the C-shaped clamp. The grounding block is formed with a plurality of abrading tips that extend from the block into engagement with the wall. A screw threaded through the clamp engages and exerts pressure on the grounding block towards the metal meter wall with abrading tips extending from the block into pressured contact with the wall. Means are provided for moving the grounding block and abrading tips parallel to the wall while the tips are maintained in pressure engagement with the wall whereby the tips abrade the wall as they move parallel thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Inventor: Glen K. Malin
  • Patent number: 7037118
    Abstract: The invention relates to an access module (1) for telecommunications and data technology, having a housing in which externally accessible input and output contacts for connection of lines and wires are arranged, with the housing having a cavity in which at least one printed circuit board (6) is arranged, with the input and output contacts being arranged on opposite end faces of the housing, with the input contacts being in the form of at least one connecting strip (5) with insulation-displacement terminal contacts (41), and the output contacts being in the form of at least one plug connector (8), with the housing having at least two parts, with a front housing part (2) being fitted with the input contacts and the printed circuit board (6), and a rear housing part (3) being detachably connectable to the front housing part (2), with the rear housing part (3) having at least one outward bulge (9), and with the plug connector being arranged behind the outward bulge (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Neumetzler, Harald Klein, Antony Nijhuis
  • Patent number: 7037123
    Abstract: In a card connector to be fixed to a mounting object and used for connecting a card, a stopper is coupled to an insulator holding a conductive contact. The stopper has a fixing portion to be fixed to the mounting object. Furthermore, the stopper has a butting portion to be engaged with the card in a predetermined direction when the card is inserted in the predetermined direction into a receiving portion defined by a cover coupled to the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Keisuke Nakamura, Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 7021945
    Abstract: An intercoupling component for receiving an array of contacts within a digital or analog transmission system having an electrical ground circuit and chassis ground circuit, the intercoupling component including a segment formed of electrically insulative material and having an upper and lower surface, the segment including a plurality of holes disposed on its upper surface and arranged in a predetermined footprint and one or more a shield members formed of electrically conductive material disposed within the segment and configured to connect to the chassis ground circuit of the system. The intercoupling component may include an array of electrically conductive contacts within the plurality of holes disposed on the segment. One or more of these contacts may be configured to electrically connect with the electrical ground circuit of the system. The intercoupling component may also include a cavity located between signal contacts to adjust the differential impedance between signal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Interconnection Corporation
    Inventors: Michael N. Perugini, Gary D. Eastman, Alfred J. Langon, Raymond A. Prew, Erol D. Saydam
  • Patent number: 7008275
    Abstract: An electrical joint forming member is held between adjacent conductive members included in a semiconductor device fabricating apparatus to reduce electrical resistance between those conductive members. The electrical joint forming member includes an elastic member made of a titanium sheet (75 ?m thick, 2 mm wide) and having a surface covered with an aluminum layer (7 ?m thick), the aluminum layer being formed by joining an aluminum sheet to the surface of the titanium sheet by cold-roll bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignees: Tokyo Electron Limited, Neomax Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Hayami, Naoyuki Umehara, Tsuyoshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7008242
    Abstract: A conductive clip includes a hollow cylindrical member having a flange at one edge thereof in an axial direction and an opening communicating in a radial direction at an intermediate portion thereof in the axial direction, and a conductive member having an axial elastic force generating piece facing an inner surface of the large diameter flange and a radial elastic force generating piece passing through the opening inwardly or outwardly. The conductive member is fitted to the hollow cylindrical member to be relatively movable in the axial direction. When the hollow cylindrical member moves outwardly relative to the conductive member, the radial elastic force generating piece is pushed by an inner edge of the opening in the radial direction, so that a free end of the radial elastic force generating piece moves outwardly or inwardly in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Inoue
  • Patent number: 6997722
    Abstract: A system for dissipating static electric charge from electronics on a circuit board as the board is inserted into the enclosure, the system comprising one or more elastic, deformable and electrically conductive gaskets mounted within the enclosure for engaging ground pins on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Elma Electronic Inc.
    Inventor: Urs Mangold
  • Patent number: 6997723
    Abstract: A power inlet socket includes a socket body; live and neutral terminals provided on the socket body, and each having a first pin connected to the power plug and a second pin soldered on the substrate. A ground terminal is provided between the live terminal and the neutral terminal of the socket body; and a ground member is connected to the ground terminal and soldered on the substrate at opposite sides of the socket body. The socket body has a cavity formed with a bottom wall, opposite side walls, a top wall, and a rear wall, and which is open at one side thereof. The ground member is structured to connect the ground terminal at the rear wall and is forked so as to branch from the connection to the ground terminal to surround the upper wall and the opposite side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-eon Lee
  • Patent number: 6991478
    Abstract: The electrical connection device (2) comprises: at least one electrically conducting contact part (20), with first and second substantially opposite faces (22, 24), the first face being provided with a shoulder (26) delimiting a peripheral part (28) with a peripheral face (30), and a central part (32) with a central face (34), at least one seal (8), and means of fastening the device on a support (10), capable of maintaining electrical contact between said support (10) and said contact part (20). Application for making a metallisation point by fastening an electrical connection device (2) on a support (10) provided with at least one electrically conducting support face (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Airbus France
    Inventor: Olivier Girinon
  • Patent number: 6991477
    Abstract: An improved connector of a card reader, the card reader includes a circuit board in a housing as its principal unit; the circuit board has a USB connecting port to make circuit connection with a set of electric equipment, and is provided at least with one aforesaid connector for insertion of a memory card. Wherein: the main body of the connector is integrally made by injection molding purely of plastic, and a grounding electric circuit of the connector is connected to a metallic housing of a USB connecting port to form circuit continuation of the metallic housing of the USB connecting port and the electric equipment, and to effectively prevent static-electricity damage. Because the main body of the connector is made by injection molding purely of plastic, this can largely lower the cost of production of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: WEM Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Hsiang Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6986672
    Abstract: A multifunctional electronic instrument includes a body of the electronic instrument, an operation display unit movably provided on the body of the electronic instrument, and a ground structure as an electric contact structure, which includes a parallel part and a contact spring piece. The parallel part includes an electrically conductive base material and an electrically insulating surface layer formed on surfaces of both sides of the base material, and is attached to a movable member that moves together with the operation display unit. The parallel part is provided with a projection. At an end of the projection, the base material is exposed in a ruptured part where the surface layer is ruptured. The ruptured part is provided with an electric contact. The contact spring piece comes in contact with the electric contact. The base material of the parallel part and the contact spring piece are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Sasaki, Yasuharu Nakamura, Akira Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6984136
    Abstract: An electromagnetic-interference (EMI) prevention mechanism includes an expansion unit or base (1) having conductive hooks (20) and conductive spring biased pins (10). An electronic product (4) to be placed onto the expansion unit includes conductive connection holes (41) and conductive areas on its bottom surface. The connection holes are to be joined to the hooks and the conductive areas are to be pressed against the pins (10) whereby the product conductive holes and the conductive areas become joined electrically to the expansion unit and electromagnetic waves generated by the product are guided to the expansion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Chin Yu
  • Patent number: 6976856
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus for reducing of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) in an electronic device is provided. The apparatus includes a socket on a printed circuit board of the apparatus and a metal frame placed beside the printed circuit board for grounding purpose. The socket, inserted with a plug connecting to the electronic device, has at least one pin, and the pin is electronically connected to a conductive object on the printed circuit board. The metal frame has a first protrusion pressing against the conductive object, thereby allowing EMI of the electronic device to be grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventors: Jung-Hsing Peng, Li-Fu Sung
  • Patent number: 6957968
    Abstract: An electrical fitting for snap engagement of electrical cables or conduit to an electrically conductive panel or junction box. The fitting features a flangeless tubular body having a snap ring surrounding its leading end. The tubular body and snap ring are electrically conductive. The snap ring includes one or more projections cantilevered from its outer circumference. The projections include insertion limiting or grounding tabs and wall engagement tangs. The insertion limiting tabs provide extensive surface contact between the fitting and the junction box, thereby improving continuity and lowering the millivolt drop. The wall engagement tangs lock the fitting within the panel or junction box and provide strain relief to prevent easy withdrawal of the fitting there from. The snap ring is secured to the leading end of the tubular body by one or more locking tangs extending inwardly from the inner periphery of the snap ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Arlington Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gretz
  • Patent number: 6945795
    Abstract: A quad interconnect system for receiving quad connectors and connecting their quad contacts to corresponding signal traces on a circuit board, provides a grounded electromagnetic shield around each quad connector in a simple arrangement that occupies a minimum amount of space on the circuit board. A housing with quad-receiving passages that receive the quad connectors, is constructed of metal to provide a grounded metal shield closely around each quad connector. Only a few grounding devices (less than half the number of quad-receiving passages) are used to connect the metal housing to a grounded trace on the circuit board, to minimize the space taken up on the circuit board. Sheet metal clips with tines that engage shoulders at the rear ends of flanges on each metal shell of a quad connector, have short tabs with edges that also engage the shoulders to assure good electrical connection and minimize vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Frederick Gross III, Peter Joseph Hyzin
  • Patent number: 6939148
    Abstract: An electrical card connector (1) comprises an insulative housing (2), a plurality of contacts (21), (22) received in the insulative housing, a shell (3), an ejector (4), and a retention device (5). The insulative housing defines a plurality of passageways extending therethrough. The contacts includes signal contacts (21) received in the passageways, and a pair of grounding contact (22) being positioned at a rear end of the insulative housing and each having a curved portion (222). The shell is assembled to the insulative housing and comprises a top wall (31), opposite side walls (320), and a pair of grounding portions (35) each extending downwardly from the top wall and connecting with the curved portion of the grounding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 6935869
    Abstract: A meter box ground clamp for clamping a ground wire to a metallic meter box includes a clamp body, a wedge body, a bolt member and a ground engagement bolt. The clamp body has a base segment and first and second leg segments, each of the leg segments having a laterally extending extension segment for engaging the exterior surface of the meter box drip cap. The wedge body includes an upper segment disposed proximate to the clamp body legs, a lower segment disposed proximate to the clamp body base segment, and a middle segment extending from the lower segment, through a slot of the clamp body base segment, to the upper segment. The bolt member head is disposed above an upper portion of the clamp body base segment, with the shaft extending downwardly through an opening of the base segment upper portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Motion Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Randolph L. Auclair
  • Patent number: 6916187
    Abstract: A ground connecting member is connected to a ground formed on a substrate. The ground connecting member has elasticity and conductivity. The substrate is fixed on a compensating member for compensating for an area of the ground. At this time, the ground connecting member is sandwiched between the substrate and the compensating member. In this structure, the ground connecting member contacts the compensating member, and electrically connects the ground with the compensating member in a low impedance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masaru Deguchi
  • Patent number: 6899552
    Abstract: A safety lock-out grounding device renders each of the phase leads of single phased or multi-phased electrical equipment to a grounded, safe condition to facilitate safe servicing or repair. The device has sheathed flexible phase leads and a sheathed ground conductor each being provided with an adjustable toggle actuated clamping device to establish positive clamping with the phase leads of the electrical equipment and positive clamping with a ground buss. Each of the clamping devices has relatively moveable locking components that define lock openings which become aligned when the respective adjustable toggle actuated clamping device is clamped onto a phase lead or ground buss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Inventors: Weston D. Robinson, Jerry T. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6893168
    Abstract: An optical transceiver module comprises a base (1), a pair of metallic releasable latches (4) attached to opposite lateral sides of the base, and a housing. The housing includes an upper housing (71) and a lower housing (72), which are mounted to an upper side and a lower side of the base respectively. Each latch includes a retention portion (41), and a spring portion (42) bent generally perpendicularly from an outer end of the retention portion. The retention portions of the latches are inserted into receiving grooves (17) defined in side walls (14, 15) of the base. The spring portions of the latches sit on the side steps (152) of the base. The upper housing electrically engages with rear parts of the spring portions. Any electrostatic charge that develops on the upper and lower housings is dissipated to external ground via the latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nan Tsung Huang, Shaoming Fu
  • Patent number: 6891101
    Abstract: An electromagnetic frequency (EMF) grounding outlet for a vehicle. The grounding outlet has a permanent magnet or magnetic pad on top of which a passenger's and/or driver's feet can rest or on which the person may sit. The EMF grounding outlet may be affixed to a floor or pedal of the vehicle. The North magnetic field of the magnet faces up toward the person in the vehicle and the South magnetic field faces down toward the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Inventor: George Riach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6890190
    Abstract: A flange assembly of a fuel supply unit includes a metal flange 14 having a bottom surface. A metal tab bracket 20 is provided having a base 22 and at least one tab 24. The tab bracket is coupled to the bottom surface of the flange 14. At least one metal strut 12 is provided. A plastic strut holder 30 holds an end of the metal strut. The plastic strut holder is secured to the flange by engagement with the tab, with the end of the strut contacting the base of the tab bracket, thereby securing the plastic strut holder and the metal strut with respect to the flange, while providing a conductive path between the flange and the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Jurcak, Paul F. Briggs
  • Patent number: 6884119
    Abstract: A connector has a plastic housing (10) with a plurality of cavities or holes (13) for accepting “chips” (3), i.e., electrical elements such as transient suppression diodes, capacitors, metal oxide varisters, spark gap devices, and so on, connected between the a contact (20) and ground for RFI or EMI suppression or the like. The contacts have shoulders with chip-contacting areas (23), preferably one surface of an annular flange (21). This allows numerous cavities to be arrayed around the axis of the contact (which can be radially symmetrical) so that numerous chips can be put in parallel between the contact and ground. In the case of capacitor chips, for example, this allows increasing the capacitance or varying the capacitance from one contact to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: John Leslie Brooks, John Peter van den Enden, Valeria Caraiani, Barbara Heather Marten, Peter Ervin Jay, Ming Jong, Karen Anne Gibson
  • Patent number: 6877223
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a socket (300, FIG. 3) includes fabricating a conductive structure (310, FIG. 3) and embedding the conductive structure in a housing (302). The housing includes multiple openings (304) formed in the top surface. Each opening (304) provides access to conductive contacts (502, FIG. 5), which provide an electrical interface between a device that is inserted into the socket and the next level of interconnect (e.g., a PC board). In one embodiment, the embedded conductive structure (310) is electrically connected to one or more ground conducting contacts (708, FIG. 7B). The conductive structure includes column walls (312), which run in parallel with columns of contacts, and row walls (314), which run in parallel with rows of contacts and which intersect the column walls. In this manner, the conductive structure forms multiple chambers (402, FIG. 4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David G. Figueroa, Chee-Yee Chung, Kristopher Frutschy, Farzaneh Yahyaei-Moayyed
  • Patent number: 6877996
    Abstract: A grounding connector with an improved ground terminal that facilitates easy ground wire attachment. The grounding connector includes a base that locates the ground terminal so that the ground terminal can operate between a wire receiving position and a wire engaging position without interference from the structure to which the connector is attached. The ground terminal includes a bracket having at least one guide and an actuator to move the bracket between the wire receiving and wire engaging positions. The guide of the bracket is received by a guide aperture in the base to guide the movement of the bracket. The bracket also defines relatively large ground wire receiving apertures that are exposed for receiving a ground wire when the bracket is in the wire receiving position. Once a grounding wire is inserted into the apertures, the bracket is actuated to its wire engaging position, and the wire is clamped against the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Senior Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: George J. Franks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6877997
    Abstract: An electrical contact stud (1), a cap nut (12) of plastic material, an electrical contact system for fastening an electrical contact and a method for fastening an electrical contact to a workpiece (11) to be painted are provided. A cap nut (12), economically produced, made of plastics material, and not necessarily having to be electrically conducting, fastens an electrical contact shoe (21). As a plastics material nut can be self-locking, the required maximum torques for producing contact are relatively small, for example 8 Nm, and fastening an electrical contact is made possible even with thin sheets of metal with sheet metal thicknesses of less than 0.6 mm without deformation. The cap nut (12) made of plastics material serves in a first step as a seal against paint penetration into the electrical contact region and in a second step for fastening a contact shoe (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Harald Schäty
  • Patent number: 6857881
    Abstract: A meter box ground clamp for clamping a ground wire to a metallic meter box includes a clamp body, a pressure bar, a floating nut, a bolt member and a ground engagement bolt. The clamp body has a base segment and first and second leg segments, each of the leg segments having a laterally extending extension segment for engaging the exterior surface of the meter box drip cap. The pressure bar extends through a slot in the clamp body base segment and has a front segment, disposed below the clamp body extension segments, having a laterally extending groove forming a lip at the pressure bar front end. The floating nut extends through the clamp body base segment slot and includes a front portion having a threaded, vertically extending bore. The bolt member is threadably engaged with the bore of the floating nut front portion for driving the lip of the pressure bar front segment into the meter box overlap joint to electrically connect the ground clamp to the meter box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Electric Motion Company, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Balfour
  • Patent number: 6858793
    Abstract: An EMI suppression plate surrounds a galvanically isolated connector at the opening in a chassis that is provided for the connector. The plate is configured to provide an immediate high frequency coupling to the chassis ground. The plate comprises a circuit board that includes two conductors that are coupled by one or more capacitors. One conductor is in contact with an outer shell of the connector, and the other conductor is in contact with the chassis ground. By providing a high frequency coupling between the connector and chassis at the location of the connector opening on the chassis, the ground current path between the connector and chassis ground is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: David J. Pels, Viatcheslav Pronkine, Sean Patrick Ryan, Ronald C. Valenti
  • Patent number: 6846986
    Abstract: RF emission may be reduced by providing grounding strips between optical transmitter and receiver modules in an optical transceiver package. The grounding strips includes an upper portion to fit over a top of the module, a transition portion to span a distance between the top of the module and the board, and a lower portion in electrical connection with a grounding pad on the board. The grounding strip may be substantially as wide as the module that it covers. Angled tabs may be provided to fit within registration holes in the ground pad. The grounding strip may be press-fitted onto the module or soldered. The low impedance ground strip increases the connectivity of the optical module to the board and may replace grounding leads to the external housing to reduce RF emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Arie Ravid, Joshua T. Oen, Richard H. Hsu