Patents Assigned to FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20080248670
    Abstract: Electrical connectors and contacts for transmitting power are provided. One power contact embodiment includes a first plate that defines a first non-deflecting beam and a first deflectable beam, and a second plate that defines a second non-deflecting beam and a second deflectable beam. The first and second plates are positioned beside one another to form the power contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: FCI AMERICAS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Daily, Wilfred J. Swain, Stuart C. Stoner, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Douglas M. Johnescu
  • Patent number: 7431616
    Abstract: A connector may include lead frame assemblies that each includes contacts arranged in a column. Differential signal pairs may be formed from contacts of adjacent lead frame assemblies. A contact of such differential signal pairs may be staggered along the lead frame assembly with respect to the other contact of the pair. Additionally, adjacent lead frame assemblies may be structurally identical but one of the lead frame assemblies may be rotated 180° with respect to the adjacent lead frame assembly. A connector may include contacts that may be front loaded so that, after the connector is connected to a substrate, individual contacts may be removed without removing the connector from the substrate. The connectors may be capable of being rotated 90° relative to one another such that they may be connected to opposite sides of a substrate such as a midplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Minich
  • Patent number: 7429176
    Abstract: A modular board to board mezzanine ball grid array BGA connector includes a plug, a receptacle and if needed an adapter. The plug and the receptacle can be made form the same base pieces to accommodate different stack heights. If a greater stack height is needed, spacers can be used in the plug and the receptacle to accommodates a greater selected stack height. The plug and the receptacle both include a base having an interstitial diamond recesses in which the solder balls are disposed and in which one end of a contact is inserted. The plug may further include a plug cover that can be connected to the base, and the receptacle may include a receptacle cover that fits over its base. The plug can have a plug contact assembly, and the receptacle can have a receptacle contact assembly. The plug and the receptacle can be mated by mating the plug cover to the receptacle cover and the receptacle contacts to the plug contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Johnescu, Craig W. Clewell, Lewis R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7428812
    Abstract: A hydraulic tool including a motor; a hydraulic pump comprising only one reciprocating piston pump member; and a transmission connecting the motor to the hydraulic pump. The transmission includes a wobble plate and at least one spring. The wobble plate includes a front end pivotably connected to a frame of the pump. A rear end of the piston pump member is located against the front end of the wobble plate. The spring is spaced from the piston pump member and applies a biasing force against the front end of the wobble plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand T. Montminy, Thomas R. Faucher, John D. Lefavour
  • Patent number: 7425145
    Abstract: A connector system includes a first connector, and a second connector that mates with the first connector. The same type of power contact is used in the first and second connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hung Viet Ngo
  • Patent number: 7422447
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a ball-grid array connector includes a housing having a major surface with a first and a second portion. The housing has a first and a second penetration formed therein. The first and second penetrations adjoin the respective first and second portion of the major surface. The connector also includes a first and a second contact mounted on the housing and extending through the respective first and second penetrations. The connector further includes a first and a second fusible element attached to the respective first and second contacts. The first portion of the major surface is recessed so that the first fusible element is spaced apart from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Daily, Douglas M. Johnescu, Christopher J. Kolivoski, Stuart C. Stoner
  • Patent number: 7422444
    Abstract: An electrically-conductive contact for an electrical connector is disclosed. Such a contact may include a lead portion, an offset portion extending from an end of the lead portion, and a mounting portion that may extend from a distal end of the offset portion. The lead portion and the distal end of the offset portion may each define an imaginary plane that may intersect at a non-zero, acute angle. An electrical connector that is suitable for orthogonal connector applications may include a connector housing securing two such electrical contacts. The distance between the respective mounting portions of the two such contacts may be defined independently of the contact pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Michael Johnescu
  • Patent number: 7422468
    Abstract: A flexible flat connector cable electrical contact including a first connection section adapted to be connected to an electrical conductor of a flexible flat conductor (FFC) cable; and a second connection section electrical coupled to the first connection section and adapted to be electrically connected to another member. The first connection section includes at least one staple feature having a hole and only two outwardly extending lances at the hole. Each lance has a pointed tip adapted to pierce through the electrical conductor of the FFC cable. The lances are adapted to be deformed back towards the electrical conductor to form a stapled connection of the first connection section to the FFC cable with only the two lances at the staple feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Shuey
  • Publication number: 20080207038
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of an electrical connector includes a housing having a body. The body defines a contact-receiving aperture extending therethrough, and a heat-transfer aperture extending therethrough in substantially the same direction as the contact-receiving aperture for facilitating circulation of air through the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: FCI AMERICAS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Steven E. Minich
  • Publication number: 20080205822
    Abstract: An electrically-conductive contact for an electrical connector is disclosed. Such a contact may include a lead portion, an offset portion extending from an end of the lead portion, and a mounting portion that may extend from a distal end of the offset portion. The lead portion and the distal end of the offset portion may each define an imaginary plane that may intersect at a non-zero, acute angle. An electrical connector that is suitable for orthogonal connector applications may include a connector housing securing two such electrical contacts. The distance between the respective mounting portions of the two such contacts may be defined independently of the contact pitch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Michael Johnescu
  • Patent number: 7416426
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical connector. The electrical connector includes a user contact member, a housing, a plurality of electrical contacts, and a slide. The user contact member has a first extending arm. The first extending arm includes a first cam projection. The housing has a first arm slot. The first arm slot receives the first extending arm. The plurality of electrical contacts are mounted in the housing. The slide is positioned between the first extending arm and the second housing. The slide includes a first cam slot and a second cam slot. The first cam slot receives the first cam projection. The second cam slot is adapted to receive a second cam projection of a mating electrical connector. The electrical connector is configured to receive at least one wire between the housing and the user contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam P. Tyler, Joel A. Pittenger, Christian Campfort
  • Patent number: 7416445
    Abstract: An electrical connector housing including a base; and a cover. The cover is adapted to be connected to the base to capture at least one electrical connector component in the base. The cover includes a first section and a second section. The second section is movably connected to the first section by a connection. The second section is movable between an open position relative to the base and a closed position. The connection includes a detent latching system for latching the second section in the open position to allow access to a location inside the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Cecil Brown
  • Publication number: 20080200049
    Abstract: The invention provides a connector incorporating an overmolded housing that may control the position of the mounting ends of the connector and may provide a structure to help transfer the forces for press fit of the connector to the printed circuit board (PCB). Such a connector may include a first leadframe assembly having a plurality of contacts, a second leadframe assembly having a plurality of contacts, an edge card, and a tail alignment housing. Each contact may include a lead portion and a mounting end. The lead portions of the contacts may engage the edge card. The tail alignment housing may include a housing body and a plurality of tail supports extending from the housing body. The tail alignment housing may be overmolded onto at least a portion of the mounting ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Shuey, Lewis Johnson, Derek L. Brickner, Ryan S. Gelotte
  • Publication number: 20080200051
    Abstract: The invention provides a connector that incorporates an insert that may protect the contacts of a card slot. The insert may also double as a structural member so that the opening of the card slot does not deform. The insert may be a device that engages the card slot of an edge card. In one embodiment, the insert may include a wall stop, a grip, and a protective member. The grip may extend from a back side of the wall stop and the protective member may extend from a front side of the wall stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Kolivoski, Stuart C. Stoner, Michael V. Strawser, Joseph B. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7413450
    Abstract: An electrical connector may have a housing which has one or more printed circuit board assemblies. Each printed circuit board assembly has a plurality of signal traces and ground traces. Attached to the printed circuit board assemblies is a base. Disposed within one side of the base are a plurality of slots for receiving the printed circuit board assemblies. The opposing side of the base may have a plurality of pockets for receiving a plurality of fusible elements, which are preferably solder balls. Holes in the base provide a passage from the slots to the pockets. The solder balls are connected to the signal trace ends which extend into the base slots by metallic elements, such as contacts or solder paste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Forman
  • Patent number: 7413446
    Abstract: An electrical connector module including a plurality of electrical contact terminals; and a frame adapted to be attached to a housing. The electrical contact terminals are connected to the frame and have opposite ends which extend away from the frame in two respective different directions. The frame includes a plug section adapted to be mechanically plugged into the housing and a resiliently deflectable snap finger adapted to snap-lock behind a portion of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel James Jilg, Max A. Gatsche, Jr., Laura Diane Wakeford
  • Patent number: 7410384
    Abstract: A flexible flat connector cable electrical contact including a first connection section adapted to be connected to an electrical conductor of a flexible flat conductor (FFC) cable; and a second connection section electrical coupled to the first connection section and adapted to be electrically connected to another member. The first connection section includes at least one staple feature having a hole and only two outwardly extending lances at the hole. Each lance has a pointed tip adapted to pierce through the electrical conductor of the FFC cable. The lances are adapted to be deformed back towards the electrical conductor to form a stapled connection of the first connection section to the FFC cable with only the two lances at the staple feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7407387
    Abstract: A modular board to board mezzanine ball grid array BGA connector includes a plug, a receptacle and if needed an adapter. The plug and the receptacle can be made form the same base pieces to accommodate different stack heights. If a greater stack height is needed, spacers can be used in the plug and the receptacle to accommodates a greater selected stack height. The plug and the receptacle both include a base having an interstitial diamond recesses in which the solder balls are disposed and in which one end of a contact is inserted. The plug may further include a plug cover that can be connected to the base, and the receptacle may include a receptacle cover that fits over its base. The plug can have a plug contact assembly, and the receptacle can have a receptacle contact assembly. The plug and the receptacle can be mated by mating the plug cover to the receptacle cover and the receptacle contacts to the plug contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Johnescu, Craig W. Clewell, Lewis R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7407413
    Abstract: An electrical connector system is disclosed and may include a header connector and a receptacle connector. The contacts in the header connector may be edge-coupled to limit the level of cross-talk between adjacent signal contacts. For example, a differential signal in a first signal pair may produce a high-field in the gap between the contacts that form the signal pair, and a low-field near a second, adjacent signal pair. The contacts in the receptacle connector may be broadside-coupled and configured to receive the contacts from the header connector while minimizing signal skew. For example, the overall length of the contacts within a differential signal pair may be the same. The contacts in the connector system may include differential signal pairs, single-ended contacts, and/or ground contacts. The connector system may be devoid of any electrical shielding between the signal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Minich
  • Publication number: 20080182431
    Abstract: A disk drive interposer may include a component board assembly, and an interconnect board. The component board assembly may have a plurality of electrical components electrically connected by a first set of electrically conductive traces. The interconnect board may have a first plurality of electrically-conductive pads disposed along a disk drive mating edge of the interconnect board and a second plurality of electrically-conductive pads disposed along a backplane mating edge of the interconnect board. The first plurality of pads may be electrically connected to the second plurality of pads by a second set of electrically conductive traces. A mezzanine connector may electrically connect the first set of traces and the second set of traces. Such an interposer may physically and electrically mimic a disk drive from the frame of reference of a backplane, and physically and electrically mimic a backplane from the frame of reference of a disk drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: FCI AMERICAS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Franklin Evans