Patents Assigned to Methode Electronics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6293816
    Abstract: A wire-trap member that has a member which can apply a force to restrict the movement of a wire conductor therein and/or a number of contact tails positioned along the width of the connector is provided. The applied force generates a torsional force within the contact and the contact is more flexible. The connector of the present invention can utilize the wire-trap member, the contact tails and combinations thereof to secure the wire conductor within the connector and prevent arcing as the size of the connector is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Scheitz, Kenneth P. Lemke
  • Publication number: 20010019475
    Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kimura, James Farquhar, Jeffrey Allen, Michael Chao, Stephen Hatch, Scott Herbert, Brandt Weibezhan, Iggon Fajardo
  • Publication number: 20010017215
    Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kimura, James Farquhar, Jeffrey Allen, Michael Chao, Stephen Hatch, Scott Herbert, Brandt Weibezhan, Iggoni Fajardo
  • Patent number: 6269537
    Abstract: A PCB package for shielding electromagnetic radiation from exiting or entering the package. In one embodiment the package includes first and second electrically conductive covers and first and second electrically conductive frames. The first frame electrically connected to the first cover and the second frame electrically connected to the second cover. The first frame is then electrically connected to the second frame. The first and second frames can be made of electrically conductive plastics or metals or any other electrically conductive materials. Methods of assembling the packages of the various embodiments are also set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kimura, James Farquhar, Jeffrey Allen, Michael Chao, Stephen Hatch, Scott Herbert, Brandt Weibezhan, Iggoni Fajardo
  • Publication number: 20010009273
    Abstract: A conductive via filler for printed wiring boards capable of reducing copper oxides and thereby eliminating a cleaning step in printed wiring board construction, the conductive via filler consisting essentially of silver flake, a resin, a hardener, and a titanate coupling compound. The filler or paste may further include one or more of a flexibilizer, a solvent, and/or an accelerator. It is a feature of the invention that extensive pre-cleaning of copper substrates is obviated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank St. John
  • Patent number: 6264481
    Abstract: A transceiver socket for receiving a transceiver. The transceiver socket includes a pinboard and a retention ground clip. The pinboard has a first surface and a second surface. The pinboard further includes a first attaching post receptacle, a second attaching post receptacle, and a plurality of pin receptacles. Each of the receptacles has an opening on the first surface of the pinboard. Each of the opening being positioned relative to each other so as to receive the attaching posts and pins of the small form factor transceiver. The first attaching post receptacle, the second attaching post receptacle, and the pin receptacles each have a portion protruding from the second surface of the pinboard. The retention ground clip having first and second arms extending from a retention ground clip body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz, Steven Pulchinski
  • Publication number: 20010007207
    Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a flexible printed circuit cylinder, having a buoyant member mounted on a rod and a contact member mounted on the buoyant member which abuttingly contacts the rod and the conductive traces formed on the inside of the flexible cylinder wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Applicant: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Rapala
  • Patent number: 6222131
    Abstract: A flat electrical cable is provided wherein the flat cable includes an upper layer having ribs protruding along its length and substantially parallel to one another, continuous substantially parallel and adjacent seams formed between and upper an lower insulator layer conductors between the upper and lower layer adjacent the seams and a pattern formed in the surface of the lower insulator layer. The present invention may have upper and lower polyester layers having copper conductors therebetween and the seams ultrasonically welded in order to provide flat electrical cable for various applications such as incorporation in an automobile clockspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Schilson
  • Patent number: 6220878
    Abstract: A robust optoelectronic transceiver module which provides for static discharge and is quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. The transceiver module has a main housing which consists of a potting box with potting material inserted therein. In addition, a circuit board is encased by the potting material. The circuit board has an optical subassembly mounted thereon. The optical subassembly extends outside of the potting box through a recess. Correspondingly, a recess cover is provided for forming a liquid tight seal between the recess cover, the potting box, and the optical subassembly. Furthermore, the module provides electrically conductive latches which are conductively connected, via tabs for forming an electrical connection, to a grounded structure, such as a computer chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Poplawski, Patrick B. Gilliland, Alan J. Wallenberg
  • Patent number: 6222363
    Abstract: A flux gate inductor responsive to an external magnetic field produced by a rotating magnetoelastic sleeve and oscillating voltage applied to the flux gate inductor induces a field in the flux gate inductor, for inducing current flow through the flux gate inductor, which flows through a shunting resistor, creating a voltage which is triangular as a result of the inductance of the flux gate. The sum of the induced and external fields exceeds the saturation flux density of the flux gate, causing the flux gate inductance to zero. This results in a rise in the current through the flux gate inductor and a voltage spike across the shunt resistor. The spike is detected for causing a change in an inverter for producing the oscillation voltage. Meanwhile, the external magnetic field causes an asymmetry between positive, negative currents required to saturate the flux gate inductor. This asymmetry results in a departure of the oscillation voltage from a 50% duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 6217355
    Abstract: A compressed air clockspring includes a housing and a hub rotatably mounted with the housing. The housing has a first electrical connector and a first pneumatic port. The hub has a second electrical connector and a second pneumatic port. A ribbon cable has one end connected to the first electrical connector of the housing and the other end of the ribbon cable is connected to the second electrical connector of the hub. An air ring is rotatably mounted in the housing. The air ring rotates with the hub. The air ring fluidically connects the first pneumatic port to the second pneumatic port. The ribbon cable transmits electrical signals from the crash sensor to the airbag as is common in present day clocksprings. Unlike present day clocksprings, the compressed air clockspring transmits compressed air through the rotary joint formed by the structure of the compressed air clockspring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Charnock
  • Patent number: 6213797
    Abstract: A clockspring connector having a clockspring housing, a hub, a chamber defined by the housing, and a carrier member. The clockspring housing includes an inner wall and an outer wall. A flat conductor cable coiled within the clockspring housing. The hub is rotatably mounted within the clockspring housing. The chamber is defined by the clockspring housing. The carrier member is mounted within the chamber. The carrier member has roller members. One of the roller members is a hard roller member and another of the roller members is a compliant roller member. Typically, the hard roller member is positioned at a turn-back portion of the flat conductor cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Best, Patrick A. Bolen
  • Patent number: 6215669
    Abstract: A holder for holding a leadless circuit element includes opposing flanges which can be bent downwardly for bending the flanges into hands and fingers for holding the leadless circuit element within a plastic mold. In still further accord with the device, the device includes an insert displacement connection integral to a frame for allowing the leadless circuit element to be included in a circuit. Further, the assembly is insert molded in plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Van Vooren
  • Patent number: 6210210
    Abstract: An electrical connection termination device includes a box contact which accommodates a flat conductor of a flat cable. The flat cable includes an insulative layer substantially covering the flat conductor. The box contact includes a box structure at one end and a strain relief structure at another end. The box structure includes four sides so as to form the shape of a box having open ends. One of the sides of the box structure includes a flexible tab. The strain relief structure attaches to the insulative layer of the flat cable. The flat conductor extends through the open ends of the box structure and is positioned near one of the sides of the box structure where that particular side opposes the side of the box structure having the flexible tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz
  • Patent number: 6209392
    Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a contact arm pivotally mounted to a frame adjacent a cam that translates the pivotal motion of the arm into a linear motion so that a contact arm may move linearly across a miniaturized resistor card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Rapala
  • Patent number: 6210207
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a wire clamp electrical connector portion and a wire trap electrical connector portion. The wire clamp portion includes a moving arm and a stationary arm where each arm has a respective contact end. An entrance exists between the contact ends. In an open position of the entrance of the wire clamp electrical connector portion, the contact ends are separated by a predetermined gap for receiving a conductor. The gap has a dimension which is greater than a diameter of a conductor. In a closed position of the entrance of the wire clamp electrical connector portion, contact ends are urged toward each other so as to contact and secure the conductor. The wire trap portion includes a moving arm and a stationary arm where the moving arm has a contact end and the stationary arm has a contact surface. An entrance exists between the contact end and the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Method Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz, Mark Stack
  • Patent number: 6169339
    Abstract: A wireless rotating signal transducer. A control circuit is provided for transferring power and communication signals through a wireless coupling device in a vehicle steering column. A squib firing circuit transforms a high energy power signal suitable for firing an air-bag from the column side to the wheel side. A low-energy power circuit generates a signal from the column side to the wheel side suitable for operating isolated wheel side electronics, such as cruise control and the like. A pulse-encoder circuit communicates low-level control signals suitable for signaling wheel-side commands from the wheel side to the column side. The low-energy power circuit and pulse encoder circuit operate simultaneously and continuously without signal debilitating interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: David Cripe
  • Patent number: 6164994
    Abstract: A clockspring having adhesive so as to resist vibratory motion of the flat ribbon cable and to reduce rubbing of the flat ribbon cable against itself. The clockspring includes a housing, a hub, and a flat ribbon cable connecting the hub to the housing. The flat ribbon cable has an adhesive along a majority of the length of the flat ribbon cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Bolen, Brent E. Henderson, James K. Pettit, John A. DeFranco
  • Patent number: 6166324
    Abstract: A card housing for printed circuit boards, wherein the card housing is provided with stamped covers having grounding members extending unitarily therefrom, wherein at least one grounding member is bent so that an outward surface of the grounding member is contiguous with an outward face of the cover. The cover having the bent grounding member is stamped from a metallic sheet having an insulative frame on one side that forms the outward face and surface. An insulative frame overlays a peripheral edge of each cover so that the two covers may be sealed to encase a printed circuit board inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Oldendorf, Brandt Weibezahn, Jeffrey Allen
  • Patent number: H1991
    Abstract: A clockspring including a housing, a hub, and flexible printed wiring. The flexible printed wiring electrically connecting the hub to the housing. The hub mounted in the housing. The hub being able to rotate relative to the housing. The flexible printed wiring able to be affixed with components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and integrated circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick A. Bolen, Brent E. Henderson