Patents Examined by David L. Pirlot
  • Patent number: 5607318
    Abstract: A waterproof connector includes a rubber plug stakingly fixable to the leading end portion of a wire to be inserted into a terminal storage chamber formed in a connector housing by a metal terminal engageable with a lance provided in the terminal storage chamber and stakingly fixable to the wire by the metal terminal. The rubber plug has an end terminal plug for closing the rear opening edge of the terminal storage chamber, and an expansion and contraction port on capable of expansion and contraction in the axial direction of the rubber plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Wakata, Sho Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5607328
    Abstract: A single-piece electrical receptacle terminal comprises a contact section having an inner box-shaped contact body and an outer body wrapped therearound. The outer contact body provides a more robust structure that protects the inner contact body, as well as providing a window for engagement with a connector housing locking lance, and an additional spring beam for increasing the contact arm spring force. The outer body also has a lead-in section for smoothly guiding a male terminal into the contact area as well as enhancing the ease of insertion of the receptacle terminal through a seal cavity. The long outer body that extends over of the whole length of the inner contact also provides a stable support of a cavity of a connector housing. The single-piece design where the layout extends in the longitudinal direction reduces material waste and provides for a more cost-effective design than a two piece terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Jean C. Joly
  • Patent number: 5607315
    Abstract: A coupling element or attachment device mechanically and electrically mates a fuel injector to a plastic fuel rail. The attachment device electrically couples the male electrical connector to integral wiring within the fuel rail. The attachment device is preferably slidably engaged upon ribs or grooves on the fuel rail and slidably engaged to the male electrical connector. The device secures the fuel injector to the fuel rail without the necessity of a metal clip. The device may be manufactured from a unitary plastic molding. A plurality of attachment devices may be utilized to secure two or more fuel injectors to the fuel rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Harrie W. Bonnah, II, John Smith
  • Patent number: 5605469
    Abstract: An electrical connector provides for the termination of discrete conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes a connector housing which supports a plurality of electrical contacts. The contacts include insulation displacing contact portions. The insulation displacing contact portions are arranged in longitudinally and vertically spaced rows within the connector housing. A conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing with respect to the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block includes contact slots which are longitudinally and vertically spaced for receipt of the insulation displacing contact portions. The holding block further includes vertically spaced rows of conductor receiving passages in communication with the contact slots for receipt of the conductors in a pair of conductor rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne T. Wellinsky, Randal B. Lord
  • Patent number: 5603622
    Abstract: A track light mounting arrangement includes a plurality of tracks fastened to locating frames, a plurality of electric boxes slidably coupled to the tracks to hold a respective lamp assembly, a plurality of sliding switches respectively coupled to the electric boxes and moved forward to turn on the respective lamp assemblies or backward to turn them off. Circular distribution boxes may be installed for coupling tracks radially by connecting devices, so that a plurality of track lights can be electrically connected and arranged in all directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Taiwan King Prince Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Acer Lin
  • Patent number: 5603624
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to allow a fitting operation lever to be set to an initial position with respect to a connector without particularly using a separate member such as a spring, the initial position being such a position as to allow driven pins of a mating connector to be received smoothly. The connector being made of a synthetic resin and having in a housing body thereof guide notches that receive the driven pins of the mating connector; and a fitting operation lever being made of the synthetic resin, the fitting operation lever having drive cam grooves corresponding to the driven pins and being pivotably disposed on the connector. An engagement portion disposed on the fitting operation lever is disposed so as to be releasable from an initial position setting lock portion disposed on the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Yazki Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Taguchi, Hiroki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5603621
    Abstract: A cordless extension system generally includes an adaptor that enables manual electrical coupling between a conductive strip and a conventional duplex wall outlet when the adaptor is positioned over a face of the outlet. Removable outlet members are provided for selective placement along the conductive strip and are adapted for engagement with a conventional pronged plug. The cordless extension system may also provide strip connectors and strip safety guards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Inventor: Daniel Elmouchi
  • Patent number: 5603650
    Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a rear electrode for controlling a first quantity of electrons in an electron beam. Also included is an electron beam generating source for generating the electrons which travel in parallel with each other and an extraction electrode for extracting the electron beams from the generated electrons. A control electrode is also included for selectively controlling a second quantity of electrons in the electron beams which have passed through the extraction electrode and a horizontal deflection electrode for electrostatically deflecting the electron beams. A vertical deflection electrode is provided for deflecting the electron beams which have passed through the horizontal deflection electrode. The vertical deflection electrode has a first comb-shaped conductive sheet having first parallel members and a second comb-shaped conductive sheet having second parallel members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsunori Yokomakura, Kyouichi Uematsu, Kanji Imai, Tomohiro Sekiguchi, Toshifumi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 5601437
    Abstract: A clockspring having a device for determining if the clockspring is centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Harvey, Gerald L. McClure
  • Patent number: 5601448
    Abstract: A connector for electrical communication between a low-voltage lamp and an electrical cable connected with a source of low-voltage electricity. The connector has a base with two opposed sections that define a channel for receiving the cable. Distal ends of each section have threaded radially outward surfaces for receiving a threaded cap. A presser in the cap pushes the cable into piercing engagement with a pair of nails in the channel for providing electrical communication between the cable and a lamp having a pair of wires connected to the nails. A U-shaped positioner is received within the channel over the electrical cable therein for accommodating narrow gauge cable. A method of connecting a lamp to an electrical cable is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sunskill Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kar K. Poon
  • Patent number: 5601444
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing a ribbon cable plug to a 3-in-1 printed circuit board connector. The ribbon cable plug mates with a signals section of the connector and an address section of the printed circuit board connector, adjacent the signal section, includes a plurality of pins that extend from the connector parallel to a line along which the ribbon cable plug is moved to mate the ribbon cable plug with the signals section of the connector. The pins, which have square cross sections, are received in circular sockets formed in one end to a body member of a retaining plug constructed of glass filled polyester. The sockets are sized so that the pins will deform portions of the retaining plug body member about the sockets and thereby clamp the retaining plug to the printed circuit board connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Alvin E. Cox
  • Patent number: 5601458
    Abstract: A terminal fabricated through the steps of forming a thin plate portion X with a part of the periphery left aside at the leading end of a female electric contact portion, providing a turnback thin plate X2 which is folded inside via an arcuate folded portion X1 in the thin plate portion X, and positioning the arcuate folded portion of a turnback contact piece in the part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Ohsumi, Seiji Kozono, Michio Akashi
  • Patent number: 5601457
    Abstract: A female electrical contact of the socket type comprising a tubular body (1) defining a housing (3) provided with a front inlet orifice (4) for receiving a male electrical contact of the pin type, and a plurality of elastically deformable contact springs (5) which are centrally curved radially inwards and which extend substantially longitudinally, being distributed in a cylinder to constitute a cage. The springs are secured to the body by one of their ends, and are fixed to the body adjacent to their front ends, and the front ends of the springs are connected to one another by a front ring (9) which fits over the outline of the housing (3) in the vicinity of its inlet orifice (4) and is secured thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Jean-Fran.cedilla.ois Le Gall
  • Patent number: 5599206
    Abstract: A dual modular jack insert subassembly 10 for use in a network outlet assembly 2 or in a patch panel including a mounting insert 16 to which modular jacks 12 with conventional panel stops 14 are attached without the use of additional fasteners. The mounting insert 16 is a molded member with a front window 20 through which the modular jacks 12 are accessible. Latch arms 18 extend rearwardly from the mounting insert, and a snap fastener 22 located on the inside of each latch arm opposes a window jamb 26 on a side of the window. The panel stops 14 cam the snap fastener 2 outward when the modular jacks 12 are inserted from the rear. The panel stops 14 are positioned in a channel 38 between the snap fastener 22 and a front shoulder 28 when properly mounted on the mounting insert 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Victor E. Slack, Rodney E. Reich, Mitchell E. Miller
  • Patent number: 5599194
    Abstract: A contact pin having a thin wall construction that makes good electrical connection with an IC socket without insulation due to oxide film forming on the surface of the lead and which does not easily break due to plastic deformation. An IC socket has a feature to prevent an IC device position from deviating and deforming its leads which can automatically position the IC device for secure contact with contact pins of an IC frame having leads by limited positioning of the IC device on a stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ozawa, Hiroaki Harada
  • Patent number: 5599202
    Abstract: An electrical plug or receptacle for securement to an end of an electrical cable having plural insulated electrical wires. The connector comprises a front housing having a longitudinal axis, a rear housing, a termination block, a strain relief keeper, and plural zero gap insulation displacement terminals. The two housings are movably secured to each other by screw threads so that when secured together they form a hollow interior chamber for receipt of the cable end. The insulation displacement terminals are located within the front housing section and each includes a tined-portion extending into the interior chamber. The termination block is located within the interior chamber and is adapted to receive and hold portions of the electrical wires contiguous with the free ends thereof for electrical engagement by the insulation displacement terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Electrical Wiring Device Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Key
  • Patent number: 5599203
    Abstract: A smart card connector 2 for use with a smart card 100 includes both data contacts 12 and normally open end position contacts 12'. The smart card 100 includes both data contact pads 102 and at least one end position contact pad 104 positioned to engage the end position contacts 12'. When the smart card is fully inserted in the connector card slot 10 so that the data contacts 12 are aligned with the data contact pads 102, two normally open end position contacts 12' engage the end position contact pad 104. The two end position contacts 12' are then electrically commoned to provide a signal to a card reader that the smart card 100 is fully inserted and data communication can begin between the smart card 100 and the card reader. Both the data contacts 12 and the normally open end position contacts 12' can comprise substantially identical cantilever beams mounted in the housing base of the smart card connector 2, and the end position contact pad 104 is laterally offset form the data contact pads 102.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Broschard, III
  • Patent number: 5599212
    Abstract: A female terminal body consists of elastic contact pieces which are separated from each other in a peripheral direction by slits elongating in a longitudinal direction, a cylindrical base portion for fixing a sleeve, a conductor clamping portion to which a conductor of an electric wire W is to be fixed, and a wire cover clamping portion. The elastic contact pieces are disposed in a front part of the terminal body, the cylindrical base portion in a middle part, and the conductor clamping portion and the wire cover clamping portion in a rear part. The elastic contact pieces elongating from the cylindrical base portion constitute a cylinder having a diameter which gradually decreases as moving more distant from the cylindrical base portion, so that the male terminal is pressingly contacted to and clamped by their front ends. In order to facilitate the insertion of the male terminal, the front end portion of the cylinder has a diameter which gradually increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitsugu Sawada
  • Patent number: 5599192
    Abstract: This invention relates to connector assemblies for electrically and mechanically connecting one printed circuit board to another and, in particular to connector assemblies having blade-like terminals engaging cantilever beam terminals for electrically and mechanically connecting one printed circuit board to another. The present invention uses a passive latch to increase the withdrawal force without significantly increasing the insertion force of the terminals in connectors in the connector assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley W. Olson
  • Patent number: 5597315
    Abstract: A pair of connectors with an engaging lever comprising: a first housing having an engaging lever pivotally attached thereto; a second housing which is coupled and uncoupled to the first housing by being engaged by with the engaging lever; wherein the engaging lever is composed of an operative piece and an actuating handle which are separately formed, connecting portions being provided on each of the operative piece and the actuating handle for connecting with each other, and the connecting portions being connected to form the combined engaging lever. Engaging levers having the same operative piece in structure or size and having a modified actuating handle only in length can be applied to various connector housings differing in lateral width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Taguchi