Patents Examined by David Pirlot
  • Patent number: 4946394
    Abstract: A connection mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a cable connector to a bushing mounted on an electrical apparatus which is easier to use than cable connectors which require the threading of one electrical contact into another and which require more than one person to operate the connection mechanism. The connection mechanism assists in properly aligning the cable connector and the bushing and securely connects the cable connector to the bushing. Further, this connection mechanism eliminates the problem present in prior connection mechanisms of having to supply significant force in order to break the rubber-to-rubber interface bond which can occur when the connector has been connected to the bushing for a substantial period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Cooper Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd K. Knapp, Harvey W. Mikulecky
  • Patent number: 4944689
    Abstract: A molded connector box for connecting electric power delivery wires to a panel (radiant heating) is formed with side walls and a bottom wall. A power wire inlet slot is formed through one side wall and an outlet slot through another side wall. Each slot has a power wire clamping fixture associated therewith. Blade type wire connectors are positioned adjacent to the inlet and outlet openings and a cooperating wire securing element is connected to its adjacent side wall via a strap in a position to be folded into the box and lock into its respective wire connector to hold the wires in the connector. A cover plate snaps into position to close the connector box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Univ. of British Columbia
    Inventor: Owen R. Carr
  • Patent number: 4941838
    Abstract: This invention concerns a lockable electric plug and socket connector with a plug enclosure with compartments for several plug contact elements and a mating plug enclosure with compartments for several mating plug contact elements as well as a snap action locking device for locking the two enclosures that have catch noses on the plug enclosure and a U-shaped spring clip mounted on the enclosure so it acts together with the catch noses and a catch edge on the mating plug enclosure so the catch noses can lock behind it, and it has an operating tab that acts on the spring clip to unlock the enclosures, the spring clip (16) is a metal part punched from sheet metal and placed on edge so it acts on a toggle lever (7), and the catch noses (10) are located on the toggle lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Grote & Hartmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernd Zinn
  • Patent number: 4941846
    Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coaxial connector is described which can be used with unmodified standard coaxial couplings having externally-facing threads. The connector includes a coaxial line segment that is mounted inside a housing body. The latter has movable fingers with inwardly-facing ridges that interlock with the external thread of a coaxial coupling. The coaxial line segment interfits with the coupling for a microwave connection and is movably mounted with respect to the housing body. A sleeve having a cam surface is mounted over the housing body whereby, in a forward position, the fingers are caused to close on a coupling and interlock with its thread while in a rearward position, the fingers are allowed to release from the coupling. The coaxial line segment is spring biased so as to normally urge the fingers towards their release position and into coaxial abutment with a coupling when the fingers are interlocked with the coupling's external thread by the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Adams-Russell Electronic Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Guimond, Anthony Martiniello, David W. Hardy, Raymond Tellier
  • Patent number: 4941831
    Abstract: A termination system for coupling to further circuitry one or more miniature coaxial cables terminated with respective impedance matched terminators each including a center signal contact and a concentric tubular sleeve contact having an external contact surface. The termination system includes a receptacle for a single terminator or a carrier block for a plurality of terminators. The receptacle includes a center pin contact extending along an axial extent of the receptacle, an outer tubular shell contact coaxially positioned with respect to the pin contact and having an internal contact surface for electrically connecting with the external contact surface of a terminator sleeve contact, and a spacer for maintaining electrical isolation and spaced relation of the pin and shell contacts for matching the impedance of the receptacle to that of the terminator and cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John N. Tengler, John T. Venaleck
  • Patent number: 4941844
    Abstract: An electrical connector for providing an insulation displaced connection between first and second insulated electrical wires includes a base and a cap. The base includes a body having at least one groove and a first electrical wire partially embedded in the body. A terminal pin on the end of the first wire extends into and is partially exposed within that groove. A second insulated wire is positioned in and extends through the groove, and the cap is positioned around part of that second wire adjacent the body. The cap is then matingly slid along the base, with a cam surface on the cap slidingly contacting the second wire to force that wire into an insulation displaced connection with the terminal pin on the first wire. When the cap is fully received on the base, the electrical connection is complete without any hand tools being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Assignee: Hopkins Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Wesley E. Bowden, Michael D. Swan
  • Patent number: 4940426
    Abstract: A high density electrical connector assembly, and method of manufacturing same. More particularly, the invention covers an essentially flat, woven screen formed of a plurality of substantially parallel, electrically conductive wires forming the warp wires thereof, where such wires may be as small as 2 mils in diameter. Arranged essentially perpendicular thereto are plural, spaced apart, insulative woof filaments. To one major face of said flat, woven screen is applied a hot laminating film to encapsulate said wires, while to such other major face a comparable film is applied. However, for such other face, the encapsulating film is not coextensive with the screen length, but rather is spaced from the ends thereof so as to provide for connector contacts on each such wire. If desirable, the contacts may be plated.The invention also contemplates means for electrically interconnecting the assembly hereof to a high density circuit pattern, such as found on a PC board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John P. Redmond, Ray N. Shaak
  • Patent number: 4940415
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner structure having a canister provided with a suction inlet and a flexible hose having an end provided with a hose connector adapted to be received in the suction inlet. Male and female electrical connectors are associated with the suction inlet and hose end, and lock and key elements are provided in association with the suction inlet and hose end for permitting connection of the hose end to the suction inlet only in the event that the electrical terminal portion provided on the suction hose end is complementary to the electrical connector provided on the canister. The lock and key elements may be integrally formed with the canister and hose structures, or may be selectively fixedly secured thereto as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: George A. Westergren
  • Patent number: 4940420
    Abstract: A sealed electrical connector includes one connector member having an oval-shaped cavity containing electrical contacts. A second connector member has a main body of a similar oval shape and having electrical contacts for mating with the contacts in the other connector member. A circular sealing boot is inserted into the cavity so as to deform to the oval shape, thereby providing lateral forces against the cavity wall which ensures that the sealing boot is retained in the cavity and promotes a tight seal when the main body of the second connector member is inserted into the cavity. The sealing boot is formed with elastomeric material into a circular cylindrical shape and is retained in the cavity even when the connector is disconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Richard T. Munie
  • Patent number: 4940425
    Abstract: The contact member defines a channel having a base from which project side walls bowed in portions of which define wire slots. Inwardly convergent wings surmounting each wire slot have insulation severing edges. When a lead is forced into the channel the edges sever the insulation of the lead so that the crests of the bowed portions engage the core of the lead. The wings are then bent across the channel to hold the lead down therein. The portions merge with dimples in the base so that the side walls and the base are continuous as seen in cross section through the wire slots, so that the rigidity of the contact member and the contact force exerted against the core, are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Juergen Hass, Gheorghe Hotea
  • Patent number: 4940421
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved multi-pin type of water proof electric connector which is guaranteed free of shortcircuit between adjacent pin-and-contact piece connections even if water should invade to any pin-and-connector piece connection through the very small gap between the conductor and the insulation sheath of the wire by the capillary action. The electric connector comprises a male half having contact pieces and a female half having pin terminals in its cavity, and a seal member placed in the space which is to be formed between the outer surface of the plug housing and the inside surface of the socket housing when the male and female halves are coupled. The plug housing has a plurality of hollow protrusions each containing a contact piece, and the seal member encircles each of the protrusions, thereby sealing each pin-and-contact piece connection independently from adjacent pin-and-contact piece connections when the male and female halves are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kouji Kano, Sumitaka Ogawa, Minoru Sano, Masahiro Sakano
  • Patent number: 4938719
    Abstract: A junction block comprises a pair of first and second cover cases each having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface grooves therein; a plurality of electrical conductors each having a first portion, a second portion, and a middle portion therebetween, the first portion being received in a groove of the first cover case and the second portion being received in a groove of the second cover case; contact-terminals inserted into the cover cases through the grooves to protrude through the outer surfaces of the first and second cover cases for electrical connection with external circuits as well as the conductors; the first cover case being piled on the second cover case such that the respective inner surfaces face each other; and insulating partitioning means sandwiched between the first and second cover cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Sawai, Keiichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 4938707
    Abstract: A multimate coaxial adapter is described with which one type of coaxial connector can be conveniently terminated with one of several other types of connectors. A pair of axially separable and rotatable mating plates are provided with coaxial connectors on outer sides. The connectors are evenly spaced about an axis of rotation. The inside surfaces of the plates are provided with mating coaxial conduits that are electrically coupled to the connectors. A spring loaded mechanism is used to normally bias the plates towards each other while enabling their axial separation and rotation to obtain a desired alignment of connectors on different plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Adams-Russell Electronic Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Guimond, Anthony Martiniello
  • Patent number: 4938713
    Abstract: A transition adapter for terminating flat power cable includes at least a stamped and formed member having opposed plate sections between which an end or an edge portion of the cable is receivable to be terminated. The plate sections have opposing cooperating terminating regions comprised of a plurality of alternating wave shapes and relief recesses, with each wave shape aligned with a recess of the opposing terminating region. When the plate sections are urged together under sufficient force, shearing edges along each side of each wave shape shear the cable conductor by cooperating with shearing edges of the adjacent wave shape of the opposing terminating region, scissors-fashion. Crests of the wave shapes deflecting the sheared cable portions into the opposing relief recesses, forming a series of interlocking wave joints across the intermeshing terminating regions and terminating the cable between the plate sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John K. Daly, William B. Fritz, Earl R. Kreinberg
  • Patent number: 4936788
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an improved connector for use in electrical ornamental articles mainly disposed on Christmas trees or the like, which has an integrally formed plastic shell made by injection molding with three consecutive sections, the first thereof being in trapezoid form, and the second and third being of cylindrical shape with different size. The tapered sides of the trapezoid section permit easy attachment of the connector to a socket; on the external wall of the second section are disposed a plurality of spaced collapsible ribs in the axial direction. Metallic contacts are removably placed in a pair of divided tunnels of the connector with the front ends thereof extended out of the connector and reversely bent in abutment against the external wall of the first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: New Chien Lung Ent. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ling-Yung Lin
  • Patent number: 4934961
    Abstract: A bi-level connector for making mechanical and electrical contact between a mother printed circuit board and a daughter printed circuit board. The connector comprises lower level contacts with a varied spring rate when a daughter printed circuit board is inserted. The method of manufacturing the connector comprises forming a strip of two types of contacts, upper contacts and lower contacts, on a single carry strip in alternating fashion such that both the upper and lower contacts can be simultaneously inserted into a connector housing in a single insertion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventors: Heinz Piorunneck, Donald S. Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 4934967
    Abstract: An electrical socket for interconnecting a pin grid array to a printed circuit board includes an insulative housing having a plurality of apertures extending between upper and lower faces, the socket apertures have disposed therein, terminals for receiving the pins of the pin grid array in an electrically interconnected condition. A pin receiving portion of the terminal includes a circular band portion with resilient contact arms extending downwardly therefrom. The band portion includes a seam which allows for the expansion of the seam to relieve the stress in the band cuased by the deflection of the contact arms. The center of the circular band portion is also moveable to allow the pin receiving portion to realign itself to allow the reception of misaligned pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard L. Marks, Roger L. Thrush
  • Patent number: 4934966
    Abstract: A tab-receptacle of known type comprises a pair of side walls upstanding from a base and having edge portions in-turned towards the base opposite rails pushed up from material at the junction of the base and the side walls so that a mating tab will be gripped between the opposed edge portions and the rails. A latching tongue has a lance for latching engagement in an aperture of a mating tab and a release projection. Catch members are provided on ends of strap-like extensions of the respective side walls at the front of the receptacle and include a clasp and stop lugs arranged for interengagement after a predetermined movement apart of the side walls (necessary for tab insertion) to prevent further deflection apart and strain of the side walls otherwise caused by a misaligned tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Gianfranco D'Urso
  • Patent number: 4934942
    Abstract: A card edge connector with flexible printed circuit film. More particularly a card edge connector for electrically interconnecting circuits on two circuit boards through flexible printed circuit film mounted in the connector and with the contact pads thereon being biased outwardly by coil springs behind the contact pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Albert Casciotti
  • Patent number: 4932876
    Abstract: An adapter for removably mounting electronic components on a circuit board or the like is disclosed which includes an insulating base having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, with a plurality of contacts disposed within the holes. Each contact includes a board-engaging section which extends from the base for compliantly engaging a hole in the circuit board. Each contact further includes a base-engaging section which resiliently engages a hole within the base, with the base-engaging section strongly engaging the adapter base to provide for essentially permanent placement therein. Each contact further includes a component end including means for mating with a component placed in contact therewith, which means may comprise solder on the component-facing side of the component end of the contact. Typically, a component will be placed on the base with mating conductive strips in contact with the component ends of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: North American Specialties Corporation
    Inventor: Jack Seidler