Patents Examined by Gary Paumen
  • Patent number: 10205264
    Abstract: A joint connector includes shorting members (30) and a shorting member accommodating portion (50) for holding the shorting members (30). The shorting member holding portion (50) includes clamping portions (52, 54, 56 and 58) capable of clamping the shorting members (30) from both sides in a clamping direction and a clamping/fixing portion for constraining these clamping portions (52, 54, 56 and 58) to each other to fix the clamping portions at clamping positions where the clamping portions clamp the shorting members (30). At least some of the clamping portions are constraining clamping portions including shorting member constraining portions for constraining the shorting members (30) to restrict relative displacements of the shorting members (30) in a terminal projecting direction at the clamping positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Washio, Yasuo Omori
  • Patent number: 10199784
    Abstract: A unidirectional cable connector that can be operatively connected between a host device and accessory device in the ecosystem of products. The cable includes first and second plug connectors at opposite ends of a wire where the two plug connectors share a common pinout but the insertion plug of the second connector is shortened in length as compared to the insertion plug of the first connector. The shortened plug prevents the second connector from being fully inserted into the host device that includes a standard depth receptacle connector, and thus prevents the second connector from being operatively coupled to the host device. The shortened plug can, however, be operatively connected with an electronic device having a shortened receptacle connector according to embodiments of the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. SooHoo, Robert A. Boyd, Daniel C. Wagman
  • Patent number: 10199750
    Abstract: A press-fit terminal comprises a contact member making contact with an electrode of a through-hole via penetrating a circuit substrate. The contact member comprises multiple contact pieces making contact with the electrode of the through-hole via, a junction part supporting the multiple contact pieces together, and a fixing part fixed to a main piece of a pin part and supporting the junction part via a flexible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: DAI-ICHI SEIKO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Sakai Yagi, Takuya Takeda
  • Patent number: 10193255
    Abstract: A plug connector of the present disclosure includes a plug housing and a plurality of plug terminals stored in the plug housing. This plug connector is fitted in a receptacle connector having a receptacle terminal, and is connected to a cable having a sheet shape and including a cable terminal, thereby establishing electrical connection between the receptacle terminal and the cable terminal. Each of the plug terminals has a contact section and a connection section. The contact section is contactable with the receptacle terminal, and the connection section is connectable to the cable terminal. In a state in which the plug connector is fitted in the receptacle connector, the connection section is disposed such that the connection section is exposed from the plug housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chikara Ito, Kenji Okura
  • Patent number: 10182507
    Abstract: A small form-factor pluggable transceiver includes a housing, which includes an upper cover, a lower cover fastened to the upper cover, and a front plate arranged between an end of the upper cover and an end of the lower cover. The front plate, the upper cover, and the lower cover are assembled together so as to jointly define an accommodating space. The front plate includes a metallic layer defining a main surface thereof and two plastic structures connected to the metallic layer. The front plate has two through holes penetrating through the metallic layer for respectively accommodating two electrical signal connectors, and the two plastic structures are respectively arranged in the two through holes. When the two electrical signal connectors are respectively disposed in the two through holes, the plastic structures are arranged between the metallic layer and the electrical signal connectors separated from the metallic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: AXCEN PHOTONICS CORP.
    Inventor: Yi-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 10170870
    Abstract: A receptacle connector includes an insulating housing including a base and a mating tongue extending from the base and the mating tongue defining a thicken step portion at a root near to the base, two rows of contacts with contacting section exposing to opposite surfaces of the mating tongue in front of the step portion and tail sections extending out of the base, and a pair of separate metallic collars respectively disposed upon the opposite surface of the step portion. Two opposite ends of each metallic collar are embedded in the step portion of the insulating housing via an inserting mold process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Terrance F. Little, Chih-Pi Cheng, Hsueh-Lung Hsiao, Ming-Lun Szu, Chao-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 10164360
    Abstract: In a connector, fitting a socket housing and a header housing to each other brings a socket-side signal terminal and a header-side signal terminal into contact with each other, and brings a socket-side power supply terminal and a header-side power supply terminal into contact with each other. The socket-side signal terminal and the socket-side power supply terminal are disposed along a long side direction of the socket housing. In the long side direction of the socket housing, the socket-side signal terminal is smaller than the socket-side power supply terminal in width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohsuke Yoshioka, Yoji Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 10164386
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric socket outlet, in particular an electric socket outlet adapter (11) comprising a housing (13), a socket zone that is located on the housing (13) and includes a first socket (15) and a second socket (17) for accommodating plugs of a first standard and a second standard, the first and second sockets being provided with first and second plug holes. The socket outlet (11) also comprises a first movable protective element (19) which can cover the first plug holes as well as a second movable protective element (21) which can cover the second plug holes. In the closed position, the first or the second protective element (19, 21) is mechanically locked when the other protective element (19, 21) is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Urs Schläpfer
  • Patent number: 10153567
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a contact element consisting of a press-in section which is formed by two adjacently running shanks. The shanks are connected to one another in a firmly bonded manner at their upper shank ends by a connection section. The shanks run subsequently substantially parallel to one another in an upper section and then at first away from one another in a middle section and then run back onto one another again and then run parallel and adjacently again in a lower section and are again connected to one another in a firmly bonded manner at their other end on the insertion side by an introductory section. At the transition of the connection section to the upper section the interval A of the two shanks is greater at least in a partial area, preferably over the entire thickness in the direction transverse to the previously cited direction of width of the contact element than the interval in the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Andreas Veigel
  • Patent number: 10148044
    Abstract: A fuse module including an battery clamp, a fuse assembly including a mounting block, a bus bar on a first side of the mounting block in contact with the battery clamp, fuse terminals on a second side of the mounting block connected to the bus bar by fusible elements, and a terminal post extending through one of the fuse terminals for facilitating electrical connection to a first electrical component, the fuse module further including a mounting cradle holding the fuse assembly and the battery clamp, the mounting cradle including a mounting post extending through the battery clamp, the bus bar, the mounting block, and one of the fuse terminals for facilitating connection to a second electrical component and for securing the fuse module components together, wherein the mounting post is surrounded by a tubular sleeve extending between the bus bar and the fuse terminal through which the mounting post extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio Urrea, Gary Bold, Hector Perez
  • Patent number: 10148033
    Abstract: An electrical outlet device includes water-resistant components to prevent the ingress of water to electrical components. One example includes a faceplate having a front surface, an outer edge extending around the front surface, and a first outlet opening extending through the front surface. A water-resistant seal is connected to the front surface of the faceplate. The seal has a first slit aligned with the first opening, a first flap adjacent the slit, and a second flap adjacent the slit. The first flap and the second flap are resiliently biased to a closed position and are moveable upon insertion of a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Sorin I. Mortun
  • Patent number: 10141695
    Abstract: The electrical connection device includes: a housing, a first contact end, a second contact end, a first connector connectable to the first contact end, and a second connector connected to the second contact end. The electrical connection device may also include an electrical disconnection switch located between the first contact end and the first connector. In addition, the electrical connection device may also include a movable conduction engagement device that is moveable relative to the housing. The conduction engagement device also includes a magnetic element that moves free ends of the first contact end and the first connector of the electrical disconnection switch. The device also includes a mating electrical connection device including a first mating contact end and a second mating contact end, wherein the first and second contact ends make electrical contact with respective mating first and second contact ends of the mating electrical connection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Tyler Royer
  • Patent number: 10135165
    Abstract: This application relates to electrical connectors. An electrical connector, according to some embodiments, comprises a housing, a slot formed in the housing, the slot comprising an entrance, and first and second rows of conductive elements arranged in the housing. Each conductive element comprises a mounting end, a mating end opposite the mounting end, and an intermediate portion that extends between the mounting end and the mating end. The mating end comprises first and second contact portions projecting into the slot, and the first contact portion is closer to the entrance than the second contact portion. The first and second contact portions are capable of flexing along a width direction of the slot between a first position and a second position, the second contact portions form a receiving space between the first and second rows of conductive element, and the receiving space is smaller at the first position than the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Amphenol FCI Asia Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Nickor Zuo
  • Patent number: 10128599
    Abstract: The connector has a housing and a retainer. The retainer is accommodated in the housing and has a base portion and a front upper beam extending forward from the base portion and positioned above an insertion passage of a flat cable. The upper beam includes a middle portion positioned in the middle of the upper beam and a forward extending portion extending forward from the middle portion. The middle portion has an engaging portion configured to engage an engaged portion of the cable, and at least a portion is positioned in the passage of the cable. A region is provided in the leading end of the extending portion above the leading end of the extending portion for restricting upward movement. The upper beam is elastically deformable so that the middle portion moves upward when the upward movement of the leading end of the extending portion is restricted by the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamane, Akihiko Okajima
  • Patent number: 10122139
    Abstract: An adapter apparatus and methods for using in providing such adapter apparatus include providing a substrate having a plurality of openings defined therethrough. A plurality of conductive elements are mounted within corresponding openings thereof using a flowable and curable laminate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: IRONWOOD ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David Allen Struyk, Kenneth Irving Krawza, Ilavarasan M. Palaniappa, Sultan Mahmood Faiz
  • Patent number: 10122126
    Abstract: A modular system, including a plurality of modules that can be electrically connected to one another, wherein at least two first modules from amongst the modules can be connected to one another in series, wherein, in the connected state of the first modules, a first contact-making means is arranged between the first modules, wherein a second of the modules has a second contact-making means, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured to make electrical contact with one another, wherein the first contact-making means and the second contact-making means are configured, when making electrical contact with one another, firstly to connect the first modules to the second module and then to isolate the connection of the first modules to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 10122115
    Abstract: A connector includes an electric wire, an inner housing, an outer housing and a cover part. The electric wire includes a terminal which is provided at an end of the electric wire. The inner housing includes a terminal accommodation chamber configured to accommodate the electric wire with the terminal. The outer housing is configured to accommodate the inner housing. The inner housing has an opening which opens in a terminal fitting direction intersecting with an extending direction of the electric wire so that the electric wire and the terminal are inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber through the opening. The cover part is configured to cover a part of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoki Masuda, Yuki Hiruta
  • Patent number: 10116076
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector with an insulative housing retaining a plurality of conductive contacts therein, and a clip positioned by one end of the housing and adapted to be mounted upon a loading cavity in the housing. The clip includes a mounting section for mounting to the PCB, and a holding section forming a holding cavity for holding the CPU wherein the holding section is rotatable relative to the mounting section and adapted to be downwardly pressed by the load plate which is pivotally mounted by the other end of the housing opposite to the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Fang-Jwu Liao
  • Patent number: 10116087
    Abstract: An electrical connection element is for a power connector. The power connector includes an electrical component having a number of first electrical mating members. The electrical connection element comprises: a housing including a number of second electrical mating members structured to be electrically connected to the number of first electrical mating members; a contact assembly enclosed by the housing and being electrically connected to the number of second electrical mating members; and an operating mechanism for opening and closing the contact assembly. The contact assembly is structured to electrically connect and disconnect power while the number of first electrical mating members remain mechanically coupled to the number of second electrical mating members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Juds, Paul Jason Rollmann, Jerome Kenneth Hastings, Kurt von Eckroth, Jeffrey Troy Johnson, Roger James Briggs, Kaushik Naidu Kona, Karthik Satyanarayanan, Abhijeet Rathi
  • Patent number: 10116081
    Abstract: An electrical outlet structure includes an electrical outlet body having four plug terminal insertion holes formed in a front surface thereof, and a blocking panel which has two plug terminal through holes, and is installed on the front surface of the electrical outlet body to block the four plug terminal insertion holes. The user may easily insert the plug into the plug terminal insertion hole installed in a diagonal direction without the user directly having to visually check a direction in which the plug terminal insertion hole of the electrical outlet body is installed, as well as select the insertion direction of the plug into the electrical outlet body as necessary, in consideration of a use state and a surrounding environment of other adjacent electrical outlet bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Keum-ok Chae