Patents Examined by Gary Paumen
  • Patent number: 10063008
    Abstract: A connector includes a terminal configured to be connected to an electric cable, a housing configured to contain the terminal, a terminal holder configured to be attached to the housing, and has a housing space portion configured to contain a connection part between the terminal and an end portion of the electric cable, a sensor housing portion provided in the terminal holder adjacently to the housing space portion, and a temperature sensor configured to be contain and held in the sensor housing portion. The temperature sensor has an end face which is located on a front side in a mounting direction of the terminal holder into the housing. The end face of the temperature sensor is exposed from the sensor housing portion and is brought into directly abutment against the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuji Kawai, Tomokazu Iwami, Michitake Masuda
  • Patent number: 10062977
    Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a module-to-module power connector configured to form connections between battery modules installed in a battery housing of an energy storage system. The module-to-module power connector includes electrical interfaces and busbar(s) configured to form one or more electrical connections terminals of adjacent battery modules. The busbar(s) is flexibly configured to permit a defined range of movement of the electrical interfaces during insertion of the respective battery modules into respective battery module compartments. The module-to-module power connector may further be arranged inside in a tunnel space, whereby holes are defined in a battery module mounting area housing the battery modules that open into the tunnel space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: InEVit LLC
    Inventors: Heiner Fees, Andreas Track, Alexander Eichhorn, Ralf Maisch, Jörg Damaske
  • Patent number: 10051893
    Abstract: Aspects of the instant disclosure relate to electronic cigarettes; more particularly, to electronic cigarettes and chargers. In various embodiments, the e-cigarette includes a power supply portion comprising a power supply, an atomizer/liquid reservoir portion comprising a liquid reservoir and an atomizer, the atomizer operable when connected to the power supply to atomize liquid stored in the liquid reservoir, and control electronics, where the control electronics are configured to execute a set of computer readable instructions to place the electronic smoking device in an operation mode, a communication mode, and a charge mode. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a charger for an electronic smoking device. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to a system comprising an electronic smoking device and a charger. Aspects of the disclosure are further directed to a method for charging an electronic smoking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Fontem Holdings 1 B.V.
    Inventors: Adam Hoffman, James R. Conrey
  • Patent number: 10056719
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes a plug connector having a tab adapted to be inserted into a receptacle connector of a second device during a mating event, the tab including first and second opposing surfaces and a contact region formed at the first surface of the tab, the contact region including a plurality of contacts spaced apart along a first row, the plurality of contacts including a first contact, a power contact and a ground contact; a computer-readable memory having identification, configuration and authentication information relevant to the electronic device that can be communicated to the second device during a mating event stored therein; circuitry coupled to the first contact and configured to, after a mating event in which the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector, participate in a handshaking algorithm that includes receiving a command over the first contact from the second device and sending a response to the command that includes contact configuration information for the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Mathias W. Schmidt, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi
  • Patent number: 10044117
    Abstract: An adaptor assembly is provided. The adaptor assembly is structured to allow a cable of a first amperage to be coupled to, and placed in electrical communication with, a terminal of a different amperage. That is, an adaptor assembly includes a lug body and an adaptor body. The adaptor body is coupled to, and in electrical communication with, the lug body. The lug body includes a cable passage, wherein said cable passage has a cross-sectional area corresponding to a cable of a first amperage. The adaptor body includes a conducting surface, wherein said conducting surface has a surface area corresponding to a conductor terminal end mating surface of a second amperage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: William George Eberts, Frank Joseph Stifter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10038283
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle is selectively coupled to a power plug, and the power plug includes a plurality of prongs insertable into the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes a contact configured to be engageable with one of the plurality of prongs, a power relay in electrical communication with the power source and the contact, and a switch electrically coupled to the power relay. The switch is moveable between a first position and a second position. The switch is biased toward the first position. The power relay is configured to disable electrical communication between the power source and the contact when the switch is positioned in the first position. The power relay is also configured to enable electrical communication between the power source and the contact in response to the one of the plurality of prongs slidably engaging the switch to move the switch into the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Dennis Alan Oddsen
  • Patent number: 10038256
    Abstract: A module-terminal block connection structure includes: a printed wiring board; a terminal block which is disposed on one surface of the printed wiring board and is formed into a three-dimensional shape by a conductive material, the terminal block being fixed to the printed wiring board; a power module which is disposed on the other surface (rear surface) of the printed wiring board and includes an electric circuit and a press-fit type lead pin used as a circuit terminal; and a conductive portion which is electrically connected to the terminal block, includes a hole (through-hole) for press-inserting the lead pin thereinto, and is electrically connected to the power module while the lead pin is press-inserted into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keito Kotera, Hirotaka Doi, Nobuyasu Hiraoka, Hiroshi Doumae, Michiya Takezoe, Takuji Koyama
  • Patent number: 10038291
    Abstract: A rotatable coupling for audio cables is shown having a stator and a rotor divining an electrical rotary interface (301) for providing continuous connection between audio cables. A protective stator housing (304) retains the stator and a protective rotor housing (305) retains the rotor. A rolling-element bearing (306) with an inner race and an outer race allows the protective housings to axially rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: Orange Music Electronic Company Limited, KBO Dynamics International Limited
    Inventors: Colin Arrowsmith, Andrew Fallon
  • Patent number: 10038272
    Abstract: An electrical power strip that may be flexibly configured is provided. The power strip includes a power cord having a plug configured to operably couple with a wall socket. A head block is electrically coupled to the power cord on an end opposite the first plug. The head block having a first outlet socket on one end configured to receive a first external power plug. The head block further includes a first, second and third female electrical connector located on different sides. A power block having a first male connector on a side is electrically coupled with one of the first, second or third female connector. The first power block having a second outlet socket configured to receive a second external power plug. The power block further having a fourth, fifth and sixth female connectors located on different sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Asa G. DeBlois, Jeremy Christopher Downs, Brooke Martin Kumnick, Paul D. Lisborg, Jonathan Clifford Schultz, Richard B. Mindek, Robert T. Gettens, Mary G. Schoonmaker, Glenn E. Vallee
  • Patent number: 10033139
    Abstract: A durable low friction interface for electrical connections that delays contact between conductive materials until a substantial portion of insertion has been completed. A terminal plug embodiment and a coupling embodiment are disclosed, each containing a durable low friction interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ROCAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex J. Sinton, Nathaniel J. Bower, David P. Pora
  • Patent number: 10033136
    Abstract: A strain relief assembly is provided for a bundle of cables surrounded by an electrically conductive sleeve. The strain relief assembly can include a ferrule and at least one retention member. The cables extend through the ferrule, and the sleeve extends over the ferrule, so as to be captured between the ferrule and the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: FCI USA LLC
    Inventor: David Humbert
  • Patent number: 10020617
    Abstract: A lock device for electronic apparatus includes a lock body and a lock-operating unit. The lock body is configured for correspondingly plugging into a port on an electronic apparatus and has at least one protruded section formed therein for tightly abutting on a protrusion located to one lateral side of a plurality of terminals in the port, so that the lock body is locked to the port. And, the lock body locked to the port can be pulled out of the port only with a specific corresponding lock-operating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TIGEREX ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ching-Hu Kung
  • Patent number: 10020603
    Abstract: A fine pitch high density high-speed orthogonal card edge connector includes at least one signal transmission assembly which includes a plug-in connector, a press-fit connector, and a PCB board. A side of the PCB board is provided with a row of first pads, and a side of the PCB board adjacent to the side where the first pads are located is provided with a row of second pads. Each first pad corresponds to one second pad one by one through the wiring of the PCB board. An extension line of each first pad is perpendicular to an extension line of each second pad. The plug-in connector is mounted on the side of the PCB board provided with the first pads and is connected to the first pads. The press-fit connector is mounted on the side of the PCB board provided with the second pads and is connected to the second pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Amphenol Commercial Products (ChengDu) Co. LTD
    Inventors: Yunxiang Liu, Zhineng Fan, Lei Liao, Yaohua Hou, Luyun Yi
  • Patent number: 10020132
    Abstract: A terminal barrier for covering an electrical terminal of an electrical switching apparatus having a housing is provided. The terminal barrier comprises a flexible portion that is configured to flexibly bend away from a rest position after the terminal barrier is installed. The terminal barrier further comprises a wall portion configured to surround the electrical terminal to block any access to the electrical terminal from one or more sides except an access for installation of a service line wire in the electrical terminal. The terminal barrier further comprises a snap portion for snapping in place around the electrical terminal to removably attach the terminal barrier to the housing of the electrical switching apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventor: Gustavo Cortes Rico
  • Patent number: 10020614
    Abstract: A pluggable module includes a pluggable body having a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls therebetween. The pluggable body defines a chamber extending along a longitudinal axis between a cable end and a mating end opposite the cable end. The pluggable module includes a latch held by the pluggable body. The latch has an actuation end and a latching end opposite the actuation end. The actuation end has a handle and the latching end has a latching tooth configured to latchably secure the pluggable module to a component when the latching tooth is in a latching position. The actuation end is movable in a linear actuation direction to move the latching tooth in a linear releasing direction perpendicular to the actuation direction from the latching position to a released position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Weir Bucher
  • Patent number: 10020607
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a conductor of a daughter card connector wafer with a blade in the housing of a backplane connector. The daughter card conductor has a body with two elongated beams extending outward from the body. The two elongated beams each have an outer edge and an inner edge, whereby an opening is defined between the inner edges. The backplane conductor has a body with a narrowed tab portion extending outward from said second conductor body. The narrowed tab portion having outer opposite edges and is sized so that the narrowed tab portion fits between at least a portion of the outer edges of the two elongated beams, and in some cases between at least a portion of the inner edges of the two elongated beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Gailus, Brian P. Kirk, Thomas S. Cohen
  • Patent number: 10020615
    Abstract: A power line disconnect apparatus includes a housing; an electrical connector that projects from a surface of a connector plate coupled to the housing, the electrical connector configured to receive a plug of a power cable; an ejector pin configured to project through a first aperture in the connector plate and eject the plug from the electrical connector; a microswitch configured to activate and deactivate a power circuit associated with the power cable; and a sensor pin configured to project through a second aperture in the connector plate, the sensor pin having a sensor pin extension, the sensor pin extension configured to control the microswitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Kussmaul Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas H. Nugent, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10020600
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for a connector of an electrical wiring device having a base with a plurality of electrical terminals having a connecting screw. The assembly includes a plurality of terminal connector with a base extending from the first end and having a screw hole for coupling to one of the electrical terminals by a connecting screw. The leg has a screw hole receiving a coupling screw for electrically connecting a wire to the terminal connector and the terminal of the electrical wiring device. A clamping member receives the coupling screw for clamping the wire between the leg and clamping member. A cover encloses the terminal connectors and includes one or more apertures directing a wire through the cover to the terminal connector assembly to clamp the wire in place. Access openings are provided in a wall of the cover to access the coupling screws for clamping wires to the terminal connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Brent S. Strom
  • Patent number: 10014597
    Abstract: An electrical connection for medium and high voltage switchgears, with an electrical terminal of a switchgear, wherein an electrical contacting surface of the electrical terminal is electrically connected with a contacting surface of an external electrical connector part via a connecting system. In order to ensure a low resistance electrical connection, the connecting system can have a female screw thread in a stud hole of the electrical terminal as well as in a stud hole of the external connector part, and a stretch bolt with male screw threads at each opposite ends, screwed into the female screw thread of the electrical terminal with one end of the stretch bolt, and into the female screw thread of the external connector part at the other end of the stretch bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Gentsch, Wenkai Shang
  • Patent number: 10014635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grounding clip for an airbag ignition system adapted to be mounted to an airbag retainer insert. The clip comprises a first grounding contact in form of a spring tongue adapted to contact a grounding contact of a squib connector and a second grounding contact adapted to contact an electroconductive part of an airbag squib. The clip comprises a flat base connecting the first and second grounding contacts with each other, wherein the spring tongue has a straight portion that extends perpendicular from the flat base and wherein the free end of the spring tongue comprises a bent portion that is not perpendicular to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Rene Lehmann, Vincent Regnier, Frank Odorfer, Bartlomiej Siwek