Patents Examined by J. Patrick McQuade
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Patent number: 4808123Abstract: A strain-relief end bell for an electrical connector assembly includes a ratcheting mechanism that allows the end bell to resist vibration-induced decoupling once it is threaded onto an electrical connector. The ratcheting mechanism includes a retainer ring that is seated between an internally-threaded coupling ring and an annular fitting around which the coupling ring is rotatably mounted. The retainer ring is fixed to the coupling ring so that both rings are rotatable together. The inner peripheral edge of the retainer ring has a plurality of equidistantly-spaced detents that engage a plurality of rotational bearings on the annular fitting as the coupling ring and the retainer ring are rotated with respect to the annular fitting. The engagement between the detents and the bearings creates a ratcheting effect that restrains the coupling ring from rotating with respect to the fitting unless a manual effort is applied to it.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Diverse Termination Products, Inc.Inventors: James S. Dee, Thomas J. Bell
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Patent number: 4804334Abstract: A connector comprises a housing having a longitudinal slot in a top wall thereof for receiving a member being switched. Secured to a lower wall of the housing are contacts placed in recesses provided in side walls of the housing. The housing has a longitudinal passageway for reciprocations of a key therein for opening and closing the contacts. The key is made in the form of a rod having a projection which engages with inner surfaces of arms of the contacts when the key is moved. Projections are made on a wall of each recess, the outside surfaces thereof being embraced by the inner surfaces of the arms of the contacts when they are opened.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 1987Date of Patent: February 14, 1989Inventors: Boris V. Alexeenko, Gennady V. Nikolaenko
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Patent number: 4799897Abstract: An IC tester socket comprises a spring for keeping the socket body and the spacer frame in their state of being spaced apart from each other with a predetermined interval; and contacting pins each having a spring portion shaped in a pair of arcuate forms, in order to ensure the contact between the lead terminals of an IC requiring testing and the contacting pins to be realized positively and stably and to make it possible for the socket to stand its use for a prolonged period of time. The arm of each contacting pin which is brought into contact with the side face to its mating lead terminal of the IC is adapted to contact the side face of the lead terminal, and is so shaped as to be able to lock the IC package at the position of contact of this arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1986Date of Patent: January 24, 1989Assignee: Dai-ichi Seiko Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroyuki Mogi, Kazuhisa Ozawa
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Patent number: 4793821Abstract: A connector accessory for electrical connectors containing a detent or locking member or members for preventing disconnection from an attached connector when the assembly is subjected to vibration, shock or other stresses. The accessory consists of a coupling and a body containing the accessory which in one form is a detent and in another form serves as a detent in one direction of rotation and a permanent or temporary lock in the other direction of rotation. The coupling is provided with screw threads to engage an accessory thread at the rear of an electrical connector and the body contains features which are required to provide proper mechanical and environmental interface characteristics to mate with various electrical connectors, i.e., teeth, splines, seals, etc.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1986Date of Patent: December 27, 1988Assignee: Engineered Transitions Company, Inc.Inventors: Clifford C. Fowler, Edward P. Goett
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Patent number: 4792266Abstract: A rotary finishing tool for finishing a laminated workpiece by removing rough, burred or sharp edges from the workpiece. The hand operated tool includes an air motor that moves in a telescopic fashion within a base member to provide for axial adjustment of a finishing bit in order to finish the edges of a laminated workpiece. The base member carries a guide member for properly locating the finishing bit with respect to an unfinished edge of the workpiece. The shape of the finishing bit allows axial, telescopic adjustment of the finishing bit. The finishing bit radius cutting edge is the only part of the finishing bit to contact the workpiece due in part to the close tolerances maintained when machining the finishing bit and manufacturing and assemblying the rotary finishing tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1987Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Inventor: Lawrence E. Willis
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Patent number: 4792308Abstract: An improved apparatus for electrically connecting together two cables. The connection is easily coupled and uncoupled and is comprised of a first unit having a number of first contact elements electrically connected to the first cable; and a second unit having a corresponding number of second contact elements electrically connected to the second cable. The first unit includes a pair of spring biased flaps for receiving and holding the second unit thereby forcing the second unit and the second contact members against the complementary contacts in the first unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1987Date of Patent: December 20, 1988Inventor: Raymond L. Johnson
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Patent number: 4790761Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cassette and a receptacle electrically and mechanically coupled together. The cassette includes a housing encompassing a printed circuit board and a plurality of electrical contacts in connection with terminals on the circuit board and disposed at a bottom surface of the cassette housing for exterior connection thereto. The receptacle includes a housing having a cavity for receipt of the cassette therein. The cavity is of size to accommodate rotation of the cassette in the cavity from an insertion position to a latched position. The receptacle housing includes a plurality of spring contacts adjacent the bottom of the cavity, the spring contacts being electrically engaged by the contacts on the cassette upon insertion of the cassette into the receptacle cavity. The receptacle housing includes a pair of spaced opposing pins projecting into the cavity that enter and engage slots formed on the lower sides of the cassette.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1986Date of Patent: December 13, 1988Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Toshimitsu Sonobe
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Patent number: 4789353Abstract: An electric plug retainer means to releasably maintain said plug in contact with a wall socket and prevent dislodgment where there is, four double retention, a T shaped bracket mounted to a wall plate that extends outwardly therefrom and there are plug biasing insert means that extends between said plug and bias against a portion of said T shaped bracket to urge the plug into contact with a wall plug. The insert means is adjustable to accommodate plugs of varying lengths.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1987Date of Patent: December 6, 1988Inventors: Jeffrey A. Busta, Vincent A. Vinceri
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Patent number: 4787858Abstract: In a plug and socket as for a computer wherein the plug has tabular projections on opposed ends and the socket has wire latches pivotally mounted between raised members into bores therethrough for releasably engaging slots in the projections to hold the plug in the socket, a replacement latch for replacing one or both of the wire latches. A pivot rod is disposed through and between the bores in the raised members. A body portion is disposed between the bores in the raised member and pivotally mounted on the pivot rod with an engaging lip extending inward to snap over the projection, when the plug is seated in the socket, in a first locking position to hold the plug in the socket. The body portion is pivotable from the first position to a second retracted position wherein the engaging lip is removed from engagement with the projection so that the plug can be removed. An optional operating arm is carried by the body portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1987Date of Patent: November 29, 1988Assignee: Digital Equipment CorporationInventor: John C. Killian, Jr.
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Patent number: 4786257Abstract: A cable termination assembly comprises a shielded electrical cable or cables including plural wire conductors and an electrical shield or shields therefor, an electrical bus electrically connected to the cable shield or shields, a housing for supporting therein plural electrical contacts and the bus, a printed circuit board electrically connecting the contacts to the respective wire conductors, an electrical shield attached to and at least partly surrounding the housing, the housing including a wire management comb including plural slots for positioning at least some of the wire conductors in a predetermined arrangement for electrical connection to the printed circuit board and an electrically non-conductive body molded directly to the cable or cables, comb, bus and contacts to form a unified structure therewith, and the bus having a portion thereof extending externally of the molded body and electrically connected to the housing shield.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1986Date of Patent: November 22, 1988Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: John N. Tengler
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Patent number: 4784611Abstract: An electrical receptacle consisting of a casing having a lock part to releasably lock a mating electrical plug of the blade contact type, is disclosed. The lock part is a separate piece made of electric insulating material and manually-operable release buttons externally of the casing. The lock part ensures an effective locking of the plug and eliminates any possibility of electric shock to a user while inserting or removing the plug contacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1987Date of Patent: November 15, 1988Inventors: Fernand H. Poulin, Denis Oakes
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Patent number: 4784614Abstract: A keying system, especially for use with intermateable electrical connector assemblies is disclosed. An electrical connector assembly includes first and second interconnectable electrical connectors. The first connector includes a first keying means formed into a raised pattern of letters identifying a particular color. The mating second connector is colored the particular color and includes a pattern of cavities corresponding to the pattern of letters. The second connector accommodates the first connector in singular unique orientation, with the color of the second connector easily visually identifying the mateability of the first connector thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1987Date of Patent: November 15, 1988Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventor: Amir-Akbar Sadigh-Behzadi
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Patent number: 4781626Abstract: Electrical connector assembly comprises a plug and a receptacle. The receptacle has a plug-receiving opening which receives the forward portion of the plug. A primary keying system is provided which permits insertion of the plug of the assembly into the opening but which precludes insertion of a similar, but more narrow, plug into the opening. A secondary keying system is provided for specifically keying the plug and receptacle to each other. The secondary keying system prevents insertion of a properly sized plug into the opening which is not intended for insertion. The primary keying system is advantageous when a series or family of connector assemblies are produced with the different assemblies of the family being generally similar but having increasing numbers of terminals and therefore increasing width.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1982Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Daniel B. Lazarchik
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Patent number: 4781612Abstract: Socket for receiving edge of a substrate of a single in-line memory module comprises a dielectric housing having an elongate channel. Contact terminals are received within cavities located in the channels. One embodiment of contact comprises a pair of opposed arms formed upward to a bend where each is formed through an obtuse angle toward the other arm of the pair, one arm being stamped from a continuous carrier strip leaving an aperture, each contact being attached to the carrier by a pair of straps. One embodiment of the socket housing includes support brackets on either end of the elongate channel. Guide slots in the support bracket align and support the module. An integral resilient flange engages holes in the module substrate to hold the module in position.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1987Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Roger L. Thrush
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Patent number: 4781607Abstract: A pilot valve system including an electrical connector assembly for a subsurface safety valve operated by control fluid pressure from the surface including a pilot valve connected with the control fluid line to the subsurface safety valve and into the well production string immediately above the safety valve to bypass the control fluid pressure directly into the tubing string and dump the control fluid pressure from the subsurface safety valve into the tubing string directly above the valve to minimize the time delay between control fluid pressure reduction and the safety valve closure.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1987Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: Otis Engineering CorporationInventor: William D. Rumbaugh
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Patent number: 4781603Abstract: A grounding system for cabinets containing electronic equipment is made up from vertical bars (2), horizontal bars (3) and connection bars (11) between the horizontal bars, all the bars being made of aluminum. At the connection points between the bars there are mounted contact-making, spring-biased contact plates (4). The contact plate (4) is rectangular and provided with contact tongues (6) arranged in rows projecting from, both faces of the plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1987Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM EricssonInventors: Rolf T. Olsson, Hans O. W. Andersson
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Patent number: 4780089Abstract: A plug and socket combination, in which a plug includes blade contacts positioned in a circle and projecting in an axial direction can be inserted into corresponding U-shaped contacts of the socket by turning the plug. Upon turning, the plug is coupled to the socket by a bayonet connection. A disc is positioned on a neutral contact bushing in the socket and the disc has slot apertures curved in a circular arc which correspond to the width and curvature of the blade contacts to permit insertion of the blade contacts into the slot apertures and turning of the blade contacts and disc.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1987Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Brufield Investments LimitedInventor: Rolf K. Wernick
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Patent number: 4780086Abstract: In an interface arrangement for automatic test equipment a substrate, such as a circuit board, is supported between spring loaded test probes within a vacuum chamber so that application of a vacuum causes the probes to contact the board. An internal dam is mounted within the vacuum chamber and, upon the application of the vacuum, seals off an internal portion of the chamber containing the probe arrays so that cooling air may be applied to the circuit board without breaking the vacuum in the outer portion of the chamber. Access may also be provided to the circuit board in this condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1987Date of Patent: October 25, 1988Assignee: Marconi Instruments LimitedInventors: Frank H. Jenner, Ricki E. White, Patrick C. Thompson
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Patent number: 4778402Abstract: In a well logging system that is subjected to high temperatures and pressures, an improved thermos flask pressure housing is used to insulate sensitive electronic circuits to the detrimental effects of high temperature and extreme pressure. An evacuated area between an inner shell and an outer shell acts as insulation between electronic circuits within such inner shell and the borehole environment surrounding such outer shell.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1987Date of Patent: October 18, 1988Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Victor L. Schoepf
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Patent number: 4778403Abstract: A zero insertion force connector assembly is provided for allowing the electrical connection of a flat, flexible cable having conductors therein and a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a plastic housing having spring contacts arranged in parallel configuration. The housing is secured to the printed circuit board by the tail ends of the spring contacts. A cover plate is pivotably and slidably mounted to the housing. An end of the cable may be inserted between the cover and housing when the cover plate is pivoted to an oblique position with respect to the housing. The cover plate is then pivoted towards the contacts and moved rearwardly to lock it in the closed position. The housing and cover plate include mutually engaging components which effect such locking upon sliding the cover plate towards the housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 1987Date of Patent: October 18, 1988Assignee: Elco CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Ikesugi, Naoki Hayashi