Patents Examined by John McQuade
  • Patent number: 4740171
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose construction, terminal connector therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the vacuum cleaner hose construction comprising an elongated vacuum hose having an electrical conductor extending therealong and being provided with an end portion, and an electrical connector carried by the hose and being fixed to the end portion, the connector having a knife-like portion provided with opposed edges defining sides of a slot therein that has an open end and a closed end. The end portion is disposed in the slot of the connector and is wedged between the opposed edges thereof for providing electrical connection therebetween. The connector has a holding unit carried thereby and having a part thereof disposed adjacent the conductor to hold the conductor in the slot by trapping the conductor between that part and the closed end of the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Dayco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Homer N. Holden, Roger D. Meadows
  • Patent number: 4740167
    Abstract: The present invention is a power distribution unit for electrification of modular wall panels such as used in office buildings and the like. More particularly the invention includes a central junction box, that houses six buss bars three power, one neutral and two ground bars, and two duplex receptacles, pluggable into the sides of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Wayne L. Millhimes, Daniel J. Murren, Wilmer L. Sheesley
  • Patent number: 4738626
    Abstract: An adapter assembly for the connection of coaxial cables in which an adapter body having a rear side is formed with at least one pass-through opening, and at least two hook-shaped catch fingers projecting from the rear side adjacent the opening and whose hooks open toward one another. A respective socket is received in the opening and formed with a polygonal limiting flange resting against the rear side and retained by a snap-action grip of the catch fingers over the flange so that the hooks engage a rear side of the flange, the hook-shaped catch fingers having a diametrical spacing from one another across the opening substantially equal to a spacing across the flange between opposite sides thereof. Torsion force takeup for coupling or decoupling with the socket is ensured by a pair of bars or projections from the rear side which engage the preferably hexagonal flange and are offset from the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Reichle + de Massari AG Electro-Ingenieure
    Inventor: Hans Reichle
  • Patent number: 4738633
    Abstract: A device for making an electrically conductive contact to an insulated cable lead, comprising a holder for the cable lead which is to be contacted, and an electrically conductive perforation needle for penetrating the insulating jacket of the lead. In a preferred embodiment an indicator unit shows when successful contact has been made. The device allows contact to be made to an existing cable lead without cutting that cable lead. It also causes minimal damage to the insulation of the existing cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Walter Rose GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventors: Dieter Fremgen, Heinz Penz, Georg Reitmeyer, Rolf-Udo Weber
  • Patent number: 4737119
    Abstract: A circular connector for a plug-type connection to a mating connector which uses complementary locking means that are engaged and disengaged by rotation. Helical locking grooves are provided which have a bayonet detent space extending in an axial direction and an adjacent detent space extending in the peripheral direction. The detent space is defined by limiting means. Complementary noses on the mating connector are movable by rotation along the grooves into the detent spaces to lock the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Allied Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred O. Stieler
  • Patent number: 4737123
    Abstract: A connector for interconnecting packaged microwave integrated circuits having a connector body with a central contact and outwardly extending rims and a disk shaped compression gasket for providing electrical contact between the circuit package and the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Watkins-Johnson Company
    Inventors: Monico T. Paler, David R. Johnson, Paul E. Buchholz, John G. Galli
  • Patent number: 4737121
    Abstract: The invention provides a separable plug connection comprising a plug member provided with locking wedges and a wedge pusher. That plug connection may constitute a separate part or may be integrated or inserted in units of equipment, machine members etc. The plug connection is radially and axially locked and is non-positively retained and held against rotation. The housing member is provided with axially extending grooves, which receive ribs provided on the outside periphery of the plug member. Resiliently mounted locking members engage actuating forks of the wedge pusher and when the plug member has been forced into the housing snap into and are locked in an annular groove provided at the end of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Hermann Schwarzensteiner
  • Patent number: 4737120
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector (2) for electrically connecting contact surfaces (74) of a daughter board (18) to contact areas (46) of mother board (34). The connector (2) has contacts (36) positioned therein, the connector (2) having posts (38) which extend from the connector (2) and make electrical engagement with contact areas (46) of the mother board (34). The daughter board (18) is then inserted into the connector (2) under reduced or zero insertion force conditions and rotated to its operating position. As this rotation occurs, contact projections (60, 72) of the contacts (36) engage the contact surfaces (74) of the daughter board (18). The rotation is translated into a positive wiping action between the contact projections (60, 72) and the contact surfaces (74), thereby ensuring that a positive electrical connection is effected. The resilient nature of the contacts (36) ensures that this wiping action occurs under normal force conditions. The configuration and characteristics, i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitry G. Grabbe, Iosif Korsunsky
  • Patent number: 4737053
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic machine for shaping spectacle lenses, especially those in shatterproof material, with a bevel that serves to hold the lens in the frame. Lenses are copied from a pattern by three cutters which correspond to the three types of conventional bevel in current use; a positioning device stations the lens opposite the cutter giving the requisite bevel. Further devices adjust the position of the bevel in relation to the outer edge of the lens, and ensure that it follows the curvature of the individual lens while remaining at the right distance from the edge. The machine is a copier, and as such, utilizes a tracing mechanism for reproduction from the pattern lens; cam control is adopted for scaling the size of the copied lens up or down in relation to the pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Inventor: Ivano Paolini
  • Patent number: 4737420
    Abstract: A dry cell accommodating device includes a dry cell chamber, a cover and a dry cell holder. When a plurality of larger dry cells, for instance, size "AA" dry cells are accommodated, they are fitted into the interior of the dry cell chamber without any necessity for the dry cell holder. When a plurality of smaller dry cells, for instance, size "AAA" dry cells are accommodated, they are first held by means of the dry cell holder and the latter is then fitted into the dry cell chamber together with the dry cells. The device is provided with a mechanism for inhibiting an occurrence of incorrect fitting of the dry cell holder. The mechanism comprises a plurality of projections on the bottom of the dry cell chamber and a plurality of recesses formed at the lower part of the dry cell holder to be fitted over the projections when the dry cell holder is oriented in the correct direction. Further, the device is provided with another mechanism for inhibiting incorrect fitting of smaller dry cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K. K.
    Inventors: Kei Ikeda, Kimio Uematsu
  • Patent number: 4735578
    Abstract: This invention provides for a contacting apparatus for a chip card (302) using an interchangeable set (309) of contact elements. The set of contact elements is preferably designed for the insulation displacement technique. A card support means (308) is provided for receiving the card, which is moved between its operable positions in a manner of a push-button pen. The set of contact elements may include elements (367, 368) which form a switch (421).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred Reichardt, Hans G. Hubner
  • Patent number: 4735585
    Abstract: An interplane connector assembly for permitting in situ replacement of dual beam compliant contacts that are damaged or non-functional is provided. The interplane connector includes a support for receiving therein at least one row of dual beam compliant contacts and a cover. The cover is adapted to be releasably secured to the support and includes projecting stops that are displaced through a space between dual beams of the contact and received in an opening in the support that is disposed in alignment with the space between the dual beams so that the contact cannot be displaced from the support during insertion of the contact into a circuit board but yet so the contact can be removed and replaced when the cover is removed from the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: United Stamping and Assembly, Inc.
    Inventors: Ransom C. Palmer, III, George Keremedjiev
  • Patent number: 4735579
    Abstract: An inlet valve assembly for a central vacuum cleaner system is provided with a mounting bracket plate having a circular inlet aperture therethrough and at least one electrical service aperture, and an adaptor for snap engagement with the mounting bracket plate through said inlet aperture. The adaptor comprises a deformable open-ended cylindrical connector of outside diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the inlet aperture, a flange projecting laterally from one end of the connector and adapted to overlie at least a part of the mounting bracket plate including the electrical service aperture, and an outer peripheral groove about the cylindrical connector and adjacent said flange. The deformable cylindrical connector is adapted for insertion into the inlet aperture until the flange abuts the connector plate, whereupon the edge of the inlet aperture snaps into the groove in the outer surface of the cylindrical connector to securely attach the adaptor to the mounting bracket plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Inventor: Oscar P. Muser
  • Patent number: 4735583
    Abstract: Plug connector modules (22) are ganged together side-by-side by a pair of integral spring latch members (70) secured along commoned end surfaces (42) of the modules (22) to comprise a plug connector assembly (20) manipulatable as a unit. Integral spring latch members (70) include discrete securing sections (76) securable to axial key members (50) within modules (22) near end surfaces (42). Forward ends (84) of spring latch members (70) include latching recesses (100) to latch to latching projections (152) of a receptacle connector (150), latching plug assembly (20) to receptacle connector (150) in mated engagement. Gripping sections (110) of spring latch members (70) are deflectable toward each other about fulcrum sections (112) which action deflects free ends (84) outwardly and disengages latching recesses (100) from latching projections (152) to delatch assembly (20) from receptacle connector (150) for unmating thereof. Spring latch members (70) may be removable from plug connector modules (22) for repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: William J. Rudy, Jr., Howard R. Shaffer, Daniel E. Stahl
  • Patent number: 4735573
    Abstract: Aligning device for a current carrying connector of protective gas bag impact installations having a helical conductor arranged with several concentric windings within a fixedly mounted housing surrounding a core. The core is fastened to a steering spindle and rotates with the steering wheel. A first end of the helical strip terminates in terminals associated with the housing. The second end terminals are associated with the core. The core is equipped with a bore and the housing with a locking recess. The housing and the core may be immobilized in relation to each other using locking means having a clip pin insertable into the bore of the core and a locking projection fitting into the locking recess. The locking means may exhibit a ring surrounding the steering spindle and resting on the core or a pot surrounding a steering spindle. The locking recess and locking projection have respective widths which allow a slight rotational clearance between the core and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Petri A.G.
    Inventors: Gregor Zeller, Helmut Bonn
  • Patent number: 4734060
    Abstract: Connector device having rod-like male and female contact sections of the same shapes to contact each other while they are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Contact section guide walls opposing each other are formed in the connector body. Rod-like contact sections are provided between the opposing guide walls. The proximal end of each contact section is fixed to the connector body and the distal end thereof is free to be elastically deformed. A contact projection is formed on the distal end of the rod-like contact section. An inclined portion is formed between the contact projection and a fixing section at the proximal end of the contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kawawada, Akira Shimada
  • Patent number: 4734053
    Abstract: An electrical connector for a flat cable comprising a base housing (30) accommodating electrical contacts (50) and a cover housing (10) which is arranged to slide vertically with respect to the base housing. The cover housing and the base housing have grooves (11a, 11b) which mate with guide projections (31a, 31b) to guide the relative movement between the housings. The cover housing at a first position enables a part of a flat cable (1) to be positioned in an opening (45) of the base housing and upon movement of the cover housing to a second position, a projection (14) of the cover housing presses exposed conductors of the flat cable in engagement with the contacts. The cover housing can be maintained at its first position by a first locking means (31a) and at its second position by a second locking means (16, 37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Akira Imai
  • Patent number: 4734052
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a first box element and a second box element, each box element receiving an electrical contact and the other box element when one of the box elements is inverted head-to-tail upside down with respect to the other box element. Each element includes male and female portions. The male portion includes a locking lug having an elastic portion and a stiff rounded portion. The female portion includes a joggle. The joggle of each element is adapted to engage the locking lug of the other element during assembly of the first and second elements along an insertion axis. When this occurs the joggle will climb up the stiff rounded portion of the locking lug thereby displacing the first and second elements in opposite directions perpendicular to the insertion axis. Further displacement along the insertion axis displaces the joggle into contact with the elastic portion which bends, so as to displace the two elements closer to each other perpendicular to the insertion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Precision Mecanique Labinal
    Inventor: Bertrand Vandame
  • Patent number: 4734048
    Abstract: A distributor housing for communication cables in which the connecting unit for the individual wires is permanently integrated into a base component of the housing and the individual wires are first introduced into a positioning means in the contacting process. To form the connection, the pivotable top component of the housing, which has projection aligned with the various contact elements, is pivoted to a closed position to press the individual wires into their contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Giebel, Hans Laar, Josef Schramm
  • Patent number: 4734054
    Abstract: The contact elements of the plug connector are engaged into chambers of an insulating strip by means of a conductor terminal component which has cutting and clamping contact edges. The chambers are only open towards a flat side of the strip, so that a conductor can be pressed into the contacting slots of the cutting and clamping contact points from the open side of the chambers. This allows an uncomplicated, orderly connection of the conductor to the contact elements after the connection of the contact elements to the insulating strips. A plurality of such strips can then be inserted into a housing and combined with the latter to form a multi-row, e.g. three or four row, plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Karl Steffinger