Patents Examined by P. Austin Bradley
  • Patent number: 6966795
    Abstract: An electrical component having an insulating housing with the housing having a bottom mounting surface and at least one anchor element receiving aperture extending up into the housing from the bottom surface of the housing. An anchor element, having a bottom end, is shaped and sized to be inserted into the aperture from the bottom of the housing, the element frictionally held by the housing in the aperture with the element projecting slightly from the aperture to have its bottom end spaced slightly from the bottom surface of the housing. A method of assembling the electrical component having a housing with a bottom surface and an aperture for receiving an anchor element extending up into the housing from the bottom surface. The anchor element has at least a portion that is sized and shaped to frictionally engage the housing while in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Weco Electrical Connectors, Inc.
    Inventor: Pei Ren Xu
  • Patent number: 6964586
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector and jack is provided. The electrical connector includes a main connector housing and a stereo plug protruding from a front surface of the main connector housing. A first pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a first side of the stereo plug, and a second pair of electrical contact pins is supported by the main connector housing on a second side of the stereo plug opposite the first side of the stereo plug. An alignment feature protrudes from the front surface of the main connector housing adjacent the stereo plug, providing orientation key and anti-rotation functions to be provided with a narrower profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Kabir Siddiqui
  • Patent number: 6964587
    Abstract: A high performance, high capacitance gain, electric connector for data transfer applications. At least eight sequentially positioned elongate contact members are connected in a series of signal pairs. A first signal pair includes a fourth contact member and a fifth contact member. A second signal pair includes a third contact member and a sixth contact member. In addition, a third signal pair comprises a first contact member and a second contact member. Finally, a seventh and an eighth contact member are in a fourth signal pair. One member of each contact member pair is configured differently from the other member of the pair, the respective contact members being oriented relative to one another such that they substantially remain in generally parallel planes, but define non-parallel paths. Each of the third and fifth contact members mounts a plate-like extension oriented in a first direction and in respective planes generally parallel to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Bel Fuse Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. Colantuono, Richard D. Marowsky, Jason A. Cowburn, Dennis A. Bush
  • Patent number: 6960089
    Abstract: A SATA connector (300) for being soldered to a printed circuit board (PCB) includes an insulative housing (70), a plurality of right angle contacts (80), and a pair of board locks (90). The insulative housing has a top wall (700), a bottom wall (701), a pair of side walls (702) and a rear wall (709) which together define a mating space (703), an L-shaped tongue (704) extends from the rear wall and into the mating space. Each contact has an engaging portion (802) retained in the L-shaped tongue and a solder portion (803) extending beyond the rear wall and bent in right angle so as to parallel to the rear wall adapted for being soldered to the PCB. The pair of board locks is mounted to the bottom wall of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: George Lee, William E. Spink, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6957973
    Abstract: A land array grid (LGA) connector and a method for assembling an IC chip into the LGA connector is provided. The LGA connector comprises an insulative housing (1) having a plurality of electrical terminals (2) received therein, a reinforcement plate (3) surrounding the insulative housing, a load plate (4) and a lever (5) pivotally connected to a same end of the reinforcement plate. The load plate and the lever rotate with respect to the reinforcement plate between an open position and a closed position; and the lever pushes the load plate to move from a middle position to the closed position during the lever rotates from the opening position to the closed position such that a free end of the load plate engages with the reinforcement plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 6957986
    Abstract: A compressible pin assembly includes a barrel, a contact pin and an elastic element. The contact pin is arranged within the barrel. The contact pin has a contact element. The elastic element is arranged within the barrel to bias the contact pin, so that the contact element is flexibly extended out the front end of the barrel. The barrel has aperture formed therein, which allows superfluous gold plating liquid within the barrel to be eliminated smoothly, after the gold plating process. Thus, the barrel will obtain a more uniform and complete electroplated layer with the use of less gold plating liquid. A stopper will then be inserted into the aperture to prevent impurities from entering the hollow chamber of the barrel. This invention will provide a less expensive compressible pin assembly having greater conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Lu Jing
  • Patent number: 6955545
    Abstract: An electrical contact for a ball grid array connector includes a plate for holding a solder ball and a contact body having a first end and a second end. The plate is removably coupled to the body first end. A separable interface extends from the body second end. The separable interface is configured to receive a mating contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Francis P. Morana, David S. Szczesny
  • Patent number: 6955552
    Abstract: The invention concerns an adaptor (100) adapted to establish an electric connection with a portable electronic instrument (200) and to allow transmission of electric signals. The portable instrument is controlled via at least one control member (210) having first electric contact means (213) accessible from the exterior of the instrument. The control member is capable of occupying a first non pushed-in position and a second pushed-in position. The adaptor includes a support (101) having a pattern cavity (102) dimensioned to receive the instrument. The pattern cavity includes at least one housing (110) in which are arranged second electric contact means (119). The housing is dimensioned to receive the control member, such that, on the one hand, the control member is brought into the pushed-in position and, on the other hand, the first and second electric contacts are brought into contact, when the instrument is placed in the pattern cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Yves Oesch
  • Patent number: 6951473
    Abstract: An IC card reader comprising a contact head holding body which is given a force in the card discharge direction and makes contact with an IC card at the insertion of the card. The card reader also comprises a card latch lever that is operated between an open mode, in which an IC card can be inserted and removed, and a closed mode, in which an IC card cannot be inserted or removed; an operating arm for moving the card latch lever and for holding the card latch lever in the closed mode; and an operating lever for moving the operating arm. The card latch lever enters the closed mode with the movements of the operating lever and the operating arm after an IC card is inserted to a predetermined position. The contact head holding body and the operating lever are connected with each other so that the operating lever moves synchronously with the movement of the contact head holding body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sankyo Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Takahashi, Toshio Tatai
  • Patent number: 6948983
    Abstract: A slim USB male connector with anti-disorientation design is mated with a USB socket. The USB male connector is received in a space between a mating board and a bottom wall of the USB socket. The USB male connector comprises a circuit board and an insulative housing. A top surface of USB male connector is mounted with four contacts. A bottom surface of the USB male connector is mounted with a grounding plate. The insulative housing covers the circuit board and has a plurality of grooves therein, and a pair of guiding boards respectively protruding from two sides thereof. The pair of guiding boards are respectively inserted into side gaps between the mating board and two sides of the frame of the USB socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Megaforce Company Limited
    Inventor: Morris Peng
  • Patent number: 6948972
    Abstract: A lighting system including at least one electrical load, at least one electrical connector, each electrical connector electrically connected to a corresponding electrical load and an electrical splitter electrically connectable to at least one electrical connector. The electrical splitter having a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle configured to receive a corresponding electrical connector and a plurality of visual indicators, each visual indicator uniquely associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of receptacles, each visual indicator indicating a connection of one electrical connector with the corresponding one of the plurality of receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg E. Laukhuf
  • Patent number: 6948948
    Abstract: A PC cartridge having enhanced front connecting structure is disclosed. Two folded hooks with n-shaped structure are on the same side of the front connector and at two front corners of the upper shell. The folded hook defines a small height and has a rearward opening. Further, first and second flanges are located on the same side of the front connector and at the front ends of the packing rubbers located on the bottom shell. Especially, first and second flanges are parts extended from the packing rubbers, whereby retaining slots are formed between upper and bottom shells. Both the second flanges comprise a third flange projected forward. The folded hooks conform to the third flange and extend into the retaining slots so as to engage the upper shell with the bottom shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: D&C Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anderson Lin, Oswald Ku
  • Patent number: 6945825
    Abstract: A pair of irreversible female and male connectors (2,1) fitting one in another have respectively female and male housings (22, 2), and the female housing (22) has a cavity (23) with a front opening so as to fit on the male housing (2) along an insertion direction. The female housing (22) has pin contacts (28) in placed the cavity and partitions (25) formed in it along the direction so as to separate the contacts (28) one from another. Socket contacts (42) engaging the pin contacts are placed in the male housing (2) that has cutouts (6) fitting on the partitions (25), and each partition having opposite sides (35,36) asymmetrical about a cross section center of the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co, LTD
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Aramoto, Keiji Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6945792
    Abstract: A socket for electrical parts is provided with a latch operative mechanism that opens and closes latches 3, synchronized with an operation of a socket cover 2. The latch operative mechanism open the latches 3 in a state with the socket cover 2 being pushed to a lowest position, and closes the latches 3 with a rise of the socket cover 2 from the lowest position, and also moves the latches 3 relatively downward with respect to a socket body 1a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventor: Kenji Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 6942489
    Abstract: A dockable connection assembly attached to the ceiling of a motor vehicle so that passengers can enjoy watching a display monitor at desired and comfortable angles while still being able to access the electrical components of the display screen and its counterparts in video technology. This structure allows for the screen to move at all angles, whether it be up, down, clockwise, or counterclockwise. The structure also has a safety feature that will allow for disengagement in case of emergency situations. This dockable connection assembly comprises a retainer assembly, a connector assembly, and a harness assembly. The retainer assembly provides the support for the entirety of the dockable connection assembly by holding the connector assembly and the display monitor onto the ceiling. The connector assembly provides for the electric connection a point of contact and allows for the rotation of the display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Tiesler
  • Patent number: 6940297
    Abstract: A top plate release mechanism that comprises a sliding portion that forces locking tabs that are mounted in a mounting bracket to be dislocated to a releasing position, in order to allow a top plate to easily be removed from a probe plate assembly. The top plate release mechanism comprises biasing means to maintain the mechanism in a locked position until the sliding portion is moved. The top plate release mechanism may also comprise a locking feature that fixedly locks the release mechanism to prevent the locking tabs from prematurely returning to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: James Hall
  • Patent number: 6935905
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing (130) with a cavity (131) and a lock (133) that is resiliently deformable along a deformation direction (DD). A terminal fitting (110) is insertable into and withdrawable from the cavity (131) along inserting and withdrawing directions (IWD) and is configured to be locked by the lock (133). A jig (160) can be slid linearly into a jig insertion space (148) between the terminal fitting (110) and the lock (133) for disengaging the lock (133) from the terminal fitting (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Aihara, Michiaki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6932655
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector for information technology purposes, in particular a RJ45 connector, is parallel with several contacts that are arranged in contact pairs. The contacts comprise each a terminal area, a contact section for the engagement with contacts of another electrical plug connector and a line section that connects the terminal area with the contact section, wherein the contact sections are arranged in parallel planes. All line sections run at least partially parallel to each other and in a joint plane. The line sections and the contact sections of each contact are arranged at an angle to each other and all contacts are bent in the same direction in the transition region between line section and contact section. The transition regions of contacts of different contact pairs have different progressions between the line section and contact section in the respective parallel planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Novar GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Hatterscheid, Siegfried Ruhr, Konrad Brandsch, Ruediger Gelfarth
  • Patent number: 6929503
    Abstract: A mounting structure for lamp wires of a back light module to mount at least two lamp wires extending from a plastic frame. The mounting structure includes a fixed bar portion and a tabling portion connected together by a connecting portion to form a lamp channel therebetween. The connecting portion has a wire-fixing hole to fix one of the lamp wires. The lamp wires are induced into the lamp wire channel. A retaining clamp portion is extended from the tabling portion and overhung the plastic frame. The retaining clamp portion and the tabling portion have a wire clip hole perpendicularly connected to the lamp channel and a clamp opening connected to the wire clip hole to fix the lamp wires in the wire clip hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Tien Yu, Cheng-Min Liao
  • Patent number: 6926557
    Abstract: A reduced weight and size shielded receptacle connector includes an internal insulative connector housing having top and bottom walls, without any sidewalls interconnecting the top and bottom walls together. A plurality of conductive terminals are supported within the connector. A receptacle portion of the connector is formed in cooperation with the top and bottom walls of the connector housing and with a pair of metal sidewalls formed by bending a shield member around parts of the connector housing. A metal retaining shield is provided that also overlies a portion of the connector housing and which is partially retained on the connector housing by the metal shell. The shield not only provides shielding, but also serves to retain the opposing connector in mating engagement with receptacle connector by way of three retention members that extend in and engaged the opposing connector in three different directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Tomisaburo Yamaguchi, Asakawa Tetsuya