Patents Examined by Paula Austin
  • Electrical connector housing
    Patent number: 4705337
    Abstract: In an electrically insulated housing for an electrical connector which is to accommodate terminals in its passages, rear holders are provided over the housing for the prevention of rearward withdrawal movements of the terminals, in addition to retainers which are provided in the housings. Each rear holder has one or a plurality of projections in series which are engageable with the terminals by their substantially vertical displacement accompanied with the flection of hinges of an angle of less than 90.degree., viz., about 45.degree., which hinges connecting each projection to the housing with comparatively narrow and long extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Maeda
  • Tree light wiring harness
    Patent number: 4705483
    Abstract: A wiring harness is provided which, among other uses, allows quick and convenient installation of lights on a Christmas tree. Preferably, the wiring harness includes a flexible, resilient, C-shaped ring body having a channel-shaped cross section with an interior surface; a plurality of electrical receptacles received within a corresponding plurality of cavities defined in the interior surface of the ring member; and a conductor pair electrically intercoupling the receptacles with an electrical plug. In advantageous use, the harness, with a plurality of strands of tree lights already plugged into the receptacles, is spread apart, placed about the upper boughs of the tree and released whereupon the essential labor is completed for placing the lights on the tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventors: William R. Davis, Lawrence E. Davis
  • Plug safe
    Patent number: 4705335
    Abstract: A plug safe provides a vessel that, in use, simultaneously contains a plurality of electrical plugs, wherein the vessel includes an open face for entrance and exit of the plugs. A closure selectively opens and closes the open face of the vessel. A plurality of apertures permit electrical cords attached to contained plugs to pass to the exterior of the vessel. A lock associated with the vessel and closure selectively secures the closure in position closing the open face of the vessel. The vessel includes a plug self-retaining means for, in use, resisting any spring forces tending to cause initially loaded plugs and cords to exit the apertures while subsequent plugs and cords are being loaded into further apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Ronald G. Goebel
  • Butt contact for an electrical connector having EMI shielding
    Patent number: 4703986
    Abstract: An electrical contact for use in a releasable connector part having a closed-end metal shell with resilient springlike sidewalls, the shell closed-end contactingly covering an opening in a shield plate when the connector is unmated. When mated, a corresponding contact in the other connector part passes through the shield plate opening moving the metal shell closed-end away from the shield plate and into current conducting relation with a shaft connected with a cable wire. In an alternate version, the metal shell closed-end moves into connective relation with an end wall of a further metal shell interconnected with the cable wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: G & H Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry L. McCormick
  • Apparatus and method for retaining an insert in an electrical connector
    Patent number: 4703987
    Abstract: A deformable plastic strip (44') is longitudinally slotted (60) along one edge to define a plurality of laterally separated longitudinal columns (62), cut, and then rolled into a tubular sleeve to form a retention member (44) which is configured to be coaxially driven into an annular passageway (72) formed between an insert (24) and a connector shell (10), engagement of the slotted end portion with an axial shell face (16) causing the columns to axially collapse in accordion like fashion and radially wedge themselves into the passageway whereby to interferencingly retain the insert in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: David O. Gallusser, David W. MacAvoy
  • Cable connector assembly
    Patent number: 4702539
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second connectors which may be coupled by advancing a connector post on the first connector into a corresponding recess on the second connector. The assembly may then be fully engaged by 180.degree. rotation of one of the connectors about a longitudinal axis. Indicia on the connectors enable an operator to quickly ascertain whether the assembly is in engaged or disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Tweco Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph B. Cusick, III, Ty A. Raney
  • Keyed insulator apparatus
    Patent number: 4702712
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for insulating and keying quick disconnect connectors. The device is wrapped around the quick disconnect connection with the wire already crimped in the quick disconnect connection and snaps on securely. It provides a multicombination key which prevents the insertion of a keyed insulator in the inappropriate mating connector slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Ghorbani, Gary M. Walker
  • Pole mounting connector
    Patent number: 4700995
    Abstract: A connector has a rectangular box-like form body with end walls and side walls and a transverse wall dividing the body into front and back parts. The transverse wall extends from one end wall to the other but at the sides extends backwards a distance from the side walls and then extends laterally to the back ends of the side walls. This forms a central web portion having a channel along each side and a back chamber between the channels. Terminals are positioned in the central web portion. A stub cable enters through an end wall into the back chamber, the cable conductors connected to rear ends of the terminals. Drop wire conductors can enter through grommets to connect to the front ends of the terminals. A cover is pivotally mounted at one end of the body. The back chamber is filled with potting compound after connection of the cable conductors to the rear ends of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Albert Kupferschmidt, Tracy D. Greene, Donald F. Jaycox
  • Electrical connector apparatus
    Patent number: 4695110
    Abstract: An electrical assembly for mechanically and electrically coupling lengths of cables having stripped ends. The assembly comprises two identically constructed, electrically conductive, eccentric terminals, each for receiving and terminating a stripped cable end to be coupled. A bayonet is formed on the front end of each terminal. Each bayonet includes a male and female attachment member adapted to be latched in contact with another like bayonet to form a rotatably disengagable hermaphroditic coupling which is rotatably disengagable. A leaf spring is attached to each terminal to releasably secure the bayonets together. Two identically constructed, electrically insulating housings and a separable sleeve formed of mating male and female sleeve portions shroud the terminals prior to coupling and attach together to provide a watertight enclosure for sealing the terminals during operation and use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Amp Incorporated
    Inventor: Henry G. Wasserlein
  • Battery terminal post clamp
    Patent number: 4695118
    Abstract: An electrically conducting battery terminal post clamp which does not require the use of any separate fastener assembly. The clamp includes a cam member movable from an unlocked position to a locked position. With the cam member in the locked position, pressure is applied to the battery terminal post compressing such against a bare wire end of an electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is located within a hole formed within the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Inventors: Garnik Magdesyan, Stepan Magdesyan, Leon P. Boodanian
  • Cover for flat cable connector
    Patent number: 4691977
    Abstract: Connector for ribbon cable comprises a housing having therein two rows of terminals with slotted plate portions extending above cable receiving face of housing for reception in respective passages in cover latchably secured by barbs on insulation piercing arms which define slots. Each passage has ramps therein which deflect arms toward opposite sidewalls of passage until barbs snap over shoulders so that arms are coplanar. The slots do not narrow as cover is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph C. Marzili, Brian D. Stephenson
  • Safety covers for electric outlets
    Patent number: 4691974
    Abstract: A cover for restricting access to the female sockets of an electrical outlet, thereby protecting infants and small children and others of limited understanding against electrical shock. The cover includes a plate bearing externally threaded bosses which replaces the conventional outlet cover, safety caps of the push-and-twist type, and protective members which are clamped against the boss overlying the socket being protected by the safety cap to deny access to the socket, both when the socket is in use and when it is not in service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventors: Michael B. Pinkerton, David Moskowitz
  • Quick disconnect battery terminal
    Patent number: 4691980
    Abstract: This invention relates to a QUICK DISCONNECT BATTERY TERMINAL, particularly adapted for a battery with side terminals wherein each terminal contains a threaded socket which receives a battery terminal bolt, the bolt having fixedly attached around it a knurled or easy finger grip handle. The bolt comprising a plurality of flanges providing a recess and flange for engagement of the electrically conductive contact element of the battery cable, a flange for engagement of the cable cap, and a second recess for use with any working element such as a battery charger or tester.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventor: Jules A. Sandor
  • Computer harness adaptive tester
    Patent number: 4690475
    Abstract: A computer harness adaptive tester for testing pins, wires, voltage and continuity in circuits between electronically controlled devices and an electronic control module; the devices are interconnected to the module by an electrical harness composed of a plurality of discrete insulated wires; the tester is composed of a coupler adapted to be interconnected electrically between one end of the harness and the electronic control module through a pair of jumper cables; and the coupler is connected through a secondary harness to a remote pin-out box where testing can be conveniently conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventor: Robert C. McElroy
  • Electrical contacts
    Patent number: 4687274
    Abstract: A pair of elements for providing slidable electrical contact therebetween wherein the contact surface of at least one of the elements comprises a plurality of contact portions and a plurality of depressed portions in between the contact portions so that wear particles which are generated between their contact surfaces as the elements are moved relative to each other are effectively swept from between the contact surfaces into the depressed portions where they are entrapped. Such operation tends to maintain a low electrical resistance between the elements over many cycles of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Nam P. Suh, Nannaji Saka, Ming J. Liou
  • Connector for electrical conductors
    Patent number: 4687273
    Abstract: A connector comprises a sleeve and a rod, the threaded interfacing surface of one of the parts being provided with a longitudinal recess for the input of conductors. The recess has a concave surface facing the longitudinal axis of the connector and the depth thereof increases in the direction where the two parts are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Latviisky Gosudarstvenny Universitet Imeni Petra Stuchki
    Inventor: Anatoly S. Pranch
  • Heat activatable sealing piston
    Patent number: 4687280
    Abstract: A heat activatable sealing piston comprising a cylinder of polymeric material radially expandable on application of heat. The piston can be incorporated into thermal actuators of various types. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing piston is used in an electrical connector, together with a gas generating means to force solder between an electrical conductor inserted into the connector and the walls of the tubular connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Lester T. Toy, Daniel Magay
  • Electric contact terminal thermo-insertable onto a printed circuit card and a connector having such terminals
    Patent number: 4687269
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector thermo-insertable onto a printed circuit card.Contact terminals of the connector have at least one insertable part of a shape-memory material. The insertable part of each of the terminals is shaped to the dimensions of its final use shape after insertion corresponding to its stable shape-memory state, in a manner to ensure mechanical retention and electric contact with the corresponding aperture in the printed circuit. The same insertable part is able to occupy a second memorized or not shape state, in a manner to be able to be introduced and/or withdrawn from its corresponding aperture.Application to connectors for printed circuits in any field of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Souriau & Cie
    Inventors: Alain Dubertret, Gilles Rizzo, Raymond Bargain, Michel De Mendez, Jacky Thenaisie
  • Electrical contact assembly and method of assembly
    Patent number: 4685761
    Abstract: An electrical contact assembly comprises a wire barrel onto which an electrical conductor is connected along with a receptacle contact member covered by a stamped and formed hood member. A C-shaped section of the receptacle is frictionally secured in a bore of the wire barrel with the hood member surrounding the receptacle and being crimped onto the wire barrel. The hood has a beveled lead-in entrance to facilitate insertion of a pin contact member into electrical connection with the receptacle contact member at a substantially low insertion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Ronald P. Locati
  • Apparatus for attaching cable to a keyboard
    Patent number: 4684185
    Abstract: Apparatus for removably attaching a cable to a point on another piece of apparatus. The apparatus consists of means such as a jack for attaching an end of the cable to the piece of apparatus and a clip at another point on the piece of apparatus which may be employed at the option of the user of the piece of apparatus to retain an intermediate point of the cable. The cable may be inserted in and removed from the clip without use of tools. The attaching apparatus is employed in devices such as keyboards for the cables which attach the keyboard to the rest of the system and auxiliary input devices to the keyboard. In a preferred embodiment, the clip consists of a short channel in the case of the keyboard which will accept a number of cables having different sizes and a flexible snap which retains the cables in the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: Wang Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel D. Arney, Clifford E. LaCount