Patents Examined by Steven L. Stephan
  • Patent number: 6116957
    Abstract: An electrical connector (10) for interconnecting discrete circuits on a first circuit board (14) with discrete circuits on a second circuit board (16), includes an insulating housing (18) having a series of contact members (20) arranged in side by side cavities (22). Each contact member (20) has a straight shank (130) that is only partially supported by the floor (32) of the housing. The shank (130) has a first beam (136) at one end and a second beam (138) at the other end, each end of which has a respective one of first and second contacts (140, 142) attached thereto. Each contact terminates in a pre-load member (144, 146) that is formed parallel to the shank and slidingly extends into a recess (120) in the housing. Each pre-load member (144, 146) includes a latch surface (168) that abuts against a stop surface (124) formed in the housing (18) to limit movement of the contacts and thereby provide a desired pre-load to each contact (140, 142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Keith Mickievicz, Scott Anthony Faulkner, Edmund Luther Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6113437
    Abstract: A combination connector is disclosed. The combination connector comprising a plurality of connector housings which are stacked together in a multi-stage manner, an elastic lock arm provided on one of a upper connector housing and a lower housing of any two adjacent connector housings in the plurality of connector housings, an elastic rib formed respectively in continuous relation to the lock arm, and an engaging portion provided on the other connector housing of the two adjacent connector for engaging with the lock arm, wherein the lock arm is flexed together with the associated rib when the lock arm is to be engaged with the engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kimihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 6109928
    Abstract: In an electrographic printer or copier using an LED for exposing the photoconductor, an arrangement of two disconnectable flat conductors are provided which form part of the electrical connection between a current supply and an exposure system. A first flat conductor contains a first current carrying metal strip, at least one second current carrying metal strip which has at least sections thereof in parallel to the first metal strip, and at least one insulating strip which insulates the second metal strip from the first metal strip. The first flat conductor provides a connection with the second flat conductor which has the first metal strip protruding beyond the insulating strip. The second flat conductor has essentially the same geometrical structure as the first flat conductor at least at the connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Edward Morris, Eibl Martin, Klaus Pachonik, Christian Kurmeier, Vanek Wenzel
  • Patent number: 6109943
    Abstract: A selectable compatibility electrical connector plug has a substantially hollow housing member and a plurality of contact members extending from a cable connection end to a connector end. A circuit member having circuit components thereon is affixed within the housing with the circuit components being spaced from the contact members or leads. In open embodiment, actuator members contact the leads and project above the exterior surface of the housing. When the plug is inserted into a low performance jack, the actuator members force the leads against the circuit components to produce crosstalk and transmission loss characteristics of a low performance plug. When the plug is removed from the jack, the resilience of the leads forces the actuators up into a neutral position. The actuators may be buttons, toggles, or, in one embodiment, bowed portions of the leads which project above the surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jaime Ray Arnett
  • Patent number: 6109956
    Abstract: When two connector housings are half-fitted together, a fitting detecting connector causes one of the connector housings to be pushed in a direction of separation by means of springs which are provided within a female connector housing, a spring holder being inserted into this female connector housing so that it can move in an anterior-posterior direction. This spring holder houses springs and, when the two connector housings are being fitted together, a locking arm rises over a stopping protrusion. As a result of the locking arm rising, the spring holder is restrained, its movement in a posterior direction is regulated, and the springs are compressed. When the connector housings are completely fitted together the locking arm springs down, releasing the spring holder, and allowing it to move in a posterior direction under the spring force. All of the half-fitting detector components are provided on one of the connector housings; the other connector housing requires no modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kawase, Satoru Nishide, Ryotaro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6109935
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a terminal housing that includes a central body, a terminal support plate, and a tail aligning plate. The body is formed with a plurality of terminal openings. The terminal support plate extends forwardly from the back plate, and is provided with a plurality of horizontally extending terminal cavities that are vertically aligned and that are normal to the body. The terminal cavities correspond respectively to the terminal openings. The tail aligning plate extends rearwardly from the body, and is provided with a plurality of notches that form a horizontal array parallel to the body. Each of a plurality of terminals includes a vertical solder tail portion retained in a respective one of the notches, a horizontal terminal mating portion received in a respective one of the terminal cavities, and a retention portion between the solder tail portion and the terminal mating portion and engaging the back plate in a respective one of the terminal openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Tzung-Lin Yang
  • Patent number: 6106312
    Abstract: In a low insertion force connector assembly in which cam pins protruded from upper and lower walls of a housing of a male connector are guided by cam grooves formed in upper and lower walls of a slider which are confronted with each other, so that the male connector is inserted into a female connector, the cam pins are provided in the housing of the male connector in such a manner that the cam pins are popped in and out of the housing freely and elastically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Iwahori
  • Patent number: 6106320
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes a receptacle housing, a movable element, an interlock mechanism, a release mechanism, and a blocking element. The receptacle housing has a receptacle opening having a longitudinal axis. The movable element is located within the receptacle opening and is designed to move along the longitudinal axis between an extended position and an inserted position. The interlock mechanism is connected to interlock with the movable element when the movable element is in the inserted position. The interlock mechanism also maintains the movable element in the inserted position. The release mechanism is coupled to the interlock mechanism, accessible from outside the receptacle housing, and operable to disengage the interlock mechanism from the movable element to permit the movable element to move to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald James Gunn
  • Patent number: 6102721
    Abstract: The portable electronic apparatus has a box-like casing having a peripheral wall, and a pack receptacle defined within the casing. The pack receptacle has an opening portion opened in the peripheral wall. A packaged functional component is stored in the pack receptacle, such that the functional component can be detached therefrom through the opening portion. The pack receptacle of the casing is provided with a locking member for holding the functional component. The locking member is movable by manual operation between a locked position where the locking member is hooked on the functional component and a lock-released position where the locking member leaves the functional component. The pack receptacle is provided with a spring for energizing the functional component in the direction in which the functional component is pushed out through the opening portion. The opening portion of the casing and the locking member are covered with a detachable cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaru Seto, Hideaki Tanaka, Yasuyuki Horii, Naohiro Yokoyama, Atsushi Tatemichi
  • Patent number: 6099358
    Abstract: A connector is provided with a first housing and a cover. The first housing has a terminal receiving chamber in which a first terminal is received, and is fitted to a second housing. The second housing has a second terminal conducted and connected to the first terminal when the first housing is fitted to the second housing. The cover has a first engaging portion engageable with the first housing, a second engaging portion engageable with the second housing fitted to the first housing, and a come-out prevention portion for preventing the first terminal from coming out from the terminal receiving chamber. The cover is held to the first housing by an engagement between the first engaging portion and the first housing, and is held to the second housing by an engagement between the second engaging portion and the second housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6099321
    Abstract: A zero insertion force socket for connecting a CPU to a printed circuit board consists of a dielectric base receiving a number of contacts therein, and a cover movably mounted on the base between a closed position and an open position. At the open position, pins of the CPU extending through the cover into the base are each received in a space defined within an arc section of the corresponding contact. At the closed position, each pin is moved to be clamped between fixed and movable contacting sections of the corresponding contact. The movable contacting section connects with the fixed contacting section via the arc section providing the clamping force. Each fixed contacting section connects with a tail portion located therebelow for being soldered to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Nick Lin, Robert Yang
  • Patent number: 6099360
    Abstract: An electrical contact having a termination end for terminating with a wire and a contact end for mating with a mating contact. The contact end has a top wall with two top portions with a seam therebetween. One of the top portions has a locking lance to secure the contact within a housing. An engaging member provides interaction between the two top portions to distribute forces from the top portion having the locking lance to the other top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Broschard, III, Edmund Luther Jacobs, Jared Joseph Smalley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6099332
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) constructed with, an insulating insert (3) mounted to a connector housing (4), the insert (3) having a mating face (10) at a front of the housing (4), at least one electrical contact (2) in a contact receiving cavity through the insert (3), the contact (2) having a pin (6) and a receptacle (5), and the contact (2) being adapted for mounting in the insert (3) to provide the receptacle (5) at the mating face (10), and the contact (2) being adapted for mounting in the insert (3) to provide the pin (6) at the mating face (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corp.
    Inventor: Bruce Robert Troyan
  • Patent number: 6099357
    Abstract: The contact set of a plug connector part such as a contact plug or a contact jack for high frequency data transmission over electric conductors comprises a row of contact points for connecting to corresponding contact points of the mating component of the plug or jack which are connected over conductors with insulation piercing connecting devices. At least adjacent conductors (1, 2) are arranged so they wrap around one another at a predetermined distance in their common plane between the insulation piercing connecting devices (11, 12) and the contact springs (21, 22) forming the contact points for compensation of the capacitive and inductive coupling.This avoids crossover and recrossing in different planes, but now a type of crossing is achieved in a plane common to all conductors. In addition, both the capacitive and the inductive coupling can be compensated effectively and equally beyond the 300 MHz range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Reichle +De-Massari AG
    Inventor: Hans Reichle
  • Patent number: 6099342
    Abstract: A latch key mechanism 1 has a rotatable latch key 2, a holder 7 rotatably receiving the latch key 2, a spring 16 connected to the latch key 2 and to the holder 7, the spring 16 biasing the latch key 2 to rotate in a first direction to a desired position aligned with the profile of a keyhole 3 through which the latch key 2 is to be inserted, and the latch key 2 being rotatable against a resilient bias of the spring 16 to a latching position beyond the keyhole 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Guy Louis Letourneau
  • Patent number: 6095832
    Abstract: A cap housing (30,130,300,400,500) for mounting electrical connectors (80,180,380,480,580,680) thereto comprises cap portions (40,60,140,160,310,410,511,512) for receiving mating sections of connector housings containing contact portions (84b,184b,384,484,584,684) of electrical contacts (84,184,383,483,583,683) for protecting the contact portions, the mounting sections of the connector housings containing tine portions (84a,184a,386,486,586,686) that are to be positioned on a circuit board and soldered thereto, and engaging members (48,68,148,168,313,420,513,514) of the cap portions for engaging the electrical connectors thereby maintaining the electrical connectors on the cap portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Toshitaka Kusuhara, Shuji Kajinuma
  • Patent number: 6095862
    Abstract: A metal adapter frame assembly mounts a first electrical connector in an aperture in a panel for mating with a second electrical connector. A metal body defines a first receptacle for receiving the first connector and a second receptacle for receiving the second connector, with the connectors mateable through the body. A metal shield is mounted over a substantial portion of the metal body. A metal gasket is mounted on the body for engaging the panel at the aperture and substantially surrounds the first receptacle. A metal shutter member is movably mounted on the body to close the first receptacle and is movable to an open position upon engagement by the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Dennis Lee Doye, Michael J. Miskin, Jay Henry Neer
  • Patent number: 6095849
    Abstract: A flat electrical plug having push-up rod for prying loose the plug from an electrical outlet. The plug can be designed with an upper shell and a lower shell each has a recess to accommodate the push-up rod, which has a pair of pins as pivots. The lower shell and the upper shell have recesses and protrusions for securing the push-up rod while allowing the push-up rod to rotate freely about the pins. The push-up rod is pushed down when the plug is inserted in an outlet. When the push-up rod is pulled up from the rod head, the rod tail will exert a force against the outlet thereby prying loose the plug from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: All-Line Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Stekelenburg
  • Patent number: 6093034
    Abstract: A PCMCIA terminal having an elongated mounting base of substantially U-shaped cross section at one end for mounting in a PCMCIA connector, an elongated connecting strip longitudinally forwardly extended from one end of the elongated mounting base, two reinforcing side ribs downwardly perpendicularly raised from two opposite lateral sides of a horizontal middle portion of the elongated connecting strip, and a tongue raised from the horizontal middle portion of the elongated connecting strip and terminating in a horizontal contact portion for soldering to a contact at a circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
    Inventor: Ying Wu Tan
  • Patent number: 6089906
    Abstract: A cable assembly comprises first and second connectors and a ground plane cable. The first connector includes a first housing having front and rear faces. An array of passageways is defined between the front and rear faces. Each passageway securely receives a first terminal therein. Each first terminal forms an insulation displacement section extending beyond the rear face and a pin section extending beyond the front face. A first cover is assembled to the rear face of the first housing. The second IDC connector includes a second housing having front and rear faces. A row of second terminals is assembled to the second housing. Each terminal includes a tip extending beyond a top face of the second housing and an insulation displacement section extending beyond the rear face of the second housing. A second cover is assembled to the rear face of the second housing. The ground plane cable is terminates at the rear faces of the first and second housings by means of the first and second covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Juntwait