Patents Examined by Steven L. Stephan
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6086386
    Abstract: A connector for microelectronic elements includes a sheetlike body having a plurality of active contacts arranged in a regular grid pattern. The active contacts may include several sheetlike metallic projections extending inwardly around a hole in the sheetlike element, on a first major surface of the sheetlike element. A support structure such as a grid array of noncollapsing structural posts is on a second major surface of the sheetlike element, and each of the posts is electrically connected to one of the active contacts. The grid array of posts and the grid array of active contacts are offset from one another so that an active contact is surrounded by several posts. The posts support the sheetlike element spaced away from a substrate to which the posts are attached. A microelectronic element having bump leads thereon may be engaged by contacting the bump leads with the active contacts, and deflecting the sheetlike element between the bump leads on one side and the posts on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Fjelstad, Thomas H. DiStefano, Konstantine Karavakis, Anthony B. Faraci, Tan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6086399
    Abstract: A through hole 14 is provided in an earth terminal member 4 of an earth joint connector 1. A bolt 6 protruding from an external wall E is insertable into the through hole 14. A through hole 25 is also provided in a further earth terminal 5. The two earth terminals 4 and 5 are arranged to be attached to one another by fitting members 18 and 21 so that the earth terminals 4 and 5 do not rotate relative to each other. Thus the two earth terminals 4 and 5 can be connected to the external wall by a single nut 26 and bolt 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Matsunaga, Kazuhiro Aoki, Masao Shibata
  • Patent number: 6086420
    Abstract: An I/O port connector having an EMI shield comprising a dielectric housing defining a receiving chamber with a front entrance and a rear opening. The housing defines a plurality of slits forming a plurality of flexible flaps therebetween, and further includes a bridge portion having a pair of supporting posts. The bridge portion defines a plurality of terminal receiving passages therein for receiving a corresponding number of terminals. A cantilever tongue extends from the bridge portion toward the front entrance and forms a terminal seat at a free end thereof. The EMI shield includes a first portion received within the chamber of the housing from the front entrance, a front entrance and a rear opening. The first portion is provided with at least a retaining strip for releasably retaining a mating connector, engaging tab and an aperture adjacent to the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Tsan Wu
  • Patent number: 6083030
    Abstract: A connector latch is provided which includes a connector housing which extends through an engagement member. The engagement member is movable from one end of the connector housing to the other end. When moved to one end, the engagement member cams flexible latch arms of the connector housing towards the longitudinal axis thereof in a locked mode. When moved to the opposite end, the flexible latch arms reslide away from such axis in an unlocked mode. An electrical connector which includes such a connector latch is also provided. In such an embodiment, when male and female contacts are properly engaged, movement of the engagement member in the locked mode causes protuberances which extend from the flexible latch arms to extend into a connector housing groove thereby preventing disconnection of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: John O. Wright
  • Patent number: 6083039
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for connecting the rear termination ends (32, 34) of connector contacts (12, 14) to wires (42, 44) of a cable (40) in a design where the solder connections are encased in molded plastic, which maintains the contacts so their axes (20, 22) extend precisely along forward-rearward directions. This is accomplished by providing a mold with an alignment mold part (110) with holders (114, 120) that either directly engage shoulders (160, 162) of the contacts or that engage shoulders (140, 142) formed on a circuit board (54) with holes (62) that closely receive rear termination ends (32) of a contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Santos Finona
  • Patent number: 6083011
    Abstract: A tool-less insulation displacement connector block for selectively routing wiring connections contains a first terminal strip, a second terminal strip and a third terminal strip which are disposed on the connector block. The first terminal strip has a first wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a first output connector. The second terminal strip has a second wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a second output connector. Similarly, the third terminal strip has a third wire receiving terminal which is electrically connected to a third output connector. The connector block also contains a unitary cap which encapsulates the first, second and third output connectors. The cap has a bridging device which can be used for selectively connecting either the first output connector or the third output connector to the second output connector thereby establishing an electrical connection between the second wire receiving terminal and the selected output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 6080013
    Abstract: A universal mounting structure has receptacles for connection to a cold cathode tube. The structure has a mounting bracket which may be rotated about a longitudinal access of a receptacle housing, thus allowing mounting in any of a plurality of different configurations. The receptacle may include an electrical threaded connecter for an input signal to be received, the electrical threaded connector being aligned with the longitudinal access of the receptacle housing and providing a physical connection by which a mounting bracket may secure the receptacle housing to a mounting wall. The electrical threaded connector can also be used as a single attachment point for the receptacle. In another embodiment, the housing itself includes a flange extending from a plurality of faces of the housing to facilitate different mounting configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Transfotec International LTEE
    Inventors: Robert Beland, Pascal Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 6080001
    Abstract: Inadvertent disconnection between a receptacle and a modular connector is achieved by fitting the connector with a new type of protective sleeve. The sleeve interior defines a first cavity sized to accept the connector and further defines a smaller cavity sized to admit the projecting connector tail. With the connector mated to the receptacle, the sleeve is slid forward. The exposed portion of the connector fits within the first sleeve cavity, and the connector tail fits within and is captured by the smaller cavity. The smaller cavity defines a connector tail capture region that constrains movement of the connector tail. More particularly, the capture region prevents unintended movement of the connector tail in a direction that would release the connector from the receptacle. This arrest feature prevents interruption of the connector-receptacle mechanical and electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: @POS.COM, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyin Pauk Wong
  • Patent number: 6079999
    Abstract: A single action card engagement mechanism having a connector block facing locking blocks. The connector block and locking blocks are spaced apart to receive a circuit card. The connector block provides pogo pins in register with card pins on the card. Spring mechanisms tend to push the pogo pins towards the card. At the other end, each locking block has a profile facing the connector block. The profile includes a recess in which the edge of the card is received and retained when the card is located in final position between the connector and locking blocks. In operation, the card pin edge of the card is presented to the connector block. Advantageously aligned using guide pins located on the card received into corresponding guide holes in the connector block, the card pins are moved up to touch the contact heads on the pogo pins. The opposing edge of the card, now resting near the top of the locking block, is now slid along the profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Andrew M. Terry, Edward Steketee
  • Patent number: 6080015
    Abstract: A connector for coaxial cables having an inner conductor (14) and an outer conductor (10) separated by a dielectric (16) includes a front body (4) to attach a coaxial cable in the connector and a rear body (8) adapted for connection to the front body (4), and a device for holding the cable in the connector in a manner that permits reproducible deformation of the outer conductor (10) during the connecting operation. The device for holding the cable in position is comprised of a ferrule (1) for holding the coaxial cable, and a bushing (2) that cooperates with the ferrule (1) to permit axial movement of the coaxial cable over a determined distance (L) in the connector during the connecting operation. The surfaces of ferrule (1) and bushing (2) cooperate to produce reproducible compression and/or deformation of the outer conductor (10) between said ferrule (1) and said bushing (2) during said connecting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: SEE SPRL
    Inventor: Paul Andreescu
  • Patent number: 6077101
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a socket connector body that has a lock ramp, a plug connector body that mates with the socket connector body and that has a lock arm that engages the lock ramp of the socket connector body to lock the plug and socket connector bodies together when the connector bodies are mated, and a connector position assurance (CPA) device that is slideably retained on the plug connector body for assuring that the connector bodies are properly mated and locked together. The CPA device has a top wall and depending sidewalls at respective longitudinal edges of the top wall that overlap and slide on spaced side walls of the plug connector body. The lock arm is between the sidewalls of the plug connector body and connected to the side walls midway between its ends to provide a release lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jay Harold Garretson, Richard James Polenick, John Marvin Chupak, William Gilbert Strang
  • Patent number: 6077087
    Abstract: A coaxial connector module includes an external, generally cylindrical ground contact having a side opening. An internal, generally centrally located signal contact is disposed within the ground contact. A signal terminal extends from the signal contact transversely outwardly through the side opening in the ground contact. A ground plane embraces the ground contact and has a ground terminal extending transversely outwardly therefrom. A dielectric substrate is overmolded about the ground contact, the signal contact, the signal terminal and the ground plane to hold these components in assembled condition as a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Herbert Endres, Otto Schempp
  • Patent number: 6077124
    Abstract: A female connector is adapted for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary mating connecting device. The connector includes a female housing having wall portions defining a cavity for receiving the flexible circuit. The wall portions are relatively movable between an open condition allowing a yieldable backing structure to be assembled on a cavity-side of at least one of the wall portions and a closed condition defining the cavity. The yieldable backing structure resiliently biases the conductors of the flexible circuit received in the cavity against the conductors of the mating connecting device when the connector is mated with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Harry N. Etters, Robert M. Fuerst, Russell J. Watt
  • Patent number: 6074224
    Abstract: An electrical coupling part comprising a conductive coupling member, an inner conductive layer surrounding the coupling member, an insulating layer surrounding the conductive layer, and an elastic protective sleeve which comprises at least one cylindrical portion adjacent to an end of the insulating layer and a conical portion adjacent to the cylindrical portion, the protective sleeve further comprising, at an end remote from the cylindrical portion, an orifice of greater diameter than the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: SAT - Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Gregoris, Lino Zen
  • Patent number: 6074244
    Abstract: A stringer of decorative lights comprising of a parallel wired primary and secondary light stringer. Each decorative light stringer includes a plurality of neon lamp assemblies having a step-down transformer. Each lamp socket typically includes a rotary safety disc. The secondary light stringer has a lamp socket compatible male plug. This lamp socket compatible male plug is used to connect this secondary light stringer to any lamp socket of the primary light stringer. Each lamp typically includes an insulated lamp base for receiving lamp, and a plurality of electrical contacts depending from the lamp base and connected to the lamp. A quick release mounting method for a bayonet lamp is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: Frank Andrew Crum, Robert Kenneth Schunk
  • Patent number: 6071151
    Abstract: In a connector having a first and a second contact, the second contact has a portion covered with an insulating member. The insulating member causes contact timings of the first and the second contacts relative to a counterpart connector to be staggered from each other. The first and the second contacts are held by a housing which is attachable and detachable relative to the counterpart connector. It is preferable that the first and the second contacts have chamfered portions, respectively, and that one of the chamfered portions is covered with the foregoing insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Isao Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6071133
    Abstract: An electrical card connector for electrically connecting an exterior electrical card to a circuit board, comprises an insulative housing body and a multi-stroke ejector means wherein the housing body includes a mating surface electrically connected with the electrical apparatus, and the ejector means includes an actuator for providing a manual operation, a lever having an operating end for joining with the actuator and an opposed acting end for pushing the inserted electrical apparatus, and a pair of symmetric supporting surfaces formed above the housing body and defining a shortest distance therebetween to be a linear contour which is parallel to the mating surface of the connector, so that the lever can respectively abut against and pivot upon the pair of symmetry supporting surfaces in the same radians to provide different force arms for satisfying the requirement of different forces for accurately drawing the electrical card from the connection with the contacts of the connector or completely ejecting the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Ming Ho, Shun-Chi Dong
  • Patent number: 6071126
    Abstract: An assembly for use in a building entrance protector. The assembly includes a circuit board and surge protector modules. A surge protector panel is mounted to the circuit board, wherein the surge protector panel is adapted to receive the surge protector modules. A first connector port and a second connector port are both coupled to the circuit board. Electrical pathways extend between the first connector port and the second connector port that extend through the surge protector modules on the surge protector panel. Outside plant wiring entering the building entrance protector is electrically interconnected with the assembly via a first connector that engages the first connector port. Similarly, customer premises wiring that enters the building entrance protector is electrically interconnected the assembly via a second connector that engages the second connector port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 6072244
    Abstract: A wind power prime mover in which a windmill assembly (1) comprising semicylindrical wind receiving members (16) vertically erected on a plurality of equally spaced points on the circumference centering on a vertical rotary shaft (3) in such manner that semicylindrical open parts of said wind receiving members are directed to the same circumferential directions with respect to individual tangents to said circumference is of knock-down assembly construction with the major parts thereof joined to or disjoined from each other with bolts; and the top and bottom of said rotary shaft (3) are supported by bearings (10), (11) in a supporting framework composed of a support pillar (2), central support frame (8), upper frame (6), and lower frame (9), whereby a wind power prime mover hardly affected by instantaneous variation of wind velocity, comparatively free in selection of installation site, and manufacture, transport, assembly, and maintenance can be provided easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Kooji Tonouchi