Patents Examined by T C Patel
  • Patent number: 5695369
    Abstract: A quick connect electrical connector for connecting the bare ends of a pair of electrical wires. It comprises a non-conductive first coupling member, having a plurality of connection chambers, each connection chamber having a threaded wall and a central axis. A common conductive connector member is fixedly mounted in the coupling member and having a plurality of bullet-shaped ends, one in each connection chamber with the end surfaces of the coupling member tapering inwardly to a tip. A corresponding plurality of non-conductive second coupling members having an externally threaded wall and internal throughbore having first and second ends and a first conically shaped annular wall surface. The first conically shaped surface and the bullet-shaped connector portions are spaced a variable distance apart when the threaded surfaces are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventor: Roger M. Swenson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5695358
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) which includes electrical contacts (10) of the insulation displacement type, an inner housing (20), an outer housing (40), and a strain relief member (50). The assembly (100) is assembled by first securely placing the electrical contacts (10) within the inner housing (20) and then inserting the inner housing (20) into the outer housing (40) so that the electrical contacts (10) can be terminated to wires by using the insulation displacement method of wire termination. The inner housing (20) is fully inserted into outer housing (40), and is then in a fully latched position within the outer housing (40). Strain relief member (50) is then mounted to outer housing (40) and includes an abutment flange (55) for ensuring that the inner housing (20) has been fully inserted within outer housing (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: John Mark Myer, John Raymond Shuey
  • Patent number: 5692930
    Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical connector with a clamp member having two opposing channels for receiving conductors therein. The channels extend longitudinally along a length of the clamp member. The opposing channels are connected together by an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion has a web and an inner loop to provide inherent resiliency in the clamp member. The connector also has a wedge member to be received within the clamp member between the opposed channels. The wedge member is driven within the clamp member in a lateral direction by a bolt. The bolt connects the clamp member to the wedge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: William Joseph Garver, Roland Paul Heinrichs, Hung Viet Ngo
  • Patent number: 5690511
    Abstract: A reconfigured standard telephone cable assembly for connecting cable plug receptacles on a generic control box to a telephone terminal block includes a standard telephone cable containing several lead wires within a cable casing, each lead wire having a plug end and a block end and a distinctive color code corresponding to an established color code sequence; a first cable plug and a second cable plug, each cable plug having a connection structure for connecting several lead wires, where the first eight of the lead wire plug ends in the cable code sequence are connected to the connection structure of the first cable plug, and where the second eight of the lead wire plug ends in the cable code sequence are connected to the connection structure of the second cable plug. The assembly preferably additionally includes a third cable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventor: Chris John Melito
  • Patent number: 5690500
    Abstract: An electrical connecting device includes a stator consisting of a cylindrical housing, a rotor, a flexible flat cable and a carrier. Being accommodated in an annular space defined between the rotor and the stator, the flat cable has an end fixed to the stator and another end fixed to the rotor. The carrier has a gap in the circumferential direction, providing C-shaped member. The flat cable is wound along the outer periphery of the rotor in one winding direction, while the flat cable is also wound along the inner periphery of the stator in the opposite winding direction, through a turning part of the flat cable. The carrier is provided with a pusher part for pushing the flat cable. The pusher part is formed to project from an inner edge of one circumferential end of the carrier toward another circumferential end around which the turning part of the flat cable is looped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishikawa, Nobuhiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5690516
    Abstract: A slip-fit electrical connector for a threaded transformer stud has a stepped or key type stud hole which includes an oversize unthreaded circular hole on top and a slightly smaller intersecting hole on the bottom. The bottom hole has threads matching those of the stud and a jam screw forces the threaded stud into intimate contact with the threads of the smaller hole, such contact extending over a substantial arc. The connection provides a tight and improved electrical connection having simplicity of installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventor: David R. Fillinger
  • Patent number: 5690505
    Abstract: A pressure joint connector that joints a trunk line to a branch line. In the connector, an opening is formed in a housing, the opening causing the trunk line and the branch line inserted into the housing to be exposed. A primary cover is arranged on the housing, so that when the primary cover closes the opening, the primary cover fixes only the branch line and does not fix the trunk line. A secondary cover is arranged on the housing, the secondary cover being closed so as to be superimposed on the primary cover that has already closed the opening. Pressure blades are arranged so as to project from the secondary cover. The pressure blades force-fit both the trunk line and the branch line simultaneously by passing through the primary cover when the secondary cover is closed so as to be superimposed on the primary cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Noboru Hirata
  • Patent number: 5688144
    Abstract: A connector cover includes a cover main body 6A is formed with a connector receptacle 6b for accommodating a connector 1 inserted through an upper opening 6a, a corrugate tube receptacle 6d for accommodating a corrugate tube 4 inserted through an upper opening 6c, and an intermediate wire portion receptacle 6j for accommodating intermediate wire portions 3a between the connector 1 and the wires 3 inserted through an upper opening 6k. A lid 6B is formed with a connector/wire covering portion 6h which is unitarily formed with the cover main body 6A by way of a hinge 6e and is adapted to close the upper openings 6a and 6k of the connector receptacle 6b and the intermediate wire portion receptacle 6j and lockingly engage the cover main body 6A. A corrugate tube covering portion 6i is unitarily formed with the connector/wire covering portion 6h by way of a hinge 6m and is adapted to close the upper opening 6c of the corrugate tube receptacle 6d and lockingly engage the main body 6A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Kosuge
  • Patent number: 5688132
    Abstract: A raceway has extruded polymeric base and cover portions that snap together, and a socket defining segment of the cover can be located anywhere along the base to provide design flexibility for socket location. The base has elongated wire conductors molded into upstanding legs that define self-hinges for resiliently acting on the plug prongs when the plugs are pushed into slots defined by these leg portions. The plug prongs can be used to rotate a safety disk in the cover prior to pushing the prongs into the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: The Wiremold Company
    Inventors: Wilfred R. Rogers, Salvatore A. Cancellieri
  • Patent number: 5685745
    Abstract: There is disclosed a connector in which provide even a small-size terminal can be retained with a large retaining force, and the retaining of the terminal can be released without the use of a release tool. In the connector, a terminal is inserted into each of receiving chambers, formed in a housing, from a rear side of the receiving chamber, and is retained in the receiving chamber. A pair of opposed retaining portions are formed in the receiving chamber, and have respective slanting surfaces converging in a direction of insertion of the terminal. The terminal has a pair of opposed retaining plates which slide respectively over the slanting surfaces to be resiliently deformed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the terminal when the terminal is inserted. The pair of retaining plates, when passed past the slanting surfaces, are resiliently restored to be retainingly engaged respectively with the pair of retaining portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Yamamoto, Yuji Hatagishi
  • Patent number: 5685732
    Abstract: An extension cord retaining device for preventing accidental disengagement of male and female extension cord adapters. A first planar shaped member includes a flattened body portion and a first pair of angularly extending and spaced apart gripping members. A second planar shaped member includes a pair of spaced apart and axially extending legs which receive the flattened body portion of the first planar member in a coplanar fashion and a second pair of angularly extending and spaced apart gripping members which are arranged opposite the first pair of gripping members. An upper plate and a lower plate sandwich the first and second planar shaped members and fasteners secure the stacked arrangement together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Invo Marketing & Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Arlo Lane
  • Patent number: 5683272
    Abstract: Respective terminals are received in terminal accommodating chambers in the direction of arrow A from the front of a connector body, respectively. Then, stabilizers and lances of the terminals are locked in first and second grooves of the respective terminal accommodating chambers, so that the terminals are surely positioned in predetermined positions in the terminal accommodating chamber. Projecting portions provided integrally with the connector body lock the terminals in the predetermined positions to thereby prevent the terminals from moving in the direction of arrow A. Electric wires pressure-contacted to the terminals are bent in accordance with the outer shapes of the projecting portions, so that the electric wires are restrained from moving in the direction of arrow A. Accordingly, the electric wires are surely prevented from coming off backward out of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kimihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 5683273
    Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical connector having a central member with a first securing portion. A pair of jaws extend from the central member. A conical member has a hollow interior and a second securing portion. The second securing portion engaging the first securing portion and the jaws being received within the hollow interior whereby as the securing portions are tightened together, the jaws are pushed together in order to grip a conductor therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: William Joseph Garver, Hung Viet Ngo
  • Patent number: 5681187
    Abstract: A connector in which the sliding movement of a movable contact member is stabilized, thereby securing a positive electrical connection. In the connector of the invention, a hollow connection terminal is fitted in a connector housing, and a coil spring and the slidable, movable contact member are received in this connection terminal. When the two connectors are fitted together, the coil spring urges the movable contact member toward a front end of the connector, thereby providing a sufficient contact load. A resilient, electrically-conductive contact band is provided in a gap between an outer peripheral surface of the movable contact member and an inner peripheral surface of the connection terminal. The connection terminal and the movable contact member are electrically connected together through this contact band, and this contact band prevents the movable contact member from being displaced in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fitting of the connection (that is, the axial direction).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotaka Fukushima, Toshiaki Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 5681176
    Abstract: A hinge connector includes a pair of tubular members. Each of the tubular members has a tubular section formed with a hollow portion, and a fitting section formed with a receiving space for receiving a counterpart connector. The tubular members are coupled with each other so as to be turnable relative to each other. The hinge connector further includes a flexible conductor. The flexible conductor has connect portions at its both ends and a flexible intermediate portion connecting the connect portions. The flexible intermediate portion of the conductor is turned and arranged in the hollow portions of the tubular sections, while the connect portions thereof are disposed in the corresponding receiving spaces of the fitting sections so as to be connected to the corresponding counterpart connectors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Ibaraki, Katsuma Ushijima, Michio Nagai, Yuichi Morita, Koji Umeda
  • Patent number: 5681182
    Abstract: An assembly for forming a solderless insulation displacement wiring connection of electrical wires, includes a modular contact mount. At least two insulation displacement contacts are located within the contact mount. Each displacement contact has an insulation displacer region formed on an end thereof. An arrangement is provided for gripping both an incoming wire and an extending wire inserted into the assembly. The arrangement is movable to press a selected wire into the respective insulation displacer region when the assembly means is pressed downward toward the contact mount, to form a disconnectable through-connection of the incoming and outgoing wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Reichle + De-Massari AG
    Inventor: Hans Reichle
  • Patent number: 5681183
    Abstract: An accessible jack assembly for a video cassette recorder (VCR), allowing access to audio/video jacks located in the rear panel of the VCR from the front of the VCR. In preferred embodiments, the jack assembly comprises a mounting frame having jacks for audio and video output cables, at least one plug for insertion in the jacks in the rear panel of the VCR, and at least one cable connecting the mounting frame with said plug. The mounting frame may be attached to the front upper surface of the VCR to allow easy access. The jacks on the mounting frame may be color-coded by the user with circular stick-on labels. The invention may also be used with types of electronic equipment other than VCRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: Paul A. Dzmura
  • Patent number: 5679033
    Abstract: A terminal capacitor cover assembly having a screw portion and a jacket portion for complementarily fitting a terminal for a capacitor. This assembly provides an easy retrofit for capacitor terminals to equip them with a aesthetically acceptable and functionally superior alternative material. The assembly can be constructed of material equivalent to the operatively connected electrical lead, thus reducing the anodization and cross metallic oxidation of the capacitor terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Yosemite Investment, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell E. Eavey, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: 5679024
    Abstract: In a connector, metal terminals are held against withdrawal by a retainer, and projections on the retainer are engaged respectively with projections formed at that portion where the retainer is inserted. By doing so, the retainer is retained provisionally and completely. A plurality of spaced elongate arms are formed on the retainer, and fitting projections, formed on the opposite ends of the arms, are received respectively in predetermined grooves, thereby restraining the movement of the retainer in any direction except for predetermined directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Seki
  • Patent number: 5679030
    Abstract: An electrical connector for grounding an electrical conductor. The connector has a base, a U-shaped fastener and a nut. The base is a one-piece metal member with a threaded stud, an elongate seat along one exterior side, and a hole through the base located between the seat and the stud. The U-shaped fastener has a first leg that extends through the hole, a second leg that extends along an exterior side of the base, and a head located opposite the seat on the base. The nut is attached to the legs of the U-shaped fastener on a side of the base opposite from the side of the base facing the head of the U-shaped fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors USA Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Chadbourne, Armand T. Montminy