Patents by Inventor Chris D. Eckhoff P.E.

Chris D. Eckhoff P.E. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Connector system and method
    Patent number: 8573992
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to ground and first and second signal lines includes a ground contact, a first signal contact, a second signal contact, and a switch connected to the first signal contact and the ground contact. The switch is biased “on” until after the first signal contact is connected to the first signal line, the ground contact is connected to the ground, and the second signal contact is connected to the second signal line. The switch, during connection of the connector to ground and first and second signal lines, is thereby automatically triggered to “off” during connection of the connector. If the first and second signal lines are differential signals, the switch, instead, electrically connects and disconnects the first signal contact to the second signal contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventors: Howard H. Roberts, Jr., James Allen Andrews, Chris D. Eckhoff P. E., Randal A. Lee
  • CONNECTOR SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120190226
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting to ground and first and second signal lines includes a ground contact, a first signal contact, a second signal contact, and a switch connected to the first signal contact and the ground contact. The switch is biased “on” until after the first signal contact is connected to the first signal line, the ground contact is connected to the ground, and the second signal contact is connected to the second signal line. The switch, during connection of the connector to ground and first and second signal lines, is thereby automatically triggered to “off” during connection of the connector. If the first and second signal lines are differential signals, the switch, instead, electrically connects and disconnects the first signal contact to the second signal contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Howard H. Roberts, JR., James Allen Andrews, Chris D. Eckhoff P.E., Randal A. Lee