Patents by Inventor Clifford J. Wampler

Clifford J. Wampler 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).

  • Electrical connector having press-fit contacts for circuit board mounting
    Patent number: 5571033
    Abstract: An electrical connector (20) having a housing block (24) with a plurality of passageways (50) having tapered portions (56) and straight portions (58) into which are inserted respective contact terminals (34). The passageways and the contact terminals are so designed that the contact terminals are press-fit into the passageways and displace dielectric material of the housing block to provide a "seal" which prevents solder flux from wicking up the passageways. In addition, the contact terminals are formed with a longitudinal knurl (38) to prevent rotation of the contact terminals after insertion. Still further, each contact terminal is formed with a frusto-conical retention collar (42) having a rearward facing surface (66) which, upon exiting a passageway, abuts against a recessed stop ledge (64) formed in the housing block to prevent the subsequent removal of the contact terminal from the housing block. The housing block (24) also includes channels (60) that aid in removal of solder flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest I. Kinsey, Jr., Clifford J. Wampler