Patents by Inventor Clyde W. Boling

Clyde W. Boling 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).

  • Patent number: 6146155
    Abstract: A connector locator device for mounting a connector in a connector cut-out formed in a circuit card. An elongated connector includes solder tails extending from an edge thereof. The connector has opposite connector ends. An elongated connector support member has opposite terminal ends. Each terminal end includes a clamp engaging a respective connector end and also includes a support surface for engaging a card surface and locating the solder tails on solder pads positioned on the card surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clyde W. Boling, Dennis M. Brunner, Jeffrey J. Bellas
  • Patent number: 6129572
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a latch for retaining an IC card. A card adaptor body receives the IC card. The adaptor body has a connector end including a pin header. A pair of opposed card side edge guides extend from the connector end and terminate adjacent an open end of the adaptor body. The IC card is inserted into the adaptor body and has a connector edge engaged with the pin header, a pair of opposed sides engaged with the side edge guides and a rear edge at the open end of the adaptor body. A retainer includes a flexible arm and a hook extending from the connector end into the open end. The hook is automatically engaged with the card rear edge when the card is inserted for retaining the card engaged with the pin header, and is movable out of engagement with the card rear edge to permit the card to be removed from the adaptor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Feldman, Clyde W. Boling, William D. Risher, Robert E. Pfleg
  • Patent number: 5893766
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for use with a circuit card which has a generally planar substrate having multiple conductive elements disposed along at least one edge thereof. Each of the conductive elements is coupled to an electrically conductive trace on the surface of the planar substrate, and at least one conductive cover panel is provided which may be mounted to the planar substrate. An electrical coupling which includes multiple electrical contacts for external connection to the circuit card is provided, and each of the multiple electrical contacts is then coupled to an associated electrical terminal, such as a solder tail, which may then be mated to one of the multiple conductive elements on the planar substrate. A grounding clip is then mounted on at least one of the associated electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bellas, Clyde W. Boling, Dennis M. Brunner, Steven Feldman
  • Patent number: 5749741
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for use with a circuit card which has a generally planar substrate having multiple conductive elements disposed along at least one edge thereof. Each of the conductive elements is coupled to an electrically conductive trace on the surface of the planar substrate, and at least one conductive cover panel is provided which may be mounted to the planar substrate. An electrical coupling which includes multiple electrical contacts for external connection to the circuit card is provided, and each of the multiple electrical contacts is then coupled to an associated electrical terminal, such as a solder tail, which may then be mated to one of the multiple conductive elements on the planar substrate. A grounding clip is then mounted on at least one of the associated electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Bellas, Clyde W. Boling, Dennis M. Brunner, Steven Feldman
  • Patent number: 5632650
    Abstract: Electronic components utilize the waste areas of panelized circuit boards to provide self-fixturing of the components to the circuit boards prior to soldering. The components, connectors in particular, include a main body or housing intended to remain with the circuit board after assembly and one or more locator tabs extending from the housing into the waste area or areas of the panelized circuit board. A weakened area located between the housing and the locator tab facilitates separation of the locator tab from the housing and permits the locator tab or tabs to be easily removed at the same time the waste area of the circuit board is removed from the useful area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Clyde W. Boling, Charles E. Connoley
  • Patent number: 5330372
    Abstract: A projection-type male connector component includes a buttress of insulative polymeric material surrounded by a number of electrically conductive contacts electrically isolated from each other. The male component is designed to mate with an equal number of female cantilever beam contacts. The buttress is provided with a tapered end and the male contacts are bent over this tapered end so that the female contacts touch the male contacts when the male and female contacts are mated rather than the insulative material from which the buttress is made. In this way, excessive wear of the female contacts is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Pope, Clyde W. Boling, David A. Bates