Patents by Inventor Galen M. Martin

Galen M. Martin 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: 8011938
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is shown having a housing member with a mating assist which rotatably draws complementary connectors together. The mating assist is actuated by way of a linear actuator which rotates the mating assist member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electroniccs Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M Martin, John Raymond Shuey, James Gundermann
  • Publication number: 20110177719
    Abstract: An electrical connector module assembly is disclosed having a connector header usable with multiple module bodies. At least one module body has integral alignment members for aligning printed circuit contact portions with the module body and with a connected substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7955142
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is comprised of a main housing portion and a front housing portion. The main housing portion and front housing portion receive a terminal therethrough and are rotatable relative to each other. The front housing portion has a terminal receiving cavity which receives the base portion of a terminal, and the main housing portion has a terminal receiving passageway. The terminal receiving passageway has a terminal receiving aperture which aligns with the terminal receiving cavity, which when rotated overlaps the terminal receiving cavity to lock the terminal therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Raymond Shuey, Galen M Martin
  • Patent number: 7789682
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a housing where at least one camming slide slides relative to the housing, and has a camming slot therein which is cooperable with a camming lug on a mating housing. The slide comprises an integral pin thereon. A connecting link is rotatable relative to the housing and includes an aperture which cooperates with the camming slide. A lever is rotatable relative to the housing and is profiled to rotate the connecting link, and in turn translate the slide. The housings are drawn together and apart upon movement of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Bryan Hitchcock, Galen M Martin, Ryan Hetrick
  • Patent number: 7780484
    Abstract: An outer housing is configured to receive alternative first and second housings. The first inner housing is configured to receive clean body contacts where the inner housing includes integral locking latches extending into the contract receiving cavity where the locking latch may be positioned against the shoulder of the contract retaining the contact in position in the cavity. Alternatively, a second inner housing may be provided with a locking shoulder against which a locking lance of an electrical contact having a locking lance may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M Martin
  • Patent number: 7726988
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug assembly for mating with a header. The plug assembly includes a plug housing and a lever, where the lever includes gear teeth which cooperate with a tooth on the header in a rack and pinion fashion. The lever is locked to the plug housing when the lever is poised for the plug housing to be inserted into the header. A release member on the header releases the lever from the locked position allowing the lever to be rotated to the position where the lever gear teeth mesh with the header tooth, to draw the plug assembly into the header. A cam on the lever also contacts a contact surface in the header, which pre-lifts the plug assembly during disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7695296
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed having a housing assembly, having a mating face where at least one camming slide slides relative to the housing assembly, and has a camming slot therein is cooperable with a camming lug on a mating housing. The slide comprises gear rack teeth thereon. A rotary gear is rotatable relative to the housing assembly and includes gear teeth which cooperate with the gear rack teeth. A lever is rotatable relative to the housing assembly and is profiled to rotate the rotary gear, and in turn translate the slide. The housings are drawn together and apart upon movement of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Bryan Hitchcock, Galen M Martin, Ryan Hetrick
  • Publication number: 20100055954
    Abstract: A connector assembly is comprised of a connector housing and a terminal position assurance member (TPA). The connector housing has an outer shroud wall which defines a gap between a central body portion of the connector housing. The TPA has an integrally co-molded seal thereon, which is receivable in the gap when the TPA is in position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M. Martin, David W. Murray
  • Publication number: 20100055961
    Abstract: A connector assembly is comprised of a connector housing and a terminal position assurance member (TPA). The connector housing has a latch which abuts with a tine on the TPA. The terminal, when received in the fully inserted position, deflects the tine, and the TPA may move to its fully locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M. Martin, Keith Richard Foltz, John M. Whitefoot
  • Publication number: 20090311918
    Abstract: An outer housing is configured to receive alternative first and second housings. The first inner housing is configured to receive clean body contacts where the inner housing includes integral locking latches extending into the contract receiving cavity where the locking latch may be positioned against the shoulder of the contract retaining the contact in position in the cavity. Alternatively, a second inner housing may be provided with a locking shoulder against which a locking lance of an electrical contact having a locking lance may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090305536
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed that includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector with a lever to assist mating the receptacle and plug connectors. The lever rotates within a slot formed between the receptacle and plug connectors. The lever is configured to permit an operator to mate and unmate the receptacle and plug connectors with a reduced mating and unmating force provided by the mechanical advantage of the lever. The lever may include an optional snap feature for securely engaging the lever in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7625251
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing having a terminal channel and a terminal positioned within the terminal channel. The connector includes a primary locking mechanism including a locking beam configured to engage a first terminal locking surface and a secondary locking mechanism including a locking hinge having a locking foot configured to engage a second terminal locking surface. The locking hinge is configured to pivot from a staging position to permit passage of the terminal into the connector through the terminal channel to an operative position to retain the terminal within the terminal channel and establish a position of maximum rearward travel of the terminal within the terminal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M Martin, Matthew F Foriska
  • Publication number: 20090291583
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is shown having a housing member with a mating assist which rotatably draws complementary connectors together. The mating assist is actuated by way of a linear actuator which rotates the mating assist member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M. Martin, John Raymond Shuey, James Gundermann
  • Publication number: 20090246992
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a plug assembly for mating with a header. The plug assembly includes a plug housing and a lever, where the lever includes gear teeth which cooperate with a tooth on the header in a rack and pinion fashion. The lever is locked to the plug housing when the lever is poised for the plug housing to be inserted into the header. A release member on the header releases the lever from the locked position allowing the lever to be rotated to the position where the lever gear teeth mesh with the header tooth, to draw the plug assembly into the header. A cam on the lever also contacts a contact surface in the header, which pre-lifts the plug assembly during disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 7537478
    Abstract: A wire management cover having a cover body configured to detachably engage a connector and having an opening configured to allow passage of one or more wires. The cover includes a wire management portion hingedly attached to the cover body. The wire management portion has a plurality of channels, each channel configured to receive at least one of the one or more wires. The wire management portion is capable of latching engagement with the cover body. The cover body includes features permitting orientation of the cover in a plurality of directions with respect to the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Richard Foltz, Galen M. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090081908
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed. The connector includes a connector housing having a terminal channel and a terminal positioned within the terminal channel. The connector includes a primary locking mechanism including a locking beam configured to engage a first terminal locking surface and a secondary locking mechanism including a locking hinge having a locking foot configured to engage a second terminal locking surface. The locking hinge is configured to pivot from a staging position to permit passage of the terminal into the connector through the terminal channel to an operative position to retain the terminal within the terminal channel and establish a position of maximum rearward travel of the terminal within the terminal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Galen M. MARTIN, Matthew F. FORISKA
  • Patent number: 7503807
    Abstract: An electrical connector adapter (40) is disclosed for electrically interconnecting a portable electronic component such as an MP3 player, CD player, or other portable device with sound or other equipment in a vehicle. The adapter (40) includes a one-piece insulating housing (60) having a system mating end (42) for interconnecting to a vehicle's electrical system and a component mating end (44) for interconnecting to a portable electrical component. Three electric contacts (62, 64, 68) are retained in three openings (90, 92, 94) respectively in the housing (60) and are arranged to electrically mate with a plug (54) of a portable electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M. Martin, Keith Richard Foltz, David Michael Revak, Alan Jay Amazon, Jimmy Glenn Grubbs, David A. Swartwood, Michael F. Laub
  • Publication number: 20090020309
    Abstract: A wire management cover having a cover body configured to detachably engage a connector and having an opening configured to allow passage of one or more wires. The cover includes a wire management portion hingedly attached to the cover body. The wire management portion has a plurality of channels, each channel configured to receive at least one of the one or more wires. The wire management portion is capable of latching engagement with the cover body. The cover body includes features permitting orientation of the cover in a plurality of directions with respect to the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Richard FOLTZ, Galen M. MARTIN
  • Patent number: 7125290
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an inner housing, where the inner housing includes a rib which is alignable with the slot in an outer housing to polarize the inner and outer housings together. The rib includes an interruption providing a gap in the rib defining a forward rib portion and an aft rib portion. Alternatively, the inner housing can be received directly in a mating low profile housing where a flexible arm containing an aperture is received over the forward rib portion to latch the two housings together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Galen M Martin, Matthew F Foriska
  • Patent number: 7066773
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing that receives an electrical contact. The housing includes a stop element. A terminal position assurance (TPA) member is loaded on the housing. The TPA member is moveable between a staged position and a final position. The stop element engages the TPA member in the staged position to prevent advancement of the TPA member from the staged position to the final position until a contact is fully loaded in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Galen M. Martin