Patents by Inventor James A. Wetter

James A. Wetter 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: 7134554
    Abstract: A connector-transport assembly for holding and transporting a electronic component includes a socket connector having a receptacle sized to receive the component therein and a transport carrier member. The socket receptacle includes two engagement arms formed therewith which are deflectable between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position, the engagement arms extend into the receptacle for contacting opposing exterior surfaces of the component, and in the second position the engagement arms are deflected away from the receptacle so as to not engage exterior surfaces of the component. The engagement arms have cam portions disposed thereon, and the carrier member includes actuating members disposed thereon in opposition to the socket connector engagement arm cam portions so that movement of either the socket connector or the carrier member will move the engagement arms between their first and second operative positions to release or engage the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel G. Achammer, Wilfred Wolf, James A. Wetter
  • Publication number: 20050090126
    Abstract: A connector-transport assembly for holding and transporting a electronic component includes a socket connector having a receptacle sized to receive the component therein and a transport carrier member. The socket receptacle includes two engagement arms formed therewith which are deflectable between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position, the engagement arms extend into the receptacle for contacting opposing exterior surfaces of the component, and in the second position the engagement arms are deflected away from the receptacle so as to not engage exterior surfaces of the component. The engagement arms have cam portions disposed thereon, and the carrier member includes actuating members disposed thereon in opposition to the socket connector engagement arm cam portions so that movement of either the socket connector or the carrier member will move the engagement arms between their first and second operative positions to release or engage the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Daniel Achammer, Wilfred Wolf, James Wetter
  • Patent number: 6811408
    Abstract: A connector-transport assembly for holding and transporting a electronic component includes a socket connector having a receptacle sized to receive the component therein and a transport carrier member. The socket receptacle includes two engagement arms formed therewith which are deflectable between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position, the engagement arms extend into the receptacle for contacting opposing exterior surfaces of the component, and in the second position the engagement arms are deflected away from the receptacle so as to not engage exterior surfaces of the component. The engagement arms have cam portions disposed thereon, and the carrier member includes actuating members disposed thereon in opposition to the socket connector engagement arm cam portions so that movement of either the socket connector or the carrier member will move the engagement arms between their first and second operative positions to release or engage the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel G. Achammer, Wilfred Wolf, James A. Wetter
  • Publication number: 20030232520
    Abstract: A connector-transport assembly for holding and transporting a electronic component includes a socket connector having a receptacle sized to receive the component therein and a transport carrier member. The socket receptacle includes two engagement arms formed therewith which are deflectable between first and second operative positions. In the first operative position, the engagement arms extend into the receptacle for contacting opposing exterior surfaces of the component, and in the second position the engagement arms are deflected away from the receptacle so as to not engage exterior surfaces of the component. The engagement arms have cam portions disposed thereon, and the carrier member includes actuating members disposed thereon in opposition to the socket connector engagement arm cam portions so that movement of either the socket connector or the carrier member will move the engagement arms between their first and second operative positions to release or engage the electronic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel G. Achammer, Wilfred Wolf, James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5921801
    Abstract: The retention system is provided for a threaded member (14, 54) and an electrical connector (10) which includes a sheet metal shield (46) juxtaposed on a dielectric housing (32). A threaded hole (58) is provided in the shield (46) for 4 threadingly receiving the threaded member (14, 54). A hole (64) is provided in the dielectric housing (32) behind the threaded hole (58) in the shield (46) for threadingly receiving the threaded member (14, 54) after the shank 54 of the threaded member (14, 54) passes through the threaded hole (58) in the shield (46).During assembly, the threaded members (14, 15) self thread into interfering portions of the housing (32) defined by the housing holes (64) to thereby increase the resistance of threading in order to prevent stripping of the threaded holes (58) in the shield (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael O'Sullivan, Paul Murphy, James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5722861
    Abstract: An elongated electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a mating face and a longitudinal cavity defining a transverse insertion axis generally perpendicular to the mating face for receiving at least one terminal module. The terminal module includes a plurality of identically stamped terminals which are elongated in the direction of the insertion axis. The terminals having mating ends projecting from the housing beyond the mating face thereof. At least one of the identically stamped terminals has a bend therein to reduce the length thereof such that the mating end thereof projects from the housing a lesser distance beyond the mating face than the mating ends of the other terminals. A longitudinal dielectric insert is receivable in the cavity and is molded about portions of the identically stamped terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5667411
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a cavity for receiving a plurality of terminal modules. Each of the plurality of terminal modules includes a dielectric insert receivable in the cavity to define a side-by-side array of modules. Each insert is overmolded about a plurality of terminals to rigidly fix the terminals with male portions of the terminals projecting from the housing. Auxiliary alignment apertures are provided in the housing immediately adjacent the cavity for embracing and maintaining proper spacing and alignment of the male portions of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael O'Sullivan, James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5658154
    Abstract: An electrical connector is mountable to a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The connector includes a molded dielectric housing having terminals mounted through an elongated body portion of the housing. The terminals have tails projecting rearwardly of the body portion. A plurality of discrete mating portions are spaced along the body portion and project forwardly of a front face thereof. A recessed area is formed in the front face of the body portion between adjacent forwardly projecting mating portions. A rib projects rearwardly of the body portion between the tails of the terminals for adjacent mating portions. The recessed areas form flow interrupters for molten material of which the housing is molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bumsted, Michael O'Sullivan, David R. Schmidgall, James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5580283
    Abstract: An elongated connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having a longitudinal cavity defining a transverse insertion axis for axially receiving a plurality of terminal modules. A plurality of elongated terminal modules each include a longitudinal dielectric insert receivable in the cavity in a side-by-side array of modules. The inserts mount a plurality of terminals having portions projecting therefrom. Complementary interengaging latches are provided on opposite longitudinal sides of each insert of each terminal module for latching the modules in their side-by-side array at least against relative movement in a plane extending longitudinally of the modules and axially of the cavity. The latches are configured for latching interengagement regardless of the longitudinal orientation of any of the modules within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael O'Sullivan, James A. Wetter
  • Patent number: 5558542
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing mounting a plurality of terminals. Each terminal includes a blade portion terminating in a distal contact end formed by dual spaced-apart cantilevered spring arms with mutually opposing contact portions defining a conductor-receiving mouth therebetween. The spring arms are cantilevered at opposite edges of the blade portion and are offset on opposite sides of the blade portion. A plurality of passages are formed in the housing and into which the blade portions of the terminals project. Each passage includes opposing side walls generally parallel to the blade portion of the respective terminal in the passage. Each side wall includes a laterally outwardly offset portion to accommodate one of the offset spring arms at the distal contact end of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael O'Sullivan, James A. Wetter