Patents by Inventor James L. Fedder

James L. Fedder 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: 8727814
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal includes a base and an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end. A slit formed through the insertion portion and extending from or between the base and between the first end defines a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A substantially central axis extends between opposite ends of the slit so that a segment of the first leg is deformed in one direction away from the axis, while a segment of the second leg is deformed in a direction away from the axis opposite the first leg. The deformed first leg segment and the deformed second leg segment are offset from the center of the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 8348680
    Abstract: A removable daughter card assembly including a circuit board having a leading edge. The daughter card assembly also includes connector modules that are configured to be mounted to the circuit board proximate to the leading edge. The connector modules face in an insertion direction for engaging corresponding mating connectors when advanced in the insertion direction. The card assembly also includes an elongated stiffener that is configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The stiffener includes a plurality of support walls and a bridge member that couples to each one of the support walls. The support walls are secured to the circuit board. The bridge member extends substantially parallel to and proximate to the leading edge and is dimensioned to prevent bowing along the leading edge. At least two of the support walls comprise alignment features that are configured to engage corresponding guide features of a communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Justin S. McClellan, Jeffrey B. McClinton, James L. Fedder
  • Publication number: 20120295452
    Abstract: A removable daughter card assembly including a circuit board having a leading edge. The daughter card assembly also includes connector modules that are configured to be mounted to the circuit board proximate to the leading edge. The connector modules face in an insertion direction for engaging corresponding mating connectors when advanced in the insertion direction. The card assembly also includes an elongated stiffener that is configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The stiffener includes a plurality of support walls and a bridge member that couples to each one of the support walls. The support walls are secured to the circuit board. The bridge member extends substantially parallel to and proximate to the leading edge and is dimensioned to prevent bowing along the leading edge. At least two of the support walls comprise alignment features that are configured to engage corresponding guide features of a communication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JUSTIN S. MCCLELLAN, JEFFREY B. MCCLINTON, JAMES L. FEDDER
  • Patent number: 8142236
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 7976318
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan Charles Wickes
  • Patent number: 7789716
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 7775802
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Defibaugh, James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 7753742
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Publication number: 20100144167
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan Charles Wickes
  • Publication number: 20100144201
    Abstract: High-speed backplane connectors systems for mounting a substrate that are capable of operating at speeds of up to at least 25 Gbps, while in some implementations also providing pin densities of at least 50 pairs of electrical connectors per inch are disclosed. Implementations of the high-speed connector systems may provide ground shields and/or other ground structures that substantially encapsulate electrical connector pairs, which may be differential electrical connector pairs, in a three-dimensional manner throughout a backplane footprint, a backplane connector, and a daughtercard footprint. These encapsulating ground shields and/or ground structures prevent undesirable propagation of non-traverse, longitudinal, and higher-order modes when the high-speed backplane connector systems operates at frequencies up to at least 30 GHz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: George R. Defibaugh, James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, John E. Knaub, Timothy R. Minnick, Chad W. Morgan, Alex M. Sharf, Lynn R. Sipe, Evan C. Wickes
  • Patent number: 7713098
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a tool. The electrical connector includes a contact having a compliant jog section disposed between first and second ends of the contact. The tool is required to press-fit the connector to an electrical device without deforming the compliant jog section of the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Trout, James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7670196
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 7597581
    Abstract: A connector including a housing and a contact is disclosed for electrically connecting a first electrical device to a second electrical device across the contact in such a manner that the contact is broken if the connector is removed from the second electrical device. The contact includes a press-fit connection that may be either a compliant eye-of-the-needle or a cylindrical tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Trout, James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor, Jason E. Vrenna
  • Patent number: 7591655
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Publication number: 20090221192
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. A segment of the first leg may be deformed in one direction, while a segment of the second leg may deformed in the opposite direction. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Patent number: 7549897
    Abstract: An electrical terminal of the type to be inserted into an aperture of an electrical panel member is provided. The electrical terminal may include a base, an insertion portion extending from the base to a first end, a slit formed through the insertion portion and defining a compliant portion having a first leg and a second leg. Midpoints of each or both legs may be offset from the midpoint of the slit to achieve improved mechanical and electrical performance within a connector. Also provided is an electrical terminal having a tip that facilitates alignment with a panel member aperture and provides tactile feedback to a user, as well as an electrical terminal having a mounting end that is substantially smaller than its mating end, and connectors containing such terminals. Methods of routing electrical traces between adjacent electrical terminals are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Fedder, Douglas W. Glover, David W. Helster, Chad W. Morgan, Brent Rothermel, Alex M. Sharf, Attalee S. Taylor, David A. Trout
  • Publication number: 20090075503
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a tool. The electrical connector includes a contact having a compliant jog section disposed between first and second ends of the contact. The tool is required to press-fit the connector to an electrical device without deforming the compliant jog section of the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: David A. Trout, James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7470129
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a modified contact is disclosed for connecting a first electrical device to a second electrical device. In a first embodiment, the connector assembly includes a tool necessary to press-fit the connector to the second electrical device. In a second embodiment, the connector assembly includes two connectors that mate in such a manner so as to render the modified contact unusable if the two connectors are unmated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Trout, Daniel R. Ringler, James L. Fedder, Attalee S. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20080293272
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a modified contact is disclosed for connecting a first electrical device to a second electrical device. In a first embodiment, the connector assembly includes a tool necessary to press-fit the connector to the second electrical device. In a second embodiment, the connector assembly includes two connectors that mate in such a manner so as to render the modified contact unusable if the two connectors are unmated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. TROUT, Daniel R. RINGLER, James L. FEDDER, Attalee S. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20080293264
    Abstract: A connector including a housing and a contact is disclosed for electrically connecting a first electrical device to a second electrical device across the contact in such a manner that the contact is broken if the connector is removed from the second electrical device. The contact includes a press-fit connection that may be either a compliant eye-of-the-needle or a cylindrical tail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. TROUT, James L. FEDDER, Attalee S. TAYLOR, Jason E. VRENNA