Patents by Inventor Joerg Soefker

Joerg Soefker 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: 11189969
    Abstract: A plug-in connector system includes: a first plug-in connector part and a second plug-in connector part, which are connectable to one another in a plug-in manner along a plug-in direction; and an encoding device having a first encoding part connectable to the first plug-in connector part and a second encoding part connectable to the second plug-in connector part. The first encoding part and the second encoding part are arrangeable together on the second plug-in connector in a pre-assembly position and the first encoding part is connectable with the first plug-in connector part during connecting of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part and to remain on the first plug-in connector part during detaching of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part from each other. One of the second plug-in connector part and the second encoding part has a locking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Publication number: 20200366032
    Abstract: A plug-in connector system includes: a first plug-in connector part and a second plug-in connector part, which are connectable to one another in a plug-in manner along a plug-in direction; and an encoding device having a first encoding part connectable to the first plug-in connector part and a second encoding part connectable to the second plug-in connector part. The first encoding part and the second encoding part are arrangeable together on the second plug-in connector in a pre-assembly position and the first encoding part is connectable with the first plug-in connector part during connecting of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part and to remain on the first plug-in connector part during detaching of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part from each other. One of the second plug-in connector part and the second encoding part has a locking section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Patent number: 10178790
    Abstract: A terminal block for an electronic device, which block can be attached to an electronics housing of the electronic device, includes at least one base strip comprising a plurality of connector sockets; and a plurality of connector modules that can be attached to the connector sockets of the at least one base strip in at least one insertion direction, are held on the connector sockets in an inserted position, and can be released from the connector sockets to be removed from the at least one base strip; and a locking device. The locking device includes: an actuating part that can be moved relative to the at least one base strip in an actuation direction; and a plurality of locking elements that are engaged in a locking manner in mating elements of the connector modules in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Eduard Unger, Frank Best, Joerg Soefker, Detlev Falk, Christian Funke
  • Patent number: 9806481
    Abstract: A terminal row for a terminal device, which can be attached to an electronics housing in an insertion direction and which can be connected to an electronic component that is to be accommodated in the electronics housing, has a predetermined number of single electrical conductors or connectors connected thereto to produce a connection between the single electrical conductors or connectors and the electronic component. The terminal row includes a plurality of main housings, at least two of the plurality of main housings being different, wherein the main housings are separate from one another in a pre-assembly state and configured to be attached to one another in a row direction to form the terminal row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Frank Best, Eduard Unger, Joerg Soefker
  • Publication number: 20170188479
    Abstract: A terminal block for an electronic device, which block can be attached to an electronics housing of the electronic device, includes at least one base strip comprising a plurality of connector sockets; and a plurality of connector modules that can be attached to the connector sockets of the at least one base strip in at least one insertion direction, are held on the connector sockets in an inserted position, and can be released from the connector sockets to be removed from the at least one base strip; and a locking device. The locking device includes: an actuating part that can be moved relative to the at least one base strip in an actuation direction; and a plurality of locking elements that are engaged in a locking manner in mating elements of the connector modules in a locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Eduard Unger, Frank Best, Joerg Soefker, Detlev Falk, Christian Funke
  • Publication number: 20160268748
    Abstract: A terminal row for a terminal device, which can be attached to an electronics housing in an insertion direction and which can be connected to an electronic component that is to be accommodated in the electronics housing, has a predetermined number of single electrical conductors or connectors connected thereto to produce a connection between the single electrical conductors or connectors and the electronic component. The terminal row includes a plurality of main housings, at least two of the plurality of main housings being different, wherein the main housings are separate from one another in a pre-assembly state and configured to be attached to one another in a row direction to form the terminal row.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Best, Eduard Unger, Joerg Soefker
  • Patent number: 9357661
    Abstract: A module unit includes a receiving element formed from an extrusion profile and configured to receive at least one circuit board. The receiving element includes at least two recesses. Two lateral elements are each configured to be received in a respective one of the at least two recesses so as to fasten the lateral elements to the receiving element by latching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Patent number: 8472200
    Abstract: Locking mechanism (1) and a housing (2) equipped with one such locking mechanism, to hold a plug-in module (5), and a modular system (3) which comprises a housing and a plug-in module, wherein the locking mechanism (1) has an actuating mechanism (4) for unlocking of the plug-in module. The invention is characterized in that the actuating mechanism (4) is connected to a lifting mechanism (6) in order to lift a plug-in module (5) held in the housing (2) when unlocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Söfker, Frank Best
  • Publication number: 20120262894
    Abstract: A device for securing a module unit to a support rail, the module unit including a receiving element configured to receive at least one circuit board and lateral elements configured to lock the receiving element, includes a securing unit having a longitudinal direction that is configured to slide onto the module unit in the longitudinal direction so as to connect the module unit to the support rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Publication number: 20120261540
    Abstract: A module unit includes a receiving element formed from an extrusion profile and configured to receive at least one circuit board. The receiving element includes at least two recesses. Two lateral elements are each configured to be received, in a respective one of the at least two recesses so as to fasten the lateral elements to the receiving element by latching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Publication number: 20120257365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for securing at least one circuit board (14, 16, 18) to a receiving element (12) which receives the at least one circuit board (14, 16, 18) and comprises a securing element (20). Said securing element (20) at least partially traverses a through-opening (32) provided in the at least one circuit board (14, 16, 18). Said securing element (20) comprises a first maintaining element (36) which can be secured to the surface of the at least one circuit board (14, 16, 18) by means of a rotational movement of the securing element (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jörg Söfker
  • Publication number: 20100202116
    Abstract: Locking mechanism (1) and a housing (2) equipped with one such locking mechanism, to hold a plug-in module (5), and a modular system (3) which comprises a housing and a plug-in module, wherein the locking mechanism (1) has an actuating mechanism (4) for unlocking of the plug-in module. The invention is characterized in that the actuating mechanism (4) is connected to a lifting mechanism (6) in order to lift a plug-in module (5) held in the housing (2) when unlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jörg Söfker, Frank Best
  • Patent number: 7247052
    Abstract: A shield connection between a pc-board for electrical and/or electronic components located in a housing and at least one connector socket located in a wall of the housing with a metal cylindrical socket casing that passes through the housing wall includes a receiving device for a plug with a corresponding metal coupling component, which is electrically connected with the shield of a cable connected to the plug. To create a shielded connection, the shield potential is automatically distributed further by the connection to the housing The shield connection consists of a metal ring-shaped shield element, which includes contact pins for the electrical and mechanical connection with the pc-board. The contact pins each protrude from the ring plane on the one ring side, with the spring tongues protruding on the other side of the ring for electrical and mechanical contact with the socket casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jörg Söfker
  • Publication number: 20070054549
    Abstract: A shield connection between a pc-board for electrical and/or electronic components located in a housing and at least one connector socket located in a wall of the housing with a metal cylindrical socket casing that passes through the housing wall includes a receiving device for a plug with a corresponding metal coupling component, which is electrically connected with the shield of a cable connected to the plug. To create a shielded connection, the shield potential is automatically distributed further by the connection to the housing The shield connection consists of a metal ring-shaped shield element, which includes contact pins for the electrical and mechanical connection with the pc-board. The contact pins each protrude from the ring plane on the one ring side, with the spring tongues protruding on the other side of the ring for electrical and mechanical contact with the socket casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jörg Söfker
  • Patent number: 6733344
    Abstract: A housing for an electronic device which can be removably mounted onto a mounting rail which includes a locking element located in an underside of the housing. The locking element can be moved from a first position in which the housing can be fastened onto the mounting rail into a second position wherein the housing can be lifted off the mounting rail. The locking element is associated with a retaining element for retaining the locking element in the second position. The retaining element includes a spring section extending substantially parallel to the locking element and a retaining section extending substantially perpendicularly thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dirk Quardt, Jörg Söfker, Reinhard Gottlieb Starzinger, Hans Peter Wintersteiger
  • Patent number: 6679646
    Abstract: An electronic housing system is provided which includes at least two, especially plate shaped, electronic housings which can be snapped onto a mounting rail. The housing system includes a locking system including at least two housing portions, namely a starter unit and an end unit, and a key element. The starter unit is constructed as a key receptacle and the end unit is constructed as a lock complementary to the key element. The two housing portions can be locked with one another by rotation of the key element in the end unit. The locking system further includes an intermediate housing portion for positioning between the starter unit and the end unit, whereby the intermediate portion has an intermediate end unit for interlocking with the end of the key element, and an intermediate starter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignees: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Keba AG
    Inventors: Dirk Quardt, Jörg Söfker, Reinhard Gottlieb Starzinger, Hans Peter Wintersteiger