Patents by Inventor Katsutoshi Tojo

Katsutoshi Tojo 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: 9799974
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing into which a cable is to be inserted, a terminal accommodated in the housing and configured to be conductively connected to the cable, and a lever attached to the housing so as to turn between the first and second positions. The lever includes attachment parts to be attached to supporting parts of the housing, at both ends in the direction in which the turning shafts of the lever extend. Either the attachment parts or the supporting parts, or both of them include a defective-closing prevention structure which prevents the lever from turning from the first position to the second position when the cable is not inserted in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 9685724
    Abstract: A connector includes a first terminal accommodated in a first housing portion of a housing and a holding terminal accommodated in a second housing portion of the housing. The holding terminal is identical in shape to the first terminal and is configured to hold a cable. The first terminal has a contact point configured to come into contact with the cable. The holding terminal has a holding part corresponding in position to the contact point of the first terminal. When the housing is oriented so that the direction of inserting and removing the cable is horizontal, the holding part of the holding terminal accommodated in the second housing portion differs in position in height from the contact point of the first terminal accommodated in the first housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20160380368
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing into which a cable is to be inserted, a terminal accommodated in the housing and configured to be conductively connected to the cable, and a lever attached to the housing so as to turn between the first and second positions. The lever includes attachment parts to be attached to supporting parts of the housing, at both ends in the direction in which the turning shafts of the lever extend. Either the attachment parts or the supporting parts, or both of them include a defective-closing prevention structure which prevents the lever from turning from the first position to the second position when the cable is not inserted in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi TOJO
  • Publication number: 20160380373
    Abstract: A connector includes a first terminal accommodated in a first housing portion of a housing and a holding terminal accommodated in a second housing portion of the housing. The holding terminal is identical in shape to the first terminal and is configured to hold a cable. The first terminal has a contact point configured to come into contact with the cable. The holding terminal has a holding part corresponding in position to the contact point of the first terminal. When the housing is oriented so that the direction of inserting and removing the cable is horizontal, the holding part of the holding terminal accommodated in the second housing portion differs in position in height from the contact point of the first terminal accommodated in the first housing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi TOJO
  • Patent number: 7074090
    Abstract: A card edge connector assembly includes a circuit board, a connector, an electrical card and a fixing structure. The connector is formed on the circuit board, the front rim of the electrical card is inserted into the insertion slot of the connector. The fixing structure has an elastic element having a fixing portion positioned on the circuit board. Two relating opposing sides of the fixing portion extends two elastic arms whose free ends form a beveled edge and a clasp portion, and define positioning slots on the rear rim of the electrical card. The length of the elastic arm increases in such a way that the elasticity of the elastic arm becomes greater so as to prevent the elastic arm abrading and breaking to ensure the positioning function and enhance the shock-resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 7063539
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a main printed circuit board having a header connector thereon. The connector includes an insulating housing having a rear terminal-mounting section and at least one longitudinal side wall section extending forwardly from one end of the rear section and combining therewith to define a card-receiving space. An array of first terminals are mounted on the rear section and have contact portions projecting into the space for engaging appropriate contacts on a memory card, along with tail portions exposed on the housing. An auxiliary printed circuit board is mounted on the housing and has an array of circuit traces electrically engaged with the tail portions of the terminals. The auxiliary printed circuit board has a mating portion for insertion into the header connector on the main printed circuit board. The mating portion has contact pads electrically coupled to the circuit traces on the auxiliary printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 7014506
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board which includes connecting terminals and at least one ground pad. The connector includes an insulative housing having a rear terminal-mounting section defining at least part of a receptacle for receiving a mating end of a memory card. The housing has a fixing base portion disposed over the ground pad on the printed circuit board when the connector is mounted thereon. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the terminal-mounting section of the housing for electrical connection between the memory card and the connecting terminals on the printed circuit board. A grounding shield is mounted on the housing for shielding the conductive terminals. The shield includes a grounding portion disposed beneath the fixing base portion of the housing in engagement with the ground pad on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 6991492
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulating housing having a rear terminal-mounting section and at least one longitudinal side wall section extending forwardly from one end of the rear section and combining therewith to define a card-receiving space for receiving a memory card. An array of terminals are mounted on the rear section and have contact portions projecting into the space for engaging appropriate contacts on the memory card. The terminals have tail portions projecting downwardly for engaging appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board. A tail guiding plate is mounted to the bottom of the rear section and has channels for receiving the tails portions of the terminals and aligning the tail portions with the circuit traces on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050215084
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board which includes connecting terminals and at least one ground pad. The connector includes an insulative housing having a rear terminal-mounting section defining at least part of a receptacle for receiving a mating end of a memory card. The housing has a fixing base portion disposed over the ground pad on the printed circuit board when the connector is mounted thereon. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the terminal-mounting section of the housing for electrical connection between the memory card and the connecting terminals on the printed circuit board. A grounding shield is mounted on the housing for shielding the conductive terminals. The shield includes a grounding portion disposed beneath the fixing base portion of the housing in engagement with the ground pad on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050079765
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulating housing having a rear terminal-mounting section and at least one longitudinal side wall section extending forwardly from one end of the rear section and combining therewith to define a card-receiving space for receiving a memory card. An array of terminals are mounted on the rear section and have contact portions projecting into the space for engaging appropriate contacts on the memory card. The terminals have tail portions projecting downwardly for engaging appropriate circuit traces on the printed circuit board. A tail guiding plate is mounted to the bottom of the rear section and has channels for receiving the tails portions of the terminals and aligning the tail portions with the circuit traces on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050079768
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a memory card connector on top of a printed circuit board in an elevated position on top of at least a pair of pillars projecting upwardly from a support structure. A plurality of fasteners extend from the connector through the printed circuit board into fastening engagement with the support structure to hold the connector and board on top of the pillars. A support member is provided beneath the printed circuit board between the pair of pillars to prevent the board from bending or warping between the pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050079766
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a main printed circuit board having a header connector thereon. The connector includes an insulating housing having a rear terminal-mounting section and at least one longitudinal side wall section extending forwardly from one end of the rear section and combining therewith to define a card-receiving space. An array of first terminals are mounted on the rear section and have contact portions projecting into the space for engaging appropriate contacts on a memory card, along with tail portions exposed on the housing. An auxiliary printed circuit board is mounted on the housing and has an array of circuit traces electrically engaged with the tail portions of the terminals. The auxiliary printed circuit board has a mating portion for insertion into the header connector on the main printed circuit board. The mating portion has contact pads electrically coupled to the circuit traces on the auxiliary printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050079767
    Abstract: A memory card connector is provided for mounting on a main printed circuit board having a header connector thereon. The memory card connector includes an insulating housing having a rear terminal-mounting section and at least one longitudinal side wall section extending forwardly form one end of the rear section and combining therewith to define a card-receiving space. An array of terminals are mounted on the rear terminal-mounting section of the housing and have contact portions projecting into the space for engaging appropriate contacts on a memory card and tail portions exposed on the housing. An auxiliary printed circuit board is mounted on the housing and has an array of circuit traces electrically engaged with the tail portions of the terminals. The circuit traces on the auxiliary printed circuit board are electrically coupled to a mating connector on the board for mating with the header connector on the main printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Publication number: 20050048828
    Abstract: A card edge connector assembly includes a circuit board, a connector, an electrical card and a fixing structure. The connector is formed on the circuit board, the front rim of the electrical card is inserted into the insertion slot of the connector. The fixing structure has an elastic element having a fixing portion positioned on the circuit board. Two relating opposing sides of the fixing portion extends two elastic arms whose free ends form a beveled edge and a clasp portion, and define positioning slots on the rear rim of the electrical card. The length of the elastic arm increases in such a way that the elasticity of the elastic arm becomes greater so as to prevent the elastic arm abrading and breaking to ensure the positioning function and enhance the shock-resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Yi-Tse Ho, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 6186811
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving a flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing and includes a pressure plate portion for biasing the flat electrical circuit against the contact portions of the terminals. A flexible elongated strip portion is spaced forwardly of the pressure plate portion and extends longitudinally of the housing to define a preliminary circuit holding means at a mouth of the slot. The pressure plate portion is separated from the elongated strip portion at opposite ends thereof by open areas to, thereby, isolate the flexibility of the elongated strip portion from that of the pressure plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Tojo, Shinsuke Kunishi
  • Patent number: 6146171
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving a flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with resilient contact portions spaced along the slot. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position wherein a pressure plate portion biases the circuit against the resilient contact portions of the terminals. The metal actuator includes a support plate portion backing the resilient contact portions. At least the areas of the support plate portion which engages the contact portions is separated by a thin layer of dielectric material. The actuator, thereby, performs dual functions of biasing the circuit against the resilient contact portions and also providing reinforcing support for the contact portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kunishi, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 6036520
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board and for receiving a flat electrical circuit. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving the flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. A metal fixing member is mounted on the housing for securing the connector to an appropriate mounting pad on the printed circuit board. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position biasing the flat electrical circuit against the contact portions of the terminals. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the metal fixing member and the metal actuator to define one or more of the positions of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 6015310
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated dielectric housing defining a slot for receiving a flat electrical circuit. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing, with contact portions spaced along the slot. The contact portions are fixed against movement relative to the housing. A metal actuator is mounted on the housing for movement between a first position allowing free insertion of the flat electrical circuit into the slot and a second position wherein a flexible plate portion of the actuator biases the circuit against the fixed contact portions of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 5980313
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting an electrical connector on a rear side of a panel having a hole through which the connector can mate with a complementary mating connecting device. The system includes a bracket having a body positionable against the rear side of the panel. The body has an aperture alignable with the hole in the panel. A plurality of flanges are arranged in a U-shape and project rearwardly of the body about the aperture for receiving the connector in an insertion direction generally parallel to the rear side of the panel. An electrical connector has a mating end positionable onto the flanges in the insertion direction and includes a mating portion alignable with the aperture in the bracket. Complementary interengaging latches are provided between the mating end of the connector and the flanges for holding the connector on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporaed
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kunishi, Katsutoshi Tojo
  • Patent number: 5842885
    Abstract: An edge connector is provided for a printed circuit board having a mating edge and a plurality of contact pads adjacent the edge. The connector includes an elongated dielectric housing having an elongated mating portion with a board-receiving slot for receiving the mating edge of the printed circuit board. A plurality of spring contact elements are mounted in the housing along one side of the slot and extending into the slot for contacting respective ones of the contact pads on the printed circuit board. A shield is mounted on the housing substantially about the mating portion. The shield has at least one resilient portion extending into the slot for contacting the printed circuit board and biasing the board against the spring contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignees: Molex Incorporated, Nintendo Kabushikikaisya
    Inventors: Junji Takamoto, Kazunori Koshiishi, Katsutoshi Tojo