Patents by Inventor Kenneth T. Stead

Kenneth T. Stead 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: 7713077
    Abstract: An interposer connector is provided that is suitable for translatable connection between a first and second connector. The interposer connector includes a housing with a face that includes an opening and a terminal positioned in the opening. The terminal is configured to pivot about the opening so that when the interposer is caused to couple the first and second connector, the terminal may translate along a first plane to account for misalignment in a first direction between the first and second connector. The housing may further be configured to allow the terminal to translate in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane so as to account for misalignment in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel B. McGowan, Kenneth M. Stiles, Kenneth T. Stead, Arvind Patel, Michael S. Bean
  • Patent number: 6290523
    Abstract: A self docking instrument panel connector system is provided with a first connector member (18) attached to an instrument panel assembly (12). A second connector member (20) is attached to a body of a vehicle (16) and is designed to mate with the first connector member (18). One of the connector members (20) is adjustably supported to be movable in first and second lateral directions and in a longitudinal direction in order to accommodate for build tolerances and component insertion variances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Molex, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Barnhart, Renee J. Bohn, Paul G. Grubba, Scott S. Owens, Christopher G. Saari, Thomas O. Sandusky, Timothy A. Waligora, Anthony J. Pill, Russell L. Mackowiak, C. Robert Moon, Kenneth T. Stead, Andrew Kuzdak, III
  • Patent number: 6007375
    Abstract: A mounting system is provided for mounting an electrical connector assembly to an appropriate support structure. The system includes a frame, and an elongated mounting post projecting therefrom for insertion into a mounting hole in the support structure. The post includes a plurality of rigid crush ribs extending lengthwise of the post and spaced from each other circumferentially about a major side of the post. A flexible arm extends lengthwise of the post on an opposite side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell L. Mackowiak, Clarence Robert Moon, III, Anthony J. Pill, Kenneth T. Stead
  • Patent number: 5622521
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a forward mating end and a rearward terminating end and at least one terminal-receiving cavity extending in a direction between the ends. A terminal is insertable into the cavity from the rearward terminating end of the housing. A TPA device is selectively engageable with the housing in two positions, preloaded and fully loaded, at the terminating end of the housing, with a terminal retention portion insertable into the cavity in locking engagement with the terminal. Complementary interengaging abutments are provided between the terminal and the TPA device for moving the terminal from at least one incomplete position of insertion to a fully inserted position in response to moving the TPA device from the preloaded position to the fully loaded position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott P. Marceau, Kenneth T. Stead
  • Patent number: 5344338
    Abstract: A strain relief structure is provided for connecting a flat flexible cable to a circuit board. The flat flexible cable includes an array of parallel conductors, flexible insulation disposed around the conductors and a web of insulation disposed between adjacent conductors. The strain relief structure includes a body having at least one cable receiving aperture extending therethrough. A deflectable strain relief extends into the cable receiving aperture for engaging the web of insulation between at least a pair of conductors. Transverse walls, independent of the strain relief structure, extend into the cable receiving aperture for biasing at least one of the conductors out of the plane of the flat flexible cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen A. Colleran, Robert J. Gugelmeyer, Lawrence E. Geib, Kenneth T. Stead, Weng H. Cheong