Patents by Inventor Kevin James Updike

Kevin James Updike 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: 7329158
    Abstract: A male terminal has spring elements bent back from a rounded end above a flat portion of the terminal and separated by a centrally located opening. An aperture extends through the flat portion under the opening. Elongated ridges protrude from an underside of the flat portion. A female terminal has arms overhanging a base to form receptacles for the spring elements. Down-turned alignment ribs on the arms are received in the opening in the male terminal to properly align the terminals during electrical connection. Dimples protrude from the arms to contact the spring elements of the male terminal as the spring elements are inserted. The elongated ridges on the underside of the flat portion of the male terminal contact the base of the female terminal. A lock tab in the base between the ribs snaps into the aperture to latch the terminals together when the spring elements are fully inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dickinson Roberts, Joseph Paul Kalisz, James Leroy Jones, III, Kevin James Updike, Weizhen Brenda Wang
  • Patent number: 7160157
    Abstract: An electrical terminal connection system includes first and second terminals that are interlocked by placing the first terminal on top of the second terminal and rotating the first terminal. The first terminal has a planar ring section with an outer perimeter and a centrally located aperture. The perimeter has cut-out portions. Inclined spring elements extend from the ring section near the outer perimeter. The second terminal includes a semi-circular part with an outer periphery and a centrally located collar. Curved walls extend perpendicularly from the outer periphery. The walls have ledges projecting over the semi-circular part. Aligning the cut-out portions of the first terminal with the curved walls and ledges of the second terminal enables the planar ring section of the first terminal to be placed on the semi-circular part of the second terminal, with the aperture receiving the collar. Rotating or twisting the first terminal causes the spring elements to contact and slide under the ledges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: James Leroy Jones, III, James Dickinson Roberts, Joseph Paul Kalisz, Kevin James Updike