Patents by Inventor Kevin R. Meredith

Kevin R. Meredith 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).

  • Publication number: 20230156953
    Abstract: A substrate reinforcement or stiffener can be toolless, slide-on, slide-off, and removable. A hold down can carry pre-attached solder balls, solder units, or fusible elements. Fusible elements can be shaped to reduce thermal and mechanical stresses when reflowed onto a substrate. A heat-producing article can include a heat-dissipation material selectively located on, or immediately adjacent to, a heat-producing article. Clips with a plurality of fingers can be added to power conductors. Graphene strips, graphene coatings, or nanomaterials can be applied to electrically non-conductive articles and are able to selectively direct unwanted heat away from the heat-producing article. Electro-magnetic interference can be reduced by selective placement of voids in a shield of an electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Burrell G. BEST, Brian R. VICICH, Kevin R. MEREDITH, Chadrick P. FAITH, Istvan NOVAK, Jonathan E. BUCK
  • Patent number: 11089716
    Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a cage and a heatsink. The cage includes first and second spaced apart walls and a third wall that spans the first and second walls. The third wall defines an opening, and the third wall includes two spring arms that each extend into the opening. The heatsink includes a heatsink body including a first surface and a protrusion that extends from the first surface of the heatsink body and a pair of spring-arm receivers positioned on the first surface of the heatsink body. Each of the pair of spring-arm engagement portions is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the two spring arms of the cage when the heatsink is attached to the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hall, III, Kevin R. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20210013653
    Abstract: A connector includes a thermal metamaterial. The thermal metamaterial provides heat flow paths from inside of the connector to outside of the connector. In addition, an electrical connector includes an electrically insulating housing, an electrically conductive contact included in the electrically insulating housing, and a metamaterial thermally connected to one of the electrically insulating housing or the electrically conductive contact. The metamaterial thermally cools the electrical connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Yasuo SASAKI, Kevin R. MEREDITH
  • Publication number: 20190239392
    Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a cage and a heatsink. The cage includes first and second spaced apart walls and a third wall that spans the first and second walls. The third wall defines an opening, and the third wall includes two spring arms that each extend into the opening. The heatsink includes a heatsink body including a first surface and a protrusion that extends from the first surface of the heatsink body and a pair of spring-arm receivers positioned on the first surface of the heatsink body. Each of the pair of spring-arm engagement portions is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the two spring arms of the cage when the heatsink is attached to the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas A. HALL, III, Kevin R. MEREDITH
  • Patent number: 10306806
    Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a cage and a heatsink. The cage includes first and second spaced apart walls and a third wall that spans the first and second walls. The third wall defines an opening, and the third wall includes two spring arms that each extend into the opening. The heatsink includes a heatsink body including a first surface and a protrusion that extends from the first surface of the heatsink body and a pair of spring-arm receivers positioned on the first surface of the heatsink body. Each of the pair of spring-arm engagement portions is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the two spring arms of the cage when the heatsink is attached to the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SAMTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hall, III, Kevin R. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20180199468
    Abstract: A transceiver assembly includes a cage and a heatsink. The cage includes first and second spaced apart walls and a third wall that spans the first and second walls. The third wall defines an opening, and the third wall includes two spring arms that each extend into the opening. The heatsink includes a heatsink body including a first surface and a protrusion that extends from the first surface of the heatsink body and a pair of spring-arm receivers positioned on the first surface of the heatsink body. Each of the pair of spring-arm engagement portions is configured to engage with a corresponding one of the two spring arms of the cage when the heatsink is attached to the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas A. HALL, III, Kevin R. MEREDITH
  • Patent number: 7762847
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engage a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Feldman, Kevin R. Meredith, Rudy L. Densmore, Joseph N. Castiglione, Alexander R. Mathews, Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 7722399
    Abstract: A connector system including a header connector with a header body having an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings extend from the internal surface to the external surface of the header body. A plurality of signal pins are inserted into the plurality of first openings to form an array of pin contacts extending from the internal surface of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are inserted into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has at a first end thereof a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to a corresponding signal pin. The first ends of the plurality of shield blades are substantially coplanar with the internal surface of the header body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Scherer, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes P. M. Kusters, Jerome P. Dattilo
  • Publication number: 20090233480
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engage a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Steven Feldman, Kevin R. Meredith, Rudy L. Densmore, Joseph N. Castiglione, Alexander R. Mathews, Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 7553187
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engages a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Feldman, Kevin R. Meredith, Rudy L. Densmore, Joseph N. Castiglione, Alexander R. Mathews, Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer
  • Publication number: 20090163078
    Abstract: A connector system including a header connector with a header body having an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings extend from the internal surface to the external surface of the header body. A plurality of signal pins are inserted into the plurality of first openings to form an array of pin contacts extending from the internal surface of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are inserted into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has at a first end thereof a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to a corresponding signal pin. The first ends of the plurality of shield blades are substantially coplanar with the internal surface of the header body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Richard J Scherer, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes P.M. Kusters, Jerome P. Dattilo
  • Patent number: 7513797
    Abstract: A header connector includes a header body having an internal surface and an external surface. A plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings extend from the internal surface to the external surface of the header body. A plurality of signal pins are inserted into the plurality of first openings to form an array of pin contacts extending from the internal surface of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are inserted into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has at a first end thereof a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to a corresponding signal pin. The first ends of the plurality of shield blades are substantially coplanar with the internal surface of the header body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Scherer, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes P. M. Kusters
  • Publication number: 20070238323
    Abstract: A terminal for use in an electronic connector for establishing electrical contact with a conductive surface on a first printed circuit board. The terminal includes a base section configured for electrical connection with a second printed circuit board, and a resilient contact beam having a proximal end coupled to the base section and a free distal end. The contact beam is shaped to provide a contact section between the proximal end and the distal end. The contact section is configured for engaging the conductive surface on the first printed circuit board upon insertion of the first printed circuit board into the housing in a first direction. The free distal end of the contact beam extends substantially in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, Johannes P.M. Kusters, Juan P. Rios, Kevin R. Meredith, Alexander W. Barr, Richard J. Scherer, Steven Feldman
  • Patent number: 7156678
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector portion and a frame. The connector portion includes a connector body, a shield member, and a plurality of signal contacts. The connector body is configured for receiving a plurality of cables. The conductive shield member is attached to the connector body and is configured for connection to ground conductors of the plurality of cables. The plurality of signal contacts each have a terminal end configured for connection to a signal conductor of a corresponding cable. The frame is configured for mounting on a printed circuit, and includes at least one conductive portion configured for connection to a ground of the printed circuit. The frame is configured to direct the connector portion into a receiving space at an oblique insertion angle with respect to the printed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Feldman, Kevin R. Meredith, Joseph N. Castiglione
  • Patent number: 6716045
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first contact, a second contact spaced apart from the first contact by a given distance, and insulative material extending between the first and second contacts. The insulative material extending between the first and second contacts is configured to include a creepage maze. According to another aspect of the invention, the given distance is smaller than the minimum creepage distance specified for the material group of the insulative material and for the degree of pollution of the insulative material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Robinson Nugent, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20030109177
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first contact, a second contact spaced apart from the first contact by a given distance, and insulative material extending between the first and second contacts. The insulative material extending between the first and second contacts is configured to include a creepage maze. According to another aspect of the invention, the given distance is smaller than the minimum creepage distance specified for the material group of the insulative material and for the degree of pollution of the insulative material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventor: Kevin R. Meredith
  • Publication number: 20020123266
    Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Alexander W. Barr, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes Petrus Maria Kusters
  • Patent number: 6431886
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a first portion and a second portion for coupling a first printed circuit board to second printed circuit board. The first portion of the connector has board contacts for mechanically and electrically coupling to the first printed circuit board, electrical contacts coupled to the board contacts and a first alignment feature electrically and mechanically coupled to the first printed circuit board. The second portion of the connector has board contacts for mechanically and electrically coupling to the second printed circuit board, electrical contacts coupled to the board contacts and a second alignment feature electrically and mechanically coupled to the second printed circuit board. The first and second alignment portions cooperate to properly align the electrical contacts of the first and second board portions for electrical coupling upon mating of the connector portions. Upon mating the alignment features are electrically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Robinson Nugent, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Kevin R. Meredith
  • Patent number: 6371813
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing and a plurality of horizontal shields and connector modules configured for insertion into the housing. Each connector module includes an insulated material encasing a plurality of conductive paths, each coupled to a forwardly-extending receptacle contact. The receptacle contacts are formed to have a plurality of horizontally-extending slots to receive the horizontal shields when the connector modules are inserted into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Robinson Nugent, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Alexander W. Barr, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes Petrus Maria Kusters
  • Publication number: 20010012730
    Abstract: An electrical header connector of the present invention includes a header body formed to include a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings. The header body having a front wall and a back wall. A plurality of signal pins are configured for insertion into the plurality of first openings. Each signal pin includes a first end extending from the front wall of the header body to form an array of pin contacts, and a second end spaced apart from the first end and extending from the back wall of the header body. A plurality of shield blades are configured for insertion into the plurality of second openings. Each of the plurality of shield blades has a first end extending from the front wall of the header body adjacent to the first end of a signal pin, a second end extending from the back wall of the header body adjacent to the second end of the signal pin, and a generally right angle shielding portion configured to be disposed adjacent to an intermediate portion of the signal pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventors: Samuel C. Ramey, Alexander W. Barr, Kevin R. Meredith, Johannes Petrus Maria Kusters