Patents by Inventor Lynn S. Gaston

Lynn S. Gaston 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: 4802861
    Abstract: A self-aligning electrical connector is provided for aligning and connecting multiple pins of a male coupler with corresponding multiple pin sockets of a female coupler in a blind environment. A cylindrical standpipe is attached to and extends axially from the female connector. The end of the standpipe remote from the female coupler comprises a ramp or cam sloping to a lug slot in the standpipe that extends toward the female coupler. The male coupler includes a lug comprising a cam follower or roller for following the cam of the standpipe. During connection of the couplers, the action of the cam follower on the cam causes axial rotation of the male coupler until the cam follower engages the lug slot to align the couplers. A jackscrew extending through a longitudinal bore along the axis of the male coupler engages a threaded socket located at the axis of the female coupler to draw the pins of the male coupler into mating connection with the pin sockets of the female coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignees: Boeing Vertol Company, Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn S. Gaston