Patents by Inventor Martin H. Kainec

Martin H. Kainec 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: 9629256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Flextronics Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Publication number: 20150121690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Patent number: 8578596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Patent number: 8555488
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. In the embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (VVEDM) process. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fiextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Publication number: 20120174389
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Publication number: 20120167381
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board. In various embodiments, the connector tools can be made by wire electrode discharge machining (WEDM) process. In the embodiments, the connector tool includes reinforced ribbed end walls, ribbed internal walls, interconnected walls and contours that reduce tool and connector damage. In other embodiments, the connector tools include guiding structures that align the connector tool to the connector before seating the connector so that the connector tool aligns to the connector pins and body to avoid damage to the connector and/or the substrate. In another embodiment, the connector tool has guiding skirts and surfaces to capture the connector in position then seat the connector. Thus, the invention reduces connector and substrate damage during manufacturing, reduces tool damage, and lowers product costs by boosting manufacturing yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec
  • Patent number: 8136233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector tools for seating connectors on a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector tool is a machined structure having a plurality of walls that define intersecting slots that mate with an array of male connector pins and include one or more ribs to reduce damage if the tool is dropped on the floor. The ribbed walls strengthen the connector tool, but do not interfere with the mating array of male connector pins. The connector tool also includes push shoulders to contact the connector apart from the array of male connector pins so as to seat the connector onto the PCB without connector tool and connector damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Solectron Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Lee Barnhouse, Stephen H. Hancock, Martin H. Kainec