Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Hoff

Matthew J. Hoff 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: 6354860
    Abstract: A connector is provided that includes a first housing having a see-saw first latch element attached thereto. The first housing and first latch element are adapted for engagement with a mating second housing that includes a mating second latch element, respectively. A slider is provided that includes a hood, having a window, and a beam the distal end of that is engagable with the first latch element to prevent movement of the slider further towards the first latch element until the distal end is engaged by the second latch element. When the second latch element engages the distal end of the beam, the distal end is pivoted into the window of the hood. The slider may be moved so that the distal end resides into engagement with the second latch element only after the first and second latch elements have been fully engaged. When the distal end has been so positioned, the beam will prevent disengagement of the first and second latch elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Miller, Randolph S. Golab, Matthew J. Hoff, Michael J. Roche
  • Patent number: 6093045
    Abstract: A connector module and a connector module kit which includes the components of the connector module, is provided. The connector module includes a first housing formed to house at least one first contact therein and a second housing formed to house at least one second contact therein. Insertion of the second housing into the first housing will cause each first contact to mate with each second contact. Such insertion also causes a latching mechanism located within the assembled first and second housing to latch the housings together so that they can not be readily disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Hoff
  • Patent number: 5944547
    Abstract: A connector is provided which includes first and second insulative housings each of which includes first and second contacts, respectively, which may be electrically and mechanically connected and disconnected, in a connected mode and disconnected mode, respectively. The first insulative housing includes shorting bars which are spring biased into contact with the first contacts in the disconnected mode. The second insulative housing includes engagement posts which engage the shorting bars in a connected mode to disengage the shorting bars from the first contacts. An improved manner of mounting the shorting bars in the first insulative housing from the rear of such housing is provided. Each shorting bar is firmly held in place by the mating of a housing keeper within the first insulative housing and shorting bar latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Randolph S. Golab, Matthew J. Hoff, Timothy J. Miller