Patents by Inventor Michael Deen Bowers

Michael Deen Bowers 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: 6616466
    Abstract: A latch for use in an electrical connector which controls the movement of the circuit board in directions parallel and perpendicular to the path of insertion of the circuit board. The electrical connector has a dielectric housing with an elongated slot which is dimensioned to receive an edge of a circuit card therein. At least one latch receiving recess is positioned proximate an end of the elongated slot. In many applications, a latch receiving recess is provided at either end of the elongated slot. A first wall of the latch receiving recess is provided adjacent the elongated slot. The first wall has angled surfaces provided thereon. A latch is positioned in the respective latch receiving recess and is pivotally retained therein. Each latch has a pair of legs spaced from each other by a board receiving slot. The legs have a respective tapered surface which extends from a front surface of each leg to a respective side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Washington Frantum, Jr., Michael Deen Bowers, Donald James Summers, Oliver Patrick Bartholomew
  • Publication number: 20030148646
    Abstract: A latch for use in an electrical connector which controls the movement of the circuit board in directions parallel and perpendicular to the path of insertion of the circuit board. The electrical connector has a dielectric housing with an elongated slot which is dimensioned to receive an edge of a circuit card therein. At least one latch receiving recess is positioned proximate an end of the elongated slot. In many applications, a latch receiving recess is provided at either end of the elongated slot. A first wall of the latch receiving recess is provided adjacent the elongated slot. The first wall has angled surfaces provided thereon. A latch is positioned in the respective latch receiving recess and is pivotally retained therein. Each latch has a pair of legs spaced from each other by a board receiving slot. The legs have a respective tapered surface which extends from a front surface of each leg to a respective side surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Albert Washington Frantum, Michael Deen Bowers, Donald James Summers, Oliver Patrick Bartholomew
  • Patent number: 6394831
    Abstract: A retention member (40) for a card edge connector (4) is provided for securing a printed circuit card (6) in the connector. The retention member is formed as a spring clip having free ends (42) secured to releasably attached to ends of the electrical connector. Tabs (44) are received in notches (32) to further secure the assembly. Slots (48) are formed in the spring clip to receive corners of the printed circuit card. The spring clip may have bowed portions to further strengthen the retention of the printed circuit card. The spring clip is released from the connector by inserting a tool into lateral tool slots (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Deen Bowers, Robert Thomas Hirsbrunner