Patents by Inventor Michael John Christiansen

Michael John Christiansen 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).

  • Mechanically assisted blind mate electrical connector
    Patent number: 6435891
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (2) includes a first connector in the form of a printed circuit board header (10) and a second connector in the form of a plug connector that can be attached to wires in a wiring harness. One of the connectors is mounted in an opening (6) in a panel so that the connector is free to float in an X and a Y direction. A protruding alignment post (30) on one connector is received within an alignment cavity (70) on the other connectors so that the connector positioned in the panel opening (6) will shift laterally so that pin terminals (22) in one connector will be aligned with receptacle terminals (50) in terminal cavities of the other connector will be aligned before they are mated. A mechanical assist member, such as a bolt (90) extends through a central opening (32) in the alignment post (30) and through the mating alignment cavity (70) to increase the force available to mate the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Hoy Smith Beck, Jr., Michael John Christiansen, Keith Richard Foltz, John Mark Myer