Patents by Inventor Robert Neil Mulfinger

Robert Neil Mulfinger 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: 10855038
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing, a first power module, a negative power module, and a signal module. The housing has a guide module having guide surfaces for guiding mating with a mating electrical connector. The guide module is approximately centered between first and second sides and remote from the first and second sides. The first power module includes first power contacts and the negative power module includes negative power contacts. The signal module includes signal contacts and ground shields providing electrical shielding for the signal contacts. The signal module is located between the first power module and the negative power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY SERVICES GmbH
    Inventors: Michael James Horning, Christopher William Blackburn, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger
  • Patent number: 10673189
    Abstract: A power connector assembly includes a power rail and a slide power connector. The power rail is mounted to a first wall of a first component via mechanical standoffs to define a clearance space between the power rail and the first wall. An electrode is disposed along a first side of the power rail facing the first wall. The slide power connector is mounted to a second wall of a discrete, second component. The slide power connector defines a track that receives the power rail therein. At least one power contact of the slide power connector is disposed within the clearance space and is electrically connected to the electrode of the power rail to establish an electrical connection. At least one of the first and second components is movable relative to the other along an extension cycle. The electrical connection is maintained throughout the extension cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger, Matthew Grimm, Michael David Herring, Sean Patrick Kelly, Christopher William Blackburn, Patrick Di Paola
  • Publication number: 20190379170
    Abstract: A power connector assembly includes a power rail and a slide power connector. The power rail is mounted to a first wall of a first component via mechanical standoffs to define a clearance space between the power rail and the first wall. An electrode is disposed along a first side of the power rail facing the first wall. The slide power connector is mounted to a second wall of a discrete, second component. The slide power connector defines a track that receives the power rail therein. At least one power contact of the slide power connector is disposed within the clearance space and is electrically connected to the electrode of the power rail to establish an electrical connection. At least one of the first and second components is movable relative to the other along an extension cycle. The electrical connection is maintained throughout the extension cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger, Matthew Grimm, Michael David Herring, Sean Patrick Kelly, Christopher William Blackburn, Patrick Di Paola
  • Patent number: 10439322
    Abstract: A connector system for a wearable article including receptacle and plug connector assemblies is provided. The receptacle connector assembly includes a housing having a cavity receiving an electronic device and having a receptacle connector. The plug connector assembly includes a holder including an article mount securable to the wearable article and a support arm hingedly coupled to the article mount at a hinge. The plug connector assembly has a plug connector on the support arm including plug contacts and a cable electrically connected to the plug contacts. A seal is coupled between the receptacle connector and the plug connector. The plug connector is loaded into a receptacle of the receptacle connector to mate the plug contacts with the receptacle contacts to electrically connect the cable to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Kyle Gary Annis, Kevin Michael Thackston, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 10404008
    Abstract: A connector system includes a receptacle connector having a receptacle housing including a cavity accessible through a front opening and a top opening. The receptacle connector has a receptacle connector platform supporting receptacle contacts being angled. The connector system includes a first plug connector received in the cavity through the front opening including a plug housing holding plug conductors. The plug housing has a plug connector platform having a mating interface with the plug conductors exposed at the mating interface. The plug connector platform is angled at a complementary angle to the receptacle connector platform for mating the plug conductors with the receptacle contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Kevin Michael Thackston, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Publication number: 20190109414
    Abstract: A connector system includes a receptacle connector having a receptacle housing including a cavity accessible through a front opening and a top opening. The receptacle connector has a receptacle connector platform supporting receptacle contacts being angled. The connector system includes a first plug connector received in the cavity through the front opening including a plug housing holding plug conductors. The plug housing has a plug connector platform having a mating interface with the plug conductors exposed at the mating interface. The plug connector platform is angled at a complementary angle to the receptacle connector platform for mating the plug conductors with the receptacle contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, Kevin Michael Thackston, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 10193291
    Abstract: A rotary crimping tool assembly includes a tool housing defining a crimping chamber, and one or more crimp wheels within the crimping chamber. The crimping chamber is configured to receive the portion of the structure in proximity to the crimp wheel(s). The crimp wheel(s) are configured to be pressed into and rotated relative to the portion of the structure to form one or more crimps in the portion of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Steven Houser, Robert Neil Mulfinger, John Louis McKibben, Kevin Michael Thackston, Lynn Robert Sipe, Marissa Jayne Feinman, David James Fabian
  • Publication number: 20180212341
    Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a terminal having a wire barrel and a mating segment configured to be mated to a mating component. The terminal assembly includes a shuttle assembly configured to be coupled to an end of a wire. The shuttle assembly includes a connecting insert defining a wire chamber configured to receive an exposed conductor of the wire. The connecting insert has a retention tab extending into the wire chamber. The retention tab is configured to interfere with and retain the wire in the wire chamber. The connecting insert is received in the wire barrel of the terminal and the connecting insert is configured to be crimped between the wire barrel of the terminal and the exposed conductor of the wire when the wire barrel is crimped around the connecting insert and the wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Richard Frank Moore, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Richard Vincent Lucente, Kevin Michael Thackston, Brian Todd Klinger, Nicholas Paul Ruffini
  • Patent number: 10033117
    Abstract: A terminal assembly includes a terminal having a wire barrel and a mating segment configured to be mated to a mating component. The terminal assembly includes a shuttle assembly configured to be coupled to an end of a wire. The shuttle assembly includes a connecting insert defining a wire chamber configured to receive an exposed conductor of the wire. The connecting insert has a retention tab extending into the wire chamber. The retention tab is configured to interfere with and retain the wire in the wire chamber. The connecting insert is received in the wire barrel of the terminal and the connecting insert is configured to be crimped between the wire barrel of the terminal and the exposed conductor of the wire when the wire barrel is crimped around the connecting insert and the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Frank Moore, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Richard Vincent Lucente, Kevin Michael Thackston, Brian Todd Klinger, Nicholas Paul Ruffini
  • Patent number: 9608427
    Abstract: A shuttle assembly is configured to connect an insulated wire to a contact terminal. The shuttle assembly may include a connecting insert defining an exposed wire-crimping chamber. The connecting insert is configured to receive an exposed end of a conductive wire, and is configured to be crimped to the exposed end of the conductive wire. A seal member is connected to the connecting insert, and is configured to be crimped to an insulating cover of the insulated wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Anthony Fulponi, Robert Neil Mulfinger, James Scott Showers
  • Publication number: 20160105013
    Abstract: A shuttle assembly is configured to connect an insulated wire to a contact terminal. The shuttle assembly may include a connecting insert defining an exposed wire-crimping chamber. The connecting insert is configured to receive an exposed end of a conductive wire, and is configured to be crimped to the exposed end of the conductive wire. A seal member is connected to the connecting insert, and is configured to be crimped to an insulating cover of the insulated wire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: John Anthony Fulponi, Robert Neil Mulfinger, James Scott Showers
  • Publication number: 20160104993
    Abstract: A method of crimping a structure may include positioning a portion of the structure to be crimped into a crimping chamber of a rotary crimping tool assembly, compressing one or more crimp wheels into the portion of the structure to be crimped, wherein the compressing includes forming one or more initial crimps into the portion of the structure, and rotating the crimp wheel(s) relative to the portion of the structure to form one or more full crimps in the portion of the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew Steven Houser, Robert Neil Mulfinger, John Louis McKibben, Kevin Michael Thackston, Lynn Robert Sipe, Marissa Jayne Feinman, David James Fabian
  • Patent number: 9207031
    Abstract: A weapon includes a cover system that extends a length. The cover system includes an opening that extends through the length of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrel that extends through the opening of the cover system. The cover system includes a composite material that is configured to provide thermal insulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew Dewitt Balthaser, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Publication number: 20150300764
    Abstract: A weapon includes a cover system that extends a length. The cover system includes an opening that extends through the length of the cover system. The weapon includes a barrel that extends through the opening of the cover system. The cover system includes a composite material that is configured to provide thermal insulation relative to heat emitted from the barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew Dewitt Balthaser, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 9086253
    Abstract: A powered rail system is provided for a weapon that includes a barrel. The powered rail system includes a base having a longitudinal opening. The base is configured to be mounted to the weapon such that the barrel is received within the longitudinal opening and the base extends around at least a segment of a length of the barrel. A rail extends from the base. An electrical component is mounted to the rail. An electrical power source is held by the base. The electrical power source is electrically connected to the electrical component for supplying the electrical component with electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence Se-Jun Oh, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 9052153
    Abstract: A communication connector system is provided for a weapon. The system includes an upper connector configured to be mounted directly to an exterior side surface of an upper receiver of the weapon. The upper connector is configured to be communicatively connected to electronics associated with the upper receiver. The upper connector has a mating interface. The system includes a lower connector configured to be communicatively connected to electronics in a base of the weapon. The lower connector is configured to be mounted directly to an exterior side surface of a lower receiver of the weapon. The lower connector has a mating interface that is mated with the mating interface of the upper connector when the upper receiver is in a closed position. The mating interfaces are physically separable from one another such that the upper receiver is configured to be moved to an open position from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lawrence Se-Jun Oh, Richard Vincent Lucente, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Publication number: 20150098684
    Abstract: A conduit distribution component comprising: (a) a body having at least a first and second end and a first and second side; (b) a first conduit opening at the first end; (c) a plurality of second conduit openings at the second end; and (d) at least one connector on at least the first side or the second side of the body for connecting the conduit distribution component to a second body of a second conduit distribution component in a side-by-side arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Neil Mulfinger, Matthew Lynn Burkholder
  • Patent number: 8944838
    Abstract: A connector is provided for mating with a mating connector. The connector includes a housing having an internal compartment and a locking segment. A contact is held within the internal compartment of the housing. A locking ring extends around the housing. The locking ring has a latch that is configured to cooperate with a latch member of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector together. The connector includes a first actuator configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector. The locking segment of the housing includes a second actuator that is configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Patent number: 8932084
    Abstract: A connector system includes a pass-through connector that includes a housing with a front and a rear opposite the front. The front of the housing has a front opening, and the rear of the housing has a rear opening. The housing also has a cavity between the front opening and the rear opening. The pass-through connector also includes conductors which are held by the housing in the cavity. The system also includes a plug that is received in the cavity through the front opening. The plug has a contact holder that holds plug conductors. The contact holder has a head that is received in the cavity, and the head is configured to push contaminants from the cavity through the rear opening as the plug is loaded into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Michael Thackston, Albert Tsang, Robert Neil Mulfinger
  • Publication number: 20140308009
    Abstract: A connector is provided for mating with a mating connector. The connector includes a housing having an internal compartment and a locking segment. A contact is held within the internal compartment of the housing. A locking ring extends around the housing. The locking ring has a latch that is configured to cooperate with a latch member of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector together. The connector includes a first actuator configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector. The locking segment of the housing includes a second actuator that is configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Neil Mulfinger