Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Zola

Thomas J. Zola 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: 5480327
    Abstract: A cable connector (1) comprises, an insulative overmold (10) surrounding a section of a round electrical cable (5) transformed into a thin, wide section (16), with multiple wires (4) of the cable (5) being grouped together, side by side, within said section (16), an insulating housing insert (2) mounting electrical contacts (3) connected to respective wires (4) of the cable (5), and conductive shielding (6) encircling the housing insert (2) and the overmold (10), said shielding (6) being connected to a conductive shield (9) of the cable (5) at a window (20) through the overmold (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Zola
  • Patent number: 4993975
    Abstract: A receptacle contact (22) adapted to be received in a connector housing (26), or a connector housing (26) having the receptacle contact (22) received therein, wherein the receptacle contact (22) is a three sided contact forming a U-shaped channel (68) for receiving a contact element (46). The contact (22) comprises a pair of tapered fixed beams (64,66) at least portions of which are curved inwardly toward each other with a smooth continuous curvature to a spacing at least less than the diameter or cross section width of a contact element (46) to be received therebetween. The tapered fixed beams (64,66) taper from forward and trailing ends (70,72) toward a midpoint (74). The contact (22) may have a center rib (96) integral with and extending between the bases (86,94) that are integral with the ends (70,72) of the fixed beams (64,66). The rib (96) includes retention means (98,102) for securing the contact in a contact receiving passage (32) of a connector housing (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: John C. Asick, George H. Douty, James S. Staron, Thomas J. Zola
  • Patent number: 4824387
    Abstract: A biased floating mount connector (10) when mounted to a panel (48) assumes a biased first position prior to mating with a complementary connector (26) and is capable of moving against the bias in a plane transverse to axial alignment of contacts therein to a second position during mating with the complementary connector (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter C. deJong, Robert W. Elicker, Thomas J. Zola
  • Patent number: 4755149
    Abstract: A receptacle and mating header that can be blindly mated from an initially misaligned condition. The header is rigidly mounted while the receptacle is mounted such that the receptacle can move vertically or laterally in a plane transverse to the axial alignment of pins or sockets therein. The receptacle and mating header have complimentary guide means and lead-in surfaces that engage as mating is attempted and urge the header and receptacle to align for mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter C. de Jong, Clifford W. Lindgren, Thomas J. Zola