Patents by Inventor Vincent B. Brown

Vincent B. Brown 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: 5054879
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating and connecting fiber optic cables. The assembly comprises a housing, which housing comprises a pair of separable portions which may be locked together, with each of the housings carrying a plurality of fiber optic connector halves. The fiber optic connector halves, when connected, comprise a pair of ferrules, each having a bore proportioned to receive the stripped end of one of the cables having an exposed fiber optic core end. The ferrules have outer walls that are parallel to the axis of the bore. An outer sleeve is present defining a tubular portion for snug contact with the ferrule outer walls while the ferrules are in end-abutting relation. The relative transverse positioning of the ferrules in an abutting relation is determined by the position and shape of the tubular portion and its engagement with the ferrule outer walls. Thus, fiber optic core ends within the abutting ferrules may abut each other with precisely controlled transverse alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mthode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent B. Brown
  • Patent number: 4954089
    Abstract: A compact terminator for interconnecting computer devices with each other and with peripheral equipment having contact ends to be interconnected with connectors. The contacts are interconnected on a circuit board employing thick film circuitry mounted thereon. The contacts are press fitted in plated through holes on the circuit board and form male or female connectors at one end. The device may be differential or single ended type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Jensen, Vincent B. Brown, Cathy J. Edgerton, Robert W. Masterson
  • Patent number: 4857002
    Abstract: A compact terminator for interconnecting computer devices with each other and with peripheral equipment having contact ends to be interconnected with connectors. The contacts are interconnected on a circuit board employing thick film circuitry mounted thereon. The contacts are press fitted in plated through holes on the circuit board and form male or female connectors at one end. The device may be a differential or single ended type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Jensen, Vincent B. Brown, Cathy J. Edgerton, Robert W. Masterson
  • Patent number: 4693550
    Abstract: A connector for fiber optical cable inluding a ductile metal sleeve, a portion of the fiber optical cable adjacent its end being positioned within the sleeve, with the end of the fiber optical cable projecting from a hole through the end of the sleeve. The portion of fiber optical cable adjacent its end is stripped of substantially all insulation and sheathing, while a resilient tubular insert surrounds such portion which is adjacent the cable end, the tubular insert in turn being positioned within the metal sleeve. The metal sleeve is crimped to hold the sleeve, tubular insert, and stripped adjacent end portion together in immovable relation. By means of this invention connectors may be placed on optical cable, capable of withstanding excessive cable retention, without the use of adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Sherman W. McGrew
  • Patent number: 4537456
    Abstract: An electrical power connector including an insulator housing in which are mounted a plurality of conductive metal contacts each of which is provided with insulation displacement jaws for mechanically restraining and also making electrical contact with a corresponding plurality of insulated wires, each wire being terminated by forcing the same between a pair of contact jaws. The electrical connector is of a hermaphroditic design for mating with a like connector, so that each contact in one connector is electrically connected with a corresponding contact in a mating connector. The connector housing includes a hinged cover which insulates the contacts, and bosses formed on the inside of the hinged cover serve to retain the contacts and the wires terminated therein, and also serve as a tool for forcing individual insulated wires between the insulation displacement jaws of a corresponding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignee: Methode Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz, John E. Armando
  • Patent number: 4534098
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Donald G. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 4534603
    Abstract: An assembly of a contact spring and a wire wrap terminal whereby the contact spring has a socket in which the pin of a suitable electrical device may be inserted. The terminal includes a wrappable wire end to make a connection with an electrical circuit. The contact spring and wire wrap terminal are stamped and formed as two separate pieces to be assembled together for use in a printed circuit board and the like. The contact spring may be formed from a different material than the wire wrap terminal. The assembly is fabricated in a manner to insure proper orientation of the spring when inserted into a board. Gold plating or the other expensive highly conductive materials may economically be applied to selective areas, because the contact spring is formed from flat stock material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Lawrence Geib
  • Patent number: 4491379
    Abstract: The disclosed connector has a housing and a terminal interfitted in a channel in the housing, and special exposed jaws are formed on the terminal between which a wire of the type having a conductive core and an insulation overwrap can be forced to establish a mechanically secure and an electrically sound solderless type connection. One pair of jaws are rigid and have cutting and gripping edges that cut through the insulation overwrap to establish electrical contact with the conductive core. These same edges are used to axially restrain the wire relative to the terminal. The second pair of jaws are flexible and have inwardly sloped tabs presenting adjacent edges that are angled transversely of the wire and are spaced apart approximately by the diameter of the insulation overwrap. The wire thus can be forced past the tabs spreading apart the second set of jaws which then spring back and overlie the wire and thereby transversely restrain the wire relative to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz
  • Patent number: 4460223
    Abstract: a cover assembly for a leadless chip carrier socket including a spring cover and locking bracket selectively positionable on a socket body in any one of four positions. The spring cover is pivotally mounted on the socket body and is movable between an open position and a closed position at which the cover engages the locking bracket. The cover is formed with four arm members which are spring loaded and which engage the top of a chip carrier at eight pressure points. The force exerted by the spring cover in a closed position applies a downward force against the chip package to effect positive electrical contact with a plurality of contacts mounted in the socket which are adapted to be interconnected with a printed circuit board or circuit pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Robert F. Schlacks
  • Patent number: 4460237
    Abstract: Contact designs for leadless chip carrier sockets of either the surface compression or the solder type. The contact for a compression type socket employs a dual cantilever configuration mounted on a base member which mechanically isolates one portion of the contact from another. Two cooperative contact designs are used for a solder type socket in which each type is alternately arranged with respect to the other in mounted relationship on a base member. The upper chip carrier contacting portions of the two contacts for a solder type socket are disposed side-by-side along each side wall, while the terminal ends are aligned inwardly perpendicular to the upper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Robert F. Schlacks
  • Patent number: 4265013
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving pins into a printed circuit board and the like which comprises: table means for receiving and retaining a board into which the pins are to be driven; magazine means for holding a supply of the pins in a position parallel to the plane of the table, and receiver means, pivotally movable to receive the pin from the magazine means in one pivotal position and to pivot the pin into transverse relation with the table means in a second pivoting position. Loading means are provided for inserting the pins into the receiver means. Means are also provided for moving the receiver means while in the second pivoting position to drive the pin inserted in it into the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Charles A. Kozel
  • Patent number: 4253222
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Donald G. Schreiner
  • Patent number: 4243286
    Abstract: The disclosed connector has a housing and a terminal interfitted in a channel in the housing, and special exposed jaws are formed on the terminal between which a wire of the type having a conductive core and an insulation overwrap can be forced to establish a mechanically secure and an electrically sound solderless type connection. One pair of jaws are rigid and have cutting and gripping edges that cut through the insulation overwrap to establish electrical contact with the conductive core. These same edges are used to axially restrain the wire relative to the terminal. The second pair of jaws are flexible and have inwardly sloped tabs presenting adjacent edges that are angled transversely of the wire and are spaced apart approximately by the diameter of the insulation overwrap. The wire thus can be forced past the tabs spreading apart the second set of jaws which then spring back and overlie the wire and thereby transversely restrain the wire relative to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent B. Brown, Charles A. Kozel, John T. Scheitz
  • Patent number: 4013849
    Abstract: The plug-switch includes a pair of terminal blades projecting outwardly of a housing for insertion in an electrical socket, and first and second pairs of contacts. A carrier member, which is movable within the housing between first and second positions, is normally biased to its first position by spring means and is movable from its first position to its second position by engagement with a member associated with an electrical socket. A pair of contact members, which are carried by the carrier member, serve to bridge either the terminal blades and one pair of the contacts or the terminal blades and the other pair of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent B. Brown
  • Patent number: 3961468
    Abstract: An apparatus for trimming trees, hedges, and the like including a cutting arm supported in a centilevered fashion from an upstanding tower. The cutting arm includes flexible, resilient, drive and idler wheels rotatably mounting a continuous, band-type saw blade. As the blade is rotated in a closed path, it cuts and transports the trimmings toward a guard on the arm which causes them to be deposited in a row adjacent the path of travel of the apparatus. Means are included for moving the cutting arm vertically along the tower and for pivoting and rotating the arm in order to selectively position the height and angle of the cutting blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1973
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1976
    Assignee: Harlo Products Corporation
    Inventors: Philip A. Brown, Vincent B. Brown