Patents by Inventor Yoshimasa Kuroda

Yoshimasa Kuroda 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: 10033125
    Abstract: An interior body includes a spring portion, a movable portion, and a fixing portion, which are integrated together and formed by bending a first metal plate having a high modulus of elasticity. An exterior body is formed by bending a second metal plate having low electric resistance. A movable portion of the interior body includes a contact portion and elastic arms. Each of the elastic arms includes, at its tip portion, an elastically pressing portion elastically pressed against a tubular internal surface of the exterior body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Takeki Uozumi, Keisuke Yamazaki, Shigetomo Chiba
  • Patent number: 10014604
    Abstract: An interior body is housed in a tubular exterior body. The interior body includes a spring portion, a movable portion, and a fixing portion, which are integrated together. Elastic arms are disposed on the movable portion so as to extend downward. Each elastic arm includes, at a lower end portion, an elastically pressing portion, which is elastically pressed against a tubular internal surface of the exterior body. Since the elastically pressing portion is elastically pressed against the exterior body, electric signals are more likely to flow between the movable portion and the exterior body and more likely to be prevented from leaking to the spring portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: APLS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Yoshio Tanabe, Takeki Uozumi, Shigetomo Chiba, Keisuke Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20180013217
    Abstract: An interior body is housed in a tubular exterior body. The interior body includes a spring portion, a movable portion, and a fixing portion, which are integrated together. Elastic arms are disposed on the movable portion so as to extend downward. Each elastic arm includes, at a lower end portion, an elastically pressing portion, which is elastically pressed against a tubular internal surface of the exterior body. Since the elastically pressing portion is elastically pressed against the exterior body, electric signals are more likely to flow between the movable portion and the exterior body and more likely to be prevented from leaking to the spring portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Yoshio Tanabe, Takeki Uozumi, Shigetomo Chiba, Keisuke Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20180013222
    Abstract: An interior body includes a spring portion, a movable portion, and a fixing portion, which are integrated together and formed by bending a first metal plate having a high modulus of elasticity. An exterior body is formed by bending a second metal plate having low electric resistance. A movable portion of the interior body includes a contact portion and elastic arms. Each of the elastic arms includes, at its tip portion, an elastically pressing portion elastically pressed against a tubular internal surface of the exterior body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Takeki Uozumi, Keisuke Yamazaki, Shigetomo Chiba
  • Publication number: 20120295489
    Abstract: A plurality of intermediate terminal portions are evenly arranged and held in an insulating housing. Each intermediate terminal portion has a structure in which a first metal piece and a second metal piece overlap each other. In the first metal piece, a curved portion and a flat portion form a first elastic piece. In the second metal piece, a curved portion and a flat portion form a second elastic piece. When an external force is not exerted, the first elastic piece of the first metal piece and the second elastic piece of the second metal piece are separated from each other. When the intermediate terminal portion is pressed against the component electrode portion of the electronic component, first only the first metal piece is deformed, and then the first metal piece and the second metal piece are deformed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeki UOZUMI, Kazuki SATO, Yoshimasa KURODA
  • Patent number: 7375958
    Abstract: A plurality of specific external connecting parts can be short-circuited, without increasing the number of parts and mounting work. A plurality of external connecting parts provided in parallel to each other, and a short-circuit part for short-circuiting edges located at rear end side of each of a first external connecting part and a second external connecting part which separate external connecting parts not short-circuited among the external connecting parts are inserted therebetween are comprised. The short-circuit part is formed by upward or downward bending process, and has a curved part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Yuichiro Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20050185371
    Abstract: A plurality of specific external connecting parts can be short-circuited, without increasing the number of parts and mounting work. A plurality of external connecting parts provided in parallel to each other, and a short-circuit part for short-circuiting edges located at rear end side of each of a first external connecting part and a second external connecting part which separate external connecting parts not short-circuited among the external connecting parts are inserted therebetween are comprised. The short-circuit part is formed by upward or downward bending process, and has a curved part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Yuichiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6913492
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector device for card, which can easily take out plural kinds of cards of different shapes mounted in a predetermined mount position. The connector device 1 for card according to the present invention comprises a housing 2, and a card insertion opening 2a for inserting a first wide and thick card 15 and a second narrow and thin card 16 into the housing 2, wherein the housing 2 is provided with a first ejection mechanism for ejecting the first card 15 inserted into the housing and a second ejection mechanism for ejecting the second card 16, and the second ejection mechanism is movable to a position which does not interfere with the insertion of the first card 15 when the first card 15 is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Toshihisa Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6816386
    Abstract: A compact card connector having reduced width and thickness is provided for receiving an information card whereby the information card has a narrow step-like recess along one of its side edges and a sliding identifier mechanism provided in a concave cut in the step. The card connector includes a frame that receives the information card, and an identifier detecting means for detecting a sliding position of the identifier. The identifier detecting means includes a suitably placed fixed contact member and a movable contact member which are mounted on the frame, with part of the movable contact member forming a projection for detecting the sliding position of the identifier, whereby the projection lies in an area within the housing space through which the step-like recess of the card is to pass. As the information card is inserted into the housing space, the projection touches an upper surface of the step-like recess and/or that of the identifier and works in the concave cut in the step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Oguchi, Toru Wagatsuma, Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20040137794
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector device for card, which can easily take out plural kinds of cards of different shapes mounted in a predetermined mount position. The connector device 1 for card according to the present invention comprises a housing 2, and a card insertion opening 2a for inserting a first wide and thick card 15 and a second narrow and thin card 16 into the housing 2, wherein the housing 2 is provided with a first ejection mechanism for ejecting the first card 15 inserted into the housing and a second ejection mechanism for ejecting the second card 16, and the second ejection mechanism is movable to a position which does not interfere with the insertion of the first card 15 when the first card 15 is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa Kuroda, Toshihisa Matsushita
  • Patent number: 6739911
    Abstract: A first accommodating position and a second accommodating position differing in the extent of insertion of an SD card are set; and there are provided a first terminal section to be into contact with a group of external connection terminals of the SD card in the first accommodating position and a second terminal section to be in contact with the group of external connection terminals of the SD card in the second accommodating position. This makes it possible to place a shorter SD card in the first accommodating position and a longer SD card in the second accommodating position with the extent of outward protrusion of the card substantially reduced. If matching terminal pieces of the first and second terminal sections are electrically connected to each other by forming them as integrated units made of metal sheets or otherwise, the task of their fitting to an electronic apparatus per se can be simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Wagatsuma, Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6700788
    Abstract: A pressing member is provided in an accommodating section of a housing to suppress first connector terminals to press down contacts towards a bottom of the accommodating section; when a first card is inserted, a pressing member is not displaced but brings the contacts of the first connector terminals into contact with a contact terminal section of a first card; when a second card is inserted, a bottom face of the second card and the pressing member come into contact with each other to displace the pressing member; and the contacts of the first connector terminals are pressed down by that displacement to a position in which they do not come into contact with the bottom face of the second card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Matsushita, Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6699053
    Abstract: A card insertion portion provided at a front of a housing, and guide portions provided at both sides of the card insertion portion are provided, the card includes a first wide and thin card and a second card narrower and thicker than the first card, the maximum width of the card insertion portion is formed to be substantially equal to the width of the first card, the maximum thickness of the card insertion portion is formed to be substantially equal to the thickness of the second card, and the guide portion is provided with a first guide surface to come in contact with a side portion of the first card to guide the first card to an installation position, and a second guide surface to come in contact with a side portion of the second card to guide the second card to an installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6669493
    Abstract: An SD card is enabled to be selectively placed in a first accommodating position of a smaller insertion depth and a second accommodating position of a greater insertion depth, and there is also provided a shifting mechanism for shifting the SD card in a discharging direction. This makes it possible, for instance, to insert a longer SD card deep inward and stow it in the second accommodating position when the unit is to be carried by the user, and to bring the SD card more outward with the shifting mechanism and to place it in the first accommodating position when the antenna circuit or the like is to be used, resulting in enhanced convenience for use. If the shifting mechanism is provided with sliding members, a heart-shaped cam groove, engaging pins, energizing members and the like, the longer SD card can be easily and smoothly shifted from one accommodating position to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Patent number: 6641413
    Abstract: A slide member is provided with a presser plate portion for restraining a first connector terminal from protruding into a storage portion at a card ejection position, first fastening portions not coming in contact with a second card but coming in contact with only a first card, and a second fastening portion coming in contact with only a front end portion of the second card, and at a time of insertion of the second card, after the second card passes the first fastening portions to come in contact with the second fastening portion, the slide member is moved from the card ejection position to the card installation position, and the first connector terminal comes away from restraint of the presser plate portion and protrudes into the storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20030137819
    Abstract: A pressing member is provided in an accommodating section of a housing to suppress first connector terminals to press down contacts towards a bottom of the accommodating section; when a first card is inserted, a pressing member is not displaced but brings the contacts of the first connector terminals into contact with a contact terminal section of a first card; when a second card is inserted, a bottom face of the second card and the pressing member come into contact with each other to displace the pressing member; and the contacts of the first connector terminals are pressed down by that displacement to a position in which they do not come into contact with the bottom face of the second card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Matsushita, Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20030013336
    Abstract: A card insertion portion provided at a front of a housing, and guide portions provided at both sides of the card insertion portion are provided, the card includes a first wide and thin card and a second card narrower and thicker than the first card, the maximum width of the card insertion portion is formed to be substantially equal to the width of the first card, the maximum thickness of the card insertion portion is formed to be substantially equal to the thickness of the second card, and the guide portion is provided with a first guide surface to come in contact with a side portion of the first card to guide the first card to an installation position, and a second guide surface to come in contact with a side portion of the second card to guide the second card to an installation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20030013334
    Abstract: A slide member is provided with a presser plate portion for restraining a first connector terminal from protruding into a storage portion at a card ejection position, first fastening portions not coming in contact with a second card but coming in contact with only a first card, and a second fastening portion coming in contact with only a front end portion of the second card, and at a time of insertion of the second card, after the second card passes the first fastening portions to come in contact with the second fastening portion, the slide member is moved from the card ejection position to the card installation position, and the first connector terminal comes away from restraint of the presser plate portion and protrudes into the storage portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20020137378
    Abstract: An SD card is enabled to be selectively placed in a first accommodating position of a smaller insertion depth and a second accommodating position of a greater insertion depth, and there is also provided a shifting mechanism for shifting the SD card in a discharging direction. This makes it possible, for instance, to insert a longer SD card deep inward and stow it in the second accommodating position when the unit is to be carried by the user, and to bring the SD card more outward with the shifting mechanism and to place it in the first accommodating position when the antenna circuit or the like is to be used, resulting in enhanced convenience for use. If the shifting mechanism is provided with sliding members, a heart-shaped cam groove, engaging pins, energizing members and the like, the longer SD card can be easily and smoothly shifted from one accommodating position to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshimasa Kuroda
  • Publication number: 20020137375
    Abstract: A first accommodating position and a second accommodating position differing in the extent of insertion of an SD card are set; and there are provided a first terminal section to be into contact with a group of external connection terminals of the SD card in the first accommodating position and a second terminal section to be in contact with the group of external connection terminals of the SD card in the second accommodating position. This makes it possible to place a shorter SD card in the first accommodating position and a longer SD card in the second accommodating position with the extent of outward protrusion of the card substantially reduced. If matching terminal pieces of the first and second terminal sections are electrically connected to each other by forming them as integrated units made of metal sheets or otherwise, the task of their fitting to an electronic apparatus per se can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Wagatsuma, Yoshimasa Kuroda