Patents Issued in April 24, 2001
  • Patent number: 6220836
    Abstract: A clamp device for a hand air pump includes a sleeve including a first end securely attached to an output end of a cylinder of the hand air pump and a second end for receiving a valve of an article to be inflated, a plug mounted in the sleeve, a protective ring mounted between the sleeve and the plug such that the plug does not move when the sleeve rotates, and a nozzle communicating the output end of the cylinder with an interior of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Scott Wu
  • Patent number: 6220837
    Abstract: A progressing cavity pump adapted for use in pumping liquid/solid mixtures with a solid content of about 50% has a single start helical rotor and a two start helical stator bore. The ratio of the eccentricity of the rotor to its minor diameter is about 1:4.9. The ratio of the eccentricity of the rotor to the stator lead is about 1:13.3. The pump may be truck mounted and used for pumping explosives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mono Pumps Limited
    Inventor: Roger Lawton Naylor
  • Patent number: 6220838
    Abstract: The invention comprises a progressive cavity pump for pumping a flowable explosive composition or other heat-sensitive material comprising an inlet and an outlet; a stator that is meltable at or above a selected maximum pump operation temperature; a rotor, and a drive shaft connecting the rotor to a power source; wherein the stator will melt above the selected temperature to prevent the generation of temperatures within the pump high enough to create a hazard. The invention also relates to a method of safely pumping a flowable explosive composition or other heat-sensitive material comprising the use of a progressive cavity pump having a stator that is meltable above a selected maximum pump operation temperature for the similar result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dyno Nobel Inc.
    Inventor: Alfred M. Osborne
  • Patent number: 6220839
    Abstract: A scroll machine is provided with a muffler mounted to the fixed scroll of the scroll machine for improved sound attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Sheridan, Jeffrey W. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6220840
    Abstract: A fluid displacement apparatus is provided. The apparatus can be in the form of a scroll element for a scroll-type fluid compressor. The apparatus has first and second scrolls. The scrolls themselves, as well as the space between the scrolls may be defined by a spiral shape. The spiral shape may have either a constant pitch or a non-constant pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sanden International (U.S.A.), Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Calhoun, David W. McClung
  • Patent number: 6220841
    Abstract: In a displacement type fluid machine wherein a space is formed by the inner wall surface of a cylinder and the outer wall surface of a displacer when the center of the cylinder is located on the center of the displacer, and a plurality of working chambers is formed when the positional relationship between the displacer and cylinder is for a gyration, the wear is reduced between the cylinder and displacer. Sliding portions between the displacer 5 and a cylinder 4 are fed with a lubricating oil 12 by forming an oil-feeding groove 5c in the surface of the displacer 5 so as to extend from the central portion of the displacer 5 to the vicinity of a suction port 7a, and feeding the lubricating oil 12 from the central portion of the displacer 5, so that the wear can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kouno, Hirokatsu Kohsokabe, Masahiro Takebayashi, Shunichi Mitsuya, Shigetaro Tagawa, Yasuhiro Ohshima, Kingo Moriyama
  • Patent number: 6220842
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a production apparatus of expansion-molded articles, comprising a mold equipped with a foamed particle feeder having a foamed-particle feed opening and a compressed-air ejection nozzle opening toward the mold, by which foamed particles contained in a hopper is filled into the mold through the foamed-particle feed opening by ejecting compressed air from the compressed-air ejection nozzle and then heated to expand them, and the foamed particles thus expanded are then cooled, thereby producing an expansion-molded article, wherein the apparatus is equipped with a compressed-air discharge orifice opening toward the foamed particle filling side of the apparatus in the course of a foamed-particle supply line connecting the hopper to the foamed-particle feed opening. An auxiliary member for transfer of foamed particles used in the production apparatus, and a production method of expansion-molded articles using this apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignees: JSP Corporation, Yuugen Kaisha Ikeda Kakou, Yuugen Kaisha Mikku
    Inventors: Makoto Kamiyama, Hideo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6220843
    Abstract: A segmented die assembly comprises a plurality of side-by-side and separate units. Each die unit, includes a manifold segment and a die module mounted thereon. The manifold segments are interconnected and function to deliver process air and polymer melt to the modules. Each module including a nozzle through which the polymer melt is extruded forming a row of filament(s). The filaments from the array of modules are deposited on a substrate or collector. The die assembly is preferably used to apply a hot melt adhesive to a substrate, but also may be used to produce meltblown webs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Allen
  • Patent number: 6220844
    Abstract: There is provided a vulcanization mold for a pneumatic tire having a lug type or rib-lug type tread pattern, wherein a portion of the mold contributing to the formation of the tread pattern is comprised of many segments of n types (n=2 to 4), and these segments are combined so as to have at least (n+1) types of pitches each defined by an interval between mutual adjoining protrusions located on the same circumference and a difference between mutual pitches of not less than 0.5 as an index when a maximum value of the pitch is 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventor: Akio Kusano
  • Patent number: 6220845
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace Anthony Martin, Jonathan Patrick Adams, Kaj Bjerre, Svend Christensen, Ture Kindt-Larsen, Craig William Walker, Daniel Tsu-Fang Wang, Michael Francis Widman, Stephen Craig Pegram
  • Patent number: 6220846
    Abstract: An apparatus for conferring a cup shape to the terminal junction segment of pipes that are bi-axially oriented longitudinally and circumferentially and hence very sensitive to diameter and length reduction through heat. The apparatus includes a furnace which heats the segment to a differentiated temperature, increasing towards the end of the segment such that the inner diameter of the terminal segment progressively drops down to a controlled value as temperature increases (whilst length is simultaneously reduced, with a corresponding increase in thickness of the wall of the terminal segment). Preferably then, in an appropriate station, an additional heating is executed to a plastic deformation temperature suited to obtain a correct preliminary dilation of the terminal segment upon introducing a rigid element which acts as inner contrast, thereby inhibiting any retraction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SICA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Leopoldo Savioli, Lauro Pezzi, Giorgio Tabanelli
  • Patent number: 6220847
    Abstract: From such a state that the steady running of a kneading extruder is temporarily stopped in the heating state where it is supplied with resin material, the operation of a cutter device (5) is stopped, the heating quantity of a die (2) is reduced, and an external surface (2a) of the die is covered with cooling water, the heating quantity of the die (2) is increased so that softened resin material filling the inside of the nozzles (7) is melted, and the cutter device (5) as well as the kneading extruder are started to be driven at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: The Japan Steel Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshida, Hideki Mizuguchi, Nobuhisa Kobayashi, Masaharu Ishida
  • Patent number: 6220848
    Abstract: A locking and opening device for an injection moulding die, particularly for processing highly liquid melted plastic material, provides a technically simple, low cost mechanism to lock the die and limit elements located above workbench level or mould level, when the device is arranged vertically. To achieve this, clamping pins hold one moulding die in a closed position in relation to an overlying moulding die and which can be axially displaced into a closed or open position by means of a sliding element associated with each clamping pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Optimel Schmelzgusstecgnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thorsten Kaselow, Christian Schulz
  • Patent number: 6220849
    Abstract: A sheet-decorating injection molding machine (10) comprises: a female mold (12) having a hollow (13) and a parting surface (14) surrounding the hollow (13); a male mold (25) disposed opposite to the female mold (12) to hold a decorative sheet (S) between the female and the male mold (12, 25) and provided with runners (27) and gates (28) through which a molten resin is injected into a cavity defined by the female mold (12) and the male mold (25). The parting surface (14) of the female mold (12) includes a substantially convex, curved surface. A sheet feed mechanism (5) comprises a driving-and-guiding mechanism including sprocket wheels (41, 42, 43, 44, 45) and a stepping geared motor (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Atake
  • Patent number: 6220850
    Abstract: An injection molding machine, and stack assembly, employing a novel mold gate insert that can decrease the cycle time of the machine, and crystallinity and other defects in the mold gate area of plastic articles. A mold gate insert is described that is formed in two pieces. A first portion of the insert can forms a gate land for valve gated machines, and can thermally shield the nozzle tip. This first portion is made of a wear resistant material having a relatively low thermal conductivity, such as H13 tool steel. A second portion of the insert forms a section of the mold cavity and is made of a relatively highly thermally conductive material, such as beryllium copper. During the cooling phase of the injection cycle, the second portion provides rapid dissipation of heat to cool the section of the mold cavity, while the first portion creates a thermal barrier to shield the nozzle tip from the cooling of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce Catoen, Roberto D. Sicilia, Janet Lee
  • Patent number: 6220851
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for injecting molten plastic material includes a nozzle assembly through which plastic material flows and including a nozzle body with a heater affixed thereto. A mold cavity plate is positioned adjacent the nozzle body and is separable from the nozzle body so that separation of the mold cavity plate from the nozzle body exposes the nozzle body and permits removal of the nozzle body and the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward J. Jenko
  • Patent number: 6220852
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the flame exit velocity of a high velocity burner. The burner includes burner combustor chamber having a fluid accelerating nozzle and a burner combustor exhaust port. Fuel is delivered to the burner combustor through a fuel inlet. An ignitor is provided to initiate combustion of the fuel which is mixed with air from an air inlet. An adjusting device is provided to vary the flame exit area of the burner. The adjusting device includes an adjusting rod connected to an extension rod which preferably extends through the burner ignition chamber to the burner combustion exit port. For example, a tapered plug is attached to the end of the extension rod. The tapered plug is tapered in a direction decreasing toward the burner combustion exit port and can include fins attached around a periphery of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hauck Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward E. Moore
  • Patent number: 6220853
    Abstract: A disposable childproof lighter includes an ignition means which including a flint supported by a resilient element, a striker wheel, a pair of driven gear elements each coaxially mounted on a side of the striker wheel, and a pair of driving caps each coaxially mounted between the driven gear element and the striker wheel in freely rotating manner. Each driving cap includes a driving cavity formed on an outer side thereof for receiving a gear wheel of the driven gear element in rotatable manner. A plurality of driving teeth are spacedly provided on an inner circumferential surface of the driving cavity for engaging with a plurality of driven gear teeth spacedly provided on an outer circumferential surface of the driven gear element when a downward force is applied to the two driving caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Ying Wen Luo
  • Patent number: 6220854
    Abstract: The present invention is a gas appliance comprising a burner, a conduit, a control circuit, and a valve. The burner is adapted to burn a fuel and producing a flame. The conduit is connected to a source of the fuel and adapted to convey the fuel to a burner. The valve is interposed on the conduit between the source of fuel and the burner and is in electrical communication with the control circuit. The control circuit is adapted to provide a pulse width modulated signal to the valve whereby the valve provides a substantially linear flow rate of fuel to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Convenience Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Clifford, Jeffrey A. Benz, Michael T. Mills
  • Patent number: 6220855
    Abstract: A candle stand and wax recycling assembly for capturing, retaining, and forming wax run-off from a first candle as the first candle burns during use. The candle stand and wax recycling assembly includes a platform assembly adapted for supporting a first candle, a receptacle coupled beneath said platform assembly adapted for receiving melted wax, a wick member, and a wick holding assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Steven K. Asheim
  • Patent number: 6220856
    Abstract: A device for the orthodontic and/or orthopedic correction in a dental arch. The device includes at least one thrust or traction element attached to a first set of teeth at one end a second set of teeth at an opposite end. The thrust or traction element includes a pair of telescopically engaged elongated members, a pair of stops, and a spring. At least one of the stops can be adjusted in an axial direction of the elongated members to regulate the amount of compression in the spring. The thrust or traction forces are exerted at a level of the basal gingiva and attached to the teeth of the first and second sets as close to the cervical zone as possible. The device permits expansion and contraction of the dental arch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arch, as well as lengthening and shortening of the dental arch in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Micerium S.R.L.
    Inventors: Aldo Carano, Mauro Testa
  • Patent number: 6220857
    Abstract: An orthodontic securing element has a base and at least one holder which is arranged on the base. A cover which covers over the base and the holder is secured to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Norbert Abels
  • Patent number: 6220858
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for placement of light curable dental fillings. The apparatus includes a matrix formed of light transparent material and shaped to conform to the natural contour of a tooth in the interproximal zone. The matrix is thinned in its central regions to permit a filling to be made which has close contact with an adjacent tooth. A light transparent wedge has also been invented which selectively conducts light to the base of the tooth preparation and which can be used to conduct light interproximally which light has been applied at either end of the wedge. A clamp has been invented for use with the wedge and/or matrix or for use independently of these devices. The clamp is formed to fit over the top portion of the wedge to enhance engagement against the tooth over previous clamps which are prevented from extending over the tooth by engagement against the top of the wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Mercor Dental Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. McKenna, Anthony M. Hague
  • Patent number: 6220859
    Abstract: A socket for removably receiving an end of a dental saliva ejector tube includes a central body having a first end forming a port for being coupled to a vacuum hose. The central body includes a passage extending therethrough from the first end toward a second opposing end. An elastic sleeve is secured over the second end of the central body for receiving the end of the dental saliva ejector tube. A pair of spreader members are secured to the elastic sleeve. A pair of levers are pivotally secured about the central body and are actuated by the user to pull the spreader members apart, thereby distending the opening of the elastic sleeve to more easily receive the dental saliva ejector tube. To prevent the dental saliva ejector tube from becoming dislodged from the socket during use, a rib may extend about the lower end of the dental saliva ejector tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Elliott S. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 6220860
    Abstract: Dental implant (10) for rotation into the bone tissue of a jaw bone consisting of a body having an axis of rotation, a coronal end surface (5), an apical end surface (1) and a generally cylindrical section (7) which has a coronal edge coincident with, or in close proximity to, the coronal end surface and an outer peripheral surface which extends apically towards the apical end surface from the coronal edge. The outer peripheral surface is presented by a circumferentially-oriented roughness (19) comprising a series of circumferentially-oriented peaks which are axially spaced apart by troughs and oriented at an inclined angle to the axis of rotation. The height from the troughs to the peaks throughout the circumferentially-oriented roughness is greater than 0.2 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Astra Aktienbolag
    Inventor: Stig Hansson
  • Patent number: 6220861
    Abstract: An osseo-integrated dental implant comprising a band is disclosed. The band is spaced apart from an upper end of a root of the implant at a predetermined distance and which is highly polished in a circumferential direction. Preferably, the band is concavely formed and is located between one-third position and two-third position of overall length of the root from the upper end of the root of the implant. When there is a failure of treatment caused by loss of surrounding bone of cervical portion of the implant, the implant with peri-implantitis in progress can be easily treated and then the longevity of the implant can be lengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Jong Jin Kwon, Young Keun Hyun
  • Patent number: 6220862
    Abstract: A stratified material (S, S′) for a support part for dental prosthetic element or prosthesis comprising at least one first layer (5) of a fibrous tissue that is hardenable or has been already crosslinked or optionally hardened previously, or impregnated with crosslinked agents or synthetic material is connected at least partially and at least on one side to a second layer (4) of a rigid or soft material, for instance a synthetic material or silicone. The material is moldable and can be adapted specially to the model of a maxillary (1), a duplicate of a maxillary model or a maxillary. In the supporting body including such a stratified material, the second layer (4) is placed on the side facing the maxillary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Fernando Casellini, Renzo Casellini
  • Patent number: 6220863
    Abstract: A root canal filling material is disclosed, including (A) from 1 to 50% by weight of guttapercha and/or trans-polyisoprene, (B) from 0.1 to 10%, by weight of polybutene having a number average molecular weight of from 600 to 4,000, (C) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of ester gum, (D) from 0.1 to 20%, by weight of paraffin wax, and (E) from 10 to 95% by weight of one or two or more inorganic fillers selected from zinc oxide, barium sulfate and calcium hydroxide. The root canal filling material of the invention has high adhesion to root canal walls and a sufficient working time and can be used in a method of filling a root canal upon heat softening during the root canal treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: GC Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kamohara, Nobutaka Watanabe, Masao Abiru
  • Patent number: 6220864
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an interactive role playing kit and method for exploring social, man-made or natural environments. The kit includes pictorial representations of members of an environment, such as individuals of a given race, gender or culture, a mirror, and a mask allowing an individual to assume an identity which can be viewed by reflection in the mirror. The kit may also be provided with a display stand and carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventor: Valerie Walawender
  • Patent number: 6220865
    Abstract: A simulated training method in which groups of users interactively control user controllable images to make idiosyncratic, simulated physical movements. Preferred embodiments include user controllable images executing simulated physical movements in competition, opposition, coordination and sport activities. Means are provided to evaluate relative effectiveness of movements between groups of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Vincent J. Macri, Paul Zilber, Robert O. Magaw
  • Patent number: 6220866
    Abstract: An electronic auscultation system and method for simulating sounds arising from human organs for use in an anatomical simulation device including a patient simulating mannequin torso, a plurality of electro-magnetic transmitters having antenna coils positioned in predetermined locations relative to said torso beneath the torso surface and each transmitter being connected to one or more computer sound cards which, upon activation, generate signals from prerecorded sound data which generates the appropriate sounds of human organs based on the transmitter location. The system utilizes a simulated stethoscope that includes a receiver and/or sensing triggering devices so that the stethoscope can determine particular areas on the torso to define the appropriate sound generated such that the system knows where the stethoscope is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Eagle Simulation, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg J. Amend, Craig S. Tinker
  • Patent number: 6220867
    Abstract: This invention relates to a join-structure of high-density connector and interface module comprising a dielectric housing unit, a plurality of terminals, an interface card, a retention mechanism, and a motherboard, wherein the join-structure includes a lateral contact and a plate contact type. In the lateral contact type, terminals in upper layer and lower layer are punched and aligned in a single material feeding band in staggered arrangement, and the terminals in the material feeding band can be folded at connection strips to stand in two rows. As to plate contact type, two-layer terminals are cross-inserted to fixing roots, which are designed in two-section manner and supported at two turning points with enhancing protruded strips. The terminals are plugged and fixed in reception grooves of the dielectric housing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Win Win Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tien-Ching Tsai
  • Patent number: 6220868
    Abstract: A card edge connector comprises an insulative housing having a mating face and a mounting face and a plurality of different kinds of conductive contacts. The housing defines an elongate slot in the mating face for receiving a mating edge of a circuit board having an unequal number of conductive pads on opposite faces of the mating edge. The housing also defines a plurality of aligned, transverse cavities on each side thereof for receiving the different kinds of conductive contacts therein. At least two kinds of different contacts are received in the transverse cavities of one side of the housing and a smaller number of contacts are received in the cavities of the opposite side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Chun Pei, Yao-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 6220869
    Abstract: Disclosed is an area array connector adapted to connect contact pads on one generally planar circuit element to corresponding contact pads on another generally planar circuit element. The connector has an insulative contact mounting sheet having a plurality of contact mounting apertures therein. A plurality of electrically conducting contacts are mounted in the contact mounting apertures, each contact having contact pad engaging legs resiliently projecting away from opposite faces of the contact mounting sheet. Two insulative contact securing sheets are provided, one laminated to each face of the contact mounting sheet, each contact securing sheet having apertures therein to accommodate the resiliently projecting legs of the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Airborn, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Grant, Herbert J. McEvoy
  • Patent number: 6220870
    Abstract: An I/C chip socket is provided with a separate docking platform having a seating surface with an array of locator openings for receiving and fixing the position of the I/O contacts of an I/C chip such as the solder balls of a BGA. The docking platform is depressibly mounted in the base portion of the socket over the tips of an array of pogo pins. The docking platform acts to precisely center the I/O contacts of the I/C chip seated thereon with the pogo pin tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Cerprobe Corporation
    Inventors: Nasser Barabi, Siamak Jonaidi
  • Patent number: 6220871
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first connector having a plurality of electric contacts and a second connector having a plurality of electric contact elements which are to be contacted with the electric contacts of the first connector when the first and second connectors are connected. A board of the second connector which supports its electric contact elements is formed with slits closely surrounding the respective electric contact elements. Preferably, the board consists of a first board formed with the slits described above and a second board formed with an opening having an area corresponding to the whole area of the first board provided with the electric contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: DDK Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonari Otsuki, Yasue Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 6220872
    Abstract: A modular power supply, having a standard structure to engage with a variety of sockets, includes a casing, a circuit board and a plural number of sockets. The casing has an upper case engageable with a lower case to house the circuit board in between. The circuit board has circuits to convert alternate current into direct current and a connector room at one end thereof for engaging with a socket. In the connector room, there are provided with a pair of spaced terminal seats which has a standard interval in between, and a ground seat. The sockets can include a two-port socket, a three-port socket and a coaxial socket. Each socket has two terminals with the standard interval for engaging with the terminal seats. The three-port socket further has a ground terminal which is engageable with the ground seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Delta Electronics
    Inventor: Chun-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6220873
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interface module, such as a Giga-Bit Interface Converter module, provided to mate within a host device chassis where, at the rear of the mounting slot, a first connector engages a host socket of the host device. According to the invention, the first connector include sequential mating contact traces on a contact beam of a substrate such that when the module is inserted into the corresponding host socket, certain contacts are connected in a pre-defined sequence such that a first set of contacts electrically engages prior to a second set of contacts which electrically engages prior to a third set of contacts. In further accord with the present invention, the first set of contacts includes grounding contacts, the second set includes contacts for powering the substrate and the third set includes signal contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis M. Samela, Raul Medina, Joseph R. Llorens
  • Patent number: 6220874
    Abstract: A wire harness assembly including a wire harness and a junction box. The junction box contains a plurality of junction box terminals and it also carries an attachment unit projecting outwardly. The attachment unit has a plurality of openings in its outer surface through which the junction box terminals project. One end of the terminals is in contact with the internal circuit of the junction box and the other is a pair of cutting blades into which the wire is inserted. An intermediate section of the wires is attached in accordance with the foregoing, and the ends are inserted into a plurality of connection boxes. The openings may be in multiple rows, offset transversely from each other. This permits inclusion of a large number of terminals in a relatively small space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Kurata, Nobuhiro Takada
  • Patent number: 6220875
    Abstract: An electrical connection box 1 containing at least one generally planar base insulative plate 4 having two flat surfaces. There is at least one busbar 5 on or adjacent the first surface which is capable of electrical contact with a plurality of insulated wires 6. The busbar has one or more pressure connection sections 10 which include a pair of blades 11 which cut through the insulation on the wires 6 and make electrical contact therewith. The insulated wires are straight, parallel to each other, and are located in the wire concentration section 15 which is on or adjacent the second surface of the base insulative plate 4. The wire concentration section 15 and the pressure connection section 10 are in register with each other and openings 17 are provided in the base insulative plate through which the blades 11 can project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Kawakita
  • Patent number: 6220876
    Abstract: An integrated BEDC and PCB provided through a low cost, highly reliable interconnect system. The upper and/or lower half of the main insulation assembly of a BEDC is provided with a recess for accommodating at least an edge portion of the substrate of a PCB. The PCB is provided with apertures such as holes for receiving therethrough a bus wire and/or terminal slots through which terminals having wire slots are fixedly staked. The apertures on the PCB are arranged in a predetermined pattern so as to align with corresponding respective apertures in the form of corresponding holes and/or terminal slots on the BEDC at the recess thereof. Accordingly, with the PCB seated in the recess, as the bus wires are laid, they will pass through the holes in the PCB and/or pass through the wire slots of the terminals and thereby provide interconnection therebetween when the two halves of the main insulation assembly are united and the PCB is sandwiched therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andres Eduardo Avila, David Jay Vess, Kevin Joseph Hawes, Joseph Howard Gladd, Dominic Carano, Richard Alan Natoli
  • Patent number: 6220877
    Abstract: A monolithic terminal interface for supporting, and establishing electrical contact to, components such as relays and fuses includes a terminal board fabricated from a self-supporting sheet of resilient, electrically insulating material. The terminal board includes one or more terminal sockets, each being defined by a terminal slot formed through the board. The terminal slot creates opposed contact beams which include contact portions spaced by a distance less than the thickness of a terminal. The contact portions of the contact beams engage a terminal inserted therebetween, and because of the resilient nature of the material of the board, maintain contact pressure with the terminal. A pattern of metalization extends across at least one face of the board and into the terminal slot so as to cover the contact regions in this manner, electrical contact can be established through the conductive metal pattern to a terminal inserted in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Alexander, Stefano Spadoni
  • Patent number: 6220878
    Abstract: A robust optoelectronic transceiver module which provides for static discharge and is quick, easy, and inexpensive to manufacture. The transceiver module has a main housing which consists of a potting box with potting material inserted therein. In addition, a circuit board is encased by the potting material. The circuit board has an optical subassembly mounted thereon. The optical subassembly extends outside of the potting box through a recess. Correspondingly, a recess cover is provided for forming a liquid tight seal between the recess cover, the potting box, and the optical subassembly. Furthermore, the module provides electrically conductive latches which are conductively connected, via tabs for forming an electrical connection, to a grounded structure, such as a computer chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Poplawski, Patrick B. Gilliland, Alan J. Wallenberg
  • Patent number: 6220879
    Abstract: A module carrier with a plug module (2) can be moved into and out of a rear final position (10) with an insertion and removal grip (5). A spring-actuated lock (12) at the front side (7), which secures the insertion and removal grip in the rear final position, actuates a switching element (11) for an active switching of the plug module after an effective locking position has been reached. A pressing down of the lock (12) effects a passive switching in the locked state before the insertion and removal grip (5) is unlocked after a further displacement distance of the lock and mechanically stores the unlocking in cooperation with lock (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: ELMA Electric AG
    Inventor: Daniele Ulrich
  • Patent number: 6220880
    Abstract: An electric outlet includes a socket holder formed of a bottom shell and a top cover shell, a plurality of metal terminal holders respectively installed in the socket holder for connection to power supply, and a plurality of sockets respectively installed in respective socket receiving holes on the top cover shell of the socket holder, each socket including a socket body, the socket body having a top face panel for receiving an electric plug, spring hooks for positioning in one socket receiving hole on the top cover shell, and three bottom through holes, a positive terminal metal contact plate and a negative terminal metal contact plate and a grounding metal contact plate respectively mounted inside the socket body and aimed at respective plug insertion slots on the face panel, a plurality of metal frames mounted inside the socket body and respectively connected to the positive and negative terminal metal contact plates and the grounding metal contact plate, the metal frames each having a horizontal wire hole
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Chiu-Shan Lee, S. S. Chen Li
  • Patent number: 6220881
    Abstract: A card edge connector is provided. This card edge connector comprises: a first connector housing and a second connector housing to be inserted into a connector receiving chamber provided with a wiring substrate having terminal connecting portions; a plurality of terminals each having an elastic contact segment provided with a contact portion; assisting members (spring members) for helping the elastic contact segments to resist separation of the first connector housing and the second connector housing in the connector receiving chamber; and a holding mechanism provided to the first connector housing and the second connector housing for holding the assisting members by engaging them with the rotary support axes and the bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Murakami, Masaya Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6220882
    Abstract: An IC connector is adapted for connecting an IC card having a terminal array. The connector includes a base member having a plurality of electrically conductive contacts for engaging the terminal array of the IC card. A cover is mounted on the base member for pivotal movement toward and away from one side of the base member. The cover has a receptacle means for securing the IC card thereon. The IC card is received for sliding movement relative to the cover between a preload position and a latched position. A biasing shoulder on the base member slides the IC card from its preload position to its latched position in response to closing of the cover. A latch on the base member engages the IC card in its latched position to lock the cover and IC card in a closed position on the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: George M. Simmel, Yew Teck Yap, Malgorzata M. Firlej
  • Patent number: 6220883
    Abstract: Docking of a notebook computer having an underside docking connector is facilitated by a depressible ramp at a docking station. The computer is slid onto the ramp and guided into a prescribed position. The user then actuates a lever which lowers the ramp and computer. As the computer and ramp move downward, the computer's docking connector mates to a docking connector in the docking station. The computer includes guide tracks and an alignment member along the undersurface of the computer housing. The docking station includes rails and an alignment member corresponding to the guide tracks and alignment member of the computer. Alternative to moving a ramp, is a rotatable docking connector moved by a lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Jacques H. Helot, Michael D. Derocher
  • Patent number: 6220884
    Abstract: A BGA socket comprises an insulative cover and a base. The base defines a plurality of passageways therein. A plurality of triangular plates projects from edges of the base. A barb is formed on an edge of each triangular plate. The cover defines a plurality of apertures therein for receiving a plurality of terminals. A plurality of elongate standoffs is formed on a bottom surface of the cover with an opening defined in a lateral face of each standoff. The barbs of the base are slidably received in the slots of the cover thereby connecting the base and the cover together. The standoffs of the cover extend beyond a bottom surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nick Lin
  • Patent number: 6220885
    Abstract: A plug engagement apparatus for engaging and conducting electricity into an electric plug having plug prongs, the prongs having prong free ends with prong openings includes a prong retaining mechanism for receiving and retaining at least one of the plug prongs; and a slide bolt structure including at least one locking bolt and a locking bolt constraining structure for constraining the locking bolt to slide relative to the prong retaining mechanism and into the prong opening in the plug prong, so that the plug prong is engaged against removal from the prong retaining mechanism, and where the locking bolt constraining structure constrains the locking bolt to slide relative to the prong retaining mechanism and out of the prong opening in the plug prong, so that the plug prong is released and removable from the prong retaining mechanism; where the locking bolt constraining structure includes a mounting structure, so that the locking bolt constraining structure constrains the slide bolt structure to slide relative
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Inventors: Gary Lemberger, Michael M. Anthony