Patents Issued in January 15, 2002
  • Patent number: 6338601
    Abstract: A punch rivet (1) has a cutting edge (6) which is arranged on the end face of its rivet shank (2) and is formed in the cutting region by an outer face (5) extending parallel to the axis and a conical inner face (4) of the rivet shank (2). The outer face (5) extends continuously parallel to the axis over the entire rivet shank (2) and the punch rivet (1) is provided with the same cutting edges (6, 7) on either side in an axially symmetrical design in the form of a tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Emhart Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Mauer, Robert Volnhals, Reinhold Opper
  • Patent number: 6338602
    Abstract: The retaining element represented in the figures preferably includes of a receiver cage manufactured of hard elastic plastic, having an inner wall which may bear against a bolt, and a retaining arm formed on the side of the receiver cage opposite the inner wall to be elastically springy. The retaining arm is directed toward the opposite inner wall at an obtuse angle, counter to the press-down direction (A) of the receiver cage on the bolt, with the clearance of the retaining edge from the inner wall being less than the outer diameter of a bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: A Raymond & Cie
    Inventor: Stephane Gombert
  • Patent number: 6338603
    Abstract: A conveyer carries in series sheets of card or the like, having rectangular central apertures. When a layer of adhesive has been applied, a portion of flexible strip, which is wider than the central aperture, is applied to the central part of the lower face of each sheet. There is deposited on the lower face of this strip portion a layer of adhesive which is narrower than the central aperture, and a strip of card or the like is then applied to this layer. The inlet and outlet margins of each sheet are then sheared along parallel cutting lines which intersect the central aperture at right angles. When the corners have been trimmed, the margins of the sheets can then be turned over and stuck to the lower face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Finlega S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco F. Cerruti
  • Patent number: 6338604
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for latching a lid of a clean box having a box body opening at one surface and a lid for closing the opening includes a latch member pivotal about a shaft mounted on the box body, a latch engagement portion provided on the lid for engaging with the latch member in its predetermined pivotal position, and a biasing member for biasing the latch member toward the latch engagement portion. A guide surface is provided in a portion, facing outwardly, of the opening of the box body of the latch member. When the clean box is installed on a load port, the guide surface is brought into a pressing contact with the latch guide provided in the load port so that the latch member pivots to release the latch of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okabe, Hiroshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 6338605
    Abstract: A tractor (20) for unloading a trailer (12) from a railcar (14) is disclosed. The tractor (20) comprises a trigger actuator (34) and a bumper (30). The trigger actuator (34) is fixably mounted to the tractor (20) and remains stationary. The bumper (30) of the tractor (20) may be operated between an extended position and a retracted position. When the bumper (30) is in the extended position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to a stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) does not engage the trigger of the stanchion (16). When the bumper (30) is in the retracted position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to the stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) engages the trigger (28) of the stanchion (16) to operate the stanchion (16) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby transferring the trailer (12) from the stanchion (16) to the tractor (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kalmar Industries USA Inc.
    Inventors: Merlin B. Halverson, Henry Lamb
  • Patent number: 6338606
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking curved, triangular snack food chips, e.g., tortilla chips, for packaging in a sleeve-type container. The chips are fed into a first, U-shaped vibratory chute, which automatically causes the apex corners of the chips to extend beyond the opposing base edges of adjacent chips and which automatically orients the chips such that lines about which they are curved are oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the U-shaped chute. The chips are then fed into a W-shaped chute, with the chips facing in opposite directions falling automatically into opposite troughs of the W-shaped chute. The chips are then automatically reoriented by 120° such that their upturned apex corners point in the direction of travel, and the chips are stacked automatically as they slide up along one another in a shingled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk, Steven D. Braithwaite, John J. Michels
  • Patent number: 6338607
    Abstract: A palletizer (10) for stacking a series of items on a pallet (P), the palletizer (10) including a pallet hoist (34) for supporting a stuck of pallets therein; a pallet lift mechanism (82) mounted for vertical movement within the pallet hoist (34) adjacent to and relative to the stack of pallets (P), the pallet lift assembly (82) including a pair of spaced, opposed pallet support members (110) mounted on the pallet lift assembly (82) for movement between a retracted position wherein there is clearance between the pallet support member (110) and the stack of pallets, and an extended position wherein the pallet support member (110) is in an interference position relative to the stack of pallets; a top frame dispenser (38) for supporting a supply of top frames (T); and a carriage for moving pallets and top frames from the pallet hoist (34) and the top frame dispenser (38), respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Arrowhead Systems LLC
    Inventors: Patris E. Vincent, Brian E. Busse
  • Patent number: 6338608
    Abstract: A part transporting apparatus comprises a guiding groove for lining up parts in one row and guiding the parts; a transporting member which is provided at the base of the guiding groove and transports the parts in a forward direction by itself moving forwards and backwards along the groove; and a driving means for reciprocally driving the transporting member in the forward and backward directions; wherein the transporting member is advanced slowly and retracted rapidly, so as to transport the parts forwards. Provided to this arrangement are: a stopper which operates so as to open and close in the width direction of the guiding groove, and hold the second part from the front of the row of parts being transported on the upper plane of the transporting member; and a shutter for opening and closing at the tip of the guiding groove, so as to cover the space above the first part in the row so as to prevent the part from flying out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeki Takahashi, Nihei Kaishita, Akira Nemoto
  • Patent number: 6338609
    Abstract: A compressor casing includes an axially convex inner surface for surrounding a row of rotor blades with radial gaps therebetween. The tip of the blades complement the casing contour for reducing blade tip losses and flow blockage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John J. Decker, Andrew Breeze-Stringfellow
  • Patent number: 6338610
    Abstract: The present invention provides a centrifugal turbomachinery having a good performance which can effectively reduce the secondary flow in the flow passage of the impeller and minimize the loss caused by the secondary flow without an excessive increase in manufacturing cost. An impeller has a plurality of blades (3) between an inlet (6a) at a central portion and an exit (6b) at a peripheral portion, and a flow passage formed between the blades for delivering fluid from the impeller inlet to the impeller exit by rotation the impeller. The blade (3) is leaned toward a circumferential direction so that the blade at the hub side (2) precedes the blade at the shroud side (4) in a rotational direction of the impeller. A blade lean angle, defined as an angle between the blade and a surface perpendicular to a hub surface as viewed from the direction of the exit, shows a decreasing tendency from the inlet to the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Hideomi Harada, Shin Konomi
  • Patent number: 6338611
    Abstract: A fan blade includes an airfoil having a root and an integral platform. The platform includes forward and aft ends and arcuate first and second sides therebetween. The airfoil root is laterally offset closer to the platform first side than the second side. Impact loads with a trailing blade during a blade-out failure are accordingly distributed for reducing peak loading in the trailing blade and damage thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard Joseph Anderson, Jeffrey Howard Nussbaum, Juan Mario Gomez
  • Patent number: 6338612
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump system having a pump for pressurizing fluid and a hydraulic chamber for receiving fluid from the pump. An even flow of fluid is outputted from the chamber to a valve assembly. The chamber is formed from a resonator and a resonator cover that are attached in a fluid tight manner by elastic fasteners. The resonator cover acts as a pressure controller in that when the pressure of fluid is of sufficient magnitude, this force creates a gap for controlling fluid pressure output to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Robert Spillner, Hans-Willi Gerigk
  • Patent number: 6338613
    Abstract: A housing includes a crank chamber and cylinder bores. Pistons are accommodated in the cylinder bores. A drive shaft is supported by the housing to pass through the crank chamber. A lug plate is fixed to the drive shaft. The pistons are coupled to the lug plate, which converts rotation of the drive shaft into reciprocation of the pistons and compresses gas in the cylinder bores. A thrust bearing is located between the housing and the lug plate and transmits a thrust load applied to the lug plate. The thrust bearing includes a front race located next to the housing, a rear race located next to the lug plate, and rollers located between the front and rear races. A front seat for supporting the front race is formed on the housing. A rear seat for supporting the rear race is formed on the lug plate. The diameters of the front and rear seats are different, which causes elastic deformation of the races when a thrust load is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Takuya Okuno, Tetsuhiko Fukanuma, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Hiroshi Kubo
  • Patent number: 6338614
    Abstract: Lubricating oil leakage in a turbocharger is reduced through the use of a gland seal having multiple channels in the gland face formed by ribs extending radially in a spiral or herringbone pattern for enhanced maximum pumping effect and minimized hoop stress related fatigue failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Duane LaRue
  • Patent number: 6338615
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pipe switch for a dual-cylinder thick-liquid pump, wherein said system comprises a pivoting pivot pipe (36) located in the front of a glasses-like wear plate (34) on the cylinder side as well as a wear ring (38) which is capable of limited axial displacement at the end of the pivot pipe (36) on the cylinder side. The ring can be pressed against the wear plate (34) by the hydrostatic pressure existing inside said pivot pipe. The wear ring 38 has a centering portion (46) guided on an axis-parallel centering surface (42) of the pivot pipe (36) as well as a sealing part (54) resting against the wear plate (34) through an abutment surface (52) on the cylinder side. The pivot pipe (36) and the sealing part (54) of the wear ring (38) have annular surfaces (56, 58) which face each other and which are axially spaced from one another by an annular gap (59) opened towards the inside of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Putzmeister Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hellmut Hurr, Hartmut Benckert, Karl Schlecht
  • Patent number: 6338616
    Abstract: A screw rotor compressor is provided that includes two mutually coacting helical screw rotors and a rotor housing (1). The housing (1) includes a first end wall (2) and a second end wall (3) and a barrel wall (7, 11) that interconnects the end walls. The housing (1) has internally the shape of two mutually intersecting cylinders and the first end wall (2) includes an inlet opening (19). The barrel wall (7, 11) includes an outlet opening (6) adjacent the second end wall (3), and also includes a further opening (9) which extends from the outlet opening (6) towards the first end wall (2) and widens over the two mutually intersecting cylinders of the internal shape of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Lysholm Technologies AB
    Inventor: Arnold Englund
  • Patent number: 6338617
    Abstract: A helical-blade fluid machine maintains a low-pressure atmosphere in a closed casing (1) and secures a proper lubrication state for a compression mechanism (9). The fluid machine has a drive mechanism (7) that is installed at an upper or lower part of the casing and consists of a stator (11) and a rotor (15). The compression mechanism is installed at the other part of the casing. The compression mechanism has a cylinder (23) and a roller (25), which is swayed with respect to the cylinder by the drive mechanism. A helical blade (39) having unequal pitches is arranged on the roller, to define compression chambers (41). This arrangement lowers the head of lubricant. An intake pipe (5) feeds gas into the casing so that a low-pressure atmosphere fills the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Makoto Hayano, Hirotsugu Sakata, Akira Morishima, Masao Ozu
  • Patent number: 6338618
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming an article from at least one layer of formable material includes a mold for receiving the at least one layer of formable material. The mold has first and second thin mold sections and a seal associated with at least one of the mold sections for effecting a sufficiently sealed relationship between the mold sections. Each mold section has a non-planar configuration, and one mold section has at least one aperture. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the at least one aperture for applying a vacuum pressure to the at least one aperture when the mold sections are sufficiently sealed together in order to reduce air pressure within the mold. As a result, ambient air pressure is used to forcefully bias the mold sections sufficiently together so as to form the at least one layer of formable material to a contour corresponding to the non-planar configurations of the mold sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jack M. Van Ert, George B. Byma
  • Patent number: 6338619
    Abstract: There is disclosed a glass repair fixture including a mount, a leg, and a chamber, such that the leg is rotatable around the mount that decreases set up time and manufacturing cost, and improves a resulting glass repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Auto Glass Specialists, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradd R. Rusch
  • Patent number: 6338620
    Abstract: A tire-vulcanizing machine in accordance with the present invention comprises a base frame, a guide column erected on the base frame, an upper movable beam guided by the column so as to move up and down, and two connection/disconnection units for connecting or disconnecting the upper movable beam to or from tire mold assemblies disposed on both sides of the column, wherein both the tire mold assemblies are opened or closed simultaneously or individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yamada, Nobuhiko Irie
  • Patent number: 6338621
    Abstract: A densified sintered product, such as a rolling cutter adapted for use in a steel tooth rolling cutter earth boring bit, has a layer of a metal powder applied to the external surface of the unsintered compact, the metal powder being melted to form a thin glaze of the melted metal powder on the external surface of the sintered compact, and the sintered compact may then be pneumatically isostatically forged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Vuyk, Jr., Jeffery E. Daly
  • Patent number: 6338622
    Abstract: A pipe molding die of the present invention is capable of rectifying a flow of a molten resin by a resin reservoir and uniformizing the flow of the resin extruded from the die in whichever position in a peripheral direction on a flow path within the die. Consequently, ununiformity in wall thickness of the resin pipe to be molded can be eliminated. The pipe molding die comprises a throttle part as one of components thereof, which includes a core, a shell part fitted to the core and a resin reservoir as a portion of a flow path which is formed between the core and the shell part. A molten, resin as a pipe raw material flows through the flow path. The resin reservoir is provided in at least one of the core and the shell part, and takes a ring-like shape circumscribing a central axis of the pipe molding die with the central axis centered. The resin reservoir assumes a recessed shape in cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yoshimura, Katunari Nishimura, Takumi Murata, Masahiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 6338623
    Abstract: A rotational molding oven for forming an object from a mold. The oven includes a cavity for retaining the mold, a burner for heating the cavity and melting the resin and a device for rocking the mold between −45° and 45° from a horizontal plane. The rocking device is outside, extending into the cavity, maintaining the mold in the center of the cavity. The rocking device facilitates distribution of resin within the mold and improves thermal flow of heat within the cavity thereby increasing thermal efficiency and minimizing the size of the cavity. The rocking device includes a first track outside the cavity, a carriage assembly, a drive assembly connected to the carriage assembly and a guide assembly connected between the first track and carriage assembly for translating up and down the first track, causing the carriage assembly to move therewith and the mold to rock about the central axis of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Richard A. Durrant
  • Patent number: 6338624
    Abstract: An automatic combustion putting-out apparatus for a room heater, includes wick case with a turning shaft to raise or lower a wick, a torsion-spring biased ratchet, a lever pivotally mounted in a frame for releasing or arresting the ratchet, a shutting-off knob and a safety weight for actuating the lever to release the ratchet for putting-out a combustion, a bracket on one side of the frame, a blocking plate pivotally mounted on the bracket and provided with an actuating piece to be in contact with a bottom surface of the lever, a coil spring for actuating the blocking plate by returning to its original shape when the room temperature rises beyond a predetermined value to interrupt combustion, the coil spring being connected to the blocking plate and the bracket by opposite ends of the spring, and a bias spring for boosting the force of the coil spring when the coil spring is initiated at beyond the predetermined room temperature value, the bias spring being connected to the blocking plate and the bracket by o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Paseco Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoon-Guk Kim
  • Patent number: 6338626
    Abstract: A load-lock mechanism according to the invention comprises a vacuum chamber 31 arranged between a vacuum first transferring chamber 20 and atmospheric second transferring chambers 40. The vacuum chamber 31 has a first opening 31A facing the first transferring chamber 20, a vertical pair of second openings 31B facing the second transferring chambers 40 and open-close mechanisms 34A, 34B to open and close each of the second opening 31B. One vertical pair of load-lock chambers 32, 33 are movably housed in the vacuum chamber 31. The supply-discharge passageways 31G, 31H are provided in the vacuum chamber 31 to supply and discharge air into and out of each of the load-lock chambers 32, 33. Each of the load-lock chamber 32, 33 has a first port 32A, 33A which can communicate with the first opening 31A, a second port 32B, 33B which can communicate with the corresponding second opening 31B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Hiroaki Saeki
  • Patent number: 6338627
    Abstract: The present invention involves an intraoral illumination device and method for illumiinating the interior cavity of a patient's mouth during a medical proceduire. The illumination device includes a bite block adapted to be engaged by a patient's teeth for resting the patient's jaw during the medical procedure and fixing the bite block with the patient's mouth. An arcuate light dispersion piece is connected to the bite block so that, in use, the light dispersion piece is orientated in a rear, central part of the oral cavity of the patient's mouth so that dispersed light can be transmitted outward from the rear, central part of the oral cavity. A tongue and cheek retractor is adapted to retract and protect the patient's tongue and adjacent cheek tissue during the medical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: James A. Hirsch, Thomas R. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6338628
    Abstract: A personalized training and development methodology that determines an individual's strengths and weaknesses and automatically provides training and development exercises that focus on reinforcing an individual's strengths and modifying his behavioral weaknesses. An individual logs on to the Internet personalized training and development training website, or an Intranet of his firm or company, and takes the Kinsel-Hartman Profile which includes four or five lists of 18 statements each. Each of the 18 statements in each list of the profile are formal representations of value combinations. An individual ranks all 18 statements in each list which in turn are used to create a profile report. This report presents the person's blended scores of his thinking, combining his bias and capacities concerning each dimension of value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Clear Direction, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6338629
    Abstract: An electrical connecting device for electrically connecting a multitude of electrical contacts, which are placed on first and second electronic component carrying boards. The device includes an isolating board having a plurality of apertures formed therein, electrically conductive elements placed within each of the plurality of apertures and extending therethrough on either side of the isolating board. Each of the electrically conductive elements separated and isolated one from the other. The electrically conductive elements are brought into contact with respective electrical contacts on the first and second boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Aprion Digital Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil Fisher, Eyal Gargir, Roni Mor, Oded Savarov
  • Patent number: 6338630
    Abstract: A board-to-board connector 1 mounted on a PCB 10 comprises an insulative housing 12 and a set of first and second contacts 14, 16 alternately engaged with the housing. Each first contact and each second have a similar structure except for two aspects described below. Each first contact comprises a solder portion 146 having a longer length than that of each second contact and having a solder section 1464 with a top face 1463. A support post 1662 projects from the solder portion 166 of each second contact and has a top face 1663. The top faces 1463, 1663 are located at different levels for separately contact with a heat source during a solder repair process, thereby avoiding formation of a short circuit due to a bridge phenomenon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Chi Dong
  • Patent number: 6338631
    Abstract: An electrical coupler which is capable of being easily assembled into a main unit for electrically detachable interconnection of an external unit to the main unit. The coupler includes a dielectric header which carries an array of first terminal ends and an array of second terminal ends which are engageable with an arrays of first contacts of the main unit and an array of second contacts of the external unit for establishing an electrical interconnection. The header is made of a rigid material which integrally supports the array of the second terminal ends to define thereat a terminal connector responsible for detachable connection to the external unit. The header is molded to have a mount flange as an integral part for securely fixing the header to an enclosure of the main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Hashimoto, Kenji Okura
  • Patent number: 6338632
    Abstract: A compliant press fit contact 1 comprises a retaining mounting portion 12 in the shape of a hollow cylinder for mounting the press fit contact into a metal-coated hole 22 defined in a printed circuit board 2. The mounting portion defines a plurality of slots 121 and a slit 122, which are spaced apart from each other, dividing the mounting portion into a plurality of spring beams 120. Each beam has an arced outer surface for engaging with a wall 220 of the metal-coated hole. When inserted into the hole, the mounting portion deforms toward a center thereof, thereby securely retaining the press fit contact 1 in the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis B. Jones
  • Patent number: 6338633
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plurality of contacts and an insulative housing defining a plurality of cavities therethrough for receiving the contacts therein. Each contact includes a soldering tail at an end thereof, a contacting portion at an opposite end thereof and a transition portion between the soldering tail and the contacting portion. A twist portion is provided between the transition portion and the soldering tail for conveniently forming a wide contacting portion, while at the same time forming wide gaps between adjacent soldering tails. The wide contacting portions provide reliable contact with mating contacts of a mating connector. The wide gaps prevent unwanted bridging of the soldering tails during the soldering process. The housing comprises a main body and a pair of slots respectively defined at opposite ends of the main body. A pair of metal ears is respectively secured in the slots for attaching the housing onto a PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Chi Dong
  • Patent number: 6338634
    Abstract: An electrical connector 1 includes an insulative housing 10 and a number of terminals 20 received in the housing 10. Each terminals 20 has a vertically upwardly extended engaging portion 22 which has an inner face 224 for electrically engaging with a pin of a complementary connector and a horizontally extended solder tail 212 which has a bottom face 2121 for surface mounting to a printed circuit board 3. The terminals 20 are formed by stamping a metal sheet, wherein the inner face 224 of the engaging portion 22 and the bottom face 2121 of the solder tail 212 are formed by opposite faces of the metal sheet. A step portion 213 is formed by the terminal 20 between the engaging portion 22 and the solder tail 212. Thus, solder wicking during surface mounting the connector 1 to the printed circuit board 3 can be effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hung-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 6338635
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing 10, a number of terminals 20, and a number of modules 40. The modules each connect with an external ground circuit. Each module has a number of grounding members 42 insert molded with an insulative body 44. The insulative body defines a mounting surface 445 against which the terminals are mounted and forms a number of ribs 441 on the mounting surface. Each grounding member includes a flat plate 421 molded with the insulative body and a plurality of projections 425 protruding from the flat plate into the insulative body. The projections are adjustable in distance of protrusion beyond the mounting surface allowing the shielding effect they provide between adjacent terminals to be varied, controlling crosstalk therebetween. The ribs of the insulative body are also adjustable in length and thickness, allowing them to be manufactured to match the impedance of the connector with the characteristic impedance of a circuit board on which the connector is to be mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chen Lee
  • Patent number: 6338636
    Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive IC card connector having a mechanism for ejecting an IC card and having an emergency function, wherein, even if a means for automatically unlocking a locking member for ejecting an IC card is disabled due to a fault, the locking member can be unlocked with a simple construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Nishioka
  • Patent number: 6338637
    Abstract: A dead front system provides fluid access to an electrical connector and cable. The dead front system includes an injection plug, a fluid access system, and a tube connected at a first end to the injection plug and at a second end to the fluid access system. The injection plug, fluid access system, and tube are surrounded by a conductive, grounded surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Industries
    Inventors: Frank J. Muench, Jr., John M. Makal, James A. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 6338638
    Abstract: An electric connector with a terminal is provided, which includes: a first electric connector having a connector housing in which a terminal accommodating chamber is formed; a second electric connector with a second terminal; a first terminal to be accommodated in the connector housing and to be connected with an electric wire; an electrical contact section provided on the first terminal and having a contact piece to be electrically connected with the second terminal; a wire connection section provided on the first terminal for connecting an electric wire; and a space provided between the electrical contact section and an inner surface of the terminal accommodating chamber for allowing relative movement between the electrical contact section and the connector housing. The space is formed by making a step between a bottom of the electrical contact section and a bottom of the wire connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 6338639
    Abstract: A zero insertion force socket is provided having a cover and housing slidably mounted to one another. The housing includes a pocket receiving a cam assembly. The cam assembly is slidably moveable within the housing in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement between the cover and housing. The lever is rotatably mounted within the housing and engages the cam assembly to transfer rotational movement of the lever into axial movement of the cam assembly in a transverse direction. The cam assembly communicates with the cover such that the cam assembly drives the cover in a longitudinal direction as the cam assembly moves in a transverse direction. The lever and cam assembly cooperate to spread actuation forces across the cover and housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David Allison Trout, Edmund Luther Jacobs, Lewis Brian Lerner, Michael Anthony Yeomans
  • Patent number: 6338640
    Abstract: A mobile socket (1) comprises a base (10), a cover (20), a plurality of contacts (30) mounted in the base, a rotatable cam actuator (40) for actuating the cover to slide on the base, a protecting mechanism (50) and a washer (60). The protecting mechanism comprises a cover plate (51) in the cover and a bottom plate (52) in the base. The cover plate defines an elongated slot (512). A pair of opposite cam stoppers (515) extends upwardly from one side of the slot. The cam actuator has a protrusion (45) abutting against one of the cam stoppers during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nick Lin
  • Patent number: 6338641
    Abstract: Electrical connector having an insulative body (12) with contact elements (32). The contact elements (32) have at one end thereof spring contact portions (40) arranged within a socket (44). The other ends of the contact elements (32) have pairs of insulation displacement contact parts (28). The pairs of contact parts (28) enable two wires to be connected to each contact element (32). The contact elements (32) are formed from blanks (56a, 56b) stamped from a strip as a lead frame 54. Contact portions (38), on which each pair of contact parts (28) are formed, are formed in rows at each edge of the lead frame strip, with the spring contact portions (40) extending inwardly from the strip edges at 45° to the strip edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Krone GmbH
    Inventor: Bryce Lindsay Nicholls
  • Patent number: 6338642
    Abstract: Electrical connector having an insulative body (12) with contact elements (32). The contact elements (32) have at one end thereof spring contact portions (40) arranged within a socket (44). The other ends of the contact elements (32) have pairs of insulation displacement contact parts (28). The pairs of contact parts (28) enable two wires to be connected to each contact element (32). The contact elements (32) are formed from blanks (56a, 56b) stamped from a strip as a lead frame 54. Contact portions (38), on which each pair of contact parts (28) are formed, are formed in rows at each edge of the lead frame strip, with the spring contact portions (40) extending inwardly from the strip edges at 45° to the strip edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Krone GmbH
    Inventor: Bryce Lindsay Nicholls
  • Patent number: 6338643
    Abstract: A wiring unit for an electrical connector having a housing with a first side and an opposing second side, an attaching portion on the second side and a latching portion adjacent the attaching portion. The latching portion couples the wiring unit to a standard support. Electrical wiring terminals are coupled to the housing and can receive electrical wires. A stuffer cap is selectively coupled to the terminals and the attaching portion. When the stuffer cap is coupled to the attachment portion, attachment of the electrical wires to the terminals using an impact tool can be accomplished without damaging the latching portion since the stuffer cap spaces the latching portion from the support surface when the wires are forced into the terminals. When the stuffer cap is coupled to the terminals, the stuffer cap eliminates or substantially reduces oxidation or corrosion on the terminals and wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Alan C. Miller, John J. Milner, Raul G. Pereira
  • Patent number: 6338644
    Abstract: An environmentally protected, substantially sealed connector for attachment to a cable having a plurality of electrical conductors which are terminated at an end thereof with a contact, including a housing having a floor with a plurality of apertures therethrough arranged in a predetermined pattern and a backshell extending from the floor of the housing and encompassing the extended axes of the apertures, the backshell having at least one bead portion protruding from an outer surface of the outer backshell and extending at least partially around the backshell. A plurality of electrical contacts are disposed within the housing, each of the electrical contacts having a portion extending through one of the apertures and adapted to mate with one of the contact-terminated electrical conductors. Each of the electrical contacts has a locking member for retaining the associated contact in a fixed relationship to the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel D. Fritzinger, Stephen R. Whitt
  • Patent number: 6338645
    Abstract: The invention includes a cable assembly housing. The cable assembly housing may include a main shell that defines a first cavity. The main shell may have a collar. The cable assembly may also include a cable shell that defines a second cavity. The cable shell may have a neck disposed between a mating surface and a flange. The flange of the cable shell may be disposed through the collar and inside the first cavity. The cable shell may be located in different positions relative to the main shell and locked against relative motion by detents and slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Tang Yew Tan, Richard P. Howarth, Lawrence A. Barham, Gregory L. Tice, Steven G. Siefert, Donald J. Novotney
  • Patent number: 6338646
    Abstract: A ZIF socket assembly (1) comprises a base plate (10) receiving a number of conductive contacts (30) therein, a cover (20) slidably covered onto the base plate, an actuator mechanism (40) and a visual indicator (60). The actuator mechanism is engageble with the base plate and the cover for moving the cover with respect to the base plate from an open position to a closed position. The visual indicator is pivotally disposed between the base plate and the cover and is rotatable by a movement of the cover. The visual indicator is totally embedded between the base plate and the cover in the open position and an indicating portion (63) thereof projects out of the socket assembly outline in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Hara, Yao-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 6338647
    Abstract: Vehicular lights that hold a bulb in a bayonet type socket are converted to receive light emitting diode assemblies that plug in with a simple translation motion instead of the push and then twist required for bayonet type connection. An adapter is provided along with an installation tool. The adapter fits onto the tool. The tool is inserted into the bayonet socket by a push and twist motion. The tool is the removed by a straight pull. The adapter has now converted the socket so that it can receive and properly connect any of a group of LED assemblies by simple translation of a plug on the assembly. Various light assemblies are disclosed including incorporating the external vehicle lens, and including a sonic element in the assembly to complement a back-up light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventors: Robert Fernandez, Orion J. Super
  • Patent number: 6338648
    Abstract: A connector includes a cover adapted to openably close an opening of a housing, and a locking mechanism for locking the cover in a closed position. The cover is provided with first metallic reinforcement means which is partially embedded in the cover during the molding thereof. Second metallic reinforcement means is fixed to the housing. The cover is locked in the closed position by bringing an engagement portion of the first reinforcement means into engagement with an engagement portion of the second reinforcement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., LTD
    Inventors: Kazuto Miura, Taichiro Miyao, Shinji Uchida
  • Patent number: 6338649
    Abstract: A battery cable disconnector enables a battery to be disconnected and reconnected quickly and easily without tools. The disconnector includes a female lug connector and a male lug connector adapted to be detachably connected together, each of the connectors having a two-faced contact section with one face for engagement with a face of the other connector when connected. The female contact section has an upper contact face and a lower non-contact face, the contact section having a centrally located circular opening with slots extending radially from the opening at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions and with grooves extending radially from the opening at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions on the lower non-contact face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Inventor: Michael W. Smith
  • Patent number: 6338650
    Abstract: An electrical card connector includes an insulative housing 3, a plurality of terminals 5 received in the housing, and two fixing clips 7 attached to the housing. The insulative housing has a header 15 including a pivot 25, a plurality of passageways 21 for receiving the terminals therein, and two guiding bars 17 extending from two ends of the header each having a ledge 23 at a front end thereof. The pivot projects from each end of the header to provide a rotational axis for the fixing clip. The ledge includes a first positioning recess 45, a sliding face 47 and a second positioning recess 49. Each fixing clip has a base plate 29 fixed to a PCB, a joint section 33 extending from the base plate to prevent over-rotation of the housing, and an engaging section 35 for engaging with the insulative housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Chi Dong
  • Patent number: 6338651
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly supports a number of terminals as they extend through a wall such as one might find in a headlamp housing to mate with mating terminals outside the housing. The electrical connector assembly includes an elongated conduit or housing for supporting the terminals as they extend through the wall, where the conduit has a flange extending radially outwardly from one end of the conduit. The connector assembly also includes a seal having a jacket portion extending around the conduit adjacent the flange, and a skirt portion extending radially outwardly from the conduit and over the flange to effect a seal between the electrical connector assembly and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Albert Svette, Jr., George Raymond Herlinger, Gregory S. Reese, John H. Bakker, Michael M Ruberto