Patents Issued in February 27, 2007
  • Patent number: 7182619
    Abstract: An IC socket includes a socket body (10), a plurality of contacts received in the socket body, a first press cover (12) pivotally mounted at one end of the socket body, and a second press cover (14) pivotally mounted at an opposite free end of the first press cover. The second press cover includes a pair of legs (148) extending from two sides of the end mounted onto the first press cover. A lever (20) is defined at corresponding end of the socket body, and two ends of the lever extend out of two sides of the socket body. Said extending out ends are corresponding to the legs, and each end defines a rigid sleeve (60) therearound. When the first press cover and the second press cover are rotated to a horizontal close position, the legs will engage with the sleeve rather than engage with the lever directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hsiu-Yuan Hsu
  • Patent number: 7182620
    Abstract: A buckling structure includes a buckling part having a buckling point. There is a waving point located in the inside of the buckling point. The buckling point rotates with the waving point to be operated between a buckling status and an opening status. An electrical connector element includes an electrical connector and an absorbed cover assembled on the electrical connector. The absorbed cover has a first wedged-hook that can wedge and fasten to the electrical connector. The first wedged-hook includes a buckling part having a buckling point. There is a waving point located in the inside of the buckling point. The buckling point rotates with the waving point to be operated between a buckling status and an opening status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ted Ju
  • Patent number: 7182621
    Abstract: The protection device (6) for a plug-in connection comprises a coupling part (1) and a housing (2) for a plug (3) arranged therein: The coupling part (1) has an opening (1b) for the plug (3). The opening (1b) is surrounded by a protruding collar, which surrounds the opening particularly by 360°. The collar (1a) has a hollow recess (1d) forming a peripheral groove (1e) on the collar (1a). The plug housing (2) is provided with a snap-in part (2f) which is adapted in relation to the groove (1e) in order to connect the housing (2) to the coupling part (19) with the aid of the snap-in part (2f) which is engaged in the groove (1e).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Reichle & De-Massari AG
    Inventor: Hans Reichle
  • Patent number: 7182622
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes two electrical connectors locking to each other to form electrical connection. One of the electrical connectors provides a holding element having a press section and at least a latch protrusion with a contact baffle wall. The other is a mating electrical connector provides an locking groove to buckle with the latch protrusion and a lateral side of the locking groove and the contact baffle wall. Hence, the contact baffle wall will contact one lateral side of the locking groove steadily without the moment of force from the flexibility of the slit rib for increasing endurance of the operations of inserting and detaching with the lock of a mating electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Comax Technology Inc
    Inventor: Che-Chia Chang
  • Patent number: 7182623
    Abstract: Described is a lever-and-spring assembly for an electronic module. The electronic module has a flange extending from one of its sides. The lever-and-spring assembly has a lever coupled to the flange at a pivot point about which the lever-and-spring assembly can pivot. The lever-and-spring assembly also has a leaf spring with a base portion and a spring portion extending from an edge of the base portion and bending back over the base portion. The lever is disposed between the base portion and the spring portion. The base portion is affixed to the lever. The spring portion bends back over the lever. The flange slides closely between the spring portion and the lever when the lever-and-spring assembly pivots towards a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7182624
    Abstract: A plug retention apparatus for use in securing two plug members together to prevent undesired disengagement. The plug retention apparatus is affixed to a first plug member using a retention ring which provides a means for adjustable positioning via a threaded coupling to facilitate securing a second plug member to the first plug member. A plug clamp may be rotatably positioned about the second plug member retaining the plug members in a desired position. The plug retention apparatus may include a sleeve removably disposed about the cord of the first plug. The clamp used for retaining the second plug may include a cord support, a latch to secure the cord on the support and a locking mechanism to selectively retain the latch in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TMC Enterprises
    Inventor: Thomas J. Miller
  • Patent number: 7182625
    Abstract: A grounding connector includes a base with a first crimping structure extending from the base for crimping to the cable and securing the cable relative to the base along a cable axis. A first contact member can extend from the base laterally adjacent to the first crimping structure. The first contact member can have a narrowing first cable slot for receiving the cable to engage and form electrical contact with the cable when the first crimping structure is crimped to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Antaya Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel H Machado, Jonathan D. Young
  • Patent number: 7182626
    Abstract: A electrical connector includes a dielectric housing member for mounting a plurality of terminals. A cover member is engaged with the housing member and combines therewith to define an interior cavity for receiving thereinto a plurality of electrical wires for termination to the terminals. Latches are interengaged between the dielectric housing member and the cover member to hold the members together. The latches include an elongated flexible latch arm projecting from one of the members through the interior cavity into locking engagement with the other member. An open-sided protective silo projects from the one member into the interior cavity alongside the elongated latch arm. The arm is flexible into and out of the open side of the silo. Therefore, the silo protects the elongated flexible latch arm and prevents over-flexing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: David Langolf
  • Patent number: 7182627
    Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a circuit board having light emitting diodes, a heat conductive plate, a soldering plate removably connected to the circuit board and having multiple LED holes to correspond to the LEDs on the circuit board and a fixing plate securely connected to the circuit board after the soldering plate is removed from engagement with the circuit board. A cover has multiple positioning holes to allow extension of threaded bolts through the positioning holes, the fixing holes, the circuit board and into the heat conductive plate to secure engagement among the heat conductive plate, the circuit board, the fixing plate, the transparent plate and the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Thermal Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin-Juine Huang
  • Patent number: 7182628
    Abstract: Interchangeable identification bands are manually stretchable over coaxial cable TV connectors to identify the intended application of the connector and can be used alone or in combination with other color designations, such as, color designations for different cable sizes. The connector body has an external groove sized to receive the band, and the outer surface of the band can be of different configurations or designs, such as, flat or ribbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Randall A. Holliday
  • Patent number: 7182629
    Abstract: An connector (100) for a flexible printed circuit (FPC) includes a stationary housing (1) defining a mounting face (15) for mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) and having a tongue plate (12) substantially parallel to the mounting face and spaced from the mounting face; a movable housing (4) detachably assembled to the first housing with its bottom face (46) substantially on the mounting face of the first housing, and its upper face (44) opposite to the tongue plate to define a cavity therebetween for receiving the FPC (6); and terminals (2) arranged on the tongue plate and projecting to the cavity to engage conductors on the FPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi Zhang, Ren-Chih Li
  • Patent number: 7182630
    Abstract: A common lead device applied to SATA and periphery power connectors in a computer is described. The device integrates a plurality of power cords output from a power supply into common power cords, by which different voltages are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Enermax Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Su
  • Patent number: 7182631
    Abstract: A bridging member for electrical terminals provides each of the connecting pins of the bridging member with a sleeve of insulating material, which extends in the axial direction around the connecting pin in such a way that an inner free space is present between the connecting pin and the sleeve of insulating material, whereby the connecting pin possesses a material constriction in the depth of the sleeve of insulating material. The connecting pin can execute equilibrating movements in the free space of the sleeve of insulating material and also can be removed from the sleeve of insulating material by means of a rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventor: Hans-Josef Kollmann
  • Patent number: 7182632
    Abstract: A connection system for allowing access to a primary power signal flowing through a utility meter. The connection system comprises a collar assembly, an adapter assembly, and adapter electronics. The collar assembly comprises a collar housing, main terminals, and secondary terminals. In one embodiment, a guide system guides the adapter assembly through an adapter opening in a collar housing and into an engaged position. In another embodiment, each secondary terminal comprises a distal portion, the secondary terminals are arranged in pairs such that distal portions thereof oppose each other, and the secondary terminals are deformable such that the distal portions may move away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Alpha Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Johnson, Jr., Thanh Le, David A. Barany
  • Patent number: 7182633
    Abstract: An adapter kit (100) includes adapters (102) formed in adapter pairs to accommodate couplers and jacks of various sizes. The adapters (102) are secured to a spline (114) in a releasable manner. The spline (114) includes a central post (116) with cross bars (118). Blanks (112) are secured to an angled cross bar (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 7182634
    Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a connector cell having an electrically and/or mechanically supported conductive extension are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Donald T. Tran
  • Patent number: 7182635
    Abstract: A stacked microphone jack assembly includes two identical microphone jacks each having a housing, which has a front plughole for receiving a microphone plug and two rows of vertical through holes, and conducting terminals each having a head extending to the inside of the housing for the contact of the plug of a microphone and a leg downwardly extending out of the bottom side of the housing, and a connector, which has a base sandwiched between the housings of the two microphone jacks, and a connection terminals respectively fastened to terminal slots on the base, each connection terminal having a clamping portion for clamping the legs of the conducting terminals of the overlying microphone jack respectively and a leg downwardly extending from the clamping portion and respectively inserted through the vertical through holes of the underlying microphone jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lih Sheng Precision Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Chih Huang
  • Patent number: 7182636
    Abstract: A SCSI connector assembly includes a housing including forward upper and lower plates either having top and bottom grooves, a rear staged seat including upper and lower platforms and an intermediate, longer platform; four stacked rows of conductors of different configurations, each conductor including an electrical terminal and a bifurcation at both ends, the conductors passed through the housing to seat on the grooves; flat cables connected to the conductors and fastened by the bifurcations; a metal case secured to the housing; and four mounting boards each including two side pegs and two rows of valleys separated by a channel. The mounting boards are mounted on tops and bottoms of the platforms by inserting the pegs into side holes of the platforms. The cables are fastened by the valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Connectek Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Chiu Chen
  • Patent number: 7182637
    Abstract: A panel-mounted electrical connector pair (12,36) has a recessed electrical connector (12) having a socket portion (18) with a first flange (26) proximate an open end (20) thereof, a first distal web (22) and a first type of electrical terminal (24a) protruding through said first distal web (22). The socket portion (18) is extendable through a first opening (64) in a first panel (62), with the first flange (26) abutting against the first panel (62). The connector pair (12, 36) includes a protruding connector (36) with a plug portion (38). The protruding connector (36) has a proximal end plate (42), a second distal web (44) spaced from the proximal end plate (42), a second flange (48) disposed on the protruding connector (36) proximate to the second distal web (44), and a second type of electrical terminal (46a) protruding through the second distal web (44) toward the proximal end plate (42). The proximal end plate (42) has an opening (94a) therein aligned with the second type of electrical terminal (46a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Heyco, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Coyle, Jr., Joseph G. Lares, Robert H. Smith
  • Patent number: 7182638
    Abstract: A mounting tab arrangement for mounting a housing assembly. The housing assembly includes a plurality of connectors extending from the housing assembly and a plurality of mounting tabs extending from the housing assembly. Each of the mounting tabs extends between a pair of adjacent connectors. However, the mounting tabs do not extend out beyond distal ends of the connectors. In one embodiment, each of the mounting tabs includes a slot where the slots are oriented in different directions relative to one another so that the housing assembly can be variably mounted despite the distal ends of the connectors extending beyond the mounting tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: William G. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 7182639
    Abstract: A connector for coaxial cable is disclosed herein which has a gripping ring positioned between a compression ring and a connector body. At least two opposed ends of the gripping ring are capable of being displaced radially inwardly for gripping the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Gilbert Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Burris
  • Patent number: 7182640
    Abstract: A multi feed-through pin electrical connector has a pin-count layout that corresponds to the form factor of the pin layout of a micro-size (e.g., nano-type) multipin connector, but contains only a relatively small number of feed-through pins, locations of which are those of selected pins of the micro-sized multipin connector. This allows adjacent pin locations of the relatively small pin-count layout to be spaced farther apart from each other than pin locations of conventional micro-sized multipin connectors, so that the available wire-connection surface areas of the interior ends of the feed-through pins may be substantially increased relative to those of conventional micro-sized multipin connectors, and thereby facilitate secure wire-bonding to the interior ends of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: SRI Hermetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent W. Garrett, Edward A. Taylor, James G. Petri
  • Patent number: 7182641
    Abstract: In an electrical connector with a shield case, the shield case made of a metal plate is attached to a housing having a front portion to be a fitting side relative to a mating connector. The shield case includes an engaging piece extending from a rear portion of the shield case. The engaging piece of the shield case fitted in is bent toward an outer surface of the housing to engage the housing. In the connector with the shield case, the engaging piece includes an attaching end portion at a portion thereof extending downwardly beyond a bottom surface of the connector after being bent toward the outer surface of the housing. The attaching end portion is inserted into a corresponding hole formed in an attaching object member of the connector for attaching to the attaching object member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 7182642
    Abstract: An electrical contact for transmitting power to a printed circuit structure. The power contact comprises a main section that includes a first edge and an opposing second edge, and is made from electrically conductive material. A current-receiving interface is disposed between the main section first and second edges. And a plurality of terminals extend from the main section along the second edge. A void of electrically conductive material is formed in the main section for guiding current flow from the current-receiving interface to the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hung Viet Ngo, Wilfred J. Swain
  • Patent number: 7182643
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a linear array of electrical blade contacts is disclosed. Each contact may have a free-ended mating portion that extends from a mate surface of a dielectric base. The first linear array may include a first signal contact, a second signal contact positioned adjacent to the first signal contact and forming a differential signal pair therewith, and a ground contact positioned adjacent to the second signal contact. The first signal contact, the second signal contact, and the ground contact may each be elongated in a direction along the linear array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford L. Winings, Joseph B. Shuey, Timothy A. Lemke, Gregory A. Hull, Stephen B. Smith, Stefaan Hendrik Jozef Sercu, Timothy W. Houtz, Steven E. Minich
  • Patent number: 7182644
    Abstract: An electrical device having an enclosure in which noise is parasitically induced in a wire located in the interior of the enclosure is disclosed. The electrical device has an entry connector for mating the wire with an external connector at which a transmission line terminates for preventing the induced noise from being emitted from the device enclosure via the transmission line. The electrical device comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) adapted to be mounted adjacent to an opening in a wall of the enclosure, a receptacle, integral with the PCB, configured to mate with the external connector, a first conductive path coupling the transmission line with the wire when mated, and capacitors mounted on the printed circuit board radially disposed around the receptacle and adapted to be electrically coupled to the external connector when mated. The electrical device further comprises a second conductive path coupling the capacitors to a low potential sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Cherniski, Kirk Yates
  • Patent number: 7182645
    Abstract: A card connector can selectively receive one of two IC cards. The card connector has an improved structure of contacts arranged in a card receiving space to simplify the structure thereof and to allow the card connector to be manufactured easily. The card connector at least includes a space for receiving a card and a plurality of contacts that are provided in the space parallel to the direction along which a card is inserted. The respective contacts provided in the space for receiving the IC card include a plurality of contact points that respectively correspond to the respective pads of the plurality of IC cards and that are provided in the direction along which the IC card is inserted. Thus, the card connector can be selectively attached with one of a plurality of IC cards having the same pad pitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Shimizu, Seiji Shishikura, Hisashi Terada
  • Patent number: 7182646
    Abstract: An extended Universal-Serial Bus (USB) plug and extended Universal-Serial Bus (USB) socket are disclosed. The extended Universal-Serial Bus (USB) plug includes an extended pin substrate, the extended pin substrate and at least some of a plurality of contacts thereon being dimensioned to be mechanically compatible with an industry-standard USB socket. The extended USB plug further lacks an industry-standard cover associated with an industry-standard USB plug, thereby causing the extended USB plug to be thinner than the industry-standard USB plug. The extended Universal-Serial Bus (USB) socket, which includes an extended cavity having an extended cavity length longer than a length of a cavity of an industry-standard USB connector socket. The extended cavity and at least some of a plurality of pins therein are dimensioned to be mechanically compatible with an industry-standard USB connector plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Horng-Yee Chou, Ren-Kang Chiou, Edward W. Lee
  • Patent number: 7182647
    Abstract: A device includes a first conductive member configured to be electrically coupled to a first component and a second conductive member configured to be electrically coupled to a second component. The second conductive member is separated from the first conductive member by a gap. A conductive connecting member is moveable to make an electrical connection between the first and second conductive members across the gap. A housing receives the first conductive member, the second conductive member, and the connecting member. The housing includes an insulating layer and a conductive layer. The movement of the connecting member to make the electrical connection is visible through at least a portion of the insulating layer and the conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Frank John Muench, Brian Todd Steinbrecher, Edine Mary Heinig, David Charles Hughes
  • Patent number: 7182648
    Abstract: An optical-electric connector (1) has an insulative housing (10), a plurality of contacts (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) received in the housing, and an optical-electric converter (30) assembled in the housing. The housing defines a receiving space (14) for receiving a mating plug and a plurality of passageways (16) for receiving the contacts. One of the resilient contacts forms an elastic contacting arm (212) extending into the receiving space and a retention section (211). A coil spring (214) is assembled between the retention section and the elastic contacting arm. The retention section of the contact securely holds the coil spring in its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Honggiang Han, Guohua Zhang, ZiQiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 7182649
    Abstract: A network cable jack includes a printed circuit board (PCB) for balancing both inductive and capacitive coupling. Using a PCB allows compact trace paths to be formed without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. By including on each trace path two distinct inductance zones separated by a neutral zone, significant gains in degrees of freedom are achieved for designing PCB trace patterns in which a pair of inductive coupling zones jointly offset the inductive coupling caused by a specification plug and the jack contacts, both in magnitude and phase angle. Further, using distinct inductance zones offers more freedom regarding the placement of capacitive plates for use in capacitance balancing as well as the placement of terminals and insulation displacement contacts. Although the magnitude of a capacitive coupling is determined by the length of the capacitor plates parallel to current carrying traces, the approach allows capacitive and inductive coupling to be balanced independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Scott Lesniak
  • Patent number: 7182650
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connector (20) for connecting an IC package (30) having a mating surface (302) and a number of pins (300) and guiding walls (316) extending past the mating surface. The electrical connector includes a base (200) defining a number of passages (2040). A number of terminals (230) are set in the corresponding passages, respectively. A cover (210) defining a number of through-holes (214) in accordance with the passages and guiding slots (216) in compliance with the guiding walls is movably mounted on the base. A cam (220) is provided to drive the cover to move relative to the base. When the guiding walls of the IC package are inserted into the guiding slots, the pins of the IC package remain a distance away from the through-holes of the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fang-Jwu Liao, Ming-Lun Szu
  • Patent number: 7182651
    Abstract: A dual voltage connector having keyway portions enabling protection of the connector against unintentionally using it with a long voltage. A higher voltage version of the connector, which supplies the voltage, is protected. In a female version of the connector, a plug is placed in the higher voltage portion of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: TMB
    Inventors: Colin Waters, Peter Tien
  • Patent number: 7182652
    Abstract: A retainer (30) has a penetration prevention portion (37) rearward from a locking projection (36) and configured to project into a cavity (22) when the retainer (30) is at a main locking position. A terminal fitting (10) erroneously inserted into a rear portion of the cavity (22) when the retainer (30) is at the main locking position will strike the penetration prevention portion (37) before striking the locking projection (36). Thus the erroneously inserted terminal fitting (10) cannot push the locking projection (36) in a way that could return the retainer (30) to a temporary locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Yamakado
  • Patent number: 7182653
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting first and second elongate electrical conductors includes an electrically conductive first connector member, an electrically conductive second connector member, and a clamping mechanism. The first connector member includes: a first body having inner and outer opposed ends; a first hook portion on the outer end of the first body, the first hook portion defining a first channel to receive the first conductor; and a first abutment portion on the inner end of the first body. The second connector member includes: a second body having inner and outer opposed ends; a second hook portion on the outer end of the second body, the second hook portion defining a second channel to receive the second conductor; and a second abutment portion on the inner end of the second body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Vladimir Hoxha
  • Patent number: 7182654
    Abstract: A sheathed heater assembly includes a sheathed heating element and a cold pin electrically coupled to the sheathed heating element. The cold pin includes a free end including an electrical connector. The electrical connector is configured to mate with a mating connector to electrically connect the sheathed heating element to a wiring harness. The electrical connector has a circumferential groove and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the electrical connector is coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the cold pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Gracki, Kristian Michael Magnuson
  • Patent number: 7182655
    Abstract: A method and device for wiring connection is provided. The method for wiring connection includes steps of applying at least a barrel pin to a printed circuit board, riveting one end of the barrel pin to the printed circuit board, soldering the barrel pin on the printed circuit board, inserting at least a wiring into the barrel pin via the other end of the barrel pin, and fixing the wiring inside the barrel pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwo Chen, Tsung-Kuo Yang, Zhao-An Jiang, Charles Chou
  • Patent number: 7182656
    Abstract: A small watercraft with an emergency shut-off system is provided. The emergency shut-off system is configured to shut off the engine of the small watercraft when the small watercraft is overturned. The emergency shut-off system comprises an electronic control unit that is operatively coupled to an overturn sensor and the engine. The electronic control unit is configured to sense a signal generated by the overturn switch. The electronic control unit is also configured to determine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues for a period longer than a preset amount of time and to shut off the engine if the signal generated by the overturn switch continues beyond the preset amount of time. The electronic control unit can also be configured to activate a bilge pump when a level of water within the watercraft exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masayoshi Nanami, Masaki Takegami, N boru Suganuma
  • Patent number: 7182657
    Abstract: Boat hull with outboard drive unit, said drive unit (5) comprising an underwater housing (6) mounted on the outside of the hull bottom (1) and a gear housing (11) mounted on the inside of the hull bottom and joined to the underwater housing. Between the underwater housing and the gear housing there is fixed a mounting plate (20), which, together with a screw-down plate (24), with elastic ring (23, 27) inserts, fixes the drive unit to a flange (4), which is made on the inside of a well (3) surrounding an opening (2) in the hull bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: AB Volvo Penta
    Inventor: Staffan Månsson
  • Patent number: 7182658
    Abstract: An outboard motor engine drives an output shaft which drives a propeller shaft. The output shaft has a drive gear that engages driven gears of the propeller shaft within an oil bath for holding a lubricant for soaking the drive and driven gears. The outboard motor has an oil pump, a suction passage, and a return passage. The oil bath communicates with a suction portion of the oil pump through the suction passage, while a discharge portion of the oil pump communicates with the oil bath through a return passage. An opening of the suction passage is exposed to the oil bath and is also positioned below the drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ken Asakaze, Aizoh Kubo
  • Patent number: 7182659
    Abstract: An open/close valve can decrease the exhaust resistance as much as possible in a usual operation. An open/close valve includes a valve casing and a valve element that is housed in the valve casing in a vertically movable manner. The valve casing includes a cylindrical portion that extends vertically. A through hole is formed in the cylindrical portion. A bottom portion is formed on a bottom of the cylindrical portion. A discharge inlet is formed in an upper portion of the cylindrical portion. The valve element includes a cylindrical body that is arranged along an inner surface of the cylindrical portion and has a height that maintains an opening of the through hole and a seal plate that covers an upper portion of the cylindrical body and has a size capable of closing the exhaust inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Noda, Masatsugu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7182660
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring fluid between first and second floating vessels is described, comprising a submerged rigid transfer arm defining a fluid conduit for receiving fluid from a first vessel, a first end of the arm attached to the first floating vessel so as to allow the arm to pivot about at least two axes, and loading apparatus located at the second end of the arm and attachable to the second floating vessel for transferring fluid from the fluid conduit to the floating vessel. The apparatus is provided with draught regulating means operable to increase and decrease the draught of at least a part of the apparatus, and a support structure, such as an outrigger arm with a fender system projecting from the rigid arm and adapted to brace the apparatus against the second floating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Bluewater Energy Services BV
    Inventor: Jacob De Baan
  • Patent number: 7182661
    Abstract: A system for attaching fins to surfboards that utilizes fixing elements embedded in the body of the board, the elements having slots that receive footings extending from the end of the fin. The footings are removably secured by a passive wedge clip fixing system, enabling fins to be removed for transport or upon damage by hand or simple tool. Screws can also be used for attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventors: David Bryan Sams, Brandon Vincent Wilkie, Dennis Richard Murphy
  • Patent number: 7182662
    Abstract: A hybrid personal flotation device includes a flotation vest body having a front, back, shoulder straps, and adjustable buckle straps. An expandable cover over at least a portion of the vest body covers an inflatable chamber having a front chamber portion connected to a back chamber portion by a single shoulder pass-through. Inflation of the inflatable chamber is accomplished by an oral inflation tube and/or a manually activated cylinder containing compressed CO2. The low-profile, narrow single shoulder pass-through permits fluid communication for both inflation and deflation between the front and back chamber portions, but does not restrict the wearer's neck or shoulder range of motion. The inflatable front and back chamber portions remain covered when fully inflated, and require no folding or re-packing when deflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Kokatat. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. O'Meara, Adam Knoeller, Rene'e Thompson, Penny Holt, Eric Campbell
  • Patent number: 7182663
    Abstract: An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a substrate; an emission control circuit formed on the substrate; an insulating layer covering the control circuit; an organic light-emitting device including a first electrode and a second electrode and formed on the insulating layer; and a contact wiring structure for electrically connecting the emission control circuit and the organic light-emitting device. The contact wiring structure includes a first conductive layer made of the same material as the first electrode; a second conductive layer made of the same material as the second electrode; and a diamond-like carbon film between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp., Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Takatoshi Tsujimura, Atsushi Tanaka, Kohji Murayama
  • Patent number: 7182664
    Abstract: An organic EL light emitting device and a color conversion filter are placed in an environment in which concentrations of water and oxygen are controlled. A peripheral sealing agent with a ring shape is applied around the color conversion filter, and a filler material is applied over the color conversion filter and inside the peripheral sealing agent. The organic EL light emitting device and the color conversion filter are transferred into a vacuum chamber, which is then evacuated. The organic EL light emitting device and the color conversion filter are preliminarily aligned and then bonded to obtain an aggregate. The aggregate is removed to an environment in which concentrations of water and oxygen are controlled and pressure is at atmospheric pressure, and irradiated with ultraviolet radiation to cure the peripheral sealing agent. The method reduces manufacturing costs and prevents inclusion of water in the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 7182665
    Abstract: A bubble generating assembly has a housing with a wiping bar secured to a permanent location extending across a portion of the front opening of the housing. The bubble generating assembly further includes a container coupled to the housing and retaining bubble solution, a trigger mechanism, a bubble generating ring positioned adjacent the front opening, a tubing that couples the interior of the container with the ring, and a link assembly that couples the trigger mechanism and the ring in a manner in which actuation of the trigger mechanism causes the ring to be moved from a first position to a second position across the wiping bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Arko Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Thai
  • Patent number: 7182666
    Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a wing to a fuselage of a model airplane. The mechanism includes a mounting base, a wing bolt, a retaining device that holds the wing bolt in the mounting base, and a flexible support member positioned between the retaining device and the mounting base. A wing assembly for a model airplane is also disclosed. The wing assembly includes a first and second wing section and a wing rib for connecting the two sections. A means for connecting a wing assembly to a model airplane is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hobbico, Inc.
    Inventor: Miguel A. Frontera Castaner
  • Patent number: 7182667
    Abstract: A coloring sheet, coloring book, coloring roll, and coloring desk and roll assembly having a coloring sheet with a printed coloring image outline on one surface is substantially visually imperceptible under normal viewing conditions, such as when viewed at a non-coloring distance using a standard incandescent light source, and a method of coloring the sheet. The image may be printed with ink extender, ultraviolet, or infrared ink, or printed opposite the coloring surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Cardinal Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Wittmeyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7182668
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for analyzing and controlling performance parameters in planarization of microelectronic substrates. In one embodiment, a planarizing machine for mechanical or chemical-mechanical planarization includes a table, a planarizing pad on the table, a carrier assembly, and an array of force sensors embedded in at least one of the planarizing pad, a sub-pad under the planarizing pad, or the table. The force sensor array can include shear and/or normal force sensors, and can be configured in a grid pattern, concentric pattern, radial pattern, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Marshall