Terminal Covers Patents (Class 174/138F)
  • Patent number: 6142818
    Abstract: An insulation displacement contact (IDC) strain relief cap is employed to interconnect a wire with an electrical contact. The electrical contact has a bifurcated end to engage and retain a wire and may be engaged with the strain relief cap. The cap contains notches, some of which fit on retaining cams that are attached to the electrical contact while others serve as wire exit holes. The cap fastens onto the clip once the retaining cams engage the notches and once the wire is aligned with the appropriate exit hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: David B. Hollesen, Ivan Pawlenko, Thelma E. Cole, Jason A. Kay, David S. Kerr
  • Patent number: 6135826
    Abstract: A hinged covered surface mountable housing for electrical components such as a magnetic reed switch, having an internal conductor channel and a plurality of routing paths with access means for routing an electrical conductor therethrough. The electrical status of the component is not impacted as a result of an accidental or intended opening or removal of the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Pittway Corp.
    Inventor: John M. Kovach
  • Patent number: 6090502
    Abstract: The present invention provides an external battery package unit (10) which houses mechanical and electrical components (32, 34) intended to be electrically connected to a battery (20) and be conveniently mounted to a top surface (22) of the battery (20). The battery unit (10) is made to fit within existing battery size constraints. In an exemplary embodiment, the external battery package unit (10) comprises a first housing (32) which acts as a mechanical compartment and a second housing (34) which acts as an electronics compartment. The first and second housings (32, 34) are secured to one another by a mounting member (30) which adjustably receives a portion of the first and second housings (32, 34) so that a distance between ends of the first and second housings (32, 34) is variable and the relationship between the first and second housings (32, 34) may be adjusted according to external parameters, such as the size of the battery (20) and different tolerances between battery post terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry W. Ingram, Randall F. Brantley
  • Patent number: 6072125
    Abstract: A noise absorbing apparatus includes a noise absorbing unit and a fixing base. The noise absorbing unit is constituted by a pair of ferrite members and a pair of covers covering the ferrite members. The ferrite members are positioned to oppose each other to be in tight contact with each other to sandwich a cable. The fixing base is fixed on a chassis where the cable extends, and fits on the noise absorbing unit, thereby fixing the noise absorbing unit on the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Takeuchi Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuichi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6005196
    Abstract: The triggered wildlife guard is formed from first and second body sections hinged together to pivot between an open and a closed position. In the closed position, the first and second body sections latch together to form a hollow body open at a first end and having a top wall at a second end which defines a conductor opening. A spring assembly biases the first and second body sections toward the closed position, and a releasable trigger extends between the first and second body sections to hold them in the open position until the trigger is released. A wire stop formed on the first and second body sections bridges a gap therebetween in the open position to retain a bushing lead wire in the conductor opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Central Moloney, Inc.
    Inventor: Jim R. Spillyards
  • Patent number: 5977482
    Abstract: A splice that includes two semi-cylindrical splice members joined together for relative pivotal movement into and out of engagement with each other in a closed mode and an open mode, respectively. Each splice member includes a plurality of channels. Respective channels of each splice member are aligned with each other in the closed mode to form respective cavities. The walls of a first cavity are structured and arranged to bear against a first length of wire, and the walls of a second cavity are structured and arranged to bear against a second length of wire. An electrical component is retained in a third cavity and is mechanically and electrically coupled to the first length of wire within the first cavity and the second length of wire in a fourth cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Albert D. Skopic, Donald E. Burger
  • Patent number: 5977485
    Abstract: A cover of a simple construction is provided which can deal with a distance variation between battery posts. The cover 6 is made of a rubber material and has a narrow box-like configuration. A bottomed middle portion of the cover 6 forms a tubular portion 107 through which a braided wire 3 of a battery connection terminal 1 is to be passed, and the opposite ends thereof form post cover portions 108 for covering battery posts 2. Further, slits 9 are formed in side walls between the tubular portion 107 and the post cover portions 108, so that the post cover portions 108 can be bent upward. In this way, since the cover 6 can be elongated and contracted according to a distance between the battery posts 2, it can be easily mounted and the action of an undesired force on the cover 6 due to the vibration of batteries 5 can be effectively prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Yoshimura, Suminori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5925854
    Abstract: An injector insulating cover includes a circumferential engagement portion in an inner wall portion. The circumferential engagement portion is engaged in a circumferential direction with respective apexes of a nut portion disposed in a head portion of an injector. When the insulating cover is attached so as to cover the head portion of the injector, the insulating cover cannot relatively rotate about the axis of the injector. Thus, the insulating cover can surely hold electric wires connected to terminals of the injector, so that electric wires elongate in a desired direction, and disadvantages such as that the electric wires come in contact with peripheral components and their insulating sheaths are damaged can be prevented from being produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Norio Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 5910029
    Abstract: A two-piece battery terminal shield generally comprises a base having a first hinge member hingedly interlocked with a second hinge member which is integral with a cover. The base further includes a first connector, such as a latch window, for removable connection to a second connector, on the cover. The second connector generally comprises a peninsular leg portion formed by two slits in a peripheral wall of the cover and a latch at a lower end of the leg portion. A release beam formed integrally with the leg portion extends outwardly and laterally from the leg portion. Portions of the release beam are spaced away from portions of the peripheral wall adjacent the leg portion, such that upon inward deformation of the leg portion, the release beam abuts the peripheral wall, thereby impeding excessive inward deformation of the leg portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Anthony Siedlik, Zenon Hotra, Michael Jerome Gniewek
  • Patent number: 5856634
    Abstract: A recoverable article includes an inner resilient radially elastomeric tubular member 2 that is held in its expanded configuration by an outer relatively rigid shell 6. The interface between the member 2 and the shell 6 comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel strips 4 coated onto the member 2. The strips 4 prevent the shell 6 from bonding to the member 2 in those regions. The shell 6 is castellated with its valleys 12 adjacent the edges of the strips 4. The lands 8 of the castellated shell 6 overlying the strips 4 can be peeled back to permit the resilient member 2 to recover towards its original configuration, for example around a power cable splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Alan Borgstrom
  • Patent number: 5844172
    Abstract: An insulator for wire terminals for covering connectors at the ends of temporarily detached live electric wires includes an upper housing and a lower housing hingedly attached at one end. Each housing is structured to include a cavity and a semi-circular recess leading from the respective cavity to a side of the respective housing opposite the hinge. The insulator further includes a tab like grip for facilitating manipulation of the insulator and adhesive pads for holding the housings together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: David S. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5844171
    Abstract: An environmentally enclosed splice is provided for two joined jacketed cables that carry distribution class voltage. The enclosed splice includes a molded elongate housing that has two mirror image clam-type housing halves that are closed over the cable splice around a living hinge. The splice is protected from the environment by a continuous, uninterrupted mastic seal that fully envelops the splice and seals to the jacketed cables extending from each end of the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: MeV Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 5837942
    Abstract: A cover which improves the aesthetic appearance of the back of a desktop computer which also provides protection for the leads and wires protruding from the back of the CPU (Central Processing Unit). The cover can be conformally molded of an opaque plastic material of sufficient thickness and strength as to provide protection for the rear components of the CPU. The design of this cover presents a shadow over the unsightly protruding wiring while maintaining adequate cooling airflow using a venturi generated by the CPU cooling fan and natural heat convection. Attachment shall be of a simple, easily attachable/detachable type requiring little or no modification to the CPU housing using preferably nonelectically conductive materials such as stick on hook and loop fasteners. The cover design shall be adaptable for both conventional desktop and tower type (vertical) CPUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Paul R. Becker
  • Patent number: 5834686
    Abstract: A generally disc-shaped polymeric insulating article (14) is in two parts to fit around the core (4) of an insulator (2). A first part (22) of the article (14) is substantially C-shaped to fit around the insulator core (4), and the second part comprises an insert (30) that slidably engages the first part (22) so as to secure the article in place. The article (14) projects a substantial distance radially from the insulator (2) to prevent animals and the like, bridging the length of, and thus electrically short circuiting, the insulator (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Raychem Limited
    Inventors: Donald Christopher Barrett, Michael Robert Cook, Matthew Spalding
  • Patent number: 5828005
    Abstract: A gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component (which may be another cable) is disclosed. The closure includes first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides; a hinge joining the first and second cavitied bodies along a lateral side thereof, such that the cavitied bodies are capable of pivoting around the hinge and closing around the connector and immediately adjacent portions of the cable and the at least one electrical component. A gel substantially fills each of the first and second cavitied bodies. At least one of the cavitied bodies has a flap disposed along the lateral edge thereof distal from the hinge, for directing gel flow in the lateral direction as the first and second cavitied bodies are closed. A locking mechanism for securing the cavitied bodies in a closed position is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Thai Huynh-Ba, Harry Yaworski, Michael J. Bontatibus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5804770
    Abstract: To easily cope with a change in a distance between battery posts, a cover (5) includes a pair of cover elements (6, 7) which are provided with receptacles (8) for accommodating connection members (3) of a battery connection terminal (1), and hollow connection portions (9, 10) which are slidably fitted so as to adjust the length of the cover (5). The connection portions (9, 10) are openable, and the receptacles (8) are provided with lids (28). After the connection portions (9, 10) are opened and partly assembled, the battery connection terminal (1) is inserted into the cover (5) sideways. Then, the connection portions (9, 10) are closed. The assembly of the cover (5) and the terminal (1) is fitted such that battery posts (51) are inserted into insertion holes (4) formed in the connection members (3), and the lids (28) are closed after nuts (54) are fastened to the battery posts (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5763835
    Abstract: A gel-filled closure for environmentally protecting a connector forming a connection between a cable and at least one electrical component (which may be another cable) is disclosed. The closure includes first and second cavitied bodies, each having two lateral sides and two end sides; a hinge joining the first and second cavitied bodies along a lateral side thereof, such that the cavitied bodies are capable of pivoting around the hinge and closing around the connector and immediately adjacent portions of the cable and the at least one electrical component; a gel substantially filling each of the first and second cavitied bodies; at least one of the cavitied bodies having a flap disposed along the lateral edge thereof distal from the hinge, for directing gel flow in the lateral direction as the first and second cavitied bodies are closed; and locking mechanism for securing the cavitied bodies in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Thai Huynh-Ba, Harry Yaworski, Michael J. Bontatibus, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5756937
    Abstract: A cover structure which protects the contact pins of connectors which are installed, for example, in a motherboard of a mother circuit panel. More particularly, a removable protective cover for wire wrap pins which are installed in the mother board prevents these pins from bending and electrically shorting together and wherein the removability of the protective cover facilitates ready access to the wire wrap pins to enable installation of additional wire wraps in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Wilfred L. Gleadall
  • Patent number: 5742000
    Abstract: The risk of personal injury to personnel working inside energized pad-mounted transformers is reduced by providing a universally sized safety shield device that fits in place during repair operations to prevent a workman's tool from contacting the transformer face. The shield device takes the form of a rigid sheet of dielectric material having sufficient insulative value to prevent arcing inside the transformer. The shield has three slots opening to an edge of the shield with the three slots being so sized and shaped to permit them to slide over the secondary bushings to locate and hold the safety shield in place during repair operations. The shield is used in association with a pair of novel insulative bushing covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Carolina Power & Light Company
    Inventor: Sammie D. Stevens
  • Patent number: 5696351
    Abstract: An intregal cable retention and sealing apparatus has reusable clamping mechanisms for the entry and exit of a wide variety of cable types and sizes to a sealed enclosure. The device is formed by "mirror-image" body halves having, when assembled, at least one axial passageway formed therethrough to accomodate one or more respective cables. One end of the apparatus includes a chamber for housing a sealing medium, whereas the other end includes a cable retention mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Ericsson Raynet
    Inventors: Alexander Benn, Peter Henderson, Detlev A. Lohmuller, Paulmer M. Soderberg, Marc F. Moisson, Lowell I. Koht
  • Patent number: 5684274
    Abstract: An enclosure for a cable splice assembly has an elongated tubular casing, within which the cable splice assembly is enclosed, and end walls, at least one of which has an orifice therein through which the cable passes. The tubular casing comprises a first section and a second section which are joined by an integral hinge, and has a latch for retaining the first and second sections together in a closed position. The casing preferably has at least one projection therein juxtaposed to each of the end walls, the projections being spaced apart by a distance that is greater than the length of the cable splice assembly in order to retain the cable splice assembly spaced away from the end walls. A water repellent gel is contained within the casing and the enclosure is freely rotatable around the cable splice assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: KMD Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. McLeod
  • Patent number: 5679927
    Abstract: An environmentally sealed enclosure for encapsulating a splice between cable segments. Cable gripping apparatus in the housing limits movement of the cable relative to the housing and includes a bonding portion to prevent separation of sealant from a cable when a cable is positioned to extend through the entrance into the housing. Walls of top and bottom shell segments are configured to be locked together for forming an enclosure containing encapsulant for protecting the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Communications Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Antoon M. Hurkmans, Suresh Venkat, Selim Messelhi
  • Patent number: 5666260
    Abstract: A tubular shaped device for insulating an electrical component such as, but not limited to, a dry film capacitor. Along one edge of the device is a rectangular shaped cutout for receiving radially extending leads of the electrical component. The electrical component is secured within the device by spreading the device open, placing the electrical component within the spread-open device, positioning the leads of the electrical component within the cutout and finally permitting the device to once again assume its tubular shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Philips Electronics North America
    Inventors: Yury Pasmanik, Bruce E. Blair
  • Patent number: 5656797
    Abstract: A protective jacket is formed of two symmetrical half-round shells molded from rigid, transparent plastics and fastened together by hooks thereof and secured to the electric wire of a light string to protect a bulb. Each half-round shell has two opposite pairs of half-round holes for the passing of the electric wire, two partition ribs defining a chamber for holding the bulb, an upright stop plate stopped at one end of the bulb to separate the lead wires, and a longitudinal series of upright stop rods for stopping the bulb against the upright stop plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventor: Shwu-Min Lin
  • Patent number: 5625167
    Abstract: A method of forming a cable seal which includes positioning a sealing material around the cable, positioning a housing around the sealing material, and subsequently positioning at the housing a restricting element that can restrict movement of the sealing material out of an outlet of the housing. The restricting element is a snap or interference fit to the housing and extends to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: N.V. Raychem S.A.
    Inventors: Lodewijk C. M. Van Noten, Tommy Petersen
  • Patent number: 5591939
    Abstract: A substantially rectangularly shaped enclosure hood has, in an area of an upper covering plate differently shaped grooves formed therein. These grooves serve as an aid in orientation during mounting as well as an extraction aid for a finished, assembled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hoffmann, Andre Koerner, Maik Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5587556
    Abstract: A protective cover for accommodating an end connecting part of a bundle of wires includes a box-type of casing body provided with a storage chamber to accommodate the end connecting part therein and a lid pivotably connected to the casing body to close the opened upper portion thereof. A bottom wall of the casing body is provided with a stop in the shape of a rectangular plate. With the arrangement, when accommodating the ends of the wires in the casing, the stop intrudes into the wires. Under this condition, even if the wires are pulled outside the casing, the end connecting part of the wires is hooked by the stop, whereby the wires can be retained in the casing without being drawn therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takatatsu Yamamoto, Shigehiko Kobayashi, Tomohiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5576516
    Abstract: A protective cover for a terminal includes a cover base for holding a terminal, a cover body for covering a terminal mounted on the cover base, the cover body including, a freely operatable lid formed through a hinge and a temporary opening holding member for holding the freely operatable lid portion at a predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasushi Kameyama, Jun Ono
  • Patent number: 5571024
    Abstract: A device for covering meter side blades on electric power meters is disclosed. The device includes a sleeve defining an envelope and sealed at one end and open at the other end for enclosing an object. The sleeve includes a pair of generally flat faces spaced apart by a pair of generally rounded edges or sides. The flat faces each have a flap extending form the open end to provide an electrically non-conductive horizontal sheath. The sides each having a skirt extending from the open end to provide an electrically non-conductive vertical side sheath. Arcuate cut outs are provided which separate the flaps from the skirts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Inventor: Vincent J. Ranoia
  • Patent number: 5569882
    Abstract: A waterproof protective cover includes an upper casing member and a lower casing member pivotably connected to the upper casing member through a hinge. When the upper casing member is fitted to the lower casing member, a storage chamber for accommodating a connection part of connected wires is defined by the casing members. The upper and lower casing members are provided on respective interior walls thereof with reinforcement ribs which extend in the longitudinal direction of the casing members and which are positioned between the electrical wires accommodated in the casing members. With the arrangement, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the upper and lower casing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuaki Yokoyama, Michitaka Kinoshita, Yukio Ohashi, Yasuhiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5559307
    Abstract: A twist-on electrical connector connects plural insulated electrical conductors. The connector may be manually twisted onto the conductors by an installer. The connector includes an outer insulative shell and an expandable spring held within the shell. The shell includes a pair of generally diametrically opposed wings which may be gripped by the installer to facilitate twisting of the connector onto the wires. The wings conform to the fingers of the installer to permit the easy gripping and twisting of the connector onto the conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Whitehead, Francis X. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5557069
    Abstract: A twist-on electrical connector connects plural conductors, preferably stripped ends of insulated conductors. The connector includes an outer insulative shell having a cavity open at one end. The cavity supports an expandable generally conical spring which accommodates the conductors. The shell includes plural ribs extending into the cavity for engagement with the spring upon radial expansion thereof. The ribs have tapered extents so that the ribs deform in both the radial and transverse direction upon expansion of the spring to control the rate of spring expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Whitehead, Francis X. Lynch
  • Patent number: 5516985
    Abstract: A cable end cap including a tubular sleeve (3), which is closed at a front end and is made of a thermoplastic material, and an elastomer sealing element (4) with sealing lips (41). Sleeve (3) and sealing element (4) are connected sealingly together by a mounting ring (10). Thus, cut off cable ends can be sealed reliably with little complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Huber & Suhner AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Merkel, Erich Wickli
  • Patent number: 5453578
    Abstract: A cover for protecting a large number of electric wires in the housing in a bolt-screwed high-density multi-pole connector having a screw bolt. The cover is plate-shaped. The cover has an engagement hole corresponding to a bolt holder having a rectangular cylinder into which the screw bolt is inserted and a handle provided at one end where the electric wires are fixed and from which they are extracted. Thus, the cover can be easily mounted on the housing. With no fear of catching or breaking of electric wires, the direction of extracting the electric wires can be optionally selected. Further, the cover can be fabricated at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Ishii, Tamio Watanabe, Toru Nagano
  • Patent number: 5444185
    Abstract: An insulating sleeve of elastic plastic for encasing an electric terminal having a front part having a hole to accommodate the plug end of the terminal, the width of the hole being larger than the height thereof, and a rear part having a hole whose height is large enough to accommodate the widest part of the terminal and whose width is large enough to pass the height of the terminal but not large enough to pass the widest part of the terminal, and an intermediate part having a hole whose diameter is large enough to permit the terminal to be rotated about the longitudinal axis thereof. The terminal that can be inserted and extracted through the rear part of the sleeve remains firmly locked in the sleeve during service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Tokyo Dipp Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinzo Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5442138
    Abstract: An insulator for a terminal-connecting portion has a sufficient force for holding a terminal and can drain water efficiently. An insulator body 100 is provided with a draining hole 140 on a side wall part 133 which is one of the exterior walls forming a curved portion 130. Since the draining hole 140 is provided on the side wall part, an outer corner wall part 131 of the curved portion 130 is left intact and an inner peripheral face of the outer corner wall part 131 is closely and elastically mounted on a corner 64 of a female terminal 60. Since an inner peripheral face of another end 120 of the insulator body 100 is closely and elastically mounted on two corners 62 and 63 out of three remaining corners 61 to 64, the female terminal 60 is supported on three points, so that a sufficient force of holding a terminal can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ochi
  • Patent number: 5440235
    Abstract: A plug for insulating electrical contacts of a male connector has a connector engaging portion for snugly coupling the plug to the connector and a head portion extending from the connector engaging portion. Bores extend axially through the connector engaging portion and only partially through the head portion, and snugly receive the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick J. Oko
  • Patent number: 5439759
    Abstract: A hinged, shell-like protective cover is releasably mounted to a flanged, split-ring battery cable terminal. A method of assembling said cover to said battery cable terminal is also described. The cover surrounds the battery cable terminal, providing protection from dirt, water, salt, and other contaminants in the engine compartment of a vehicle. The cover includes a base having an aperture which is adapted to receive a battery post. The base is attached to a lid by an integrally molded hinge which allows the lid to pivot about the base between an open position and a closed position. A locking mechanism is provided to secure the lid to the base in the closed position. A pair of resilient locking arms are formed on the base and are adapted to receive a terminal bolt. A plurality of resilient tabs are formed on the base of the cover and located near the aperture in the base. The resilient tabs interact with a flange on the terminal to secure the terminal to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel A. Lippert, Mark G. Hill
  • Patent number: 5432299
    Abstract: An insulator (100) wherein a funnel portion (120) has a conical inner peripheral surface (121) of an inner diameter increasing in a direction away from a body (101). A male terminal (second terminal) (161) is inserted into the insulator (100) from the funnel portion (120) to mate with a female terminal (first terminal) (151) housed in the insulator (100), and a jig (170) is prevented from interfering with an edge of the funnel portion (120) of the insulator (100) as the male terminal (161) is securely pushed into the female terminal (151), thereby preventing connection failure between the first and second terminals. If the path of insertion of the male terminal (161) is shifted so that the male terminal (161) abuts against the inner peripheral surface (121), the path is corrected along the slope of the inner peripheral surface (121), facilitating the insertion of the male terminal (161).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Ochi
  • Patent number: 5410105
    Abstract: A method for waterproofing a junction of branch wires with a main wire by enclosing the junction in a plastic cover containing a putty sealant and filling the inside of the cover with the sealant and a cover therefore are disclosed, the method comprising providing projections n and m on the inner side of cover l by which parallel wires b enfolded in the cover are vertically shifted or the parallel wires are not only vertically shifted but laterally spread by the projections to make enough space between adjacent wires b for letting the putty sealant in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignees: Nitto Denko Corporation, Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Tahara, Katsumi Hiroshima, Michitaka Kinoshita, Yukio Ohashi
  • Patent number: 5391834
    Abstract: A protective cover for electrical controls has planar upper & lower portions separated by an offset portion that spaces the lower portion outwardly from the upper portion. An enlarged aperture in the upper portion adjacent the offset portion provides access to a temperature setting adjustment on the control. Latches project rearwardly from the upper portion adjacent the aperture and an apertured tongue projects rearwardly from the top end of the cover for attaching the cover to the control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald E. Place
  • Patent number: 5373107
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a wire joint has a body which defines a lumen particularly adapted for receiving a crimp sleeve type wire joint. Longitudinal or coaxial ribs adjacent to a closed end of the lumen define an inside diameter which engages a relatively smaller joint, and the ribs are sufficiently flexible and the body stretchable so that the cover can alternatively receive a larger joint. A flexible skirt depends from the body and an elastic strap extends from the skirt with a ring retainer on the strap so that the strap can be extended through the crotch of the joint and secured to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Inventors: John R. Thomas, Chris W. Korinek, Robert W. Kruse
  • Patent number: 5371323
    Abstract: Splice housing apparatus are provided on its interior with spacers or spacing members for engaging the splice or splices contained by the apparatus and for maintaining the splice or splices substantially out of engagement with the interior of the apparatus and generally suspended therein whereby a body of material for preventing water damage to the splice or splices can substantially surround the splice or splices and prevent water damage thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Pina R. Schneider, Thomas G. Graham, Stanley B. Krawiec
  • Patent number: 5346782
    Abstract: A cap is provided to cover the terminal heads of batteries and protect them from the elements. The cap is made of rubber or other pliable, non-conductive material and has a hollow cylindrical section and a planar section across the top of the cylindrical section. The cyclindrical section fits tightly over the terminal head, and the cap is retained over the terminal by the friction of the cylindrical section around the terminal head. The bottom of the cap seals against the insulated portions of a connector which is retained by the battery terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Julian Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Julian
  • Patent number: 5346408
    Abstract: A battery cable assembly comprising a battery cable having a conductive core and an insulated sheet and a metal cable terminal having a generally forward planar eyelet portion and a rearward crimping portion for securing the terminal to the battery cable and with the eyelet portion having a central through opening and a pair of opposed notches at its sides. The battery cable assembly also includes a plastic, flexible battery terminal cover having a forward portion for slidably receiving the eyelet portion and a rearward portion for receiving the crimping portion of the terminal. The forward portion of the battery terminal cover has a top, bottom, side and end wall portions which define a rectangular slot through which the eyelet terminal can be inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Chupak
  • Patent number: 5340339
    Abstract: A cover for protecting at least one wire extending from an air bag inflator comprising: a top (52), including a circular shaped first portion (54) and a narrow three-sided flange portion (56) extending radially outward from first portion; a circularly shaped first wall (58) having first (60) and second ends (62) and a bottom surface defining a shoulder (64) extending downwardly from the first portion, the first wall terminating proximate the location of the flange portion to define a space (65) between the first and second ends of the first wall. An inner surface (66) of the first wall includes a diameter smaller than the diameter of an the end portion (24) of the inflator. The cover additionally includes a circularly shaped second wall (70) extending downwardly from the first wall, having an inner (72) surface. A groove (74) is formed within the inner surface, to receive an edge of the end portion (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Trilok Desai, Gregory N. Goestenkors, Mohamed Boumarafi
  • Patent number: 5338213
    Abstract: A plug for insulating electrical contacts of a male connector has a connector engaging portion for snugly coupling the plug to the connector and a head portion extending from the connector engaging portion. Bores extend axially through the connector engaging portion and only partially through the head portion, and snugly receive the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Frederick J. Oko
  • Patent number: 5338898
    Abstract: A device for facilitating and protecting the connection between conductor cables and associated connection terminals of electrical apparatus, particularly the electromagnet of a motor vehicle starter motor, comprising a box-like body having a base and a cover of electrically insulating material. The base has a seat for form coupling engagement on to the connection terminal and an aperture for the introduction of conductor cables, and the cover is articulated to the base so as to be turnable relative to this between an open position and a closure position. An external retaining member connected to the body is attachable to the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Fiat Auto S.p.A.
    Inventors: Smo' Luciano, Spina Donato
  • Patent number: 5315068
    Abstract: An extender or cover is provided for fitting over partition walls between adjacent sets of terminal points or connectors on an electrical terminal block. When installed, the extender serves as a mechanical barrier against inadvertent connection of terminals of different electrical polarity or potential. The extender also serves as a visible cautionary indicator, alerting the service crew to be aware of the risk of misconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Houston Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Mary A. Barron, Danny R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5285011
    Abstract: A joint terminal mounting structure for an electric junction box incorporates a junction box body having at least one terminal portion connected to at least one joint terminal; a joint terminal accommodating box having at least one joint terminal accommodating cavity; and a cover adapted to cover the joint terminal accommodating box. Since the present device uses a joint terminal accommodating box, joint terminals can be securely connected with ease, resulting in improved work efficiency and reliable electrical connections. Further, since the present device has a structure in which the cover is incorporated in the joint terminal accommodating box, the projecting height of the cover is suppressed to improve resin moldability, thereby resulting in improved mold life and yield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Shimochi