Coupling-actuated Switch Patents (Class 200/51.09)
  • Patent number: 6299467
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulated housing having a top wall formed with a top opening, a first terminal having a first solder tail projecting outwardly from the housing and a first contact part in contact with the housing, and a second terminal having a second solder tail projecting outwardly from the housing and a spring arm connected to and extending above the second solder tail. The spring arm has a second contact part disposed below and aligned with the first contact part, and a U-shaped bent portion projecting into the top opening. The second contact part is movable between a first position, in which the second contact part is urged by the spring arm to make contact with the first contact part, and a second position, in which the second contact part is moved away from the first contact part when the U-shaped bent portion is pressed downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Connecteck Inc.
    Inventor: Min-Lung Chien
  • Patent number: 6247948
    Abstract: An electrical interlock connector (40) includes an insulating housing (42) containing at least one terminal-receiving cavity (46) with an electrical terminal (58) disposed therein and a first circuit member (70) connected to a power source and attached to the housing (42). The terminal (58) includes a spring section (62) having an outer connecting portion (61) adapted to be electrically connected to an electrical unit (28). The outer connecting portion (61) resiliently extends outwardly of a first housing surface (41) to an open position wherein the terminal (58) and the first circuit member (70) are electrically disconnected. The outer connecting portion (61) is movable into the cavity (46) to a closed position by a first portion (26) of the apparatus (20) upon mounting the connector against first and second portions (26, 36) of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne Samuel Davis, Robert Neil Whiteman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6229107
    Abstract: A safety electrical receptacle is disclosed which eliminates the danger of accidental shock due to inserting a foreign object into the socket of the described device. The safety electrical receptacle body includes cavities and support structures for positioning rotating cams, fixed electrical sockets with integral electrical contacts and movable resilient spring loaded electrical busses with integral electrical contacts. The contacts remain open and electrically inactive when the receptacle is in the normal unused state with the resilient spring bus displacing the rear cam lobe and positioning the front cam lobe directly into the socket opening. When a plug or other object is inserted into the socket it displaces the front cam lobe and the rear cam lobe moves against the spring loaded electrical bus and closes the contact on the opposite socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventors: Steven G Flint, Thomas William Shelton
  • Patent number: 6207910
    Abstract: A low profile, two pole, plunger-type safety switch and connector assembly includes a switch housing and switch components are supported within the housing interior region. An actuator extends exteriorly though the housing opening and is moveable along a linear path of travel between two positions, one position of the actuator corresponding to an undepressed position and a second position of the actuator corresponding to a depressed position. Terminals of the switch assembly terminate in conductive male contacts extending through a side wall of the switch housing substantially perpendicular to the path of travel of the actuator. The connector assembly includes a connector housing supporting four female terminals sized to snugly receive respective different ones of the four male contacts when the connector housing engages the switch housing. Extending arms of a flexible, electrically conductive shorting member contact a center two of the female terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Delta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur James Harvey, Mark R. Albrecht, Jan L. Michaud, Michael Eric Liedtke
  • Patent number: 6172310
    Abstract: A switching device for an electrical connector comprises a cover and a base securely assembled with the cover. A plurality of contacts comprising first contacts, second contacts, and third contacts are secured in the base. A plurality of switching terminals each includes a positioning portion, a first tab, a second tab, and a third tab. Each switching terminal forms a pushing end opposite the positioning portion, the pushing end also connecting the first tab to the third tab. The tabs respectively form first, second, and third contacting portions thereon. In operation, the first and the second contacting portions are respectively engaged with the first and second contacts when the pushing end is not being pushed laterally. When the pushing end is pushed laterally, the first contacting portion disengages from the first contact, and the third contacting portion moves to engage with the third contact, thereby switching a signal transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Ahi Precision Ind. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui Tze Tsai, Nan Tsung Huang, Kun-Tsan Wu