Moved By Mating Connector Patents (Class 439/137)
  • Patent number: 6905354
    Abstract: Alignment of optical components to one another in 3-degrees of freedom is facilitated by a U-clip and a sleeve having an off-axis optical component running there through. A generally U-shaped clip comprises a base a first arm and a second arm to form a channel. A generally cylindrical sleeve fits within the channel with a fiber or other optical component encased in the sleeve and positioned off center relative to a mechanical axis of the sleeve. Fine alignment adjustments may be made by sliding and rotating the sleeve within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Eric J. Zbinden
  • Patent number: 6901200
    Abstract: A modular assembly for a dense wavelength division multiplexing system a base having at least one handle, a first connector panel attached to the base, a second connector panel attached to the base, a multiplexing clamp, a first splice platform and a second splice platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Fiber Optic Network Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven John Schray
  • Patent number: 6896530
    Abstract: A housing body is formed with an opening, and a cavity communicated with the opening and into which a mating connector terminal inserted through the opening in a first direction is fitted. An internal terminal is provided in the cavity to be electrically connected to the mating connector terminal fitted into the cavity. A pair of shutter members are disposed outside the cavity such that a part of each of the shutter members is movable in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, between a first position for concealing a part of the opening and a second position for revealing the part of the opening. An urging member urges each of the shutter members toward the first position, so that the mating connector terminal moves the shutter members toward the second position against an urging force of the urging member when the mating connector terminal is fitted into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishio, Yoshinori Ota, Yuji Tsujii
  • Patent number: 6893275
    Abstract: A shutter assembly for a receptacle. The shutter assembly may include a first plate, a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a shutter disposed between the first plate and the second plate, a first spring that provides lateral movement of the shutter, a second spring that provides transverse movement of the shutter and a plunger for providing a pivot point to the shutter. The plunger may be disposed between the second spring and the shutter. According to an embodiment of the invention, when there are no pins or there is one pin inserted into the shutter assembly, the shutter is in a first position and lugs on the shutter abut locks disposed on the first plate and the second plate, thereby barring access to apertures in the assembly. When two pins, other than the ground pin, either sharp or round edges, are inserted into the shutter assembly, the shutter slides laterally to expose apertures in the assembly, making the receptacle available for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Koncept Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ng, Edmund Ng
  • Patent number: 6863550
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a self-ejecting cover for externally accessible electronic components. The system of the present invention includes a panel with an aperture for accepting an externally accessible component such as a communication connection. A self-ejecting cover with an engaging tab is disposed in the aperture. Upon connecting the panel to a device with a corresponding component the cover is ejected, if an external component is not included the cover remains in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Vernon D. Erickson, Richard A. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6857884
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cover for protecting a jack hole, into which a terminal of a microphone or a speaker in various electronic equipments, or a portable mobile telecommunication terminal device is inserted, and which is easily opened by an insertion force of a terminal into the jack hole. The jack hole cover includes a guide holder comprising a through hole for inserting the plug terminal and being fixed to the housing of the equipment, a slide cover comprising at least two pieces and being installed on the guide holder so that the pieces of the slide cover are outwardly stretched by an insertion force of the terminal, and elastic means for supporting the pieces of the slide cover prior to inserting the terminal into the through hole of the guide holder, thereby being automatically opened by inserting the terminal into the jack hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Shik Kim, Jong-Cheon Wee, Hwan-Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 6835076
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided that includes a first connector having a slidable cover and alignment post receiving sockets, a second connector constructed with alignment posts, and a flexible mounting bracket. The cover protects terminals mounted in the first connector from dirt and debris when the connector is in an unmated state. As the second connector is engaged with the first connector, angled surfaces on the alignment posts of the second connector cooperate with chamfered surfaces on the first connector to guide a misaligned second connector into the first connector. Angled surfaces on the alignment posts and cover cooperate to move the cover exposing the terminals on the first connector for electrical connection with terminals on the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Jones, Timothy Simmons, III
  • Patent number: 6832923
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has a mating portion and a shutter member that is mounted substantially adjacent to the mating portion. A first conductor is provided on the shutter member and a cam engagement member drives the shutter member between an open and a closed position. The second connector has an actuator with a cam. A second conductor is provided on the cam and contacts the first conductor to prevent electrostatic discharge when the cam engages the cam engagement member to drive the shutter member into an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics. AMP, K.K.
    Inventors: Naotaka Sasame, Shinichi Hashimoto
  • Publication number: 20040248443
    Abstract: An electrical card connector (1) includes a terminal module (12), a shell (13), an ejector (14) and a shutter mechanism (15). The terminal module includes an insulative housing (121) and a number of terminals (122) received in the insulative housing. The shell is assembled to the terminal module and includes a cover (131) and a pair of lateral walls (132, 133) extending from opposite sides of the cover (131). The ejector is assembled to the lateral wall (133) of the shell. The shutter mechanism is away from the terminal module and includes a mounting member (151) assembled to the ejector and the shell and a door member (17). The door member is pivotally assembled to the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jung Chieh Lai, Ming-Lun Kuo
  • Patent number: 6828756
    Abstract: A folding mobile communication terminal is provided with a contact for charging and a protective cover that covers the contact. The protective cover is connected to a coil spring and is movable. When the communication terminal is installed on a battery charger, the protective cover is pushed up by a convex portion of the battery charger, exposes the contact and enables the connection of the contact and a terminal of the battery charger. When the communication terminal is detached from the battery charger, the protective cover is returned to a position in which the protective cover covers the contact by the resilience of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20040229484
    Abstract: A miniature receptacle having female contacts of the type which are not uncovered when a mating plug is not inserted is provided. A insulative socket housing(1) has an opening part(11) into which a plug having male contacts of the dual in-line type is inserted. A polarity of female contact (2) are arrayed in parallel on a pair of inner walls forming the opening part(11) to be opposed each other across the opening part(1). A shutter (3) is disposed within the opening part(11). The shutter shields a front face of the opening part(11) when the plug is removed and retracts towards a rear face of the opening part when the plug is inserted. A pair of compressed coil springs (5) are provided within the opening part(11) and give force to move the shutter(3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Shinji Uchida
  • Publication number: 20040229483
    Abstract: A miniature multi-polar electric plug which can prevent the male contacts from being placed unprotected all the time is provided. An electric plug (10) has a plug housing (1), male contacts (2), a shutter (3), a shell (4), and a pair of compressed coil springs (5). The plug housing (1) has a header part (1a) and a frame part (1b). The header part (1b) protrudes from the frame part and has a mounting board (12) for mounting the male contacts (2) and the shutter (3). The compressed coil springs (5) move the shutter (3) to cover or uncover the male contact (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Shinji Uchida
  • Patent number: 6814594
    Abstract: The invention discloses a composite elastic member of socket protective safety cover, in that the composite elastic member is disposed in a socket safety protective cover, is capable of providing the protective cover with vertical restoring elasticity and horizontal elasticity, and forms fulcrums for swinging movements of the protective cover. The composite elastic member includes vertical elastic plates, a horizontal elastic plate and a fixing section. A highest point of each vertical elastic plate forms a support point. The horizontal elastic plate is located at a side of the vertical elastic plates, and has action directions perpendicular to those of the vertical elastic plates. The fixing section is located out of action ranges of the vertical elastic plates and the horizontal elastic plate, and is for fixing an entire structure to an external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Cheng-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 6793402
    Abstract: The invention provides a socket for a connector, wherein a socket housing is simplified in construction such that means for preventing foreign matter such as dust, dirt, and so forth from making ingress in the socket can be assembled with ease. The socket housing 10 comprises a cavity 20 for allowing a plug to be inserted therein, a protuberance provided within the cavity 20, a through hole defined substantially at the center of the protuberance, for allowing a plug extremity to be inserted from outer end thereof, and a connector element 70 disposed at inner end of the through hole, opposite thereto. In assembling, a shutter 50, an elastic member 60, and the connector element 70 are inserted into the socket housing 10 in that order through a narrow opening 30, and are set in, and securely attached to the socket housing 10 by fitting a cover body 80 into the narrow opening 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Uchida
  • Patent number: 6794575
    Abstract: A safety cap for an electrical outlet having an adhesive section can be attached to a standard outlet cover. The adhesive section connects the electrical outlet safety cover to the electrical outlet. The safety cap includes prongs made of a non-electrically conductive material shaped to fit into the electrical outlet. The bendable section rotates the prongs from a position outside the electrical outlet to a position inside the electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventors: Theodore McBain, Melvin R. Osborn
  • Patent number: 6786744
    Abstract: An electrical plug socket has a socket cover which is defined with first plug insertion holes, a socket body which is defined through an upper wall thereof with second plug insertion holes, terminals which are located inside the socket body, and an opening and closing member which is disposed on the upper wall of the socket body below the socket cover in such a way as to open and close the second plug insertion holes. The electrical plug socket further has a locking device which is installed on the opening and closing member to control movement thereof. The opening and closing member and the locking device are configured in such a way as to be actuated by insertion of a plug into the plug socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Chang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6786745
    Abstract: A safety protective cover for socket receptacles includes an upper housing, a sliding base, a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a lower housing. The upper and lower housings are provided with receptacles, respectively. The sliding base is capable of vertical and horizontal movements between the upper and lower housings, and has elastic restoring forces. The sliding base further has stopping members that can be extended into the receptacles of the housings. When the stopping members of the cover are not simultaneously pushed away from the receptacles, the other stopping member not being pushed away blocks in the receptacle to stop horizontal displacement of the sliding base, thereby prohibiting an alien object from pushing away the stopping member and entering the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Chyong-Yen Huang
  • Publication number: 20040171289
    Abstract: An electrical connector is mounted in an outer container of an electrical cooking device for electrical connection with an inner container. The connector includes a casing in which two receiving slots are defined. Two resilient conductive plates are arranged inside the casing and are selectively connected with an external power source. A slide lid is movably arranged inside the casing and is biased by a spring toward a closed position where the slide lid closes the receiving slots. Two driving blocks are formed on the slide lid and corresponding in position to the receiving slots. Each driving block has an inclined surface. The inner container includes an electrical heating element forming two terminal pins, which get into the slots when the inner container is deposited into the outer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Wu Chang Li-Chen
  • Patent number: 6776630
    Abstract: A safety socket protective cover includes an outer housing, an inner housing, a sliding cover, an elastic support member and an elastic member. The sliding cover, the elastic support member and the elastic member are disposed at a gap between the outer housing and the inner housing. The sliding cover is provided with wedge members for corresponding with receptacles at the outer housing, wherein each wedge member has a passive inclined plane. The elastic support member has elastic restoring forces and is disposed below the sliding cover. The elastic member is pressed between the sliding cover and the outer housing. When the sliding cover receives abnormal forces, the wedge members block the receptacles at the outer housing due to unequal forces received, thereby preventing alien objects from entering the receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Atom Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chyong-Yen Huang
  • Publication number: 20040147148
    Abstract: A shutter assembly for a receptacle. The shutter assembly may include a first plate, a second plate disposed adjacent the first plate, a shutter disposed between the first plate and the second plate, a first spring that provides lateral movement of the shutter, a second spring that provides transverse movement of the shutter and a plunger for providing a pivot point to the shutter. The plunger may be disposed between the second spring and the shutter. According to an embodiment of the invention, when there are no pins or there is one pin inserted into the shutter assembly, the shutter is in a first position and lugs on the shutter abut locks disposed on the first plate and the second plate, thereby barring access to apertures in the assembly. When two pins, other than the ground pin, either sharp or round edges, are inserted into the shutter assembly, the shutter slides laterally to expose apertures in the assembly, making the receptacle available for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: KONCEPT Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Ng, Edmund Ng
  • Patent number: 6767227
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having an opening for receiving a mating connector. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions exposed at the opening for engaging appropriate contacts of the mating connector. A shutter plate is mounted on the housing for movement from a protective position at the opening for covering and protecting the contact portions of the terminals, to a retracted position upon mating of the mating connector to allow the contact portions of the terminals to engage the contacts of the mating connector. At least one flexible locating spring is disposed between the shutter plate and the housing to allow the shutter plate to yield relative to the housing during movement between its positions and prevent binding of the shutter plate upon movement relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamaguchi, Kazushige Asakawa
  • Patent number: 6764322
    Abstract: A power plug receptacle having a safety cover comprises a plurality of sockets each provided with a rotary safety cover. A socket and a safety cover are coupled through inserting a pivot post into a pivot hole and engaging a guiding pin into a guiding slot. A torsional spring provided within the socket resiliently ejects the safety cover into a position where the socket holes and the safety cover holes are misaligned. Therefore, the socket is automatically sealed, achieving the protective functions against foreign intrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-I Yu
  • Patent number: 6763170
    Abstract: An apparatus for retaining and protecting spliced optical fibers. Optical fibers forming an extensive network, extending a great distance, are spliced together to provide the communication medium for the network. The apparatus includes a joint box for protecting the splices. Within the joint box is at least one arcuate-shaped splice retainer. The retainer secures the splices in a static position to prevent them from being damaged. Also, the retainer may include more than one arcuate layers for storing the splices. The arcuate layers organize the splices, so they are readily identifiable and accessible. In addition, the arcuate layers make efficient use of the limited space available for storing the splices. The joint box includes a center shelf longitudinally dividing the joint box into two compartments. To accommodate more splices, an arcuate retainer may be provided in each compartment by mounting an arcuate retainer on each side of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Telecommunications (US) Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice Kordahi, Steven Bernstein, Tat Chiu Lee, Tony S. Fong
  • Publication number: 20040110402
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided that includes a first connector having a slidable cover and alignment post receiving sockets, a second connector constructed with alignment posts, and a flexible mounting bracket. The cover protects terminals mounted in the first connector from dirt and debris when the connector is in an unmated state. As the second connector is engaged with the first connector, angled surfaces on the alignment posts of the second connector cooperate with chamfered surfaces on the first connector to guide a misaligned second connector into the first connector. Angled surfaces on the alignment posts and cover cooperate to move the cover exposing the terminals on the first connector for electrical connection with terminals on the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Randall T. Jones, Timothy Simmons
  • Patent number: 6739887
    Abstract: A security device for a power receptacle. The device includes a slot cover, a protection cover, and elastic elements. A surface of the slot cover is formed with slots. At least two recesses penetrate into the interior of the receptacle. An inner lateral surface of at least one recess is installed with a positioning block. The protection cover is a sheet body with holes on a surface thereof. At least two hooking sheets are installed at an inner surface of the protection cover. At least one hooking sheet is installed with a fixing block. The hooking sheets of the protection cover can be movably engaged to the recesses of the slot cover. The elastic elements are positioned between the positioning blocks and fixing blocks. The protection cover is movable and restorable due to the elasticity of the elastic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Tsung-I Yu
  • Publication number: 20040092145
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connector with a plurality of contacts therein and a conductive shutter rotatable between a closed position covering the plurality of contacts and an open position exposing the plurality of contacts. A shield member encircles the plurality of contacts and is configured to make electrical contact with the conductive shutter when the conductive shutter is in the closed position. A mating connector and a connector arrangement are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Naotaka Sasame, Shinichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6717805
    Abstract: The tray-type connecting module for electronic memory cards of the present invention is comprised of a base placed on an electric circuit board and a tray openable and closable by sliding on the base for opening and closing. Wherein the bottom of the base is provided with a plurality of through holes in opposition to a plurality of connecting points on the electric circuit board. The bottom of the tray is provided in corresponding to the through holes with a plurality of pins; when the tray is moved to slide for opening in order to receive an electronic memory card, the pins contact with the input/output pins on the electronic memory card; and when the tray is moved to slide for closing, the pins of the tray are in alignment with the through holes, and are electrically connected with the connecting points on the electric circuit board via the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Carry Computer Eng. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tsung Liu, Chih-Pin Yang
  • Publication number: 20040038569
    Abstract: A connector has a housing (20) with a lock arm (28) that engages a lock (13) of a mating housing (10) when the housings (10, 20) are connected properly. Resilient members (50) are movable along a connecting direction (CD) of the housings (20, 10) and are displaceable along a direction (RDD) intersecting the connecting direction (CD). The resilient members (50) are pushed back by the mating housing (10) as the housings (20, 10) are connected. A spring (70) between the resilient member (50) and the housing (20) accumulates a biasing force to separate the housings (20, 10) as the resilient member (50) is moved back. An operable member (40) is movable along the connecting direction (CD) and has an operating portion (80) displaceable to an operable position where the lock arm (28) can be operated to cancel the locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaoka, Yukinori Saka, Koji Okutani
  • Publication number: 20030148645
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector shutter which makes it possible to reduce the space between the connector and the shutters. The connector shutters 30a and 30b are installed in the housing 38 of an electronic device so that the mating recesses 11 and 12 of the connector 1 are opened and closed by these connector shutters 30a and 30b. These connector shutters 30a and 30b are caused to pivot as a result of the tip ends of the connector shutters being contacted by the guide parts 53 of the mating connector 40, so that the mating recesses 11 and 12 of the connector 1 are opened. The pivoting shafts (shaft holes 33a and 33b) of the connector shutters 30a and 30b are disposed facing the end surfaces 16a and 16b of the connector 1 at both ends of the connector 1 with respect to the lengthwise direction, and the contact parts 34 of the tip ends of the shutters 30a and 30b that are contacted by the guide parts 53 include protruding parts 34b that protrude further than the other portions of these tip ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K
    Inventor: Shinichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6602081
    Abstract: A shielding cap and electric socket -arrangement is constructed to include an electric socket integral with a part of an electric outlet, the electric socket having two parallel sliding rails disposed at two sides of plugholes thereof, a shielding cap movable along the parallel sliding rails between a first position to close the plugholes of the electric socket and a second position to open the plugholes of the electric socket, and a lock structure provided between the shielding cap and the electric socket and adapted for selectively locking the shielding cap between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Ming-Shan Wang
  • Patent number: 6599141
    Abstract: An outlet unit for providing a supply voltage to the prongs of a plug comprising a housing having a plurality of electrically conductive plug channels for receiving the prongs of the plug, a shutter rotatably mounted to the housing and operative in one of a first and a second position, the shutter having openings for receiving the prongs of the plug wherein only when in the second position the openings of the shutter and the plug channels are aligned permitting axial displacement of the prongs into the housing, and a strike plate located between the housing and the shutter for preventing the rotation of the shutter to the second position absent axial displacement of the prongs sufficient to engage the strike plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: General Dynamics OTS (Aerospace), Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell T. Hambley, Rory G. Briski
  • Publication number: 20030124889
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having an opening for receiving a mating connector. A plurality of terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions exposed at the opening for engaging appropriate contacts of the mating connector. A shutter plate is mounted on the housing for movement from a protective position at the opening for covering and protecting the contact portions of the terminals, to a retracted position upon mating of the mating connector to allow the contact portions of the terminals to engage the contacts of the mating connector. At least one flexible locating spring is disposed between the shutter plate and the housing to allow the shutter plate to yield relative to the housing during movement between its positions and prevent binding of the shutter plate upon movement relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamaguchi, Kazushige Asakawa
  • Publication number: 20030119348
    Abstract: A connector with a shutter for protecting a contact portion of a peripheral device used in a computer, said connector comprising a housing, a shutter capable of closing an aperture portion of the housing, a spring for applying pressure to said shutter in the closed position and a stopper for detaining said shutter in the closed position, said housing accommodating said shutter, spring and stopper, and said shutter comprising a guiding device for guiding said shutter when said shutter slides in opposition to the pressure of said spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Kameda
  • Patent number: 6577081
    Abstract: A safety shield assembly for an electrical apparatus comprises a bellows which is recessed into the planar surface of the apparatus which surrounds a pair of electrical blades, and which faces the planar face of a wall receptacle when the electrical apparatus is plugged into the receptacle. The safety shield assembly includes the bellows and a cavity into which the bellows is secured. In its uncompressed state, the bellows extends nearly the length of the electrical blades; in its compressed state, the bellows recedes fully into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Elumina Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
  • Patent number: 6568942
    Abstract: An electric appliance has a body member and a detachable electric cord. The body member includes a connecting portion having at least one pin member extended therefrom. The electric cord includes at least a first plug member and a second plug member which are electrically connected with each other. The first plug member is electrically connectable to an electric source. The second plug member is releasably engageable with the connecting portion of the body member by a magnetic attracting force between them. The pin member includes a tapered end surface, and the second plug member includes at least one aperture sized to receive the pin of the connecting portion of the body member. The width of the aperture is greater than the width of the pin member by a factor in the range of 1.1 to 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Eastern Sources Housewares (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Wing Chung Joseph Lau, Leung Chi Ho
  • Patent number: 6555771
    Abstract: An electric shock-proof security device of a receptacle is disclosed, describing in particular when an undesired object is inserted into the receptacle, the electric shock-proof security device serves to prevent the user from getting an electric shock. The device comprises a cover, two stoppers, springs and a supporting seat. The two stoppers include a right stopper and a left stopper. The right and left stoppers are integrally formed pieces; and tilted surfaces are provided on the upper surfaces of the stoppers. The two stoppers are placed on the supporting seat. Within the supporting seat, two springs resist against the right stopper and left stopper. Therefore, an electric shock-proof security device of a receptacle is formed. The two stoppers serve to isolate the undesired object so as not to be in contact with the conductive piece and the danger of electric shock is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Hung-Chiang Shao
  • Publication number: 20030077929
    Abstract: An electrical connector system comprises a shutter (15) having shutter members (16 and 17) with arms (21) pivoted to the end walls of a receptacle (1). The shutter members (16 and 17) are biased by a spring member (18) such that the sliding sections (20) are closed to cover a plug fitting section (39) and opened by guide pins (37) that are provided on a plug connector (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventor: Akira Funatsu
  • Patent number: 6537088
    Abstract: A plug receptacle protection cover containing an intermediate flexible element, having an intermediate space to accommodate a protection cover at the bottom corresponding to two outlets of the plug receptacle; slops provided on both sides the protection cover corresponding to said two outlets and a secondary outlet each to respectively match said two outlets is provided at the bottom of said intermediate space; a saddle between two outlets in the intermediate space to receive a perforated portion protruding from the center of the protection cover, a flexible element installed between the protection cover and the saddle, and a guide in the intermediate space to direct the protection to travel in a given direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Atom Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chyong-yen Huang
  • Patent number: 6537089
    Abstract: An electrical outlet, used with a plug having live and neutral prongs of equal length, comprises support member having live and neutral apertures, and live and neutral receptacles for receiving the prongs. A blocking member lies between the support member and the receptacles, and moves between a closed position, in which it blocks the apertures, and an open position, it which it does not block these apertures, thus permitting the prongs to enter the receptacles. The blocking member is biased towards its closed position, but has a cam surface which contacts the entering neutral prong and moves the blocking member to its open position. The blocking member also has a recess so that, when the blocking member is in its closed position, a portion of the live prong can lie within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Safer Home, Inc.
    Inventor: William A. Montague
  • Publication number: 20030040207
    Abstract: An output-attached measuring instrument has: a measuring instrument body (1) having a circuit board (14) for processing a measurement signal from a sensor as a measurement data, an output electrode (15) for outputting the measurement data, and a connector hole (17) in communication with the output electrode and opening to an outer surface; and a connection cable (30) having a connector (32) capable of attaching to and detaching from the connector hole on an end thereof for transmitting the measurement data obtained by the measuring instrument body to an external device, the connector having a projection (33) capable of being plugged to and unplugged from the connector hole and a connector terminal (34) exposed on a surface thereof, where an elastic connector (20) having am electro-conductive portion for electrically connecting the connector terminal and the output electrode is accommodated in a space of the connector hole of the measuring instrument body and the elastic connector shuts the connector hole when
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seigo Takahashi, Masamichi Suzuki, Kouji Sasaki, Yoshiaki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 6511229
    Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for controlling access to an optical interface using a shutter that moves away (e.g., sideways) from the optical interface when exposing the optical interface. Such movement away form the optical interface avoids pushing dirt and debris toward the optical interface when the shutter exposes the optical interface to form an optical connection. Such operation keeps the optical interface clean as well as prevents light from inadvertently escaping from the optical interface that could otherwise cause eye injury (e.g., due to the light intensity). One arrangement is directed to an optical connection system having a first optical connector and a second optical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Sepehr Kiani
  • Publication number: 20030017731
    Abstract: A plug receptacle protection cover containing an intermediate flexible element, having an intermediate space to accommodate a protection cover at the bottom corresponding to two outlets of the plug receptacle; slops provided on both sides the protection cover corresponding to said two outlets and a secondary outlet each to respectively match said two outlets provided at the bottom of said intermediate space; a saddle between two outlets in the intermediate space to receive a perforated portion protruding from the center of the protection cover, a flexible element installed between the protection cover and the saddle, and a guide in the intermediate space to direct the protection to travel in a given direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Chyong-yen Huang
  • Patent number: 6461196
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing damage to memory cards, memory card connectors, host electronics, and other electronic devices by only allowing intended electronic devices to mate with the connector for which it is intended and/or determining when an electronic device has been inserted into a connector upside down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: Arthur King Wilson, Vivian Wei Chow, George Craig Lysy
  • Patent number: 6457988
    Abstract: An electrical connector for securely maintaining the connector members in mated relation to allow for a continuous electrical connection. The electrical connector includes a male connector member or plug having a series of prongs and a female connector member or wall outlet box having a series of sockets that extend vertically for accepting the prongs. Each of the connector members is connected to an electric cable and may have a pair of wedges having serrated opposed sides to retain the cable within the connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Svend Andersen
  • Patent number: 6449144
    Abstract: A friction hinge for a notebook computer having a base and a liquid crystal display (LCD) is provided. The hinge comprises a pair of sleeves each having one end mounted to the base of the notebook computer and the other end pivotal relative to the sleeve, and a bracket member mounted to the LCD, each end of the bracket member fixed to the other end of each sleeve. This can greatly enhance the structural strength for preventing the LCD from deforming or damaging after long time of holding the notebook computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ASUSTek Computer Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Ping Yeh
  • Patent number: 6425773
    Abstract: An electrical outlet has socket openings for insertion of contact pins of an electrical plug therein, a closure element that selectively closes or opens the socket openings, and a latching element that selectively latches or unlatches the closure element. The closure element slides perpendicularly to the insertion axis. The latching element includes a latching pawl that is flexibly deflectable parallel to the insertion axis, between a latched position for engaging the closure element and an unlatched position for releasing the closure element. An unlatching pin of an adapter is inserted to deflect the latching pawl to disengage it from the closure element. This unlocks the receptacle for use. Then the contact pins of the plug may be inserted through holes in the adapter and into the socket openings to press sloping surfaces of the closure element to slide the closure element to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: KID-Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Mosebach, Jens Brey, Hans-Juergen Krick
  • Patent number: 6422880
    Abstract: An electrical socket comprises an insertion hole portion, an upper slide block, a lower slide block, and an upper cover. The insertion hole portion is provided in the top with an open slot dimensioned to accommodate the upper slide block and the lower slide block. The insertion hole portion is provided in the top and the side edge with a recessed slot, with which the upper cover is joined. The assembly of the socket is done with ease and speed, thereby resulting in reduction in production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Shun-Kuo Chiu
  • Patent number: 6394826
    Abstract: A dual actuating shutter safety system for a power supply interface having a housing having a plurality of apertures that provide access to conductive contacts for a first conductive prong and a second conductive prong such that when the prongs contact the conductive contacts, an electrical connection is made therebetween. The system includes a first resilient member and second resilient member that are each rigidly affixed within the housing, and each resilient member has a proximal non-conductive segment that is resiliently held in an aperture and a distal conductive segment that is resiliently held within the housing, whereby the non-conductive segment must be forced aside before the conductive segment of the resilient can be contacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles S. Baxter, Willard Francis Amero, Jr., Grant H. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 6379166
    Abstract: A cable outlet box for in-wall installation is disclosed that is particularly well suited for optical fiber cable network applications. The outlet box is larger than conventional outlet boxes in the transverse direction, to allow optical fibers to be maintained with a bending radius that is greater than the optical fiber's minimum bending radius, the minimum radius beyond which damage to the optical fibers can result. The depth of the outlet box is selected to allow installation within walls without protruding from a wall. Cable retainers, about which an excess length of cable may be coiled, extend inwardly from the rear panel into the outlet box. An extension ring, similar to conventional extensions rings, but adapted to attach to the larger outlet box, extends through the wall panel thickness for recet of fixtures such as fiber optic connector strips, low voltage copper communications strips, audio, video, security or other such cabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Randl Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Hagarty, David L. Hagarty
  • Patent number: 6373689
    Abstract: A display connector including a body having a receiving portion with a predetermined depth at its one end and having input keys on its top surface, and a display member for receiving a picture signal from the body and displaying an image. A rotation bracket is rotatably and slidably installed inside the receiving portion, and rotates between a first position at which the rotation bracket protrudes to the top surface of the body during rotation and a second position at which the rotation bracket is accommodated inside the receiving portion. A hinge pin is rotatably coupled to the rotation bracket and the display member is detachably connected to the hinge pin when the rotation bracket is positioned at the first position. A position fixing mechanism is provided for fixing the position of the rotation bracket. A light emitting module is supported by the rotation bracket to be rotated with the hinge pin, and has a laser diode array for independently irradiating light according to a driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong-kyun Yim