Connector Moved Rectilinearly For Engagement, Preventer Or Cover Moved Rectilinearly And Parallel Thereto Patents (Class 439/140)
  • Patent number: 10148033
    Abstract: An electrical outlet device includes water-resistant components to prevent the ingress of water to electrical components. One example includes a faceplate having a front surface, an outer edge extending around the front surface, and a first outlet opening extending through the front surface. A water-resistant seal is connected to the front surface of the faceplate. The seal has a first slit aligned with the first opening, a first flap adjacent the slit, and a second flap adjacent the slit. The first flap and the second flap are resiliently biased to a closed position and are moveable upon insertion of a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Sorin I. Mortun
  • Patent number: 10088500
    Abstract: A combination test device including detection circuitry, outlet tester circuitry, and a single housing. The detection circuitry is configured to wirelessly detect a voltage. The outlet tester circuitry electrically is configured to perform a plurality of electrical outlet testing functions. The single housing has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and an enclosure between the first end and the second end. The enclosure encloses the detection circuitry positioned at the first end and encloses the outlet tester circuitry positioned at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Power Products, LLC
    Inventor: David Lloyd Wiesemann
  • Patent number: 10044128
    Abstract: A modular, repairable aircraft ground power receptacle includes a base containing pin bases with outwardly opening sockets. Removable pins are secured in the sockets and a pin cover plate is placed there over with prong ends of pins extending through the pin cover plate for connection with a ground power plug. Damage pins may be removed and replaced without disconnecting aircraft power cables from the receptacle. Repair kits may include replacement pins and, optionally, replacement cover plates and related fasteners and tooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Innovative Electrical Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston D. Shultz, Kevin Crowl
  • Patent number: 10038279
    Abstract: A moving plate (30) includes two resilient locking pieces (34) and can be resiliently curved and deformed to incline a projecting direction of the resilient locking pieces (34), and a female housing (50) pulls the moving plate 30 back to an initial position by locking locks (55) to the resilient locking pieces (34). With the moving plate (30) held at the initial position by initial position holding projections (18), the locks (55) of the female housing (50) are displaced to locked positions to the resilient locking pieces (34) by resiliently deforming the resilient locking pieces (34). The initial position holding projections (18) are spaced apart in the same direction as a separating direction of the resilient locking pieces (34) and arranged at positions different from the pair of resilient locking pieces (34) in the separating direction of the pair of resilient locking pieces (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Suzuki, Kazuo Nakai
  • Patent number: 10027051
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical connector includes a housing having a central opening, a carrier plate supported by the housing within the central opening, and electrically conductive pins supported within the housing by the carrier plate. The housing is formed of a first plastic material, and the carrier plate is formed of a second plastic material having properties that make it more dimensionally stable than the first plastic material. In addition, a sealing layer is applied to one surface of the carrier plate, the sealing layer formed of a third plastic material and serving to secure the carrier plate to the housing and to secure the pins within the carrier plate. A method of forming the electrical connector is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ligor Manushi, Mario Reyes, Hiram Avalos, Mark Ryskamp, Allison McInnis, Jens Oberender, Michael Schoenfeld, Alexander Moore, Robert Keller
  • Patent number: 10012685
    Abstract: A method of locating an electrical defect in an underwater electrical distribution modular system including a power line along which are disposed: a line head module including an isolator; a line termination module; optionally, one or more intermediate modules; a set of electrical connectors linkable under the water. The method includes, after opening the isolator of the head module following detection of an electrical defect downstream on the line: disconnection, by a remotely operated underwater vehicle, of a male connector and female connector ensuring electrical connection between two underwater modules; fitting a dielectric stopper on the male connector disconnected from the female connector by a remotely operated underwater vehicle; closing the isolator of the head module; and verification of a detection of a defect on the line downstream of the isolator of the head module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventor: Terence Hazel
  • Patent number: 9997863
    Abstract: Retainers (37) are exposed on an outer surface of the sub-housing (30) and are displaceable between a locking state for retaining terminal fittings (34) inserted into a sub-housing (30) and a separated state for allowing the terminal fittings (34) to be withdrawn from the sub-housing (30). A frame (10) is formed with a holding portion (20) configured to hold the sub-housing (30) by being locked to the outer surface of the sub-housing (30) and openings (24) expose the retainers (37) with the sub-housing (30) held in the holding portion (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Junya Matsuura, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9853379
    Abstract: A terminal placement region of the cartridge is divided into an upper region and a lower region, and the cartridge includes a plurality of terminals placed in the upper region, a plurality of terminals placed in the lower region, and a plurality of long terminals across the upper region and the lower region. The long terminals are a ground terminal, a chip-enable terminal, a power supply terminal, or a reset terminal. A strobe terminal and a clock terminal are arranged one above the other. Two data input/output terminals are arranged one above the other, and four sets of data input/output terminals arranged one above the other are present. A long terminal is near the strobe terminal and the clock terminal arranged one above the other, and a long terminal is near the two data input/output terminals arranged one above the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NINTENDO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinji Hirose, Yuta Fujita
  • Patent number: 9825396
    Abstract: An electrical connector can include a male blade terminal protector that protects one or more male blade terminals from external objects before, during, and after coupling of the male connector to a female connector. The male blade terminal protector can be slidably disposed within a housing of the male connector and configured to retract when the female connector is coupled to the male connector and extend when the female connector is decoupled from the male connector. The male blade terminal protector is moveable from an extended position to a retracted position when a ledge is disengage from a catch by a ramped surface of a female housing and a retraction tab of the female housing is configured to move the male blade terminal protector from the retracted position to the extended position as the female connector is disengaged from the male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Besser, Jen Vun Ng
  • Patent number: 9768547
    Abstract: A water resistant port and a method for using it are provided. The port comprises a moveable seal assembly coupled to a spring structure. The moveable seal assembly may comprise a plastic material on an inner surface and a seal material on an outer surface. When the spring structure is in a relaxed position, the moveable seal assembly is caused to create a seal with a gasket material coupled to a side wall of a port casing. The spring structure comprises a spring coupled to the moveable seal assembly at one end and to a guide at an opposite end in an interior portion of the port casing. The port casing comprises, on an interior surface, one or more electrical connectors adapted to receive one or more electrical contacts of an accessory plug when the spring structure is compressed and the moveable seal assembly is in an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan Christopher Lindstrom, Patrick J. Hills, Richard Aaron Reiser, Andrew Lawrence Liszewski
  • Patent number: 9755355
    Abstract: A connection module for a portable electronic device is disclosed. The connection module includes a mating structure that is configured to attach to a mating structure interface of the portable electronic device. The mating structure includes a fixed alignment projection disposed on a first end of the mating structure, a retractable alignment projection disposed on a second end of the mating structure, and a retractable electrical connector disposed between the fixed alignment projection and the retractable alignment projection. The retractable electrical connector and the retractable alignment projection are fixed relative to each other and movable relative to the fixed alignment projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Schwalbach, Liane Fang
  • Patent number: 9755363
    Abstract: A male housing of a connector assembly has moving plate (30) with a pair of resilient locking pieces (34) that can be curved resiliently and deformed to incline a projecting direction of the resilient locking pieces (34). A female housing (50) causes the moving plate (30) to interfere with initial position holding projections (18) and pulls the moving plate (30) back to an initial position by locking with locking portions (55) to the resilient locking pieces (34). The initial position holding projections (18) are paired and spaced apart in the same direction as a separating direction of the resilient locking pieces (34) and are arranged at positions different from the resilient locking pieces (34) in the separating direction of the resilient locking pieces (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Masakazu Suzuki, Kazuo Nakai
  • Patent number: 9748692
    Abstract: An electrical connector can include a male blade stabilizer that protects one or more male blade terminals from external objects before, during, and after coupling of the male connector to a female connector. The male blade stabilizer can be slidably disposed within a housing of the male connector and configured to retract when the female connector is coupled to the male connector and extend when the female connector is decoupled from the male connector. The male blade stabilizer is moveable from an extended position to a retracted position when a lever lock of a lever is resiliently deflected by the engagement of a female housing with the male housing to a pre-set position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: YAZAKI NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Chad Thomas Pardo
  • Patent number: 9735494
    Abstract: Pluggable connector having a connector housing with a receiving space that opens to a leading end of the connector housing. The pluggable connector includes an edge interface that is positioned within the receiving space and has a mating edge. The pluggable connector also includes a guard assembly that is coupled to the connector housing and includes a front wall and a spring member that operably engages the front wall. The front wall has an edge slot. The spring member is biased to hold the front wall in a forward position with respect to the edge interface. The front wall compresses the spring member as the front wall moves from the forward position to a displaced position. The mating edge moves through the edge slot and clears the front wall as the front wall moves to the displaced position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael David Herring, Michael John Phillips
  • Patent number: 9722344
    Abstract: A safety shield is provided for use with an electrical plug engaged in a wall socket, the plug having two or more prongs extending from a plug body. The shield comprises a plate formed of an electrically insulating material, with two or more openings defined in the plate in alignment with the two or more prongs of the electrical plug, each opening sized for a snug fit with a corresponding prong. The plate defines a perimeter area around the two or more openings that is at least five times greater than a planar area bounded by the two or more openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: James T. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 9577388
    Abstract: A connector for being attached to a power-supply unit including a switching element and for mating with a mating connector of a wire harness, the connector including a connecting terminal including an end portion connected to an output terminal in a casing of the power-supply unit, a housing fixed to the casing and enclosing at least a portion of the connecting terminal, a current sensor enclosed in the housing so as to detect a magnetic field generated by an electric current flowing through the connecting terminal, and a signal line for transmitting an output signal of the current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: HITACHI METALS, LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Umetsu, Sachio Suzuki, Katsuya Akimoto, Naoki Futakuchi, Shinya Hayashi, Takahiro Futatsumori
  • Patent number: 9556686
    Abstract: A wet-mateable connector unit for use in vertical or substantially vertical orientation in a subsea gas well has an outer shell and a movable wall inside the shell surrounding a pressure compensated chamber containing dielectric fluid. The chamber wall is exposed to ambient pressure outside the connector unit. At least one relief valve is mounted in the connector unit and has an inlet in communication with the upper end of the chamber and an outlet in communication with the external environment surrounding the connector unit. The relief valve opens to release gas from the upper end of the chamber when the differential pressure between the chamber and external environment exceeds a predetermined valve cracking pressure. A plurality of relief valves may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Krumpe
  • Patent number: 9520675
    Abstract: A lever type connector includes: a female housing having a box shape of which one portion is open; a male housing configured to be inserted into the female housing and provided with a plurality of male terminals; a lever configured to be rotatably coupled with an outer side of the male housing; and a movable plate configured to be mounted on a bottom surface of the male housing, have the bottom surface provided with a plurality of through holes through which the male terminals penetrate, and enclose the male terminal to protect the male terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kyungshin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Pil Choi, Jae Ho Park
  • Patent number: 9509093
    Abstract: When a female connector body is inserted into a hood portion in a temporary lock state of a moving plate, plate lifting locks are deflected in a falling-over direction which is different from an outside direction of a male connector housing by lock portions and the plate lifting locks and the lock portions are engaged with each other after the plate lifting locks are deflected in the falling-over direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomohiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 9502809
    Abstract: A surface mount connector is disclosed having a housing cover, a contact receiving base, and a first engagement portion. The contact receiving base is connected to the housing cover, having a plurality of contacts with terminating ends and opposite mating ends positioned inside the housing cover. The first engagement portion has a first projection positioned proximate to a mating end of either the housing cover or the contact receiving base, extending orthogonal to a plugging/unplugging direction. The first engagement portion also has a first projection receiving member positioned on the other of the contact receiving base and the housing cover proximate to the mating end, being complimentary to the first projection and receiving the first projection at a terminating end facing surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventor: Ryuichi Komiyama
  • Patent number: 9490592
    Abstract: Barrel connectors, a right angled adaptor and a single ended fitting include at least one axially displaceable traveling sleeve for insuring electrical continuity with coaxial connector, nominally an F-connector. Each barrel connector described comprises a rigid, metallic hollow body housing an internal contact tube. At least one coiled spring is retained within the body. At least one elongated, tubular traveling sleeve is coaxially disposed within each body end and normally biased outwardly by the springs. The metallic traveling sleeves comprise an elongated shank that contacts the spring, and a head that seats against the connector body ends during installation. Catches or rings defined upon or mounted to travelling sleeve shanks are received within suitable grooves for anchoring the traveling sleeves while facilitating limited axial displacements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: PerfectVision Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Chastain, Glen D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 9466914
    Abstract: Provided is a waterproof connector capable of reducing water-stopping warranty portions. A waterproof connector is configured to include an outer housing, an inner housing, a terminal-equipped with electrical wire, and a packing mat seal. In a bottom wall of the outer housing, a locking projection on the left side and a locking projection on the right side served as engagement part with respect to the inner housing are integrally formed. Further, in the bottom wall in the outer housing, the packing mat seal is integrally molded so as to adhere to circumferential surfaces of proximal end sides in the locking projection on the right side and the locking projection on the left side. An integral molding of the packing mat seal provides a watertight property between a packing mat seal and the circumferential surfaces of the proximal end sides in the locking projection and the locking projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Takamura, Daisuke Miyakawa
  • Patent number: 9461393
    Abstract: In one aspect, a physical shielding system includes one or more shield components to protect a first ECG electrical connection and a second ECG electrical connection from objects. The first ECG electrical connection is formed between a connector of an ECG lead set and an adapter and the second ECG electrical connection is formed between the adapter and an ECG monitor. In another aspect, an ECG adapter system includes an ECG adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Cynthia Carley, Wayne Biermann
  • Patent number: 9456510
    Abstract: An electrical junction box (10) has a main body-side connector (40) provided in a box body (12). An attachment body-side connector (76) is provided in an attachment body (14) that is separate from the box body (12) and is connected to the main body-side connector (40) by rotating the attachment body (14) on a rotating portion (72) provided at an end of the attachment body (14). The rotating portion (72) is supported by a support (30) on a side of the box body (12) opposite to the main body-side connector (40), and a positioning portion directly positions the main body-side connector (40) with respect to the upper case (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Hattori, Akihiro Oda
  • Patent number: 9455521
    Abstract: A lever type connector includes: a male housing having a box shape in which one side is open and a bottom surface for receiving a male terminal; a plate inserted into the male housing for covering the male terminal; a female housing for insertion into the male housing; and a lever rotatably coupled with the female housing, when the plate support member supports the plate so that the plate which protrudes from an inner side wall of the male housing to be inserted into the male housing is not inserted up to the bottom surface of the male housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kum Co., LTD
    Inventors: Min Jae Bang, Sung Won Jeon, Sang Ho Bae, Doo Hee Baek
  • Patent number: 9431749
    Abstract: Electrical connector assembly including a connector housing having a front end and a receiving cavity that opens to the front end. The receiving cavity is configured to receive a mating connector therein that is inserted into the receiving cavity along a central axis. The electrical connector assembly also includes a contact array of electrical contacts that is disposed within the receiving cavity. The electrical contacts have elongated bodies that extend generally parallel to the central axis through the receiving cavity. The electrical connector assembly also includes a movable guard that is configured to be slidably held by the contact array within the receiving cavity. The movable guard includes a dielectric sheet that extends transverse to the central axis and has an array of thru-holes. Inner edges of the thru-holes engage corresponding electrical contacts to slidably hold the movable guard at a forward position within the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tisha Mikhaili Mingo, Randy Thomas Matthews, Galen M. Martin
  • Patent number: 9419362
    Abstract: A receptacle connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) defining an inner space (10), an insulative body (4) assembled to the insulative housing, a slider (2) assembled between the insulative housing and the insulative body along a front-and-rear direction, and a number of terminals (3) retained in the insulative body. Each terminal has a contacting portion (32), a U-shaped portion (31), and a slantwise linear portion (32) connecting between the contacting portion and the U-shaped portion. The U-shaped portion is retained in the insulative body and partly exposing out of the insulative body. The contacting portion is suspended upon the slider. The slider moves in the inner space from a front, original position to a back, final position, presses against the U-shaped portions and pulls the slantwise linear portions downwardly. Finally, the contacting portions enter into the inner space for engaging with a mating plug connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Min-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 9391392
    Abstract: The invention provides a submersible or harsh environment connector for use with electrical, optical or electro-optical cables having first and second connector units which are releasably mateable and that are not pressure compensated. The invention provides a wet-mate without pressure balancing system for making a subsea wet-mate connection. The invention uses a reservoir of fluid and a mechanism energized by mating, such as by a spring, to push that fluid into a small mated connection, discharging an equivalent volume of seawater and creating electrical and/or optical continuity. One-way or back-flow prevent valves ensure there is no return flow of seawater. Typical fluids would be dielectric oil or optical gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ranalli, John Brian O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 9306330
    Abstract: A lever-type connector has a lever (30) rotatably supported on support shafts (22) on outer side surfaces of side walls (21) of a wire cover (20). Guide ribs (14) are formed on outer surfaces of a first housing (10) and extend parallel to an assembling direction of the wire cover (20). Guide grooves (24) are formed in inner surfaces of the side walls (21) and are engageable with the guide ribs (14). Two housing-side lock projections (16) on the outer surface of the first housing (10) and two cover-side lock projections (27) on the inner surface of the side wall (21) are arranged to be located respectively at opposite sides of the guide rib (14) and at opposite sides of the guide groove (24) in a direction substantially parallel to the side wall (21) and intersecting the assembling direction of the side wall (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinya Kuroda
  • Patent number: 9166334
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises includes a housing, a slide socket and a slide connector. The slide socket has a sliding slot and a plural of conductive pads. The slide connector includes a main body, a slider and a plural of elastic conductive terminals. The elastic conductive terminals are combined in the main body and partially exposed out of a surface of the slider, wherein the elastic conductive terminals slide into the sliding slot for electrical connecting with the conductive pads through the slider. Thus the slide connector electrically connects with the electronic device through a simple method of sliding. Therefore a gap caused from vibration will be avoided and an electrical connection failure will be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: CHICONY ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Cheng Huang, Mei-Yi Tsai, Wei-Ming Chiu, Pei-Sheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 9142896
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing, a plurality of contact modules received in the housing, and a pin spacer coupled to the contact modules. Each contact module has a plurality of contacts each including a pin extending from a bottom of the corresponding contact module. The pin spacer has a plurality of pin holes extending through the pin spacer. The pin holes receive corresponding pins for mounting to the circuit board. The pin spacer holds relative positions of the pins. The pin spacer has side edges at opposite sides of the pin spacer and lugs extending from the top of the pin spacer proximate to the sides of the pin spacer. The lugs block entry into a space defined between the bottoms of the contact modules and the top of the pin spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Evan Charles Wickes, Wayne Samual Davis, Kyle Gary Annis
  • Patent number: 9099804
    Abstract: It is aimed to reliably restrict the insertion of a terminal fitting in an improper posture. A connector includes terminal fittings 40 to be inserted into terminal accommodating chambers (13) of a housing (10) successively through through holes (61) of a rubber plug holder (60) and sealing holes (51) of a one-piece rubber plug (50), restricting projections (44) projecting from the outer surfaces of the terminal fittings (40), wires (46) passing through the through holes (61) in a state where the terminal fittings (40) are inserted in the terminal accommodating chambers (13), and restricting portions (17) provided to be located in the terminal accommodating chambers (13) and configured to restrict inserting movements of the terminal fittings (40) by interfering with the restricting projections (44) halfway through when the terminal fittings (40) are inserted in an improper posture into the terminal accommodating chambers (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Suzuki, Toshikazu Sakurai
  • Patent number: 9099808
    Abstract: A male connector has a moving plate which is movable between an initial position and a retreat position, and an initial position locking part which immovably locks the moving plate with respect to a male housing in the initial position. A female connector has a locking releasing part which, when a female housing is inserted into an opening of the male housing, engages with the initial position locking part to release the locking of the moving plate with respect to the male housing. The moving plate is moved from the initial position to the retreat position by insertion of the female housing inside the male housing in a state that the locking by the initial position locking part has been released by the locking releasing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hajime Kato, Hiroshi Shinba
  • Patent number: 9040822
    Abstract: The present invention provides a safety device for protecting a person from an electrical shock while working on a live electrical wire connected to a terminal within an electric meter or circuit breaker box. The safety device comprises an inner cylinder slideably engaged within an outer cylinder and a spring disposed between the two cylinders for extending the outer cylinder axially outwardly with respect to the inner cylinder. The cylinders are made of nonconducting material. The inner cylinder engages insulation that covers the wire proximate to a bare end of the wire, which is connected to the terminal by a screw. When the person loosens the screw and the wire becomes disconnected from the terminal, the spring forces the outer cylinder outwardly to cover the bare end of the wire, which helps to protect the person from electrical shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Ricardo Nieto Lopez
  • Patent number: 9028264
    Abstract: A downhole electrical wet connector comprising a plug which is slidingly inserted into a socket, the socket comprising a series of wiper seals spaced apart by separation zones, each zone being individually supplied with dielectric fluid from a separate reservoir. A retractable insert is arranged in the socket and displaced by the plug during connection. The fluid pressure in each zone is individually regulated relative to ambient wellbore pressure and the pressure in adjacent zones and optionally equalised to minimise loss of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: AccessESP UK Limited
    Inventor: Philip Head
  • Patent number: 9025320
    Abstract: A housing for a computer system which can be opened at least on a first housing wall for access into the housing and wherein, on a second housing wall, an opening for an external connector plug is arranged, the housing having a covering fixture to cover the opening for the connector plug, wherein the covering fixture is operable by the first housing wall such that the opening for the external connector plug is covered at least partially when the housing is opened, and the opening for the external connector plug is not covered when the housing is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventor: Wilhelm Neukam
  • Patent number: 8974239
    Abstract: To prevent electrocution from improper connections through electrical outlets including Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as AFCI's), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as GFCI's) and power strips, plugs of matching configuration should be used. For purposes of this application, “electrical outlet” or “receptacle outlet” have the same meaning as an “outlet”. When unattended, some children could be electrocuted by inserting metallic objects into electrical outlets. To control these incidents, it becomes necessary to provide outlets with a shutter device incorporated into the housing cover so that only plugs of matching configuration can be used. For purposes of this application, “childproof”, “tamper-proof” or “tamper-resistant” outlets are the same and refer to an outlet provided with a shutter device as the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Wendell E. Tomimbang
  • Patent number: 8968015
    Abstract: A safety socket includes a main body, a restraint mechanism and a release mechanism. The restraint mechanism includes an immovable end and a movable end. The immovable end is disposed in the main body. The movable end has a through hole. The through hole corresponds in position to one of insertion holes of the main body. The movable end has an annular protruding portion axially extending from the wall of the through hole. The annular protruding portion has a free end which is curved outward. The safety socket can prevent a plug from being disengaged from the socket by accident. The outer surface of the conductive pin of the plug won't be scraped and damaged by the wall of the through hole to enhance the service life and safety of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Chi-Tsai Chang
  • Patent number: 8926344
    Abstract: An electrical distribution center assembly having a connector including a plurality of terminals and a terminal stabilizer plate engaging the tips of the terminals to hold the terminals in position and resist bending prior to inserting a mating connector into the electrical distribution center assembly. The terminal stabilizer plate is held in a ready position by a releasable latch means until an axial force applied to the releasable latch means by the mating connector body exceeds a force threshold, whereby the terminal stabilizer plate is released from the ready position and is moved to a seated position. The releasable latch means may include a flexible beam or other resilient member to hold the terminal stabilizer plate in the ready position until it is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Jozwiak, Grant Michael Wheeler, Jesus R. Morales, Brian Skolnik
  • Patent number: 8876540
    Abstract: A battery has on opposite sides male and female terminal blocks. The female block includes positive and negative power terminals, a communications line and a link detect line. The female terminals include annular female connectors for receiving a male electrical terminal. The male terminal block has a recess for accommodating the female terminal dock. Within the recess there extend a plurality of male terminal pins, which include a positive voltage terminal, a communications line terminal, a battery status terminal and a negative or nominal ground terminal. The pins are positioned and sized so as to fit into respective female terminals. As each battery is provided with both female and male terminal blocks, any number of batteries can be stacked together. The male block includes a protective cover and latch for protecting the pins and locking the battery to a device or other battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: PAG Ltd.
    Inventor: John Paul Lavender
  • Patent number: 8845346
    Abstract: The current convertor comprises a current converting device and a sliding cover. The current converting device comprises a casing, a current converting module arranged inside the casing, two conductive terminals electrically connected to the current converting module, and a first sliding module disposed on the casing. The conductive terminals are partially exposed from the casing. The sliding cover has a second sliding module having two thru holes. The second sliding module is slidably disposed on the first sliding module for enabling the sliding cover to slide between a first position and a second position relative to the casing. When at the first position, the conductive terminals pass through the thru holes of the sliding cover for inserting into the conventional outlet, and when at the second position, the conductive terminals are arranged in a space surrounded by the sliding cover and the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lien Chang Electronic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Kong Chan, Ming-Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8834186
    Abstract: A power socket includes a socket main body, a front cover and a safety gate mechanism. The front cover has two openings. The safety gate mechanism includes a casing and a safety gate. The casing located between the socket main body and the front cover has two inserted holes and a protrusion. The inserted holes are aligned with the openings. The safety gate slidably disposed at the casing is dislocated from the protrusion. When the safety gate is at a first position, the safety gate blocks the inserted holes, and two terminals of a plug push the safety gate through the two openings to make the safety gate slide to expose the inserted holes. When an object pushes the safety gate through one of the openings, the safety gate rotates to drive a part of the safety gate to be aligned with the protrusion to avoid exposing the inserted holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Askey Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Shih-Po Lo, Tan-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 8758034
    Abstract: An electrical plug assembly may include a body having a plurality of electrical contact blades and an actuator. In particular embodiments, the plug assembly includes a shield member having a back and a front. The back has an opening arranged to receive the body therein and the front has a plurality of openings, wherein each opening is shaped, sized, and aligned with a respective one of the plurality of contact blades of the body. In a particular embodiment, the plug assembly further includes a biasing member positioned between the body of the plug and the back side of the shield member to operatively interact with the shield member to prevent electrical current flow and during operation the shield member may slide over the body and operatively engage the actuator to allow electrical current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Marcus J. Shotey, Jeffrey P. Baldwin, John Klein, Jason Thomas, Ryan K. Liebengood
  • Publication number: 20140154902
    Abstract: A connector port for mounting in a housing of an electronic device is illustrated. The connector port includes a shell defining an accessing hole having an opening, a port cover movably retained in the accessing hole, and a resilient element. The shell includes a plurality of spaced contact pins exposed in the accessing hole. One end of the resilient element is arranged adjacent to the port cover for maintaining the port cover at the opening of the accessing hole when the resilient element is in a natural state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FU TAI HUA INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: GUANG-CHEN LI
  • Publication number: 20140134860
    Abstract: A power socket includes a socket main body, a front cover and a safety gate mechanism. The front cover has two openings. The safety gate mechanism includes a casing and a safety gate. The casing located between the socket main body and the front cover has two inserted holes and a protrusion. The inserted holes are aligned with the openings. The safety gate slidably disposed at the casing is dislocated from the protrusion. When the safety gate is at a first position, the safety gate blocks the inserted holes, and two terminals of a plug push the safety gate through the two openings to make the safety gate slide to expose the inserted holes. When an object pushes the safety gate through one of the openings, the safety gate rotates to drive a part of the safety gate to be aligned with the protrusion to avoid exposing the inserted holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: ASKEY COMPUTER CORP.
    Inventors: Shih-Po Lo, Tan-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 8708719
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (T) includes a terminal main body (10) with a tab (11) at a front end part and a wire connecting portion (13) at a rear end part, and a shell (30) provided on the terminal main body (10) to be relatively displaceable between a protecting position for surrounding the tab (11) and an exposing position located behind the protecting position for exposing the tab (11). If the shell (30) is displaced to the protecting position, the tab (11) is protected from the interference of an external matter and the like, wherefore deformation, breakage and the like of the tab (11) can be prevented. Further, if the shell (30) is displaced to the exposing position to expose the tab (11), a mating terminal and the tab (11) can be connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Iihoshi
  • Patent number: 8702435
    Abstract: A plug is provided that includes: at least two electrodes; a housing that supports the electrodes; an electrode cover which covers the electrodes when not connected with a plug receptacle, and which is accommodated in the housing and exposes the electrodes when connected with the plug receptacle; and a lock mechanism which inhibits the electrode cover from being accommodated in the housing when not connected with the plug receptacle, and which allows the electrode cover to be accommodated in the housing when connected with the plug receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Tajima
  • Publication number: 20140065862
    Abstract: To prevent electrocution from improper connections through electrical outlets including Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as AFCI's), Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (commonly known as GFCI's) and power strips, plugs of matching configuration should be used. For purposes of this application, “electrical outlet” or “receptacle outlet” have the same meaning as an “outlet”. When unattended, some children could be electrocuted by inserting metallic objects into electrical outlets. To control these incidents, it becomes necessary to provide outlets with a shutter device incorporated into the housing cover so that only plugs of matching configuration can be used. For purposes of this application, “childproof”, “tamper-proof” or “tamper-resistant” outlets are the same and refer to an outlet provided with a shutter device as the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Wendell E. Tomimbang
  • Publication number: 20140030898
    Abstract: An electrical cord including a plug on a first end and at least one socket on a second end opposite the first end, a protective shutter assembly disposed within the at least one socket, the shutter assembly including a first and second shutter members positioned proximate the cover assembly and each of the first and second shutter members is at least partially aligned with separate cover openings in the cover assembly and being configured to move from a closed position to an open position in response to engaging at least one plug blade, a third shutter member positioned behind the first shutter member, a fourth shutter member positioned behind the second shutter member, and wherein the first and second shutter members pivot from the closed position to the open position and the third and fourth shutter members slide from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Baldwin, Marcus J. Shotey, Richard L. Cleghom, Ryan K. Liebengood, Jason Thomas, Kenneth C. Booth, John Klein
  • Patent number: 8465306
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power supplying apparatus including: a power supply section including a first power supply circuit, accommodated in a first cabinet with a box shape, for converting an alternative-current input into a direct-current output; an alternative-current power input section provided on the first cabinet; and a first connection section provided on the first cabinet; and an output section including a second power supply circuit accommodated in a second cabinet with a box shape, for converting the direct-current output into another direct-current output; a secondary battery accommodated in the second cabinet; a control section accommodated in the second cabinet; a direct-current power output section provided on the second cabinet; and a second connection section provided on the second cabinet to be joined to the first connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yosihisa Ami, Arinobu Ueda, Makoto Kano