Connector Moved Rectilinearly For Engagement, Preventer Or Cover Moved Rectilinearly And Parallel Thereto Patents (Class 439/140)
  • Patent number: 7364445
    Abstract: A USB device includes a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), a metal shell secured to a front of the PCBA, a plastic frame secured to a rear of the PCBA, and a rubber case including a case body covering the plastic frame case such that a plug shell connector extends from the second front end opening. A rubber cap is removably mounted over the plug shell connector to entirely enclose the USB device when not in use. The rubber case is molded to include a cosmetic feature, such as a soccer ball, a sports team logo, or a company logo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim C. Ni, David Nguyen, Nan Nan
  • Patent number: 7334731
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a positive evidence-of-use feature for portable storage devices. A method for providing positive evidence-of-use for a portable storage device, includes: surrounding a portion of the portable storage device with a movable outer sleeve, wherein the movable outer sleeve is configured for movement in one direction only; and retracting and locking the movable outer sleeve into a housing of the portable storage device to expose a contact area of the portable storage device; wherein the retraction of the movable outer sleeve into the housing of the portable storage device provides positive evidence-of-use for the portable storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James G. McLean
  • Patent number: 7329133
    Abstract: A connector has a male housing (10) with a receptacle (11) and a moving plate (14) is disposed in the receptacle (11). A female housing (20) can fit in the receptacle (11) and in the moving plate (14). First cam followers (13F, 13R) project in from the inner peripheral surface of the receptacle (11). Second cam followers 17F, 17R project out from the outer peripheral surface of the moving plate (14) towards the inner peripheral surface of the receptacle (11). A lever (30) is mounted rotatably on the female housing (20). Outer surfaces of the lever (30) have first cam grooves (34F, 34R) for engaging the cam followers (13F, 13R) of the receptacle (11) and inner surfaces of the lever (30) have second cam grooves (35F, 35R) for engaging the cam followers (17F, 17R) of the moving plate (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7322859
    Abstract: A bayonet electrical connector has a spring loaded safety pin for locking the bayonet coupling. The pin projects into a recess, and a sleeve surrounds the part having the recess. The sleeve has a tab which projects into the recess, the sleeve being slidable to make the tab depress the pin against the spring bias of the pin, thereby to enable subsequent disconnection of the bayonet coupling. This design maintains a locking mechanism to prevent accidental decoupling of the bayonet connection, but makes the decoupling process simpler, by using, sliding of the sleeve and twisting to release the bayonet coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Evans
  • Publication number: 20070287308
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) includes a dielectric housing (11) defining some receiving holes (110), a plurality of terminals resided in the dielectric housing (11) and some locating posts (12) received in the receiving holes (110) of the dielectric housing (11). The side walls of the locating posts 12 define some dimples (1221) and the surfaces of the receiving holes 110 have some leading slots (1101) for leading the dimples (1221) and the surfaces of the leading slots (1101) define some blocking slots (1102) for blocking the dimples (1221). The locating posts (12) are embedded in the receiving holes (110) along the leading slots (1101), and the locating posts 12 are rotated till that the dimples (1221) are resided in the blocking slots (1102), thereby, the position of the locating posts (12) relative to the IC package is assured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventor: Fu-Pin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7278858
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a socket with integral, retractable socket contact protector is presented. In this regard, a contact protector is introduced to protect contacts, and to provide openings through which the contacts can emerge to couple with lands. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Trobough
  • Patent number: 7267562
    Abstract: A retainer (20) and a moving plate (10) are inserted into a hood (12) of a connector (F). A locking piece (22) projects from a front surface of the retainer (20). A locking hole (41) is formed through the moving plate (10). The locking piece (22) penetrates through the locking hole (41) to lock a locking projection (27) at a front end of the locking piece (22) to a periphery of the locking hole (41). Thus, the moving plate (10) is supported and is prevented from moving longitudinally. A thick reinforcement (44) is formed on the periphery of the locking hole (41) of the moving plate (10) to fill a gap between the moving plate (10) and the locking projection (27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takatoshi Katsuma
  • Patent number: 7258559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-and-socket connection device for the automatic, e.g. multipolar electrical connection of a vehicle trailer, particularly of a semitrailer, to a towing vehicle, particularly to a prime mover. The plug-and-socket connection device comprises a socket and a plug, which can be mounted on the vehicle trailer (e.g. the plug) or on the towing vehicle (e.g. the socket, they can be aligned with one another when coupling the vehicle trailer to the towing vehicle, and can be displaced while being guided by a drive provided in the form of an, e.g. piston/cylinder assembly relative to one another between an (advanced) connecting position and a (retracted) inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Erich Jaeger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Kirstin Mattern, Kurt Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 7249958
    Abstract: A male housing (30) has a hood (32) and a rib (45) that projects forward in the hood (32). A moving plate (50) is disposed movably in the hood (32) and an insertion hole (62) is formed on a body (51) of the moving plate (50) for receiving the rib (45). Guide walls (64, 65) are formed on the periphery of the insertion hole (62). The moving plate (50) is pressed into the hood (32) from an initial position by a female housing (10). Peripheral sides of the moving plate (50) are guided by the hood (32) and peripheral surfaces of the rib (45) slide in contact with the guide walls (64, 65) to prevent the moving plate (50) from shaking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ishikawa, Yoshio Okura
  • Patent number: 7223574
    Abstract: A portable storage device (1) includes a memory device with a USB mating port (20) and a protective cap (30) detachably mated with the USB mating port in a mating direction. The USB mating port has an engagement portion (211). The protective cap includes a case (31) for receiving the USB mating port and a latching member (32) on the case. The latching defines a retaining portion (324) thereon to engage with the engagement portion (211) of the USB mating port. The latching member is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position in the mating direction to thereby engage/disengage the mating port with/from the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mao-Lin Lei, Jia-Yong He, Qi-Jun Zhao, Yu-Long Mao
  • Patent number: 7179136
    Abstract: An electrical connector has male terminals that are retained in terminal cavities of a connector body by rigid lock nibs and flexible cantilever beams that push the terminals against the rigid lock nibs. The male terminal have blades that project into a socket at a mating end of the connector body. A stabilizer that is disposed into the socket shifts between a preload position allowing terminal insertion into locked engagement in the connector body, and a stabilize position stabilizing the blades in the socket and enhancing the terminal retention in the terminal cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Morello
  • Patent number: 7175449
    Abstract: An integrated circuit connector for LGA package is used to fix a support assembly and a back assembly to circuit board. An integrated circuit is mounted in the support assembly and corresponding to the circuit board. The support assembly comprises protection board and contact stage and the contact stage comprises contact holes for containing contacts. The protection board includes a plurality of through holes corresponding to the contact holes such that the contacts are movable in the through holes. The protection board includes spring elements on both sides thereof and between the protection board and the contact stage such that the protection board is movable to protect the contact. The contact will not be deformed when the circuit board is manufactured and conveyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Inventor: Kuang-Chih Lai
  • Patent number: 7140891
    Abstract: A dustproof receptacle connector includes a dielectric housing having a cavity. A plurality of terminals and a dustproof means are received in the cavity. The back end of the dielectric housing is a closed end. A pair of guide grooves are defined in lateral sides of the cavity. The dustproof means includes a dustproof cover and a plurality of springs. The dustproof cover has a plate. A pair of arms extend from two opposite sides of the plate respectively. A pair of positioning pillars are defined in the inner side of the plate. The springs twine on the positioning pillars and the arms slide in the guide grooves. A block protrudes inwardly from the inner side of each arm respectively to increase the anti-stress intensity of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Hsin Huang, Mei-Chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7134888
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing (1) defining a mating cavity (13) in a mating face thereof; terminals (2) loaded in the housing and each having a contact portion (21) exposed in the mating cavity; a shutter (4) covering the mating cavity and capable of sinking into the mating cavity to expose the contact portions of the terminals; and an elastic means (3) disposed between the shutter and the housing and provided with a elongated shaft member (33) aslant extending into the mating cavity to support the shutter. The shaft member is capable of rotating to a state substantially flatly lying between the housing and the shutter by pressure of the sinking shutter and will urge the sunk shutter to return to cover the mating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia Hao Fan
  • Patent number: 7134901
    Abstract: A moving plate (50) is movable between a retained position and a released position in a receptacle (35) of a male housing (30). One receiving portion (52) is provided in a middle part of the front surface of the moving plate (50), and a resiliently deformable latch (42) projects from the back surface of the receptacle (35) so that the leading end of the latch (42) is engageable with the receiving portion (52) through an insertion hole (64) of the moving plate (50). Movement of the moving plate (50) from the retained position to the released position is prevented by the resilient engagement of the latch (42) and the receiving portion (52). At the start of the connection of two housings (10, 30), a releasing portion (22) on the front surface of a female housing (10) contacts the latch (42) to disengage the latch (42) from the receiving portion (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshio Okura
  • Patent number: 7125269
    Abstract: An insulative connector body is accommodated in a conductive shield case. A conductive contact is provided on the connector body. An insulative cover is accommodated in the shield case so as to be slidable between a first position for concealing the contact and a second position for exposing a part of the contact and allowing a mating connector to electrically contact therewith. A conductive shield member is attached onto a front face of the cover which faces the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ohta, Takeshi Konno, Shingo Naito
  • Patent number: 7104818
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle is provided herein which has a special locking mechanism preventing the plug from falling off. The receptacle mainly contains a body housed inside a sleeve. The body has at least a locking blade with a bended portion extended out of the body and pressed against the inside of the sleeve. A slot opening on the bended portion is roughly aligned with the slot of the body. When the prong of a plug is inserted into the sleeve, the sleeve presses the bended portion so that the slot opening and the slot on the body are completely aligned and the prong could go all the way into the slot of the body. The bended portion of the locking blade then springs back to a slant position to lock the prong. To unplug, the pulling force applied to the plug drags the body toward the sleeve which again presses the bended portion of the locking blade so that the prong could be pulled out of the slot of the body easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Inventor: Chi-Tsai Chang
  • Patent number: 7097463
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) is used for electrically connecting a ball grid array (BGA) central processing unit (CPU) (3) with a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector includes a generally rectangular insulative housing (10) and a number of terminals (20) received in the housing. Each of the terminals includes a connecting portion (200), a solder pad (202) extending from a bottom end of the connecting portion, and a cantilever (204) extending aslant from a top end of the connecting portion. The cantilever has a concave portion (206) near a free end thereof. When the CPU with a multiplicity of solder balls is attached onto the connector, the concave portions of the terminals cover bottom portions of the solder balls. Therefore, the terminals of the connector electrically connect with the solder balls of the CPU steadily, and a reliable connection between the CPU and the PCB is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Hsiao, Chao-Chung Cheng, Yao-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 7086879
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes first and second sockets disposed on opposite sides of a housing and defining first and second insertion paths, respectively, for receiving a plug. A sliding keep-out member has first and second blocking surfaces. The keep-out member can move back and forth through the housing between first and second positions. In the first position, the first blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the first insertion path, but the second blocking surface clears the second insertion path. In the second position, the second blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the second insertion path, but the first blocking surface clears the first insertion path. Thus the connector assembly may receive plugs in either the first or the second socket, but not in both sockets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephen J Higham, Michael R. Durham
  • Patent number: 7074060
    Abstract: In a power plug capable of preventing twists of a power supply line and turning on/off power supplied to a load device according to a rotation of a rotational unit by dividing the power plug itself into a fixed unit and the rotational unit, the power plug includes the fixed unit at which prongs and a connection terminal connected to the prongs are installed, a rotational unit rotationally installed to the upper portion of the fixed unit and supplying power to the load device, a power on/off unit placed between the fixed unit and the rotational unit and connecting/disconnecting a power supply to the load device according to the rotation of the rotational unit, and a locking unit installed to the upper portion of the rotational unit and locking the rotation of the rotational unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Sung-Doo Lee
  • Patent number: 7048557
    Abstract: The invention relates to a secure cap of a plug, which includes a plug having inner fuses and a moveable cap. The cap is provided with an under convex edge near to the end. Hence, the cap can be bent, as bearing a downward force before the projections of the plug is broken for preventing the cap from being released or separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Chun-Chang Yen
  • Patent number: 6986674
    Abstract: An electrical outlet comprises an outlet housing having a front side adapted to receive a face plate and a back side. A receptacle has a wall extending from an opening at the front side to a bottom within the outlet housing. A cover is retained within the receptacle and is slidable between a closed position at the opening to an open position at the bottom. The cover has a front face generally flush with the face plate in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6979212
    Abstract: An electrical plug comprises a plug housing having a housing face and a generally hollow probe extending from the housing face to a probe face. Prongs are disposed within the probe. The prongs are urged to an unlocked position retracted into the probe and movable to a locked position extending from the probe face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Protect Connect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6976858
    Abstract: An electric connector provided with a protector to protect damage of top of contacts by an outer force or misinsertion of mating connector or card and with construction easy for assembling. The connector body is provided with an insertion opening in a direction normal to the mating connector or card insertion direction and the protector is inserted through the insertion opening at the time of assembling and the protector is kept its normal position by the bias spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: DDK Ltd.
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kikuchi, Hiromichi Kato, Masato Hida, Hirokazu Takahashi, Kazunori Takei
  • Patent number: 6974341
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly has an electrical connector that has a movable inner member carried in a tubing hanger for stroking outward into engagement with an stationary outer component located in a passage in the sidewall of the wellhead or tree. A running tool releasably engages the tubing hanger and has an actuator that moves axially for setting the tubing hanger in the bore. The inner member of the electrical connection is movable in response to axial movement of the actuator of the running tool from a retracted position to an extended position in electrical engagement with the inner end of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6942503
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a receptacle for receiving a complementary mating connector. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions exposed in the receptacle for engaging appropriate contacts of the mating connector. A metal shell is disposed about at least a portion of the housing. A shutter plate is movably mounted on the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the shutter plate substantially closes the receptacle to prevent inadvertent engagement of foreign objects with the contact portions of the terminals. In the open position, the shutter plate allows mating of the complementary mating connector. At least a portion of the shutter plate is conductive to dissipate static electricity at the receptacle. At least one spring is mounted on the housing for biasing the shutter plate toward its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenichi Yamaguchi, Mitsuo Fujikura
  • Patent number: 6929489
    Abstract: A tab protection member in a male connector housing on an outer surface of an electric junction box is moveable from a temporary engagement position to a final engagement position. The tab protection member is provided with tab through-holes and a closing plate section for closing an opening in the male connector housing. When the female connector housing is coupled to the male connector housing, the tab protection member is forcibly moved from the temporary engagement position to the final engagement position by the female connector housing and the tabs penetrate the tab through-holes, thereby coupling the tabs to terminals in the female connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Asao, Shunji Taga
  • Patent number: 6908321
    Abstract: An all-in-one card connector is comprised of a base, two plate-like members, and a plurality of terminals. The base has an opening formed at a front end thereof, two lateral sections formed respectively at bilateral sides of the opening, a concavity formed at one lateral section, a movable guide member mounted in the concavity for upward and downward movement respectively for blocking a large width card and a small width card, and a springy member mounted between the guide member and the base for generating resilience keeping movement of the guide member. The base is mounted closely between the two plate-like members. Each of the terminals is mounted on the plate-like member and extends into the opening to be electrically connected with contact pads of an inserted electronic card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Tai-Sol Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yaw-Huey Lai
  • Patent number: 6902414
    Abstract: A rotatable plug and socket for establishing electrical communication in a hazardous environment, each of said plug and socket having biased slidable protective members covering electrical contacts on each of said plug and socket, which are each slidably displaced during mating engagement of the plug with the socket. The slidable protective members ensure protection of the electrical contacts on each of the plug and socket members when such plug and socket connectors are not engaged, or not fully engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Extreme Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony R. Dopf, Derek W. Logan, David Switzer
  • Patent number: 6896531
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which houses and locks to a series of male bladed terminals and a female connector housing and locking to a series of female terminals. A blade of each male terminal extends into a chamber defined by a shroud of the male connector. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a pre-staged position with the male connector via a two-stage fastening feature so that the distal ends of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals. With the blade stabilizer held in a pre-staged position, the distal ends of the blades are protected from being inadvertently knocked and bent which would cause misalignment. Furthermore, the stabilizer prevents entry of debris into the chamber of the male connector which would hinder or prevent full mating of the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Joseph A. Wilson, John M. Chupak, Joseph A. Svette, Jr.
  • 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: 6875025
    Abstract: A matrix socket includes a first insulating housing, a second insulating housing and a plurality of terminal assemblies. Each terminal assembly has a movable terminal and terminal seat. The first insulating housing and the second insulating housing are corresponding to each other, and have accommodating channels for placing the terminal assemblies therein, so as to enable the movable terminals and the terminal seats become electrically connected in a slidable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Speed Tech Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Hsu, Yen-Jang Liao, Li-Sen Chen
  • Patent number: 6863538
    Abstract: A plug-in connection device for the self-actuating electrical connection of a motor vehicle trailer to a towing motor vehicle with a socket (D) and a plug (S), which can be disposed on the motor vehicle trailer (for example the plug S) or the towing motor vehicle (for example socket D) During the coupling of the motor vehicle trailer to the towing motor vehicle, socket (D) and plug (S) can be aligned with respect to one another and can be moved by means of a drive (10), developed for example as a piston-cylinder configuration, relative to one another between an advanced connection position and a retracted resting position. Preferably a cover (5) of the socket (D) can be opened by displacing the contact insert (1), bearing contact sleeves (11, 12), in the direction of the connection position with the aid of drive (10). When the contact insert (1) is retracted into the resting position, the cover can be closed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Erich Jaeger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Kirstin Mattern, Kurt Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 6846191
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal project into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a retractable terminal blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a dual fastening feature constructed and arranged between the male connector body and the stabilizer, which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and restricts further insertion of the stabilizer into the blind bore. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals and the remaining portion of the blades are shielded and thus protected from possible damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon C. Hobbs, John R. Morello
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6817873
    Abstract: A blocking outlet and corresponding locking plug provide a completely enclosed safety electrical connection system for supplying electrical power from a wall fixture. The blocking outlet installs in a conventional wall-mounted electrical box, providing access to building electrical wiring. The outlet has receptacles that retain spring-loaded covers, which have a closed position generally flush with the front side of the face plate. The springs provide sufficient tension to the covers to block small children from inserting fingers or foreign objects into a receptacle, preventing inadvertent exposure to hazardous voltage. Yet adults can easily insert a corresponding locking plug directly into a receptacle without cover removal. Regardless, the interior of a receptacle has no exposed contacts. Small access apertures in the interior of an outlet receptacle contain recessed contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: ProtectConnect
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 6799982
    Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart. The sliding support member is held above the bell by telescopic standoffs with a frictional action. A screw is captive within each standoff. As the bell is raised, the part of each standoff fixed to the bell slides upwards until its upper end positions the tip of the screw just in front of a threaded hole in the fixed support channel. Fastening the screws into the threaded holes then both locks the sliding mechanism and attaches the bell directly to the fixed support channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Angelo Fan Brace Licensing, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jack Russell Kerr, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040166711
    Abstract: A plug includes: a plug frame portion having a cylindrical shape; a header portion for being housed in the plug frame portion; a pair of lock arms supported on the plug frame portion; and a plug shutter for moving back and forth in the inserting/extracting directions. Each of the paired lock arms includes: a body extending toward the receptacle; a hook portion formed on the forward end side of the body; and an action member formed closer to the rearward end side than the hook portion. The plug shutter includes: a cylindrical shutter frame portion; a pair of lever portions; and a pair of projections. When the plug shutter is moved backward of the receptacle by holding the lever portions with the fingers, the projections of the plug shutter push the action members of the lock arms inward to deform the lock arms inward thereby to move the hook portions of the lock arms inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Shinji Uchida
  • Patent number: 6767222
    Abstract: A socket is shown for interconnecting a chip to a printed circuit board, where the socket is comprised of a housing and a substrate. The substrate is of the type comprising a plurality of wire leads extending upwardly from the substrate, and which are interconnected to solder balls on the opposite side of the substrate. The housing has a plurality of slots therethrough, such that the substrate can be positioned on the lower side of the housing with the resilient leads extending upwardly in the slots. A chip receiving face is positioned on the opposite side of the housing for contacting the resilient leads of the substrate. The housing includes resilient arms on opposite sides of the housing, which grip the substrate and which maintain the housing in a resiliently biased position above the substrate, such that the leads remain in their respective slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith M. Murr, Alexandra Matthews, Charles D. Copper
  • Patent number: 6767228
    Abstract: This invention is an internal safety cover for use in electrical outlets that provides increased protection against electrical shock. The internal safety cover is designed to be slidably positioned inside the conductive members of an electrical outlet. One embodiment requires uniform force to both openings in the socket for the safety cover to slide and permit the plug to gain contact with the conductive members. Furthermore, the compression device can be adapted to eject partially inserted or withdrawn plugs. A latch mechanism embodiment may lock the safety cover in the closed position preventing access even with uniform force. This invention provides automatic safety protection from both improper foreign objects and partially inserted or withdrawn plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Irwin G. Katz
  • Patent number: 6761568
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal extends into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a lock arm which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and a flex arm which restricts insertion of the stabilizer into the male connector. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Publication number: 20040132325
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection shield device, which may be used in bases or cradles for mobile electronic apparatus, among other uses. A grounded electrostatic discharge shield is movable between two positions, one which precludes contact with data/dc power contacts of a data/dc power connection and another, in which the contacts are exposed for normal operation in connection with the parent electronic apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Yat Shun Yu, Kenny Veng Hong Che, Holger Janssen, Reza Ahmadian Yazdi, Alec Ho, Ian Liu
  • Patent number: 6758690
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection shield device, which may be used in bases or cradles for mobile electronic apparatus, among other uses. A grounded electrostatic discharge shield is movable between two positions, one which precludes contact with data/dc power contacts of a data/dc power connection and another, in which the contacts are exposed for normal operation in connection with the parent electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited
    Inventors: Yat Shu (Damien) Yu, Kenny Veng Hong Che, Holger Janssen, Reza Ahmadian Yazdi, Alec Ho, Ian Liu
  • Patent number: 6758688
    Abstract: A connector securing device (10) includes a top wall (12), a bottom wall (14), a pair of side walls (16, 26), and an end wall (18) cooperatively defining a cavity (20) therebetween for receiving a connector (50) therein. A pair of resilient tabs (30) is formed in front portions of the top and bottom walls respectively, and each resilient tab forms an outer latching portion (34) at a free end thereof. The end wall defines a through hole (40) for extension of a cable (52) of the connector therethrough. After the connector is received in the connector securing device, the combined connector and connector securing device is plugged into aligned openings (64, 68) defined in an I/O interface (60). The latching portions engage in one of the openings of the I/O interface, thereby protecting the connector from accidental detachment from a complementary mating connector at the I/O interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 6733311
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: FCI 53
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Kameda
  • Patent number: 6623285
    Abstract: A connector has a male housing (20) with a receptacle (23) and male terminal fittings (10) with tabs (12) whose leading end positions that differ with respect to a connecting direction. A lever (33) is rotatably supported on the male housing (20), and a moving plate (28) for supporting the tabs (12) of male terminal fittings (10) is mounted into the receptacle (23). The lever (33) can be rotated in a first direction to a testing position and pulls the moving plate 28 sufficiently into the receptacle (23) for all the tabs (12) to project beyond the moving plate and toward the opening side of the receptacle (23) for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Nishide
  • Patent number: 6604954
    Abstract: A power plug has a housing, a voltage prong, a neutral prong, and a ground prong, the prongs set in the housing, and a main body elastically set in the housing and encircling the prongs. When plugging the power plug into a socket, the main body retracts toward the housing. When unplugging the power plug from the socket, the main body is pushed outward to cover the prongs. In such a manner, only a small section of each prong is exposed to open air or the prongs are not exposed at all, increasing the safety of the power plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Primax Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuen-Yan Chu, Yi-Te Ch
  • Publication number: 20030119349
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly has a male connector which mates to a female connector thereby electrically engaging male terminal blades, locked to a male connector body, to female terminals locked to a female connector body. The blade of each male terminal extends into a blind bore defined by a shroud of the male connector body. Prior to mating of the electrical connector assembly, a self-aligning blade stabilizer is snap fitted into a blade alignment position with the male connector via a lock arm which prevents withdrawal of the stabilizer from the male connector and a flex arm which restricts insertion of the stabilizer into the male connector. When the stabilizer is in the blade alignment position, the tips of the blades are disposed within respective apertures of the stabilizer and aligned to their respective female terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: John H. Bakker, Ronald A. Puhl, Courtney A. Mansky
  • Patent number: 6561268
    Abstract: An underwater or severe environment electrical connector, in which first and second connector parts are brought together in longitudinal alignment to establish electrical contact between respective contact portions of the first and second connector parts. The connector parts are relatively rotatable about a longitudinal axis when the connector parts are disconnected, and the contact portions are laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis and arranged to make electrical contact when the connector parts are connected, irrespective of the relative rotational positions of the first and second connector parts about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Tronic Limited
    Inventor: Mark R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030077930
    Abstract: A power plug has a housing, a voltage prong, a neutral prong, and a ground prong, the prongs set in the housing, and a main body elastically set in the housing and encircling the prongs. When plugging the power plug into a socket, the main body retracts toward the housing. When unplugging the power plug from the socket, the main body is pushed outward to cover the prongs. In such a manner, only a small section of each prong is exposed to open air or the prongs are not exposed at all, increasing the safety of the power plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Kuen-Yan Chu, Yi-Te Chiang