Retractable Sheath Patents (Class 439/141)
  • Patent number: 11597288
    Abstract: An energy supply arrangement for supplying a motor vehicle with electrical energy via a conductive plug connection, includes a stationary charging station and a charging socket which is arranged on board the motor vehicle, the charging station having a charging plug which can be extended in the direction of the motor vehicle. It is provided that the charging plug has a cylindrical base body, on the lateral surface of which multiple electrical contacts are arranged, the base body being encompassed by a protective ring which covers the contacts in a first position and releases the contacts in a second position for contacting counter contacts of the charging socket. A method for operating an energy supply arrangement is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Alexander Kupfer, Ilias Gkoumas, Hardo Tumm
  • Patent number: 11177602
    Abstract: A female terminal, including: a female terminal fitting including a connector to be conductively connected to a male terminal; a facing member held on the female terminal fitting, the facing member being arranged to face the connector across a male terminal insertion gap into which the male terminal is inserted; a spring held on the female terminal fitting, the spring biasing at least one of the facing member and the connector toward the other; and an approach displacement restricting device that maintains the male terminal insertion gap by restricting a displacement in an approaching direction between the facing member and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Seido Nishijima
  • Patent number: 10971866
    Abstract: The present disclosure described devices, components, connectors, and cables that connect an audio-visual device to an external antenna. Some embodiments describe a device connector for connecting the audio-visual device to an external cable. The device connector may include a supply port that is configured to receive power, data signals, and/or some combination of power and data from a source external to the audio-visual device. The device connector may also include an antenna port that is configured to connect the audio-visual device to an external antenna that is, for example, part of the same. Additionally, the device connector may include a detection mechanism that detects the presence of an antenna connection in the antenna port. When an antenna connection is detected, the audio-visual device may be configured to use one or more external antennas connected via the antenna connection to send and receive, e.g., WiFi signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ROKU, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Garner, Tito Thomas
  • Patent number: 10944204
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a connector capable of ensuring good sealing. A connector (10) includes a female housing (20) having a female-side sealing surface (22), a male housing (30) having a receptacle (62) into which the female housing (20) is fit, a sealing ring (40) disposed in the receptacle (62) and to be held in close contact with the sealing surface (40) when the female housing (20) and the male housing (30) are connected, and a protecting member (50) mounted on the female housing (20) to cover the female-side sealing surface (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventor: Kazuo Nakai
  • Patent number: 10938141
    Abstract: A safety cover for an electrical charger is provided. The cover is formed of an outer body with a retractable sheath being movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the outer body. The safety cover for the electrical charger is structured and designed so as to limit accidental electrocution dangers caused by the exposed charger plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Tai Kien
  • Patent number: 10826222
    Abstract: A moving plate (14) is movable in a fitting space (28) of a receptacle (25) between a protecting position and a retracted position. A sealing member (16) is closer to an opening than the moving plate (14) and closely contacts the inner surface of the receptacle (25). The moving plate (14) has arms (64) including inward projecting locking projections (66). A female housing (102) fits into the fitting space (28) of the receptacle (25) and includes a sealing surface (116) and recesses (112) on an outer surface. The sealing surface (116) contacts the inner surface of the sealing member (16) during connection to a male connector (10). The recesses (112) are recessed on a more forward side than the sealing surface (116) in a fitting direction into the fitting space (28), and locking projections (66) are locked to side surfaces of the recesses during separation from the male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuma Mamiya, Shinjiro Kida, Sho Saito
  • Patent number: 10483689
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a releasable connection, which may include a first housing to couple to a first cable. The housing may include a mating surface to couple with a mating surface of a second housing that may couple to a second cable. The transmission components of the first cable may extend to the mating surface, to provide connection with respective transmission components of the second cable in response to a mating of the first and second mating surfaces. The connection may further include a retention mechanism, which may include a magnet component disposed on or in proximity to the mating surface, to interact with a corresponding magnet component of the second housing. A magnetic force produced in response to the interaction may provide the releasable coupling of the first and second cables. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dean Lipke, Ryan Moore
  • Patent number: 10472901
    Abstract: An electrical instrument swivel connector has a first housing part and a second housing part rotatably connected to each other. The connection enabling transfer of axial loading between the housing parts. A first insulator body is rotatably engaged with a second insulator body and respectively sealingly engageable with an interior surface of the first housing part and the second housing part. Electrical contact pins are formed into the first insulator body and the second insulator body. The electrical contact pins each terminate in a separate electrical contact wherein the first insulator body rotatably engages the second insulator body. A biased electrical contact is disposed between each respective separate electrical contact in the first insulator body and the second insulator body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Engel, April Bohannan, William Rohr
  • Patent number: 10424867
    Abstract: A subsea termination gland for providing a termination and connection to an electrical conductor has a first connector interface which is dry-mateable and is configured to be mated with a complementary second connector interface of a connector front end. The termination gland further includes a termination assembly having a connection member which provides a first connection section of the first connector interface. The connection member is connectable to the electrical conductor. The first connection section is exposed to the ambient environment when determination gland is not mated with the connector front end. A sealing section seals the termination gland to the connector front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Richard Lewin, Christopher Plant
  • Patent number: 10424865
    Abstract: A splice connector, comprising a connector body and a connecting component connected with the connector body by plug joint. The connector body comprises a shell, a magnetic component arranged in an inside of the shell and configured for magnetic attraction, and a conductive component embedded on the shell. The shell comprises an abutting surface, two end surfaces vertical to the abutting surface, a positioning component arranged on the abutting surface and for positioning while abutting with other connectors, a first jack and a second jack respectively opened on the two end surfaces. The connecting component is electrically connected to the conductive component via the first jack and second jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Hok Man Lam
  • Patent number: 10164372
    Abstract: An electrical connecting assembly is provided, including a male connector and a female connector corresponding to the male connector. The male connector has a first insulating body and a conductive member protruding from the insulating body. The female connector has a second insulating body, a hollow conductive seat, a resilient element, and sliding unit. The second insulating body has an opening portion and a chamber for receiving the conductive member. The conductive seat is disposed in the chamber, the sliding unit is movably disposed in the conductive seat, and the resilient element connects the sliding unit to the conductive seat. Specifically, the internal diameter of the opening portion is shorter than the internal diameter of the conductive seat, and the resilient element forces the sliding unit to move to the opening portion, so that the sliding unit forms a seal with the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: WISTRON CORP.
    Inventors: Ping-Feng Liao, Po-Yuan Hsu, Chia-Cheng Su
  • Patent number: 9748688
    Abstract: A plug-and-socket connector with an electrically conductive female contact for receiving a contact pin and for establishing an electrically conductive connection to the contact pin is described. According to implementations here, the female contact is accessible by an opening in the plug-and-socket connector. Further, a closure element for closing the opening is movably supported inside the female contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, LLC
    Inventors: Bernd Hagmann, Helmut Singer, Martin Littek
  • Patent number: 9653838
    Abstract: A debris exclusion and removal apparatus for connectors which have retractable cover configurations which include internal wafers that clean the connectors prior to mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Mark E. Lewis, Adam G. Dokos, Ivan I. Townsend, III, Jeffrey W. Carlson, Gary L. Bastin, Kevin A. Murtland
  • Patent number: 9608357
    Abstract: A connector assembly, such as a high voltage electrical connector assembly, includes a first connector having a first housing and an intermediate housing attached to the first housing. The intermediate housing is moveable from a first position to a second position. A flexible retaining arm is configured to hold the intermediate housing in the first position. The connector assembly further includes a second connector having a second housing. The second housing defines a release wedge that engages and flexes the retaining arm, thereby releasing the intermediate housing from engagement with the retaining arm and allowing the intermediate housing to move from the first position to the second position as the first connector is connected to the second connector. A terminal in the first housing is enclosed within the intermediate housing in the first position, and protrudes from an aperture in a surface of the intermediate housing in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rangarajan Sundarakrishnamachari, Anthony Raschilla, Don E. Bizon
  • Patent number: 9472867
    Abstract: Provided is an electric contact with a stable electric resistance value. An insertion rod portion passing through a coil spring is provided on a first contact member, and a cylindrical portion in which a part of the insertion rod portion passing through the coil spring is provided on a second contact member. A tilt mechanism tilts the second contact member to bring the insertion rod portion into contact with the cylindrical portion. This can stabilize the electric resistance value. A reduced diameter portion in which the diameter decreases with an increase in the distance from the cylindrical portion is formed at least near a tip of the insertion rod portion. This can suppress changes in the contact pressure of the cylindrical portion and the insertion rod portion to make expansion and contraction operation smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuki Ueyama
  • Patent number: 9461427
    Abstract: A process measurement instrument comprises a process adaptor for mounting to a process vessel or the like and operatively associated with a sensing element for sensing a process variable and including plural electrical conductors. An instrument housing includes a control circuit. A connector assembly is operatively disposed between the instrument housing and the process adaptor for removably connecting the instrument housing to the process adaptor. The connector assembly comprises a first connector including a cylindrical connector body having an offset boss with a first multi-pin wire connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Magnetrol International, Incorporated
    Inventor: Paul G. Janitch
  • Patent number: 9431750
    Abstract: A connector includes a connection terminal including a terminal section which is configured to contact with a mating terminal, a housing that holds the connection terminal in a state that the terminal section protrudes from the housing, and a front holder provided on the housing so as to be slidable along an extension direction of the connection terminal. The front holder is disposed at a first position in which the front holder covers a side portion of the terminal section in a case that the front holder slides forward in the extension direction, and the front holder is disposed at a second position in which the side portion of the terminal section is exposed in a case that the front holder slides rearward in the extension direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 9362670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging connector locking apparatus. The apparatus includes a coupling latch installed in an inlet housing of the inlet connector to be supported by a resilient member so as to be rotatable by a predetermined angle, and having an interlocking curved surface by which a tip end of the plug latch is guided; a fixing rod moved to be positioned at a side of the coupling latch facing the plug latch to prevent movement of the plug latch in a release direction; and a driving source for providing driving power for movement of the fixing rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: KOREA ELECTRIC TERMINAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jung-Hyuk Mo
  • Patent number: 9263824
    Abstract: A plug and receptacle electrical connector can be repeatedly connected and disconnected in harsh environments such as seawater. The plug unit has blade-like pins with insulated shafts and conductive tips. The plug unit engages the receptacle unit housing socket contacts within closed, nested, oil-filled chambers. The chambers are pressure balanced to the in-situ environment and to each other and employ positive means to remain sealed before, during, and after mating and demating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Stillwater Trust
    Inventor: James L. Cairns
  • Patent number: 9189024
    Abstract: This document generally describes docking stations for portable computing devices with one or more of a variety of features, such as a near horizontal tray into which a portable computing device can be placed (e.g., a tray with an angle between 5-25 degrees from horizontal), embedded microphones and/or speakers, and/or input jacks for external microphones and/or speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vieira Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Alan Knutson, Christopher Ray Holloman, Gary Douglas Huber
  • Patent number: 9136638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for connecting/disconnecting a submersible connector (100) provided with a male portion (101) and a female portion (102), to a related connection/disconnection method, as well as to the various possible uses of said device. The device includes means (11, 12) for moving said male and/or female portions of the connector (100) between a connection position and a disconnection position, and vice versa, and is characterized in that the device further includes a system (16) for injecting a fluid (20) around said male (101) and female (102) portions of the connector (100) when the latter is moved from the connection position to the disconnection position and vice versa, in order to insulate the male and female portion from the water surrounding the connector (100), the injection system (16) being located outside the connector (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignees: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE D'AIX MARSEILLE
    Inventors: Michel Billault, Stéphan Beurthey
  • Patent number: 9070995
    Abstract: A connector unit which prevents a user from contacting a first terminal fitting when fitting a first connector and a second connector together is provided. A connector unit 20 includes a first connector 1 having a first housing 4 receiving a first terminal fitting 3 and a contact-preventive housing 51 disposed between the first terminal fitting and the first housing, and a second housing to be fitted to the first housing. The contact-preventive housing includes a tension spring 6 having one end fixed at an outer circumference of the contact-preventive housing and the other end being a free-end arranged to engage to the first housing to restrict the contact-preventive housing from sliding. The second housing includes an entering portion 12 which enters between the tension spring and the first housing and pushes the tension spring to disengage the tension spring to permit the contact-preventive housing to slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sachiko Yagome, Ayumu Ishikawa, Kazuki Zaitsu
  • 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: 8882518
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guang-Chen Li
  • Patent number: 8848356
    Abstract: A memory card reader assembly for a device having a GPS component includes a housing having an exterior wall and defining two interior compartments. A jack for a memory card is secured within one compartment, and the housing includes a slot for enabling insertion of a memory card through the housing wall and into the jack. That compartment, including the slot, is sealed to prevent fluid entry into the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Trail Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Wotton
  • Patent number: 8770994
    Abstract: The child resistant safety plug accessory fits onto an existing male prong plug in order to insulate and protect the male prongs from producing an electrical arc with auxiliary objects when being inserted, removed, or used to transmit electricity from a female pronged plug or electrical outlet. The child resistant safety plug accessory is comprised of an interfacing member that is defined with an inner surface and an outer surface, and slots that correspond with the various prongs of the male-pronged plug. The inner surface abuts against a plug wall whereas collapsible prong members extend outwardly from the outer surface in order to encompass the various prongs of the male-pronged plug when un-inserted into an electrical outlet or female electrical plug. The collapsible prong members are biased outwardly, and collapse when pressed against an external surface of the electrical outlet or female electrical plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Brett Fagan, Thomas Avallone
  • Patent number: 8721355
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having an internal compartment. A dielectric insert is held within the internal compartment of the housing. The dielectric insert includes an end face. An electrical contact is held by the dielectric insert and includes a mating segment that extends a length outwardly from the end face of the dielectric insert along a connection axis. A hood is held by the housing and has an extended position relative to the end face of the dielectric insert wherein the hood extends a length outwardly relative to the end face. The hood extends at least partially around the mating segment of the electrical contact in the extended position. The hood is retractable along the connection axis from the extended position to a retracted position wherein at least a portion of the length of the hood is retracted relative to the end face of the dielectric insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Dustin Carson Belack
  • Patent number: 8641446
    Abstract: A coaxial probe is revealed. A protective sleeve is mounted in a sleeve port of a main sleeve. A leaning flange projecting inward is formed on a bottom end of a sleeve port of the main sleeve. The leaning flange is stopped and positioned by a stopping flange on an upper part of the protective sleeve. A probe is disposed on a sleeve port of the main sleeve and is passed through a sleeve port of a protective hole. Thus the probe is hidden in the protective sleeve. After the protective sleeve being in contact with a coaxial connector to be detected, the probe is moved to project from the protective sleeve for detecting the coaxial connector. Thereby damages of the probe caused by impact force received can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Chin Nan Precision Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Feng Chen
  • Patent number: 8636527
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly includes a female element having at least one electrical contact and a male element to be inserted in the female element and which includes a plug and a sleeve that surrounds and is movable relative to the plug and at least one electrical contact is carried by the plug and is electrically engageable to the electrical contact of the female element. An external surface of the sleeve has at least two stages with diameters which are smaller in a direction toward a free end of the male element and the female element has a body with an internal surface having at least two stages with diameters which are larger in a direction toward a mouth of the female element and such that the at least two stages of the external and internal surfaces seat with one another when the male element is inserted into the female element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Multi-Holding AG
    Inventors: Christian Hengel, Jérôme Feron, Michel Chabirand, Alain-Christophe Tiberghien, Philippe Guin
  • Patent number: 8597037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a socket and a system of cascadable sockets for insertion therein of electrical devices such as relays, timers or counters. The socket includes device connection means by which an electrical device may be electrically connected to the socket, and may further include terminals providing electrical contacts for connecting the electrical device to an external electrical signal or a circuit. The socket includes socket connection means, for example, in the form of a slidable connector for engaging another socket placed against it. Two or more sockets engaged in this manner may facilitate a parallel electrical connection between the electrical devices each inserted in one of the two or more sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Temy Sanjaya Halim, Chee Yeong Ya
  • Patent number: 8511908
    Abstract: A connector has first and second connector units, each unit incorporating an oil-filled chamber housing one or more contact elements to be joined. At least one connector unit has a face seal assembly which seals the forward end of the contact chamber in the unmated condition. The face seal assembly comprises three elements. One element is an annular elastomeric seal situated radially outward. The two other elements are inner seal elements which are pressed together radially to form a substantially disc-like shape. The resulting disc-like shaped seal fills the central, circular end face opening of the outer annular seal. As the connector units are mated, elements of the elastomeric face seal assembly are displaced, one axially, and others both axially and radially, creating an opening between the oil-filled chambers that is sealed from the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cairns, Srikanth Ramasubramanian, Stewart M. Barlow
  • Patent number: 8465995
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display includes: forming an auxiliary insulating layer having a first thickness; forming first and second photoresist patterns on the auxiliary insulating layer; performing an ashing to remove the second photoresist pattern and expose the auxiliary insulating layer therebelow; performing a dry etching to remove the auxiliary insulating layer not covered by the first photoresist pattern and expose a first passivation layer and to form an insulating pattern below the first photoresist pattern, the insulating pattern and the first photoresist pattern forming an undercut shape; forming a transparent conductive material layer having a fourth thickness less than the first thickness; and performing a lift-off process to remove the first photoresist pattern and the transparent conductive material layer thereon together and form a pixel electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Ki Jung, Seok-Woo Lee, Kum-Mi Oh, Dong-Cheon Shin, In-Hyuk Song, Han-Seok Lee, Won-Keun Park
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130102168
    Abstract: There is provided a lever type connector. In the lever type connector in which an electric wire cover is attached to a connector housing to which a lever is already fitted, a false fitting preventing projection that protrudes from the electric wire cover and prevents the false fitting of the electric wire cover when this projection comes into contact with the lever is provided, and the false fitting preventing projection protrudes outward rather than the connector housing and an outer surface of the lever. The false fitting preventing projection absorbs an impact applied from the outside, and serves as a cushioning member against at least the connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tohru Kobayashi, Shoji Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8419452
    Abstract: An electric connector portion includes first and second electric contact portions which are connectable to first and second target electric contact portions, respectively, and a protective member which is movable from a protecting position where the first and second electric contact portions are protected to an opening position where the first and second electric contact portions are opened in a moving direction extending from the first electric contact portion side to the second electric contact portion side, wherein the protective member includes an opening portion which is configured to open the second electric contact portion when the protective member is arranged at the opening position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Olympus Medical Systems Corp., Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hino, Takashi Sawai, Akihiro Shimazu, Tsuyoshi Mandai
  • Patent number: 8403687
    Abstract: A data storage device is provided. At least a storage section configured to store information therein and a connection terminal configured to transmit information are mounted on a substrate. A casing accommodates the substrate, the casing is formed with an opening to expose a connection portion of the connection terminal to the outside. A shield plate configured to shield the opening of the casing. A shield plate actuation mechanism is configured to detect a connection state between the connection terminal and a receiving terminal to which the connection terminal is connected and actuate the shield plate. The shield plate actuation mechanism actuates the shield plate to shield the opening when the shield plate actuation mechanism detects that the connection terminal is separated from the receiving terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsukasa Abe, Koichiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 8366462
    Abstract: A retractable power plug applied for an electronic apparatus or an extension outlet is disclosed. The retractable power plug includes a housing, a base, a movable unit and a plurality of prongs. The housing has a space for enclosing the base. The prongs are pluggably disposed on the base. The base is rotatably and movably located in the space. The movable unit is configured to prompt the base to move in the space. The direction of movement of the base is generally parallel with the connection direction of the prongs. So that, the prongs associated with the base is capable of moving up and down in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chou Kuo
  • Patent number: 8292640
    Abstract: A USB connector includes a connector body and a shielding sheet rotatably connected to the connecting body. The connector body includes a connector holder and a plug connected to the connector holder. The plug defines an opening in an end away from the connector holder. The plug is configured for coupling the USB connector to a mating connector. The shielding sheet is rotated to expose the opening of the plug when the USB connector couples to the mating connector, and covers the opening of the plug when the USB connector is detached from the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Wen Wu, Yi-Zhong Sheu, Tai-Cherng Yu
  • Patent number: 8192089
    Abstract: A connector has first and second connector units, each unit incorporating an oil-filled chamber housing one or more contact elements to be joined. At least one connector unit has a face seal assembly which seals the forward end of the contact chamber in the unmated condition. The face seal assembly comprises three elements. One element is an annular elastomeric seal situated radially outward. The two other elements are inner seal elements which are pressed together radially to form a substantially disc-like shape. The resulting disc-like shaped seal fills the central, circular end face opening of the outer annular seal. As the connector units are mated, elements of the elastomeric face seal assembly are displaced, one axially, and others both axially and radially, creating an opening between the oil-filled chambers that is sealed from the outside environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Teledyne Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cairns, Srikanth Ramasubramanian, Stewart M. Barlow
  • Patent number: 8102662
    Abstract: A USB device including a bistable mechanism that serves to bias a plug connector into one of two stable states, where the first stable state is associated with a retracted position in which the plug connector is fully retracted inside a housing, and the second stable state is associated with a deployed position in which the plug connector extends through the front opening for coupling to a host system. Movement of the plug connector form the retracted to the deployed position is performed by manually applying a force to a handle portion that protrudes through a slot defined in the housing. The bistable mechanism resists the deploying force until an equilibrium point is reach, after which the bistable mechanism releases stored potential energy to complete the deploying process and to maintain the plug connector is the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Super Talent Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Siew S. Hiew, Nan Nan, Abraham C. Ma
  • Patent number: 8096820
    Abstract: A multi-connector, and a charging cable and a data cable including the same are disclosed. The multi-connector includes a 24-pin connector and a 20-pin connector that may be used regardless of the type and manufacturer of a portable terminal. The multi-connector includes a first connector body having a first connector installed on a side thereof, a second connector body having a second connector installed on a side thereof, and a hinge shaft to connect the first connector body to the second connector body. The first connector body and/or the second connector body are pivotable about the hinge shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Jeong Lyu, Byoung Soo Lee, Jae Seok Choi
  • Patent number: 8025511
    Abstract: A connector is matable with a mating connector. The connector has a contact, a housing, a sliding shell, at least one engagement portion and at least one disengagement portion. The housing holds the contact. The sliding shell covers, at least in part, the contact and the housing. The sliding shell is held on the housing so as to be movable between a mating position and a protective position. The connector is mated with the mating connector when the sliding shell is positioned at the mating position. The sliding shell is laid, at least in part, beyond a front end of the housing when the sliding shell is positioned at the protective position. The at least one engagement portion is configured to engage with the sliding shell located at the protective position so as to prevent the sliding shell from moving toward the mating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Shuichi Aihara, Takayoshi Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 8002570
    Abstract: In resin molded parts with lock arms, a peripheral wall 12a protruding toward a rear side vertical to a main body part is connected to the peripheral edge of the substantially plate shaped main body part 12. Belt plate shaped lock arms 13 are connected to the peripheral wall with ends protruding toward a front side vertical to the main body part by connecting base ends 13a to the outer surfaces of the peripheral wall. The lock arms have slits 17 which are formed in intermediate parts of the lock arms in the direction of width of the lock arms and continuously extend from the end faces of the base ends of the lock arms to parts before the ends to ensure engaging parts 14 in the ends of the lock arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Matsumura, Kazuto Ohtaka, Hideki Homma
  • Patent number: 7980867
    Abstract: An apparatus for use within an electrical devices is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a casing having an upper body and a lower body, the casing including a tab disposed on a surface thereof and an adjustable base having a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to the tab. The tab engagingly couples to one of the plurality of tab cavities to secure the adjustable base. The apparatus also includes a connector system coupled to the adjustable base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dwayne Dei Rossi, George Shiu
  • Patent number: 7896666
    Abstract: A socket structure includes: an insulating shell; a connecting base mounted on the bottom of the insulating shell, the connecting base comprising a pillar and a lower groove, the pillar extending upwardly from the top of the connection base, and a hole disposed in the pillar, the lower groove arranged on the top of the connecting base; a conducting strip arranged in the hole; an inner conducting ring disposed around the surface of the pillar; and an outer conducting ring inserted in the lower groove. The outer conducting ring does not shake in the insulating shell, ensuring a stable connection between the plug connecting terminals and the outer electric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (China) Enterprise Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shihwei Tung, Chiwei Chen, Chiahsiung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 7866993
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector capable of preventing contacts from being touched by fingers or things through an opening of a connector housing, and of thereby improving connection reliability. A plug connector comprising a connector housing and PCB having contacts contained in the connector housing with a contacting surface exposed at one end and which functions as an interface capable of transmitting electric signal or light signal by being fitted to a receptacle connector to connect respective contacts to each other, characterized in that a shutter is provided as a part of a bottom wall of the connector housing to be freely opened or closed at a position covering the contacts formed in PCB, and that, before fitting of the connector, the shutter is in a closed state, and during and after fitting of the connector, the shutter is in a opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Masami Ohsumi
  • Patent number: 7766677
    Abstract: A dustproof receptacle connector includes a dielectric housing, a plurality of terminals, a shield and a dustproof cover. The dielectric housing defines a plurality of terminal grooves therein for receiving the terminals. The shield surrounding the dielectric housing has a top board. A sliding groove is defined in the top board and extends longitudinally to pass through a rear end of the top board. An engaging portion extends from the rear end of the top board. A receiving groove is surrounded by the engaging portion and the rear end of the top board and communicates with the sliding groove. The engaging portion is bent downward to be attached to a rear portion of the dielectric housing. The dustproof cover is slidably received in the shield and located between the dielectric housing and a front end of the shield. The dustproof cover has a positioning portion slidable along the sliding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Man Chiang
  • Patent number: 7740492
    Abstract: An apparatus for use within an electrical devices is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a casing having an upper body and a lower body, the casing including a tab disposed on a surface thereof and an adjustable base having a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to the tab. The tab engagingly couples to one of the plurality of tab cavities to secure the adjustable base. The apparatus also includes a connector system coupled to the adjustable base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dwayne Dei Rossi, George Shiu
  • Patent number: 7695294
    Abstract: An adjustable plug includes a main body, a connecting end, and an adjustable end sleeve. The adjustable end sleeve is slidably positioned on the main body. The connecting end protrudes from the main body. The connecting end extends through the adjustable end sleeve, and protrudes out of the adjustable end sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Lun Lu
  • Patent number: 7674120
    Abstract: A hand held electronic device, such as a flash memory drive, includes a mechanism for extending and withdrawing a connector, such as a USB plug, that is adapted for engaging a mating connector of a host device. A positive latch holds the connector with respect to an outer shell when in the extended and withdrawn positions. Movement of a separate housing portion unlatches the connector and outer shell, and also provides movement of the connector. A protective door closes over a connector opening when the connector is withdrawn into the device, and the door is withdrawn into the device when the connector is extended, thereby not interfering with the extended connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Alan Morganstern, Derek Niizawa, Jeffrey A. Salazar, Junggi Sung, Michael L. Simmons, Arturo Meuniot, Michael S. Roberts