Abstract: A device for transferring a signal has two end points (6, 8) between which a conductor (10) extends in spiral turns and is arranged within a substantially circular cassette (K). The cassette (K) consists of two parts, a rotor (11) which is turnable about its axis and a stationary stator (12) which surrounds the circumference of the rotor and encloses the conductor (10). On the rotor (11) there is an outward protruding extension (15) for receiving a screw (16) which is displaceable in the axial direction of the cassette (K), and serves for a locking of rotor (11) and stator (12). There is also present on the rotor (11) a spring element (17) which is displaceable by means of a screw (16) and which, in mounting position of the cassette (K), is held firmly on the stator (12) and, in the working position of the cassette (K), is separated from the stator (12) by a space.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus of the U-turn type in which the extending direction of a flexible flat cable is reversed in the middle of the cable. The apparatus comprises a planet roll located between a center barrel and an outer case. The planet roll is fitted with a planet gear which is in mesh with a sun gear fixed to the center barrel, and an internal gear fixed to the outer case. When the center barrel rotates, the planet roll revolves in the same direction as the rotating direction of the barrel, thereby guiding the U-turn portion of the cable. At the same time, the planet roll rotates around its axis in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the center barrel, whereby a guide tape is wound on the barrel and wound off the planet roll. The guide tape serves to guide and prevent the cable from slackening, so that the potential rotational frequency of the center barrel can be made high for the cable length.

Abstract: A device for transferring a signal between two end points between which a coiled conductor, contained in a substantially circular cassette, is arranged. At least one of the two end points is movable relative to the other. The cassette consists of two parts, a stationary stator (11) and a turnable rotor (12). On the stator (11) there is arranged a holding element which is under spring force and has a free end which is fixed in the assembled position of the cassette in tensioned state on the rotor (12). The holding element is detachable from the rotor (12) by rotation of the latter, so that, in the operating position of the cassette, it protrudes, in released position, through a space of the cassette, separated from the latter.

Abstract: An electrical connector device includes first and second cable winding members one of which is co-rotatable with a rotatable side and the other of which is fixed to a stationary side. The first and second cable winding members are arranged with their respective centers being spaced apart from each other. An flexible cable is fixed at its one end to the first cable winding member and at its other end to the second cable winding member. The flexible cable is wound around the first winding member to form a loose winding of a plurality of turns therearound so that relative rotation between the first and second cable winding members is allowed by means of radially expanding and contracting behavior of the cable winding around the first cable winding member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clock spring connector which permits a reduction in the length of a flexible cable and simplification of the alignment mechanism.The clock spring connector has a first housing, and a second housing, a flexible cable wound in opposite directions through a U-shaped reversed portion in the ring-like space defined by the outer cylindrical portion of the first housing and the inner cylindrical portion of the second housing, and a moving member rotating while following the reversed portion. A third mark as an indicator is provided on a spacer which partially forms the moving member so that the third mark can be visually observed from the outside when the second housing is at the neutral position.

Abstract: A transmission device is equipped with a flat cable (11) which has a winding direction reversal section (11a) at the middle, and three dummy cables (21A through 21C) which are wrapped over the flat cable, the winding direction reversal sections (11a and 21a through 21c) of the flat cable and dummy cables being arranged in the circumferential direction at approximately equal intervals. The winding direction reversal sections which produce elastic reaction forces are distributed in the circumferential direction at approximately equal intervals, and hence the slack of the flat cable is suppressed when an inner case or an outer case performs reciprocal rotation, thus securely preventing troubles caused by the slack in the flat cable, whereby the possible case revolution number can be increased with a shorter flat cable, and the operation stability of the transmission device can be improved.

Abstract: A clock spring for use with a steering device of an automobile, including a fixed member, a movable member rotatably mounted on the fixed member with a cable accommodating portion defined therebetween, and a cable accommodated in the cable accommodating portion for effecting electrical connection between the fixed member and the movable member. One end of the cable is fixed to the fixed member and led out of the fixed member, while the other end of the cable is fixed to the movable member and led out of the movable member. One portion of the cable is wrapped in one direction on either of the fixed member or the movable member, while the other portion is wrapped in the opposite direction reverse to the one direction on the other of the fixed member and the movable member, whereby an inverted portion of the cable is formed between the one portion and the other portion.

Abstract: A rotary connector includes a stationary case fixed to a stationary member, a rotating case combined with the stationary case for rotation relative to the stationary case, and the rotating case having a torque transmission section for transmitting a torque from a rotating member and a junction to be connected to an external wire. A flexible flat cable having a plurality of electrical conductors coated for insulation is housed, in the form of a spiral capable of tightening and loosening, in an annular space defined by the two cases, one end of the flat cable being connected at the junction to the external wire. The torque transmission section and the junction are fractured and removed from the rotating case under first and second torques, respectively, transmitted from the rotating member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clock spring connector in which a flexible cable is wound reversely on inner and outer cylindrical units through a U-shaped turned-back portion within an air space defined by these cylindrical units, and a plurality of rollers connected by connecting plates are disposed. A radial movement of the flexible cable is regulated by the rollers connected by the connecting member. A tight-wind or rewind operation of the flexible cable can be surely effected. The connecting member prevents the adjacent rollers from impinging on each other.

Abstract: A flat cable connector including a first planetary roller, and a plurality of second planetary rollers as a flat cable guiding members, and a planetary gear mechanism for revolving the first roller round a rotor in an annular space between the rotor and a stator. The flat cable is turned at the first planetary roller so that the flat cable is wound in the opposite directions between the inside and outside of the second planetary rollers. The planetary gear mechanism is constructed to satisfy the relationship expressed as: a=b.times.{Di/(Di+Do)}, where a is the angular velocity of the planetary gear in its revolution; b is the angular velocity of the rotor with respect to the stator; Di is the diameter of an inner circumferential wall of the annular space; and Do is the diameter of the outer circumferential wall thereof.

Abstract: A rotary connector which comprises a rotating case and a stationary case combined for rotation and defining an annular space therein, a flexible flat cable housed in the form of a spiral in the annular space, and a fixing member for regulating the relative rotation of the two cases. The fixing member is removably mounted extending between mounting portions formed individually on the cases, the flat cable tightening and loosening so that the rotating case is allowed to rotate relatively to the stationary case. The fixing member is provided integrally with an indicating portion for restraining the fixing member from being disengaged from the mounting portions and indicating the release of the cases from fixation by being fractured or deformed by a predetermined stress which forces the fixing member to be disengaged from the mounting portions.

Abstract: A connector device includes a fixed housing fixed on a fixed member, a movable housing mounted on a rotatable member and freely rotatably combined with the fixed housing, and a flexible flat transmission line which serves to electrically or optically connect the fixed member to the rotatable member, which is wound in a spiral form and which is received in a space created by the fixed and movable housings. A clearance in an axial direction along the rotation shaft of the movable housing between the flat transmission line and the movable housing, or between the flat transmission line and the fixed housing is set to be smaller in the intermediate portion of the flat transmission line than in at least one of the end portions at which the flat transmission line is fixed on the housings so as to suppress occurrence of unpleasant vibration sound caused by collision between the flat transmission line and the housings.

Abstract: A clock spring connector which has a shorter length of a flexible cable and can suppress noises. In a ring-shaped space between an outer cylindrical portion of a first housing and an inner cylindrical portion of a second housing, there are disposed a flexible cable wound in opposite directions with a reversely looped portion being at a U-turn point, and a carrier member rotatable following the reversely looped portion. A spacer as part of the carrier member slides over a rib provided on a bottom plate of the first housing.

Abstract: A lock for preventing free rotation of the movable member of a cable real relative to the stationary member includes a screw supported on a lock member in such a manner as to be screwable into either the movable member or the stationary member, and a stopper integrally formed on the lock member for preventing disengagement of the screw. The movable member can be securely locked with respect to the stationary member, and can be released from its locked position with good operational efficiency.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a source of light movable with respect to a writing element and projectable thereon to generate an image, a focusing means is provided for focusing a light source which generates a first beam of light of a wavelength selected to be actinic with respect to the writing element. At least a portion of the first beam of light is absorbed by the writing element. The apparatus comprises means to automatically supply donor sheets and receiver sheets independently to a writing platen or drum, and to selectively load and unload the donor sheets from superposition with the receiver sheet without disturbing the registration of the receiver sheet. Also included are components which contribute to the quality of the images generated, such as relatively inexpensive, low jitter transports and drives for the writing head and imaging drum.

Abstract: An electric connecting apparatus for setting up electric connection between wiring harnesses and a rotary connector having stationary and rotary casings and a flat cable housed therebetween. The apparatus is equipped with first and second apparatus sections each disposed on the rotary and stationary casing sides. The first section has a holder member formed on the rotary casing, a connector housing mounted to one end of the wiring harness, and a joint mold mounted to one end of the flat cable. The connector housing includes female terminals connected to odd end of the wiring harness and a connector housing main body for accommodating the female terminals. The joint mold includes tabs connected to odd end of the flat cable and a joint mold main body which supports the tabs.

Abstract: A rotary connector for connecting a steering device operable through a steering wheel to a vehicle body side, which includes a rotatable case mounted to the steering device and provided with a cancel cam for restoring a combination switch, a fixed case combined with the rotatable case, and a flat cable spirally wound and housed in the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable having inner and outer ends extended to outside through outlet portions formed in corresponding ones of the rotatable and fixed cases, wherein loosening and tightening of the flat cable permit a predetermined number of rotations of the rotatable case relative to the fixed case. In this rotary connector, the outlet portion for extending the inner end of the flat cable therethrough to the outside comprises at least two outlet portions for a left-hand steering wheel and a right-hand steering wheel located in different positions of the rotatable case.

Abstract: A brushless electric signal transmission apparatus comprising inner and outer housings coupled rotatably, a flat cable accommodated in an eddy form between these housings and including a plurality of conductors, plug-type connectors respectively mounted on opposite end portions of the flat cable, sockets into which the plug-type connectors are inserted, and covered lead wires which are the same in number as the flat cable conductors. Most of the flat cable conductors are connected to their corresponding covered lead wires via the plug-type connectors and the sockets. The unset flat cable conductors are connected to the unset covered lead wires via bus bars provided at the plug-type connectors.

Abstract: An electrical connector for coupling a stationary connection to a connection which rotates therearound includes a housing and flat conductor cable. The housing includes a housing bottom and a housing cover. The flat conductor cable is wound into a spiral and is supported in the housing. The flat conductor cable further includes bent ends which extend from the spiral at 90.degree.. An outer protective sheathing covers the bent ends of the cable as well as a portion of the spiral.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the transmission of current between two end points between which there is arranged a ribbon cable (10) having at least two electric conductors. The cable is contained in a housing, serves for electrical connection, and extends in coils. The length of the conductors is substantially greater than the distance between the two end points. At least one of the two end points is moveable relative to the other. For a simple connecting of a further extending line, metal conductors (14), which are insulated from each other, are connected in electrically conductive manner at their two ends to the conductors of the ribbon cable (10). The metal conductors have a course wherein their free ends, developed as contact pins, are accessibly in the completely mounted device from the outside of the housing through a passage opening (16) in a wall (1a) thereof.

Abstract: A connector device is provided in which a flexible belt-shaped transmission line wound in spiral form and including a plurality of electrical conductors covered with an insulating material is housed in fixed and rotatable cases which are relatively rotatably combined and define therein an annular space. A joining portion is formed on each of the rotatable and fixed cases, for connecting the electrical conductors of the belt-shaped transmission line to a terminal attached to an external electric wire.

Abstract: A fixing structure of a flat cable connecting portion in a rotary connector, wherein the connecting portion is provided on each end of a flat cable which is comprised of a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel and insulator-covered and which is housed in the form of a coil in a circular space formed by a pair of cases which are installed so that they are allowed to rotate against each other, at least one connecting portion of said flat cable being attached to the connection housing provided on the case and the connecting portion being fixed to the connection housing by a fixing component mounted on the case.

Abstract: Disclosed is a clock spring connector having: a fixed member; a movable member so mounted as to be rotatable relative to the fixed member; and a flexible cable for connecting the fixed member to the fixed member, the flexible cable being accommodated in between an inner cylindrical unit provided in any one of the fixed member and the movable member and an outer cylindrical unit provided in the other member and reversely wound on the inner and outer cylindrical units through a U-shaped turned-back portion. In this clock spring connector, a plurality of rollers connected by a wire spring to which an inward elastic biasing force is imparted are mounted outwardly of the flexible cable wound on the inner cylindrical unit. The flexible cable is press-biased towards the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical unit by these rollers.

Abstract: A clockspring connector comprises a lower case (1) having an outer cylindrical wall (7), an upper case (2) having an inner cylindrical wall (8) and mounted on the lower case (1) so as to be able to turn relative to the fixed member (1), an intermediate movable member (4) placed in an annular space (10) formed between the outer cylindrical wall (7) and the inner cylindrical wall (8) so as to be able to turn relative to the lower case (1) and the upper case (2), and a flexible cable (3) contained in the annular space (10) and having an inverting portion (3a) and portions extending on the opposite aides of the inverting portion (3a) and wound in opposite directions on the inner cylindrical wall (8) and the outer cylindrical wall (7), respectively.

Abstract: A clock spring connector has a fixed body; a movable body rotatably installed on the fixed body; a flexible cable wound between these fixed body and the movable body; and a lock member provided for restricting mutual rotation between the fixed body and the movable body. The clock spring connector further has an engaging portion provided on one of the fixed body and the movable body; a supporting portion having a key groove on the other of the fixed body and the movable body; and the lock member being provided with an engagement portion capable of engaging with the engaging portion and disengaging therefrom and a key capable of entering into the key groove and engaging with the supporting portion by being turned.

Abstract: A method of attaching a flat annular contact plate of a horn ring assembly to a flat annular flange of plastic substrate such as a turn signal canceling cam includes the steps of forming deformable tabs on the contact plate perpendicular to the plane thereof, forming slots in the substrate adjacent an inner edge if the annular flange, forming integral plastic shrouds with pockets therein adjacent the slots and perpendicular to the plane of the flange, seating the contact plate agaianst the flange with the deformable tabs projecting through the slots into the pockets on the shrouds, and bending the tabs against the flange to clamp the contact plate to the flange. The pockets hold the shrouds over the bent tabs and prevent spurious electrical contact with the tabs.

Abstract: A flat cable connector including a first planetary roller, and a plurality of second planetary rollers as a flat cable guiding members, and a planetary gear mechanism for revolving the first roller round a rotor in an annular space between the rotor and a stator. The flat cable is turned at the first planetary roller so that the flat cable is wound in the opposite directions between the inside and outside of the second planetary rollers. The planetary gear mechanism is constructed to satisfy the relationship expressed as: a=b.times.{Di/(Di+Do)}, where a is the angular velocity of the planetary gear in its revolution; b is the angular velocity of the rotor with respect to the stator; Di is the diameter of an inner circumferential wall of the annular space; and Do is the diameter of the outer circumferential wall thereof.

Abstract: A clock spring interconnector for providing an electrical connection between a rotating and stationary electrical circuit. The clock spring interconnector has a rotating hub attached to a housing and containing a coiled conducting means. The clock spring interconnector has one or more spring loaded locking devices which prevent the hub from rotating whenever the clock spring interconnector is divorced from the rotating and stationary devices.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering wheel which has an annular boss portion with an axis and is rotatably supported on a vehicle body side member, a steering shaft, and a non-rotatable member provided in the steering wheel, which is coupled to the vehicle body side member by shafts. The rotation of the steering wheel is transmitted to the steering shaft by a mechanism including a pinion portion having an axis, formed at an end portion of the steering shaft on a side of the steering wheel, and a ring gear portion having an axis, formed on an inner surface of the boss portion and meshed with the pinion portion, the axis of the ring gear portion being eccentric with the axis of the pinion portion and concentric with the axis of the boss portion. The coupling member extends through a gap between the ring gear portion and the pinion portion.

Abstract: A rotary connector which includes a fixed case and a rotatable case, each having an opening for connection with a lead wire, a belt-like flat cable spirally wound and housed within the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable having a plurality of electrical conductors, and a connection terminal having one end connected to the electrical conductors of the flat cable and the other end connected to the lead wire and arranged at the opening of the rotatable case, wherein the flat cable is allowed to loosen and tighten to thereby permit the rotatable case to rotate relative to the fixed case. The rotary connector further comprises a fixing member attached to the lead wire, and a retaining member arranged at the opening of the rotatable case for engagement with the fixing member. The retaining member has a retaining portion for holding the lead wire in a predetermined position relative to the connection terminal.

Abstract: A clock spring for use with a steering device of an automobile, including a fixed member, a movable member rotatably mounted on the fixed member with a cable accommodating portion defined therebetween, and a cable accommodated in the cable accommodating portion for effecting electrical connection between the fixed member and the movable member. One end of the cable is fixed to the fixed member and led out of the fixed member, while the other end of the cable is fixed to the movable member and led out of the movable member. One portion of the cable is wrapped in one direction on either of the fixed member or the movable member, while the other portion is wrapped in the opposite direction reverse to the one direction on the other of the fixed member and the movable member, whereby an inverted portion of the cable is formed between the one portion and the other portion.

Abstract: A connecting element establishes an electrical connection between two mutually rotating parts, such as the steering column and the steering wheel of an automotive vehicle. The connecting element includes a stator fastened to the steering column and a rotor fastened to a hub of the steering wheel. A current conductor in the form of a flat ribbon cable is carried on the rotor and passes through the walls of the rotor and the stator for the establishement of electrical contact between the power source and a power consuming device. The rotor and stator of the connecting element are combined in a cassette and each may be equipped with a multiple pole socket to receive a locking pin connector. Each locking pin connector has a predetermined number of poles corresponding at maximum to the number of poles of the multiple pole socket. A short circuit bridge is fastened to the housing of the stator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clock spring used for the steering system of an automobile or the like in which a flexible cable is utilized to make an electrical connection between a fixed member and a movable member. The clock spring includes a stationary housing; a rotor rotatably mounted to the stationary housing; the flexible cable wound in a cable accommodating portion defined between the stationary housing and the rotor; and a cover fixed to the stationary housing so as to cover the opened end of the cable accommodating portion. The improvement of this invention resides in a construction by which ribs are provided in the cable accommodating portion to restrict the flexible cable to a position more in the inner periphery of the rotor than in the outer periphery of the same.

Abstract: A clock spring used with, e.g., a steering apparatus of a motor vehicle to establish electrical connection between a stationary member and a movable member by using cables. The clock spring has a stationary member, a movable member fitted to the stationary member so as to be rotatable relative to the same, and a cable having a portion accommodated in a cable housing defined by the stationary and movable members. Two end portions of the cable are respectively fixed to the stationary and movable members and are led out of the cable housing. An improvement achieved by the invention resides in that the portion of the cable accommodated in the cable housing consists of a portion coiled on the stationary member, a portion coiled on the movable member in the direction opposite to the direction of coiling in the stationary member, and a turned portion connecting the coiled portions, and that a rolling member is provided which is pinched between the stationary and movable members and which serves as an indicator.

Abstract: The brushless signal transmitting device comprises a rotor; a fixed housing for rotatably supporting the rotor; at least one gear in mesh between the rotor and the fixed housing; an intermediate member disposed between the rotor and the fixed housing and rotatable in synchronism with and in the same direction as the rotor at a predetermined speed reduction ratio via the gear; a guide roller supported on the intermediate member; and a flexible wiring member connected between the rotor and the fixed housing. The wiring member is wound up around the rotor counterclockwise, for instance, and then returned via the guide roller so as to be wound up around the intermediate member clockwise. Since the intermediate member is larger in diameter but smaller in rotative speed than that of the rotor, it is possible to reduce the length of the flexible wiring member required to rotate the rotor by a predetermined number of revolutions of the rotor.

Abstract: Current conduction connector to bridge over interruptions of conduction between mutually rotating parts, in particular between a steering wheel and a steering column. The assembly includes a housing equipped with an outgoing conductor, a cover, as the stator mounted on the steering column, and a rotor, rotatingly supported in the housing. The rotor is also equipped with an outgoing conductor connected to the steering wheel. The housing and rotor define an annular space surrounding which contains an insulated conductor strip would several times around the rotor and terminated at the outgoing conductors The bottom of the housing and the cover may both be provided with a layer of a textile insulating material. The textile insulating material may be a polyethylene fiber web, densified by a binder into a highly abrasion resistant felt. The layer of felt may be fastened to the bottom of the housing and to the cover with a self-adhesive coating.

Abstract: In a clock spring connector using cables for electrical connection between a stationary member and a movable member which is rotatably mounted in relation to the stationary member, spiral or concentrical cable stowage grooves on both the stationary and the movable side are provided in a space for cable stowage, the cables being wound along either one of these cable stowage grooves and the remaining portion of the cables being wound reversely along the other cable stowage grooves, thereby decreasing the required length of the cables to half the amount of a rotation of the movable member.

Abstract: A clock spring connector of the present invention is used in steering systems of automobile cars and comprises a stationary member and a movable member rotatably mounted relative to the stationary member, both of which are electrically connected to each other by using cables. The cables are received in receiving portions formed by the stationary member and the movable member, and a spacer having an opening is rotatably interposed between the stationary member and the movable member. The cables and a driving belt are wound in one of the receiving portions separated from each other by the spacer, the remaining portion of each of the cables and the driving belt and the being wound in the other receiving portion through the opening. A driving roller which engages with the driving belt is disposed in the opening.

Abstract: A clock spring assembly useful in maintaining an electrical connection between a rotating and stationary electrical device the clock spring assembly comprising a hub, a housing, a retainer, and a coiled conducting means. The hub is rotatably associated with the housing at a single bearing. The hub is attached to the housing by a locking means.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wire helm in which a coil of electric wire within the bezel of the helm is contained by a wire coil retainer and a backer plate. The backer plate is mounted on the wheel shaft and rotates therewith, whereas the retainer is mounted in fixed relation to the dashboard. One end of the wire coil is connected to the dash through a hole or slot in the retainer, while the other end of the wire runs along a slot in the shaft to connections of the wheel. As the wheel turns in one direction, the wire coil tightens, whereas when the wheel turns in the opposite direction, the coil partially unwinds. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bezel which itself contains the wire coil. A bezel-mounted bottom backer plate serves as a barrier to keep the coil within the bezel. A first end of the wire runs along the shaft to the wheel, and a second end is connected to the dash through an opening in the plate.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a wiring apparatus for making an electrical connection between a steering wheel and a steering column for a motor vehicle. According to the wiring apparatus of the present invention, a flexible wiring member is housed in a ring-shaped housing space in first and second cases, relatively rotatable, such that its first and second regions are wound in directions reverse to each other via a folded part as a turning point of such directions and a loosening preventive member is disposed between the regions. For this reason, the current can be supplied stably, the durability of the wiring apparatus is superior, and the wiring apparatus can be miniaturized.

Abstract: A clock spring is used in a steering system for automobile cars and comprises a stationary member and a movable member provided rotatably relative to the stationary member, both of which are electrically connected by using cables. The cables are received in the receiving portions formed by the stationary member and the movable member, and a spacer having openings is rotatably provided between the stationary member and the movable member. The cables are wound in one of the cable receiving portions, the remaining portions of the cables being respectively passed through the openings and wound in the other receiving portion in the reverse direction. Rollers each having a diameter greater then the thickness of the spacer are rotatably eccentrically provided in the openings so that the cables are respectively wound on the rollers to form a half loop.

Abstract: A clock spring which is used in a steering system of a vehicle and which electrically connects, by means of a cable, a stationary member with a movable member supported in such a manner as to be rotatable relative to the stationary member. Cable members are received in a receptacle defined by the stationary and movable members, and a pair of rotary members having mutually communicating openings are rotatably interposed between the stationary and movable members, with the receptacle being bisected into two compartments by the rotary members. Each flexible cable has a first section which is wound in either of two opposite directions and is capable of being received in either of the two compartments, and a second section which is passed through the openings, wound in the other direction and capable of being received in the other compartment.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus comprising a flat ribbon cable including a plurality of electrical conductors connected between two contact locations rotatable one with respect to the other. At each end of the flat ribbon cable, there is provided a connection line including a plurality of connection conductors, and a connection assembly comprised of a receptacle assembly and a plug assembly. The receptacle assembly surrounds an end portion of the flat ribbon cable including uninsulated portions of the electrical conductors, while the plug assembly includes a plurality of spring contacts each attached to an end of one of the connection conductors. Upon insertion of the plug assembly into the receptacle assembly, the spring contacts compressively engage mechcially fixed, uninsulated portions of the electrical conductors, thus providing electrical contacts therebetween.

Abstract: A clock spring interconnector connects a fixed member and a movable member using a flexible cable. The clock spring interconnector includes a first direction winding portion, a second direction winding portion and a turned back portion therebetween, the first direction winding portion having an end secured to one side of one of the fixed member and the movable member, the second direction winding portion having an end secured to another side of the other one of the fixed member and the movable member.

Abstract: A power steering apparatus for power steering the steerable wheels of a vehicle is disclosed which includes a steering column having one end connected with a steering wheel and the other end operatively connected with the steerable wheels; a cylindrical housing surrounding the steering column and providing a space therebetween; a torque sensor disposed in the housing for detecting a steering torque exerted on the steering wheel by a driver; a conductor or lead line wound around the steering column and accommodated in the housing, the lead line having one end electrically connected to the torque sensor and the other end to terminals which are disposed outside the steering column; and a motor installed on the housing and operatively connected with the steering column for power assisting the steering effort exerted on the steering wheel by the driver, the motor being driven to run in accordance with the steering torque detected by the torque sensor.

Abstract: An electrical connecting device for an air bag of a motor vehicle is disclosed. An inner cylinder is secured to a steering wheel, and an outer cylinder is secured to a steering column for the steering wheel. A flexible helical stirp is disposed between the inner and outer cylinder. A sun gear is formed on an outer periphery of the inner cylinder, a ring gear is formed on a side of the outer cylinder, and planet pinion is engaged with the sun gear and the ring gear. A stopper is provided for stopping the planet pinion at revolution ends thereof, and a mark provided at a neutral position diametrically opposite to the stopper.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for components that are rotatable relative to one another, such as a steering column and a steering wheel for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a steering column cassette and an opposed mateable steering wheel cassette. Concentric recesses are formed in the mating face of at least one of the cassettes. The opposed mating surfaces are further defined by discrete concentric conductive portions formed on or disposed in the cassettes. At least one resilient electrically conductive contact member is resiliently engaged between the cassettes to make redundant electrical contact with the opposed cassette. The cassettes may be appropriately configured for environmental sealing.

Abstract: A connector device in which at least one flexible transmission member is housed in a holding portion, which is defined by a fixed housing mounted on a stationary member and a movable housing mounted on a rotating member and rotatably combined with the fixed housing, and the stationary and rotating members are connected by means a transmission member. The flexible transmission member is coiled in a spiral pile around the axis of rotation of the two housings, turned back in the middle thereof, and coiled in a spiral pile in the opposite direction from a U-turn portion at which the transmission member is turned back. By doing this, the transmission member can be reduced in length.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for components that are rotatable relative to one another, such as a steering column and a steering wheel for a vehicle. The assembly comprises a steering column cassette and an opposed mateable steering wheel cassette. Concentric recesses are formed in the mating face of at least one of the cassettes. The opposed mating surfaces are further defined by discrete concentric conductive portions formed on or disposed in the cassettes. At least one resilient electrically conductive contact member is resiliently engaged between the cassettes to make redundant electrical contact with the opposed cassette. The cassettes may be appropriately configured for environmental sealing.