Having Radially Outwardly Facing Contact Surface Patents (Class 439/23)
  • Patent number: 10950999
    Abstract: An illustrative cable connector hand tool and associated method are operable to permit cable connection sections to respectively pass through a side opening of hand tool members into a center aperture of the tool members. In one illustrative embodiment, the hand tool members are formed with a recessed portion adapted to receive an end of one of a pair of cable connectors such that mating edges of the cable connectors used to couple the cable connection sections are visible when the cable connectors are in a coupled configuration abutting each other. An illustrative embodiment includes the recessed portion formed with a plurality of keyway indentions or recesses spaced apart in the center aperture that are operable to engage keys, protrusions, or lugs on an outer wall of the cable connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Scott L. Small
  • Patent number: 9744367
    Abstract: A stimulation system includes an implantable pulse generator having a sealed chamber and an electronic subassembly disposed in the sealed chamber. Feed through pins are coupled to the electronic subassembly and extend out of the sealed chamber. Feed through interconnects are coupled to the electronic subassembly via the feed through pins. At least one tab is disposed on at least one feed through interconnect. The tab(s) are configured and arranged to flex away from the feed through interconnect and against a side of the feed through pin. A feed through interconnect assembly includes an assembly frame; feed through interconnects extending from the assembly frame; a first contact pad and a second contact pad disposed on at least one of the feed through interconnects; and a tab formed on a first contact pad of at least one of the feed through interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Randall Lee Brase
  • Patent number: 9419397
    Abstract: A rotatable plug includes an upper cover, a dynamic rotatable unit, a static rotatable unit pivotally mounted to a bottom of the dynamic rotatable unit, a connecting cable fastened to the static rotatable unit, and a lower cover. The dynamic rotatable unit includes a plurality of dynamic conductive tubes of which each has a rotatable ring. The static rotatable unit includes a plurality of static conductive tubes of which each has a ring body. The rotatable ring is disposed around and is electrically connected with the ring body. The upper cover, the static rotatable unit and the lower cover are capable of rotating 360 degrees along a traction direction of the connecting cable, and the upper cover, the static rotatable unit, the lower cover and the connecting cable are capable of proceeding the same angle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: WELL SHIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jui Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 9019721
    Abstract: A connection port module is mounted to a side wall of a housing of an electronic device. The electronic device includes a control circuit. The connection port module includes a rotating box, a circuit board, and at least one connection port. The rotating box is formed with at least one opening. The circuit board is electrically coupled to the control circuit. The connection port corresponds in number to the opening and is electrically coupled to the circuit board. The connection port is disposed correspondingly to the opening. The rotating box is pivotable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Hsun Chen, Chih-Yi Wang, Cheng-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 8724825
    Abstract: A headset (1) for voice communication comprising a housing (2) and a pickup unit (8) rotatably connected to the housing via a joint (7). The pickup unit (8) comprises at least a first microphone (5), which is electrically connected via at least a first electrical connection to an electronic circuit for processing signals from the first microphone (5). The electronic circuit is arranged in the housing (2). The first electrical connection comprises a first sliding contact (20, 70), which comprises a housing side and a microphone side. The two sides are mutually rotatable about a rotational axis (26). One of the housing side or the microphone side of the sliding contact comprises a first annular ring (50) arranged so that the ring (50) is positioned around the rotational axis (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: GN Netcom A/S
    Inventor: Ole Birch
  • Patent number: 8650706
    Abstract: A hose equipped with a cord, wherein the hose and the cord can be easily assembled together and easily maintained. A cord-equipped hose, wherein opposite ends of a flexible hose are respectively provided with tube holders each constructed from a pair of half tubes. The tube holders each sandwich an end of the flexible hose with the pair of half tubes joined together and each form, between the joined ends of the half tubes, a lead-out opening for an electric power source cord. Opposite ends of the electric power source cord in the flexible hose are respectively led out of the lead-out openings of the tube holders and held in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Shibata, Kazunori Tsuge
  • Patent number: 8348677
    Abstract: In a slip-ring unit for electrically connecting two components that are rotatable relative to each other, one component is arranged as a first cable, which has a core and a shield. The slip-ring unit includes first, second and third brush elements as well as first, second and third slip bodies. The first slip body has an opening extending through it axially, through which a first cable extends for transmitting the voltage applied on the core. The second brush element is additionally disposed at a radial offset with respect to the third brush element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignees: LTN Servotechnik GmbH, MD Elektronik GmbH
    Inventors: Ludwig Angerpointner, Norbert Friese
  • Patent number: 8197196
    Abstract: A bushing assembly for a turbine vane includes a bushing, housing, and a flexible conductor. The bushing includes a bore for receiving a trunnion of the vane and a first conductor extending from the bushing. The first conductor is adapted to be connected to a heater element disposed on the vane. The housing is positioned over the bushing, and the bushing is rotatable relative to the housing. The housing includes a second conductor extending from the housing for connection to an electrical power source. The flexible conductor is electrically connected between the first conductor and the second conductor, such that an electric current is transmitted from the second conductor to the first conductor to provide an electric current to the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brian Michael Davis, Billy T. Wood, Gregory William Reimels, Louis Bruno Lorenzi
  • Patent number: 7896708
    Abstract: An electrical connector system provides both electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling, and includes at least one electrically conductive member adapted to provide electrically conductive connection to another electrically conductive member, an infrared member adapted to provide infrared member coupling with another infrared member, and wherein the at least one electrically conductive member and the infrared member being held in positional relation to each other to be positioned with respect to a further electrical connector for electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling with respect thereto. A method of connecting electrical signals uses a pair of electrical connectors, each having an electrically conductive connection portion and an infrared coupling portion to provide for both electrically conductive connection and infrared coupling between the electrical connectors. The invention may be used in portable electronic equipment, including mobile phones, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Markus Agevik
  • Patent number: 7764002
    Abstract: A combination type slip ring includes a base, a plurality of conductive members, conductive rings, and insulating rings. Each of the conductive members has a slot for connection of the conductive members respectively. Each of the insulating rings has an axial hole at a center thereof, and a plurality of bores and a slot around the axial hole. The conductive rings are fitted to the insulating rings in sequence with the conductive members received in the slots and the insulating rings passing through the corresponding bores of other insulating rings that the conductive members have distal ends thereof out of said insulating ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Long Hawn Enterprise Co.
    Inventors: Meng-Chiu Yu, Su-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 7753683
    Abstract: The invention relates to a headrest system for a vehicle seat. The headrest system includes a headrest supported by at least one holding rod, a guide component which can be secured in a backrest of the vehicle seat and is configured to accommodate the holding rod, a first electric connector disposed on a free end of the holding rod, and a second electric connector which cooperates with the first electric connector and can be secured in the backrest. The joining direction of the first and second electric connectors runs approximately coaxially to a central longitudinal axis of the free end of the holding rod. Each of the first and second electric connectors includes at least two contact elements, each of the contact elements designed in a rotationally symmetrical manner in relation to the central longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baungruppen und Sysemlosungen
    Inventor: Jürgen Hofmockel
  • Patent number: 7750493
    Abstract: Slip ring assemblies for controlling pitch of a wind driven blade such as those utilized in wind turbines can include a series of grooves disposed about an outer perimeter of a rotating portion, each one of the grooves comprising a first planar surface intersecting with a second planar surface at an angle of 75 to 105 degrees, and a concavely rounded bottom portion at the intersection of the first and planar surfaces. The rotating portion of the slip ring can be formed of a bronze material and may include a graphite coating. Also disclosed herein are wind turbine assemblies employing the slip ring assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Ralph Cairo, Sujith Sathian
  • Publication number: 20100151700
    Abstract: A rotary electrical contact device includes a stationary member configured to be coupled to a base, and a rotatable member supported for rotation relative to the stationary member and defining a center opening. A raceway includes a plurality of axially spaced annular contact rings supported by one of the stationary member and the rotatable member. A blade tower includes a plurality of axially spaced blade assemblies and is supported by the other of the rotatable member and the stationary member. Each blade assembly includes a radially extending contact blade in electrical communication with one of the axial spaced contact rings of the raceway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Brown, John Felix Schneider
  • Patent number: 7701108
    Abstract: A collector ring unit includes a base, and a plurality of insulated spacer rings sleeved onto the base respectively and each having a ring body, a plurality of through holes through the ring body, and a notch formed on the ring body. A plurality of conductive slip rings are respectively sleeved onto the ring bodies of the insulated spacer rings and each have a socket. A plurality of conductive trips each have one end inserted into the socket of one conductive slip ring and received in the notch of one insulated spacer ring, and the other end passing through the through holes of the other insulated spacer rings and protruded out of the outermost insulated spacer ring. By means of addition or reduction of the numbers of the spacer rings, slip rings and conductive strips, the dimension of the collector ring unit of the invention can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Taiwan Long Hawn Enterprise Co.
    Inventors: Meng-Chiu Yu, Su-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 7621867
    Abstract: An insertion device comprises a long-sized insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, a propulsion force generating portion provided on the outer peripheral face of the insertion portion, a rotating portion for rotating the propulsion force generating portion on the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion, an image capturing device for observing the image of the subject, provided at the tip of the insertion portion so as to be rotatable according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion, a first electric contact which is connected electrically to the image capturing device and moves rotationally according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion provided on the insertion portion, and a second electric contact, on which the first electric contact which moves rotationally according to the rotation of the propulsion force generating portion, is provided slidably, and is connected electrically to the first electric contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhito Kura, Katsutaka Adachi
  • Patent number: 7597591
    Abstract: A connection system for laying and connecting core pairs of a multi-pair data cable to connection pairs of a data jack with an accommodating device for accommodating and sorting, without crossing over, the core pairs of the data cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Leubner
  • Patent number: 7559767
    Abstract: A drum-style slip-ring module (100) is used in a contact-type communication system. The module utilizes PCB construction to construct a plurality of stacked electrically-conductive rings (102) and a plurality of dielectric layers (104) electrically isolating the conductive rings. Each of the dielectric layers includes a centrally-located aperture (107). The module also includes a cylindrical ground plane (108) positioned in the centrally-located aperture. The module is configured to provide electrical connection to each of the rings at an exterior surface of the module. Each group of feed line vias can be designed as impedance-controlled transmission lines with connections to each ring group. The construction described in this invention can create slip-ring transmission line structures with bandwidth from DC to 5 GHz or higher, allowing the slip-ring to be used to transfer multi-gigabit digital data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Donnie S. Coleman, Jack T. Galyean
  • Patent number: 7549867
    Abstract: The transfer apparatus is directed toward electrical transfer components providing an electrical connection to a rotating object. The transfer apparatus includes a stator base mounted proximate to the rotating object. An axle rotatably mounts at least one conductive disk to the stator base. The conductive disk is held against the rotating object. As the rotating object rotates about a first axis, the conductive disk is made to rotate about a second axis, the second axis otherwise maintaining a static position. A rotationally immobile contact is maintained in substantial electronic contact with the conductive disk whereby a lead wire may be connected to the immobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Diamond-Roltran, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Moro, Jr., Michael Howard, Samir A. Nayfeh, Chad S. Klotzle, James A. Young
  • Patent number: 7540748
    Abstract: A flexible input/output (I/O) connection system comprises an electronic device having a housing with at least one I/O window for receiving a connection to an external device, and a hub disposed in the housing and having a plurality of I/O connectors, the hub movable within the housing to position a select one of the plurality of I/O connectors in the I/O window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Memphis-Zhihong Yin, Paul J. Doczy
  • Publication number: 20090124098
    Abstract: A combination type slip ring includes a base, a plurality of conductive members, conductive rings, and insulating rings. Each of the conductive members has a slot for connection of the conductive members respectively. Each of the insulating rings has an axial hole at a center thereof, and a plurality of bores and a slot around the axial hole. The conductive rings are fitted to the insulating rings in sequence with the conductive members received in the slots and the insulating rings passing through the corresponding bores of other insulating rings that the conductive members have distal ends thereof out of said insulating ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: TAIWAN LONG HAWN ENTERPRISE CO.
    Inventors: Meng-Chiu YU, Su-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 7255568
    Abstract: A power plug, comprising: a hollow housing, with a wire hole in the end. A limitative set is contained within the hollow housing. There are also at least two bases, placed in the limitative slot and revolvingly contacting to each slip ring, are insulated by the loop located within the limitative set, and at least two blades. The ring rim of each base extends upward to form a ring wall. The ring wall defines at least a notch through the lateral plane of the ring wall, and the inside of the ring wall contains a contact piece. The contact piece has a contact arm that is embedded in the notch. The tip of the contact arm bends to form a contact part and extends out of the notch to tightly contact the contact piece by the contact part. Each of the blades that is mounted in each base electrically contacts the contact piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Well Shin Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Jui-Hsiung Wu
  • Patent number: 7163403
    Abstract: The transfer apparatus is directed toward electrical transfer components providing an electrical connection to a rotating object. The transfer apparatus includes a stator base mounted proximate to the rotating object. An axle rotatably mounts at least one conductive disk to the stator base. The conductive disk is held against the rotating object. As the rotating object rotates about a first axis, the conductive disk is made to rotate about a second axis, the second axis otherwise maintaining a static position. A rotationally immobile contact is maintained in substantial electronic contact with the conductive disk whereby a lead wire may be connected to the immobile contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Diamond Antenna and Microwave Corp.
    Inventors: Chad S. Klotzle, James A. Young
  • Patent number: 7094059
    Abstract: A connector for mechanically and electrically connecting devices such that the devices can pivot about two different axes relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John R. Obermeyer
  • Patent number: 7074044
    Abstract: An electrical swivel coupling (1) with one inner and one outer wiper contact ring arrangement (2, 3) for transmitting electric currents; the inner wiper contact ring arrangement (2) is provided with first wiper rings (4), which have first lugs (7) leading outward to one side, and each first wiper ring g (4) is in one piece with a first lug (7). The outer wiper contact ring arrangement (3) has second wiper rings (5), which have second lugs (8) leading outward to an opposite side, and each second wiper ring is in one piece with a second lug (8). The second wiper rings (5) have spring contacts (10), which are formed by material recessing and deformation. The spring contacts (10) of the second wiper rings (5) are each in electrical contact with an outer wiper ring surface (18) of the first wiper rings (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: WELLA AG
    Inventors: Heinz Billing, Erich Beer
  • Patent number: 6926533
    Abstract: An all-directional electric connector includes rotatably connected first and second casings. First and second pins are projected from a rear wall of the first casing and respectively have a front end in the form of a cylindrical tube. The first cylindrical tube is put on a cylindrical bar extended from the first casing into the second casing, a sleeve is put on the first cylindrical tube, and the second cylindrical tube is put on the sleeve without contacting with the first cylindrical tube. First and second leaf springs are provided in the second casing with one end contacted with the first and second cylindrical tubes, respectively, and the other end forming two contacts. When the first casing is plugged in a wall receptacle, the second casing may be turned relative to the first casing without causing disconnection of the leaf springs from the cylindrical tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Inventor: Wen Ching Lai
  • Publication number: 20040259390
    Abstract: An all-directional electric connector includes rotatably connected first and second casings. First and second pins are projected from a rear wall of the first casing and respectively have a front end in the form of a cylindrical tube. The first cylindrical tube is put on a cylindrical bar extended from the first casing into the second casing, a sleeve is put on the first cylindrical tube, and the second cylindrical tube is put on the sleeve without contacting with the first cylindrical tube. First and second leaf springs are provided in the second casing with one end contacted with the first and second cylindrical tubes, respectively, and the other end forming two contacts. When the first casing is plugged in a wall receptacle, the second casing may be turned relative to the first casing without causing disconnection of the leaf springs from the cylindrical tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Wen Ching Lai
  • Patent number: 6830456
    Abstract: A connector for mechanically and electrically connecting devices such that the devices can pivot about two different axes relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: John R. Obermeyer
  • Patent number: 6612849
    Abstract: A coupler for electrically connecting two coaxial cables together is disclosed. The coupler includes a body and a turret which are rotatable relative to each other. One cable is attached to the body and another is attached to the turret, so they are also relatively rotatable. Electrical connectors are provided on the coupler to mate with the connectors on the cables. A variety of connector sizes and types are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Howard Scott
  • Patent number: 6595782
    Abstract: A rotatable plug has a mediate disk received in the housing and having at least two connecting blades securely connected thereto, a mediate connector placed on top of the mediate disk, and a top disk received in the housing and placed on top of the mediate connector. A mediate slip ring is mounted around a periphery of the mediate connector and having a first end electrically connected to the securing element. A top slip ring is mounted around a periphery of the top connector and having a first end electrically connected to the securing element. A first screw is provided to secure engagement among the top connector, the top disk, the mediate connector and the mediate disk inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Rite-Tech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Feng-Shen Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6548755
    Abstract: A power supply adapter with a foldable plug is disclosed. The power supply adapter includes a first casing, a second casing, a rotatable cylinder, a projecting plug, and a lighter connector. A cavity is formed on the front end of the first casing. Two vertical plates are mounted on the second casing for supporting the rotatable cylinder. A lighter connector is connected to the front end of the projecting plug for insertion into a lighter socket. The projecting plug is formed on the front end of the rotatable cylinder and extends from a cavity space defined by the front end of the first casing and the second casing. By rotating the rotatable cylinder, the angle of the projecting plug is changed. A voltage converting circuit is arranged in the adapter for supplying a first and a second output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Formosa Electronic Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wu
  • Patent number: 6343963
    Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting an electrical cable to a conductive member having a first member electrically coupled to the electrical cable, a second member, and a threaded screw. The first member has a rod, a projection and a distal end and the second member has a threaded passageway, and two arms swaged around the rod and engaging the projection, allowing the first and second members to rotate relative to one another. The threaded screw engages the threaded passageway and can be threaded onto engagement with the projection, which in turn tightly engages the arms of the second member, thereby preventing relative rotation of the first member and the second member. Due to the large surface contact area, a low voltage drop occurs across the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Cableco Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur H. Bronk
  • Patent number: 6089875
    Abstract: A slip ring assembly comprising a fixed base unit and a rotor unit. The fixed base unit has a fixed base, a plurality of electrode plates detachably attached to a plurality of slits formed on the fixed base, and a brush fixed on each of the electrode plates. The rotor unit has a rotor shaft, a plurality of conductive rings and insulation spacers alternately placed on top of each other on the outer periphery of the rotor shaft in a detachable state so that each of the conductive rinds is positioned to correspond to each brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Star Micronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyohide Iwata, Haruo Atsumi
  • Patent number: 6071125
    Abstract: In order to provide a more cost effective electric power supplying apparatus simpler in structure and operation, the apparatus 1 is constituted by attaching an electric power receiving part to an electric power supply part 2. The electric power receiving part comprises a shaft 7 provided on the end of a rotary member 3 at the rotational center thereof. The electric power supply part 2 comprises brush belts 5 each including a plurality of flexible linear conductive elements arranged so as to abut against the peripheral surface of the shaft 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Inventor: Tsuneo Shiozawa
  • Patent number: 6068490
    Abstract: A rotatable electrical connector assembly provided with a fixed portion and a rotatable portion is described herein. The fixed portion includes an electrical plug provided at a first end thereof, an electrical socket provided at a second end thereof and an intermediate cylindrical portion provided between the electrical plug and the electrical socket. The cylindrical portion includes three protruding annular terminals connected to the electrical plug. The rotatable portion includes a cylindrical aperture to be mounted to the cylindrical portion for rotative movement. Three slip rings are so mounted to the rotatable portion as to be in contact with a respective annular terminal of the fixed portion to provide electrical contact between the rotatable portion and the fixed portion at any angular position of the rotatable portion with respect to the fixed portion. An electrical socket is electrically connected to the slip rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Inventor: Max Salzberg
  • Patent number: 5977681
    Abstract: A collector ring for transferring electrical current between a non-rotatable member and a rotatable member. The collector ring comprises a first support which is fixed to the non-rotatable member and which has at least one conductive metal ring member mounted thereon which is electrically insulated from the non-rotatable member. An input terminal is electrically connected to each of the ring members for connection to a source of electrical energy. A second support is rotatably mounted on the first support with the second support being adapted to operatively mechanically connected to the rotatable member whereby rotation of the rotatable member with respect to the non-rotatable member will cause the second support to rotate with respect to the first support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Insul-8 Corp.
    Inventor: Scott G. Retzlaff
  • Patent number: 5775922
    Abstract: A slip ring device for a cable reel (10) or the like having a cable drum (11) rotating on a stationary shaft (14). The drum is provided with at least one contact (22) to which a cable (12) of the cable reel (10) is connected. The slip ring (31, 32) arranged on the shaft (14) and against which the contact rests includes a thread or strip-shaped element (28, 29) of electrically conductive material which is wound about the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Lars Kilstrom
  • Patent number: 5755578
    Abstract: A vacuum-cleaner-hose assembly includes a vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) and a swivel coupling (3, 33) for coupling the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) to a housing (4) of a vacuum cleaner so as to allow it to be swivelled about a swivel axis (5) and at an angle relative to said swivel axis (5). The swivel coupling (3, 33) has a hose guide (8, 38) which surrounds a flexible portion (24, 54) of the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) and holds said portion of the vacuum-cleaner hose (6, 36) in a curved position. Since the vacuum-cleaner hose is held in a curved position, the connection of the vacuum-cleaner hose to the swivel coupling can be arranged closer to that end of the swivel coupling which is to be connected to the vacuum cleaner, as a result of which the swivel coupling can be smaller and the swivel coupling or at least a combination of the swivel coupling and an adjoining coupling portion of the vacuum-cleaner hose projects less far in relation to the swivel axis of the swivel coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Cornelis J. Contant, Wiebe Wierda
  • Patent number: 5691863
    Abstract: A power feeding device for VTR rotating drums coaxially provided on an end face of a rotating drum, which has magnetic heads in the vicinity of the outer circumferential surface thereof and is rotatably provided coaxially with a stationary drum, adapted to feed power to electronic components incorporated in the rotating drum, in which slits are provided on the slip rings making sliding contact with power feeding brushes in parallel with the axial line of the slip rings. Two slip rings are fixedly fitted to a rotating shaft made of an electrically conductive material in the axial direction in a mutually insulated state, and power is fed to the electronic components from the slip ring on the side remoter from the rotating drum via the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 5501604
    Abstract: A flexible band-gear system has an ring gear assembly with bands in electrical contact with and a ring gear in mechanical engagement with corresponding bands and gears of planet gear assemblies which are in turn in electrical contact and geared engagement with a sun gear assembly mounted to a rotating shaft. Electrical power and/or an electrical signal can thus be conducted across a rotating joint which also transfers mechanical power. The flexible band-gear system can also be used in linear applications to transfer electrical power/signal via rolling contact with a linear band. The geared aspect of the system simplifies axial alignment and maintains the relative positions (within the ring annulus) of the planet gears. Electrical power and signal capacity can be varied with the number of planet gears in the system. Multiple channels are added using segmented contact bands and/or multiple contact band layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Honeybee Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roopnarine, Thomas Myrick, Kin Y. Kong
  • Patent number: 5472346
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a handle and wand system for a vacuum cleaner is provided which includes an enclosed electrical system which may be used to provide electrical power to a powered floor nozzle or other powered nozzles. The handle and wand system of the present invention may be employed in either a canister vacuum or a central vacuum unit. A swivel elbow is provided to attach the handle and wand system of the present invention to a powered floor nozzle. In another embodiment, an interface is provided easily for attaching, locking and detaching the handle and wand system of the present invention to and from non-powered cleaning tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Electrolux Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Gray, Peter Hoekstra, Michael F. Martin, George C. Moyher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5425645
    Abstract: An electrical connector device to connect an electric power cord to a hand-held electric appliance, the connector device having an outer case housing with an inner chamber and at least one spring contact extending thereinto; a main housing rotatively supported in the outer case chamber, the main housing having two separated sockets therein, a stepped cylindrical top portion, and a bottom wall with an opening therethrough; at least one conductor compressively positioned on the stepped cylindrical portion of the main housing, the conductor being electrically connected to the power cord and to the spring contact; and a cord bushing having oppositely extending arms and a body portion with a bore therethrough, the power cord extending through the body portion bore, the arms being pivotly mounted in the separated sockets and the body portion extending through the bottom opening of the main housing; wherein the electrical connector device provides the power cord with two free axes of movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Remington Products Company
    Inventors: Jorgen Skovdal, Ha Van Duong
  • Patent number: 5293300
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a computer body and a handle mounted detachably to the computer body. The computer body has a housing and an internal power unit mounted in the housing. The handle includes a handle casing, a pair of spaced and opposite arm members extending symmetrically from said handle casing and being mounted detachably and pivotally to said housing, a battery unit mounted in the handle casing, and an electrical connecting unit for connecting the battery unit to the internal power unit when the arm members are mounted to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Chee-Chun Leung
  • Patent number: 5139281
    Abstract: An automotive steering column having slip rings rotatable with a steering shaft and contact brushes on a housing of the steering column for transferring electrical signals between the steering column and a steering wheel rotatable with the steering shaft. The steering shaft is supported on the housing by a pair of longitudinally spaced bearings including an outboard bearing having an inner race on an adapter sleeve rotatable as a unit with the steering shaft. The slip ring is on the adapter sleeve between the spaced bearings and the adapter sleeve defines an annular spacer between the inner race of the outboard bearing and the steering shaft. A passage is defined in the portion of the adapter sleeve defining the annular spacer and a conductor connected to the slip ring traverses the plane of the outboard bearing in the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Donald L. Dzioba
  • Patent number: 4714819
    Abstract: A directly heating type fixing apparatus for use in an image forming device such as an electronic copying machine, has a heating roll which includes an heat generating electric resistance layer and a toner releasing layer both formed on the surface of a cylindrical body thereof, and a pressure roll which is arranged to contact the heating roll under pressure. Current collecting bearings made of an electrically conductive material are provided on both sides of the heating roll, respectively. These current collecting bearings and the heat generating electric resistance layer of the heating roll are electrically connected with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keitaro Yamashita