Connector Including Housing Or Panel To Support Holder Patents (Class 439/248)
  • 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: 8632351
    Abstract: A cable assembly (100) comprises a first connector (1), a second connector (2), a housing shroud (3) positioning the first connector (1) and the second connector (2) and a cable (4) connecting with rear ends of the first and the second connectors (1, 2). The cable assembly (100) further comprises two resilient members (15) abutting against an outside of the first connector, a gap (30) is defined between the housing shroud (3) and the first connector (1) so that the first connector can float under a condition that the resilient member resists the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 8622762
    Abstract: A connector with a capacitively coupled connector interface for interconnection with a female portion is provided with an annular groove, with a sidewall, open to an interface end of the female portion. A male portion is provided with a male outer conductor coupling surface at an interface end, covered by an outer conductor dielectric spacer. The male portion is retained with a range of radial movement, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the male portion, by a bias web of a float plate. The male outer conductor coupling surface is dimensioned to seat, spaced apart from the sidewall by the outer conductor dielectric spacer, within the annular groove, when the male portion and the female portion are in an interlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, Jeffrey D Paynter
  • Patent number: 8591242
    Abstract: A battery contact module for use in a power tool including a housing (12) and a battery (30) insertable into the housing. The battery contact module (28) includes a contact block (32) movably connected to the housing (12) and a pair of opposing terminals (34) attached to the contact block (32) and configured to contact the battery (30). Thus, the contact block (32) moves relative to the housing (12) to maintain constant electrical contact pressure between each of the terminals (34) and the battery (30). The contact block (32) including locating posts (52) that loosely engage receptacle (22) on the housing (12) to allow for movement or float of the contact module in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Heinzen, Robert Scott Buetow
  • Patent number: 8585420
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of mounting a surgical robotic arm to a set-up arm of a robotic surgical system is provided that includes sliding a pair of guide slots of the surgical robotic arm over a pair of guide tabs in the set-up arm; aligning electrical connectors in the set-up arm to electrical connectors of the surgical robotic arm; and coincidentally mating male electrical connectors to female electrical connectors while finally mating the guide tabs in the set-up arm to flanges of a housing of the surgical robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc
    Inventors: William A. Burbank, Scott Luke, Dean F. Hoorneart
  • Patent number: 8585421
    Abstract: A connector 1 includes: a terminal 2; an inner housing 5; and an outer housing 30 receiving the terminal 2 and the inner housing 5. The terminal 2 is provided with a first electric connecting part 21 received and held in the inner housing 5 and electrically connected to the mating connector, a second electric connecting part 22, and a flexible coupling part 23 made of conductive material, movably coupling and electrically connecting the first electric connecting part 21 and the second electric connecting part 22. The outer housing 30 is provided with a receiving part 36 movably receiving the inner housing 5 which receives the first electric connecting part 21, and a fixing part 35 to which the second electric connecting part 22 is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, Nobuaki Yoshioka, Sakai Yagi, Sachiko Yagome, Hiroshi Kawano, Yuichiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8556643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an alignable electric connector (5), an electrical connector system, and a method for connecting an alignable electric connector (5) with a second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) is configured mount to a support structure (201) and connect with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be provided with one or more orienting structures (59, 60, 61) that mate with one or more other orienting structure (203, 110, 100) when the alignable electric connector (105) is oriented to mate with the second electric connector (105). The alignable electric connector (5) may be rotatably mounted to the support structure (201) and rotated to orient the alignable electric connector (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Norgren, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Pevoteaux, Dennis Sims
  • Patent number: 8550831
    Abstract: A collective connectors housing includes a first housing having a connector insertion opening to receive one or more connectors and configured to hold the one or more connectors in the connector insertion opening so as to be movable in a first direction perpendicular to a connector insertion direction; and a second housing having a housing insertion opening to receive the first housing and configured to hold the first housing so as to be movable in a second direction perpendicular to both the connector insertion direction and the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Nishijima
  • Patent number: 8545247
    Abstract: A dock for receiving a portable electronic device, including a housing comprising an aperture; a support coupled to an inner wall of the housing, a portion of the support being elastically deformable; and a connector received in the support and extending through the aperture for electrically communicating with the portable electronic device, wiring of the connector for transferring data to an electronic device; wherein the portion of the support elastically deforms in response to non-axial movement of at least a portion of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Leonardo Aldana, Ming-Lun Dave Ma, Dietmar Frank Wennemer, Felipe Oliveira Simoes
  • Patent number: 8517752
    Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) connector includes a shell, a body and an elastic portion. The body is provided inside the shell and can be moved therein. The body includes a first conductive terminal provided on a first surface and a second conductive terminal provided on a second surface, the first surface disposed opposite to the second surface. The elastic portion is connected to both leading edges of the first surface and the second surface for keeping the body in position inside the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Giga-Byte Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haw-Kae Huang, Shu I Chen
  • Patent number: 8465330
    Abstract: A connector for a medical instrument connected to an external device for medical use is provided, and the connector for a medical instrument includes a plug portion in which electric contact point portions are placed, outer sheath cases connectively provided at the plug portion, a sub frame member interposed between the plug portion and the outer sheath cases, and having a flange portion, and a main frame member housed in the outer sheath cases and fixed to the sub frame member, wherein the plug portion and the outer sheath cases are butted against the flange portion by different fixing members respectively, and are compressed and fixed to the sub frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corp.
    Inventors: Masaaki Miyagi, Kazuhiko Hino, Takeshi Ogura, Hidenobu Kimura
  • Patent number: 8465312
    Abstract: A socket cartridge including: a contactor holder adapted to hold one or more electrical contactors disposed therein; and one or more pairs of spring structures; wherein each spring structure (a) is attached at a proximal end to the contactor holder, (b) includes an engagement feature disposed at a distal end thereof and a spring member attached to the engagement feature, and (c) the spring member is adapted to urge the engagement feature in a direction that points outward from a distal end of the contactor holder. A socket assembly that includes: (a) a mounting plate having one or more pairs of mating guides disposed on opposite sides of an aperture; and (b) the socket cartridge disposed in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 8389143
    Abstract: A hand-held electric device has a device housing with a battery pack compartment. A battery pack is disposed in the battery pack compartment. The battery pack compartment has guide elements extending in the insertion direction of the battery pack. The battery pack has a battery pack housing and guide sections provided on the battery pack housing that interact with the guide elements. The battery pack has an electric connector head disposed on the battery pack housing. The battery pack compartment has contact elements. In a predetermined insertion position of the battery pack in the battery pack compartment the contact elements electrically contact the connector head. A contact plate is floatingly supported in the battery pack compartment and the contact elements are disposed on the contact plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heiko Roβkamp, Harald Mang, Matthias Müller, Volker Reber
  • Patent number: 8376766
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computing device including a card edge contact system is provided. A card edge connector housing for receiving a card is provided. A substrate is provided and spaced a distance away from a housing base portion of the card edge connector housing to form a space therebetween. Contact pins collectively defining an upper contact section, a lower contact section and a compliant section connecting the upper and lower contact sections are disposed within the card edge connector housing and the substrate. The upper contact section has an open end with a restricted contact portion for contacting the card. The resilient, compliant section is disposed within the space and is configured to compress to absorb a force from the substrate that would otherwise be transmitted to the upper contact section via the lower contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary M. Huettner, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert E. Meyer, III, Mark D. Plucinski, Timothy J. Tofil
  • Patent number: 8366469
    Abstract: A connector isolator system, having a mounting plate with a contact surface and an opposing operational surface and an aperture extended therebetween; a plurality of backstops spaced a distance away from the operational surface of the mounting plate; a printed circuit board (PCB) or other connector carrier member that is movable out-of-plane between the backstop and the operational surface of the mounting plate, and a plurality of in-plane isolators mounted therein with an electrical connector mounted thereon in a position to pass through the aperture in the mounting plate; and one or more biasing members arranged for urging the connector carrier member toward the mounting plate and the electrical connector through the aperture therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 8366468
    Abstract: A connector isolator system, having a backstop spaced a fixed distance away from an interface surface; a printed circuit board (PCB) or other connector carrier member that is movable between the backstop and the interface surface, and further comprising one or more in-plane isolators; an electrical connector mounted on the connector carrier member in a position to pass through an aperture in the interface surface; and one or more biasing members arranged between the backstop and the connector carrier member for urging the connector carrier member toward the interface surface and the electrical connector through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 8357000
    Abstract: An electrical make-break connection for an apparatus having a recoiling portion and a non-recoiling portion may include a non-recoiling assembly fixed to the non-recoiling portion and a recoiling assembly fixed to the recoiling portion. Each of the non-recoiling and recoiling assemblies may include a mounting bracket and an electrical contact assembly disposed in the mounting bracket. Each contact assembly may include one or more electrical conductors. The non-recoiling contact assembly may float in its mounting bracket. Part of the mating surface of the recoiling contact assembly may be more elastic than part of the mating surface of the non-recoiling contact assembly. Elastic deformation of the recoiling mating surface by the non-recoiling mating surface may provide a fluid seal for the make-break connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Albrecht, Alex Wakulenko, Mohammed Badawi, Evan Finn, Joseph Nicoll, Lisa Madigan, Robert Mysliwiec
  • Patent number: 8351203
    Abstract: A housing, which may contain a hard disk drive, is configured to removably mount to a recessed surface of a console. The housing includes a lip and a biased latch arm so that the lip can be inserted into a corresponding feature in the recessed surface and the housing can be rotatably mounted to the recessed surface. The biased latch arm is retained by a latch arm retainer so that the housing is held in place. A cable connector extends from the bottom of the housing and is configured to connect to a receptor on the console when the housing is installed. When desired, a latch on the housing can be translated where the translation cause the biased latch arm to translate so as to clear the latch arm retainer. Thus the housing can be readily removed from the console. Preferably a portion of the housing extends beyond a wall of the recessed surface so that when installed, the housing alters the profile of the console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Reents, Jonathan A. Hayes
  • Patent number: 8342867
    Abstract: Embodiments of a free-floating connector engagement and retention system are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a slotted mounting surface, a connector carrier guide, and a connector carrier to receive a connector. The connector carrier may have two threaded holes therein. The connector carrier may be positioned between the connector carrier guide and the slotted mounting surface and may be retained by a set of threaded spring pins that pass through the threaded holes in the connector carrier. The ends of the threaded spring pins may be retained in the slots of the carrier guide and the necks of the threaded spring pins may be retained in slots of the slotted mounting surface. The connector and the connector carrier are free to move within the limits set by the slots of the slotted mounting surface and the slots of the carrier guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Murphy, Timothy R. Werch
  • Patent number: 8342866
    Abstract: A connector assembly having a connector body that includes a support structure and a mating side and has an adjustable cavity therebetween. The mating side has a mating array of terminals thereon that is configured to face a communication component. The mating side is moveable relative to the support structure. The connector assembly also includes an elastic container having a reservoir that holds a working fluid. The elastic container is positioned within the adjustable cavity between the support structure and the mating side. The elastic container changes between first and second shapes to move the mating side toward and away from the communication component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Attalee Snarr Taylor, Richard Elof Hamner, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger
  • Patent number: 8333603
    Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement having a spring including a plurality of engagement portions. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in a plurality of receptacles in the arrangement and a plurality of second connectors is matable to the coupled first connectors along mating axes. The plurality of coupled first connectors have floatable movement in the plurality of receptacles. The floatable movement is in at least an axial direction in relation to the plurality of receptacles and the axial positional mating tolerance variation of each second connector in the plurality of second connectors in relation to each first connector in the plurality of coupled first connectors that manifests at each receptacle in the plurality of receptacles is assimilated by each respective spring engagement portion when the plurality of second connectors mate to the plurality of coupled first connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Daugherty, Mark D. McCall
  • Publication number: 20120302081
    Abstract: A ganged electrical connection system includes an arrangement having a spring including a plurality of engagement portions. A plurality of first connectors is receivably coupled in a plurality of receptacles in the arrangement and a plurality of second connectors is matable to the coupled first connectors along mating axes. The plurality of coupled first connectors have floatable movement in the plurality of receptacles. The floatable movement is in at least an axial direction in relation to the plurality of receptacles and the axial positional mating tolerance variation of each second connector in the plurality of second connectors in relation to each first connector in the plurality of coupled first connectors that manifests at each receptacle in the plurality of receptacles is assimilated by each respective spring engagement portion when the plurality of second connectors mate to the plurality of coupled first connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: JAMES D. DAUGHERTY, MARK D. MCCALL
  • Patent number: 8292644
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing, a mating array, and a self-alignment subassembly. The housing is joined to a first circuit board and includes a header portion that moves in a mating direction toward a second circuit board. The mating array is joined to the header portion and includes a terminal. The mating array is moveable in the mating direction to couple the terminal with a mating terminal of the second circuit board. The self-alignment subassembly is disposed between the header portion and the mating array. The self-alignment subassembly applies a floating force on the mating array that permits alignment of the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal while the mating array is moved in directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the mating direction. The self-alignment subassembly also applies a loading force on the mating array in the mating direction that couples the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elof Hamner, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger, Attalee Snarr Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120264319
    Abstract: With the solar cell panel connector, first relay connector 5 possesses male type mating component 51 that is mountable-removable to female type mating component 45 of main connector 4 and possesses female type mating component 53 established at the opposite side, and second relay connector 6 possesses male type mating component 61 that is mountable-removable to female type mating component 46 of main connector 4 and possesses male type mating component 63 established at the opposite side. Female type mating component 53 of first relay connector 5 possesses a shape that is mountable-removable to male type mating component 63 of second relay connector 6, and male type mating component 63 of second relay connector 6 possesses as shape that is mountable-removable to female type mating component 53 of first relay connector 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: MOLEX INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Koji Chikano
  • Patent number: 8257095
    Abstract: A connector having a plug connector and a receptacle connector, one of which includes a first fixed insulator, first contacts aligned in a first direction orthogonal to a connecting/disconnecting direction and each including a first resiliently deformable portion deformable in a second direction orthogonal to the connecting/disconnecting direction and the first direction, a first movable insulator supported by the first contacts, and partition walls on the first fixed insulator and/or the first movable insulator. The other of the plug connector and the receptacle connector includes a second fixed insulator, second contacts aligned in the first direction, each including a second resiliently deformable portion deformable in the first direction and contactable with one first contact, and a second movable insulator supported by the second contacts and engaged with the first movable insulator when the first and second contacts come in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kyocera Connector Products Corporation
    Inventors: Noriyuki Akai, Naoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8226442
    Abstract: An electronic module adapted to be removably, operably connected to an electronic device. The electronic module includes a housing; at least one electronic component in the housing; and a plurality of electrical contact areas. The housing has a general electronic card shape with relatively large top and bottom sides and relatively thin side edges between the top and bottom sides. The plurality of electrical contact areas are located on a first one of the side edges. The electrical contact areas are connected to the at least one electronic component such that, when the electronic module is operably connected to the electronic device, the electrical contact areas on the first side edge are adapted to electrically couple the at least one electronic component to the electronic device along the first side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Uusimaki, Timo T. Laitinen
  • Patent number: 8212145
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a circuit unit accommodation box having receptacles, with the circuit unit accommodation box being able to reliably accommodate a circuit unit having a first connector and also allowing the worker to attach the circuit unit to the circuit unit accommodation box with a simple operation when the circuit unit is to be accommodated in the circuit unit accommodation box. The circuit unit accommodation box includes a box body and a receptacle. The box body includes at least one circuit unit accommodating recess into which a circuit unit, equipped with a first connector, is inserted. The receptacle is disposed in the circuit unit accommodating recess and provides an electrical connection with the inserted circuit unit. The box body and the circuit unit are equipped with a securing mechanism for holding the circuit unit in the box body when the circuit unit is inserted from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Daiwa Kasei Industry Co., Ltd., Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Nagai, Takahiro Sugiyama, Yuchi Yamanouchi
  • Patent number: 8210861
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a first connector configured to be movably mounted to a support structure and having a first mating terminal. The first connector is movable with respect to the support structure in an axial direction along an alignment axis. The connector assembly also includes a second connector that is configured to be movably mounted to a support panel and has a second mating terminal. The second connector is movable with respect to the support panel in a radial direction relative to an alignment axis. The second connector shifts in the radial, direction to align the first and second mating terminals when the first and second connectors engage each other in a misaligned manner. The first connector moves between a projected position and a retracted position along the alignment axis to facilitate establishing a communication pathway between the first and second mating terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Tanis, Brian J. Williams, Paul Walter McDowell
  • Publication number: 20120129373
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided including a connector having a mating end. The connector has contacts extending from the mating end. A connector shroud is positioned around the mating end of connector. The connector shroud has an asymmetrical configuration. A mating connector having a mating end is configured to engage the mating end of the connector. The mating connector has mating contacts configured to engage the contacts of the connector. The mating end of the mating connector has an asymmetrical configuration that mirrors the asymmetrical configuration of the connector shroud. The asymmetrical configurations of the mating end of the mating connector and the connector shroud align the mating connector with the connector in a single orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: LUKE ANTONIO COSSETTE
  • Publication number: 20120108094
    Abstract: Embodiments of a free-floating connector engagement and retention system are provided. In some embodiments, the system includes a slotted mounting surface, a connector carrier guide, and a connector carrier to receive a connector. The connector carrier may have two threaded holes therein. The connector carrier may be positioned between the connector carrier guide and the slotted mounting surface and may be retained by a set of threaded spring pins that pass through the threaded holes in the connector carrier. The ends of the threaded spring pins may be retained in the slots of the carrier guide and the necks of the threaded spring pins may be retained in slots of the slotted mounting surface. The connector and the connector carrier are free to move within the limits set by the slots of the slotted mounting surface and the slots of the carrier guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Timothy A. Murphy, Timothy R. Werch
  • Patent number: 8130501
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power cell chamber for a drive system includes moveable and fixed portions. The moveable portion includes a rectifier stage to rectify an input signal received from a secondary winding of a transformer to provide a rectified signal and an inverter stage having a plurality of switching devices to receive a DC signal and output an AC signal. This moveable portion can be slidably adapted within a cabinet of the drive system. In turn, the fixed portion includes a DC link having at least one capacitor to receive the rectified signal and provide the DC signal to the inverter stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Enrique Ledezma, Thomas Keister, Mehdi Abolhassani, Ryan Edwards, Alex Skorcz, Randall Pipho, Srinivas Satumahanti
  • Patent number: 8123098
    Abstract: Vibration or the impact of a tool main body may be blocked by the support of a battery holder via elastic materials in a floating state at the rear end portion side in a feed direction of a driven-members-housing magazine and by the attachment of a battery pack to this battery holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Miyata
  • Patent number: 8113849
    Abstract: The docking system includes a wall-mounted assembly having an extending contact portion which includes a set of power contacts for supplying power to a medication cart via a docking port located on the medication cart when the cart is engaged with the wall-mounted assembly. The contact portion includes a depending hook member which engages a spring-biased locking solenoid in the docking port to lock the cart to the wall-mounted assembly when the cart is moved into contact with the wall-mounted assembly. The cart can be unlocked by a signal to the locking solenoid from the cart or manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Translogic Corporation
    Inventor: William C. Park, IV
  • Patent number: 8075327
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts, a fastening mechanism, and a floating cover. The contacts are received in the insulative housing and have mating portions extending of the insulative housing. The fastening mechanism includes a stiffener with a planar frame surrounding the insulative housing. The floating cover is provided with a number of openings to receive the mating portions of the contacts. The floating cover has a number of spring elements so as to floatably mount to the insulative housing and the stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang Zhou, Hui Ye
  • Publication number: 20110294326
    Abstract: A floating connector including a receptacle having a receptacle contact and a receptacle housing for supporting the receptacle contact, a plug having plug contact and a plug housing for supporting the plug contact, and a positional deviation absorbing mechanism provided in at least one of the receptacle and the plug for capable of absorbing a positional deviation between the receptacle housing and the plug housing at a time of fitting between the receptacle housing and the plug housing. Each of the receptacle contact and the plug contact has a terminal portion abutted to each other at the time of fitting between the receptacle housing and the plug housing, and at least one of the receptacle contact and the plug contact has a support part for supporting the terminal portion in a manner movable relative to the supporting housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Tetsugaku TANAKA, Manabu Shimizu, Koichi Kiryu
  • Patent number: 8066524
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method of mounting a surgical robotic arm to a set-up arm of a robotic surgical system is provided that includes sliding a pair of guide slots of the surgical robotic arm over a pair of guide tabs in the set-up arm; aligning electrical connectors in the set-up arm to electrical connectors of the surgical robotic arm; and coincidentally mating male electrical connectors to female electrical connectors while finally mating the guide tabs in the set-up arm to flanges of a housing of the surgical robotic arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Burbank, Scott Luke, Dean F. Hoorneart
  • Publication number: 20110281451
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a first connector configured to be movably mounted to a support structure and having a first mating terminal. The first connector is movable with respect to the support structure in an axial direction along an alignment axis. The connector assembly also includes a second connector that is configured to be movably mounted to a support panel and has a second mating terminal. The second connector is movable with respect to the support panel in a radial direction relative to an alignment axis. The second connector shifts in the radial, direction to align the first and second mating terminals when the first and second connectors engage each other in a misaligned manner. The first connector moves between a projected position and a retracted position along the alignment axis to facilitate establishing a communication pathway between the first and second mating terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: WILLIAM E. TANIS, BRIAN J. WILLIAMS, PAUL WALTER MCDOWELL
  • Patent number: 8052443
    Abstract: A bracket (30) includes a mounting piece (33) loosely movably supporting a connector (10) in a direction parallel with a plane intersecting a Z axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector (10). The bracket (30) has restricting pieces (32) at opposite sides of the mounting piece (33). Locks (35) are formed at opposite sides of each restricting piece (32) and a projection (34) is formed on the outer surface of each restricting piece (32). The connector (10) includes a side wall (26A) at an inner side of each restricting piece (32), a deflecting piece (11B) for sandwiching the restricting piece (32) together with the side wall (26A). Auxiliary projections (20) are formed on the outer surface of each side wall (26A) and can contact the locks (35) from below. A restricting hole (11C) is formed in each deflecting piece (11B) for engaging the projection (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Uchida, Yusuke Tsuchida
  • Publication number: 20110250773
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing, a mating array, and a self-alignment subassembly. The housing is joined to a first circuit board and includes a header portion that moves in a mating direction toward a second circuit board. The mating array is joined to the header portion and includes a terminal. The mating array is moveable in the mating direction to couple the terminal with a mating terminal of the second circuit board. The self-alignment subassembly is disposed between the header portion and the mating array. The self-alignment subassembly applies a floating force on the mating array that permits alignment of the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal while the mating array is moved in directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the mating direction. The self-alignment subassembly also applies a loading force on the mating array in the mating direction that couples the terminal of the mating array with the mating terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elof Hamner, Robert Neil Mulfinger, Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger, Attalee Snarr Taylor
  • Patent number: 8033851
    Abstract: A connector includes: a signal pin provided at a front end thereof with a terminal contacting a terminal provided in an electronic component, and electrically conducting a board with the electronic component; and a housing the signal pin, wherein the housing includes: a front end member within which the signal pin is secured, and connected to a connector provided in the electronic component; a rear end member secured in the board; and an elastic member arranged between the front end member and the rear end member, and having a block shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8025515
    Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting a circuit board, such as a circuit board of a fan tray, with a chassis are described herein. Systems and methods for floating, aligning, centering, grounding and blind-mating a connector set are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ericsson AB
    Inventor: Randall J. Diaz
  • Patent number: 7980859
    Abstract: A connector holder has a U-shaped frame and supports an internal connector-receiving part within the U-shaped frame. Guide pieces are provided that grip the ends of a connector and the cable to which the connector is attached. The connector-receiving part thereby floats inside of the U-shaped frame so as to be positioned accurately for mounting to an opposing connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Akinori Mizumura, Teruhito Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7967624
    Abstract: A cable assembly for mounting to a panel, comprises a housing comprising a mating portion and a retaining portion extending rearward and outward from a rear end of the mating portion, the retaining portion has a receiving hole therein and a cutout communicated with the receiving hole. At least one key is formed on each of an upper surface and a lower surface of the mating portion. A plurality of conductive contacts are disposed in the housing. A positioning member mounted to the retaining portion of the housing defines an inner arm, an outer arm and a connecting portion connecting with the inner arm and the outer arm. The inner arm is disposed in the receiving hole and having a front end extending out of the receiving hole. The outer arm is located on a lateral side of the retaining portion and has a front end extending into the receiving hole via the cutout and is capable of moving the inner arm rearward to make the front end of the inner arm retracted into the receiving hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Yin Wang, Chin-Te Lai, Su-Feng Liu, Li-Bin Wang
  • Patent number: 7963785
    Abstract: A floating connector adapted for use with microwave surgical instruments is presented. The disclosure provides for the use of cost-effective and readily available non-floating connectors in a floating housing which can compensate for dimensional variations and misalignments between the connectors. Multiple connectors of varying types can therefore be used within a single support housing without requiring the costly precision manufacturing processes normally associated with such multiple connector assemblies. The floating connector is suitable for use with electrical connections as well as fluidic connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene H. Arts, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Patent number: 7922529
    Abstract: The coaxial connector includes a plug and a receptacle. The plug contains a spring-loaded central contact and a fixed shield contact. The receptacle contains a fixed central contact and a spring-loaded shield contact. When the plug and the receptacle are joined, each of the spring-loaded contacts is compressed to positively engage the respective fixed contact to facilitate an electrical connection. Mating edges of the plug and receptacle are chamfered to facilitate concentric alignment and to reduce the required insertion force between the plug and receptacle. The contacts of both the plug and the receptacle are recessed below the mating surface to prevent a person or another conductive surface from making inadvertent contact with an electrically conductive member of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NeoCoil, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Meurer
  • Publication number: 20110065300
    Abstract: A floating connector 1 according to the present invention has a housing 2, and an adapter 3 having a through-hole 31 into which the housing 2 is inserted. The housing 2 includes: a first projection portion 27 that projects laterally outward and abuts against a periphery of an opening of the through-hole 31 to regulate a movement in an insertion direction; and a second projection portion 29 that is inserted into the through-hole 31 to regulate a movement in a direction opposite to the insertion direction with a stopper portion 39 which is disposed within the through-hole 31.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kotaro Kobayashi, Naoya Matsuura
  • Patent number: 7878830
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing, a receptacle and a receptacle contact. The housing has an interior chamber between a cable end and an interface of the housing. The interface is configured to receive a mating end of a mating electrical connector. The receptacle contact is disposed within a slot of the receptacle and is configured to engage a corresponding contact in the mating electrical connector. The receptacle contact is pivotally mounted in the receptacle and configured to pivot about a pitch axis and along the slot of the receptacle to align with the corresponding contact in the mating electrical connector. Optionally, the receptacle is mounted so as to pivot in the interior chamber and is configured to pivot about a yaw axis within the interior chamber over a predetermined limited range of travel to align the receptacle contact with the corresponding contact in the mating electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Stephen Duesterhoeft, Robert N. Mulfinger, Keith McQuilkin Murr
  • Patent number: 7874858
    Abstract: A connector, comprises a plurality of metal terminals; and a connector housing including a box-like body portion for receiving the plurality of metal terminals, a tubular portion within which the body portion is disposed, and an interconnecting portion interconnecting end portions of the body portion and the tubular portion, wherein the interconnecting portion includes a plurality of flat plate portions spaced from one another in a direction of a periphery of each of the tubular portion and the body portion, and a mountain-shaped portion projecting toward the inner side of the tubular portion, and the flat plate portions are smaller in thickness than the tubular portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Sumito Atsumi
  • Patent number: 7841879
    Abstract: A connector adapted to be connected to and disconnected from a mating object in a connecting/disconnecting direction, includes an alignment member, a rear housing coupled to the alignment member, and a front housing that is adapted to receive the mating object and is movable with respect to the alignment member and the rear housing. A contact is held by the front housing and the rear housing. The alignment member and the rear housing include a stopper mechanism which three-dimensionally defines a movable range of the front housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7798835
    Abstract: An electronic connector includes at least one support member having a curved top portion, an insulated body disposed above the support member, having a lower part formed with a curved sliding groove for receiving the curved top portion of the support member such that the insulated body is disposed floatingly on the support member, and two rows of first terminals respectively press-fitted to two side walls of the lower part confining the curved sliding groove. The first terminals have solder feet exposed to bottoms of the two side walls of the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Concraft Holding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Lee, Chin-Huang Lin