Connector Including Housing Or Panel To Support Holder Patents (Class 439/248)
  • Publication number: 20100210129
    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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Inventors: Gene H. Arts, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Patent number: 7762825
    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: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: William Burbank, Scott Luke, Dean Hoornaert
  • Patent number: 7749011
    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: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene H. Arts, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Patent number: 7748717
    Abstract: A housing part (10) for a drive unit, as well as a method and mold for manufacturing such a housing part, which housing part (10) is composed of a first component (11) and has a radial seal (28) formed onto it composed of a second, elastic component (60), which has a radial sealing surface (40) for sealing a housing in a watertight fashion; the housing part (10) and radial seal (28) are produced by means of an injection molding process; at least one riser dome (36) is formed onto the radial seal (28) and extends from the radial sealing surface (40) in the axial direction (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Maerkle
  • Publication number: 20100167567
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing and a base. The housing has a receiving hole for receiving a first-type plug. The base is assembled with the housing and has at least one foolproof structure. The foolproof structure and the base are formed as a single piece. The foolproof structure is protruded inside the receiving hole for blocking an insertion of an incompatible plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Yi-Bin Lee, Yu-Yuan Dai, Bo Bai
  • Publication number: 20100151715
    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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHANG-YIN WANG, CHIN-TE LAI, SU-FENG LIU, LI-BIN WANG
  • Publication number: 20100144183
    Abstract: A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Francesco A. Nania, Christopher Coughlan, Arnold S. Feinberg, Thomas H. Kannally, JR., Vadim L. Radunsky
  • Patent number: 7731524
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A forwardly-directed power connector is secured to a distal end of at least one rail or shelf bracket for blind docking with a rearwardly-directed power connector on the electronic module. The shelf bracket securing the forwardly-directed electrical connector is included in a pair of longitudinally-extending shelf brackets secured to opposing vertical side walls of a rack at a common elevation to form a module bay. The electronic module may slide along the shelf bracket until a rearwardly-directed power connector of the electronic module blind docks with the forwardly-directed power connector. A boss or alignment stud may be included on the bracket to improve alignment of the connectors. The forwardly-direct electrical connector may also be secured to the bracket with a floating connection to enable minor adjustments in alignment during blind docking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Karl Klaus Dittus, Michael Sven Miller, Stephen Peter Mroz, John Joseph Struble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7717716
    Abstract: In order to realize the electric contacting of two parallel printed boards, the invention proposes a printed board connector that features coaxial plug modules realized in the form of pin and socket contacts. For this purpose, it is proposed that the two plug modules have such a design that they can be turned and tilted about their central mating axis within a certain range on the printed board in order to compensate misalignments or deviations between the positions of the printed boards relative to one another. It is furthermore proposed to realize certain distances between the printed boards by means of plug modules of different lengths on the pin side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Dahms
  • Patent number: 7713076
    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: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene H. Arts, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Patent number: 7708578
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a plug assembly and a socket assembly is described. The plug assembly includes a plug body and an outer barrel with an inner conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a first conductor in the plug body. The socket assembly includes a socket body movably held within an outer housing by a positioning ring, the socket body having a socket barrel with a second conductor fixed therein to be received in the conductive receptacle of the plug assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventor: Carl J. S. Lenox
  • Patent number: 7704089
    Abstract: A floating type electrical connecting device, comprises: first and second electrical connectors. The first electrical connector includes a first insulating housing, and a plurality of first conductive terminals. The first insulating housing has a first mating surface, a plugging surface located on an opposite side of the first mating surface, two side surfaces respectively connected at opposite left and right sides of the first mating surface and the plugging surface, and a plurality of first terminal grooves extending from the mating surface to the plugging surface through the first insulating housing. In addition, a vertical lateral protruding edge is formed at each side surface adjacent to the first mating surface, and protruding from the side surface. The second electrical connector includes a second insulating housing, and a plurality of second conductive terminals. The second insulating housing has two sliding grooves respectively for receiving the two lateral protruding edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Ting-Chang Tseng
  • Patent number: 7701313
    Abstract: In a case for a circuit breaker in which a terminal is simply replaceable or mountable according to a wiring method of the circuit breaker, the case comprises a case which accommodates components for breaking a circuit, a terminal block portion which provides a common platform for plural types of terminals, and a door engaged with the case in monolithic form so that it may be operable to a closed position for closing the case or an opened position for installing a selected terminal of the plural types of terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ki-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7699633
    Abstract: An exemplary positioning structure is used for a USB connector assembled with an electronic device including a main body. The positioning structure includes a through hole defined in the main body, and a guiding portion configured on a periphery of an inner sidewall of the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Da-Qing Cheng
  • Patent number: 7699649
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical connecting module comprising at least one connector strip for electrically connecting wires and/or cables. The connector strip has at least one catch element and a rigid front panel. This front panel has at least one opening through which the connector strip can be partially inserted and which is cut open in the area of the catch element. The connector strip rests against the face of the front panel via a stopping edge. A securing element can be locked from the rear side of the front panel by the connector strip. This securing element is situated between the catch element and the front panel, and the closed contour of the securing element forms a stopping face on the rear side of the front panel. The securing element has an at least partially elastic design whereby being elastic in the area of the catch element. The invention also relates to a securing element suitable for the electrical connecting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf-Dieter Busse
  • Patent number: 7695298
    Abstract: A hinge includes a first housing, a second housing mechanically coupled to the first housing, a cam connected to one of the first housing and the second housing, a first connector mechanically coupled to the first housing, a second connector, and a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew E. Arndt, Ronald E. Dillon
  • Publication number: 20100087105
    Abstract: A connection mechanism includes a metal segment in mechanical and electrical communication with the remainder of the connection mechanism on at least one side. The segment includes at least one tab protruding from the segment on a first side and a central area of the segment with a plurality of metal deformations. When the metal deformations are pressed into aluminum, they are capable of piercing through corrosion on the surface of the aluminum in order to make electrical contact with the aluminum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce S. Gump, William J. Palm, Frank W. O'Malia, George Albert Drew
  • Patent number: 7690927
    Abstract: A scalability card for use with a plurality of computer blades. The computer blades are releasably securable in a parallel configuration, wherein each blade includes a circuit board and a processor operatively coupled to the circuit board. Each processor is in electronic communication with a scalability connector on a floating plate that is loosely secured to the computer blade. Furthermore, each scalability connector is preferably disposed in a common plane extending perpendicular to the plurality of parallel computer blades. The scalability card includes a plurality of electronically interconnected scalability connectors arranged for rough alignment with the scalability connectors of each computer blade. In addition, the scalability card preferably includes at least one alignment feature for engaging each floating plate and, therefore, providing fine alignment of the scalability connector on each floating plate to one of the scalability connectors of the scalability card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Kerrigan, Justin P. Bandholz, Martin J. Crippen, Andrew S. Heinzmann, Joseph E. Maxwell, Edward J. McNulty, Pravin Patal, Tony C. Sass, Phillip L. Weinstein
  • Publication number: 20100081307
    Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, systems and methods for aligning blind-mate connectors are provided. In one embodiment, a system comprises an avionics processing canister that is coupled to a mounting block. The avionics processing canister comprises a first portion of a first blind-mate connector, and a face plate with a surface that defines a pin-hole and a slot. The slot has a short dimension substantially equal to the diameter of the pin-hole and a long dimension perpendicular to the short dimension. The long dimension is longer than the short dimension. The system also comprises a first fastener that is received through the pin-hole and then into a first hole defined by a surface of the mounting block. The pin-hole has a diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the first fastener. The system also comprises a second fastener that is received through the slot and then into a second hole defined by a surface of the mounting block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Jayson K. Bopp
  • Publication number: 20100081308
    Abstract: A RF connector comprising: an insulative housing defining a space section; an upper fixed contact and a lower movable contact are disposed on two opposite sides of the housing in a first direction, each of said upper fixed contact and said lower movable contact including a contact section in the space section and a solder tail exposed outside of the housing, the lower movable contact having on two opposite sides a pair of bending ends disposed which is a lying U-shape; and an upper case mounted upon the housing and defining a plug insertion passageway; and a metallic shell enclosing said upper case and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Leland Wang, Shih-Chi Hsiao, Jin-Liang Du, Jun Zhou, Zheng-Wang Wu, Shuo-Bin Ru
  • Patent number: 7679477
    Abstract: A contactor with modular connection of the coil according to the invention comprises an insulating body, an operating coil housed in the insulating body, and means of modular connection of the coil to an external circuit so that the coil can be powered. The coil connection means comprise a connection arrangement, internal to the body, comprising at least two pairs of contact pieces positioned near at least two faces of the insulating body, these two faces being chosen from the front face and two opposed side faces running transversely between the front face and the rear face, each contact piece facing an opening in the body, and at least one removable connection module comprising a pair of connection terminals, which is connected to a second pair of contacts which are intended to collaborate with a first pair of contact pieces of the internal connection arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ABB France
    Inventor: Alain Portier
  • Patent number: 7674123
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A bracket includes a chip that is selectively securable to open and close the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Weber, John Joseph Struble, Jr., Joseph Francis Herman, Jr., John Geoffrey Gundlach, Karl Klaus Dittus
  • Publication number: 20100055951
    Abstract: A back plug-in connector device having a floating structure, comprises: a body chassis, a cover and a support plate on which a connector is mounted. The support plate is sandwiched by the body chassis and the cover so as to constitute the floating structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsuzawa, Keijirou Kadomatsu
  • Publication number: 20100055952
    Abstract: A fixture for a floating connector is to be mounted on a substrate and has at one end a connection portion to be connected to the substrate. The two fixtures are used in the floating connector including a plurality of contacts, an insulator fixing the contacts therein and having flanges, and a housing covering the insulator and fixing the contacts therein. The fixtures each include at the other end an anchoring bent piece adapted to engage the flange of the insulator to prevent the insulator from floating upwardly to an excessive extent. The floating connector using the fixtures is able to completely prevent the contacts from being buckled or deformed to an excessive extent when the floating connector is being fitted with or removed from a mating connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Takeki FUKAZAWA, Masato HIDA, Takanobu YOSHIMI
  • Patent number: 7666014
    Abstract: A connector assembly (100) includes a first connector (10) and a mating second connector (30). Each connector includes a number of leadframes (21, 41) stacked one by one. Each leadframe has a first leadframe housing (211, 411) and a second leadframe housing (214, 414) attached to the first leadframe housing. Each connector includes an array of first terminals (5) and an array of second terminals (6) respectively mounted along the second and the first leadframe housings, and a pair of latching members (25, 45) mounted at opposite sides of the leadframes together with the first and second terminals to tie the plurality of stacked leadframes as a whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chong Yi, Kuan-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 7654843
    Abstract: A medical device connector assembly and fabrication method are provided wherein the connector assembly includes a core element, a plurality of conductive members positioned along the core element, and a plurality of sealing members positioned between the conductive members, the sealing members having an outer surface supported by the core element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Andrew J. Ries, George Patras, John D. Longtin
  • Publication number: 20090317999
    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: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Vivant Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene H. Arts, Christopher A. Deborski
  • Publication number: 20090311896
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a mating cavity extending to a base wall and at least one terminal cavity through the base wall to the mating cavity. The terminal cavity being configured to receive a terminal therein having a pin extending into the mating cavity. A primary terminal lock extends from an interior wall of the housing and is configured to engage the terminal to retain the terminal in the terminal cavity. An alignment member is received within the mating cavity and has an alignment plate having at least one opening aligned with a corresponding terminal cavity. The alignment member is movable within the mating cavity between a seated position in which the alignment plate is proximate to the base wall and a supporting position in which the alignment plate is positioned remote from the base wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: John Mark Myer, Hurley Chester Moll
  • Patent number: 7628628
    Abstract: A connector assembly having a floating structure includes a connector moveably mounted in a cradle housing. A part of this connector connects to and detaches from another connector facing, through a spacing, a connector-mounting window of the cradle housing. The connector on the moveable side is moveable freely within the range of the spacing. An elastic member of flexible material is provided on the exterior of the moveable-side connector and closely contacts and is housed in a housing part formed in the cradle housing. An elastic member restoring force, acting when coupling between the moveable-side connector and the other connector is released, causes the moveable-side connector to return its original position in the cradle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Matsuda, Masaji Komuro
  • Patent number: 7628629
    Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting with a first circuit board and a second circuit board, the connector includes a female connector and a male connector. The female connector includes a housing, a moveable side electrode capable of moving in the housing and an elastic member biasing the moveable side electrode, the moveable side electrode having a recess. The male connector includes a projection with a tip end being fitted into the recess of the moveable side electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takehide Miyazaki, Hirofumi Imabayashi, Katsumi Kanasaki, Hideaki Yajima, Kazuya Nishida, Akira Okada
  • Patent number: 7614897
    Abstract: An electrical connector system and a method of assembly. The electrical connector system includes a frame, a connector, and a junction box. The connector is configured to be inserted into the frame. First and second sets of electrical contacts are engaged when the connector and junction box engage the frame and the connector is actuated toward the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Ramon Pinana Lopez
  • Publication number: 20090264001
    Abstract: A connector assembly (100) includes a first connector (10) and a mating second connector (30). Each connector includes a number of leadframes (21, 41) stacked one by one. Each leadframe has a first leadframe housing (211, 411) and a second leadframe housing (214, 414) attached to the first leadframe housing. Each connector includes an array of first terminals (5) and an array of second terminals (6) respectively mounted along the second and the first leadframe housings, and a pair of latching members (25, 45) mounted at opposite sides of the leadframes together with the first and second terminals to tie the plurality of stacked leadframes as a whole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Chong Yi, Kuan-Yu Chen
  • Publication number: 20090233474
    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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Yang Zhou, Hui Ye
  • Publication number: 20090221154
    Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a cabin fitting element with at least one electrical installation on a support structure of an aircraft. During installation into the support structure, the cabin fitting element is fixed in succession by at least one loose bearing in at least one degree of translational freedom and then by at least one fixed bearing in the at least one further degree of translational freedom. In order to ensure an improved installation and dismantling of cabin covering panels with electrical installation and to reduce the weight due to the components and also the installation space which is required, according to the disclosed embodiments a contact device with a bush arrangement and a plug arrangement is integrated in the at least one loose bearing and/or the at least one fixed bearing, by which an electrical connection is produced between the support structure and the electrical installation of the cabin fitting element on fixing at least of one degree of translational freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: AIRBUS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Hartlef, Frank Cordes
  • Patent number: 7572135
    Abstract: A connector includes a female connector housing, that has a male terminal, and a male connector housing that has a female terminal for electrical connecting to the male terminal, and that is adapted to be fitted into the female connector. The male connector housing includes an inner housing which has the female terminal, and which is adapted to be fitted in the female connector housing so that the female terminal is connected to the male terminal, and an outer housing which is adapted to support the inner housing so that the inner housing is movable in a first direction in which the inner housing is fitted in the female connector housing and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. When the inner housing is fitted into the female connector housing, the inner housing is disposed so as to separate from the outer housing in the second direction with a first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Seiji Kozono, Takashi Matsunaga, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Masato Minakata, Atsushi Nishida
  • Patent number: 7563133
    Abstract: A male connector interface which requires a low extraction force to remove the male interface from a mating female connector interface. The male connector interface has a tubular housing with an inner surface with a first inner diameter region having an inner diameter and an increased inner diameter region having a first end disposed directly adjacent the first inner diameter region and extending to the distal end of the housing for an axial length, wherein the first inner diameter region and the first end of the increased inner diameter region define a shoulder facing the distal end of the housing, and the increased inner diameter region has a first tapered portion disposed at the first end and increasing in diameter toward the distal end, the first tapered portion defining a first frustoconical portion of the longitudinal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Gilbert Inc.
    Inventor: Casey Roy Stein
  • Patent number: 7544098
    Abstract: In a connector adapted to be connected to and disconnected from a connection object in connecting and disconnecting directions, the connector includes a first housing for receiving the connection object and a second housing holding the first housing so that the first housing is three-dimensionally movable. A contact is held by the first and the second housings. The second housing includes a stopper mechanism three-dimensionally defining a movable range of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics industry, Limited
    Inventor: Keisuke Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7544078
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slantwise connecting base for being connected to a control box having a first connection port. The slantwise connecting base includes a baseplate, a first circuit board and a second circuit board fixed to the baseplate. The baseplate has at least a slanting platform disposed thereon at a slant angle, and the slanting platform is used for disposing the first circuit board to be thereon. Moreover, the first circuit board has a second connection port corresponding to the first connection port, and the second connection port is used for being electrically connected to the control box. The second circuit board has an electrical connection portion for being electrically connected to the first circuit board, thereby allowing the second circuit board and the second connection port to be electrically connected to each other. Thus, the slantwise connecting base provides a means for the control box to be slantwise plugged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Jie Liu, Tsai-kuie Cheng
  • Patent number: 7534123
    Abstract: A connector, being a connector where one portion of the housing protrudes, and where an electrical connection and mechanical fixation is achieved by the protruding portion being housed within a recessed portion of an opposing connector. The housing has a fixing portion for fixing to a board and a movable protruding portion. The protruding portion is supported by the fixing portion of the housing via contact portions. The protruding portion has stoppers for stopping the protruding portion by coming into contact with the contact portions when inserting the connector. The contact portions have stoppers for stopping the protruding portion by coming into contact with the housing when removing the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: FCI
    Inventor: Masahiro Koga
  • Patent number: 7530830
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a plug assembly and a socket assembly is described. The plug assembly includes a plug body and an outer barrel with an inner conductive receptacle electrically coupled to a first conductor in the plug body. The socket assembly includes a socket body movably held within an outer housing by a positioning ring, the socket body having a socket barrel with a second conductor fixed therein to be received in the conductive receptacle of the plug assembly. The plug assembly and the socket assembly include alignment features to align the conductive receptacle and the second conductor during coupling of the socket assembly and the plug assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Sunpower Corporation
    Inventor: Carl J. S. Lenox
  • Patent number: 7513786
    Abstract: The present invention improves a buffer function of a connector (22) against impact from a plug (36). A connector that is connected with uniting to a plug has a first housing (an inner shell 24) that is connected to the plug and a second housing (an outer shell 26) that surrounds the first housing (the inner shell 24) with being installed on a member to be attached (a circuit board 48). The first housing (the inner shell 24) is elastically supported inside the second housing (the outer shell 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Muroi, Koki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7507099
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an interface assembly is provided which is capable of connecting with a receptor. The interface assembly includes a connector, a base, and a linkage set between the connector and base. The linkage can include a spring assembly and a cable assembly. The connector is capable of connecting with the receptor to form electrical connections, fluid connections or other such connections. The spring assembly is a deformable member that is attached to the base and to the connector, such that the connector is capable of moving in six degrees of freedom. The cable assembly is attached to the base and the connector. The cable assembly is capable of limiting motion and positioning of the connector in at least one degree of freedom. As such, the cable assembly can set the connector at an initial position or within an initial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce L. Cowgill, Keith J. Breinlinger
  • Patent number: 7503787
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) includes a circuit substrate (3), a dielectric housing (4) and a number of conductive terminals (5) secured thereto seated on the circuit substrate, an integrated circuit package (6) mounted on the housing, a clamping board (7) positioned on the circuit package and a compliant backboard (2) located beneath the circuit substrate, and a number of screws (8) coupling the clamping board and the backboard to each other. The backboard is formed with a number of protrusions (212) abuttingly urging the circuit substrate toward the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Yu, Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 7500862
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed that surrounds a connector and places it within the printer body in such away as to allow for the connector to float against the intrusion of a sliding can mounted with electronics and to set up and enable the printer. The problem solved is that of the blind-mating connectors within a printer system for which an industry standard connector set for flex cable must be used. It is advantageous to allow a connector that is attached to a flex cable to float even though the floating feature has not been considered in the original design and the connector was not made for the amount of misalignment present in a blind-mate connection. In addition, by a single-rib design, an extra degree of freedom for rotational around Y-axis is provided to the floating connector to further guide the lead-in of the contacting face of the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Frederick Herring, William Lewis Talley, Danny Hugh Addison, Robert J. Heider
  • Patent number: 7495893
    Abstract: A portable computer includes a main body, a keyboard assembly and an interface unit. The main body has a main circuit substrate received in the main body and a main body connector. The interface unit has a plurality of signal pads and a plurality of groups of branch pads split from an end of a line extended from each signal pad into a plurality of branches. The keyboard assembly has a plurality of keyboard signal pins connected to one of either each of the branch pads of each group or the signal pad, and a main body cable unit of which one side is provided with a cable connector connected to the main body connector, and the other side is provided with main body signal pins connected to the other of either each of the branch pads of each group or the signal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-chun Choi
  • Publication number: 20090028597
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus main-body and a process cartridge. A female connector is arranged on a developing roller shaft in the process cartridge. The female connector has an open-ended ring-like space formed between an outer ring and an inner ring. A plurality of track grooves are arranged on the circumference of at least one of the outer ring and the inner ring. One end of a cartridge driving shaft is supported in the apparatus main-body, while the other end thereof facing the process cartridge is movable in a radial direction. A male connector is arranged on the movable end of the cartridge driving shaft. A front portion of the male connector is a cylindrical spherical-body holding portion that rotatably holds a plurality of spherical bodies. When the spherical-body holding portion enters into the ring-like space, the spherical bodies slide along the track grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Junya Takigawa, Yoshimi Asayama
  • Patent number: 7479034
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug connector (100) with a housing (110) and with at least two electrical contact elements (112), which each have a longitudinal axis and which are arranged so that they are aligned on a plugging side of the housing (110) at predetermined positions and with a respective longitudinal axis parallel to a plugging direction (122) of the plug connector (100). Each electrical contact element (112) is placed inside the housing (100) in a manner that enables it to move in a plane perpendicular to the plugging direction (122), and is connected in an elastically resilient manner to at least one second electrical contact element (112) via at least one electrically non-conductive elastic spring element (114).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Willem Blakborn, Jens-Peter Fruendt
  • Patent number: 7470132
    Abstract: A mobile contact carrier (2) and a lock (3) includes two connecting elements for securing the simultaneous insertion thereof into a fixed contact carrier (1) and disconnecting elements used at the end of a connecting phase for inertially locking a connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Compagnie Deutsch
    Inventors: Philippe Perrin, Joël Lacrouts-Cazenave
  • Patent number: 7467961
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a top shell (11), a bottom shell (12) forming a bottom plate (32) defining a receiving room with the top shell, a connector module (51), a printed circuit board (PCB) (52) electrically connecting with the connector module, a pair of mating screws (43) and a pair of spring members (430). The top shell forms a cutout (110) exposed along a vertical direction. The connector module is located vertically in the receiving room and extends through the cutout. The PCB includes a pair of limiting holes (521) and the mating screws have threads and screw caps. The threads pass through the bottom plate and the corresponding limiting holes to lock with the top shell. The pair of spring members is supported by the mating screws, and compressed between a bottom surface of the PCB and a top surface of the screw caps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Kuo
  • Patent number: 7458837
    Abstract: In a connector housing block 260 comprising an interface member 200 for electrically connecting a test head body 100 with sockets 320 in an electronic device testing apparatus, a connector housing 240 provided with a plurality of connector pins 242 in a non-floating state is attached to a block base 230 in a floating state via a coil spring 250. Due to the configuration, the number of parts of the connector housing 240 can be reduced, mounting density of the connector pins 242 can be improved, and a positional error of the connector housing 240 can be absorbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Advantest Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Mineo