Movable Latching Prong Or Latch On Prong Patents (Class 439/270)
  • Patent number: 11196215
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulative module loaded with terminals therein and a mounting member. The insulative module defines a pair of panel-supporting surface at each opposite end thereof, and a cavity going through one panel-supporting face. The mounting member comprises a board main receiving in the cavity and an operating portion projecting outwards. The insulative module defines a pair of elastic arms slanting into the cavity and each slates away from the panel-supporting face. The board main defines a pair of locking recesses at opposite edges thereof. The elastic arms are locked with the locking recesses in condition that the mounting member slides upwards beyond the panel-supporting faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: FOXCONN (KUNSHAN) COMPUTER CONNECTOR CO., LTD., FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guang-Lei Xu, Zhi-Bin Zhao
  • Patent number: 10256571
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Patent number: 9929510
    Abstract: A locking socket 101 for making an electrical connection with an electrical plug has a socket connection portion with a pivoting latch plate type power pin locking mechanism 112, 114 having an aperture with edges for gripping an power pin when inserted. The latch plate 114 is biased away from a release orientation to a locking orientation. A release mechanism comprises a manual button engaged with a slide piece 128 which slides along a first direction 158 to pivot the latch plate from a locking orientation to a release orientation to release the inserted power pin. At least one resiliently flexible arm 152 extends laterally from a main body of the slide piece. The arm is progressively flexed by movement of the main body when the button is pressed, causing the arm to provide a biasing force that urges the slide piece in the opposite direction 159.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Vass
  • Patent number: 8968017
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer is a first conductivity type. The second semiconductor layer is provided in a surface region of the first semiconductor layer and is the first conductivity type. The first electrode is provided inside a first trench extending in the first direction and opened to a surface of the second semiconductor layer. The second electrode is provided in a second trench extending in a second direction crossing the first direction and opened to the surface of the second semiconductor layer. A dimension from the surface of the second semiconductor layer to a lower end of the second electrode is shorter than a dimension from the surface of the second semiconductor layer to a lower end of the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Keiko Kawamura, Hitoshi Kobayashi, Yusuke Kawaguchi, Shunsuke Katoh
  • Patent number: 8840418
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a socket structure capable of preventing plug from detaching, which comprises: a housing; a first base; a first electrode plate; a second electrode plate; a first button, one end thereof is extended with a first rod; and a second button, one end thereof is extended with a second rod; when the first button and the second button are pressed, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are respectively abutted by the first rod and the second rod, thereby allowing a plug to be released from the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Chao-Chuan Chien
  • Patent number: 8439697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electrical power connectors, and in particular power connectors that are used to connect a source of mains power to an item of electrical equipment. A locking panel socket (1) for making an electrical connection with a line plug comprises a socket connection portion (2) having an end face (11) and the end face having a plurality of recesses (10, 10?) for receiving corresponding power pins of a line plug, a plug insertion channel (4) that extends around the socket connection portion (2) and a panel portion (6) that extends around the plug insertion channel (4). The locking panel socket (1) also includes within the socket connection portion a locking mechanism (12) for restraining a power pin of a line plug from being withdrawn from one of the recesses (10?), and a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism (12) to permit the power pin to be withdrawn from the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Burland Technology Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Richard Anthony Vass
  • Publication number: 20130059457
    Abstract: A connector is provided with a rotatable toggle lever which is movable between a first position where the connector is fitted to a counterpart connector and a second position in which the connector is secured to the counterpart connector. The connector includes a housing and a lock member for locking the lever at the second position. The lock member has a body portion extending approximately parallel with one wall surface of the housing. The lock member has a locking engaging projection portion for engagement with the lever and, at one end of the body, has a releasing operation portion for releasing the engagement of the projection. A first connection portion connects the other end of the body portion to the one wall surface while second connection portions are arranged on both sides of the releasing operation portion to connect the one end of the body portion to the one wall surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: MOLEX INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Takayuki Hori
  • Patent number: 7828572
    Abstract: An electric socket includes an electrically insulative bottom shell, two metal electrode clamps mounted inside the electrically insulative bottom shell, an electrically insulative top shell covering the electrically insulative bottom shell and having two bottom spacer ribs set between the two metal electrode clamps to keep them apart, and a sliding block slidably coupled to the electrically insulative top shell and movable between a locking position where a bottom protruding block of the sliding block pushes the free end of each spacer rib sideways against the front clamping strips of the metal electrode clamps, thereby causing the metal electrode clamps to be locked to the metal conducting blades of the inserted electric plug and an unlocking position where the bottom protruding block of the sliding block is released from the spacer ribs, thereby unlocking the meal electrode clamps from the metal conducting blades of the inserted electric plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ta Hsing Electric Wire & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei-Ho Liu
  • Patent number: 7534124
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides an independently tightening collet surrounding each socket for each of a plurality of corresponding high-electrical-power prongs, wherein the collet is loosened for normal (low-insertion-force) insertion and withdrawal of the plug from the outlet. Once the plug is inserted, the collet is tightened, providing a high-contact force to lower the contact resistance and to help keep the plug from coming unplugged. In some embodiments, the plug is not “locked”, in that a tension force pulling on the plug will overcome the contact force at a point before the plug or outlet is damaged, and the plug is allowed to come unplugged. In some embodiments, engaging the collet will also provide a wiping or sliding motion between the prong and socket for each connection, thus wiping at least some dirt or corrosion away and providing a lower-resistance better electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Mechanical Answers LLC
    Inventors: Charles A. Lemaire, Marian D. Maxwell, Raymond Q. Draggie, Scott D. Maxwell
  • Patent number: 7452230
    Abstract: An electrical cord plug assembly for inhibiting the removal of an inserted male electrical cord plug having at least one exposed electrical contact is disclosed. The device comprises a housing, a retention member, a biasing member, and a user actuation member. The retention member is movable between an engaged position, where the retention member engages an opening in the electrical contact of the male plug, and a disengaged position where the retention member disengages from the opening. The biasing member biases the retention member towards the engaged position. In the engaged position, the male plug is substantially inhibited from removal from the plug assembly. The actuation member engages the biasing member so as to allow a user to move the retention member to the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: TMC Enterprises, a division of Tasco Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Miller, Zhou Dong Yue
  • Patent number: 7156682
    Abstract: An electric socket includes a rotation unit and a switching cap unit. The rotation unit abuts the conducting units inside the socket. The switching cap unit protrudes from the rest of the socket. The rotation unit may be moved along with the switching cap unit. When each of the two prongs of a plug is inserted into the two prong slots of the socket, a user may rotate switching cap unit by a certain angle so that the long sides of the rotation unit may press against the two conducting units of the socket; now, the two conducting units of the socket seize and lock the two prongs of the plug. To take out the plug, a user may rotate the switching cap unit in the reversed direction by a certain angle; now, the two long sides of the rotation unit no longer press against the two conducting units, and the plug may be taken out from the two slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 7094090
    Abstract: A connector (10) comprises a base (20), a cover (30), a protecting mechanism (35) and an actuator (40). The base defines a plurality of through holes (21) therein for receiving a plurality of contacts. The cover movably mounted on the base defines a plurality of passages in alignment with the through holes of the base. The protecting mechanism in the cover defines a hole extending therethrough, two stop members (341,342) are formed in inner surface of the hole. The actuator that can actuate the cover slide on the base, is rotatably assembled with the base and the protecting mechanism. The actuator has a protrusion thereon abuttable against either of the stop members during operation of the actuator, and is departed completely from the cover by the protecting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen He, Fujin Peng, Nick Lin
  • Patent number: 6896537
    Abstract: A connector has a female receptacle and/or a male plug, or combination thereof. The female receptacle has a sleeve for holding prongs plugged into the receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the sleeve such that actuation of the collar causes the socket to clamp to the prong. The male plug has a prong for insertion into a socket or other receptacle and a mechanism for applying pressure against the prong to clamp the prong within the socket or other receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Burton Technologies LLC
    Inventor: John E Burton
  • Patent number: 6786753
    Abstract: An improved socket structure comprises essentially a socket, an ellipse-shaped rotation foundation is disposed in the socket, a top is to combine with the top side of the socket and is firmly fixed on the rotation foundation for driving the rotation foundation to rotate; two sides in the socket are respectively configured with a ball, the ball is capable of entering the power jack of the socket; when the electric conduction copper flakes of a plug are inserted into the power jacks of the socket, the top drives the rotation foundation to rotate for generating an angle, then the ball is pushed into the power jacks by the rim of the rotation foundation and lodged in the power jacks into which the electric conduction flakes of the plug are inserted, thus the plug is inseparable from the socket; if the user wants to unplug the plug from the socket, he could just screw the top to make the balls out of the power jacks into which the electric conduction flakes are inserted, and makes it possible to separate the plug
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 6716046
    Abstract: Field effect transistor structures include a channel region formed in a recessed portion of a substrate. The recessed channel portion permits the use of relatively thicker source/drain regions thereby providing lower source/drain extension resistivity while maintaining the physical separation needed to overcome various short channel effects. The surface of the recessed channel portion may be of a rectangular, polygonal, or curvilinear shape. In a further aspect of the present invention, transistors are manufactured by a process in which a damascene layer is patterned, the channel region is recessed by etch that is self-aligned to the patterned damascene layer, and the gate electrode is formed by depositing a material over the channel region and patterned damascene layer, polishing off the excess gate electrode material and removing the damascene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Kaizad R. Mistry
  • Patent number: 6676428
    Abstract: A connector capable of securing a cord to an outlet, of securing extension cords, and/or of securing an extension cord to the cord of a power tool. The device may have a female receptacle and a male plug, only a female receptacle, or only a male plug. The female receptacle may have a screw-style plunger, a sleeve-style plunger, or other means for applying pressure against the sleeves holding the prongs that are plugged into the receptacle. The male plug can use a sleeve-style plunger or other means to apply pressure against at least one of the prongs, causing the plug to be clamped into a receptacle. The female receptacle and male plug of the device can be separated by a cord to create an extension cord. The female receptacle or male plug could also be placed on the cords of a tool or appliance. A plurality of female receptacles could be used in a single unit to create a power strip having locking receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Burton Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John E. Burton
  • Patent number: 6050837
    Abstract: A locking electrical plug 1 includes a plug body 8 and a securement arm 18 residing in a securement arm slot 32 located in the flat of a power blade 16. The securement arm 18 is normally biased orthogonal to the flat of the power blade 16 by a biasing member 20. The securement arm 18 includes a securing nib 25 capable of mating with the biasing member 20. In the normal locked position, the securing nib 25 is not mated with the biasing member 20 causing the securement arm 18 to extend orthogonally outward from the securement arm slot 32. When the securement arm 18 is slid along the major axis of the power blade 16 towards the unlocked position, the biasing member 20 and the securing nib 25 mate such that the securement arm 18 lies in the flat of the power blade 16. A shaft 14 is positioned in the plug body 8 and allows a user to control the locked/unlocked characteristics of the locking electrical plug 1. In one embodiment a spring 15 acts to position the securement arm 18 in the normal locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Jerry R. Duhe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5967822
    Abstract: A lock releasing mechanism of a connector in which connector terminals are received in terminal receiving chambers respectively in a manner that tongue pieces of the connector terminals are in opposition to each other, and a wiring groove is provided in the outside of the terminal receiving chambers so that all of electric wires connected to the connector terminals are laid in the same direction, whereby the connector terminals can be made the same with each other in configuration to thereby reduce the cost. Further, by pushing a single lock releasing member, lock releasing levers are moved to thereby simultaneously urge the tongue pieces of the connector terminals in opposition to each other to release the connector terminals in a lump from locking with partner-side connection terminals, whereby the workability in maintenance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takeo Kohata, Masayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5630726
    Abstract: A locking, non-catching electrical cord has smoothly rounded edges so as not to catch on foreign objects. The male prongs of the extension cord taper from the end of the cord to a rounded end of the same height, and the prong receptacles are shaped to fit the male prongs, so as to allow the prongs to snap-fit into the receptacles. Alternatively, the prong receptacles may have two cavities skewed from one another, and the male prong end of the cord may be twisted once situated within the prong receptacle to create a locking fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Christopher T. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 5538436
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling the removal of a memory card from a computer system. The apparatus includes a socket for receiving the memory card having a first section of card detect pins and a second section of single pins. The second section is aligned with the first section during insertion of the card into the socket. The second section slides out with the card during removal of the card from the socket. The apparatus also includes an interrupt handler for transferring control to the interrupt handler upon a break in contact between the card and card detect pins in the socket. The interrupt handler disables signal lines connected to the signal pins before the second section begins pulling out from the card upon removal of the card from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: John I. Garney
  • Patent number: 5297973
    Abstract: A safety electrical outlet is disclosed which uses a covered outlet box in which the electrical contacts are on the back of the cover, and cannot easily be reached by a person (especially a child) poking into the socket. The contacts in turn form a portion of a circuit with electrically conductive leads and risers from the ordinary business power conduits. The corresponding plug has retractable contact prongs or blades which extend out from the sides of the plug, so that when the plug is inserted into the socket, the sideways-extending blades touch the contacts on the underside of the cover plate and the electrical connection is completed. When it is desired to disengage the plug, the blades are retracted and the plug removed from the socket. Built-in spring-loaded panels cover the plug openings in the cover plate when the plugs are not inserted. There may be a single socket/opening in the cover or there may be two or more ganged openings/sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 5279507
    Abstract: The connector includes a body, a resilient locking arm provided on the body and with a locking projection at its free end which engages in a connection hole in a panel to lock the connector to the panel, and a lock-up detector. The lock-up detector is provided in a preliminarily engaged state between the locking arm and the body prior to the fitting of the connector to the panel with a length thereof protruded more than the locking projection. When the connector is completely locked to the panel, the lock-up detector is released from the preliminarily engaged state and becomes insertable by a push from the opposite side of the panel to the connector. This enables confirmation of whether a connector attached to the end of a wire harness is completely fitted to a panel, e.g., at a door portion of an automobile from outside the panel and improves the reliability of a connector as a product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kameyama
  • Patent number: 5249976
    Abstract: An electrical plug for 3-wire line cords includes a plug body having a U-shaped grounding pin. A rise pin is disposed between opposing walls of the U-shaped grounding pin. A locking element extending through the plug body includes a threaded proximal portion and a flat distal portion, the distal portion having a ramp disposed over the rise pin and a serrate edge opposite the ramp with the distal portion disposed within the grounding pin opposing walls. A locking knob is threaded onto the proximal portion. With the plug in an outlet, the knob is rotated clockwise to draw the flat distal portion rearward causing the ramp to ride up the rise pin and to cause the serrate edge to grip the inner surfaces of the grounding socket. Rotating the knob counterclockwise releases the serrate edge to permit withdrawal of the plug from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventor: Roger D. Brock
  • Patent number: 5108301
    Abstract: A locking electrical cord connector includes both male and female contacts. The device includes a housing of electrically non-conductive material including a cylindrical cavity. A pair of opposed plungers are mounted for reciprocation in this cavity. An actuator switch in the form of an elliptical disc is mounted for reciprocation in the housing about a center shaft between the plungers. Each plunger is biased into engagement with the outer cam edge of the disc by means of springs. In use, the male connector of another electrical appliance is connected with the female connector of the device. The female end of a second electrical appliance is connected with the male connector of the device. The actuator switch is then turned so that the plungers are forced outwardly against the biasing of the springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Inventor: Dale W. Torok
  • Patent number: 5082450
    Abstract: An electrical plug for the end of an electrical power cord. The plug includes plug prongs and a ground prong, all of which are moveable between retracted and extended positions. The prongs can be locked in the retracted and extended positions, as desired. When the prongs are locked in the retracted position, small children are prevented from attempting to connect the power cord to an electrical outlet. The plug can also be locked in an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventors: Charles C. Warren, Sr., Shirley J. Warren
  • Patent number: 4801272
    Abstract: An external pack connector has a recess for receiving an external pack, a table member slidably mounted in the recess and biased oppositely to a direction of insertion of the external pack, a resilient contact member projecting into the recess, and a rotatable lever engaged with the table member and the contact member and rotatable against a spring force of the contact member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Kanazawa, Kazuyoshi Odagawa
  • Patent number: 4741705
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for introducing video signals of an alternative video signal source to antenna terminals in the form of a pair of screw rods that are spaced apart from each other and provided on the back surface of a television receiver.The connector apparatus is provided with a housing, means for receiving the end of a coaxial cable extending from the alternative video signal source to introduce the outer conductor and the inner conductor of the coaxial into the housing, a pair of lead members comprising electric conductors and having free ends extending outwardly from the housing, and means for connecting one end of each of the lead members to the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Shintom Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Akiyama
  • Patent number: 4685754
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle (11) for tabs of small size is formed from sheet metal and comprises a generally channel-shaped receptacle portion (12) having a base (13) and upstanding side walls (14, 14'). Free edge portions (15, 15') of the side walls are bent towards each other over the base and a locking tongue (16) is struck out from the base to extend rearwardly within the receptacle portion from a front root end (18) integral with the base to a rear free end. The free end is formed with a release member (19) projecting out of the receptacle portion and a locking projection (21) on the tongue between the ends which provides a rearwardly facing shoulder for latching engagement in a recess in a tab (22) inserted into the receptacle. The tongue (16) is of arcuate transverse cross section and is stiff constituting, with a portion of the base forward of the root end a torsion bar of generally T-shape. Movement of the tongue towards the base to release the tab causes resilient torsional flexure of the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel R. Coldren