Retaining Means With Distinct Movement-actuating Means To Move Coupling Part Axially Patents (Class 439/310)
  • Patent number: 7294010
    Abstract: A connecting assembly with main and secondary connectors is disclosed herein. The connecting assembly comprises: a main connector provided with a secondary connector for operably engaging and disengaging the main connector. The secondary connector is provided with a first connecting part, electrically coupled to the main connector and a second connecting part, provided on a substantially fixed support. The first connecting part is provided in association with a guiding mechanism, so that it can move along the guiding mechanism to engage and disengage with the second connecting part. In an embodiment the second connecting part is provided with a floating mechanism to align its position with respect to the first connecting part during engagement. The connecting assembly can be disengaged by disconnecting the secondary connector by pulling a cable associated with the main connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Mohammad Suhail Shaikh
  • Patent number: 7291032
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting servers within a rack-mounted server system. In one embodiment, a plurality of servers are positioned in respective bays of a rack. The bays generally constrain adjacent servers in a generally fixed spacing and in face-to-face alignment. A first server is moved within its bay relative to a second server until a connector on the first server is aligned with a mating connector on the second server. Alignment of the two mating connectors is detected by a position sensor, such as an LED-photodiode pair. A signal from the position sensor causes or at least allows the first and second connectors to be moved toward one another, either using a motor or a hand-actuated mechanism, to provide power and data communication between the servers. Once the connection is established, data is optionally transmitted via the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Luther Carver, Henry Gaines McMillan
  • Patent number: 7278869
    Abstract: An electrical connector system is adapted for placement into a recessed space defining a raceway formed in a floor of an aircraft having an open region. The electrical connector system includes a first connector and a second connector connectable along a first axis. A frame is provided. The first connector is selectably movable in the frame along the first axis in response to movement of a frame portion, with the second connector being constrained by the frame to resist movement along the first axis. Movement of the frame portion permits selective engagement and disengagement between the first and second connectors, the frame portion being accessible from the open region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: William Henry Bernhart, Kenneth P. Dowhower, George H. Douty, John A. Fulponi, Robert Charles Flaig, Galen Martin
  • Publication number: 20070232108
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water discharge device (1) provided with a device body (2) and a connector (4) and adapted to be attached to a feedwater pipe (6). The water discharge device comprises fixing means (8) for fixing the device body to the connector at a given installation position. The connector has a feedwater-pipe-joining portion (4a) adapted to be joined to the feedwater pipe, and a connector-side engaging thread portion (4b), and the device body has a body-side engaging thread portion (14) positioned in such a manner as to be engaged with the connector-side engaging thread portion once during an operation of attaching the device body to the connector, and located beyond the connector-side engaging thread portion after the device body is fixed at the installation position. The water discharge device of the present invention can reliably prevent falling-off of the device body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shoji Miura, Emiko Sumimoto
  • Patent number: 7277294
    Abstract: An electrical contactor draw out tray has a movable frame and a stationary frame in which the movable frame carries the electrical components for an electrical feeder circuit. The stationary frame is preferably housed within a power distribution center and has input terminals for the incoming electrical power and output terminals for delivering electrical power to equipment operating on the feeder circuit. The movable frame carries the contactors that control the flow of electricity through the apparatus as well as the electrical components to monitor conditions of the apparatus and various parameters for the electricity carried therein to for conditions such as short circuits, overloads, ground faults, overvoltages and undervoltages. A disconnect mechanism locks the movable frame relative the stationary frame and provides a primary means for disengaging electrical flow through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventor: Kurt Nels Carlson
  • Patent number: 7258559
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-and-socket connection device for the automatic, e.g. multipolar electrical connection of a vehicle trailer, particularly of a semitrailer, to a towing vehicle, particularly to a prime mover. The plug-and-socket connection device comprises a socket and a plug, which can be mounted on the vehicle trailer (e.g. the plug) or on the towing vehicle (e.g. the socket, they can be aligned with one another when coupling the vehicle trailer to the towing vehicle, and can be displaced while being guided by a drive provided in the form of an, e.g. piston/cylinder assembly relative to one another between an (advanced) connecting position and a (retracted) inoperative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Erich Jaeger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Kirstin Mattern, Kurt Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 7033196
    Abstract: A connector including a plug and a socket and a driving section for fitting the plug and the socket by moving the driving section in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the fitting direction of the socket and the plug. The driving section has a first groove part provided in the first direction, and a second groove part provided substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The plug has a first protruding portion engaging with the first groove part, and the socket has a second protruding portion engaging with the first groove part. When the driving section moves in the first direction, the driving section depresses the second protruding portion in the fitting direction at the second groove part to move the socket in the fitting direction, thus fitting the plug in the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Advantest Corp.
    Inventors: Shigeru Murayama, Masanori Kaneko, Fumio Kurotori, Shigeru Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7004043
    Abstract: A support pole for raising and lowering a supported object between a lower position and an elevated position is disclosed. The support pole includes an elongate pole and a carriage mounted for translational movement up and down the pole. Carriage locks at the top of the pole engage the carriage in the elevated position to prevent vibration of the supported object, and a stabilizer frame within the channel minimizes vibration during carriage transport. One or more electrical conductors are fixed in place, extending through at least a portion of the pole, terminating in an electrical contact for releasable engagement with a cooperating electrical contact mounted to the carriage as the carriage is raised into the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Videolarm, Inc.
    Inventors: Bulent Erel, Raymond V. Pagano, James L. Pfaffenberger, II, Virgil L. Hunt, Jr., Jen Chung-Hua
  • Patent number: 6997730
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first cable contact with a mating surface and a retaining surface, a housing, a retaining device, and at least one groove. The housing defines a first passage for receiving the first cable contact, a second passage for mating with a portion of a second cable contact, and an opening which extends to one end of the first passage. The retaining device is mounted in the first passage and engages with at least a portion of the retaining surface of the first cable contact to detachably retain the first cable contact in the first passage. The groove is formed in the retaining surface of the first cable contact. The opening in the housing is in communication with the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Anderson Power Products
    Inventors: Craig Harold Baker, Danna Anthony Mancini, Urs Felix Nager
  • Patent number: 6981313
    Abstract: An electric terminal connector block is provided with oblong tool openings that communicate with interior channels of the connector block and with openings in the motor wiring electric terminals positioned in each channel of the connector block. The oblong shapes of the tool openings enable insertion of tool pins through the tool openings and openings of the electric terminals and movement of the tool pins along the lengths of the oblong tool openings whereby the tool pins engage with the electric terminals and move the terminals relative to the connector block to insure that the terminals are locked in place in the connector block. In addition, the tooling used with the connector block is operated according to a method that insures that the terminals of the motor winding are moved to a position relative to the connector block where the terminals are locked in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Jacob M. Olejniczak, Vincent P. Fargo, Kent L. White, Paul G. Michaels, William L. Riggs, Charles A. Peters
  • Patent number: 6979213
    Abstract: An electrical junction box is provided including a mounting cover, a connector, and a slide-arm. The connector is disposed within the mounting cover and includes a boss. The slide-arm is slidably supported by the mounting cover and includes a slanted driving surface. The slide-arm is operable to displace the connector by slidably engaging the boss with the slanted driving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: SEWS-DTC, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Mauney, Nathan Like, J. Patrick Dunbar
  • Patent number: 6974341
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly has an electrical connector that has a movable inner member carried in a tubing hanger for stroking outward into engagement with an stationary outer component located in a passage in the sidewall of the wellhead or tree. A running tool releasably engages the tubing hanger and has an actuator that moves axially for setting the tubing hanger in the bore. The inner member of the electrical connection is movable in response to axial movement of the actuator of the running tool from a retracted position to an extended position in electrical engagement with the inner end of the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6964578
    Abstract: A cable connector retaining system includes a cable connector retaining assembly having a connector block and a movable retention block with a connector retention fastener, e.g., a threaded fastener. The system also includes a plate having a connector mounted thereon and a connector retention feature, e.g., a threaded hole, positioned adjacent to the connector. The connector block has a connector housed in an overmold jacket and connectable to the plate's connector. The connectors may be USB-type connectors, for example. The retention block is movably mounted to the connector block's overmold jacket so that the retention block's connector retention fastener may be aligned with the plate's connector retention feature. Once aligned, the connector retention fastener may be engaged with the connection retention feature. Movement of the retention block allows a single cable connector retaining assembly to be used for multiple plate configurations (i.e., with the connector retention feature at different positions).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Garrison Clark, Ray Clement Laning, Christopher Michael Marroquin, Brian Joseph Stanczyk, Randall Vincent Tointon
  • Patent number: 6948953
    Abstract: A female connector (10) is assembled with a holder (20) on a dashboard (A) and a male connector (30) is assembled with an instrument panel (B). The male connector (30) has a receptacle 32 with a cut-out (35) for receiving the female connector (10). Guide pins (11) of the female connector (10) slide along guide grooves (25) of the holder (20) to displace the female connector (10) normal to an assembling direction and to connect the female connector (10) with the male connector (30). A movable protecting portion (40) is displaced from a protecting position where the movable protecting portion (40) covers the cut-out (35) to a retracted position RP where the movable protecting portion (40) is retracted from the cut-out (35) by sliding movements of guide pins (42) of the movable protection portion (40) along guide grooves (29) of the holder (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Fukamachi
  • Patent number: 6948961
    Abstract: A card connector includes a rotatable ejecting lever having a first end and a second end and supported by a fixed journal, the second end moving in the direction of ejecting a card to eject the card when the first end is pushed in the direction of inserting the card; and distance varying means increasing the distance from the journal to the contact point between the ejecting lever and the card during ejection of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Oguchi
  • Patent number: 6935881
    Abstract: An electric contact coupling for connection of a first group of electric conductors to a second group of electric conductors, and especially for use in the coupling of rail and other vehicles with one another, comprises a first plug contact carrier and a second socket contact carrier which are movable into assembly with one another to bring the plug contact elements of the first contact carrier into electric contact with the socket contact elements of the second contact carrier. The two contact carriers are arranged in respectively associated contact carrier housings. The first contact carrier is movable by a positioning mechanism axially relative to its housing to bring its contacts into engagement with the contacts of the second carrier after the two carrier housings have been brought into engagement with one another. Transversely movable closure members seal the carrier housings against the penetration of dirt and moisture when the carrier housings are uncoupled from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: era-contact GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kainz, Dominik Neuberger, Uwe Ziegler, Gregor Nowak, Frank Moskob, Robert Dost, Jürgen Veit, Bernd Schumann, Robert Austen, Egbert Kurz, Othmar von Berg, Monika Bauer, Klaus Hiller, Bernd Nussbaumer
  • Patent number: 6926548
    Abstract: A circuit card is disclosed. In one embodiment, the circuit card comprises a first connector to connect the circuit card to a first mating connector, a second connector movable between first and second positions, to connect the circuit card to a second mating connector, and a mechanism to move the second connector between the first and second positions along a defined path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Kelly J. Reasoner, Marie Schaub-Jones, legal representative, Ronald L. Ehrlich, David P. Jones, deceased
  • Patent number: 6926551
    Abstract: The invention features novel systems and methods for latching a pluggable transceiver to and unlatching the pluggable transceiver from a cage. In one aspect, a pluggable transceiver includes a housing and a cam. The housing has a front end configured to couple to a transmission cable and a back end configured to be inserted into a cage. The cam is disposed on an exposed outer surface of the transceiver housing and is configured to displace a cage latch and engage a cage slot upon insertion of the transceiver housing into the cage. In another aspect, a cage includes a housing and a latch. The housing has a front end for receiving a pluggable transceiver and defines a slot for engaging a transceiver cam. The latch is disposed at the front end of the cage housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus Schulz, Schelto Van Doorn
  • Patent number: 6881084
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector for the connection of electrical and/or optical systems is described. The system comprises a coupling having a first and a second connector. Each connector (100) comprises an outer sleeve (101) and an insert housing (102). The outer sleeve (101) has an engagement member (103) and the insert housing comprises a substantially cylindrical base portion (104) and a single upstanding portion (105) having a co-operable engagement member (106). The upstanding portion (105) of the insert housing (102) of the first connector is adapted to mate with and form a cylindrical inner sleeve with a corresponding upstanding portion (105) of a second connector. The engagement member (103) is adapted to engage, in use, with the co-operable engagement member (106) of the second connector to which the connector is to be mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventors: Pat Crossan, Kathleen O'Reilly
  • Patent number: 6863538
    Abstract: A plug-in connection device for the self-actuating electrical connection of a motor vehicle trailer to a towing motor vehicle with a socket (D) and a plug (S), which can be disposed on the motor vehicle trailer (for example the plug S) or the towing motor vehicle (for example socket D) During the coupling of the motor vehicle trailer to the towing motor vehicle, socket (D) and plug (S) can be aligned with respect to one another and can be moved by means of a drive (10), developed for example as a piston-cylinder configuration, relative to one another between an advanced connection position and a retracted resting position. Preferably a cover (5) of the socket (D) can be opened by displacing the contact insert (1), bearing contact sleeves (11, 12), in the direction of the connection position with the aid of drive (10). When the contact insert (1) is retracted into the resting position, the cover can be closed again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Erich Jaeger GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Kirstin Mattern, Kurt Rautenberg
  • Patent number: 6840786
    Abstract: The present invention provides a card connector which prevents the retainer fitting from coming off even when the molded base plate is deformed during reflow soldering and which can be reduced in size, height and weight. The card connector includes a shell body and a molded base plate. The molded base plate includes at least a card eject mechanism incorporating a compression coil spring for inserting/ejecting a card and a retainer fitting for holding the card eject mechanism pushed by the compression coil spring. The shell body is formed with at least one engagement hole for engagement with at least one hook portion of the retainer fitting. The retainer fitting includes a horizontal member and a vertical member rising vertically from the horizontal member. The horizontal member and/or vertical member have at least one pair of press-fit projections and one hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sato, Kiyoshi Abe
  • Patent number: 6835083
    Abstract: An actuator including a shape-memory flexible cable with a flexible sheath can be used, by controlling it both electrically and mechanically using the sheath as element for applying a mechanical tensile force. The shape-memory flexible cable is provided with a coating made of synthetic or elastomer material moulded thereon and adherent thereto, which favors rapid return of the shape-memory cable into its resting configuration after its activation both on account of its elastic return and owing to the fact that it favors cooling of the cable. Preferably, the coating is obtained by means of a process of co-extrusion with the shape-memory cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Stefano Alacqua, Francesco Butera
  • Patent number: 6831698
    Abstract: A card slot door locking mechanism including a pair of doors, each of the pair of doors being rotatable between a closed position and an open position, and being biased to the closed position; a pair of open guide surfaces which are formed on each respective door of the pair of doors so that the pair of doors concurrently rotate to the open position when the pair of open guide surfaces are concurrently pushed by the removable card; and a pair of barrier surfaces which are formed on each respective door of the pair of doors so that at least one of the pair doors is prevented from rotating toward the open position when at least one of the pair of barrier surfaces is pushed by an object other than the removable card without pushing the pair of open guide surfaces concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: PENTAX Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Fuchimukai
  • Patent number: 6817879
    Abstract: Various service port configurations for the transfer of fluids, gases and electricity between a service terminal and a vehicle are provided. The service port includes a receptacle and a controller. The receptacle includes a clamp and a clamp actuator for actuating the clamp; a service exchange interface in between the clamp; and sensors inside the receptacle and configured to monitor the position of a plug inside the receptacle. The controller is connected to the sensors and the actuator, and monitors the sensors. When a sensor detects that a plug is in position for engagement, the controller instructs the clamp actuator to move the clamp until the plug is clamped with sufficient force to enable a service to be exchanged. The receptacle and the plug are couplable to either the service port or a vehicle and a service terminal, and both are implementable at a multiplicity of locations on a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: General Hydrogen Corporation
    Inventors: Alan John Mulvenna, David Michael Routtenberg, John David Trevor Graham, William Edward Mufford
  • Patent number: 6805569
    Abstract: An electrical unit including a proximity switch and a cable terminal part the proximity switch has an outside housing and an insulation part, the insulation part being on the end face of the outside housing and the insulation part having a terminal element with terminals which lead to the outside. The terminals of the terminal element lead to the outside are made as terminal sockets, the cable terminal part has a cable and a connecting part, the cable being attached in the connecting part, the connecting part being attached to the insulation part and the ends of the wires of the cable are connected in an electrically conductive manner to the terminal sockets of the terminal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Buck
  • Patent number: 6802723
    Abstract: A locking device for a connector that can be readily adapted to an existing electronics enclosure such as personal computer. Preferably the locking device has one or more sheathing members that form a hollow space for at least partially retaining a connector. The sheathing member has one or more openings connecting the hollow space inside the sheathing member with the space outside of the sheathing member. The openings are adapted to permit the connector to be connected to a mating connector and to provide for at least partial entry of a cable that is associated with the connector. Finally, the sheathing member has one or more projecting members for securing the connector locking device to the electronics enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Jerry Decime, Brenda A. Burget
  • Patent number: 6790061
    Abstract: The present invention provides a two-stage ejection mechanism of card connector which includes a frame, a slider, a slider pin and a spring. The frame forms a cam member. One end of the slider pin engages moveably with the cam member, the other end engages pivotally with the slider, and the spring can act resilience on the slider. In this way, the two-stage ejection mechanism of card connector is provided with a back and forth movement in the course of loading and unloading the card. Moreover, the slider forms directly a spring pin thereon for contacting and pressing elastically the slider pin, which prevents the spring pin and the slider pin from missing engagement. Thereby the two-stage ejection mechanism can simplify the structure and decrease the making and assembling cost for the card connector by means of the improved structure of the spring pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Chun Lai, Chia-Sheng Su
  • Patent number: 6783380
    Abstract: An insertion-force reducing connector assembly and method for mating multi-terminal male and female connectors of the type used in automotive wiring harnesses. The female connector is movably retained in a frame-like holder by a self-actuating force reducing link that automatically couples a male connector inserted into the holder to the female connector with an insertion/withdrawal ratio in which the female connector moves away from the male connector in the terminal-mating direction more slowly than the male connector is inserted, thus allowing the connectors to be coupled over a longer than normal terminal-mating distance and reducing the insertion force needed to mate the terminals. The method includes the steps of coupling the female connector to the holder and subsequently mating the male connector to the female connector in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shashidhar M. Kamath, Bryan D. Cole, David Kwang
  • Patent number: 6780065
    Abstract: A device for electrical connection of a power lead to an electrode, in particular a medical skin electrode, includes a first contact element for plugging onto the contact stud of a first electrode. The first contact element has a first energy-storage or spring element biasing a contact zone of the first contact element into engagement with the contact stud of the first electrode. A second contact element has two clamp jaws for clamping a second electrode. The second contact element can be actuated to open by an actuating element pivotal around an axis, against the action or bias of an energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nicolay Verwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 6776631
    Abstract: A card adapter 1 is provided which may connect/disconnect a card-shaped electronic device and has a chassis 10, a push member 40 disposed in the chassis 10 for pushing a CF card 2, an eject lever 50 movably mounted with respect to the chassis 10, a link arm 60 pivotably mounted on the chassis 10 via a rotation axis 13, and the like. In the card adapter 1, one end of the link arm 60 is linked with the push member 40 via a first linking part 14, and the other end of the link arm 60 is linked with the eject lever 50 via a second linking part, whereby the movement of the eject lever 50 is transmitted to the push member 40 via the link arm 60. According to such a structure, the card adapter 1 can reliably and easily connect and disconnect the CF card 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shimada, Kaname Suwa, Tsuguhide Sakata, Atsushi Nishio, Takashi Kawasaki, Kazuhiro Okazaki
  • Patent number: 6765792
    Abstract: A docking station that accepts a portable computing device is disclosed. The docking station comprises a first surface that supports a bottom surface of the portable computing device. The first surface includes a means for restricting the movement of the portable computing device. The docking station additionally includes a body or a trunk that interfaces the portable computing device with an external device. The docking station additionally includes a hinge which joins the first surface to the body or trunk, in which the hinge permits the portable computing device to be rotated between a horizontal and a vertical orientation as well as various acute angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Memphis Zhihong Yin, Glen A Oross
  • Patent number: 6712638
    Abstract: A communication device is provided for use with a handheld computer. The communication device includes an electrical connector and a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism is configured to direct a housing portion of the handheld computer towards the electrical connector so as to create an active contact between the electrical connector and a connector of the handheld computer. Alternatively, the coupling mechanism is configured to resist separation of the handheld computer from the communication device so as to maintain an electrical contact between connectors of the handheld computer and the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: palmOne, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Fisher, Cheri Nola Leonard
  • Publication number: 20040053528
    Abstract: An electric contact coupling for connection of a first group of electric conductors to a second group of electric conductors, and especially for use in the coupling of rail and other vehicles with one another, comprises a first plug contact carrier and a second socket contact carrier which are movable into assembly with one another to bring the plug contact elements of the first contact carrier into electric contact with the socket contact elements of the second contact carrier. The two contact carriers are arranged in respectively associated contact carrier housings. The first contact carrier is movable by a positioning mechanism axially relative to its housing to bring its contacts into engagement with the contacts of the second carrier after the two carrier housings have been brought into engagement with one another. Transversely movable closure members seal the carrier housings against the penetration of dirt and moisture when the carrier housings are uncoupled from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: era-contact GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Kainz, Dominik Neuberger, Uwe Ziegler, Gregor Nowak, Frank Moskob, Robert Dost, Jurgen Veit, Bernd Schumann, Robert Austen, Egbert Kurz, Othmar von Berg, Monika Bauer, Klaus Hiller, Bernd Nussbaumer
  • Publication number: 20030228805
    Abstract: A device for electrical connection of a power lead to an electrode, in particular a medical skin electrode, includes a first contact element for plugging onto the contact stud of a first electrode. The first contact element has a first energy-storage or spring element biasing a contact zone of the first contact element into engagement with the contact stud of the first electrode. A second contact element has two clamp jaws for clamping a second electrode. The second contact element can be actuated to open by an actuating element pivotal around an axis, against the action or bias of an energy storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Dieter Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20030226255
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a housing for electronic parts, such as isolators, or the like, with as small non-plated portions as possible, which housing is obtained by separating a housing part from a metallic housing part support with the housing part connected to a frame through connections, the method comprising the steps of cutting off and removing the connections after provisional connections of a resin are formed on the housing part support to connect the frame to the housing part, and obtaining the housing for electronic parts by removing the provisional connections after plating is applied to surfaces of the housing part including cut portions of the connections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Akira Sakai
  • Patent number: 6660950
    Abstract: A switch box (named a security switch) comprises a housing with a manually and/or automatically activated ON/OFF switch for a phone and/or data line connected through the switch box. A user can disconnect his computer from the Internet to eliminate hacking when the computer is not in use. A simple push/pull lever moves any available type of male/female plug from a connect to a disconnect mode. A multi-wire version is shown. A future advanced electronic filter is shown which automatically replaces confidential data like a social security number with a set of dummy data while browsing on the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Danilo E. Fonseca
  • Patent number: 6655978
    Abstract: The invention relates to a male connector (13) for being connected to a female connector (1) whose female connector housing (2), on the outer face (9) of same, comprises an engaging lug (10). The male connector (13) comprises a male connector housing (14) with a resilient locking arm (22) with engaging means (23) and with releasing faces (27) near the end of the locking arm (22) which is remote from the engaging means (23). The male connector (13) is associated with a slide (30) which is held on the male connector (13) so as to be axially displaceable relative thereto to a limited extent. In the locking position, the slide (30) prevents the locking arm (22) from being deflected and releases the locking arm (22) in a position deviating from the locking position. Pressure springs (37) which are supported on the male connector housing (14) and on the slide (30) load the slide (30) to enable same to assume its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Europe Ltd.
    Inventors: Harald Michael Lutsch, Ranko Resman, Dalibor Krivohlavec
  • Patent number: 6652306
    Abstract: An operating lever (23) can be swung to and positioned at three positions, that is, a connected position where terminals (25) are connected respectively to terminals in a power receiving-side connector (30), a provisionally-retained position where the connection of the terminals (25) to the respective terminals in the power receiving-side connector (30) is canceled, and a canceled position where the connection of the terminals (25) to the respective terminals in the power receiving-side connector (30) is canceled, and the retaining of a casing (22) on the power receiving-side connector (30) by lock arms (26) is canceled. A lever stopper (24) positions the operating lever (23) relative to the casing (22), or cancels the positioning of the operating lever (23) relative to the casing (22) by the gripping of the lever stopper in the operation of the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Karamatsu, Shigeo Mori
  • Publication number: 20030216075
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first cable contact with a mating surface and a retaining surface, a housing, a retaining device, and at least one groove. The housing defines a first passage for receiving the first cable contact, a second passage for mating with a portion of a second cable contact, and an opening which extends to one end of the first passage. The retaining device is mounted in the first passage and engages with at least a portion of the retaining surface of the first cable contact to detachably retain the first cable contact in the first passage. The groove is formed in the retaining surface of the first cable contact. The opening in the housing is in communication with the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Craig Harold Baker, Danna Anthony Mancini, Urs Felix Nager
  • Patent number: 6648662
    Abstract: A connector is mounted in a connector holder. A test section is moved toward the connector holder by turning a driving mechanism. When probes of the test section come into contact with terminals secured in a housing of the connector mounted in the connector holder, the connector is tested for continuity. If an overload force is applied to the probes during a continuity test, predetermined load breakaway members supporting rear ends of the probes are broken and the probes are moved backward away from the terminals, thereby preventing damage to the terminals or the probes. It is possible to carry out the continuity test again by exchanging the broken breakaway members with new ones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shinzou, Eiji Fudoo
  • Patent number: 6648660
    Abstract: The present invention provides a card connector which prevents the retainer fitting from coming off even when the molded base plate is deformed during reflow soldering and which can be reduced in size, height and weight. The card connector includes a shell body and a molded base plate. The molded base plate includes at least a card eject mechanism incorporating a compression coil spring for inserting/ejecting a card and a retainer fitting for holding the card eject mechanism pushed by the compression coil spring. The shell body is formed with at least one engagement hole for engagement with at least one hook portion of the retainer fitting. The retainer fitting includes a horizontal member and a vertical member rising vertically from the horizontal member. The horizontal member and/or vertical member have at least one pair of press-fit projections and one hook portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaichi Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Sato, Kiyoshi Abe
  • Publication number: 20030207604
    Abstract: A module connector assembly includes a mounting apparatus, and at least one module assembly coupled with a portion of the mounting apparatus, where the at least one module assembly includes a plurality of electronic components that are coupled to the module assembly. The module connector assembly further includes one or more shuttle assemblies coupled with the module assembly with a shuttle cable. The module connector assembly further includes at least one flexible circuit cable assembly and/or a twin axial cable assembly electrically coupled with one or more of the shuttle assemblies. Optionally, the shuttle cable includes one or more metal layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Burger, Bradley J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030162430
    Abstract: A connector is mounted in a connector holder. A test section is moved toward the connector holder by turning a driving mechanism. When probes of the test section come into contact with terminals secured in a housing of the connector mounted in the connector holder, the connector is tested for continuity. If an overload force is applied to the probes during a continuity test, predetermined load breakaway members supporting rear ends of the probes are broken and the probes are moved backward away from the terminals, thereby preventing damage to the terminals or the probes. It is possible to carry out the continuity test again by exchanging the broken breakaway members with new ones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Shinzou, Eiji Fudoo
  • Patent number: 6592388
    Abstract: A spring-biased electrical connector permits the connector to be moved into a retracted position for installation and removal of the components to which the connector is attached, and then extended to form an electrical connection with its mating connector. The spring-biased connector may be secured in electrical connection with its mating connector. Such a spring-biased connector is particularly useful for connecting a control relay to a network protector, although not limited to such use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Meiners, Arthur J. Jur, Douglas M. Brandt, Stephen W. Oneufer, Michael F. Magazine
  • Patent number: 6572391
    Abstract: A first connector (3) includes: a first housing (12); and a pair of rotary members (13) supported on the first housing (12) for rotating in opposite directions to each other. Rotary members (13) each include: a first engagement member (21, 22); and a second connector (4) configured to be mated with the first connector (3). The second connector (4) includes a second housing (27) configured to be mated with the first housing (12). The second housing (27) includes a pair of first mating engagement members (36). First mating engagement members (36) are each configured to be abutted on the first engagement member for rotating a rotary member (13) and to be locked with the first engagement member (21, 22). The second housing (27) includes a pair of cuts (35). Cuts (35) each are for inserting the rotary member (13) thereinto when the rotary member (13) rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Mochizuki, Kentaro Nagai
  • Patent number: 6543965
    Abstract: An underwater cable branching apparatus has an elongate cable junction housing for positioning in line between two cables for installation underwater. The housing has through bores at each end for receiving the ends of respective first and second cables, and the cables are each terminated at a respective connector in the housing for releasably connecting the two cable ends together. Each connector is pivotally and retractably mounted in the housing by a respective pivotal linkage, such that the connectors can be separated and rotated upwardly out of the housing by an ROV for selective connection to other cables in an underwater network, to permit branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Ocean Design, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Toth, Ronald Gerald Wayne
  • Patent number: 6544061
    Abstract: In an electrical connector of the present invention, a cover is mounted on a main body in such a manner as to be rotatable around a shaft and is rotatably connected with a slider at a position thereof shifted from the shaft. A connection object, e. g., memory module, is detachable supported by the slider. When the cover is rotated, the slider is moved reciprocally with respect to contacts arranged in the main body in association with the rotation of the cover, so that the memory module can be connected with the contacts. By virtue of this, the loading or unloading of the memory module can be simplified and also the connector or the memory module can be prevented from being damaged or deformed during the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaori Yasufuku, Taiji Hosaka, Masaaki Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 6544062
    Abstract: An array of coaxial cable connectors includes a generally cylindrical-shaped first female member with an inner surface having at least one set of left-hand threads adapted to engage complementary threads on a first male port. A generally cylindrical-shaped second female member has an inner surface including at least one set of right-hand threads adapted to engage complementary threads on a second male port. A mounting member allows for rotation of each of the first and second female members about their respective longitudinal axes while maintaining a portion of the outer surface of the first female member (preferably configured as a gear) in contact with a portion of the outer surface of the second female member (preferably configured as a complementary gear). In operation, rotation of the first female member about its longitudinal axis results in a corresponding rotation of the second female member about its longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Huber & Suhner, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Whitcomb Loveless, Thomas Peter Dix
  • Patent number: 6537083
    Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting the circuit paths on a printed circuit board to another printed circuit board. A casing has a flexible electrical connector positioned under it and coupled to a plurality of electrodes. The flexible electrical connector has conductive traces thereon. The flexible electrical connector extends around the casing, enters the top of the casing and terminates on electrodes in an intermediate circuit board. Individual shuttle flex strips are coupled to the intermediate circuit board and have traces thereon that are coupled to electrodes of the intermediate circuit board. The shuttle flex strips are coupled to a plurality of shuttles that can be moved forward to engage conductive pins in a receiver housing positioned on a second circuit board. In this way, the signal paths from one circuit board are coupled to another circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Yatskov, Stephen V. R. Hellriegel
  • Patent number: 6530802
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a headshell with a first connector for terminating a plurality of electrical leads intended for mechanical and electrical connection with a mating second connector. An elongated latch member is freely received within a passage which extends between front and rear faces of the headshell and has first and second lateral sidewalls, the latch member being simultaneously movable by an external actuator longitudinally and laterally between a first retracted position interfering with connection of the first and second mating connectors and a second advanced position enabling connection of the first and second connectors. When returned to the first position, a grapnel blade on the latch member becomes lockingly engaged with a housing for the second connector. In this condition, the first and second connectors are mechanically and electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Louis Letourneau