Rearwardly Extending Finger Patents (Class 439/354)
  • Patent number: 5773332
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying signals between a communications card and a signal utilization device or network. In one form, structures are provided for receiving an RJ series plug and for making electrical connection with at the contacts on the plug and conveying any signals on the contacts to a communications device such as a telephone, facsimile machine, modem, or a local area network adapter. A body includes one or more recesses which receive the plug. An expandable and stretchable membrane isolates the contacts in the plug from electrical contact with an object in a surrounding environment such that passage of current from one or more of the electrical contacts to an object present in the surrounding environment is prevented. Also provided is a replaceable direct access arrangement which is replaceably held within the communications device. Both the structures providing the receptacles and the direct access arrangement are easily removable in case of damage or if other functions are desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Xircom, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Glad
  • Patent number: 5743755
    Abstract: The first connector includes a first connector housing and a second connector housing movable to and from said first connector housing, and the second connector includes a third connector housing to be coupled with the second housing. The first connector housing incorporates a connection terminal, said second connector housing incorporates a movable contact piece arranged within a terminal chamber and slidably coupled with said connection terminal, and the third terminal incorporates an electrical contact piece to be electrically connected to said movable contact piece. The first connector is mounted on a first mounting module, and the second connector is mounted on the second mounting module. The first mounting module and the second mounting module are coupled with each other. When the second connector housing is moved toward the third connector housing of the second connector, electrical connection between both connectors and fixing of the coupled mounting modules can be simultaneously carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Aoki
  • Patent number: 5727962
    Abstract: A modular plug connector that achieves category five cross talk performance is constructed with an array of substantially planar conductor positioning channels that position individual conductors for termination by a plurality of flat insulation displacement contacts. A plurality of conductor termination slots are formed parallel to and communicating with every other one of the conductor positioning channels such that insertion of insulation displacement contacts during termination of the contacts to the conductors forces every other conductor into a respective slot offsetting or staggering adjacent conductors. The modular plug is provided with a latch arm that includes a free end that extends downwardly toward a top wall of the connector to terminate in close proximity to the surface of the connector or extends into a depression in the surface of the connector to prevent snagging or tangling of the latch arm with other connectors or surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventors: Jack E. Caveney, Royal O. Jenner, Russell A. Vanderhoof
  • Patent number: 5711684
    Abstract: A female connector housing 11 has a locking arm 30 integrally moulded thereon, the locking arm 30 having a fitting projection 31. A male connector housing 21 has a fitting hole 24 formed on hood member 22 thereof. Two slots 34 are formed on either side of the fitting projection 31 so as to extend along the longitudinal direction of the locking arm 30. The locking arm 30 is thus partitioned into a fitting arm member 35 which includes the fitting projection 31, and two supporting arm members 36 which are formed on both sides thereof. The foot members 36a of the supporting arm members 36 are thicker than the foot member 35a of the fitting arm member 35, and thus the engagement load of the arm 30 is large, but the projection 35a is nevertheless relatively easy to disengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Inoue, Hiroyuki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5697816
    Abstract: A cable connector used to connecting between a portable communication device and an exterior charger apparatus . The cable connector has a number of contact arranged in a same plane but soldering positions of such contacts are located in different planes that are spaced apart by a larger distance. The contacts are divided into two groups of different contact structures disposed in the housing in an alternate arrangement so that the soldering portion of each contact has a larger space apart from that of the adjacent contacts, and the soldering process of contacts is convenient for manufacturer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun-Tsan Wu
  • Patent number: 5674088
    Abstract: A connector for releasably securing electrical terminals which includes a body having a first cavity in which an electrical terminal may be selectively received and a second cavity in which a spacer member may be slidingly received. The spacer member is engageable with a retention element formed along a first partition separating the first and second cavities so as to urge the retention element into engagement with a terminal selectively seated within the first cavity. The spacer member is also retained by a separate retention element in different portions within the second cavity dependent upon the proper seating of a terminal within the first cavity. The connector further includes a housing in which the body may be selectively received and quickly released by a yieldable retention element extending along an outer portion of the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Inventors: Peter Roche, Eduardo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 5628649
    Abstract: A lock detecting structure of connector comprises: a male connector housing (100) formed with a deformable lock arm (105) having a lock projection (112), and with two slider stoppers (150); a female connector housing (200) mated with the male connector housing (100) and formed with a lock claw (210) engaged with the lock projection of the male connector housing, and a slider release projection (206); and a slider (300) slidable inserted into the male connector housing (100) and stopped at a temporary engage position due to engagement of the slider with the lock projection (112) and the two slider stoppers (150) of the male connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sakai Yagi, Masanori Tsuji, Keishi Jinno
  • Patent number: 5613869
    Abstract: Disclosed is a modular connector for a communication line. The inventive connector includes a body having a terminal side for inserting into a corresponding jack and a cable side for fastening to an end of the communication line. The connector also includes a spring-biased tab which has a first end connected to the terminal side of the body and a second free end. The tab has a pair of oppositely extending locking shoulders spaced from the free end of the resilient tab. The tab is movable for operatively engaging and disengaging the locking shoulders with corresponding internal abutting surfaces within the jack to secure and release the connector from the jack. A guard extends from the cable side of the body towards the terminal side of the body. At least a portion of the second free end of the tab is covered by a section of the guard for preventing the tab from catching another communication line or other object when its associated line is removed from the jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Ron Erlich, Charles Thayer
  • Patent number: 5609498
    Abstract: A connector system includes a plug connector that latches to a receptacle connector when mated thereto, and which discourages unqualified personnel from unlatching the connectors to unmate them. The plug connector has a pair of narrow release passages (64, 66, FIG. 3) for receiving small rods (60, 62) of a release tool, the plug connector having a thin breakable barrier (70, 72) near the top of each passage. Unqualified mechanics hesitate to break the barriers, and even when the barriers are broken there are only small passages for viewing the latching mechanism. A pair of pin contacts (20, 22, FIG. 14) of the receptacle connector, are connected together until the two connectors are mated, by the use of a wire conductor (210) that has a portion that is wound into a coil (212) that is forced over one pin contact, the coil having an arm (216) that presses against the other pin contact. A bent metal strip contact having one end (90, FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Z. Muzslay
  • Patent number: 5595501
    Abstract: A sliding case mounting device including two sliding case mounting rails fixed to two opposite long sides of a rectangular sliding case for permitting it to be installed in two tracks inside a mainframe, each sliding case mounting rail having two horizontal projecting plug rods perpendicularly disposed at two opposite ends at an outer side and respectively plugged into respective mounting holes on one lateral side of the sliding case, a circularly arched tip at one end for insertion into one track of the mainframe, two outward hooks perpendicularly disposed at two opposite ends at an outer side and hooked in respective mounting holes at the bottom side of the sliding case, a front extension strip, an inward hook raised from the front extension strip at an inner side for hooking in a respective retaining hole inside the mainframe, and a press portion at one end of the front extension strip for pressing by hand to release the inward hook from the respective retaining hole on the mainframe for permitting the sli
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Hsin C. Ho
  • Patent number: 5591042
    Abstract: A connector assembly with a bad-connection-preventive function is disclosed. It is simple in structure, made up of a small number of parts, and has high long-term reliability. It has a second connector having an integral locking arm and a first connector. Protrusions A and B are formed on side faces of the locking arm and the side faces of the first connector, respectively. A spring is mounted in the first connector. By inserting the second connector into the first connector, the locking arm is pushed upward by the protrusions B, so that its shoulder portion abuts the spring. Thus, the spring is compressed when the second connector is further pushed into the first connector. The connectors are thus urged in a direction away from each other by the spring. The spring disengages when the connectors are completely coupled together. When pulling the second connector out of the first connector, the protrusions A pass under the protrusions B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Takata, Satoshi Takano, Nori Inoue, Mitsuru Itoh, Hitoshi Okumura, Masaji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5584719
    Abstract: A lock release structure of a connector (23) for locking a male connector (21) with a female connector (27) having a lock portion (51) includes: a lock arm (33) formed in an outer surface of the male connector and having a lock projection (49) engaged with the lock portion (51) of the female connector when both the male and female connectors are locked with each other; and two lock release operation walls (39) formed on both sides of a free end (35) of the lock arm (33). Each of the lock release operation walls is formed with an inner lock engagement release surface (43) brought into contact with one of two free end side surfaces (37) of the lock arm, when the lock release operation walls are depress toward each other, to deform the lock arm by a predetermined distance and thereby to release the lock projection of the lock arm from the lock portion (51) of the female connector. The lock arm can be prevented from being released by an inadvertent external force and is protected from an excessive external force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Tsuji, Motohisa Kashiyama, Takuya Kitamura
  • Patent number: 5554042
    Abstract: A resilient body electrical connector is shaped and dimensioned to define at least one mating interface parallel to a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of electrical conductors is disposed with each having a portion embedded in the connector body, and each having a respective contact point protruding from the connector body, the contact points being disposed in a contact plane parallel to the mating interface. A receptacle is configured to slidably receive the mating interface along a complementary receiving interface. A second corresponding plurality of electrical conductors are embedded in the receptacle and define respective contact faces disposed along the complementary receiving interface. The connector and receptacle are shaped and dimensioned such that they define a guide means, the guide means being configured to guide the connector as it is inserted longitudinally into the receptacle such that the contact surfaces slidably receive the contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation, Limited
    Inventor: Valentine L. Denninger
  • Patent number: 5545052
    Abstract: An electrical connector has an electrically insulating member for holding therein a plurality of laterally arranged longitudinally elongated electrical contacts, a metallic shell arranged in a pair of split halves to be fitted together to contain therebetween the electrically insulating member, and a resinous cover to cover the metallic shell. One of the halves of the metallic shell has a pair of resilient means provided on a front end of the metallic shell, each of the resilient members having an outwardly projecting engaging piece which is disposed in such a portion as is outside the resinous cover. The resinous cover has a pair of flexible portions which are so arranged as to urge the resilient means inwards when pressed towards each other, whereby the engaging pieces are also moved towards each other. Each of the resilient means has a projecting piece which extends from a front side wall portion thereof towards the electrically insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuji Hirai
  • Patent number: 5507666
    Abstract: A lock securing mechanism for securing mutual fitting of connectors for use in, e.g., connecting electric wires to each other is provided which can surely sense a half-fitted condition between connector housings and prevent troubles due to incomplete fitting. A lock arm is provided in a male housing, and a lock securing member having flexible latch fingers is attached to the male housing in a temporarily engaged condition where the flexible latch fingers are positioned to extend along the lock arm and also abut with the lock arm. A female housing has engagement releasing drive sticks which function to move the flexible latch fingers upward to release the temporary engagement between the male housing and the lock securing member so that the lock securing member can be moved into a completely engaged condition, when both the housings are fitted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Yamanashi
  • Patent number: 5496190
    Abstract: Electrical connector casings comprising a female casing member and a male casing member the male casing member, wherein includes an inclined elastic bar fastened at a point partway along its length to an abutment and the female casing member has a passage adapted to receive the elastic bar. Partway along the length of this passage is a projection on the path of the abutment and having, on the side facing the opening of the female casing member, a steep edge joining at right angles to a part joining at right angles a .retaining steep edge which, with the abutment, locks the two casing members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Connecteurs Cinch
    Inventors: Jean Ittah, Thierry Badaroux
  • Patent number: 5409395
    Abstract: A flexible arm with a locking ramp is mounted on a plug connector in a resiliently swingable manner. The locking ramp abuts against a locking latch formed on the receptacle connector when the plug unit is inserted in the socket hole formed in a receptacle. Further pressing of the plug unit causes the locking latch to press down the locking ramp so that the plug and receptacle units are perfectly disengaged from each other until the peak of the locking ramp exceeds the bottom of the locking latch. Thus, the connector is forcibly and automatically re-set at a pre-engagement position where the terminals are non-conductive when the connector is not completely engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Okada
  • Patent number: 5391090
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for connectors that permits easy unlocking of the mating connector housings comprising: a resilient locking arm and resilient auxiliary locking pieces, both provided at one of mating connector housings; locking projections provided at the locking arm, the locking projections including: a tapered engagement guide surface sloping upwardly from the front toward the rear and a lock-engagement surface at the rear end of the locking projections; engagement projections provided at the auxiliary locking pieces with longitudinally extending tapered guide surfaces; an engagement frame provided at the other connector housing to receive the advancing locking arm and auxiliary locking pieces, the engagement frame including lock-engagement projections to engage with the locking projections and engagement portions for engaging with the engagement projections; and an unlocking operation portion provided at the locking arm of the first connector housing, the unlocking operation portions projecting from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Michael M. Power
  • Patent number: 5389006
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing, quick release latches, and a hood. The hood allows an electrical cable to exit the hood in three different directions. The quick release latches are located on opposite ends of the housing and allow the connector to be easily snap-lock connected to a second connector and easily released from the second connector by depressing the latches. The use of the hood, the size and shape of the housing, and the simplicity of the latches combine to provide a lightweight connector that can be used in aircrafts for entertainment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventor: Rocco J. Noschese
  • Patent number: 5374777
    Abstract: Insertion of plug-in connections connected with cables of a first electric switch in a correspondingly shaped component of a second electric switch, so that the plug-in connections of the first electric switch and the plug-in connections of the second one can easily be connected to the motor vehicle electric network by a single counterplug eliminates the need for a separate plug housing for the plug-in connections of the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric
    Inventor: Georg Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5332306
    Abstract: A pair of disk drives are mounted in a compact side-by-side relationship in two adjacent bays of an internal sheet metal computer housing chassis using a snap-in mounting system including two opposing pairs of parallel sheet metal guide channel members snapped into place within specially configured openings in parallel bay walls of the chassis, and pairs of elongated plastic retainer members secured to and longitudinally extending along opposite sides of the disk drives. To quickly mount the disk drives within their chassis bays, each retainer member pair is simply pushed rearwardly into and longitudinally through an associated opposing pair of the guide channel members until the disk drive reaches its operating position within its chassis bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Babb, Roberta M. Madsen
  • Patent number: 5320555
    Abstract: Disclosed is a connector assembly, which includes a plurality of male housing modules which are separable from each other and attached together to form a male housing unit; and a female housing adapted to receive the male housing unit to be inserted into the female housing. Each of the male housing modules has at least one male housing module's terminal, and the female housing has female housing's terminals each of which is to be electrically connected with one of the male housing module's terminals of the male housing modules. The connector assembly has a locking mechanism for releasably locking the male housing unit with respect to the female housing, and the locking means is mounted on an outermost one of the male housing modules. Moreover, the connector assembly comprises a holding mechanism for tightly holding the outermost one of the male housing modules with respect to another one of the male housing modules attached adjacent to the outermost one of the male housing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Okabe
  • Patent number: 5295855
    Abstract: A positive connector latch to be used on a connector resiliently engagable with a corresponding structure on a matable connector. The latch includes a latch assembly formed of a connector housing having at least one external surface, and a cantilevered latching beam extending therefrom. The latching beam has a latching member disposed thereon for engagement with the corresponding structure of the matable connector, the latching beam being resiliently deflectable in a direction toward the housing to release the latching member from the corresponding structure. An elastomeric pressure pad is associated with the latch assembly and disposed between the latching beam and the housing to resiliently bias the latching beam into positive connection with the corresponding structure, while not interfering with normal function of the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Electro-Wire Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald C. Walz
  • Patent number: 5273453
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for achieving positive latching in a fully mated condition. The assembly includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector has at least one latch arm resiliently deflectable about two angularly aligned axes of deflection. The second connector includes a cam disposed for engagement with the latch arm during mating of the connectors and for deflecting the latch arm about a first of the two axes of deflection into a latching condition in response to full mating of the connectors. The second connector includes a housing for enclosing the latch arm inside the housing when the connectors are fully mated. Access is provided to the latch arm of the first connector from outside the housing of the second connector whereby the latch arm can be deflected about a second of the two axes of deflection to enable disengagement of the latch arm from the cam for facilitating unmating of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Lorenzo Manassero, Uwe Schwarz
  • Patent number: 5262923
    Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to the side of a disc drive for mounting the disc drive into a computer consists of a rectangular body having a connector member on one end. The connector member is bent to enable it to resiliently move relative to the body. Grounding tabs disposed on the body are bent up from the body to enable them to resiliently move relative thereto, and their tips are bent down to facilitate smooth installation and removal of the disc drive. A protruding latch member and stopping flap are disposed on the connector end. A secondary stop is disposed on the end of the body opposite the connector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Tandon Corporation
    Inventors: Krishan K. Batta, Gene Bejer, Ghodratollah Shakibai
  • Patent number: 5246380
    Abstract: A connector comprising a female-type connector and a male-type connector which is inserted into and fitted in said female-type connector is disclosed. The connector includes a flexible locking arm provided on said male-type connector, a locking portion provided on the flexible locking arm, a lock-engaging portion formed in the female-type connector so as to be engaged with the locking portion, and a holding means for maintaining a state in which the locking arm is bent when in a lock-disengaging state in which the locking portion is disengaged from the lock-engaging portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinji Kodama
  • Patent number: 5234357
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for an electrical connector includes a pair of extended sections (41) each having a lock projection (48) for engagement with a lock hole (5) of a mating electrical connector; a linking arm (44) for connecting said extended sections; a pair of press-fit portions (43) with a metal fitting engaging projection (45) for engagement With a press-fit groove 32) of an insulation housing (30); and a pair of U-shaped sections (42) for connecting said extended sections and said press-fit sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5232378
    Abstract: Electrical plug-in connection includes two plug parts to be coupled. Each plug part has a plug housing with a contact element carrier arranged therein, which contact element carrier is outfitted with contact elements and is produced from electrically insulating material. One plug part has an axially parallel pawl with a ratchet, and the housing of the other plug part has an undercut cooperating with this ratchet in the manner of a locking bar. The pawl carrying the ratchet is cut out of and free from the outer surface area of the plug housing by two notches extending substantially axially parallel at a distance from one another and a notch extending transversely relative to the latter. The substantially axially parallel notches extend along a first housing portion to be received by the other plug part and along an adjoining second housing portion. The second housing portion has an outer diameter which is larger than that of the first housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Neutrik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Weingartner
  • Patent number: 5230636
    Abstract: In a terminal protection type connector in which a flexible locking arm for locking a female connector housing is provided on a male connector housing, and the elastic contacts of terminals accommodated in the male connector housing are exposed through openings formed in the latter, a terminal protecting member is slidably mounted on the male connector housing in such a manner that said terminal protecting member covers the openings and engages with the flexible locking arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Masuda, Hiroshi Yamamoto, Hitoshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 5219300
    Abstract: The connector consists of a male connector housing with a resilient locking arm, a terminal locking member mounted to the rear of the male connector housing in two steps, i.e., a preliminarily engaged state and a fully engaged state, and a stopper provided to the terminal locking member. In the fully engaged state, the stopper is located below a control portion of the resilient locking arm. When the male connector housing is unlocked from a female connector housing, the stopper comes into contact with the resilient locking arm to prevent an excessive displacement of the locking arm and keep the locking arm free from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sakai Yagi, Masanori Tsuji, Motohisa Kashiyama
  • Patent number: 5203715
    Abstract: A connector includes a first housinng and a second housing fitted to each other. The first housing has an engaging portion and the second housing has an elastic lock arm. The front end in an inserting direction of the elastic lock arm is integally connected to the second housing. The elastic lock arm extends in the inserting direction, which rear end in the inserting direction forms a free end. A lock projection is integrally formed on the elastic lock arm. The lock projection engages the engaging portion to be depressed by the engaging portion when fitting the second housing to the first housing, and has a first sliding face sliding on the engaging portion when depressed by the engaging portion. The first sliding face is formed such that an inclination angle thereof is substantially the same as a maximum bending angle of the elastic lock arm. The lock projection has a second sliding face disposed on a front side of the first sliding face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5194016
    Abstract: Connection-condition checkable connectors to be electrically interconnected are provided with a pair of connector members to be interconnected. One of the connector members is provided with a cantilever-like resilient detection arm extending in a longitudinal axis which is coincident with a line along which the connector members are moved to be interconnected. In order to resiliently deform the detection arm in connecting operation so as to move the same temporarily in a direction substantially perpendicular to the line, and then to permit the detection arm to return to its original position, the detection arm has a projection and the other of the connector members has a counter projection. A plurality of detection marks are provided for the detection arm and the other of the connector members so as to be arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hatagishi, Naoto Taguchi
  • Patent number: 5190467
    Abstract: One of the mating connector housings has a locking arm and the other connector housing has an engagement sleeve that receives the locking arm. The locking arm rises through a base at the front outer circumference of the first housing and extends axially rearwardly. The locking arm has guide means formed at the base. The engagement sleeve has engagement groove means formed in side walls thereof that extend axially from the front opening toward the rear and which receives the guide means. When the paired connector housings are connected together, the guide means of the locking arm are received into the engagement groove means in the engagement sleeve to prevent the weak portion of the connector housing formed with the locking arm from being deformed, thus providing a good locking feel and also an adequate engagement stroke. This makes the complete connection of the connector housings easily verifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Ohta
  • Patent number: 5183410
    Abstract: A connector assembly including a pair of connector housing in which the force of repulsion of a spring which is provided to prevent the incomplete engagement of the connector housings is eliminated when the connector housings are locked to each other. The connector assembly includes a male connector housing (B) including a movable striking member (C) and a female connector housing (A) with a flexible lock arm (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Mitsuhiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 5174717
    Abstract: A wiring harness is provided with connectors which are electrically and physically attached to terminal wires extending from the electrical resistance deicer heater and cables extending from a power supply so that the connectors when assembled, establish the desired electrical connection, the assembled connectors being secured to a bracket fastened to the hub of a propeller, blade with a portion of the bracket being engageable with the assembled connector bodies to hold the connectors in assembled position on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Safeway Products Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin N. Moore
  • Patent number: 5173059
    Abstract: An electrical connector consisting of a connector socket (1) having a rectangular socket block (3) and a connector plug (2) having a rectangular plug block (13). The rectangular socket block includes a pair of lock recesses (8) on opposite sides thereof, each having a pair of lock shoulders (9, 10) and a cutout (11) in a front portion thereof; and a pair of sloped surfaces (12) in opposite front sides thereof. The rectangular plug block includes a pair of lock arms (14) having a base portion (15a) extending backwardly from front ends of opposite sides of the plug block and a front portion (15b) extending backwardly and outwardly from the base portion, the base portions having a pair of lock projections (18, 19); a pair of lock arm receiving recesses (20) formed on opposite sides of the plug block; and a pair of end projections (21) extending outwardly from a rear end of the plug block to define an end of the lock arm receiving recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Sato, Naohisa Nakata
  • Patent number: 5169336
    Abstract: A connector comprises a female connector member and a male connector member adapted to be fitted in the female connector member. An angularly moving arm is provided which is pivotably supported by the female connector member. The angularly moving arm is engaged with the male connector member. A detecting section is provided on the angularly moving arm and has a perforation. A reflecting section is provided on the male connector member. The reflecting section is so arranged as to be opposed to the detecting section under a condition that the angularly moving member is engaged with the male connector member. In a preferred embodiment, the detecting section includes a plurality of slits each of which has a predetermined width and which constitute a bar code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Taguchi
  • Patent number: 5169329
    Abstract: A connector for electrically interconnecting first terminals and second terminals connected respectively to wirings is disclosed. The connector is capable of detecting a fitted condition between the first and second terminals by a fitted-condition detector. The connector includes a first connector element and a second connector element. The first connector element has a connector body. The first terminals are retained by the connector body. The first connector element is fitted in the second connector element, and the second connector element retains the second terminals fitted with respect to the first terminals. A flexible lock arm is provided integrally on the first connector element. A space is defined between the lock arm and the connector body. An engaging portion is formed on the second connector element. The lock arm is engaged with the engaging portion when the first connector element and the second connector element are perfectly fitted in each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Naoto Taguchi
  • Patent number: 5163848
    Abstract: In an incomplete fitting prevention connector, when female and male housings are completely fitted together, a lock arm provided on one of housings is engaged in a retaining hole provided in the other. A fitting confirmation member is beforehand retained in the retaining hole, and since the lock arm enters the retaining hole, at least part of the fitting confirmation member is projected outwardly from the retaining hole. Therefore, the complete fitting can be confirmed from the exterior. After this confirmation, the fitting confirmation member can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Maeda, Naoto Taguchi, Kiyohito Fukuda
  • Patent number: 5104253
    Abstract: Locking a cable socket to a cable plug in a cable assembly is affected by integrally molding a lock assembly to the socket and plug housings. A pair of overstress brackets of the socket housing prevent a resilient latch of the lock assembly from breaking if excessive force is used to move the latch from a catch post mounted on the plug housing. Also, the overstressed brackets are formed in a manner that permits a single molding operation when forming the socket housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Zielinski, Paul W. Geyer
  • Patent number: 5100339
    Abstract: An electrical connector structure (1) includes a connector socket (2) having a plug receiving opening (4) and a lock recess (5); a connector plug (3) having a plug block (13) to be fitted into the plug receiving opening for making electrical connection; a lock mechanism (14) provided on a front surface (13a) of the connector plug for engagement with the lock recess for assuring the connection; the lock mechanism including a lock arm (15) with its free end (15a) having a slit (17); and a key member (20) extending into the slit from the front surface of the plug block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensaku Sato, Akira Shirai
  • Patent number: 5044982
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multicontact, sealed electrical connector assembly, having a pair of matable housing members of the type for mounting on a support plate, where each housing member is provided with a plurality through cavities for containing a contact member matable with a complementary contact member secured within a corresponding cavity in the other housing member. More precisely, the invention is characterized in that the support plate is provided with a pair of inserts extending therethrough, and each housing member is provided with a flexible arm adapted to engage said insert in the mated position for the housing members and complementary contact members. Additional features thereof include the provision of a secondary locking mechanism for the mated housing members, a secondary locking mechanism for securing the contact members with the cavities, and means for sealing same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Carlo Bertini
  • Patent number: 5041025
    Abstract: A keying arrangement for interconnectable components is disclosed. The keying arrangement is particularly useful for fiber optic connector assemblies having a receptacle connector with key projections integrally formed therewith in one of plural different key positions. These key positions may be dictated by an industry standard. A plug connector of the assembly includes a multi-positionable key element. The key element is positionable in plural different orientations to provide keyways which uniquely accommodate one of the key projections defining the plural different key positions of the receptacle connector. Rotative movement of the key element within the plug connector provides the plural different orientations and thereby the plural keyways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Louis F. Haitmanek
  • Patent number: 5035643
    Abstract: A lamp socket assembly including a housing, a contact insert, and a body. The contact insert is captured in a cavity of the housing by the body. The body is welded to the housing. Lugs on the body secure the assembly to a panel. Contacts are retained in the contact insert by engagement of U-shaped portions thereof in slots of the contact insert. Blade terminals are inserted through the contacts and contact insert to interlock the terminals with the contacts and contact insert. The blade terminals include a U-shaped portion whereby the interlocking end of the terminals define one leg of the U-shaped portion. A second end of the blade terminal extends at right angles to the interlocking end of the blade terminal and extends axially away from the body whereby a socket connector may be axially connected to the housing. The socket connector includes locking fingers for securing the socket connector to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Zanxx, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Forish, John J. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5000690
    Abstract: An electrical connector, described for suitably connecting electronic packages to each other or an electrical package to electrical wires. In a preferred form, the connector comprises a plurality of first contacts supported by an insulative housing, the housing having opposite surfaces adjacent which exposed portions of the first contacts lie. The exposed contact portions are attached to electrically engage two respective printed circuit boards on the top and bottom of the connector. Additionally, a further set of contacts is provided, which contacts include an exposed portion adjacent one of the housing supporting surfaces and a terminal portion disposed substantially parallel to such supporting surfaces for electrical engagement to a terminated wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Sonobe, Masahiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4940421
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved multi-pin type of water proof electric connector which is guaranteed free of shortcircuit between adjacent pin-and-contact piece connections even if water should invade to any pin-and-connector piece connection through the very small gap between the conductor and the insulation sheath of the wire by the capillary action. The electric connector comprises a male half having contact pieces and a female half having pin terminals in its cavity, and a seal member placed in the space which is to be formed between the outer surface of the plug housing and the inside surface of the socket housing when the male and female halves are coupled. The plug housing has a plurality of hollow protrusions each containing a contact piece, and the seal member encircles each of the protrusions, thereby sealing each pin-and-contact piece connection independently from adjacent pin-and-contact piece connections when the male and female halves are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kouji Kano, Sumitaka Ogawa, Minoru Sano, Masahiro Sakano
  • Patent number: 4900262
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for an electrical connector having an insulating housing, contact elements arranged in the insulating housing, and a cover case for covering at least a rear portion of the insulating housing, which includes a pair of flexible lock arms extending backwardly from front ends of opposite side walls of the insulating housing; a pair of flexible control members provided on opposite side walls of the cover case; a lock member provided on each lock arm for engagement with a mating connector lock member; and an operational portion provided on the lock arm behind the lock member so that it is aligned with the control member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 4884978
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a connector which comprises a female housing and a male housing to be inserted and fitted into the female housing for establishing an electrical connection therebetween. The connector further comprises locking member pivotably provided on one of the female and male housings in such a manner that one housing is locked with the other housing by the locking member only when the female and male housings are properly fitted together. The locking member includes engagement projection for temporarily hooking the locking member to one housing until the other housing is inserted into one housing. On the other housing, there is provided a projection for disengaging the lock member from one housing when one housing is inserted into the other housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1989
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Kazuto Ootaka, Akira Maeda
  • Patent number: 4840568
    Abstract: A jack assembly is disclosed including a mount having a plurality of electrical contact members disposed in a predetermined array and a plurality of jacks. The jacks are releasably attachable to the mount. Each of the jacks includes a jack body formed of dielectric material. The body has an interior with a plurality of bores extending through the body in communication with the interior. The bores are sized to receive tip-and-ring plugs of known dimensions. A plurality of electrically conductive spring contacts are disposed within the chambers with first ends thereof presenting electrical contact points disposed in a predetermined array. A circuit board is attached to the body and has circuitry which includes a first and second plurality of circuit contact points. The first plurality of circuit contact points is disposed on the circuit board to make electrical contact with the electrical contact points of the spring contacts when the circuit board is connected to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Burroughs, Thomas W. Cruise
  • Patent number: 4734052
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a first box element and a second box element, each box element receiving an electrical contact and the other box element when one of the box elements is inverted head-to-tail upside down with respect to the other box element. Each element includes male and female portions. The male portion includes a locking lug having an elastic portion and a stiff rounded portion. The female portion includes a joggle. The joggle of each element is adapted to engage the locking lug of the other element during assembly of the first and second elements along an insertion axis. When this occurs the joggle will climb up the stiff rounded portion of the locking lug thereby displacing the first and second elements in opposite directions perpendicular to the insertion axis. Further displacement along the insertion axis displaces the joggle into contact with the elastic portion which bends, so as to displace the two elements closer to each other perpendicular to the insertion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Precision Mecanique Labinal
    Inventor: Bertrand Vandame