Plural Contacts, Each Formed By Slot Between Pair Of Fingers Patents (Class 439/404)
  • Patent number: 5975936
    Abstract: A blade carrier assembly for use in a communication plug terminating a cord carrying a plurality of conductors. The assembly includes a dielectric carrier having a plurality of grooves disposed on both its upper and lower surfaces for receiving a plurality of electrically conductive blades. One end of the blades is configured to interface with a conductor from a cord, which is an insulation displacement contact (IDC) in the preferred embodiment. The other end of the blades is configured as a jack interface end for electrical communication with a jack spring. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves in the dielectric carrier position the conductor interface ends of the blades in a substantially circular array to conform with the general configuration of conductors in a round cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Chieh Lin, George W. Reichard, Jr., Ted E. Steele
  • Patent number: 5971792
    Abstract: A patch plug for connection to a 110-type connector block having a plurality of spaced apart electrical contacts. Each contact has an insulation displacement connector at a back end thereof and a contact blade at a front end thereof. A dielectric housing contains the spaced apart electrical contacts and maintains them aligned in a predetermined position such that the insulation displacement contacts are disposed rearwardly of the respective blades, are arranged upwardly, and are aligned in a single row transverse to the direction of insertion of the contact blades into the 110-type connector block. A contact protection block is formed around the single row of insulation displacement connectors and includes two outer side walls one at each end of the single row of insulation displacement connectors. Intermediate walls are located between and extending above the insulation displacement connectors of adjacent contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: International Connectors and Cable Corporation
    Inventor: Mike H. Lin
  • Patent number: 5967801
    Abstract: A modular plug electrical connector for terminating a plurality of communications wires which are associated as signal pairs in a communications system includes a dielectric housing having a cavity and a compensating insert which is mountable in the cavity. The compensating insert includes a dielectric substrate which carries conductive traces, and the traces are arranged to be connected to selected ones of the wires. The traces are routed on the substrate to provide capacitive coupling between selected signal pairs so as to compensate for crosstalk between the signal pairs, thereby reducing crosstalk in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph Sykes Martin, Todd Jason Kuvshinikov
  • Patent number: 5961340
    Abstract: A cutting element configured for use in an electrical connector device for cutting two or more wires received by the electrical connector device. The cutting element includes a member having a leading edge, and the leading edge is shaped for nonsimultaneously cutting multiple wires in a single cutting motion. By cutting the wires nonsimultaneously, less force is needed to effect the cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Reltec Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Littlejohn, Jane X. Lee
  • Patent number: 5957719
    Abstract: An assembling structure for assembling a press-fitting connector. In the assembling structure, first, a housing and a cover are assembled together by fitting a locking protrusion of a standing wall portion of the housing and a locking arm of the cover. Next, a coupling wall portion is coupled to the locking arm, a nipping wall portion is coupled to the coupling wall portion, and the standing wall portion is held between the locking arm and the nipping wall portion. Since the locking arm and the standing wall portion integrally follow deformation described below even if electric wire bending tension operates upon the electric wire and the housing and the cover are deformed, the degree of fitting between the locking protrusion and the locking arm is not decreased and the fitting is kept.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Okabe
  • Patent number: 5954541
    Abstract: An electrical connector to be connected to a cable comprises a housing having a contact receiving portion therein, plural sets of contact pairs arranged in a row in the contact receiving portion of the housing, and a shield plate provided between at least two adjacent contact pairs. The shield plate serves to prevent occurrence of cross talk as much as possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: DDK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ozai, Hirokazu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5947752
    Abstract: A video data transmission connector and transmission cable mounting arrangement includes a connector holder having a holder base and a hollow shell integral with the holder base, the hollow shell of the connector holder having a top mounting block and a bottom mounting hook for installation in a hole on a patch panel, wall plate or surface mount box, a circuit board mounted in the connector holder, a video data transmission connector welded to a front part of the circuit board and received inside the hollow shell of the connector holder with a front receiving side thereof aimed at an insertion hole on the hollow shell for receiving a matching electric connector, an insulation displacement connector welded to a rear part of the circuit board and coupled to two opposite upright side walls of the holder base, a video data transmission cable connected to the insulation displacement connector for video data transmission with the video data transmission connector through the circuit board, and a holding down cap fa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Gorden Su
    Inventor: Peter Wu
  • Patent number: 5943770
    Abstract: The connector comprises a series of metal contact shafts (1) spaced and bent into elbow configurations, embedded in an electrically insulating material (2) which is itself surrounded by a metal shielding (3).Electrically insulating material (2) is molded around contact shafts (1), shielding (3) is made up of two superposed metal blocks (4a) having on their contacting surfaces elbow channels (5a, 5b, 5c) taking up contact shafts (1) surrounded by electrically insulating material (2), these channels being formed so that shielding (3) is interrupted in one rectilinear part of the elbow formed by the channels, this interruption of shielding placing in contact insulating material (2) surrounding the contact shafts, without creating any empty space in zones (7a, 7b) where the shielding is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventors: Jacky Thenaisie, Jacques-Henri Heulot
  • Patent number: 5934912
    Abstract: In a terminal connected to a distribution cable composed of wire pairs corresponding to communication lines, the wire pairs are disposed in an array across index strips. Termination of a selected wire pair corresponding to a communication line is achieved by mounting an insulation displacement connection (IDC) connector on one of the index strips. In the mounting process, the connector makes electrical contact with the selected wire pair. Drop wires may then be connected to the IDC connector, and brought into customer premises to realize the communication line. Unterminated wire pairs are available for termination at another terminal. Advantageously, using one or more terminals to distribute the wire pairs in accordance with the invention obviates, among others, the need for a prior art feeder distribution interface used in the traditional wire pair distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Albert Morrell
  • Patent number: 5934225
    Abstract: A method and system for coupling electrical components to protective coated, wire embedded flexible members which utilizes electrical connectors that displace a portion of the protective coating when making contact with the underlying wires. The wire embedded flexible members include a central web. A plurality of wires are positioned within the central web. Electrical connectors effect electrical contact with the embedded wires by displacing the protective coating by melting the same and/or by being driven through the protective coating and underlying web. Single pin-type and/or U-shaped pin-type, and/or bifurcated electrical connectors can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Innotek Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5934929
    Abstract: An electrical connection box includes a casing having an upper casing (10) and a lower casing (11). Terminal holes (19, 20) are formed on the outer wall of the casing. An insulating plate (12), mounted in the casing, has a several of wiring grooves (13) formed on at least one of its opposite faces (12a, 12b). Terminal driving portions (24 and 25), obtained by increasing a width of the wiring grooves (13), are provided at predetermined locations in the wiring grooves (13). Wires (14, 15) having first and second diameters are inserted into and held in the wiring grooves (13). Pressing contact terminals (16, 17) includes a pressing contact portion (16a, 17a) and an input-output terminal portion (16b, 17b) formed at its opposite ends, respectively. The pressing contact portions (16a, 17a) are driven into the terminal driving portions (24, 25) to connect through pressing contact to the wires (14, 15) held in the wiring grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Saka, Takahiro Onizuka, Yoshito Oka, Makoto Kobayashi, Nori Inoue, Jun Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 5915990
    Abstract: A connector for connecting at least one first conductor 5 with another conductor 50, including a connector body 2 having a first end containing a chamber 2a, and a second end containing a through bore 2b communicating with the chamber, a slide member 4 slidably mounted in the connector body chamber, the slide member containing a transverse bore 25 for receiving the first conductor, the slide member including at its end within the chamber a longitudinally projecting pin portion 18, and an electrical terminal 3 slidably mounted on the slide member pin portion, the slide member being slidably displaceable relative to the electrical contact from a first position in which a contact portion 9 of the terminal is remote from the transverse bore to permit the insertion of the first conductor therein, to a second position in which the contact portion extends across the transverse bore in electrical engagement with the first conductor, the free extremity of the contact being received by a corresponding opposed recess fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Beer, deceased, by Edgar Beer, legal representative, by Irmgard Beer, legal representative, Kurt Hermanns, Reinhard Ruhm, Solveig Lux
  • Patent number: 5915989
    Abstract: Connectors, such as 110-type patch plugs, are designed to reduce near-end crosstalk that is generated when the connector is mated to a corresponding receptacle, such as a 110-type connecting block. Connectors of the present invention employ a two-stage crosstalk compensation scheme in which a first stage induces a compensating crosstalk signal, having opposite polarity as the original crosstalk signal, while the second stage induces a counter-balancing crosstalk signal, having same polarity as the original crosstalk signal. The two-stage, counter-balanced crosstalk compensation scheme of the present invention takes into account both the magnitude of the original crosstalk signal as well as the phase differences between the original crosstalk signal and the compensating and counter-balancing crosstalk signals that result from the different locations along the signal path at which the crosstalk signals are induced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Luc W. Adriaenssens, Amid I. Hashim, William J. Ivan, Troy P. Million, Bryan S. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 5911594
    Abstract: Connectors, such as 110-type patch plugs, are designed to reduce near-end crosstalk that is generated between the twisted pairs of multi-wire cordage. Connectors of the present invention have a wire guide having a plurality of channels within which the different twisted pairs and ultimately the individual wires are distributed from the cordage to corresponding conducting contacts of the connectors. The channels of the wire guide enable improved control over the twist rates of the different twisted pairs as well as the routing paths between the cordage and the contacts which reduces the level of near-end crosstalk as well as variability in that level from one connector assembly to another. In one particular embodiment, the connector has a four-piece modular design (not counting the individual contacts) having separate wire guide, contact base, top cover, and bottom cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank P. Baker, III, Lyndon D. Ensz, Amid I. Hashim, William J. Ivan, Troy P. Million
  • Patent number: 5906502
    Abstract: An insulation displacement contact for a two wire termination connection strip includes first and second generally planar leaf elements, each having longitudinal centerlines lying in a common longitudinal plane. The longitudinal plane is perpendicular to both of the leaf elements. The first leaf element is formed with a first leaf longitudinal slot defined by a first leaf relieved edge located on a first side of the longitudinal plane, and a first leaf opposed cutting edge which is spaced from the first leaf relieved edge in a direction towards the first leaf longitudinal centerline. The second leaf element is formed with a second leaf longitudinal slot defined by a second leaf relieved edge and a second leaf opposed cutting edge, with the second leaf relieved edge located on the second side of the longitudinal plane and the second leaf opposed cutting edge being spaced from the second leaf relieved edge in a direction towards the first leaf longitudinal centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Porta Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Michael Fasano
  • Patent number: 5895285
    Abstract: A press-contact type connector comprises: a connector housing 11 having terminal accommodating chambers 15 which accommodate press-contact terminals 25, and openings 16 provided for pressing wires against the press-contact terminals in the terminal accommodating chambers,and covers 12 and 13 which, after the wires have been pressed against the press-contact terminals in the terminal accommodating chambers, ares engaged with the connector housing in such a manner as to close the openings. In the connector, the covers 12 and 13 have flexible bands 17 which, when the covers are engaged with the connector housing, press the wires, which are pressed against the press-contact terminals 25, in the direction of press-contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toshiaki Okabe
  • Patent number: 5893773
    Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating flat cable comprises a housing which holds a plurality of contacts, and a cover which is attachable to the housing. The cover is relatively movable on the housing from an initial position wherein the flat cable can be inserted between the cover and the housing, to a final position wherein the flat cable becomes terminated to the connector. The cover has latch arms receivable in wells in the housing, and the housing has protuberances which extend into the wells from side walls thereof. The protuberances serve as stops which are abutted by the latch arms when the cover is in the initial position, thereby temporarily preventing movement of the cover beyond the initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Donald Eugene Dellinger
  • Patent number: 5890924
    Abstract: Disclosed is an insulation-displacement-contact connector comprising a first frame, a second frame, and tabs. The first and second frames pinch electric wires tight between them when assembled together. The first frame has an opening so that the insulation-displacement-contact pins of a mating material can pass through and touch the wires. The tabs on the second frame extend outwardly at an angle and bend exposed portions of the wires along the outer surfaces of the first frame, making the wires gripped more securely against pushing force exerted by the insulation-displacement-contact pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Endo, Yuji Hatagishi
  • Patent number: 5888088
    Abstract: An electrical connection construction for connecting conductive members of an internal circuit of an electrical connection box and wires of a wiring harness, in which the wires of the wiring harness are inserted into the electrical connection box through openings formed on the electrical connection box such that conductors of the wires of the wiring harness are connected to the conductive members of the internal circuit of the electrical connection box, respectively by a joining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuchika Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Miyazaki, Takahiro Onizuka, Ryuji Nakanishi, Koji Murakami
  • Patent number: 5888089
    Abstract: Opposed inner surfaces of lower and upper casings making up a connection box are flat, and wire arrangement grooves are formed in the inner surfaces. Insertion holes communicate with the wire arrangement grooves in specified positions and are open to the outer surfaces of the casings. A wire is laid into the wire arrangement grooves and is pressed into the slots of the cramping terminals mounted in the insertion holes. The tabs on the cramping terminals project from the outer surfaces of the casings. The casings are held together by nuts and bolts or other devices after the flat inner surfaces are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Konoya, Nori Inoue
  • Patent number: 5833486
    Abstract: An electrical connector (10) has electrical cables (50) pressed into channels (19) to connect the cables by pressure crimping to a respective terminal (43); the channels are aligned in a common plane to facilitate crimping. Some of the terminals (43) are bent in the vertical or horizontal plane, or both, so that the connection portions (44) of the terminals are arranged in several planes to suit a standard kind of mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 5833487
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing and IDC terminals having IDC contact sections. The IDC contact section comprises a large wire receiving slot extending into a narrower IDC slot for connection to conducting strands of a insulated conducting wire. The wires are inserted longitudinally into wire receiving cavities extending from a rear face of the connector, whereby the cavities are bent such that they traverse obliquely the terminals, thereby causing the wire to pass through the wire receiving slot of the terminal, aligned with the cavity. The wire is inserted until it abuts a stop and, the terminal can then be further inserted into the housing such that the wire is stuffed into the IDC slot for connection therewith. This design advantageously benefits from IDC technology whilst also providing a very compact wire-to-wire spacing. Additionally, the housing and terminals are relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Claude Joly
  • Patent number: 5820403
    Abstract: An IDC type terminator (10) includes a housing (12) having a plurality of passageways (18) extending therethrough in the vertical direction. A plurality of contacts (20) are respectively received within the corresponding passageways (18). The upper and lower portions of the contacts (20) respectively and oppositely extending out of the housing (12) wherein the upper portions engage the PC board (15) which vertically stands on the housing (12), and the lower portions engage the corresponding flat cable (34) which is sandwiched between a bottom cover (16) and the housing (12). Opposite to the bottom cover (16), a top cover (14) is attached to the housing (12) for shielding the PC board (15) therein. A pair of cavities (22) are positioned on two opposite ends of the housing (12) so that the latches (58, 64) of the top cover (12) and of the bottom cover (14) may commonly but oppositely side by side occupy the corresponding cavity (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lee-Ming Cheng, George Lee, Joseph C. Tang, Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 5820404
    Abstract: To ensure a wire arrangement with an improved degree of freedom and in a compact manner. A terminal 10 is formed by bending the opposite ends of a strip 11 in the same direction by different lengths to form two blade portions 12a1, 12b1 of different heights such that slits formed in the blade portions 12a1, 12b1 are aligned with respect to the longitudinal direction of wires to be connected. In a lower casing accommodating the terminals 10, branch wires 50 are placed and retained on the lower blade portions 12b1. In an upper casing 40 for covering the lower casing 30, main wires 60 are so retained as to face the higher blade portions 12a1 when the upper casing 40 is fitted to cover the lower casing 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamitsu Chishima, Satomi Seko
  • Patent number: 5810616
    Abstract: A folded "V" shaped contact insulation displacement connector is modified to enable use with wires having hard insulation. The slot 20 separating the two contact blades 14, 16 has a constant width along its length. There is no enlarged aperture at the base of the slot so that the contact is most rigid at the bottom of the slot. The housing is modified to provide a small lateral and torsional clearance between the contacts and the cavities 42 and the housing 44 in which they are retained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: David Ernest Ivey
  • Patent number: 5800200
    Abstract: A connector is provided for connecting contacts on the surface of a smart card to a read/write device, which includes an insulative housing (11) that holds a plurality of electrical contacts (32) that have card-engaging blades (34) for engaging pads on a smart card (C). Each contact has a wire-engaging end with an insulation displacement fork (54) for penetrating insulation of an electrical flat cable (66) to connect to a cable wire (70) that connects to a read/write device (D). In one connector, a support part (14) of the housing clamps a fixing part (42) of each contact against a cover (20), while a deflectable linking branch (50) of the contact extends at an upward incline to a bend (82) that extends to the fork (54). A tool T moved down through an opening (80) in the cover can deflect the linking branch to a deflected position, with the fork then projecting down through a cable. A shoulder (84) on the housing then resists upward fork movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Herve'Guy Brioaud, Fabrice Valcher
  • Patent number: 5791933
    Abstract: A wiring construction of an electrical connection box which has an internal circuit including a wire and a plurality of pressing contact terminals connected to the wire and in which an insulating plate is accommodated in a casing, the wiring construction comprising: a plurality of wiring grooves for receiving the wire or a plurality of pairs of wiring projections for guiding the wire therebetween, which are provided on at least one of opposite faces of the insulating plate such that predetermined portions of the wiring grooves or the wiring projections extend to an outer peripheral edge of the insulating plate; wherein a nonconnective portion of the wire is disposed at the outer peripheral edge of the insulating plate by cutting from the wire a portion of the wire projecting out of the outer peripheral edge of the insulating plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Saka, Takahiro Onizuka, Yoshito Oka, Makoto Kobayashi, Nori Inoue
  • Patent number: 5766033
    Abstract: Electrical connector (10) having a housing (12) molded around body sections of a plurality of terminals (40,42,44,46) disposed in first and second rows. The terminals have IDC termination sections (32,34,36,38) for respective wires (22,24) to be urged thereinto by termination covers (26,28). All IDC termination sections extend in a common direction from a common side of housing (12), and those (32,34) of the first row are staggered rearwardly from those (36,38) of the second row to facilitate wire insertion. The molding method includes providing core pins (92,94) for supporting the terminals from one (74) of the mold halves, and lower terminals (40,42) include lateral offsets (134) permitting core pins (94) to pass thereby to reach upper terminals (44,46) vertically aligned therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Samuel Davis
  • Patent number: 5762513
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (1) including a header (2), a housing (3) matable with the header (2), a termination cover (4) retained on the housing (3), and a wiring strain relief (5), with housing (3), cover (4) and strain relief (5) securable as a unit to header (2). Latches (25) include a latch arm (26) on the strain relief (5) extending past the termination cover (4) and engaging and latching to the header (2), and further include overstress stops (30) movable to engage surfaces (31) on the strain relief (5) and resist further pivoting movement of the latch arms (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Jon Davidson Stine
  • Patent number: 5762516
    Abstract: To provide a contact capable of reducing the crosstalk between adjacent contacts, and a terminal connector with such contacts, capable of constructing a high speed communication network. The contact 10 has a generally central base section 12, contact sections 14, 16 extending from the opposite ends of the base section 12 generally normal thereto, connecting sections 18, 20 obliquely extending generally in the same direction transverse to the contact sections 14, 16, for connecting the base section 12 with the contact sections 14, 16, respectively. One connecting section 18 has a first part 18a extending from one lengthwise end of the base section 12 generally normal thereto while maintaining a lateral distance from the contact section 14, a second part 18b extending from the contact section 14 in parallel thereto, and a third part 18c extending in the crossing direction to the surface of the contact section 14 to connect the first part 18a to the second part 18b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shigekazu Itoga, Rentara Osawa
  • Patent number: 5759065
    Abstract: A pressure-contact joint connector for electrically interconnecting a plurality of coated wires. The joint connector includes a connector body having a terminal provided with a plurality of pressure-contact blades electrically connected to each other for electrically interconnecting the wires; a cover for covering the connector body and retaining the electric wires in the terminal, the cover including first and second locking members each on opposite sides of the cover; and a hinge for interconnecting the cover and the connector body such that the cover can be pivoted to the closed position with respect to the connector body. The connector body includes first and second locks each on opposite sides of the connector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Hatagishi, Hiroshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5755598
    Abstract: An electrical connector for use as a network terminating apparatus is provided including a front or cover plate assembly, an intermediate unit which in use is disposed behind the cover assembly and a backing unit. The intermediate unit carries diagnostic circuitry, an assembly of connecting devices, and one or more contact assemblies, and one or more sets of generally identical contact elements, which extend between and interconnect the elements carried by the intermediate unit. The connecting device may comprise a multi-way connector. Each contact may include an elongate strip-like, electrically conductive portion from which project, generally orthogonally, a plurality of contact arms, each the arm being disposed at a predetermined position so that it can make electrical contact with one of the elements carried by the intermediate unit. One of the contact arms may include an insulation displacement type contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Krone Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christopher Charles Taylor
  • Patent number: 5746620
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprising a socket, a plug and a medial wire termination device which includes an insulative housing with a socket receiving recess at one end and a plug engaging projection at the other end. Between the socket and the plug there are transversely spaced, generally parallel metallic contacts. On each of these metallic contacts there are a pair of wire receiving terminals each of which terminals is adjacent to a wire receiving aperture in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Clark
  • Patent number: 5733140
    Abstract: Disclosed is a patch cord connector and connector block combination which results in low insertion forces and enhanced side-to-side stability for the patch cord connectors. The patch cord connector includes a latch member formed in a portion of one surface of the connector housing, and the connector block includes a series of grooves formed in its housing for receiving the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Phillips Baker, III, Golam Mabud Choudhury, Theodore Alan Conorich, Leonard Hugh Drexler, Michael Gregory German, Jeffrey Dale Nielson
  • Patent number: 5730618
    Abstract: The panel has several sections, each with a different hole profile. The top panel section has a hole diameter which corresponds to the terminal flange in such a way that the top panel section contacts the terminal flange, holding the terminal with frictional gripping force. This contact keeps the terminal from wobbling, thus eliminating the weakening of the terminal support legs and shorting between terminals. The panel section between the top and rear panel sections (i.e. the middle section) has a hole diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the terminal between the terminal flange and the terminal support legs, so that the terminal can be press fitted in the middle section hole. The rear panel section has a hole diameter which is conical or profiled with a larger diameter towards the top panel section, corresponding to the width of the support legs in such a way that the support legs can be fully sprung out, and a smaller diameter towards the rear of the mass termination panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: AVP Mfg. & Supply Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Baker, John E. Grant
  • 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: 5722850
    Abstract: A telecommunications connector with break/test facility includes a housing (10) which receives a plurality of pairs of contacts (42,44). The housing has a series of first chambers (40) and a series of adjacent second chambers (56). The first contact of each pair has and insulation displacement portion (102,104) received in the first chamber and a spring tail (114) which is received an anchored in the second chamber. The second contact has a conductor termination portion (80) which may be an insulation displacement contact also arranged in the first chamber beneath the first contact, and a spring contact portion (94) arranged in the second chamber to form a spring contact switch with the spring tail of the first contact. A tester (100) may be inserted into the spring contact switch to test the circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Rowland Spencer White
  • Patent number: 5722852
    Abstract: A module is intended to be provided for the purpose of connecting a plurality of subscribers which has a simple structure and by means of which a cable can be made contact with in a simple, cost-effective and reliable manner. To this end, a bottom-part housing (1) is provided with a contact-making device which essentially comprises a guiding part (7), a line basket (9) and contacts (6) in the form of strips with contact tips (11). The line basket (9) can be latched in two vertical positions in the guiding part (7). The cable (5) provided with a form coding can be inserted in the line basket (9) in the upper preassembly position. When the line basket (9) is displaced into the lower position, the insulation of the cable (5) is penetrated by the contact tips (11) and at the same time contact is made with the line cores (3, 4) of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Miek
  • Patent number: 5722851
    Abstract: A circuit component having a plurality of flat cables each formed by covering a group of parallel wires with a thick layer of insulating resin. The cables are superposed and preferably arranged so that their axes are not parallel. Cramping terminals are inserted into flat cables from above and below in specified predetermined positions, and are securely held therein. Wire contacts of the cramping terminals are connected to specific wires by penetrating the wire coatings means of cutters. The cramping terminal may be formed with a tab which forms an external terminal and connects the wire(s) therewith. The cramping terminals may also connect two or more wires of the same flat cable conductor member or of different flat cables, thus forming the desired circuit. A circuit component, including the desired circuit is separately formed in advance. A junction box is completed merely by mounting the preformed circuit component in the casing thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Onizuka, Hideo Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5720625
    Abstract: An electrical clamping terminal arrangement with an IDC contact located in a housing of insulating material is formed, in particular for use in an automatic wiring, in such a way that the housing, on at least one side adjoining the introduction slit of the IDC contact, has a slitlike or groovelike indentation opening toward the introduction side for the conductor. The dimensions of this indentation are chosen such that a free end, located in the vicinity of the IDC contact, of a line contacted in the IDC contact is received in the indentation in a shock-hazard-proof manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: Vossloh Schwabe GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Albeck, Herbert Emmerich, Stefan Koller, Hans-Peter Mews
  • Patent number: 5718599
    Abstract: An electrical I/O connector is particularly suitable for docking-type connection applications and has a terminal block assembly held within a protective exterior casing. The terminal block assembly includes two interengaging halves which receive a plurality of metal terminals disposed thereon in a spaced-apart order. The terminals define two groups of terminals on each surface of the terminal block assembly halves and the two groups are defined by staggering the terminals lengthwise. A spacer is provided between the terminal block halves to maintain the terminals in their spaced apart order and includes projections which support insulation displacement terminals which extend from the terminals on opposite sides of the terminal block assembly. These insulation displacement terminals are arranged in a two separate tiers, which enable the connector to have an increased terminal density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Shozou Ichikawa, Naoya Matsuura
  • Patent number: 5718604
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrical connection system including connecting blocks and patch cord connectors where the patch cords are directed toward, rather than away from, the connecting blocks. Troughs are included between adjacent rows of connecting blocks to accommodate the patch cords from the patch cord connectors connected to one of the rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Alan Conorich, Michael Gregory German
  • Patent number: 5718598
    Abstract: An electrical connection box having an internal circuit includes a first circuit having a large current carrying capacity and a second circuit having a small current carrying capacity. The first circuit includes wires each having stranded conductors and contact bonding terminals contact bonded to the stranded conductors and the second circuit includes a single conductor and pressing contact terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuji Saka, Nori Inoue, Takahiro Onizuka, Yoshito Oka, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5713756
    Abstract: In the insulation displacement connector, there are provided: a housing; terminal receiving chambers formed in the housing; an opening portion formed in the housing so as to expose the terminal receiving chambers to the outside; and an openable/closable cover having a pair of supporting arms which are projected from opposite ends of the openable/closable cover and which are pivotally supported at their top ends on the housing so that when the cover is rotated toward the housing the opening portion is closed by the cover, while in an opened state a feed through space feedable in the front and rear directions of the housing is formed between the pair of supporting arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Kimihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 5710541
    Abstract: A smoke/fire detector assembly having a base section and a removable sensor section. The base section includes a plurality of electrical contacts and the sensor section includes a corresponding plurality of electrical contacts. Each one of the sensor section electrical contacts includes a member having a first end, extending from the sensor section, and a second end electrically connected to electrical components within the sensor section. Each one of the base section electrical contacts has: a first section having a surface adapted for mounting to a surface of the base section; a second section, having an edge common with the first section and a surface extending perpendicular to the surface of the first section; and, a pair of finger-like members, extending from a second edge of the second section. The second edge of the second section is perpendicular to the common edge. The finger-like members are laterally spaced along, and cantilevered from, the second edge of the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Simplex Time Recorder Co.
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Stanley, Wayne A. Nelson
  • Patent number: 5709564
    Abstract: To provide a wiring circuit for an electrical connection box, a method and a device for cutting a wire for circuits is provided. The method and device are inexpensive and capable of securely cutting the wire and separating the circuits in one operation step. A wiring circuit for an electrical connection box comprises wire portions and connecting terminals connected with the wire portions. The wire portions are made by cutting a wire such that at least one of the two cut ends of the wire is bent with respect to the extension direction of the wire simultaneously with the cutting of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamada, Hiroshi Rokutani, Nori Inoue, Yuuji Saka, Takahiro Onizuka, Yoshito Oka
  • Patent number: 5695361
    Abstract: A communications outlet comprises a face-plate and a connection assembly module. The assembly module comprises an outlet connector and a cable connector mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Different outlet connectors and PCBs can be provided whilst the design of the cable connector remains unchanged. The positioning of the outlet connector and cable connector directly on the PCB which is substantially parallel to the outer wall of the face-plate provides a low profile communications outlet. Stuffer members provide rapid tool-less connection of cable conductors to insulation displacement contacts of the cable connector. An advantageous feature is the provision of secondary locking extensions on the face-plate that engage behind the resilient latches of the connection assembly module for mounting of the module to a wall plate. The secondary locking extensions ensure secure retention of the connection assembly to the wall plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Davide Elisei
  • Patent number: 5683268
    Abstract: A stackable splice module adapted to engage and mount to additional stackable splice modules to form an electrical connector for pairs of wires, the stackable splice module including an upper portion and a lower portion. A series of indexing teeth are formed along the length of the upper portion, defining wire receiving passages therebetween. Contact elements are mounted within the stackable splice modules, each having an upper end that projects into the teeth of the upper portion of its stackable splice module. The contact elements each include a wire receiving slot aligned with a wire receiving passage of the upper portion and which engages in the insulated wires to establish contact therewith. Lower ends of each contact element project into the lower portions of the splice modules and each include contact slots adapted to engage and receive a contact member of an upper end of a contact element of an additional splice module being stacked thereunder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Drach, Kar Lan Kam
  • Patent number: 5681181
    Abstract: An insulation displacement connector prevents a sheathed cable from being readily moved by an external force after the sheathed cable is temporarily inserted in a cable insertion gap. A plurality of guide projections (13) stand on a connector housing (11) of the insulation displacement connector at a given distance in two rows. A cable insertion gap (15) is defined between the adjacent guide projections (13) for receiving a sheathed cable (14). The guide projection (13) is provided on each of the opposite sides of the top end with a shoulder (22) extending toward the gaps (15) to prevent the sheathed cable (14) from coming out of the gaps (15). The guide projection is provided on each of the opposite sides defining the gaps (15) with a holding ridge (21) having a triangular cross section and extending from the underside of the shoulder (22) to the proximal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Keigo Atsumi
  • Patent number: 5681180
    Abstract: An electrical connector provides for the termination of discrete insulated conductors of a multi-conductor cable. The connector includes an insulative connector housing supporting plural electrical contacts having insulation displacing contact portions. A conductor holding block is movably supported by the housing with respect to the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block includes contact slots for receipt of the insulation displacing contact portions. The conductor holding block further includes passages in communication with the contact slots for receipt of the conductors. The conductor holding block is movable between a conductor receiving position and a conductor termination position. The conductor holding block is continuously supported by the connector housing so as to define a conductor support position to temporarily support the conductors against the insulation displacing contact portions without effecting conductor termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Julio F. Rodrigues