Means Comprising Notched Or Apertured Body Patents (Class 439/457)
  • Patent number: 11760001
    Abstract: A consumable assembly for supplying filament to a 3D printer having two or more receptacles having different geometric configurations, the 3D printer builds parts by material extrusion. The consumable assembly includes a container configured to retain a supply of a first filament, and a first filament guide tube having a length, the first filament guide tube having an inlet end attached to the first container and an outlet end, The consumable assembly includes a key having a geometric configuration allowing the key to be plugged into only one receptacle of the two or more receptacles of the 3D printer, the key comprising a conduit having an entrance and an exit, a coupling portion, and an engagement portion, wherein the entrance to the conduit is coupled to the outlet end of the first filament guide tube to thereby form a closed filament path from the first container to the 3D printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Stratasys, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Swanson, Brett Johnson
  • Patent number: 11081848
    Abstract: A charger extension device has a housing having a top side, a left side, a bottom side, a right side, a rear side, and a front side, an USB port on the front side of the housing, and a Lightning port on the rear side of the housing. Another charger extension device has a housing having a top side, a left side, a bottom side, a right side, a rear side, and a front side, an USB port on the front side of the housing, a cable retention assembly on the front side of the housing, and a Lightning port on the rear side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: John Holtzman
  • Patent number: 10856416
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical connector. The electrical connector comprises a flexible printed circuit comprising electrical elements on a flexible substrate. The electrical elements each comprises a solder pad and contact pad connected by a link. The electrical connector also comprises a base to at least partially surround the flexible printed circuit. The base comprises a connection interface to facilitate electrical connection with the flexible printed circuit through the base. The electrical connector further comprises a receptacle to couple to the base to partially enclose the flexible printed circuit. The receptacle exposes a portion of the flexible printed circuit to facilitate selective electrical connection with the flexible printed circuit through the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: ATL TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventor: Kelly Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10770811
    Abstract: A cable structure includes: a plurality of cables each including a conductor part and an electrically-insulative covering part, each conductor part being exposed in a part where the covering part at one end thereof is removed; and a cable fixing part formed by resin molding and configured to hold the plurality of cables while the ends of the plurality of cables exposing the conductor parts are aligned, wherein the cable fixing part includes a bottom face opening formed on a bottom face side facing a member to which the cables are connected and a top face opening formed on a top face side opposing the bottom face, the bottom face side and the top face side exposing the conductor parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Mikami
  • Patent number: 10644441
    Abstract: A cable according to the present invention comprising: a connector to be connected to a subject device; a bundle of electric wires for supplying signals and/or power to the connector; and a holding member for holding the connector and the electric wires, the connector and the electric wires being connected inside the holding member, a direction of the connector extending to the outside from the holding member being same with a direction of the electric wire being drawn out to the outside from the holding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HORIZON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Imai, Yasuhiro Imai, Sergii Leontiev
  • Patent number: 10602608
    Abstract: A circuit board includes a flexible wiring board with a reinforcing member. The flexible wiring board has a first, second and third sections. The reinforcing member is embedded in a cavity in the first section of the wiring board, and is sandwiched by a pair of resin layers provided below and above. A pair of wiring layers are disposed on the pair of the resin layers, respectively. The metal reinforcing member has either a plate shape or a frame shape. The first section of the wiring board is positioned closer to one of the wiring layers than to another of the wiring layers in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TAIYO YUDEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuichi Sugiyama, Masashi Miyazaki, Yutaka Hata
  • Patent number: 10058002
    Abstract: It is structured that plural service holes are provided on a surface of the casing, that a flange of a rubber plug for sealing the service hole has a lip seal that abuts against the casing of the power conversion equipment, that the rubber plug has a recessed section, that the surface of the casing is provided with a rib on an outer circumference side of the flange of the rubber plug, that an end surface of the rib is orthogonal to an axis of the service hole, and that a relationship of h1?h2 is established when a distance from an abutment surface of the lip seal to an end surface of the rubber plug on a side with the recessed section is set as h1 and a distance from the abutment surface of the lip seal to the end surface of the rib is set as h2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Naoya Hashii, Naoki Honishi, Kohei Ando
  • Patent number: 9937798
    Abstract: A wrap around bus bar that provides battery power (also referred to as B+ power) to components within a power distribution device for a vehicle electrical system, such as a hybrid-type power distribution box (PDB). The power distribution device routes or distributes power throughout a vehicle electrical system and may include a lower cover, a wrap around bus bar, a relay block assembly, a module with a printed circuit board (PCB), an array of relays and fuses, and an upper cover. Battery power is provided from a vehicle battery and/or alternator to a terminal connection, from the terminal connection to the wrap around bus bar, and from the wrap around bus bar to the relay block assembly, the module and potentially other components within the power distribution device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Max Matsumura
  • Patent number: 9591779
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that prevents a cable included in a coupler accommodated in an accommodating part from being caught between a battery lid and an apparatus body, with a simple construction. The electronic apparatus includes an accommodating part for accommodating a coupler, a battery lid which opens and closes an opening of the accommodating part, and a lock member including a pawl portion which restricts the coupler from being discharged from the accommodating part when the coupler has been accommodated therein. A portion defining the opening of the battery accommodating part is formed with a cutout for routing out the cable. When the coupler is accommodated and the cable has been arranged in the cutout, the pawl portion covers at least part of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Obana
  • Patent number: 9588160
    Abstract: A wire manager including current sensing features provides input for power measurement and management systems. The wire manager may be a single wire or single bundle retaining device with a current sensor such as a hall effect sensor integrated therein, or may be a multi-wire management housing with multiple current sensing devices disposed inside for measuring the current through multiple wires. The wires may be multiple branch circuits in a power distribution panel or raceway, and the wire manager may be adapted for mounting in such a panel or raceway. Voltage sensing may also be incorporated within the sensors by providing an electrically conductive plate, wire or other element that capacitively couples to the corresponding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary D. Carpenter, Wael El-Essawy, Thomas W. Keller, Jr., Juan C. Rubio
  • Patent number: 9106008
    Abstract: An electric line wiring structure of a plug includes a plurality of terminals to be inserted into a power supply and electric lines connected to the terminals. The plurality of terminals protrudes on a front side of a plug main body. The electric lines are connected on a rear side of the plug main body. An electric line wiring section for wiring the electric lines connected to the terminals is provided in the plug main body. An electric line holding section for holding the electric lines in a deformed state is provided on a wiring path for wiring the electric lines, which are set in the electric line wiring section. The electric lines are deformed in a direction perpendicular to the wiring path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Wire Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhito Inagaki, Shinichi Tsujino
  • Patent number: 8702440
    Abstract: An electrical cord covering system may include a first covering portion, a second covering portion, and a compression portion. Each of the covering portions may have an interior region, a cable aperture, a plug aperture, and a mating portion. The interior region of each covering portion may house a portion of a cable and a plug of a respective electrical cord. The cable aperture of each covering portion can accommodate the cable of the respective electrical cord. The plug aperture of each covering portion may permit the plugs of the different electrical cords to mate. The mating portions may allow the covering portions to mate. The compression portion may nest within the interior regions of the covering portions and accommodate the plugs. When the covering portions are mated, the compression portion may form seals at the cable apertures of the covering portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Midwest Innovative Products, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Nooner, Robert Zajeski
  • Patent number: 8573987
    Abstract: A power distribution box assembly having a power distribution box, a plurality of wire assemblies, a holder and a plurality of sets of resilient fingers. The power distribution box having a housing, which defines a plurality of terminal cavities, and a plurality of conductive busbars, each of which terminating at a busbar terminal that is received in a corresponding one of the terminal cavities. The wire assemblies are coupled to the busbar terminals and extending from a rear side of the housing. The holder is received in the rear side of the housing and engaged to the housing in a snap-fit manner. The holder has a plurality of wire channels, each of which receiving an associated one of the wires. Each set of resilient fingers has at least one finger that is resiliently coupled to the holder and configured to engage an associated one of the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Yazaki North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Schweitzer, Joseph A. Mauney
  • Patent number: 8308501
    Abstract: A solid state lighting assembly includes a housing configured to hold a solid state lighting module. The housing has a cavity. A contact is positioned within the cavity. The contact has a wire end and a mating end. The wire end is configured to be coupled to a insertion segment of a wire. The wire extends from the cavity to an exterior of the housing. A strain relief member extends from the exterior of the housing. The strain relief member is configured to engage a portion of the wire upstream from the insertion segment of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Edward Mostoller, Christopher George Daily
  • Patent number: 8052463
    Abstract: An object is to provide a harness-routing protector with a simple configuration that can be readily fabricated at low cost and can be readily attached to a harness so that the harness, which has a difficulty in maintaining a bent shape, can be readily routed without interfering with other components within a limited space. In a harness-routing protector (30) that routes a harness (10) while maintaining it in a predetermined bent shape so as to prevent it from interfering with other components, a cross-sectionally U-shaped semicylindrical body (34) has a predetermined bent shape and includes an inner guide surface (31) and an outer guide surface (32) that are separated from each other by a gap in which the harness (10) is fittable and a side surface (33) that joins one edge of the inner guide surface (31) and one edge of the outer guide surface (32) to each other, and both end surfaces and the other side surface thereof are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hattori, Kazuki Niwa
  • Patent number: 7969747
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a chassis assembly, a computing device configured to connect to a housing of the chassis assembly, and a line cord supplying power to the chassis assembly. The line cord has a first portion external to the chassis assembly and a second portion internal to the chassis assembly. The second portion has a shielding member that is in conductive contact with the housing to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for the chassis assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Wierzbicki, Ralph L. Hill
  • Patent number: 7896687
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a body, an insert, an adaptor and a cap. The body has a passage extending between first and second openings and an open-ended slot extending from the second opening. The adaptor has a hollow stem and a mounting section that slides into the slot to mount the adaptor to the body. An insert having electrical contacts extending therethrough is positioned within the passage. Wires extending through the hollow stem are conductively engaged with the contacts on the insert. A cap closes the second opening. A spacer can be positioned between the cap and insert to securely hold the insert between the stop surface and spacer. A method of assembling the electrical connector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Excellon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Wesley Schweitzer, John Richard Taller
  • Patent number: 7641503
    Abstract: A combined cable strain reliever and cable rotation restrainer is disclosed. The combined cable strain reliever and cable rotation restrainer comprises a first part, a second part and a cable. The first part is adapted to be connected to the cable and to the second part, wherein the first part and the second part are arranged to interact for absorbing/taking up forces exerted on the cable connected to the first part. The cable strain reliever and cable rotation restrainer is adapted to be used with a portable electronic device. The cable strain reliever and cable rotation restrainer prevents the cable from being damaged and rotated inside the second part when being assembled therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Robert van der Horn, Rudy Stubenitsky
  • Publication number: 20090117775
    Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. The wire retention member provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy Lee Kocher, Christopher George Daily, John Steven Wilson, John Michael Landis, David James Fabian, Kenneth Aaron Reigle, JR.
  • Patent number: 7488196
    Abstract: A wire retaining connector, connector system and method of connecting wires to connectors to reduce or eliminate unintentional wire disconnection from wire connectors, including disconnection of poke-in connectors. The connectors and connector systems include a connector body having at least one opening configured to receive a wire, the wire including a partially exposed conductor and insulation. The connector body further includes a wire retention member having at least one surface onto which a wire may be engaged. A cutting projection may also be provided on the wire connector to form a channel in the insulation during insertion of the wire into the connector. The wire retention member or the projection provides sufficient retention of the wire to resist disconnection of the wire from the connector body. A method for connecting wires to the connectors is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: TYCO Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Lee Kocher, Christopher George Daily, John Steven Wilson, John Michael Landis, David James Fabian, Kenneth Aaron Reigle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7438588
    Abstract: An encoder includes a base member and a cover attachable to the base member. The cover includes a surface with an opening and a strain relief device associated with the opening. The strain relief device includes at least one extension member extending from the surface of the cover and at least one bar member extending from the at least one extension member. The strain relief device is integral with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Renco Encoders, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Rhodes, Esteban Cortina
  • Patent number: 7416441
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is provided with a case, a module contained in the case and including a first hole portion and a connector, a cable connected electrically to the connector, a fixture which is inserted in the first hole portion and fixes the module in the case, and a cover which covers the connector, includes a second hole portion communicating with the first hole portion, and is fixed in combination with the module by the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Shigeki Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7396251
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a pair of cover halves which are mated with each other, and together define a receiving space, and a rib inwardly extending from inner surface of the cover halves, a cable with a stress relief integrally molded thereon, each cover half includes at least a hollow column extending toward the receiving space, and the stress relief includes a slot fitly engaged with the rib, and a securing head ahead of the annular slot, the securing head defines a through hole, a hollow column in one cover half extends through the through hole and engages with the other column of the other cover half by an exterior element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter Kuo
  • Patent number: 7374457
    Abstract: A lighting system (10) has: a fixture (12) with an axis of orientation (14); and a light source (16) mounted within the fixture (12). A ballast (20), usually positioned on the side of the fixture away from the light source, is associated with the light source (16), the ballast (20) having a first end (22) attached to the light source (16) via appropriate wires and a second end (24) attached to an electrical power source (26), also by appropriate wires. The connector (28) is composed of inline electrical connector halves (30, 32) having proximal mating ends (34, 36), an axis of attachment (38) and distal ends (40, 42) provided with strain relief mounting means (44). One of the electrical connector halves, for example, (30), has a locking tongue (46) extending along the axis of attachment (38) and the other half, (32) in this instance, has a locking tongue receptor (48) for receiving the locking tongue (46), the tongue and receptor functioning to maintain the connector halves in a joined and locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Oksengendler, Joseph F. McCormick
  • Patent number: 7347719
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a connector system includes a first electrical connector for mounting on a first substrate. The first electrical connector has a housing, and a contact mounted on the housing. The connector system also includes a second electrical connector for mounting on a second substrate. The second electrical connector includes a housing having a projection formed thereon, and a contact mounted on the housing. The second electrical connector is capable of mating with the first electrical connector so that the contact of the first electrical connector electrically contacts the contact of the second electrical connector and the projection contacts the first substrate so that at least a portion of the weight of the second electrical connector and the second substrate is transmitted to the first substrate by way of the projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean E. Geibel, Steven E. Minich, Donald K. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7163417
    Abstract: A connector plug intended for a multi-conductor cable (12) with a set o power conductors (30) and set of signal conductors (31) and comprising a casing (10) with a rear cable receiving opening (11), a number of contact elements (42, 43) connected to the power and signal conductors (30, 31) and arranged to engage contact elements on a connectable matching connector plug or jack, and a transition chamber (17) located between the rear cable receiving opening (11) and the contact elements (42, 43) and arranged to be penetrated by the power and signal conductors (30, 31), wherein a coiling core element (18, 118) is mounted in the transition chamber (17) to form separate routing paths (40, 41) for the power conductors (30) and the signal conductors (31) such that added lengths and slacks are provided in the conductors (30, 31) for absorbing length changes therein due to bending of the cable (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Hans Karl Johan Brodin
  • Patent number: 7004613
    Abstract: A display structure. The display structure has a substrate, a panel, a lamp disposed on the panel, a lead wire connected to the lamp, and an intermediate disposed between the lead wire and the substrate. The substrate has a first sliding portion and a first positioning portion. The intermediate has a clamping portion, a second sliding portion and a second positioning portion. When the lead wire is placed in the clamping portion, the intermediate is moved to an engaging position on the substrate by sliding the second sliding portion on the first sliding portion. Thus, the second positioning portion is engaged to the first positioning portion, and the intermediate is elastically deformed so that the lead wire is wedged by the clamping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Shen Martin Sun, Kuo-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 6957970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector for a cable for underground mining, comprising a socket part 1 and a plug part axially insertable into the socket part and having a hole in the back for inserting a cable, the plug part being secured to the socket part 1 by a screw cap 20 mounted for rotation on the plug part 10 and screwable on to an external thread 6 on the socket part 1 and being sealed against penetration of moisture and/or dirt by at least one sealing element. In order to obtain standard parts for a family of plugs by a simple assembly process and with maximum sealing-tightness against moisture and dirt and at low production costs, the plugs being suitable for inserting the cable either coaxially or radially, the external thread 6 on the socket part 1 and the associated internal thread 21 on the screw cap 20 are triple threads and/or a crown part 40 with at least one radial recess 41 for receiving the cable 30 is provided on the cable entry hole 18 on the back of the plug part. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: DBT Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Weigel, Reiner Frank
  • Patent number: 6948970
    Abstract: A connector includes a contact, a housing receiving the contact, and an engaging member engaged in the housing. The housing has a first receiving portion receiving the contact and a second receiving portion receiving the engaging member. The engaging member has an inserting portion for being inserted with the cable and a cable holding portion for holding the cable with being elastically deformed by the second receiving portion when the engaging member is inserted into the second receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignees: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited, JAE Hirosaki, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Hayashi, Terumi Nakaya
  • Patent number: 6948969
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electric cable, and an electrical connector member for signal transmission. The connector member terminates an end portion of the electric cable. A cable guiding member is mounted on the end portion of the electric cable, and is formed with a first through hole having a first hole axis, a second through hole having a second hole axis, and a cable passage communicated with the first and second through holes. The second hole axis forms an angle with the first hole axis. The end portion of the electric cable extends into the cable passage via the first through hole and outwardly of the cable passage via the second through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventor: George Ying-Liang Huang
  • Patent number: 6902422
    Abstract: A cable connector having a body, a connection means, and a support member. A cable or wire runs through the body and to the connection means. The connection means allows the cable connector to removably engage a device designed to accept a cable. The support member provides lateral support to the cable. The support member prevents excessive forces from reaching a device to which the cable connector is attached by resisting or absorbing, rather than transmitting, such forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sabritec, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore T. Brancaleone
  • Patent number: 6878008
    Abstract: A cable connector having a body, a connection means, and a support member. A cable or wire runs through the body and to the connection means. The connection means allows the cable connector to removably engage a device designed to accept a cable. The support member provides lateral support to the cable. The support member prevents excessive forces from reaching a device to which the cable connector is attached by resisting or absorbing, rather than transmitting, such forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Sabritec, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore T. Brancaleone
  • Patent number: 6830462
    Abstract: A connector is provided for reducing the effects of differential coefficient of thermal expansion of the connector and the underlying circuit board. The connector exhibits high coplanarity along the mounting interface by providing an insulative connector housing in which stress buildup is avoided. The connector housing incorporates compliant sections corresponding to the areas where the greatest deformation in the substrate is expected. The housing has notches or slots at locations furthest from the neutral point (NP) of the connector (i.e., around the corners). By means of this arrangement, stress buildup is avoided, so as to minimize warping and twisting of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald K. Harper, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6811441
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for providing a strain relief for use in the assembly of an electrical connector on an end of an electrical conductor having at least an outer braided portion, which may be surrounded by an insulating cover. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide a low cost approach for installation using minimal tooling, while providing a precise and robust relief that ensures electrical performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20040147160
    Abstract: A conductor lead and power cord retention system for a compressor/pump has a unique bushing for capturing and pinching the cord in an opening in the pump housing. The bushing has a leading end defining an open-ended slot. The bushing slides into a pocket in the housing and overlaps an open-ended slot in the housing. Overlapping the slots creates a bounded (circular for example) opening sized to snuggly pinch the cord sheathing without damaging the conductors. The slots are shaped and sized to accommodate a variety of cord diameters. The bushing is retained in the recess by a pair of angled snap tabs that engage notches and further by mounting of the drive motor to the housing, which forces the bushing against the housing to prevent rattling as well as helps maintain the necessary pinch force and prevents the bushing from being removed without tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Paul J. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6709284
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a connector mounting. A method includes: providing a connector mounting with a compressive connector bracket and a channel conduit; inserting a connector into the connector mounting via the compressive connector bracket; and resting a connector feed assembly in the channel via a connector feed assembly pass-through slot by penetrating a volume defined by the connector feed assembly pass-through slot with the connector at an angle to a principle plane defined by the connector mounting and then rotating a proximal end of the connector toward the principle plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Aurora Networks
    Inventor: Artie Avlonitis
  • Patent number: 6652325
    Abstract: A connector device that can reliably carry high data rates is described. The device disclosed offers multiple termination mediums and a variety of electrical packaging applications. The connector device ensures a high degree of wire position control through the use of wire retention combs and/or registration holes. The wire retention combs grip and secure portions of the discrete wires, and the registration block secures the ends of the exposed wires such that a stable connection between the wires and the electrical contact leads of the device can be maintained. In alternative embodiments, one surface of the contact leads are designed to connect with discrete wires and an opposite surface of the contact leads are designed to connect to an electronic device card. In some embodiments of the present invention, the connector device is formed of two substantially identical components that are attached to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Enhance, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith F. Tharp, Theodore J. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6648673
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing (21); a plurality of terminals (22) arranged in the housing (21) and connected to a plurality of paired wires of a cable (C); a guide member (10) having a plurality of receiving channels (13) for guiding and supporting the paired wires. Each of the receiving channels (13) has a wide channel (14) for receiving each of the paired wires, a pair of narrow channels (15) for receiving a pair of untwisted wires of the each paired wire, and a branching channel (16) for joining the wide and narrow channels (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6619997
    Abstract: A modular electrical connector back shell apparatus that provides wire strain relief when using pre-wired modules for electrical wiring applications. The apparatus includes a housing, a modular frame insertable into the housing, and a plurality of modular connectors insertable into the modular frame. The housing includes a plurality of wire-tie receiving orifices for fastening the wires in the pre-wired modular connectors to the housing via a wire-tie inserted through at least two wire-tie receiving orifices and fastened around at least one wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation
    Inventors: George A. Wilson, Ronald J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6579117
    Abstract: (1) A connector includes a body, at least one contact metal element inserted and fitted along a direction in the body and a lead wire having one end portion thereof inserted into an opening of the body along a further direction different from the inserting direction of the contact metal element. The one end portion of the lead wire inserted in the body is laterally pressed and contacted by a leading end of the contact metal element to be electrically connected therewith, and the other portion of the lead wire not inserted in the body is bent at the opening to the inserting direction of the contact metal element, with the bent portion of the lead wire being retained by a lead wire retaining portion of the body. (2) A connector includes a body and a plurality of contact metal elements inserted and fitted in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20030087546
    Abstract: An electrical connector, having a flexible substrate and a plurality of contact pads arranged in a regular configuration on a first surface of the substrate. A plurality of electrical traces on the flexible substrate, each in electrical contact with a respective one of the plurality of contact pads is also provided, and a plurality of apertures penetrating through the flexible substrate and arranged in a regular configuration and interlaced into the plurality of contact pads is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen V.R. Hellriegel, Alexander I. Yatskov
  • Publication number: 20020177350
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a housing (21); a plurality of terminals (22) arranged in the housing (21) and connected to a plurality of paired wires of a cable (C); a guide member (10) having a plurality of receiving channels (13) for guiding and supporting the paired wires. Each of the receiving channels (13) has a wide channel (14) for receiving each of the paired wires, a pair of narrow channels (15) for receiving a pair of untwisted wires of the each paired wire, and a branching channel (16) for joining the wide and narrow channels (14, 15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Satoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6485324
    Abstract: A form has a zigzag shape, around which an associated electrical cord is wrapped over and under a plurality of times. The form preferably includes at least a portion having a shape corresponding to one of a sine wave, a square wave, a triangle wave, a continuously curved wave, and a “Z”-shape. The form is preferably retained near an electrical device by a retaining element. The retaining element preferably includes at least one of a partially blocked conduit, a narrowing conduit, a partially blocked tube, a bent tube, and a narrowing tube. The conduit preferably receives the form therein. The interfaces of the associated cord and the form preferably effectuate a frictional locking therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Lee J. Belknap
  • Patent number: 6471537
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flat cable connector with lead-fixing detents. The connector includes a main body and a connecting seat. The connecting seat has a plurality of lead grooves at one end thereof, and a detent formed in each of the grooves. In assembly, leads of the flat cable are engaged in the lead grooves, and the detents are used to press against the leads so that the leads are fixed in place and cannot be unintentionally removed from the lead grooves. Thereafter, the connecting seat is secured to the main body such that the leads and the terminals on the main body are firmly joined. Accordingly, the assembly of the flat cable connector is more rapid and convenient, and the quality is more ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Guann Tau International Corporation
    Inventor: Chien-Pin Huang
  • Patent number: 6375493
    Abstract: An improved electrical plug/socket includes a seat being a fixed-shaped structure, one end thereof having an insert electrode, the other end thereof having a depression forming a seat chamber, the center having a through hole, a seat edge of an outer periphery being recessed to form a plurality of seat grooves; at least two insert electrodes formed from electrically conductive metal; and a lead wire connected to the insert electrodes and extending out of the through hole, and having an outer diameter corresponding to the seat groove so as to be insertable in the seat groove for guiding orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Taiwan Line Tek Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: James Lin
  • Patent number: 6341881
    Abstract: A single-conductor positioning device on each or either lateral side of a bulb holder, wherein, a receiving seat is integrally formed on the side of the bulb holder and is comprised of two hook-like sidewalls opposite to each other and forming an inner slot and a central slit. The wall portions of the sidewalls on both sides of the central slit are further folded to form respectively hooks. A recessed surface is formed centrally on an inner wall of the inner slot. A plug with a base can be fitted in the receiving seat, and has vertical grooves for connecting with the hooks on the receiving seat. The plug has a clamping recess provided in opposition to the recessed surface to form together with the latter a conductor clamping-slot. Inserting of the plug into the receiving seat can firmly position the conductor at a central position on the lateral side of the bulb holder; engagement of the plug with the vertical grooves can prevent the central slit from pulling outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Shining Blick Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter K. H. Huang
  • Patent number: 6328594
    Abstract: A strain relief for an electrical cord has a body with an opening extending therethrough for accommodating an electrical cord therein. The strain relief replaces a UL knot and establishes a frictional interaction with the cord to prevent sliding relative to the cord. The cord threads through the strain relief with the strain relief forcing the cord to change directions at least once. In one embodiment, a movable bridging member extends from the body proximate to a central opening in the body. In its closed position, the bridging member provides the support around which the electrical cord is looped to change direction. A pair of opposed grippers hold the electrical cord at 90 degrees relative to the axis of the body opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Heyco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas M. Mullen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6302724
    Abstract: A cable connector which includes a concave housing having opposed planar sides and a relation between the planar sides and having a proximate opening and a distal opening and first and second interior axial walls. A cable extends through the proximate opening in the exterior wall of the concave housing toward the distal opening and diverges adjacent the distal opening of the housing into opposed first and second transverse cable extensions. A terminal block is mounted in the distal opening of the housing having first and second projections and each of the projections engage one of the interior axial walls of the housing and one of the transverse cable extensions. Metallic contacts also extend from the terminal block to be electrically connected to the transverse cable extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Meller
  • Patent number: 6257921
    Abstract: A cable connector comprises an electrical connector part, a cable and a fixing member. The electrical connector comprises an over-mold, a shell extending from and out of the over-mold and a plug extending out of the shell. The fixing member defines an aperture therethrough for receiving a signal cable and forms a locking protrusion on a face thereof below the aperture. The over-mold has a top wall, a front wall and two sidewalls. A receiving channel defined in the top wall extending from a middle of the top wall to the front wall for receiving the cable. A recess is defined on a front wall below the receiving channel for receiving the locking protrusion of the fixing member. During assembly, the aperture of the fixing member receives the cable and the fixing member slides along the cable towards the over-mold. The locking protrusion are received in the recess of the over-mold thus anchoring an angled cable in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin Pao Kuo, Peter Kuo
  • Patent number: 6231376
    Abstract: A cable end connector comprises an electrical connector part and a signal transmission cable attached to the electrical connector part. The electrical connector part comprises an over-mold and a mating portion receiving a plurality of terminals and extending from the over-mold. The over-mold defines a notch in an upper portion thereof which comprises a pair of integrally formed opposing latching blocks in an inside surface thereof. The cable is disposed in the notch and securely latched by the pair of latching blocks, thereby the cable being maintained in the notch at a right angle configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chin Pao Kuo