Longitudinally Divided Connector Housing Grips Conductor Patents (Class 439/465)
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Patent number: 5944552Abstract: A multiple tier electrical connector includes a housing (2) having a plurality of lower arranging grooves (8) for receiving a lower row of cables; a plurality of guiding sections (8C) provided on upper portions of the lower arranging grooves; an arranging member (4) having a plurality of upper arranging grooves (12) for receiving an upper row of cables and a plurality of downward guiding projections (11) for entering the guiding sections.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chiyoki Hanami
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Patent number: 5860832Abstract: Flat flexible cable includes at least one conductor with an insulating film disposed thereabout. The cable further includes an opening through the film not in contact with the conductor. A connector for use with the flat flexible cable, includes an opening and a means for retaining the cable within the opening. The opening receives the cable such that one end of the cable is within the connector. The means for releasably retaining the cable within the opening is disposed through the opening in the cable, so that any force on the cable is transferred to the connector.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1997Date of Patent: January 19, 1999Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.Inventors: Roger W. Wayt, Nathan J. Moore
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Patent number: 5855493Abstract: A cable connector (20) for terminating a plurality of cables (26) in a clamping manner and matable with a complementary connector (10). Cable connector (20) includes a housing (32) and a backshell subassembly (62) having a pair of covers (66,68) and a pair of inserts (70,72) and can include a ground assembly (120) for gang termination of ferrule-terminated braid portions of shielded signal cables. Ground assembly (120) includes a commoning strip (122) compressed between ferrules (58) of the two rows of cables (26), and further includes a conductor (124) extending to a ground terminal (128) in housing (32).Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1997Date of Patent: January 5, 1999Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventor: Christopher Warren Shelly
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Patent number: 5850692Abstract: In a process for fitting a round cable provided with a number of single wires with a multi-way, preferably flat, plug into which the single wires are placed, the single wires have their free ends stripped of insulation and are fitted with contacts. In such a process, assembly can be carried out in a cost-effective manner and the risk of damage to the small contacts is greatly reduced. Provision is made for the single wires to be placed alongside each other in a wire holder of the plug, for the ends projecting beyond the wire holder to be cut to the same projecting length and stripped of insulation to the same length and for a contact carrier to be provided with the corresponding number of adjacent contacts and connected to the end of the wire holder receiving the single wire ends, and for the opposing regions of stripped single wire ends and connection elements of the contacts to be interconnected to make electrical contact.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1997Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Manfred Schock, Juergen Frommer, Manfred Illg, Werner Pfitzenreiter
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Patent number: 5831815Abstract: A backshell construction for an electrical connector which allows multiple cable exits, multiple cable exit directions and multiple cable sizes. A conductive ferrule having a fixed size clamp portion is utilized as an adaptor for different size cables. The backshell is constructed of a pair of duplicate hermaphroditic conductive bodies wherein the rear and side walls may have one or more cable cutouts with engagement structure for gripping the ferrule on each of the cables.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: George Dean Miller, William Gary Lenker
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Patent number: 5788534Abstract: Assembly (10) for terminating to cable (12) including a pair of covers (40,90) defining a cable exit (20). Channels of the covers at the cable exit have cable-clamping surfaces dimensioned to compress the cable outer jacket upon full assembly The covers include interlocking sections at the cable exit defined by latching arms (62,92) and latch-receiving recesses (72,94). Upon full assembly the latching arms latch in the recesses, and the now-compressed cable presses the latching arms to enhance maintenance of the latched condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1997Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: Keith Scott Koegel, Kenneth Wayne Guyer
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Patent number: 5774980Abstract: An electrical cord clamp is disclosed for securing an end of an electrical cord to an electrical device or connector. The electrical cord clamp provides strain relief between the ends of the electrical conductors of the electrical cord and the terminals of the electrical device or connector. The cord clamp has a pair of clamping members tiltably coupled to a pair of housing halves of the electrical device for tiltably engaging the electrical cord upon installation thereon to pull the electrical cord towards the terminals of the electrical device or connector. One or more spring elements are preferably provided for normally biasing the clamping members to their original position prior to assembly within the electrical device or connector. In one embodiment, the spring elements are integrally formed with the cover halves. In other embodiments, clamping members are provided with one or more spring elements or arms.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Lawrence J. Klein, Thomas R. J. Swift
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Patent number: 5759063Abstract: A wire guide assembly (10) mounted to an electrical connector (20) for orienting a bundle of wires exiting from a wire exit face of the connector (20). The wire guide assembly (10) comprises upper and lower pieces (30,40) each with respective latching structure (36,46) for connecting the pieces (30,40) together. Additionally, the upper and lower pieces (30,40) each include mounting structure (32,33;44) for mounting the assembly (10) to the connector (20). The latching structure (36,46) advantageously provides clamping forces to the mounting structure (32,33;44) for imparting structural rigidity to the assembly (10) and thereby supporting and guiding a bundle of wires.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: Hoy Smith Beck, Jr., Dana Marpoe
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Patent number: 5716239Abstract: An electrical connector assembly according to the current invention comprises a receptacle and a composite action beam. The composite action beam is located in the receptacle and has a movable end and a fixed end. During initial phase of insertion cycle, a movable end of the composite action beam moves as the pin is inserted into the connector. This movement reduces insertion force. During an intermediate phase of the insertion cycle, the movable end reaches the inside wall of the connector and the composite action beam now functions as a two-end supported beam. The composite action beam thereon exerts sufficiently high normal force against the inserted pin so as to retain the pin in the inserted position. Thus, the composite action beam reduces insertion force without compromising normal force once the pin is inserted.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stanley Wayne Olson
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Patent number: 5651691Abstract: The invention relates to a self-baring connector for a flat cable. This connector comprises a base and a cover fitted onto this base. The base comprises grooves separated by longitudinal bosses and the cover is equipped with grooves separated by longitudinal ribs to house wires of an electrical cable. The cover in addition bears, in recesses arranged in the grooves, connecting grips arranged to perform electrical coupling by perforation of the self-baring type of the insulator surrounding the conductor of the wire. This connector is suitable for a flat cable with several electrical wires and enables an electrical connection to be made at any point of this cable.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1995Date of Patent: July 29, 1997Assignee: Schneider Electric S.A.Inventor: Christophe Grumel
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Patent number: 5632647Abstract: Disclosed is a combined RF/power tap unit. The power and RF portions are provided in separate compartments with a cover for the power compartment so that access to the internal RF circuitry is possible without disturbing the power compartment. The cover for the power portion extends beyond the sides of the compartment, and the compartment includes appropriate grooves and seals to protect the wire connections from the outside environment. Detents are provided in one side of the compartment to hold the drop wires, and ribs in the cover supply strain relief.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1994Date of Patent: May 27, 1997Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Donald P. Dobbin, Theodore E. Kluska, Arnold R. Smith
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Patent number: 5601447Abstract: This invention is directed to a patch cord cable assembly for use in a high speed transmission cable network, more particularly to an electrical connector which gives the assembly the capability of transmitting data at 100 MHz frequency while offering near-end crosstalk (NEXT) at EIA/TIA 568-A Category 5 performance levels. The preferred electrical connector comprises a pair of interfitting housing members, and a plurality of side-by-side electrical terminals positioned between the housing members for establishing electrical contact with the individual wires of a cable. The terminals are arranged at essentially one end of the housing members and the cable is caused to enter said housing members from an opposite end thereof. One of the housing members includes a cable jacket stop intermediate the ends and plural, spaced-apart posts between the cable jacket stop and the one end.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Inventors: Carl G. Reed, Clifford F. Lincoln
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Patent number: 5569050Abstract: A backshell housing and connector assembly are provided with strain relief in which the housing has a top and bottom shell with front and rear sections. Ledges with horizontal grooves disposed therein are located at the front sections of both shells. Piercing means are also provided on at least one ledge that pierces the web of jacket insulation when the housing is assembled. Energy directors are also provided that capture ultrasonic energy and cause welding of the two shells.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 1994Date of Patent: October 29, 1996Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventor: Brian K. Lloyd
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Patent number: 5545054Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a through axial passage for receiving therein an electrical terminal. A cover is hingedly connected to the housing for movement from an open position to a closed position, with the cover and the housing having respective juxtaposed walls bounding at least one lateral side of the passage when the cover is in its closed position. Complementary laterally engaging latches are provided between the juxtaposed walls to hold the cover in its closed position. The wall of the cover is juxtaposed inside the wall of the housing in a lateral direction. Therefore, lateral forces on the terminal biases the wall of the cover outwardly toward the wall of the housing to ensure engagement of the laterally engaging latches.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1994Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Kevin C. Benes, Fred L. Krehbiel, Russell L. Mackowiak
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Patent number: 5503568Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an insulative housing, a pair of inmoulded terminals and a separate core support member, makes electrical contact with a twin core flexible conductor comprising a flexible elastomeric outer tube and flexible spaced apart inner conductors. The core support member comprises a core section substantially filling the inner space formed by the conductors and tube thereby providing support to the flexible tube conductor such that pin sections of the terminals can be sandwiched between the conductors and the core section and additionally sandwiching the flexible outer tube between strain relief projections of core support member arms and the core section for securely fixing the connector thereto. The connector is of a cost-effective and simple construction that is also easy to assemble.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventor: John E. Pryce
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Patent number: 5445538Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for the termination of jacketed multi-conductor electrical cable. The connector includes a connector housing defining a first bounded opening which permits passage of the cable therethrough. The cable strain relief device is positioned adjacent the first bounded opening of the housing. The cable strain relief device includes first and second hermaphroditic strain relief members for securing the cable therebetween. The first strain relief member is fixedly positioned within the housing and the second strain relief member is movably supported with respect to the first strain relief member. The first and second strain relief members define a fully bounded opening surrounding the cable. The first and second strain relief members are movable so as to reduce the size of the seconded bounded opening for frictionally securing the cable thereat.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Thomas & Betts CorporationInventors: Julio F. Rodrigues, Paul J. Bartholomew, Timothy S. Bowman, Gary L. Lowery
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Patent number: 5409396Abstract: A cable strain relief system is provided for an electrical connector assembly which terminates a multi-conductor ribbon cable. A pair of interengageable elongated strain relief members clamp the ribbon cable therebetween. A flexible latch arm with a latch hook is provided on at least one of the strain relief members. A latch passage and a latch shoulder is provided on at least the other of the strain relief members for receiving the latch arm and latchingly engaging the latch hook of the one strain relief member. A rigid alignment element is provided on at least one of the strain relief members, and an alignment opening is provided on at least the other of the strain relief members for receiving the rigid alignment element. The latch passage is sized to receive the latch arm and latch hook freely thereinto with the pair of strain relief members offset relative to each other, and with the latch arm in an initial unflexed condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1994Date of Patent: April 25, 1995Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: David C. Bowen, Jerry A. Long
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Patent number: 5389006Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing, quick release latches, and a hood. The hood allows an electrical cable to exit the hood in three different directions. The quick release latches are located on opposite ends of the housing and allow the connector to be easily snap-lock connected to a second connector and easily released from the second connector by depressing the latches. The use of the hood, the size and shape of the housing, and the simplicity of the latches combine to provide a lightweight connector that can be used in aircrafts for entertainment systems.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1993Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Burndy CorporationInventor: Rocco J. Noschese
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Patent number: 5371323Abstract: Splice housing apparatus are provided on its interior with spacers or spacing members for engaging the splice or splices contained by the apparatus and for maintaining the splice or splices substantially out of engagement with the interior of the apparatus and generally suspended therein whereby a body of material for preventing water damage to the splice or splices can substantially surround the splice or splices and prevent water damage thereto.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Assignee: Keptel, Inc.Inventors: Pina R. Schneider, Thomas G. Graham, Stanley B. Krawiec
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Patent number: 5348494Abstract: The present invention is a connector shell assembly that retains both a conventional connector and a strain relief or radio jack which is attached to the extended rear end of the connector shell. The connector shell assembly also has unisex spring-load turn wheel mechanisms which do not need tools to be installed.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Inventors: Aldo Falossi, Paul Thomas
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Patent number: 5344338Abstract: A strain relief structure is provided for connecting a flat flexible cable to a circuit board. The flat flexible cable includes an array of parallel conductors, flexible insulation disposed around the conductors and a web of insulation disposed between adjacent conductors. The strain relief structure includes a body having at least one cable receiving aperture extending therethrough. A deflectable strain relief extends into the cable receiving aperture for engaging the web of insulation between at least a pair of conductors. Transverse walls, independent of the strain relief structure, extend into the cable receiving aperture for biasing at least one of the conductors out of the plane of the flat flexible cable.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1993Date of Patent: September 6, 1994Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventors: Stephen A. Colleran, Robert J. Gugelmeyer, Lawrence E. Geib, Kenneth T. Stead, Weng H. Cheong
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Patent number: 5328386Abstract: A wire organizer for bundling discrete insulated wires in a cable configuration for mass insertion into an electrical ballast connector. The wire organizer includes a lower housing assembly (20) having a wire yoke (26) mounted across the bottom wall, the yoke (26) being formed with an array of notches (27) spaced thereacross each for seating a corresponding discrete wire (10). A pair of flanking teeth (29) are provided in each notch (27) for gripping the insulated section (14) of the wire inserted therein. An upper housing assembly (40) mates with the lower housing assembly (20) to cover the wire yoke (26), thereby capturing the plurality of discrete wires (10) in their respective notches (27). A similar second wire yoke (30) may be provided for supplemental seating of the wires (10) along their insulated sections (14).Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1993Date of Patent: July 12, 1994Inventors: Robert H. Frantz, Michael A. McCaffrey
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Patent number: 5308258Abstract: An electrical connector is provided with electrical contacts comprising three contact zones or regions. The primary contact region is planar and parallel with the axis of insertion when two identical hermaphroditic connectors are mated. The tip of the contact assembly is formed to create a second contact zone and a third contact zone is formed at the same orientation as the second contact zone and disposed to be engaged by the second contact zone of the mating contact assembly. The housing of the connector is keyed to permit connection only with an identically keyed connector housing. The connector is provided with a strain relief formed integrally with the housing to resist the pulling of the conductors from the connector. The contact assembly engages the wire in the conductor when final assembly occurs, by means of a double insulation displacement contact.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: May 3, 1994Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: John G. Hatsios
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Patent number: 5285349Abstract: A power box (12) for a low voltage lighting system (10). Power box (12), which connects to a 120 VAC source via 120 VAC cable (15) and a plurality of low voltage light fixtures (14) via a 12 VAC cable (16), includes a "tortuous path" strain relief (40) including a first strain relief structure (41) in a base (19) having vertically spaced horizontal ribs (44, 46, 48) and a second strain relief structure (43) in a cover (28) having corresponding vertically spaced horizontal ribs (56, 54, 52). When base (19) and cover (28) are assembled, structures (41 and 43) align such that the ribs interdigitate or mesh to form the tortuous path strain relief (40) for the 120 VAC cable (15). Another aspect of the invention is the use of a standard spade lug connector (77) and a pair of "double-L" spade lug connectors (78) for making the internal and external 12 VAC connections to a step down transformer (60) and the 12 VAC cable (16), respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1991Date of Patent: February 8, 1994Assignee: The Toro CompanyInventors: Jeffrey E. Zander, Jay J. Kakuk
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Patent number: 5277617Abstract: A versatile electrical connector housing 12 with strain relief, includes a first housing section 26 and a second housing section 30. First back ridge 44 being offset from and in combination with a second back ridge 48 provide a strain relief. A vertical passage 50 in combination with a horizontal passage 52 allows an electrical transmission cable 16 to enter into the electrical connector within the profile of the electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1992Date of Patent: January 11, 1994Assignee: Woven Electronics CorporationInventor: Sam S. Shasteen
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Patent number: 5264663Abstract: A junction structure for electrically connecting a plurality of connection conductors at one end of a flat cable, which includes a plurality of electrical conductors arranged parallel in an insulating material, and electrical conductors of a plurality of lead wires. The junction of the flat cable comprises a first fixing member formed integrally with one of the flat cable and the lead wires, and a second fixing member fixing the other of the flat cable and the lead wires to the first fixing member to thereby temporarily connect the respective corresponding electrical conductors of the flat cable and the lead wire.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1992Date of Patent: November 23, 1993Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventors: Akira Noguchi, Yoshikazu Hayashi
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Patent number: 5261835Abstract: A 75 ohm and 300 ohm coupler having a housing tube consisting of an upper and a lower half tube respectively provided with tenons and mortises to engage one another securely to assemble both half tubes to become a cylindrical housing tube, a connecting head having a positive terminal and a negative terminal fitting inside one end of the housing tube, two 300 ohm lead wires enveloped in a rubber cover bored with holes for the tenons to pass through so as to secure the lead wires.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1992Date of Patent: November 16, 1993Inventor: Kun C. Fang
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Patent number: 5244415Abstract: A shielded electrical computer cable connector that has high strength and resistance to crushing forces includes a shield base and a shield cover formed from die cast zinc which together form a shielded chamber. A shielded cable is received in one end of the shielded chamber and a connector module having electrical terminals is secured to the other end of the shielded chamber. The shield base has several conductor alignment columns which retain cable wiring within the chamber in alignment with the terminals in the connector module, and which also support the shield cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 1992Date of Patent: September 14, 1993Assignee: Harbor Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Ronald S. Marsilio, Curtis Hopkins
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Patent number: 5234358Abstract: A strain relief shell is provided for relieving stress between an electrical connector and an electrical cable. The shell includes a pair of complementarily interengageable shell halves defining an interior cavity. The shell halves are releaseably engageable with the electrical connector on a given center line. A pair of cable exit openings are provided through the shell at different orientations such that the cable can exit from one opening in a direction generally parallel to the center line and from the other opening in one of two directions generally transverse to the center line. A pair of holding loops are formed integral with the shell, projecting into the interior cavity thereof, for holding a cable tie about the cable respectively in either of the directions thereof. Break-away plug portions are formed integrally with the respective shell halves for closing the cable exit openings.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventor: Gary E. Polgar
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Patent number: 5228868Abstract: An electrical connector having a cover case for fixing therein the connector. The cover case consists of two case halves arranged one upon the other. The cover case having at a take-up opening of a cable an inner sleeve through which the cable passes. The inner sleeve consists of two semicylinders fixed to the casing halves, respectively. The cover case further has an outer sleeve which, after the inner sleeve is covered by the outer sleeve, is caulked to provide urging force onto the inner sleeve against its outer surface. Abutment edges of the two semicylinders of the inner sleeve are formed as wave-shaped edges waved in the abutment plane of the abutment edges so that the wave-shaped edges of one semicylinder are not coincident with the wave-shape edges of the other semicylinder. In another embodiment, abutment edges of the two semicylinders of the inner sleeve are provided with projecting plate members extending in the abutment plane of the abutment edges.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1991Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: Daiichi Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshiaki Igarashi, Naohiko Honma
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Patent number: 5211706Abstract: A strain relief shell is provided for relieving stress between an electrical connector and an electrical cable. The shell includes a pair of complementarily interengageable shell halves defining an interior cavity. The shell halves are releaseably engageable with the electrical connector on a given center line. A pair of cable exit openings are provided through the shell at different orientations such that the cable can exit from one opening in a direction generally parallel to the center line and from the other opening in one of two directions generally transverse to the center line. A pair of holding loops are formed integral with the shell, projecting into the interior cavity thereof, for holding a cable tie about the cable respectively in either of the directions thereof. Break-away plug portions are formed integrally with the respective shell halves for closing the cable exit openings.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1992Date of Patent: May 18, 1993Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventor: Gary E. Polgar
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Patent number: 5205740Abstract: A connector for connecting large numbers of contact points on a flat ribbon cable to corresponding contact points on a second flat ribbon ribbon cable is described. The connector is a rigid clamping device which encompasses the cables where they join and through the use of springs and force spreaders the connections at the cable interface are completed. The connections of the cables are disposed within a chamber within the connector and rigidly clamped to prevent movement or separation of the connections.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1991Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: International Business Machines, Corp.Inventors: Richard F. Frankeny, Karl Hermann, Ronald E. Hunt, Verlon E. Whitehead
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Patent number: 5195909Abstract: An electrical connector (20) for terminating to conductors (220) of a shielded cable (222) is prepared with an exposed cable shield (224). An insulated housing member (30) has a cavity (64) therein with a cable exit (66) extending between the cavity (64) and an exterior surface of the housing member (30). A shield member (26) is receivable in the cavity (64). The shield member (26) has a flange (190) extending into the cable exit (66). A staple (32) is adapted to be received and secured in the cable exit (66). The staple (32) is further adapted to be moved into the cable exit (66) to compress a cable (222) passing therethrough such that the shield member flange (190) is pressed into engagement with the exposed cable shield (224) on the cable (222). Strain relief is thereby provided and simultaneously electrical continuity is achieved between the cable shield (222) and the flange (190 ).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1992Date of Patent: March 23, 1993Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: John P. Huss, Jr., Michael E. Shirk
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Patent number: 5188542Abstract: An electrical connector of generally clam-shell construction includes an integral mount at the cable end of only one connector half to thereby provide an integral mount for a flexible strain relief. Additionally, a P.C. board mounted overtemperature sensing circuit is contained within the connector to sense an overtemperature condition inside the connector itself and illuminate an LED to provide a visual indication to an operator that an overtemperature condition has occurred. The LED remains illuminated so long as the connector is connected in circuit with the battery being charged and will remain so even after the battery charger's automatic circuitry reduces or cuts off charger power to the circuit. The circuit automatically resets itself for reuse upon disconnection (and cooling) of the connector from the charging circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Inventor: Gray Ballman
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Patent number: 5171154Abstract: A high density connector (10) for electrically interconnecting conductive paths (14, 84) on close centers between circuit boards such as those of a backpanel (82) and daughter cards (12), includes a clamping mechanism (18, 20) bolted first to a daughter card and then to a backpanel to compress springs (46, 48, 50) held by the mechanism driving flat flexible circuits (52) having contacts (68, 70) on close centers to engage board circuit paths, where the mechanism (18, 20) is rigid and includes spring driven clamps (42) to straighten the daughter card and strain relief the interconnection area. The flexible circuit contacts (68, 70) are offset relative to the springs (48, 50) bearing area to provide a contact wipe of the contact path interconnection.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1991Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Albert Casciotti, Ronald A. Dery, David J. Goetzinger
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Patent number: 5145404Abstract: A switch terminal board cover 20 (FIG. 2) is molded from a non-conductive material and consists of a base 21, a spacing edge 22 with retaining latches 24,25 and an opening 23, and a plurality of projections 26 disposed on the base. The projections 26 are sized and positioned such that they form a plurality of slots which prevent excessive movement of and contact between electrical leads 10, thereby preventing electrical shorts from occurring, and help maintain the integrity of electrical terminations 12 of a switch 11 (FIG. 3).Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1991Date of Patent: September 8, 1992Assignee: United Technologies Automotive, Inc.Inventors: Glen H. Beattie, Dale R. Jesselson
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Patent number: 5133674Abstract: A flat cable strain relief fitting accommodates various thicknesses of cable by providing a first fitting half which includes stair-step type slots which support a bar at various heights above the major surface of the first fitting half. The bar thus is adjustable in height to contact different thicknesses of cable and force the cable into clamping contact with a second half of the strain relief fitting.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1991Date of Patent: July 28, 1992Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing CompanyInventor: William H. Albrecht
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Patent number: 5123859Abstract: A stackable connector (20) formed by positioning connector housings (22,24) back-to-back and securing them together with terminating covers (26,28). Opposing terminating covers (26,28) have leg means (86,88,90,92) that complement leg means on the other terminating cover to substantially fill apertures (52). Either a short segment of cable or conductors of a cable are terminated on corresponding ones of contacts in the two housings (22,24). The terminating covers (26,28) are secured to housings (22,24) in a pretermination position in which corners (98,100) of leg means (86,88,90,92) engage side walls (126) of apertures (52) in a first interference fit. As termination of the conductors is completed, leg means (86,88,90,92) of terminating cover (86) enter apertures (104,106,108,110) on terminating cover (28) and engage a protrusion (112,114,116,118) in a second interference fit.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1991Date of Patent: June 23, 1992Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Wayne S. Davis, Earl W. McCleerey
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Patent number: 5080608Abstract: Electrical conductor cord connections including male and female connectors. The male cord connector has fixed prongs protruding in parallel from a face on the body of the connector. A conductor cord is connected to the prongs internally of the body, the connections are covered and the cord held by an end cap fastened to the body with the conductor cord emerging from the body in the same direction as, and parallel to, the prongs. A notch has been provided in the body to allow the conductor to be forced to a right angled location for wall receptacle installation of the male prongs. The female connector has a similar body but with the male prongs being replaced by receptacles, the end cap and notch again being provided. A connection using the above male and female connectors ensure an inseparable connection when tension is put on the electrical conductor cords attached thereto.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Inventors: William W. Yarnton, William J. Rouse
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Patent number: 5057650Abstract: A molded circuit component for connecting to lead wires includes body and a protective cover. The body includes a partition wall area having a plurality of housing grooves, partition walls, body notches, positioning projections and fastening pin reception apertures. The protective cover includes a plurality of cover notches, recesses and fastening pins to correspond respectively with the body notches, positioning projections and fastening pin reception apertures. Metal lines having connection terminals on their ends are embedded in the housing grooves. Lead wires are positioned in the grooves so that the conductors of the lead wires are placed on, and attached to, the connection terminals. The protective cover is then attached to the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 1990Date of Patent: October 15, 1991Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Sankyo Kasei Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenichi Urushibata, Kiyoto Sugawara, Tatsuo Matsuda, Haruo Saen, Keiichi Kojima, Syusaku Kawasaki, Hiroshi Hatase, Katsuya Saito, Tetsuo Yumoto, Norio Yoshizawa, Tooru Kanno
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Patent number: 5007856Abstract: Housings for terminations or interconnections of flat electrical cable have integral cable-clamping means to compensate for variations in cable thickness at cable exits and can accommodate one or two cables at an exit. The cable-clamping means are integral cable-engaging platforms which upon cable surface engagement as the pair of housings are secured together, are deflectable against spring bias into respective transverse relief slots therebehind. The cable-engaging platforms remain in compression against the one or two cables at the cable exit and provide insulation, vibration resistance and strain relief, protecting the termination or interconnection site.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1989Date of Patent: April 16, 1991Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventor: Dean A. Puerner
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Patent number: 4975081Abstract: A tap or splice connector especially useful for a pair of dual conductor flat power cables includes two pairs of upper and lower structures which are applied to the stacked in-line cables side-by-side and then enclosed in a housing. The upper and lower structures each have a transverse array of cable-engaging wave-shaped bosses alternating with wave-receiving relief recesses when pressed together, so that the waves press strips of both cables in upper and lower arrays into the opposing recesses thus exposing conductor edges of the strips for electrical connection. Outer surfaces of the structures are then staked to urge the metal thereof laterally and tightly against the conductor edges adjacent thereto.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: John K. Daly, Songchin S. Lu, Dean A. Puerner, Frederick H. Rider, David S. Szczesny
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Patent number: 4975076Abstract: An electrical connector for making connection to a conductor cable, including a connector block which has an anvil surface against which the conductor cable is positionable. A resilient electrical contact member is fixed to the connector block and has an abutment portion for engaging the conductor cable opposite the anvil surface. The electrical contact terminates in a free end extending angularly at an acute angle away from the abutment portion and the anvil surface. A cover member has an inner contact engaging surface and is affixed to the connector block in a direction of movement transverse to the anvil surface. The inner surface of the cover member engages the free end of the contact member to drive the abutment portion of the contact member into engagement with the conductor cable. The abutment portion is caused to wipe the conductor cable due to the angular orientation of the free end of the contact member.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 1990Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: Molex IncorporatedInventor: Rene Mosquera
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Patent number: 4975078Abstract: A modular telephone connector includes a housing defining a standard telephone jack, a contact carrier that mounts a plurality of metal contacts each having resilient cantilever jack forming portions and insulation displacement portions and a wire positioning fixture having aligned first and second rows of wire guide channels. The connector is assembled by latching the contact carrier and contacts to the housing, positioning wires through first and second wire guide channels of the wire positioning fixture and securing the fixture to the housing and contact carrier with latch arms formed on the fixture. The insulation displacement portion of each contact is positioned in alignment with and between first and second wire guide channels to engage and terminate a wire positioned in the first and second wire guide channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: Panduit Corp.Inventors: Andrew J. Stroede, Bruce W. Dawson
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Patent number: 4975080Abstract: Upper and lower connecting structures for use with flat power cable by being applied to major surfaces thereof, include arrays of cable-engaging bosses alternating with boss-receiving relief recesses; when pressed together the structures at least press conductor strips out of the cable plane and into opposing recesses of the opposing structures, exposing conductor strip edges for electrical connection and defining an array of interdigitated joints. The upper and lower structures are mechanically locked together by forming pockets in the side walls of the relief recesses of each structure to be disposed beside forwardmost portions of the cable-engaging bosses of the opposing structure upon application to the cable, and then deeply staking each of the interdigitated joints to split axially the forwardmost portion of the cable-engaging bosses and force the split portions laterally into the pockets, so that a portion of each structure is locked behind an associated portion of the other structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1989Date of Patent: December 4, 1990Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: John K. Daly, Songchin S. Lu, Frederick H. Rider
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Patent number: 4963104Abstract: A multiconductor shielded connector is disclosed in which a flexible, compressible double bushing is used between the connector half shells and the multiconductor cable. The double bushing comprises an outer bushing dimensioned to grasp the outer jacket of the cable at the exiting end of the connector. A concentric, longitudinally offset inner bushing is inserted under the shielding (braid or foil) and mates with ridges on the inner surface of the half shells to form a tight, continuous radiation seal. The inner and outer bushings are connected together with a fine web which maintains concentricity and axial displacement of the bushings before and during assembly, but which does not interfere with the operation of the connector after assembly. The outer bushing may have a sleeve extending outside of the half shells to prevent sharp bends at the connector exit. A single bushing can be used which defines a serpentine cable path when it is desired to use the same half shells with non-shielded cable.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1989Date of Patent: October 16, 1990Assignee: Spark Innovations, Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
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Patent number: 4929195Abstract: The shield connector is constructed with an electrically conductive stopper formed by an integrally insulated coating and a shield coating at the end portion of a shield wire. On the outer surface of the stopper an annular groove is bored. An inserting hold bored on the bottom of a shield case is assembled by coupling two shield case pieces and includes a bottom wall with a hole therein which engages the groove.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1988Date of Patent: May 29, 1990Assignee: Jupiter Dentsu Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masami Seidoh
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Patent number: 4925401Abstract: An electrical connector assembly 1 for electrical conductors 6 and a strain relief for the conductors 6, corresponding conductors 6 project from opposite first and second sides 4 of an insulative housing block 2 of the connector assembly 1, conductive electrical terminals inside the housing block 2 connected to corresponding conductors 6, duplicate first and second strain relief clamps latch to each other and clamp therebetween corresponding conductors 6 to provide the strain relief, and each of the clamps comprises, a clamping surface 23 elongated along a corresponding one of the sides 3 of the housing block 2, a first arm 24 projecting from a first end 25 of the clamping surface 23, a projecting first pivot surface 26 on the arm 24 received in a recess 33 in a corresponding end of the housing block 2 for pivoting the clamping surface 23 toward and against corresponding conductors 6, a concave portion 28 of the clamping surface 23 adjacent the first arm 24, a convex portion 30 of the clamping surface 23 forType: GrantFiled: May 23, 1989Date of Patent: May 15, 1990Assignee: AMP IncorporatedInventors: Michael W. Fogg, Michael J. Scully, Brian A. Wolfe
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Patent number: 4917622Abstract: The problem of preventing breakage of the terminating connections of electrical wires (32) is solved by a strain relief device (12) adapted for use with an electrical connector (10) for terminating a multi-wire electrical cable (18). The strain relief device includes a pair of shell members (34) adapted for assembly to a terminating end of the electrical connector and for embracing the electrical cable. A first groove (36) is formed about the outside of the shell members when in assembly. A locking ring (38) is positionable in the first groove to hold the shell members in assembly on the electrical connector. A second groove (40) is formed on the inside of the assembled shell members. A clam;ing ring (42) is positionable in the second groove for clamping about the electrical cable when the shell members are held in assembly by the locking ring.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1989Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Randall D. Davis
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Patent number: RE34531Abstract: A socket adapter for converting a conventional bottom connected watthour meter housing to a socket-type watthour meter housing. The adapter includes a housing having a watthour meter receiving portion including a plurality of electrical contacts which removably receive the blade terminals of a watthour meter. The contacts are connected via electrical conductors to terminals mounted in an integral terminal portion of the housing. A cover member is removably mountable over the terminal portion of the housing to provide access to the terminals. The terminal portion and the cover cooperate to form guide surfaces which direct the building conductors into engagement with the terminals within the adapter. A surge protector in the form of a pair of wires embedded within the peripheral surface of the watthour meter receiving portion of the housing are connectable through a connector mounted on the back wall of the housing to earth ground.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 1992Date of Patent: February 1, 1994Assignee: Ekstrom Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Bell, William Keopfgen