Including Or For Use With Tape Cable Patents (Class 439/492)
  • Publication number: 20040072467
    Abstract: A flexible electrical connector adapted to connect to a complimentary electrical connector receiver, said flexible electrical connector comprises first and second pluralities of a spaced apart, elongate, signal carriers; an elongate current return conductor; and an insulator. The first plurality of signal carriers are spaced apart from the current return conductor by the insulator and extend substantially parallel to the current return conductor. The second plurality of signal carriers are spaced from an opposite side of the current return conductor to the first plurality of signal carriers by a further insulator. Respective exposed end regions of the first and second pluralities of signal carriers and the current return conductor comprise respective, integrally formed contact regions thereof. The contact regions are adapted to couple the first and second pluralities of signal carriers and the current return conductor electrically to corresponding contacts of the complimentary electrical connector receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas Jordan, Arthur Cheumin Woo, Andrew Riden
  • Patent number: 6701225
    Abstract: A system for performing an electronic control in open or closed loop, in particular of functions of a motor vehicle, including at least one electronic control unit and at least one actuator and/or sensor assigned to the control unit, the at least one actuator and/or sensor being controllable via a control unit-actuator/sensor interface, in which variant-determining circuit elements which are arranged outside of the control unit, in particular driver modules are provided between the respective interfaces and the actuator and/or sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Schenk, Georg Blume, Elmar Giehler, Frank Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20040029451
    Abstract: A method for continuously producing flat cables with electric conductors embedded in an isolating material which are arranged at a certain distance from each other, parallel to each other. According to this invention, the band shaped conductors are guided separately in a plane forming two sides of a surface. The surface sides have insulating layers based on thermoplastic synthetic materials. According to this invention, at least one of the insulating layers which covers the surface sides is produced by extrusion coating of a thermoplastic melt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Karl Froschl, Frank Bennerscheidt, Hartmut Halter
  • Patent number: 6672877
    Abstract: A contactor block is characterized by including a beam-like holder having an underside and a retreat portion formed on a side following the underside; and a contact sheet provided with a plurality of contactors at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the holder and disposed in the outer periphery of the holder so as to be located on the underside of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nihon Micronics
    Inventor: Yoshiei Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6652311
    Abstract: A polarizing system is provided in a connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The flat flexible circuit has a longitudinal center-line and a pattern of polarizing holes therein asymmetrical to the center-line. A connector body member positions the flat flexible circuit thereon and has an asymmetrical pattern of polarizing posts insertable into the polarizing holes of the flat flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Patent number: 6648675
    Abstract: A method for fitting a carrier with a cable harness having main and branch conductors and with a device. A contact element is arranged on the carrier. A top portion of the main conductor, a bottom portion of a first end of the branch conductor, and a top portion of a second end of the branch conductor are exposed. The conductors are arranged on the carrier with the main conductor lying on the carrier, the exposed bottom portion of the branch conductor contacting the exposed top portion of the main conductor, and the exposed top portion of the branch conductor placed on the contact element for realizing a plug connector. The carrier is fitted with a device having a plug connector such that the device is electrically connected to the branch conductor and mechanically connected to the carrier via a connection between the plug connector and the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jorg Welschholz, Roland Drees, Norbert Bendicks, Detlef Kerkmann, Berthold Eesders
  • Patent number: 6645001
    Abstract: A plug connector is provided that can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. A plug connector 20 that fastens the distal ends of an inner conductor (conducting wire) 25a and engages a receptacle, and at the same time by this engagement, the contacts provided in this receptacle and said inner conductor 25a are brought into electrical continuity, wherein a ground housing (substrate), which is an insulator, is provided, and on the surface of the plug housing 21, a film-shaped conducting part 28 is formed that is in contact with the contact of the receptacle in a state wherein the plug connector 20 and the receptacle are engaged, and the distal ends of the inner conductors 25a in the conducting part 28 are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuya Okano
  • Patent number: 6638090
    Abstract: The invention provides a miniaturized and simplified connector for a flexible flat cable. A male connector 12 is formed from bus bars B and a male housing 13, the bus bars B being welded to a tip end of a flexible flat cable C, the male housing 13 being molded so as to cover these bus bars B and a tip end portion of the flexible flat cable C. An opening portion 13b is formed in one face of the male housing 13. A female connector 17 is formed from terminal fittings 20 and a female housing 18, the terminal fittings 20 having resilient contacts 20b capable of resiliently making contact with the bus bars B when the connector 12 is fitted into the connector 17. A latching means 16 is provided between the female housing 18 and the male housing 13, and a waterproofing rubber ring 21 is located between an inner face of the female housing 18 and an outer face of the male housing 13.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigekazu Wakata
  • Patent number: 6626696
    Abstract: Projections are provided in gaps between each wire opening for electric wire main bodies of a flat cable in a connection box to clamp and hold the flat cable. Stronger holding force is easily attained with smaller body size of the connection box for a flat cable. Various flat cables with deferent wire diameter are accepted in the same size connection box. The operation for assembling the connection box and the flat cable is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20030181094
    Abstract: An insulative body for producing two kinds of terminal modules is disclosed. The insulative body is moldable over two kinds of terminals sets, and has one end face formed with spaced apart parallel ribs confining grooves therebetween. Each terminals set includes two rows of terminals having retention sections surrounded by the insulative body, and tail sections extending out of the end face of the body such that the ribs and grooves extend between two rows of the tail sections. In one kind of the terminals sets, two rows of the tail sections include bent sections spaced from each other by the ribs and converging toward a plane, and soldering sections coplanar in the plane. In another terminals set, the tail sections are bent at right angle and are received in the respective grooves to be soldered to respective wires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Pai-Chuan Wang, Yau-Hsuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20030181095
    Abstract: A cable connector includes an insulative body having a plurality of spaced apart parallel grooves formed in one face thereof, and a plurality of terminals which extend through the insulative body and include soldering pins extending out of the insulative body through the face on two sides of the parallel grooves. The soldering pins are bent to be received respectively within the grooves. The insulative body is mounted within a connector housing. Wires of a bus cable are stripped and received in the respective grooves over the soldering pins for solder connection with the soldering pins. The connector provides reliable connection between terminals and wires, reduces the height of the connector, and lower production costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: CHIU, Hung-Jen
    Inventors: Pai-Chuan Wang, Yau-Hsuan Liu
  • Patent number: 6612863
    Abstract: Perforated slits are formed lengthwise between lead wires in a band portion which continue to a connector inserted portions with buried lead wires in a plurality of rows, the perforated slit is made long in the connector inserted portion and short in the band portion, a flexible cable may be separated into two or more pieces as needed at the perforated slit, and small projecting parts are defined for fitting in notches at edges of the connector inserted portion, where the connector inserted portion is inserted into said connector at one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Terai
  • Patent number: 6604966
    Abstract: An electrical connector housing including a main body having a receiving area which is sized and shaped to receive a flat conductor cable with contacts attached thereto into the receiving area; and a locking section connected to the main body by a living hinge. The locking section comprising a front end and a rear end. When the locking section is inserted into a receiving aperture of the main body, the front end is adapted to block withdrawal of at least one of the contacts located in the receiving area and, the rear end includes at least one strain relief projection which is sized and shaped to press the flat conductor cable against the main body to form a strain relief for the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl James Hayes, Michael Jerome Alloway, Raymond Bruce McLauchlan
  • Publication number: 20030119353
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connector (1) for detachably connecting an electrically conductive foil (10) to electrically conductive socket contacts (26) of a socket housing (3), wherein the foil (10) can be inserted into a contact receiving aperture (40) of the socket contact (26) and can be jammed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Gheorghe Hotea
  • Patent number: 6582249
    Abstract: An apparatus for making contact with a foil conductor, in particular of a solar module, the apparatus having a housing, a first connecting region for connecting to the foil conductor, and a second connecting region with at least one contact for connecting at least one plug connector. At least one conductor rail connects the contact to the foil conductor. The conductor rail has a contact region for detachable connection to the foil conductor. The conductor rail has a terminal area for receiving electronic modules, for example a diode or lead portions. Each conductor rail is connected to the contact of the second connecting region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Boeck, Klaus-Peter Goetz, Guenter Feldmeier, Heinz Scherer, Martin Szelag, Andreas Woeber
  • Publication number: 20030060079
    Abstract: A polarizing system is provided in a connector for electrically interconnecting the conductors of a flat flexible circuit to the conductors of a complementary connecting device. The flat flexible circuit has a longitudinal center-line and a pattern of polarizing holes therein asymmetrical to the center-line. A connector body member positions the flat flexible circuit thereon and has an asymmetrical pattern of polarizing posts insertable into the polarizing holes of the flat flexible circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Yves LePottier, Robert M. Fuerst, David A. Pfaffinger, Jonathan D. Lohman
  • Patent number: 6530792
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cover connecting mechanism which is used for connecting the cover to the main body of an electronic product, including: at least one FPC used for communication data amission; a connector made of elastically deformable material which partially wraps the FPC while exposing its two ends. The two exposed FPC ends are connected to the cover and the printed circuit board in the main body to enable the transmission of communication data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Inventec Electronics (Nanjing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chengshing Lai, Wenyuan Huang
  • Publication number: 20030045162
    Abstract: Hence, according to the present invention a cable connector assembly for being connected to a flat ribbon cable including a plurality of conductors and electrical insulation about said conductors maintaining the latter electrically insulated from each other. The cable connector assembly comprises a plurality of electrical contacts, each including terminal means being configured to connect at least one of said conductors directly through said electrical insulation to form an electrical junction, and contacting means on each of said electrical contacts being configured to electrically connect each of said electrical contacts to an external member. It further comprises a housing for holding said contacting means arranged in a first row and a second row forming an orthogonal grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Willi Recktenwald, Klaus Thumm
  • Patent number: 6526152
    Abstract: In an electroacoustic transducer (1) having a magnet system (8) and having a diaphragm holder (2) for holding a diaphragm (17) and having a moving coil (115) connected to the diaphragm (17), the moving coil (15) has a hollow cylindrical coil body (27) and two connecting leads (28, 29), a holding element (38, 39) connected to the diaphragm holder (2) being provided for each connecting lead (28, 29), which holding elements (38, 39) are constructed to be elastically deformable in a direction substantially parallel to the diaphragm axis (26) and, preferably, also to be mechanically damping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ewald Frasl
  • Patent number: 6522715
    Abstract: A detector module includes a photosensor array having a first width, and a flexible cable operationally coupled to the photosensor array, wherein the cable has a width greater then the first width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: David M. Hoffman, Bing Shen
  • Patent number: 6517361
    Abstract: A preset bend resulting in a strain relief in a flexible conductor strip that interconnects relatively displaceable first and second electrical contacts that are originally relatively oriented in first spaced apart positions and moveable to second more distantly spaced apart positions. The preset bend includes a substantially straight first leg extending substantially perpendicularly to an axis of relative motion between the first and second interconnected electrical contacts and feeding into a substantially hemi-circular- curve, which continues into a second leg extending toward the second electrical contacts in their spaced apart position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Yatskov, Stephen V. R. Hellriegel
  • Patent number: 6514100
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connecting structure without taking up additional space and without increasing the number of components even when the number of conductors of flat cables, as well as connecting circuits for external cable wires, are increased. In particular, in an electrical connecting structure according to the present invention, since there are two case members that contain bus bars, the number of necessary circuits can be sufficiently increased. In addition, since the bus bar mounting surface for respective case members are mutually covered, a separate cover for covering the bus bar mounting surface is not required, so that costs are not greatly increased because of the advantage that limits the increase in the number of necessary members and facilitates assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihito Maegawa
  • Patent number: 6501642
    Abstract: A display module having both a wire holder that holds lead wires for the display module and a rib that is aligned with the wire holder. The wire holder is coupled to a bottom cover using a protrusion on the bottom cover that mates to a slit in the wire holder. The rib extends from one side portion of a main frame and contacts the wire holder when the display module is assembled. The wire holder and the rib prevent the wire from directly contacting a top frame and a bottom cover, and also increase the flexibility of the wires in the display module. Thus, the wire holder and rib reduce or prevents wire damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: LG. Philips LCD Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Young-Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20020173191
    Abstract: A cable connector having an improved assembly includes a housing, with a recess, a cover plate and a cable. The cover plate has fastening members extending down along two sides thereof and another fastening member at its front end. The connector housing has first latch openings aligned with the first fastening members and a second latch opening that is aligned with the other fastening member. After the wires of the cable are soldered to the terminals of the connector, the first fastening members are brought downward along interior surfaces of the housing recess to engage the first latch openings, with the other fastening member simultaneously engaging the second latch opening to join the cover plate to the housing. Another aspect of the invention concerns the use of an extension portion formed with the housing and extending underneath the terminal termination portions to support them. A protective strain relief is overmolded to the housing and extension portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Ho I-Tse
  • Patent number: 6471541
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for a flat cable having an upper surface and a lower surface. The connector includes a dielectric housing having an opening for receiving an end of the flat cable in a cable-insertion slot. A plurality of first terminals are mounted in the housing and each has a generally U-shaped configuration defining a base leg and an upper leg. Both legs are fixed in the housing and define a mouth therebetween coincident with the opening in the housing for receiving the end of the flat cable. A flexible contact arm extends from a distal end of the base leg into the mouth and defines a first contact section. A plurality of second terminals are mounted in the housing and each includes a base fixed in the housing and a bifurcated arm flexibly connected to the base and extending toward the opening in the housing. The bifurcated arm includes an upper arm extension and a lower arm extension having a second contact section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Shinsuke Kunishi, Yoshiyuki Mizuno
  • Patent number: 6464534
    Abstract: A flexible circuit support for an electrical connector comprising a first section; a living hinge extending in a rearward direction from the first section; and a second section connected to the first section by the living hinge. The first and second sections comprise mateable posts and holes such that the living hinge can be bent to place the first and second sections together with the posts projecting into the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: FCI USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan H. Schramme, David J. Goetzinger
  • Patent number: 6457994
    Abstract: A media connector assembly with an extended electrical contact capable of non-destructive deflection when various media plugs are placed therein that do not accommodate each contact pin within the media connector. The media connector includes a platform with an arched mid-portion for enlarging the radius of deflection of the contact pins such that the contact pins deflect when a media connector is placed therein at a position further from the aperture receiving the media connector. The arch maintains curved support for the deflected contact pin and assists in the positive contact force applied by the contact pin to the contact of the media plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Johnson, Patrick A. Tucker, Steven Loforte, David Oliphant
  • Patent number: 6454573
    Abstract: An electrical connection structure includes a circuit board provided at an edge thereof with a plurality of external connection terminals, a flexible flat cable provided at an edge thereof with a plurality of connection terminals in corresponding relationship to the external connection terminals of the circuit board, and a corresponding number of clips. Each of the clips has a first clamping portion open in a first direction for inserting the circuit board, and a second clamping portion open in a second direction opposite to the first direction for inserting the flexible flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hayashi, Takaya Nagahata, Hiroshi Fukumoto, Tokihiko Kishimoto, Koichi Wada
  • Publication number: 20020132517
    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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Keith F. Tharp, Theodore J. Colburn
  • Patent number: 6447329
    Abstract: A connector includes an insulated base having a plurality of conductive terminals inserted onto a top thereof, and an insulated cover being structured to firmly hold a flat cable to the base. The base is provided at the top with a row of spacers to form a plurality of parallelly spaced slots, into which the conductive terminals are separately seated to partially expose from the top of the base. The flat cable is stripped at a predetermined section to expose a length of naked cores that are separately located in the spaced slots above the conductive terminals and are welded to the latter to provide increased contact areas between the terminals and the flat cable to ensure stable signal transmission at high speed. The spacers prevent the occurrence of short circuit during welding of the terminals to the naked cores of the flat cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: All Best Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Rick Yang
  • Patent number: 6437993
    Abstract: A shielded housing for accommodating electronic circuits or components which are sensitive to electromagnetic interference fields or radiate interference fields, is fitted with an electrical connection in the form of a connecting cable, connecting plug or the like. This housing includes a shielding in the form of a closed metallic coating (of a conductive material) and, moreover, includes filter devices which are active against interference fields in particular in the area where the connection enters or penetrates the housing. In accordance with this invention, at least in the area of entry or lead-in, filter devices with capacitors are provided which are embodied as integral components of the connecting elements and of the shielding and, possibly, of the housing walls, also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Jochen Burgdorf, Heinz Loreck, Carsten Merz, Uwe Schwetlick
  • Patent number: 6428347
    Abstract: A retractable media connector assembly with a compressible electrical contact between a contact pin assembly and a flex circuit. Two plastic posts are molded into a retractable platform of the media connector assembly to align with the flex circuit, which has opposing holes, and is inserted over the tops of the posts. An arch in the retractable platform properly positions the contact pin assembly. When properly seated the contact pins are aligned directly over contact pads on the flex circuit. Proper alignment creates a positive stop and lock for the contact assembly and the flex circuit increasing the reliability and reducing the production cost. Molded locking features on the media connector assembly secure the entire system including a cap cover, the contact pins, the flex circuit, and the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Johnson, Steven Lo Forte, David Oliphant, Ryan Kunz
  • Patent number: 6422896
    Abstract: A connector (10) comprises a housing (20), at least one terminal (15) receivable in the housing (20), and a fixing mechanism (25, 26) fixable to the housing (20). The terminal (15) has a contact surface (18) extended in a thickness direction thereof. When the fixing mechanism (25, 26) is fixed to the housing (20) so that a flat circuit member (12) having a conductor portion (13) is held between the housing (20) in which the terminal (15) is received and the fixing mechanism (25, 26), the fixing mechanism (25, 26) bends a part of the flat circuit member (12) in a thickness direction thereof to form a bent portion (14a) thereon, and presses the bent portion (14a) of the flat circuit member (12) against the contact surface (18) of the terminal (15) so that the terminal (15) is electrically connected to the conductor portion (13) of the flat circuit member (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Hiroki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20020081894
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for interconnecting the generally parallel conductors of a pair of flat circuits out of sequential order relative to each other. The system includes a pair of flat circuits each having a plurality of generally parallel conductors covered by a dielectric film. A pattern of windows are formed in the film of each circuit to expose the conductors at different locations longitudinally thereof. The patterns of windows of the two circuits are coincident with each other when the flat circuits are overlapped with each other and with the circuits oriented so that the conductors of the circuits are at angles relative to each other. The conductors of the respective circuits are electrically connected through the windows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Robert M. Fuerst, Prashant Joshi, Yves LePottier, David A. Pfaffinger
  • Patent number: 6396709
    Abstract: To increase the elasticity of an elastically deformable middle section of a printed-circuit board having at least two rigid circuit board sections provided with electric and/or electronic components and interconnected by the middle section, the middle section being provided with printed circuit traces extending from the first rigid section to the second rigid section, at least one opening is made in the elastically deformable middle section, the region of the middle section surrounding the opening forming at least two bars extending in a direction from the first rigid section to the second rigid section and laterally bordering the at least one opening, the printed circuit traces being arranged on the bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Schmich
  • Patent number: 6394838
    Abstract: An insertion socket for flat cable includes a socket main body defining a plurality of terminal cavities therein, a cover pivotally connected to a top of the socket main body, and a plurality of terminals separately received in the terminal cavities. Each of the terminals has a rear end projected from a rear side of the socket main body to provide a connecting pin, and a front barb portion that is formed at a lower side with a plurality of backward extended barbs. When the cover is pivotally turned downward to close the socket main body, it contacts with and applies a pressure on the barb portions of the terminals to cause the barbs on the barb portions to contact with and press against a flat cable inserted into the insertion socket. And, a reactive force acted by the terminals on the closed cover does not result in a lifted cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Yen
  • Patent number: 6386926
    Abstract: Serial bus connector terminal main body including: a plastic main body having a central seat section, an electric connecting seat projecting from a first side of the central seat section and a lead connecting seat projecting from a second side thereof; multiple terminals, the front section of each terminal being defined as an electric connecting section lying on the electric connecting seat of the plastic main body, the rear section of each terminal being defined as a lead connecting section, the lead connecting sections being upward and downward interlacedly arranged on the upper and lower faces of the lead connecting seat of the main body; and at least one common terminal having a first electric connecting section. A lead connecting section extends from rear side of the first electric connecting section. A connecting plate is laterally interconnected between the front portion of the first electric connecting section and a second electric connecting section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Su-Lan Yang Lee
  • Patent number: 6383033
    Abstract: A terminal side load electrical connector positions a series of terminals of a flex circuit into a core in unison. The core has a peripheral surface extending between a contact surface and a conductor surface. The terminals are assembled to the core through the peripheral surface. A housing has a conductor opening opposite to a contact opening. The core with the pre-assembled terminals insert into the housing through the conductor opening. The contact surface of the core is exposed through the contact opening of the core. The housing engages the peripheral surface of the core thereby preventing the disengagement of the terminals from the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M Politsky, David C. Heffner, Robert S. Lesigonich, Thomas F. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6383015
    Abstract: Press contact terminals are held in terminal housing chambers of a housing body. A longitudinally intermediate part of a flat circuit is positioned above a top surface opening of the terminal housing chambers. Each conductor of the flat circuit is press-connected to each press contact terminal with a press contact jig. A cover is closed, thereby to fold the flat circuit in two in the vicinity of the press-connected part so that one part is overlaid on the press-connected part. The folded part is sandwiched between the cover and the housing body to be held in a connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Mochizuki, Yuji Hatagishi
  • Patent number: 6371798
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for a flat flexible circuit having a plurality of first conductors. The assembly includes an adapter for mating with a complementary connecting device having a plurality of second conductors. The adapter includes a receptacle. A relatively rigid male body member has an edge about which the flat flexible circuit is wrapped, with the first conductors facing away from the body member at the edge thereof. The male body member is insertable into the receptacle of the adapter. A spring member is mounted on the male body member for biasing the male body member in a mating direction relative to the adapter. A cam member is operatively associated between the male body member and the adapter. The cam member is movable between an inoperative position and an operative position. The cam member includes a cam surface engageable with the spring member for loading the spring member in response to movement of the cam member to its operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Fuerst, Yves LePottier
  • Patent number: 6356449
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board mounting structure capable of easily soldering an FPC to a printed circuit board. When the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is soldered upright on the printed circuit board, the FPC holder is secured in the mounting hole of the printed circuit board by the pressure of the elastic portion, to thereby hold the FPC holder by a support projection cut and raised from a chassis. In this state, the terminal portion of the FPC is soldered to the edge portion of the mounting hole of the printed circuit board, thereby ensuring electrical connection of each circuit pattern of the FPC and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinkichi Sasaki, Takashi Nakagawa, Mutsumi Ito
  • Patent number: 6351064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric connection between the internal space of a flat screen and the outside by means of a conductive line of small thickness underlying a substantially thicker peripheral seal, and including an open-worked structure making its expansion easier, said open-worked structure being such that the electric connection has no rectilinear conductive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Pixtech S.A.
    Inventor: Thierry Frayssinet
  • Publication number: 20020022398
    Abstract: A plug connector is provided that can reduce the number of parts and the number of assembly steps. A plug connector 20 that fastens the distal ends of an inner conductor (conducting wire) 25a and engages a receptacle, and at the same time by this engagement, the contacts provided in this receptacle and said inner conductor 25a are brought into electrical continuity, wherein a ground housing (substrate), which is an insulator, is provided, and on the surface of the plug housing 21, a film-shaped conducting part 28 is formed that is in contact with the contact of the receptacle in a state wherein the plug connector 20 and the receptacle are engaged, and the distal ends of the inner conductors 25a in the conducting part 28 are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Kazuya Okano
  • Patent number: 6345998
    Abstract: Flexible printed circuit connector including: an insulating base seat each end of which is formed with an insertion hole; multiple conductive members inlaid in the insulating base seat for electrically contacting with the flexible printed circuit; two metal pivot members respectively inlaid in two ends of the insulating base seat; and a metal press board two ends of which are pivotally connected with the metal pivot members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Super Link Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ipson Lee
  • Patent number: 6341987
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly (1) includes a connector (10) including an insulating housing (11) and a plurality of terminals (13), a cable assembly (20) including a plurality of wires each having an exposed conductor (21), and a connection mechanism (30) including a base (31) positioning the wires with a first portion (311) and a second portion (312) and a clip (32). The terminals (13) each define an engaging portion (132) and a mating portion (131) and are received in passageways (110) defined in the insulating housing (11) of the connector (10). The first portion (311) has a plurality of spacers (3111) and protrusions (3112) thereon to pre-position the wires of the cable assembly (20). The second portion (312) has a plurality of slots (3121) for receiving the engaging portions (132) to engage with the exposed conductors (21) therein. The clip (32) has a plurality of protruding ends (321) to clamp the cable assembly on the base (31) firmly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hua Chih, Jen Jou Chang
  • Patent number: 6334250
    Abstract: A cable holder for holding a flexible flat cable having a film portion, flat wires running in the film portion, a reinforcement portion where a reinforcement sheet is attached and notches formed respectively in opposite side edges of the reinforcement portion, to electrically connecting the flexible flat cable to a connector, the cable holder comprises: a holder body; a holder guide portion provided with the holder body, wherein an inner shape of the holder guide corresponds to an outer shape of the connector; and a cable holding portion having protuberances formed on the cable holding portion, for engaging respectively in the notches for holding the reinforcement portion of the flexible flat cable such that a distal end of the flexible flat cable projects into the holder guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Maeda, Kunio Sawai
  • Patent number: 6332805
    Abstract: A flat circuit member (12) has a through hole portion (14) therethrough. A conductor portion (13) is disposed on a surface of the flat circuit member (12), and has a portion penetrated by the through hole portion (14) in a thickness direction of the conductor portion (13). The flat circuit member (12) is electrically connected to a terminal (30) so that an inserting portion (34) of the terminal (30) is inserted in the through hole portion (14), a guide portion (32) of the terminal (30) extends along a rear surface of the flat circuit member (12), and a pressing piece (35) extends toward the conductor portion (13) and presses the flat circuit member (12) toward the guide portion (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 6327150
    Abstract: A disk drive test device for performing a test (e.g., power only self test, tests which use a serial interface) on at least one disk drive at a time. The test device includes an electrical connector which is configured so as to be able to provide the necessary electrical interconnections for executing a test on disk drives having different types of drive interface connectors (i.e., the same electrical connector may be used with at least 2 different types of drive interface connectors). There is no need to use an in-line adapter to electrically interconnect a disk drive having a first drive interface connector or to electrically interconnect a disk drive having a second drive interface connector. There is also is no need to change out the electrical connector when performing a test on disk drives which use this different types of drive interface connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: Lloyd E. Levy, Duc Banh, Danilo Bueno
  • Patent number: 6322388
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a pin connector and a cable connector detachably fitted with each other. The cable connector includes a cable, socket contacts to be connected to conductors of the cable, a housing for holding and fixing the socket contacts therein, a cover mounted onto the housing to cover it and urging the cable against the socket contacts, and a strain-relief mounted onto the housing to cover the cover and embracing the cable with the cover therebetween. The pin connector includes pin contacts to be fitted with the socket contacts, and a block for holding and fixing the pin contacts therein. The strain-relief consists of a main body and side portions. The main body has an upper surface lower than upper surfaces of the side portions substantially by the thickness of the cable, and the upper surfaces of the side portions are substantially flush with the upper surface of the cover when the strain-relief has been mounted on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignees: DDK Ltd., Densco Corp.
    Inventors: Yamada Akio, Kouda Takaharu, Hayakawa Manabu
  • Patent number: 6319012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible strip conductor connection, by means of which electrical connections between an electrical device (2) and an external component (1) can be made, wherein the strip conductors (8) are located in or on a flexible foil (3), which is clamped on the electrical device (2) as well as the external component (1). In a predetermined area in the course of the strip conductors (8), the flexible foil (3) has a loop (6), which can be filled with an elastic material perpendicularly in relation to the foil plane, or the strip conductors (8) in the plane of the foil respectively have a loop-shaped deviation (9) perpendicularly to the course of strip conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Moessinger, Walter Grote