Jumper (or Short Circuiting Coupling Part) Patents (Class 439/507)
  • Patent number: 5497291
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device having power chips mounted on a metal insulating substrate and terminal plates corresponding to inner connection wiring for a main circuit of the device. Electronic parts forming a control circuit are mounted on a second substrate disposed over the first substrate and supported by the terminal plates. Additionally, it is preferable to use a copper plate as wiring material for the main circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Hosen
  • Patent number: 5494460
    Abstract: A replacement blank for an incandescent lamp in a string of decorative lights includes a base adapted for removable insertion into one of the sockets of the light string in place of a lamp. The base is provided with an electrically conductive strip which is sized and shaped to maintain the series connection between the leads in the socket. The use of multiple replacement blanks in place of selected lamps in the string allows the user to create decorative patterns or designs where it is desirable to have sections of the string not lighted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventor: Richard A. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 5478256
    Abstract: A fire detector includes both a detector unit and a detector base including a base block to which the detector unit is mounted. The detector unit has an outermost peripheral wall, an engaging portion located inwardly of the outermost peripheral wall, and connecting members of a bayonet coupling. The detector base includes coupling members of a bayonet coupling engaged with the coupling members of the detector unit. The bayonet coupling is locked in place by a locking spring of the base block of the detector base, which locking spring engages the engaging portion of the detector unit. A pair of spaced apart connecting terminals for connection with a power and signal line are fixed on the base block. These terminals have small holes, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Nohmi Bosai Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Koganemaru, Yasuo Ariga
  • Patent number: 5470250
    Abstract: A terminal block assembly (10) including at least two terminals (20) and associated actuators (24) in housing sections (14) for termination to ends of conductors (28,30) inserted into aligned apertures therethrough upon actuation of the terminals. Bridging element (50) includes contact sections (54) held in cavities (22) of housing sections (14) to be assuredly compressed against terminals (20) thus electrically interconnecting terminals (20) and commoning all wires (28,30) terminated by terminals (20). A cover member (90) may be secured beneath the terminal block assembly for insulative protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth C. Hawk, Harry M. Capper, James W. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5448675
    Abstract: Disclosed is a distribution unit which provides means for tracing patch connections. Each module is electrically connected to a shelf controller through a backplane. The shelf controllers are, in turn, coupled to a host computer. Pressing a button on one module lights an LED on that module and on the module which should be connected thereto based on the data base in the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T IPM Corp.
    Inventors: Frank S. Leone, Richard J. Pimpinella
  • Patent number: 5439390
    Abstract: This invention is an improved power cord having a central head portion and a plurality of generally equal length leg portions connected thereto. At least one of the leg portions terminates at its end opposite the head portion in a male plug and the remainder of the leg portions terminate in female plugs. The leg portions of the improved power cord can be coiled from the head portion to the plugs for storage and yet can be readily deployed for use without tangling. Also, a plurality of female plugs are provided in the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Inventors: Emmett S. Raynor, Alan C. Walters
  • Patent number: 5427546
    Abstract: A flexible braided cable is provided including studs at each end for attachment to a printed circuit board. The stud includes a ferrule attached at the end of the cable. The stud is attached to the ferrule. The stud includes a cylindrical body having a head and neck. The body is separated into four (4) segments. The head includes a flange which upon frictional engagement with a hole of a printed circuit board causes the four (4) sections of the stud to compress. Upon insertion of the stud through a hole of a printed circuit board and protrusion of the flange through the second side of the printed circuit board, the stud expands back to its first position wherein the neck is flush with the sidewalls of the hole of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario Garritano, Howard O. Wedell
  • Patent number: 5372521
    Abstract: An electrical connection bar for terminals consists of a cut conductive strip having the shape of a comb whose teeth constitute lugs that serve as the bridging for the terminals. The strip is coated in a jacket of insulating plastic leaving the ends of the connection lugs bare. The metal conductive strip forms a plurality of segments that are joined, laterally, with lugs which constitute bridgings between the segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Telemecanique
    Inventor: G. Laudereau
  • Patent number: 5357084
    Abstract: The jumper cable assembly 10 in accordance with the invention includes at least a first layer 12 of insulating film, an array of electrical conductors 20, each having first and second connecting portions 22,24 at opposed ends thereof and a fusible electrically conductive material disposed on the connecting portions 22,24. Each conductor 20 is formed from a first conductive layer 26 having high electrical resistance and high magnetic permeability, and a second conductive layer 28 integrally joined thereto, the second layer having low electrical resistance and minimal magnetic permeability. Each of the conductors 20 defines a heater body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. McKee, Joseph M. Pawlikowski
  • Patent number: 5326275
    Abstract: A connector includes a housing 6 and more than two terminal groups mounted in the housing 6 and having a plurality of terminals 8 including pressing protrusions 8b to be pressure-contacted with a conductor pattern on each connecting portion of the cable. The connector further includes a wiring conductor 9 connected to each terminal 8 in the terminal groups for forming a desired wiring circuit in the housing, and engaging portions 10a provided in housing 6 for securing the housing to a cable holding portion which supports each connecting portion on the cable when engaging portions 10a are engaged with lock portions provided in the cable holding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Murakami
  • Patent number: 5274918
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of manufacturing a shorting bar insert for placement in a modular jack assembly to provide for the selective shorting of predetermined contacts during periods of nonelectrical engagement, with a modular plug, such as for an 8 position miniature modular jack in accordance with USOC STYLE RJ48X, for example. The method comprises the steps of preparing a strip of stamped contacts from a planar sheet metal blank joined together by a removable carrier strip having a front face and a back face, where the contacts are formed in pairs in parallel relationship and joined together at their ends remote from the carrier strip, the carrier strip including registration means, such as holes, offset from the centerline of each respective pair of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Carl G. Reed
  • Patent number: 5263872
    Abstract: A member (13) with a shorting contact (14) thereon is disposed in a receptacle housing (11). The shorting contact (14) is in mating electrical contact with an interface (15). When a header (12) is inserted into the receptacle housing (11), an inclined portion (29) of a beam (28) formed on the header (12) deflects the shorting contact (14) and opens the electrical circuit between the shorting contact (14) and the interface (15). Male pin contacts (25) in the header (12) electrically engage female contacts (21) within the receptacle housing (11) before the shorting circuit is broken. When the header (12) is removed from the receptacle housing (11) the shorting circuit is closed before electrical contact is opened between the male pin contacts (25) and the female contacts (21). In this manner, spurious signals are prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Gary R. Marpoe, Jr., Christopher L. Allgood, Donald W. K. Hughes
  • Patent number: 5240428
    Abstract: A receiving part is provided externally of the body of a power tool, having an internal combustion engine provided with an ignition system. A plug is insertable in the receiving and has a portion of the ignition system incorporated in it. The receiving socket and the removable plug are provided respectively with connecting parts whereby, when fitted together, they will be electrically connected with each other, completing the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignees: Kioritz Corporation, Oppama Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakata, Shigeo Take, Masao Iwata, Hiromi Watanabe, Yoshinori Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5215474
    Abstract: A connector pin protector manufactured of a flexible material is molded to capture pins of a connector mounted on an electronic assembly. The connector pin protector helps prevent physical damage and contamination to the pins. Also, the material of the connector pin protector is electrically conductive and is therefore capable of maintaining all input pins and output pins of the connector at the same voltage potential therefore reducing the possibility of electrostatic discharge damage through the connector to components of the electronic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Vincent F. Rotella
  • Patent number: 5201668
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector is described herein. The electrical connector comprises a female connector member having including a plurality of electrical terminals therein and a male connector member including a plurality of electrical terminals therein. The male connector member is adapted to fit to the female connector member to establish electrical connection between the terminals of these connector members. The electrical connector further includes a connecting member for establishing electrical connection among at least two of the terminals of one of the connector members to constitute a branch circuit among wires connected to these terminals. The connecting member is adapted to be removably fitted between the at least two electrical terminals, and to achieve electrical connection therebetween through the connecting member when the connecting member is fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Sakai Yagi, Masanori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5195908
    Abstract: A multicircuit cable connector which includes a multicircuit, an insulation layer thereon, and a matching circuit which is placed on the layer. The multicircuit is a plurality of conductive strips which run along the length of the cable. The matching circuit is a means for interconnecting certain of the strips with one another and consists of interconnecting portions carrying terminals thereon. The interconnecting portions extend transversely of the cable and their length and location are determined by the arrangement of conductive strips in the cable and which of them are to be connected to each other. A U-shaped clip of generally channel shape is provided and the bottom thereof is pressed against a multicircuit conductor and the sides extend through the layer and are crimped onto the terminals on the interconnecting portions of the matching circuit, thereby completing the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamamoto, Yasuharu Moriai, Kuniharu Kusumoto, Morichika Yamamoto, Tetsuaki Wada
  • Patent number: 5192214
    Abstract: In the manufacture of flat-panel video displays, an assembler must align long rows of closely-spaced electrical signal contacts on a planar electroluminescent panel with mating signal contacts on a flex circuit prior to clamping the panel and flex circuit together. The disclosed technique employs electrically conductive alignment contacts on both surfaces. The alignment contacts are formed via the same process that forms the signal contacts. The alignment contacts are connected to ohmmeters to form circuits that an assembler monitors to determine proper alignment of the surfaces. The use of electrical rather than visual alignment checking makes assembly easy and error-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Victor M. Samarov, George A. Doumani
  • Patent number: 5186653
    Abstract: A smoke alarm attachment which connects between a battery, used to provide power to the smoke alarm's circuitry and a battery connector of the smoke alarm. The attachment has a plug which, when pulled, interrupts the power to the smoke alarm thereby silencing the smoke alarm's warning device. The attachment provides an easy means for elderly and handicapped people to deactivate and reactivate smoke alarms that have been triggered by false sources of smoke, such as cigarette smoke or smoke produced by cooking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Normand A. Robert
  • Patent number: 5163850
    Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic discharge (hereafter referred to as "ESD") protection devices are disclosed for use with semiconductor chip packaging (hereafter referred to as "SCP"). The electrostatic protection devices comprise electrically conductive shorting devices that may be removably connected to the SCP during the manufacture to short selected pins from the SCP. The ESD protection devices remain in place to provide ESD protection during all phases of handling and shipping and may be either automatically unshorted or be manually removed during final assembly when the SCP is installed in its end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: David V. Cronin
  • Patent number: 5158477
    Abstract: A battery connector for use in a battery having an inner sensor circuit in rder to turn on and shut off the inner sensor circuit automatically when respectively connecting and disconnecting the battery for extending the battery storage shelf life. The battery connector includes a metal connector pin, a socket receiving the pin having a first metal positive conductor and having a second metal sensor circuit conductor, an insulator between the conductors, and a bridge for electrical conduction past the insulator between the first and second conductors and between the first conductor and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Bruce A. Testa, Arnold Bard
  • Patent number: 5123854
    Abstract: A shunting system for a modular jack type connector which includes a dielectric housing defining a plug receiving cavity open at one end of the housing. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing, with contact portions disposed in a single row. A pair of programmable shunts substantially identically stamped and differently formed from sheet metal material are provided for engagement with the contact portions when the two shunts are mounted in different positions on the housing. Selected different ones of the contact fingers of each shunt are removed so that the remaining contact fingers engage only selected ones of the contact portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce A. Petersen, Gary L. Tomczak
  • Patent number: 5116241
    Abstract: An electrical connector which includes a connector housing (16) made from an insulation material and having a plurality of receiving apertures (17) and at least one linear shunt terminal (10) having a plurality of terminal pins (11) aligned in line and joined together at base sections (12) with a linkage strip (13) which is made from a conductive material and/or one interconnected shunt terminal (14) having at least one pair of linear shunt terminals aligned in parallel and joined together with a linkage strip which is made from a conductive material, with said terminal pins press fitted into said receiving apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kensaku Sato
  • Patent number: 5108299
    Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic discharge (hereafter referred to as "ESD") protection devices are disclosed for use with semiconductor chip packaging (hereafter referred to as "SCP") of the type having a top surface, a bottom surface, and, disposed between the top and bottom surface, a plurality of interface surfaces having a plurality of connector pins disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the ESD protection device comprises a base section secured to the top surface of the SCP and a plurality of integral shorting arms each extending outward from the top surface in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and in spaced apart alignment with respect each of the connector pins. Each shorting arm has a first portion which is integral to the base section and a distal end portion integrally connected with the first portion and extending outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: David V. Cronin
  • Patent number: 5106318
    Abstract: A branch circuit constituting structure comprises, a housing including a plurality of juxtaposed terminal chambers and through holes formed respectively through a side wall thereof and partition walls each provided between respective adjacent ones of the terminal receiving chambers, metal terminals each having a wire connection portion and an electrical contact portion which is open at opposite sides of a terminal receptive portion of the electrical contact portion and a side of said wire connection portion, and a short-circuit member insertable into the housing through the through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Yasaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Sakai Yagi, Masanori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5062805
    Abstract: For electrically connecting the bus line from a machine to an IC mounting seat of the electric control circuit of another machine, a cable connector is disclosed comprising a plug seat, an upper cover and a terminal assembly fastened therebetween. The plug seat further comprises an elongated locating seat having a plurality of grooves alternatively vertically disposed at two opposite sides and obliquely aligned with two rows of mounting slots at the two opposite sides thereof for holding the connecting racks of the terminal assembly in place when the contact ends of the terminal assembly are fastened in the mounting slots, as such the bus line at one end of a cable from a machine can be accurately fastened in place and electrically connected to the connecting racks of the terminal assembly, thus, providing for further electric connection to the IC mounting seat of an electric control circuit of another machine through the plug seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Pan-International Industrial Corp.
    Inventors: Yun-Yu Liu, Hsiao-Lei Shih, Yang-Chih Chyou, Ming-Shing Laiw
  • Patent number: 5057026
    Abstract: To standardize electric junction boxes so that the internal circuits can be applied to various requirements without markedly changing parts, the junction box is divided into plural stackable distributing units each connectable to each subharness via each subharness connector. The junction box comprises a plurality of stackable distributing units including a plurality of parallel arranged wires connectable with at least one external subharness; wire shorting bus bars or wire branch bars arranged so as to cross the parallel arranged wires; and an interlayer connecting unit or plural interlayer connecting terminals arranged so as to cross the surfaces of the plural distributing units for connecting the parallel arranged wires and the wire shorting bus bars arranged on different distributing units. Further, when male connector terminals are provided on each distributing unit, it is possible to form a subharness connector by use of these male connector terminals on each distributing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Mamoru Sawai, Mitsugu Watanabe, Hiroshi Suzuki, Keiichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 5049089
    Abstract: A flexible printed wiring arch connector, having first and second sets of finger-like projections integrally formed on opposite sides of an elongated substrate, is adapted to be inserted and flexibly secured into corresponding apertures of a receiving printed circuit board. A plurality of electrical conductors are formed on the substrate along the elongated dimension thereof. Connector leads, formed on the finger-like projections, are electrically connected to desired individual ones of the conductors and extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductors. Arcuate bending of the projections and connector leads in a direction crosswise of the elongated substrate disposes the projections and connector leads for insertion and retention under a restoring spring force in the circuit board apertures. Once flexibly secured in place, the flexible printed wiring arch connector is ready for soldering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Norbert Koenig
  • Patent number: 5030797
    Abstract: A flexible power current conductor (1) comprises a number of thin copper foils and is provided with through-going oblong holes (5) for clamping bolts at each end. The foils are held together in a middle area by means of a thermo-shrinking insulating plastic material which engages incisions (4) and secures the foils in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventor: Jorgen Logstrup
  • Patent number: 5030121
    Abstract: An electrical connector for terminating conductors of a shielded multiconductor cable and for mating with a complementary electrical connector comprises an insulative housing supporting a plurality of elongate electrical contacts thereon. The contacts include a contact engaging portion and a shunt engaging portion movably supported on the housing. The contact engaging portion terminates in a curved free end that is axially movable within the housing. A pair of shunt bars is disposed transversely to and in electrical engagement with shunt engaging portions of the contacts thereby electrically commoning preselected pairs of electrical contacts when the connector is in a disconnected condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Noorily
  • Patent number: 5030123
    Abstract: Electrical connector jacks of type having a first set of parallel fingers along one side of a cavity, which are provided with a second set of fingers contacting respective fingers of the first set within pockets in the jack body, modules for adding a second set of fingers to conventional jacks, and patch panels employing such jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Kevin Silver
  • Patent number: 5007888
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an electrical interconnection assembly, such as a bulkhead interconnect for an automobile or truck. For such preferred use, the assembly hereof is located in the bulkhead or fire wall to connect the electrical systems on the engine side with switches and/or indicators on the cabin side. The assembly comprises a housing (10) having an array of electrical contacts (30) therein, where said contacts (30) are arranged for exposure to opposed openings (70) in said housing to allow for the above mentioned electrical connection to be made. In its preferred embodiment, the contacts (30) are elongated contact members (30) having male tabs (32) at each end thereof and disposed in parallel relationship with said housing (10). Further, means (50,52,54,72) are provided for electrically engaging certain adjacent elongated contact members (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Alain Goutiere
  • Patent number: 5000699
    Abstract: A device for interconnecting conductors in a group of electrical conductors includes a casing having at one end an opening adapted to receive a complementary member. It is adapted at the other end to receive a connecting strip. In its back it has a partition with two series of channels passing through it. The connecting strip is bent from a flat blank of a good electrical conductor to form a U-shape comprising flanges and a core. Parallel tangs perpendicular to the core of the U-shape are cut out from the flanges. The device further comprises a cover with latching devices adapted to cooperate with corresponding latching devices on the casing to lock the connecting strip against the partition by pressing against the outside of the core of the connecting strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Societe anonyme dite: Labinal
    Inventor: Leonard Nadin
  • Patent number: 4955823
    Abstract: A high voltage cable is fixed to the single leg of a 600-Amp "T" connector having a first of its cross bar arms mounted upon an insulating bushing fixed to a wall of the apparatus housing it is to serve. Spaced apart from such insulating bushing and mounted upon the same wall is an apparatus bushing to which is connected a bushing extender. An "h" shaped link member is employed to couple the cable via the other of its "T" connector cross bar arms to the apparatus bushing via the bushing extender. One of the short arms of the link member contains a pin/socket arrangement to make an electrical connection with the cable. The remaining short arm contains a screw-operated member operated by a tool inserted through the single long arm to make and break electrical and mechanical connections between the link member and the bushing extender. When removed, the link member not only interrupts the circuit but provides a visual indication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: Amerace Corporation
    Inventor: Glenn J. Luzzi
  • Patent number: 4954093
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises a first casing member in which is a series of housings each adapted to receive a respective one of a plurality of male contact members each incorporating a tang. The connector further comprises a second casing member complementary to the first casing member in which are a series of housings each adapted to receive a respective female contact member each adapted to cooperate with the tang on a respective male contact member to make an electrical connection. The connector further comprises a plurality of connection channels each adapted to have a tang passed through it and a shunt module adapted to receive these electrical connection channels. The shunt module comprises an insulative material body and a series of passages adapted to coincide with respective housings of the first casing member and to receive a respective electrical connection channel. A skirt on one casing member is adapted to receive the shunt module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Labinal
    Inventor: Leonard Nadin
  • Patent number: 4952170
    Abstract: A shunt assembly (20) adapted to be secured on a connector (22) or a shunt connector assembly (24) where the electrical connector (22) has a housing (26) with spaced contacts (62) secured therein. The contacts (62) have exposed contact portions along a side wall (32) of housing (26). A contact support lever (152) is pivotally mounted to housing (26). The contact support lever (152) has an inner surface (250) having interdigitated channels (254,256,258,260,262,264) has a pair of shunt contacts (156,158) received and secured therein for engaging a surface of the exposed contact portions of preselected ones of the spaced contacts (62). The contact support lever (152) is rotatable through a limited arc from a first position with the shunt contacts (156,158) engaging the spaced contacts (62), to a second position where the shunt contacts (156,158) are electrically isolated from the spaced contacts 62.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: James Pritulsky
  • Patent number: 4952155
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical connector, which comprises a male connector housing having a plurality of female terminals connected to wires, respectively, and a female connector housing, which is to be fitted to the male housing, having a plurality of male terminals connected to wires, respectively. Each of the female terminals has a first and a second tab receptacles, and each of the male terminal has a tab portion to be fitted to the first tab receptacle of the female terminals when the male and female housings are fitted together. The connector further comprises a joint terminal having at least one substantially U-shaped contact to be fitted to second tab receptacles of female terminals. The joint terminal is served to achieve electrical connection between some of the female terminals which are required to be electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Kuzuno, Shigeo Ishizuka, Naoki Ito
  • Patent number: 4950178
    Abstract: A one piece jumper power cord molded out of rubber or some other insulating material. The one piece power cord conforms to the rear shape of a vertical stack of electronic devices that it interconnects. By keeping the power cords short and properly shaped, power can be jumpered from a lower device housed in a lower enclosure of the vertical stack to an upper device housed in an upper enclosure without a loose jumper cord dangling therebetween, wasting space and providing a possible hazard for passing objects or persons to catch on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Harvey, David C. White
  • Patent number: 4928303
    Abstract: In a building subdivided into work stations (A1, A2) each work station is provided with at least one low voltage power supply outlet (12), at least one telephone socket (11), and at least one computer socket (10). The low voltage power supply outlet (12) is connected to a low voltage power supply bus (30). The telephone socket and the computer socket are portions of a precabling element which further includes a cable (1) having at least two pairs of wires for respectively establishing a telephone link and a computer link, and also having a connection module (2) at its other end. The entire precabling element (1, 2, 10, 11) is factory manufactured, thereby enabling any type of building to be cabled in a manner which is systematic, unspecialized, and reconfigurable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Allin, Jacques Nozick
  • Patent number: 4913663
    Abstract: A combined transient voltage and sneak current protector is presented. The protector device comprises a two-piece substantially rectangular insulative housing. The housing has four spaced and aligned openings at the bottom thereof for receiving upstanding terminals from a terminal block. The interior of the housing is loaded with four contact members which are adapted to effect electrical connection with a three element surge suppressor (e.g. transistor) and a pair of small cylindrical fuse elements. Each of the four contact members include a female connector communicating with the four aligned openings in the housing. The housing interior also includes a ground contact which electrically connects to the middle element on the surge suppressor. The ground contact passes through a lateral opening in the housing for mating with a novel plug-on grounding bus connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventors: John A. Siemon, Howard Reynolds
  • Patent number: 4895532
    Abstract: An improved modular connector coupler for joining two modular plugs features an improved spring contact portion and a selective, continuous commoning system. The spring contact portion of the conductors substantially increases the area of contact with the mating plug's terminals, and prevents overstressing of the conductors. The permanently installed commoning bar assembly provides continuous electrical connection between two or more of the main conductors in such a manner that micromovements of the conductors are easily followed and do not cause open circuits. The housing structure features two substantially identical housing halves which are connected back-to-back in a 180.degree. rotated configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Virginia Patent Development Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen B. Bogese, II
  • Patent number: 4883430
    Abstract: A bridge clip carrier comprises a one-piece molded insulative housing having at least two cavities for receiving discrete metal bridge clips which are then snap locked in the cavities. Each cavity has an open ended slot which permits loading of a bridge clip therein and is adpated for receiving a terminal from a terminal block. The cavity further includes stepped-in side portions near the slot which act to narrow the width thereof towards the top of the housing. Each discrete bridge clip is snap locked into a cavity by opposed extensions which mate with pre-existing grooves or windows in the bridge clips. An important feature of the present invention is the presence of apertures on the top face of the housing which expose the bridge clips and which are sized for receiving a suitable test probe. Thus, the bridge clip carrier of the present invention permits ease of testing of the electrical circuits subsequent to installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventors: John A. Siemon, Brian E. Reed
  • Patent number: 4880395
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a test system for a protective relay. The test system comprises a test switch (1) and a test-plug handle (2). The invention comprises supplementing the system with a contact function which is activated when the handle is inserted into the test switch so that, before the testing of the relays in the protective device is initiated, a signal function can be obtained to indicate that testing is in progress. The contact function is brought about by arranging, on the upper and/or lower side(s) of the test switch, two semi-protected, uninsulated and parallel contact pins/slide bars (4, 5) from the front edge to the rear edge of the test switch. At the rear edge contact parts to ordinary conductors are arranged in order to forward the contact function. The contact pins are mounted in a guide structure (10, 11) formed with an inner guide profile adapted to guide two resilient tongues (13, 14) on the test-plug handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB
    Inventors: Rolf Eriksson, Gudmar Hammarlund, Lars-Erik Sundqvist
  • Patent number: 4869671
    Abstract: An electrical conductor fashioned from an electrically conductive material such as copper has a body portion and a pair of laterally extending legs. The body portion and the legs cooperate to define a recess which is substantially filled with an insulating material. That insulating material has a surface recessed from the ends of the legs toward the body portion that, along with the surface of the printed circuit board defines a gap which is suitably sized to receive an epoxy adhesive for temporarily attaching the electrical conductor to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Instrument Specialties Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Allan H. Pressley, David L. Zick
  • Patent number: 4865559
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided for interconnecting a power cable to an apparatus such as a transformer. The cable is securely coupled to the connector, which is then mounted on to the transformer bushing. The bushing and cable electrical contacts inside the connector are spaced apart, and electrical connection is achieved therebetween by inserting a continuity plug into a socket of the connector. Electrical isolation between the cable and transformer may be effected without physically moving either piece of equipment, by removing the continuity plug and replacing it with another plug that introduces sufficient electrical insulation between the equipment contacts to allow operating and test voltages to be applied to one of the cable and transformer without flashover occurring to the other of said pieces of equipment. Other interchangeable plugs may provide earthing for a selected one of the pieces of equipment, also without requiring physical movement of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Raychem Limited
    Inventor: Robin J. Clabburn
  • Patent number: 4863393
    Abstract: A modular jack assembly includes a bridging card having conductors for establishing the desired bridging connections. An insert carrying the connector wires of the jack is placed in the jack such that the wires are received in edge slots of the bridging card to provide the electrical connections to the conductors on the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Keptel, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Ward, George R. Steenton
  • Patent number: 4836799
    Abstract: An electrical cable connector configured to physically and electrically mate and connect with an indentical such electrical cable connector. The cable connector includes both male and female connectors corresponding to each circuit lead of the cable configured to mate and electrically connect with the female and male connectors, respectively, corresponding to like circuit leads of another identical cable connector. The male connector is electrically insulated from its associated circuit lead when the cable connector is not electrically connected to a second cable conector and is electrically connected to the circuit lead when the cable connector is electrically connected to a second cable connector. The male connector is preferably a pin and the female connector a socket comprising two terminals electrically insulated from one antoher. The male pin is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the female socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Jitendra P. Tomer
  • Patent number: 4820193
    Abstract: Electrical connector which provides visual recognition of the correct termination of plural discrete conductors is disclosed. The connector includes a base which supports plural electrical contacts therein. A conductor support assembly supports individually plural discrete conductors in a one-to-one correspondence with the contacts. The conductor support assembly includes thereon color indicative markings which correspond to the color-coded insulation of the conductors. A cover is supportable over the base which encloses the conductor support assembly to enclose the connection assembly. The cover includes plural apertures therethrough which align with the color indicative markings of the conductor support assembly to permit external visual access to the markings so that a comparison may be made between the markings and the color coding of the insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Noorily
  • Patent number: 4813880
    Abstract: A disconnecting distribution frame for a small telephone extension system with a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in pairs, each pair of terminals being equipped with corresponding plug contacts and being electrically interconnectable by means of a coupling plug, is formed from one half of a conventional disconnecting distribution frame which is attached to the carrier of a subassembly rack having a guide strip for a printed circuit board. The other half of the disconnecting distribution frame is formed by plug contacts. These plug contacts are attached to the printed circuit board, which is inserted into the guide and correspond in height to the plug contacts on the carrier and are aligned with these. A coupler plug for making the electrical connection is attached to every two plug pins located opposite one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Telenorma Telefonbau und Normalzeit GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Kramer, Helmut Barkow
  • Patent number: 4767341
    Abstract: A printed circuit card includes a modified finger contact spanning two finger contact positions on its edge connector to momentarily short correspondingly adjacent receptacle contacts of a mating receptacle connector when the printed circuit card is either plugged into or removed from the mating receptacle connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Mark D. Lund
  • Patent number: 4735574
    Abstract: An electrical connector for mating with a terminal assembly to complete an electrical connection with an insulation displacement terminal of the terminal assembly is disclosed. The connector comprises a dielectric housing having a latch for releasably latching the connector in a predetermined position on the terminal assembly and a male electrical contact member carried on the housing for insertion into the insulation displacement terminal. The electrical contact member has an inclined lateral surface for intimately contacting a surface of the insulation displacement terminal over an extended area when the housing is latched in its predetermined position on the terminal assembly. The extended area of contact is more resistant to wear and less vulnerable to oxidation than a point or line contact would be, particularly over repeated matings and unmatings of the connector with the terminal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Laurence A. J. Beaulieu, George Debortoli