Panel Circuit Arrangement Patents (Class 439/554)
  • Patent number: 11906144
    Abstract: A cable interface is configured to mechanically and electrically connect to, via a plurality of piercing members, power-channel wires and a common wire of a ribbon cable. A lighting-element socket coupled to the cable interface is configured to receive a lighting element within and to provide electrical connection between power and common electrical contacts of the lighting element received and power-channel and common electrical contacts of the lighting-element socket. A channel selector conductively connected to the power electrical contact of the lighting-element socket is configured to select and electrically connect to a selected one of the plurality of power-channel wires via the power-channel contacting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Seasons 4, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Loomis
  • Patent number: 10439333
    Abstract: An electrical connector which includes a housing having a first side wall, a second side wall and end walls. A mating connector receiving cavity is provided between the first side wall and the second side wall. Terminals are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. A shield receiving area is provided on the first side wall and has shield receiving slots which extend through the first side and open into the mating connector receiving cavity. An outer shield member is positioned in the shield receiving area. The outer shield has end sections which extend essentially perpendicular to a planar section. The end sections extend into the mating connector receiving cavity through the shield receiving slots. Inner shield members are positioned in the mating connector receiving cavity. The inner shield members extend between the terminals to facilitate signal integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TE Connectivity
    Inventors: Guadalupe Chalas, Douglas John Hardy, John Wesley Hall, Galen M. Martin, Neil Franklin Schroll
  • Patent number: 9859652
    Abstract: Provided is a first plug connector which is constructed to be connected at its first end to a first electrical component and at its second end to second plug connector, which is complementary to the first plug connector. The first plug connector enfolds at least one first part of a bayonet-like connection and at least a first locking element for a locking mechanism, which is arranged in such a way, that it extends in the plugging direction. Furthermore, a second plug connector complementary to the first plug connector and able to be connected to it and a comprehensive plug connector arrangement are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventors: Mario Günther, Stefan Gruber
  • Patent number: 9054450
    Abstract: A connector adapted to: (a) extend through an opening in a board to protrude from both a top surface of the board and a bottom surface of the board, (b) secure the connector to the board, and (c) electrically connect a power supply to a terminal on the board. The connector includes a housing having: (a) a leg section, (b) a head section at a first end of the leg section of the housing, and (c) a receiving recess at a second end of the leg section adapted to receive the power supply board. This connector also includes an elastically deformable retainer piece having: a) a cantilever spring section fixed at a first end to the leg section of the housing and adapted to be below the bottom surface of the board, and (b) an apex section at a second end of the cantilever spring section adapted to bear against the bottom surface of the board. This connector further includes an elastically deformable contact protruding from the head section of the housing adapted to contact the terminal of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Japan G.K.
    Inventors: Taisuke Nagasaki, Hirokazu Kato
  • Publication number: 20130203286
    Abstract: Two connectors (20, 40) are separated until an initially connected state is reached by rotating a nut (70) in a loosening direction to release the nut (70) from a threadedly engaged state in a properly connected state of the two connectors (20, 40), and an interlock circuit is turned off during this time to set a power supply circuit to a cut-off state. A partial locking mechanism (80) is provided between the two connectors (20, 40) for preventing any further separation by locking the power-supply side connector (40) when the power-supply side connector (40) is separated up to an initial connection position and enabling the power-supply side connector (40) to be completely separated when a specified force or larger is applied to the power-supply side connector (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 7982331
    Abstract: A transfer switch assembly is disclosed that includes a power switch device with a number engagement landings and a printed circuit board defining an opening bordered by a number of tabs. The tabs engage the landings as the switch device extends through the openings, and can be fastened together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Murray, Allen B. Carney, Randall L. Bax, Elias Ayana, Roger Pautzke, John McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7364459
    Abstract: An electricity output device with a power supply comprises a power supply, a first output module and a second output module installed within the power supply. The first output module is for the electric power output from the power supply through a main power cord connected to the electricity bus. The second output module comprises a plurality of retaining columns, a retaining board and a second circuit board. There are a number of holes on the second output module each for mounting an independent first electricity connector that can be coupled with a second electricity connector attached to a transmission wire; each pair of electricity connectors are connected by a locking unit, whereby the electric power can be transmitted from the power supply. Each of the holes on the retaining board further includes a light emitting part for indicating the state of power output. Thereby, the electricity output device will be highly detachable, and the state of power supplying will be easy to recognize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Tsung-Yen Tsai
  • Patent number: 7351107
    Abstract: A one-piece electromagnetic circuit board shield has a series of depending legs that extend through corresponding slot openings in a circuit board for mechanically retaining the shield in place on the circuit board, and intervening teeth that bite into a peripheral ground plane conductor trace on the circuit board to provide reliable electrical coupling between the shield and the ground plane conductor trace. Some of the depending legs have buckle features that pass through the circuit board slots with resistance to provide a snap-fit attachment of the shield to the circuit board, and other depending legs of the shield are contoured to facilitate a twist-lock functionality that provides a vibration-resistant mechanical lock between the shield and the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald A. Burlock
  • Patent number: 6986671
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board which includes a mounting surface, an opposite mating surface, a locating hole and a terminal-receiving aperture. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a front board-mounting face for mounting against the mounting surface of the printed circuit board. At least one terminal-receiving passage in the housing has a front opening in the front board-mounting face of the housing, with the front opening alignable with the terminal-receiving aperture in the printed circuit board. An alignment boss projects from the front board-mounting face of the housing and is insertable into the locating hole in the printed circuit board. The alignment boss has a guide hole for receiving a guide post from a complementary mating connector at the mating surface of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Yan Margulis, John S. Luthy
  • Patent number: 6733334
    Abstract: A connector structure of a circuit board for a power supply apparatus includes an insulating housing, conductive terminals, and at least one supporting rods with each connected to the mounting surface of the insulating housing and having a pillared portion, a first protruding latch and a second protruding latch both extending laterally from a first location and a second location on the pillared portion of the supporting rod respectively. The thickness of a first circuit board is different from the thickness of a second circuit board, thus when a supporting rod passes through a first pinhole on the first circuit board, the first protruding latch props against a bottom of the first circuit board, and when a supporting rod passes through a second pinhole on the second circuit board, the second protruding latch props against a bottom of the second circuit board to prevent a movement of the connector respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Delta Electronics
    Inventor: Chun-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6666694
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a receptacle printed circuit board assembly having a reduced profile of the entire assembly where the receptacle has a board receiving portion that mounts at a cut-out edge of a printed circuit board so that the majority of the receptacle is mounted within a cut-out area of the printed circuit board recessed below the upper face of the printed circuit board so that the overall profile of the receptacle assembly is reduced. A shield flap or metallic hood is provided that helps to attach the receptacle to the printed circuit board and completely enclose the shielded portion of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Daly, Robert V. Skepnek, Alex Pirillis
  • Publication number: 20030207613
    Abstract: A connector structure of a circuit board for a power supply apparatus includes an insulating housing, conductive terminals, and at least one supporting rods with each connected to the mounting surface of the insulating housing and having a pillared portion, a first protruding latch and a second protruding latch both extending laterally from a first location and a second location on the pillared portion of the supporting rod respectively. The thickness of a first circuit board is different from the thickness of a second circuit board, thus when a supporting rod passes through a first pinhole on the first circuit board, the first protruding latch props against a bottom of the first circuit board, and when a supporting rod passes through a second pinhole on the second circuit board, the second protruding latch props against a bottom of the second circuit board to prevent a movement of the connector respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Chun-Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20020193002
    Abstract: A connector for a power supply apparatus comprises an insulating housing, at least two conductive terminals and at least one supporting rod, and is characterized by that the two sides of the supporting rod respectively extends downwards for a first length and a second length and stretches out to form a protruding member with a first protruding plane and a second protruding plane, wherein the first length is slightly larger than a thickness of a first circuit board and the second length is slightly larger than a thickness of a second circuit board, such that when the protruding member passes through a first pinhole on the first circuit board, the first protruding plane props against a bottom of the first circuit board, and when the protruding member passes through a second pinhole on the second circuit board, the second protruding plane props against a bottom of the second circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventor: Chun-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 6494742
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1) for mounting to a circuit board (5) includes an insulative housing (2), a number of electrical terminals (3) and a conductive outer shield (4). The insulative housing has a mating face (20), a mounting face (22) opposite to the mating face and a number of passageways (24) extending through the mating face and the mounting face. The electrical terminals are received in the passageways. The conductive outer shield encloses the insulative housing and has a pair of grounding tabs (46) partly inserted into the circuit board and partly cooperating with the insulative housing to be supported by the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xuxiao Hu
  • Patent number: 6139369
    Abstract: A coaxial connector for providing a terminal at a panel for equipment in a transmission network, comprising a housing with two housing halves with at least two connector passageways. At least two of the connector passageways are provided with connecting jack elements. The housing forms a U-link type connector which is adapted to be mounted in an aperture in said panel. The housing halves are made of an electrically conductive material and a holder of an insulating material is provided for mounting the connector in the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
    Inventors: Viktoria Arwidi, Ingela Blomberg, Anders Forslund, Tore Sjodin
  • Patent number: 5722760
    Abstract: A light assembly is made up of a circuit board and a plurality of individual light units which can be installed on and removed from the circuit board to form a desired design or pattern. Each individual light unit includes an electro-luminescent light panel and a resilient contact arrangement which permits an electrical connection between the contacts in the individual light unit and contact terminals on the circuit board to be established by the act of mounting the individual light unit on the circuit board. The light unit itself may form a sub-assembly of a larger lighting arrangement, and each sub-assembly may include a plurality of individual light units arranged into groups, with each group having a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Inventor: Tseng Lu Chien
  • Patent number: 5685726
    Abstract: A card connector according to the current invention provides a substantially low profile when it is placed on the board. Stoppers and solder tails are situated at the bottom of the housing of the card connector and extend in the perpendicular direction with respect to the housing. In one embodiment, the connector housing is inserted into a mount opening of a circuit board from a rear side of the circuit board. A portion of the housing may be positioned above the front surface of the circuit board while stoppers and solder tails are positioned on the rear surface of the circuit board. Since the solder tails are soldered to the circuit board, it is possible to reduce the height of the connector housing that extends over the front surface of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nai Hock Lwee, Niranjan Kumar Mitra
  • Patent number: 5634810
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for releasably connecting a first connector to a printed circuit board. The assembly includes a first connector including an elongated dielectric housing having a generally rigid locating post disposed at each opposite end of the housing and adapted to pass through the circuit board. A second connector is adapted for mounting to the opposite side of the circuit board and includes an elongated dielectric housing having an outwardly opening semi-cylindrical locating channel at each opposite end of the elongated housing of the second connector for receiving the locating posts and establishing a non-conductive interference fit therewith. A pair of boardlocks are disposed generally on opposite lateral sides of each of the locating channels and are adapted for insertion into appropriate boardlock holes in the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Toshihiro Niitsu, Masashi Seto
  • Patent number: 5489219
    Abstract: A board lock device 10 holding an electrical connector 40 to a one-piece essentially planar board lock member adapted to be received in a passageway 48 extending through a connector housing 40 and a board mounting post 50 extending from a mounting face 46 thereof includes a body 12 and a pair of cantilevered beams 18 extending outwardly in a first direction in the plane from a transverse body edge 14 to free ends 24. The beams 18 defining a slot 36 therebetween. The board mounting post 50 includes a protrusion 54 extending into the passageway 48 at least at the leading end 52 thereof. The inner edges 28 of the beams 18 are adapted to enter into locking engagement with the protrusion 54 upon full insertion of the device 10 into the passageway 48 to prevent any backward movement of the device when the connector 40 is mounted to a circuit board 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Fabian
  • Patent number: 5336110
    Abstract: A connector is described, of the type that has pegs for insertion in holes of a circuit board to securely hold the connector to the board, wherein the pegs can be easily installed, and they assure secure holding despite variations in circuit board thickness and moderate tolerances in the diameters of the circuit board holes. Each of the pegs (41, FIG. 4 ) has a peg body (60) with an axis (62), and a plurality of ribs (71-73) projecting radially outwardly from the periphery of the body. The pegs are constructed of material of lower hardness than the material of the circuit board, so the interference fit between the pegs and circuit board results in flattening of the tips of the ribs and/or shaving of the tips of the ribs. Each peg has a slot (66) extending from the periphery of the peg body to near the axis of the peg body, and a pair of the ribs lie on opposite sides of the slot, so radially-inward pressure on the ribs causes the slot to close slightly and allow the ribs to move radially inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Rene A. Mosquera
  • Patent number: 5209678
    Abstract: A unique telecommunication coaxial front access jack and plug assembly 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 for mounting on a front panel 52 of telecommunication terminal equipment in which the front panel has a plurality of front panel apertures 94 to receive jacks 56. Each jack 56 has a barrel housing 80 with a front section 82 projecting into an aperture 54. The front section 82 has a locking groove 104 formed therein for receiving bayonet prongs 142 of a plug sleeve 128. The prongs 142 are positioned at a rear section 136 of the sleeve adjacent a resilient "O"-ring 147 that provides locking compression of the bayonet prongs in the locking groove 104 to prevent inadvertent removal of the plug 124 from the jack 56.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Telect, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Allen, Duane B. Kutsch
  • Patent number: 5184963
    Abstract: An electrical connector (30) and a method of making includes a base housing (40) holding contacts (41) on close spacing and a face housing (50) fitted onto the base housing to protect the contacts. The base housing (40) includes an alignment post (46) integrally formed with the contacts as intercoupled by a carrier section to tie the contact position and alignment post position together dimensionally. The alignment post includes a slot (45) receiving a fastener (35) fitted therein with barbs (37) projecting outwardly to latch the post and thereby the base and face housings to a printed circuit board for surface mounting to the traces of the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Shigeru Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 5160277
    Abstract: A lamp assembly includes a lamp socket adapted for receiving a lamp. The lamp socket has a rectangular subbase which includes at least one tang projecting upwardly from the subbase which is adapted to apply an outward force against the inner sides of the circular section of a hole in a circuit board or panel. The tang has at least one downwardly facing shoulder spaced upwardly from the upper surface of the subbase by a distance which is substantially the thickness of the circuit board or panel whereby the shoulder is moved to allow the insertion of the lamp assembly into the hole of the circuit board or panel and then moved back into position to hold the circuit board or panel under the shoulder upon the circuit board or panel engaging the subbase. Thus, the lamp assembly can be locked into position within the hole in the printed circuit board or panel without rotation, and then removed by rotating the lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Fitzgerald, Marvin L. Owen
  • Patent number: 5154634
    Abstract: A holding device (50) for securing two electrical articles (22,94) together includes a U-shaped leading end (52) having a pair of leg portions (54). The U-shaped end (52) and adjacent leg portions (60) define a spring means, adapted to be received in an aperture (96) of the second article (94). The legs (54) extend to free ends (70) and define a retaining section (73) adapted to be received into a recess (32) within a housing (24). The recess (32) includes a central wall portion (42) having leading engagement sites (44), which cooperate with inner leg edges (58) to secure the device (50) within the housing (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Brown, Jerry L. Moore
  • Patent number: 5122075
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body and an array of posts extending out of one side of the connector body for mounting to a circuit board. At least one retention feature is provided, and this retention feature includes a bent portion of at least one of the posts. The bent portion includes a first portion extending from the centerline of the post to an apex, and a second portion extending from the apex to the tip such that the apex is laterally offset from the centerline to a greater extent than is the tip. At least the first and second portions are formed of post stock having four faces that intersect at radiused edges, wherein each of the radiused edges defines a radius of curvature no less than about 0.005 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard A. Kile
  • Patent number: 5080611
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for mounting and securing first and second electrical connectors (120, 220) to a printed circuit board (24) having a boardlock receiving aperture (56) includes a first connector (120), a first connector boardlock (122), a second connector (220), and a second connector boardlock (222). The first connector (120) includes a dielectric housing (26) having a boardlock receiving recess (154) and a mounting face (30), said first connector (120) positioned on a first surface (146) of the board (24) with the recess (154) aligned with the aperture (56). A boardlock (122), disposed in the first connector housing recess (154), has a first portion (58) received and secured in the recess (154) and a second portion (68) received and secured in the boardlock receiving aperture (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Norman E. Hypes
  • Patent number: 5024607
    Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for mounting to a substrate such as a printed circuit board. The connector includes an insulating housing having a peripheral flange defining a front face. A conductive shield is positionable against the front face of the housing. A conductive board lock member is positionable on the housing for commoning the conductive shield to a ground trace on the printed circuit board. The board lock member includes a body portion and a pair of legs positionable through a locking hole in the printed circuit board. One of the legs is bent from an end edge of the body portion, and the other leg is bent out of an opening in the body portion. A method is disclosed for stamping and forming the conductive board lock member out of sheet metal material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Jerry D. Kachlic
  • Patent number: 4915655
    Abstract: A telephone connector in which a contact holder carrying a plurality of contacts is disposed in a body which has in its front a plug receiving hole and is open at its bottom. Mounting members for mounting the body on a printed circuit board are provided on both side panels of the body. The mounting members define the plane in which the body is mounted on the printed circuit board. Lower end faces of both side panels of the body are substantially flush with this plane. After terminals of the contacts have been automatically soldered to the printed circuit board, the open bottom of the body is closed by a separately prepared cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Hosiden Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4906208
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a receptacle connector having a first insulating housing containing a plurality of first contacts and a first shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the first contacts; a plug connector including a second insulating housing containing a plurality of second contacts and a second shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the second contacts; and mounting means for mounting the first shielding shell on an object and defining with the first shielding shell a circumferential channel into which a front end of the second shielding shell is to be fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Nakamura, Masao Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4906201
    Abstract: An electrical connector mounting apparatus has an electrically conductive member formed with spring biased fingers, a base portion and a fastening member. The spring biased fingers in conjunction with the base portion provide electrical continuity between the base of the electrical connector and a chassis frame when the connector is inserted into a frame opening. The base portion of the electrically conductive member is captured between the base of the electrical connector and a support member, which prevent excessive connector rotation and provides strain relief between the base portion and the fastening member. The fastening member is spring biased and engages the frame opening during the insertion of the electrical connector into the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Tektronix, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Young, Brian G. Heintz
  • Patent number: 4842552
    Abstract: A boardlock (52) is adapted to secure a connector (10) to a printed circuit board (26). The body portion (54) of the boardlock (52) is disposed in a recess (34) in the connector housing (12) flange (28) in an interference fit. First (64) and second (66) pairs of legs depend from the body portion (54) and extend to respective free ends (68; 70). Each of the legs (64; 66) has a diverging section (72; 74) intermediate the body means (54) and the free ends (68; 70) and a converging section (76; 78) intermediate the diverging section (72; 74) and the free end (68, 70). The diverging (72; 74) and converging (76; 78) sections diverge and converge, respectively, with respect to the axis (58) of the boardlock (52) in the direction from the body portion (54) to the free ends (68; 70). The diverging sections (72; 74) of the first and second (64; 66) pairs of legs overlap in axial range thereby extending the thickness of the printed circuit board (26) that can be accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert H. Frantz
  • Patent number: 4826441
    Abstract: For locking a test board connector to a printed wiring board, the connector includes a resilient member with a foot at its distal end and tabs positioned beneath the body of the connector. The foot and tabs extend in opposite directions. Lugs, which are molded to the bottom of the body of the connector serve to align the connector with an opening of the printed wiring board during attachment of the connector to the board. Both the tabs and resilient member are connected to the lugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Micro Stamping Corporation
    Inventor: Ransom C. Palmer, III
  • Patent number: 4822303
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a receptacle connector having a first insulating housing containing a plurality of first contacts and a first shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the first contacts; a plug connector including a second insulating housing containing a plurality of second contacts and a second shielding shell disposed so as to enclose contact portions of the second contacts; and mounting means for mounting the first shielding shell on an object and defining with the first shielding shell a circumferential channel into which a front end of the second shielding shell is to be fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Hirose Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Nakamura, Masao Yamagauchi
  • Patent number: 4820172
    Abstract: In order to reduce the variety of connector bodies needed for connecting electrical apparatus such as an automobile radio to factory-installed cabling of a motor vehicle having a mating connector for connection to the electrical apparatus, a composite connector is provided having a front unit with two sets of contacts respectively interconnected by a circuit board, of which the first set is designed to interfit with the mating connector of the vehicle and the second set is designed to interfit with the contacts of a second unit of the composite connector. That second unit has a set of contacts connected to a circuit board which carries circuit components for protection of electrical circuits from external interference. A flat parallel conductor cable is introduced through a slot in the second unit for connection to its circuit board before the circuit board is put in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Blaupunkt-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Wolkewitz, Alfons Scheck, Kurt Seeberger
  • Patent number: 4795353
    Abstract: A one-piece, stamped and formed C-section locking clip for insertion into aligned holes (H1 and H2) in a superposed metal plate (P) and circuit board (CB) to secure them together for soldering the clip to the plate (P) and to a ground plane (G) on the board (CB) comprises a body (2) having a resilient and compliant larger diameter portion (6) for reception in the hole (H1) in plate (P), a smaller diameter portion (12) for reception in the hole (H2) in the board (CB). A spring (16) extending from the upper edge (8) of the body (2) extends for substantially the full length thereof and has at its lower end an outwardly bowed part (22) for engaging the ground plane (G) and holding the locking clip in position for the soldering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert W. Baker
  • Patent number: 4778965
    Abstract: An electrical switch mounting structure includes a housing for the switch, terminals on the exterior of the housing, a substrate incorporating an opening into which the housing is inserted, conductive elements on the base which contact the terminals upon insertion of the housing, and elastic mounting members which both retain the housing in the base and assure contact between the terminals and the conductive elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Judco Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Joseph Valenzona
  • Patent number: 4736270
    Abstract: A panel is mounted between parallel spaced apart frame members by a pair of retainer members having a length greater than the spacing between the frame members so as to project through selectively spaced openings in the frame members. Each of the retainers is provided with a slotted channel for receiving an edge of the panel. Opposing ends of the retainer are provided with a pair of bifurcated legs which may be flexed toward one another to permit the snapping of the retainer into the selectively spaced slots in the frame members. The retainers are movable within the slots during assembly to firmly engage opposite edges of the panel in the slotted channels. Electrical connectors may be mounted in the retainers' slotted channels to mate with electrical conductors on the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Warren W. Porter
  • Patent number: 4721473
    Abstract: An electrical connector which has a plurality of electrical contacts for interconnecting a plurality of data or communication lines is mountable to a printed circuit board and interconnectable to a plurality of electical traces thereon. The connector includes a front mating portion which is connectable to a matable connector, and a right angled portion, including a plurality of terminals, the right angled portion being mountable to a printed circuit board and the terminals being interconnectable to printed circuit board through holes. The connector further comprises a retention member which securely affixes the connector to the printed circuit board prior to soldering of the connector to the printed circuit board, and which provides a cylindrical soldering interface for mechanical stability of the connector to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry L. DelGuidice, Roger J. Flaherty
  • Patent number: 4704090
    Abstract: A support panel containing an aperture for mounting a lamp socket assembly that is linearly insertable into the aperture to contact an intermediate flexible printed circuit layer when oriented in a first rotational position about its axial length, wherein the aperture is formed to capture and releasably retain the socket assembly when so inserted and to allow the socket assembly to pass through the aperture when oriented in a second rotational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: James E. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4688875
    Abstract: A connector is disclosed that includes spring contacts (200) for making a solderless connection to other electrical conductors (310). Each spring contact (200) has a loop contact portion (230) that is supported so that its end regions (232 and 234) are restrained in a direction generally normal to the site of engagement of its arcuate contact surface (236) with the other electrical conductor (310). As a result, the main region (235) of the loop contact portion (230) is essentially rotated rather than compressed when pressed into engagement with the other electrical conductor (310). The desired contact force necessary for a good solderless electric connection is thereby provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignees: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. O'Connor