Comprising Or For Use With Supporting Panel Patents (Class 439/571)
  • Patent number: 5882219
    Abstract: A movable connector 21 for absorbing misregistration thereof with a mating connector when the two connectors are fitted together includes a connector housing 23, a support plate 25 which is formed integrally with the connector housing 23, and is parallel to a plane perpendicular to an axis e of fitting of the connector housing 23, and a retaining portion 29 which is formed on and projects from one face of the support plate 25 facing away from a connector fitting surface 27 of the connector housing 23, and is movably retained in a mounting hole 35 formed in a mounting member 33.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masakuni Samejima, Isao Kameyama, Hideto Kumakura, Satoru Kaneko
  • Patent number: 5863210
    Abstract: A connector housing 10 is mountable to a circuit board along a board-mounting face 18, and a mounting bracket 40 is secured around side walls 12 and upper wall 14 with mounting feet 46 extending outwardly from the housing parallel to board-mounting face 18 for being soldered to the circuit board, eliminating the need for mounting holes through the circuit board. Projections 28 of side walls 12 extend outwardly through slots 48 of vertical leg sections 44 of bracket 40 and lances 52 extend from slot edges 50 bite into projections 28 to secure the bracket assuredly to housing 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Jason M'Cheyne Reisinger
  • Patent number: 5857871
    Abstract: A hold-down for interconnecting an electrical connector and a printed circuit board where the hold-down has two bodies that multiple sides. When the bodies of the hold-down are inserted into the circular bores of the electrical connector and printed circuit board, the bodies form several points of contact which resist lateral and vertical movement of the interconnection between the electrical connector and PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Horchler
  • Patent number: 5827090
    Abstract: An electrical connector which can be mounted to a printed circuit board with automated equipment. The connector has a pair of locating pins that extend from a pair of locating tabs at the ends of the connector housing. The connector also has a plurality of solder tails that can be soldered to corresponding surface pads of the printed circuit board. To assemble the connector to a printed circuit board, the locating pins are pressed into corresponding locating holes of the board. The locating pins and holes align the solder tails with the surface pads of the board. The locating pins are located at a position offset from the center of gravity of the connector. The offset locating pins place the center of gravity of the connector closer to the edge of the circuit board so that the weight of the connector does not pull the solder tails away from the surface pads before the solder tails are soldered to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Knighton
  • Patent number: 5823823
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector having a connected position and contacting devices in the electrical connector for electrically contacting terminals of devices external to the electrical connector. The assembly also includes devices for holding the electrical connector in the connected position while the contacting devices are electrically connected. Furthermore, the contacting devices and the devices for holding the electrical connector are spatially separate from one another. One embodiment of the electrical connector is for connecting first and second printed circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jacques Longueville, Peter Pagnin
  • Patent number: 5807136
    Abstract: Two connectors located directly opposite each other on opposite sides of a printed circuit board are attached together and to the circuit board by means of keys integral to the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Mick
  • Patent number: 5800209
    Abstract: An affixing member is provided which can affix an electrical connector to a board, including a plastic cylindrical member inserted into a hole of the board, where the cylindrical member is situated in a lower recess of the plastic housing of the electrical connector. The outer diameter of the cylindrical member is smaller than the inner diameter of the hole of the board so the cylindrical member may be inserted into the board with little insertion force. The cylindrical member has a hollow section allowing a section of a push pin to be inserted therein. The inner diameter of the lower portion of the section is smaller than the outer diameter of the forward end of the section of the pin so when the section of the pin is inserted into the hollow section of the cylindrical member, the cylindrical member is enlarged and affixed to the board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5797769
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a front mating face, a rear terminating face, a bottom mounting face and a plurality of terminal-receiving passages extending rearwardly of the front mating face. A plurality of terminals are received in the passages. A stamped and formed metal boardlock is mounted on the housing and includes a generally planar mounting plate disposed generally parallel to the front mating face of the housing. A pair of locking legs are formed out of a bottom edge of the mounting plate and project below the bottom mounting face of the housing for insertion into an appropriate hole in the printed circuit board. One of the locking legs is generally coplanar with the mounting plate and has a locking portion formed generally perpendicular to the mounting plate and, in turn, perpendicular to the front mating face of the housing. The other locking leg is generally flat and L-shaped in a plane generally perpendicular to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsung-Lin Yang, Jiunn-Ren Chen
  • Patent number: 5775928
    Abstract: A unitary electrical terminal including an internally threaded connecting post (11), an intermediate section (13), a helical flexure section (15) connected between the connecting post and the intermediate section, and an anchoring section (17) attached to the intermediate section. In use, the anchoring section is embedded in encapsulant material of an electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Cedric J. Booker, Douglas Shinno
  • Patent number: 5713755
    Abstract: Surface mount connectors having staked alignment pins. The bodies of the connectors are formed without alignment pins, and alignment pins are thereafter staked into the bottom surface of the connector body in order to positively locate the connector when mounting to a printed circuit board. Because the alignment pins are not integrally formed with the connector bodies, the connectors may be inventoried in only long strips of, for example, 50 positions, After a customer order is received, the long strips may be cut to the desired number of positions. The alignment pins are thereafter staked into the connector body in order to form a completed connector. The present invention therefore obviates the need to inventory connectors with alignment pins in each of the potentially desired sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Samtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven P. Koopman, Doug E. McCartin
  • Patent number: 5709570
    Abstract: A cable connecting structure includes a cable connector connected to a cable, a back panel selectively provided with one or a plurality of projections depending on a connecting position of the cable connector, and a substrate assembly having first and second ends and having a plurality of movable sliders extending between the first and second ends. Each of the sliders has third and fourth ends. The third end of at least one of the sliders makes contact with the projection of the back panel and the fourth end thereof projects from the first end of the substrate assembly when the second end of the substrate assembly connects to the back panel. The cable connector has at least one recess which receives and accommodates the fourth end of the at least one of the sliders when the cable connector connects to the first end of the substrate assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Katsumoto Takayama
  • Patent number: 5704808
    Abstract: A fixing piece of a holder is inserted and fitted in a fixing hole in a housing, so that the fixing piece is embraced by a surrounding portion to be held in position. Therefore, positioning can be effected accurately, and the fixing force can be increased. No force will be exerted on other portions, and therefore, an intimate contact with a board can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masamitsu Chishima
  • Patent number: 5700159
    Abstract: To permit easy connection, and further to provide an electrical connection between a conductor and an electrically conductive device, for example, a base plate of a large fixture, a housing (4) of insulating material which has a contact element therein, and a flat surface (9) adapted to be placed against the device (7), is further formed with a metallic strip (28) electrically connected to the contact element (5). The metallic strip is formed with a bend or crease line (34) separating the strip into a neck portion (31) and a hook portion (36). The neck portion and the hook portion, together with the insulated housing (4), form a lever (48) in which the hook portion, upon insertion thereof through an aperture (45) in the flat surface of the device passes beneath and becomes located under the flat surface, engaging thereagainst and being supported therefrom, to permit at least part of the neck portion (31) to be passed, by lever action, through the aperture (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: Vossloh-Schwabe GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Albeck
  • Patent number: 5655930
    Abstract: An electrical pin field connector assembly includes a printed circuit board having a plurality of pins projecting from at least one side thereof. A housing is mounted over the pins with a mounting face of the housing in close proximity to the one side of the printed circuit board. The pins extend through passages in the housing. A locking member is disposed within the confines of the housing and intersects at least one of the passages. The locking member includes a gripping aperture aligned with the one passage for gripping the respective pin that extends therethrough to hold the housing mounted over the pins with the mounting face in close proximity to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Helen Dechelette, Reiner DeVries
  • Patent number: 5622519
    Abstract: A retention system is provided for an electrical connector mountable to a substrate such as a printed circuit board. A dielectric housing has electrical terminals mounted therein, and the housing is adapted for mounting on a surface of the circuit board with the terminals establishing electrical connection to appropriate circuits on the board. The housing includes at least one mounting portion projecting generally parallel to the board in proximity to the surface thereof. A generally U-shaped hold-down clip has a bight portion spanning proximal ends of a pair of leg portions. The leg portions are configured for depending generally along opposite sides of the mounting portion of the housing, with feet portions at distal ends of the leg portions for surface mounting to the surface of the printed circuit board. A complementary interengaging retaining system is provided between the bight portion of the hold-down clip and the mounting portion of the housing for retaining the clip thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: MOLEX Incorporated
    Inventors: Craig Bixler, Michael O'Sullivan, David R. Schmidgall
  • Patent number: 5613877
    Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted from mounting to a printed circuit board having a mounting hole. The connector includes a terminal housing having at least one mounting peg insertable through the hole in an axial direction. The mounting peg is bifurcated to define a pair of legs separated by an axial slit. One of the legs is a generally straight leg having a smooth outside surface facing one side of the hole inner wall. The other leg is a hooked leg having a radially outwardly extending hook for latching beneath a surface of the printed circuit board at an opposite side of the hole inner wall. The generally straight leg includes a radially outwardly projecting rib spaced axially at a base of the generally straight leg near the terminal housing. The hooked leg includes a reduced cross-sectional area near a base of the hooked leg near the terminal housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Arvind Patel, Jack J. Schafer
  • Patent number: 5601453
    Abstract: A hold-down for interconnecting an electrical connector and a printed circuit board where the hold-down has two bodies that multiple sides. When the bodies of the hold-down are inserted into the circular bores of the electrical connector and printed circuit board, the bodies form several points of contact which resist lateral and vertical movement of the interconnection between the electrical connector and PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Horchler
  • Patent number: 5588844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable orientation, surface mountable connector assembly. Electrical connector 1 comprises an insulative housing 100, a plurality of electrical contacts 200, and a pair of variable orientation board mounts 300. The electrical contacts 200 are mounted in the insulative housing 100 so as to be surface mountable to a printed circuit board 3 regardless of whether the electrical connector 1 is surface mounted vertically or horizontally. Two board mounts 300 are located in corresponding lateral cavities 125 in the insulative housing 100. Each board mount 300 is adapted to be selectively oriented in either a first position corresponding to a vertically mounted electrical connector 1 or a second position corresponding to a horizontally mounted electrical connector 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Lynn R. Sipe
  • Patent number: 5580274
    Abstract: An improved modular jack is provided, in which the jack structural body is made of plastics and the insertion leg is made of metal. At least a recessed portion is formed at a place where the insertion leg is intended to be mounted. The insertion leg engages with the recessed portion to thereby secured to the jack structural body. This arrangement allows the modular jack to be able to enter into soldering furnaces along with other components on the printed circuit board, such that soldering process can be completed in one pass. Assembly work is thus significantly simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Chwan-Tsay Tsair
  • Patent number: 5542860
    Abstract: An electrical connector is adapted for surface mounting on a substrate such as a printed circuit board having a mounting hole of a given diameter. The connector includes a dielectric housing having a board-mounting face. An elongated mounting post projects from the board-mounting face for insertion into the mounting hole in the substrate. The elongated mounting post includes a plurality of longitudinally extending, circumferentially spaced, generally rigid ribs defining a circle having a diameter approximately equal to or less than the given diameter of the mounting hole. A plurality of flexible, longitudinally extending ribs are located alternatingly between the generally rigid ribs and define a circle having a diameter at least slightly greater than the given diameter of the mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Bandura, Kirk B. Peloza
  • Patent number: 5478257
    Abstract: A device for connecting a first member to a second member. The device has a first end that is inserted into a hole of the first member and fixedly mounted therein. A second opposite end of the device has two parallel spaced arms. The arms are mirror images of each other. Each arm has an opposing interior cam surface and two pair of exterior cam surfaces along their lengths. The arms are inserted into a hole in the second member to retain the device in the second member's hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Burndy Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph S. Cachina, Anthony J. Malgioglio
  • Patent number: 5462454
    Abstract: A boardlock for securely connecting an electrical device or connector to a printed circuit board without requiring post-soldering thereof, is shown comprising a pair of rigid arms joined at the lower end by a thinner bridge section. The boardlock is a flat unitary edge-stamped sheet metal part that is insertable through a hole of a printed circuit board such that the bridge portion extends below the printed circuit board and whereby outer portions thereof, extend outwardly of the hole for provisionally holding the boardlock to the printed circuit board. A die comprising an elongate slot of slightly greater thickness than the boardlock, can be engaged against the bridge portion for permanent plastic deformation thereof. The die has a convex bottomed surface in order to arc the deformed bridge portion towards the printed circuit board in order to enhance the mechanical resistance of the boardlock with respect to an upwards pulling force thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolf Kramer, Manfred Schaarschmidt
  • Patent number: 5415565
    Abstract: A holdown key (40, FIG. 5) is provided that holds a low profile connector housing (30) to a circuit board (16), which securely holds the key to the connector before installation in the circuit board, and which provides high retention in the circuit board with only moderate stress on the key material. The key has a pair of largely vertically-extending legs (60, 62) with lower ends that merge and with upper ends that are free of each other but which have locations (80, 80a) that abut each other when the legs are deflected toward each other. When the key is installed in a slot (50) of the connector housing, the legs are preferably deflected partially towards each other so the gap (B) between the locations is less than initially, but is not zero. However, when the key is fully installed in the circuit board, the locations abut each other to close the gap (C) and provide large retention force in the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Rene A. Mosquera
  • Patent number: 5405267
    Abstract: A mounting rack (10) for a plurality of electrical connectors (50) to define a subassembly (90) manipulatable as a unit for mass connector mounting to a circuit board (100) at an edge (102) thereof. A premolded mounting rack (10) includes slots (22) at each connector site (20) into which respective connectors (50) are insertable to become secured to the mounting rack, prior to mounting of the subassembly to the circuit board and subsequent electrical connection of contact sections (64,66,68) of each connector being connected to circuit termini of the board (100). Projections (32) from the mounting rack (10) include embossments (34) or fastening elements (150) adapted to enter or pass through mounting holes (110,164) of the board for securing the subassembly to the board. The mounting rack (200) may also be overmolded about intermediate portions of the connectors to define a subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Keith S. Koegel, Christo S. Nikoloff
  • Patent number: 5397248
    Abstract: A panel mounted electrical connector is disclosed in combination with an equipment rack, multiple units of electronic equipment arranged in the rack, each unit having a connector in mating engagement with the connector mounted on the back panel of the rack. The panel mounted connector is arranged to align and hold in proper position multiple connectors, thereby forming a composite connector that mates with a mating composite connector on the unit of electronic equipment. Cutouts are provided in a surface of the composite connector so that cabling that is terminated to the connector may exit the connector at right angles thereto substantially parallel with the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Whiteman, Jr., Charles H. Weidler
  • Patent number: 5385488
    Abstract: A patch panel is disclosed which is easily expandable as required by a customer and which substantially simplifies conventional field servicing practices. The invention provides a patch panel comprising an assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board with the connector being mounted upon the printed circuit board; a mount for removably supporting the assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board in a desired location relative to the mount and a panel for detachably holding the mount in a predetermined position to the panel such that the panel prevents removal of the assembly of at least one connector and printed circuit board from the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Gordon P. F. Clark
  • Patent number: 5385489
    Abstract: The present invention relates to connector hold-downs for mechanically attaching a connector to a circuit board and, specically, to hold-downs that can be secured by solder to plated holes through circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Berg Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Schell
  • Patent number: 5382180
    Abstract: A panel mounted electrical connector is disclosed in combination with an equipment rack, multiple units of electronic equipment arranged in the rack, each unit having a connector in mating engagement with the connector mounted on the back panel of the rack. The panel mounted connector is arranged to align and hold in proper position multiple connectors, thereby forming a composite connector that mates with a mating composite connector on the unit of electronic equipment. Cutouts are provided in a surface of the composite connector so that cabling that is terminated to the connector may exit the connector at right angles thereto substantially parallel with the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Whiteman, Jr., Charles H. Weidler
  • Patent number: 5380951
    Abstract: A convenience outlet assembly is adapted for interconnecting electrical components to wires in a flat cable extending behind a wall in a structure. A mounting bracket is secured to a structural support behind the wall and has a peripheral frame about a mounting opening. A cable tap subassembly is attachable to the cable. A mounting box, separate from the mounting bracket, has an open front face and a peripheral flange attachable to the peripheral frame of the mounting bracket. The peripheral flange is located on the exterior of the wall and the peripheral frame is located on the interior of the wall. The mounting box is insertable through an opening in the wall and the mounting opening in the bracket. The cable tap subassembly is mountable in a position at the rear of the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph D. Comerci, Mark M. Data, Robert DeRoss
  • Patent number: 5366389
    Abstract: A connector is described, of the type that has a plastic housing with pegs (15, FIG. 2 ) that project through round holes (16) in a circuit board to hold the connector in place, wherein the pegs are shaped to minimize warping of the circuit board and facilitate construction of the pegs. Each peg has an axis (27) and has at least three vertical interference ridges (17-20) each spaced from the axis by slightly more than the radius of the circuit board holes, with the outer surface (28) of each ridge having about the same radius of curvature as that of the board holes. The outer surface of each peg preferably extends by an angle A of at least 15.degree. about an imaginary circle (32) centered on the axis, with the ridges connected by straight sides (21-24), with the straight sides lying on an imaginary regular polygon such as a square (29). Each peg can have a cylindrical lower portion (30, FIG. 4 ) extending below the ridges and closely received in the hole to assure alignment of the ridges with the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Erich Kreutter
  • Patent number: 5349134
    Abstract: Lighting fixture has a self-contained triangular junction box that mounts in the corner of a room or space with the box cover secured as a permanent part of the shade-like lamp housing. The lamp housing has a back panel with a cut-out that slips over the corner mounted junction box, the box cover extending into the housing for registration with the open side of the box when the housing is in place. A single screw joins the box cover to the box and thereby secures the lamp housing thereto. An electrical device mounting system employs various adapter structures that mount in the corner of a room and by means of which various junction boxes, or other electrical components, can be fastened in the corner of a room catercorner thereto. A series of structures are illustrated for corner mounting of telephone equipment such as jacks, wall mountable instruments, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Inventor: James P. Russell
  • Patent number: 5338226
    Abstract: A system is provided for mounting an electrical connector to one side of a panel or other planar substrate. The connector includes a housing having a mounting face with a mounting boss projecting therefrom. The boss includes an enlarged head portion. The panel includes an aperture shaped for receiving the enlarged head portion therethrough such that the boss is rotatable in the aperture from a first insertion position and a second mounted position of the housing whereat the enlarged head portion overlaps the opposite side of the panel. Resilient detent latches on the housing snap into detent recesses in the panel automatically when the housing is in its second mounted position to lock the housing thereat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: James R. Bryce, Rodger W. Burke, Paul A. Reisdorf
  • Patent number: 5328389
    Abstract: A compressible retention element of a diameter slightly greater than that of a cooperating cavity, having a low ratio of insertion to withdrawal forces. The retention element further provides insertion and withdrawal forces reduced from that found in the prior art. One embodiment of the retention element includes a cylindrical body, manufactured of a pliant material such as plastic or the like, having a wedge-shaped groove disposed axially along its length on one side and a planar region disposed axially along its length on an opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Augat Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Lewis, David W. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5328388
    Abstract: A modular connector for establishing multiple electrical connections through an opening in a vehicle body panel. A frame member, having opposite sides and mountable to the panel opening, has a means for sealing the body panel opening. The frame member has a plurality of connector module apertures. A cover, which is securable to one side of the frame member, has a plurality of connector module receptacles which correspond to and align with the connector module apertures. One or more female connector modules, each providing multiple terminals, mount in a receptacle in the cover and align with a frame opening. One or more male connector modules, each providing multiple terminals, aligns with a frame opening and mating to a corresponding female connector module. A means is provided for securing the female connector module to the male connector module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Fust, Seiji Kozono
  • Patent number: 5322452
    Abstract: A connector is provided whose plastic housing includes downwardly-depending pegs for insertion in a circuit board to hold the connector in place, which provides for secure holding of the pegs in the circuit board holes by merely pressing the connector down into place. A spring clip (32, FIG. 2) is mounted on each peg, each clip having outwardly-bowed arms (36, 38) whose middle can press against the walls of the circuit board hole (14) to securely hold the peg in the hole, and whose lower ends are supported by the peg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: ITT Corporation
    Inventor: Rene A. Mosquera
  • Patent number: 5316500
    Abstract: A fastener for securing a connector body over a hole in a printed circuit board comprises a clip rigidly supported by the connector body and a wedge supported by the connector body for sliding movement along the clip. In one form, the clip includes a pair of resilient arms having free ends extending outside the body. The resilient arms have teeth or other means near their free ends for engaging the inner surfaces of the hole. The arms converge toward each other near their free ends to retract the teeth when the arms are in an unengaged condition. The wedge includes a portion which extends between the arms for spreading the arms and teeth as the wedge slides along the clip toward the free ends of the arms. The fastener is secured in the hole by inserting the clip arms into the hole and pressing the wedge into the hole toward the free ends of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Ohio Associated Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Vanaleck, Alan L. Roath
  • Patent number: 5312264
    Abstract: An article such, as an electrical connector, for mounting upon a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The article includes a mounting plane having locating and centering means thereon. The locating and centering means comprises first and second spaced apart, depending lugs, each of which tapers from a first diameter proximal the mounting plane to a second diameter, narrower than the first diameter, distal said mounting plane. The first lug has a longitudinal slot extending its length in a given direction and the second lug has a longitudinal slot extending its length in a direction orthogonal to the given direction. The slots extending in different directions provide a centering and holding response which fixes the connector in position so that subsequent operations may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: GTE Products Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Thomas, K. Troy Alwine
  • Patent number: 5310360
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is provided for interconnecting a modular phone plug with a printed circuit board. The connector assembly includes a housing having a forward mating end and a rearward end. A plug-receiving socket is formed in the forward mating end and is adapted to receive a modular phone plug. The rearward end is configured so that an edge of a printed circuit board can be inserted at a first angular orientation relative to the housing and then rotated to a second angular orientation. A plurality of terminals are mounted in the housing. Each terminal includes a contact portion at one end, a tail portion at an opposite end and an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion is anchored in the housing. The contact portion projects into the socket for engaging a contact of the modular phone plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5302134
    Abstract: An article such, as an electrical connector, for mounting upon a substrate, such as a printed circuit board. The article includes a mounting plane having locating and centering means thereon. The locating and centering means comprises first and second spaced apart, depending lugs, each of which tapers from a first diameter proximal the mounting plane to a second diameter, narrower than the first diameter, distal said mounting plane. The first lug has a longitudinal slot extending its length in a given direction and the second lug has a longitudinal slot extending its length in a direction orthogonal to the given direction. The slots extending in different directions provide a centering and holding response which fixes the connector in position so that subsequent operations may be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignee: GTE Products Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald E. Thomas, K. Troy Alwine
  • Patent number: 5288246
    Abstract: A panel mounted electrical connector is disclosed in combination with an equipment rack, multiple units of electronic equipment arranged in the rack, each unit having a connector in mating engagement with the connector mounted on the back panel of the rack. The panel mounted connector is arranged to align and hold in proper position multiple connectors, thereby forming a composite connector that mates with a mating composite connector on the unit of electronic equipment. Cutouts are provided in a surface of the composite connector so that cabling that is terminated to the connector may exit the connector at right angles thereto substantially parallel with the back panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Whiteman, Jr., Charles H. Weidler
  • Patent number: 5281166
    Abstract: A "through-hole mounting" boardlock fixture is adapted to secure an electrical connector to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) employing a Surface Mounting Technology (SMT) procedure. In one aspect, the boardlock fixture comprises a rim defining an opening therethrough and a solder block dimensioned to be insertable within the opening. Furthermore, a plurality of fingers flexibly mounted to the rim extend, generally, downward therefrom. Each respective finger is dimensioned to support the boardlock when inserted in the opening. SMT is applied to melt the solder block to mount the connector to the PCB. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector including a housing is mounted to a PCB. Further, the housing defines a row of apertures each of which a respective pin contact is positioned therein. Each pin contact includes a downward extension extending along a housing back region which terminates at a corresponding PCB circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Foxconn International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nobbert Yu, Yuan C. Lin, Vincent Chen
  • Patent number: 5257948
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided for mounting on the surface of a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing for mounting a plurality of terminals connectable to appropriate circuit traces on the circuit board. A board mounting clip is mounted on the housing for mounting the connector on the surface of the circuit board. The mounting clip includes a C-shaped portion defining an upper leg and a lower leg respectively insertable into a pair of slots in the housing. At least one of the slots includes a ramped leading edge adapted to engage the free end of a respective one of the legs to bias the board mounting device into firm position on the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Bruce A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5254016
    Abstract: A pair of surface mountable electrical component interconnect devices are mounted in a back-to-back relationship on opposite side surfaces of a printed circuit board using specially designed elongated fastening structures that longitudinally extend through mounting holes in the circuit board and corresponding openings in the support board portions of the interconnect devices. Each of the fastening structures is of a plastic material and comprises male and female telescopingly engageable longitudinal sections, provided with enlarged head portions, that may be simply snapped together in an axial direction to create a firm locking engagement between annular exterior and interior barb portions respectively formed on the male and female sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Ganthier
  • Patent number: 5244412
    Abstract: An electrical device for surface mounting on a circuit board comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts wherein the distance between the region at which the pad-engaging portion of each contact engages its respective pad, and the region of the fulcrum about which the contact deflects, is maximized to reduce the magnitude of the biasing force resulting from the deflection. An improved mounting component for the device comprises a post having tangs that extend from its side which are deflected to allow the post to be inserted into the board opening and which skive into the sides of the opening to prevent the post from retraction therefrom. An improved positioning arrangement for the device comprises a pair of positioning posts having polygonal cross-sections, each having a maximum cross-sectional dimension in single, mutually orthogonal, directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Stewart Connector Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Hatch, Mervin Fair, Louis Csanko, Don McClune, Jeff Fleming
  • Patent number: 5238413
    Abstract: An electrical connector (1), comprising: an insulative housing (2), a board mount (7) comprising, a post (19) to interfit with an aperture (10) of a circuit board (8), a first flange (25) to engage the circuit board (8), and a second flange (26) extending over an axis of the post (19) to receive an insertion force for inserting the post (19) into the aperture (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. McCaffrey, Earl W. McCleerey
  • Patent number: 5230638
    Abstract: A mounting peg system is disclosed in an electrical connector adapted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes an elongated insulating housing defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the connector. At least a pair of mounting pegs are spaced longitudinally of the housing for mounting in a respective pair of mounting holes in the printed circuit board. The mounting peg system includes one of the pair of mounting pegs being configured to be relatively rigid in both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the connector to securely retain the connector on the circuit board. The other of the pair of mounting pegs is configured to be relatively rigid in the transverse direction and relatively compliant in the longitudinal direction to accommodate longitudinal thermal expansion of the housing relative to the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony M. DiViesti
  • Patent number: 5228870
    Abstract: An arrangement for securing an electrical connector (10) to a printed circuit board (14) includes a planar barbed holding device (12) installed within a recess (38) of a mounting portion (36) on the connector for subsequent insertion into an appropriately aligned cavity (40) in the printed circuit board. The recess is formed with an inner wall (62) for limiting insertion of the holding device and depth compensation protrusions (64) are provided on the inner wall to insure proper orientation and seating of the holding device within a required tolerance range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gorenc, Shane D. Northcraft, Michael A. Woren
  • Patent number: 5178561
    Abstract: A connector comprises a plug of electrically insulating material and a housing box for accommodating electric contacts therein. The plug is selectively insertable in the box and comprises at least one first element insertable in a bore of the box formed for accommodating the contacts, and a second element for insertion in a corresponding opening of a printed circuit board. The plug selectively includes a bore for receipt of a complementary electric contact or a lug closing the box bore for preventing receipt of a complementary electric contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Sven E. Lindeberg, Claude Casses
  • Patent number: 5174539
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting components in a housing in which a first set of two legs extend from and substantially perpendicular to one surface of a plate and a second set of at least two legs extend from and perpendicular to the opposite surface of the plate. The bracket is connectable to the floor of the housing to support a first component at a predetermined height in said housing and is reversible to support a component of a greater height than the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Tandy Corporation
    Inventor: John P. Leonard
  • Patent number: RE35735
    Abstract: An electrical connector (20) for mounting to a printed circuit board (24) includes a boardlock (22) secured thereto by an interference fit. The boardlock (22) has a first portion (58) including means for securing the boardlock (22) to the connector housing (26) and a second portion (68). The second portion (68) comprises spring means (72,74) extending from the first portion (58) to an end (80) beyond the mounting face (30) for reception in a boardlock receiving aperture (56) in the printed circuit board (24). The spring means (72,74) have a slot (70) therebetween and barb means (84) thereon with the barb means (84) positioned along the spring means (72,74) between the first portion (58) and the end (80) to engage wall means (92) of the boardlock receiving aperture (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: George Harold Douty, David James Fabian, Joseph Robert Reagan