Sealing Patents (Class 439/587)
  • Patent number: 7264503
    Abstract: The combination of a first connecting assembly and a second connecting assembly. The first connecting assembly has a) a port with a central axis, a radially outwardly facing surface with threads thereon and axially spaced first and second free ends and b) an axially facing surface. The second connecting assembly has a) a tubular fitting with a central axis, axially spaced first and second ends and threads and b) a sealing assembly with a sealing portion. As an incident of axially moving the first and second connecting assemblies through cooperation of the threads on the first and second connecting assemblies, the sealing portion is deformed radially inwardly to engage sealingly with the outwardly facing surface on the port. A method of operatively connecting a cable to a port utilizes this structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 7264494
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for a cable having a plurality of insulated conductors comprises a body having a respective recess for receiving a terminating pin each of the conductors. A respective spigot sealingly engages within each of the recesses and has a passage for receiving an associated one of the terminating pins. Furthermore a seal is associated with each of the spigots for sealing the spigot relative to the associated terminating pin. The provision of a separate spigot for each of the conductors and for sealing engagement within a respective recess in the body enables the spigots to be sealingly fitted to the conductors prior to each spigot being introduced into its recess and sealingly engaged therein. This provides improved insulation of the conductor and increased creepage distance between the mating electrical parts and the outer surface of the housing of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Charles Kennedy, Michael Andrew Yuratich, Trevor Alan Kopecky, Alan Thomas Fraser
  • Publication number: 20070202743
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is provided with a case, a module contained in the case, a ground provided in the case, a plurality of protrusions which protrude from an inner surface of the case, and a cable connected electrically to the module. At least one of the protrusions includes, on a side face thereof, a conductor connected electrically to the ground. The cable includes an electrically conductive film and is supported by the respective side faces of the protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventor: Masashi Mikami
  • Publication number: 20070197090
    Abstract: The connector includes: a connector housing for receiving terminal fittings; a rear holder which includes a plurality of holders made of synthetic resin for positioning an electric wire attached to the terminal fitting between the holders, the rear holder being mounted to the connector housing when the holders are attached to one another; and a sealing member which includes a plurality of sealing pieces made of resilient material for positioning the electric wire between the sealing pieces, the sealing member maintaining a waterproof characteristic between the sealing member and the electric wires when the holders are attached to the respective sealing pieces, the holders are attached to one another, and the rear holder is mounted to the connector housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Sakamoto, Kazuki Zaitsu, Kei Sato
  • Publication number: 20070197089
    Abstract: A terminal fitting (1) is provided with a rectangular tube (2), a wire barrel (3) and an insulation barrel (4), wherein a pressure portion (16) is arranged between the wire barrel (3) and the insulation barrel (4). The pressure portion (16) includes a pair of coating fixing portions (20) to be arranged at the opposite sides of a coating portion (10) exposed between an exposed core (11) of a wire (W) and a rubber plug (12), and the coating portion (10) is fastened by both coating fixing portions (20). Since the coating fixing portions (20) are provided to cause a fastening force to directly act on the coating portion (10) of the wire (W) without via a rubber plug fixing portion (13) of the rubber plug (12) in this way, a wire fastening force can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Tabata
  • Patent number: 7252547
    Abstract: A connector has a female housing (10). A space (12S) is formed at the rear of the housing (10) for accommodating a seal (40) and terminal accommodating chambers (11A) extend forward from the space (12S). A rear holder (50) is mounted on the rear of the female housing (10) for holding the seal (40) in the space (12S). A lever (70) is mounted on the rear holder (50) and can generate a cam action for connecting the female housing (10) and a mating male housing (80). The lever (70) can be moved further after the housings (10, 80) are connected for moving the rear holder (50). Thus, the rear holder (50) compresses the seal (40) into engagement with wires that extend from the female housing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Nishide
  • Publication number: 20070173116
    Abstract: A plurality of contacts are assembled at prescribed spacings in a longitudinal direction of a receptacle body. Each contact has a meandering curved part in the intermediate portion for elastically contacting the corresponding contact. A ground member extending in a longitudinal direction of the receptacle body and passes through the inner area of the respective meandering curved parts of the contacts is combined with the receptacle body. The ground member is arranged at a position equally distant from the respective parts of the meandering curved part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: HOSIDEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Nagata, Hayato Kondo
  • Patent number: 7244133
    Abstract: A connector includes two housings, a chamber block, and a seal. Passages arranged in a configuration extend through first housing top wall into first housing. Chamber block has chambers arranged in the configuration. Seal has openings arranged in the configuration and attaches to chamber block such that openings align with chambers. First housing houses chamber block and seal such that first housing top wall and chamber block sandwich seal and passages, openings, and chambers align. Second housing has plugs arranged in the configuration. Housings attach together such that first housing side wall and seal sandwich second housing side wall whereby seal seals housings and such that plugs extend into respective sockets in chambers. Electrical leads extend through the aligned passages, openings, and chambers and contact sockets to electrical connect with plugs. The seal simultaneously seals first housing in a region in which leads enter first housing and seals between housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kostal Kontakt Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Müller, Lars Baier
  • Publication number: 20070155236
    Abstract: A wire holder for fixing one or more wires on a plate of an electronic device includes a pair of resilient latches and an elastic member. The pair of latches is formed on the plate, and each of the latches includes a latching portion for hooking the wire. The elastic member is formed between the pair of latches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zheng Shi, Chien-Li Tsai, Guang-Yao Lee, Chun-Chi Liang
  • Patent number: 7229313
    Abstract: An electrical connector device includes a housing defining holes for insertion of wires from different sources but of the same type, e.g. ground wires. The device includes a plurality of first retaining clips, each one being electrically connected to every other first clip so that the first wires are pigtailed upon insertion into the appropriate wire insertion hole. Second and third wire insertion openings and retaining clips may also be provided in like manner to pigtail respective additional wires of like type. The housing is waterproof. Specifically, a puncture seal is positioned in the housing between a wire insertion opening and the retaining clips. The puncture seal, through which each wire must pass, prevents moisture from entering the housing. Further, a wall of the device defines an opening for insertion of a sealant into the interior area between a wire insertion opening and the retaining clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: David A. Keckler
  • Patent number: 7230433
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector test device. The device includes a test jig which has a conductive test pin to detect whether a conductive pin of a connector is appropriately connected to the conductive test pin or not, and a moving pin and a test terminal to detect whether a waterproof pin of the connector is appropriately installed in the connector or not. The device simultaneously displays the electricity conduction states between the conductive pin and the conductive test pin and between the moving pin and the test terminal. The device easily and accurately measures the installed states of both the conductive pin and the waterproof pin provided in the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Il Kim
  • Patent number: 7229303
    Abstract: A connector assembly (10) is provided including a first connector (12) and a second connector (14) configured to mateably engage the first connector (12). The first connector (12) includes a housing (16), a conductor assembly (18) positioned within the housing and projecting from housing, and a resilient seal member (30) enclosing an interface between the housing (16) and the portion of the conductor assembly projecting from the housing. The second connector (14) includes an outer contact (60), an inner contact (62) nested within a portion of the outer contact (60), and a housing (64) containing the inner and outer contacts. Conductors of the conductor assembly (18) of the first connector (12) engage the outer (60) and inner (62) contacts of the second connector (14). Another resilient seal member (45) includes a flexible skirt (50) formed at an end portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel J. Vermoesen, William C. Kruckemeyer, Robert A. Neal, Kathleen Murphy
  • Patent number: 7217157
    Abstract: In a waterproof connector, a sealing material is filled in an internal space of an outer housing which lies between an inner housing and a waterproof plug. The outer housing is so formed that a centerline of a connector opening and a centerline of a waterproof plug receiving portion are offset a predetermined amount from each other, and the density of wires in the sealing material-filling space within the outer housing is made generally uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Onoda, Takanori Suzuki, Masanobu Oishi
  • Patent number: 7210966
    Abstract: An improved multi-polar feedthrough assembly employs a particular metallic ferrule material for improved dimensional stability during initial fabrication and sustained hermetic operation. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to implantable medical devices (IMDs) including an IMD enclosure fabricated with grade 2 titanium and having a ferrule material fabricated with grade 4 titanium or grade 5 titanium. In one form, the multi-polar feedthrough assembly includes a filtered feedthrough array (e.g., employing capacitive filters coupled to the electrically conductive pins or serpentine conductors of the array). According to another aspect, the improved multi-polar feedthrough assembly incorporates additional pins, thus increasing the footprint of the assembly, and the additional pins provide analog electrical communication between operative circuitry inside an IMD and analog components external to the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Taylor, Shawn D. Knowles, John C. Olson
  • Patent number: 7201609
    Abstract: A connector (10) has a housing (11) with an outer peripheral surface (11S). A rubber boot (15) has a tubular sealing portion (21) with an inner peripheral surface that mounts over and seals to the outer peripheral surface (11S) of the housing (11). Thus, a compressive elasticity amount of the sealing portion (21) is not affected by a posture of the first connector (10) when the first connector (10) is fit in a second connector (40). Therefore, the sealing performance of the sealing portion (21) does not deteriorate in dependence on the posture of the first connector (10) when the first connector (10) is fit in the second connector (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7186143
    Abstract: In a method and arrangement for sealing a piezoactuator having terminal pins (12) protruding from the piezoactuator and a top plate (14) surmounting the piezoactuator, the top plate is provided with openings (16) to enable the terminal pins (12) to pass through. In order to ensure a reliable seal even for comparatively thin top plates (14) in particular, the invention proposes placing a sealing-ring (28) made from an elastic sealant material on each of the terminal pin sections (30) protruding from the openings (16), so that the sealing ring fits tightly to a circumferential surface (32) of the terminal pin section (30), as well as to the top plate (14), forming a seal, and being pressure-injected into the top plate (14) by means of a plastic extrusion coating (arrows in FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Plecher, Marcus Unruh
  • Patent number: 7182617
    Abstract: A sealing apparatus is operative between a cable end and a cable termination and includes an elastomeric inner seal and an elastic outer seal. The sealing apparatus is for a cable end including a cable jacket and at least one cable member extending outwardly therefrom, with the cable termination including a base and at least one nipple extending outwardly therefrom. The elastomeric inner seal may have at least one nipple passageway for receiving and defining a seal with the at least one nipple, and at least one cable member passageway in communication with the at least one nipple passageway for receiving and defining a seal with the at least one cable member. The elastomeric outer seal may have opposing first and second open ends, with the first open end for engaging and defining a seal with the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ocean Design, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Cairns, Stewart M. Barlow
  • Patent number: 7182640
    Abstract: A multi feed-through pin electrical connector has a pin-count layout that corresponds to the form factor of the pin layout of a micro-size (e.g., nano-type) multipin connector, but contains only a relatively small number of feed-through pins, locations of which are those of selected pins of the micro-sized multipin connector. This allows adjacent pin locations of the relatively small pin-count layout to be spaced farther apart from each other than pin locations of conventional micro-sized multipin connectors, so that the available wire-connection surface areas of the interior ends of the feed-through pins may be substantially increased relative to those of conventional micro-sized multipin connectors, and thereby facilitate secure wire-bonding to the interior ends of the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: SRI Hermetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent W. Garrett, Edward A. Taylor, James G. Petri
  • Patent number: 7156697
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises at least one chamber for accommodating at least one electrical contact and a seal arranged in the inlet region of the chamber through which the electrical contact is plugged through or pierced through when fitting the connector. Immediately behind and/or immediately in front of the seal viewed in the contact plug-in direction an admission region widened transversely to the contact plug-in direction is provided in each case for the sealing material displaced when the contact is plugged through or pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Drescher
  • Patent number: 7156698
    Abstract: Resilient deformation of a rubber plug (13) can be absorbed by a housing-side groove (28A) and a holder-side groove (28B) formed to surround all wire insertion holes (24), thereby preventing the displacements of the wire insertion holes (24). Thus, a reduction in operability at the time of inserting female terminal fittings (12) and wires (20) through the rubber plug (13) can be avoided. Further, a housing-side pressing portion (22A) and a holder-side pressing portion (22B) are pressed into the housing-side groove (28A) and the holder-side groove (28B) over the entire periphery to press the rubber plug (13) into contact with the inner surface of an accommodation recess (21), sealability between a housing (11) and the rubber plug (13) can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7156696
    Abstract: An electrical connector is mounted on a corrugated coaxial cable. An electrical connection with the outer conductor of the cable is formed by compressing an elastomer body surrounding the end of the cable and flowing the body inwardly against the cable to hold a conductive member in electrical connection with the outer conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 7154042
    Abstract: An electric connector assembly disclosing various embodiments, each of which includes a connector body having a frustro-conically shaped outlet end portion that converges toward the outlet opening and having a complementary frustro conically shaped retainer ring circumscribing the outlet end portion wherein the retainer ring is integrally formed with a locking tang and ground tangs arranged to be snap fitted to a knock-out hole of an electric box. The latest embodiment includes a frustro-conical retainer ring having an auxiliary tang arranged to permit the connector assembly to be obliquely inserted and locked to a knock-out hole of an electric box using a minimum of applied force for effecting a snap fit connection to both lock and electrically ground the connector assembly to the electric box and a method of installing the associated connector body to an electric box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7151223
    Abstract: Various embodiments of electric connector assemblies, each of which includes a connector body having a frustro-conically shaped outlet end portion that converges toward the outlet opening with a complementary frustro-conically shaped external ring circumscribing the outlet end portion wherein the frustro-conical retainer ring is integrally formed with a locking tang and electrical grounding tangs arranged to be snap fitted to a knock-out hole of an electric box, in combination with an internal unidirectional snap-fit wire conductor retainer disposed in the inlet end portion of the connector body to facilitate the connection of a wire conductor to the connector body and whereby unintentional separation of the wire conductor therefrom is prohibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7144275
    Abstract: A circuit board supporting electronic components mounted thereon is housed in a casing. The casing has a joint hole defined therein, and a connector is inserted in the joint hole with a water-resistant seal placed in a gap between the connector and edges of the casing which define the joint hole. The casing is of a trapezoidal shape and has a pair of parallel sides spaced from each other by a distance, the parallel sides having respective lengths greater than the distance between the parallel sides. The casing has a tooth as a stop which has a tip end held against the connector at a position in which the casing and the connector closely confront each other in or near a region of at least one of the parallel sides which is sealed by the water-resistant seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Taku Iida
  • Patent number: 7134911
    Abstract: A seal for an electrical connector in a connector block having a connector channel with a keyway is provided. The seal includes a tubular body that defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. The body includes a forward portion defining a forward end and a rearward portion defining a rearward end. The body is configured to be received in a connector channel in the connector block. A key portion extends longitudinally along an outer surface of the body. The key portion is configured to be received in the keyway in the connector channel. The body and the key portion seal the connector channel in the connector block when the connector is loaded into the connector block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: William Henry Bernhart, Brent David Yohn, John A. Fulponi, Richard Paul Walter
  • Patent number: 7114991
    Abstract: A waterproof connector sealing member has a plurality of electrical wire insertion holes that extend between the two main surfaces of a flat plate-shaped sealing main body. A plurality of projecting ribs are provided on the inner wall surface of each of the electrical wire insertion holes, and the projecting ribs of respectively adjacent electrical wire insertion holes are provided in different positions with respect to each other along the axial direction of the electrical wire insertion holes. Relief grooves are formed in the sealing main body in positions adjacent to the electrical wire insertion holes in the vicinity of the outer edges of this sealing main body, with each of these relief grooves extending from one of the main surfaces that is closer to the projecting rib of the adjacent electrical wire insertion hole provided toward the outside in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP K.K
    Inventors: Katsumi Shiga, Yoshihito Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7108549
    Abstract: A connector terminal of a medical electrical lead or adapter includes a strut member supporting at least one electrical contact element and at least one seal zone element, which is positioned adjacent to the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Suping Lyu, Thomas C. Bischoff, James T. Gates, Peter B. McIntyre, Scott J. Robinson, Bruce R. Mehdizadeh, James M. Iknayan, Elisabeth L. Belden
  • Patent number: 7104840
    Abstract: A connector has a pair of male and female connector housings 13, 48. The male connector housing 13 has an inner housing 15 that receives a looseness protecting wedge ring 42 having a tapered rear end surface 43a. The inner housing 15 also receives a waterproof spring packing 31 abutting against a fore end of the wedge ring 42. The inner housing 15 has an inner surface that engages with the tapered surface 43a of the wedge ring 42. On engagement of the connector housings 13 and 48, a fore end of the spring packing 31 is engaged with an inner wall of the female connector housing 48, and the female connector housing 48 is closely engaged with the inner housing 15 via the wedge ring 42. Alternatively, the inner housing 15 that receives inner and outer wedge rings 38, 41 engaged with each other. The inner wedge ring 38 has a tapered surface 39a that engages with a tapered surface 43a of the outer wedge ring 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Murakami
  • Patent number: 7104841
    Abstract: A watertight connector has a housing (10) with terminal fittings (11) therein. A busbar element (14) is mounted on the front of the housing (10) to short the terminal fittings (11). The busbar element (14) engages engageable portions (22; 23) formed by a mold removing space (24) in the housing (10). A rubber plug (12) and a plug holder (13) are assembled with the housing (10) by engaging locks (25) on the plug holder (13) with the housing (10). The locks (25) are inserted into the mold removing spaces (24). The locks (25) and the engageable portions (22, 23) overlap in width and/or height directions to miniaturize the watertight connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Fukatsu, Kiyofumi Ichida
  • Patent number: 7097500
    Abstract: An integrated seal assembly and a coaxial cable system component incorporating the seal assembly with a connector for coupling to an externally threaded port. The seal assembly includes a bellows-type seal having an elastically deformable tubular body and a plurality of sealing surfaces, and an integral joint-section intermediate an anterior end and a posterior end that assists in the axial deformation of the seal in response to axially-directed force. One of the sealing surfaces is made to engage a corresponding surface of an internally threaded nut or housing. The component is engagable with an externally threaded port via the internally threaded connector. The anterior end of the seal fits over the port and a sealing surface of the seal is capable of sealing axially against a shoulder of the port while the seal body covers the otherwise exposed externally threaded port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 7097484
    Abstract: The sealing element consisting entirely of elastomer is plugged onto the head plate of a piezo actuator for a fuel injection valve. Encircling sealing bulges (6) are formed on the first end of the sealing element and effect a sealing toward the injector body (2). The sealing element has passages for accommodating contact pins (7), whereby sealing lips (8) are formed around the passages in order to seal the contact pins (7). The sealing actions of the sealing bulges (6) and of the sealing lips (8) are separate from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Willibald Schürz, Martin Simmet, Marcus Unruh
  • Patent number: 7094094
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an electrically conductive body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. An insulating cover may be on the electrically conductive body and include an integrally molded respective tubular cable inlet aligned with each cable inlet opening. A respective insulating boot may be received in each of the tubular cable inlets. Each insulating boot may include a tubular sidewall having a progressively increasing diameter to an open outer end thereof, a removable boot closure cap for removable positioning in the open outer end of the tubular sidewall, and an integrally molded tether connecting the removable boot closure cap to the tubular sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Homac MFG Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Roy E. Jazowski, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 7086899
    Abstract: A waterproof connector, which has a lock-releasing function without increasing the size of a connector housing thereof and has a relatively simple structure, and has a low cost without increasing the number of parts thereof, is provided. The waterproof connector includes: a waterproof sealing member mounted in a connector housing of the waterproof connector; a sealing holder for pressing the waterproof sealing member into the connector housing; and a slider slidably mounted to the connector housing, the slider including a lock-releasing part for releasing a lock between the connector housing and an opposite connector housing, wherein the sealing holder and the slider are connected integrally with each other through a breakable part and the breakable part is broken when the sealing holder is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Miyakawa, Kazuto Ohtaka
  • Patent number: 7075007
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a connector body having an inlet end and an outlet end that slopes downwardly toward the outlet opening that is circumscribed by a complementary frustro conical outer snap-fit retaining ring mounted on the outlet end of the connector body. The outer frustro conical retaining ring is integrally formed from a blank of spring steel having integral locking and grounding tangs blanked or formed out of the plane of the blank. The connector assembly also includes an internal sleeve having inwardly formed spring fingers to secure an electrical conductor to the inlet end by a snap fit. In an alternate embodiment, a simple clamp arrangement is substituted for the internal snap fit sleeve for securing a wire conductor to the inlet end of the connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7070449
    Abstract: A connector of the invention includes a housing including a terminal fitting, which is made by resin molding; and a ring-like seal member made of rubber, which bonded by molding around a circumference of the terminal fitting so that sealing is steadily performed between the terminal fitting and the housing. It is not necessary to adjust an amount of sealing material applied to the terminal fitting in case that the sealing material is applied to the terminal fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Sho Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 7071588
    Abstract: A cable connector assembly used for connecting exterior electrical cables to a motor housing has a hollow cap member with an opening through which the cable extends. A compressible retainer is compressed within the cap, around the cable and is held in place by a pressure member, which is held in place in the cap with a clip. The hollow interior of the cap may be filled with a sealant such as an epoxy in order to provide secondary sealing against moisture in addition to the compression of the retainer around the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Yeomans Chicago Corporation
    Inventor: Yuri Khazanov
  • Patent number: 7063566
    Abstract: A connector is provided with male terminal fittings (30), seals (50) mountable on the male terminal fittings (30), and a housing (10) formed with cavities (14) for accommodating the male terminal fittings (30) with the seals (50) held in close contact with the inner wall surfaces of the cavities (14). Each seal (50) is mounted on a tab (31) located before a wire barrel (32) in the male terminal fitting (30). Accordingly, even if water enters through the inside of the wire (90), an arrival of the water at mating portions of male and female terminal fittings (30, 80) can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Tsuchiya, Kazuhiko Nimura
  • Patent number: 7059214
    Abstract: In an electronic control unit, a transmission control module for controlling an automatic transmission and a position sensor for detecting the range position of the automatic transmission are built in a common unit case. A first member and a second member to be fitted at the time of mounting the electronic control unit on an automatic transmission case are directed in the mounting direction when mounted on the automatic transmission case, and a third member is mounted on those two members. A predetermined clearance is formed at a predetermined portion on the mounting path between the automatic transmission case and the third member. When the electronic control unit is mounted on the automatic transmission case, therefore, the clearance on the mounting path inbetween absorbs the positional deviation between the first member and the second member thereby to facilitate the mounting work. Thus, the mounting workability of a position sensor built-in electronic control unit on an automatic transmission is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naotaka Murakami, Naoto Ogasawara, Kenji Suzuki, Kohichi Ichigo
  • Patent number: 7059901
    Abstract: A waterproof electrical connector comprises first and second connectors which are connected to each other. The first connector comprises a first housing in a cylindrical shape having a fitting recess. The second connector comprises a second housing. A sealing member held in a holding groove on the outer periphery of the second housing seals the fitting recess in a state where it is fitted in the fitting recess. The second housing has first and second sections on both sides with the holding groove interposed therebetween. The first section comprises a plurality of cylindrical sections extending along a connector connection direction from a peripheral sidewall adjacent to the holding groove. The cylindrical section comprises guiding sections inserted into the fitting recess prior to inserting the sealing member into the fitting recess for guiding the insertion of the sealing member into the fitting recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: J.S.T. MFG. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Morita, Eiji Takeda, Kinji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7057107
    Abstract: An electric connector assembly having a connector body defining an inlet end portion and an outlet end portion interconnected by a through bore wherein the outlet end portion is provided with a tapering frustro conical surface that is circumscribed by an external retainer ring of a frustro conical shape complementing the frustro conical outer surface of the outlet end portion. The conical external retainer ring also includes locking and grounding tangs arranged to effect a snap fit connection of the connector assembly to a knock-out hole of an electric box or panel. The electric connector assembly further contemplates the use of internal wire conductor retainer associated with the inlet end portion so as to effect the attachment of an electric wire conductor thereto with a snap fit in a manner that prohibits any unintentional separation of the electric wire conductor therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventors: Delbert Auray, Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 7048580
    Abstract: A waterproof plug for a waterproof connector, includes a body portion which has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a first end and a second end which is opposite side of the first end, and an enlarged portion, which is formed on the first end of the body portion in coaxial relation thereto. A slanting face is formed on an outer face of the enlarged portion so that the enlarged portion decreases in a diameter from a side of the second end to a side of the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Toru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7044786
    Abstract: A connector has a terminal accommodating space (12) and a wire accommodating space (22). A terminal fitting (35) is accommodated in the terminal accommodating space (12) and a wire (30) is connected with the terminal fitting (35). The wire (35) is bent into the wire accommodating space (22) to form an L-shape. A bite-in portion (24) is formed on the inner surface of the wire accommodating space (22) for engaging the wire (30) on an inner side of the bend to plastically deform the wire (30). The engagement of the wire (30) by the bite-in portion (24) reduces the resilient restoring force of the wire (30). As a result, the resilient restoring force of the wire (30) is less likely to incline the terminal fitting (35) in the terminal accommodating space (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Nimura
  • Patent number: 7033215
    Abstract: A rubber plug (10) is inserted into a cavity (21) of a connector housing (20) after an insulated wire (40) is inserted through a wire insertion hole (11) to provide a watertight seal between an inner wall of the cavity (24) and the insulated wire (40). Frictional resistance between the inner wall of the cavity (24) and the rubber plug (10) is larger than the frictional resistance between the insulated wire (40) and the rubber plug (10). The frictional resistance between the insulated wire (40) and the rubber plug (10) permits movement of the insulated wire (40) relative to the rubber plug (10) when the insulated wire (40) is caused to expand in longitudinal direction by heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomohiko Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7033214
    Abstract: A connector for electrical conductors that have, on their ends to be connected, contact/locking end-fittings designed to be inserted into electrically insulated locking members that are retained inside a connector body or case, characterized in that the method for retaining the locking members inside the case and for electrically insulating them consists of a single retention and insulation element produced as a single part, made of an elastomer, by overmoulding of the locking members directly in the body so as to surround the locking members on the side of the case and at least on the rear side of the connector and having here openings for the insertion of the end-fittings and for the sealed passage of the conductors fitted with the end-fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Amphenol-Air LB
    Inventor: Patrick Vantouroux
  • Patent number: 7033216
    Abstract: A one-piece rubber plug (30) of the hybrid type is mounted at a rear side of a female housing (20). Wire insertion holes (32) of the rubber plug (30) include large-diameter portions (34) and small-diameter portions (33). The outer circumferential surfaces of sealing plugs (60) corresponding to larger terminals (20A) are resiliently brought into close contact with the inner circumferential surfaces of the large-diameter portions (34), whereas the outer circumferential surfaces of wires (33) are resiliently brought into close contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of wires (50) corresponding to small terminals (20B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Ito
  • Patent number: 7029328
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector body having a body opening at a rear end of the connector body. The body opening is adapted to receive at least one wire. The connector body has at least one terminal cavity in communication with the body opening. The at least one terminal cavity are adapted to receive terminal ends of the at least one wire. A wire seal is adapted to seal between the at least one wire and the connector body. An interface seal is configured for sealing with the connector body, and is adapted to seal with an inner sheath of a component housing. The connector body and the interface seal are configured such that the interface seal may be positioned on the connector body from the rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: J.S.T. Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Mckenzie, Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7029327
    Abstract: A device for connecting and sealing between a transmission line connector and a signal source connector includes a hollow outer conductor with an inner conductor disposed therein, and an electrical insulator disposed therebetween. One end of the outer conductor and an adjacent end of the inner conductor define a signal input connectable to the signal source connector, and opposite ends of the two conductors define a signal output connectable to the transmission line connector. The electrical insulator is hermetically sealed to the inner and outer conductors to prevent water ingress from the signal input to the signal output and vice versa. Optionally, a liquid sensor may be disposed between the inner and outer conductors to monitor the liquid content within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Edward B. Devine
  • Patent number: 7004789
    Abstract: A waterproof structure between a cable and a housing is structured not spoiling a waterproof performance even if a cable is bent drawing a rapid curve. The waterproof structure between the cable and the housing comprises the cable led from the housing, a waterproof member closely attached to the housing and the cable, and a peel-prevention member for preventing peeling of the waterproof member with respect to the cable being bent, and is characterized in that the peel-prevention member is mounted on the cable and wrapped internally by the waterproof member. The waterproof member is formed with a hot melt material, and the peel-prevention member is formed with a material having excellent adhesion to the hot melt material. A shrinkage tube is served as the peel-prevention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Kameyama, Takashi Toi
  • Patent number: 6994589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for production of a gas-tight ducting for a contact (4) through a wall (12), in particular in a fuel tank and a device for said ducting. According to the method, the contact is placed in a tool form (1), in which a partial region of the contact (4) is surrounded by a cover (9) made from an insulating material. The cover (9) is then directly or indirectly connected to the wall (12). According to the invention, the device embodies the contact (4) and the cover (9) thereof as a unitary construct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Oliver Schliese
  • Patent number: 6994590
    Abstract: A female connector (10) accommodating a female terminal fitting (17) has a sealing member (26) displaying a function of sealing the gap between a female connector housing (11) of the female connector (10) and a male connector housing (31) of a male connector (30). The sealing member (26) has a sealing part (27) made of a rubber material; and a rear part 28, made of a highly rigid synthetic resinous material, fixed to the sealing part (27). The rear part (28) has a locking portion (28a) which engages an engaging hole (14a) of the female connector housing (11); and a reinforcing portion (28b), fixed to an entire periphery of a rear end of the sealing part (27) formed integrally with the locking portion (28a). The sealing part (27) and the rear part (28) are fixed to each other by using a two-color molding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shiro Nishida