Insulation Distorted By Or To Effect Coupling Action Patents (Class 439/592)
  • Patent number: 5139438
    Abstract: A receptacle for use with an extension cord and an electrical plug member is formed of a generally "Y" shaped configuration, with a receiving channel directed interiorly of each leg of the "Y" shaped housing, with the legs of the housing biased in a separated position relative to one another, with a central "T" shaped rib positioned medially of the housing legs. The medially positioned rib includes a rib leg of planar sides to accommodate the housing legs when the housing legs are directed towards one another to accommodate a receptacle, wherein the housing legs upon release are biased in a separated orientation to engage and lock an electrical plug member within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Inventor: Daniel P. Gaffney
  • Patent number: 5100345
    Abstract: The terminal locking block is mounted to the connector housing in two steps, first in a provisional engagement condition and then in a full engagement condition. In the provisional engagement condition, a stopper formed at the rear inside of the terminal locking block stays out of terminal insertion passages, allowing terminal lugs to be inserted into the terminal accommodating chambers, in which the terminal lugs are held by resilient engagement pieces of the connector housing. When the terminal locking block is pushed down and advanced forwardly into the full engagement condition, the stopper is situated immediately behind protrusions of the terminal lugs, thus securely locking them. When it is desired to remove the terminal lugs from the connector housing, the terminal locking block is retracted to the provisional engagement condition and the resilient engagement piece is pried open by a jig to disengage the terminal lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Hitoshi Saito, Kimihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 5092782
    Abstract: An integral elastomeric card edge connector provides shorter signal paths through the contact with reduced interference. The card edge contact allows high density interconnection between several layers of multi-layer circuit card without routing signal paths to the card surface. Elastomeric contact tab supports provide positive contact pressure and the necessary wipe action to ensure electrical contact. The process for forming the integral contacts begins with a standard multi-layer card which is then beveled, etched to expose the contact tabs, filled with elastomeric material and processed to expose the tabs supported by elastomeric columns. The connector may be used in card on board technologies or for the connection of multi-chip organic substrates to boards or to other substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Inventor: Brian S. Beaman
  • Patent number: 5082453
    Abstract: A multi-contact connector system for electrically and mechanically connecting a lead for the delivery of electrical energy at a body site to an implantable source of the electrical energy includes a plug connector element carried at a proximal end of the lead which is received in a socket connector element carried on the source of electrical energy. The plug connector element is a radially expandable sleeve with a number of exteriorly exposed contacts respectively connected to conductors contained within the lead. Corresponding contacts are mounted in the interior of the socket connector element. The plug connector sleeve fits over a flexible expansion element contained in the socket connector element. The expansion element is operated by a toggle switch after the connector elements are engaged so as to radially expand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Siemens-Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Stutz, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5055065
    Abstract: An electric cord connector is provided and consists of a base member and a cap member that can be readily snap locked together so that electric cords extending therefrom will be in an operative electrically connected condition when pointed tip pins carried in the cap member pierce the electric cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Marcella Pearl
  • Patent number: 5030106
    Abstract: A clamp for mounting a jumper cable to a terminal of a storage battery. The clamp comprises first and second movably mounted jaws having opposed gripping faces which define a gap for receiving the terminal. At least one of the gripping faces has an electrical conductor portion thereon for establishing electrical contact with the terminal. The first jaw has a gear rack mounted thereto, which is engaged by a pinion gear which is rotatably mounted to the second jaw. A worm wheel is mounted coaxially to the pinion gear, and is engaged by a drive worm. A handwheel is provided for manual rotation of the drive worm. The resulting movement of the first jaw relative to the second jaw adjusts the gap so that the battery terminal can be received and gripped therein. The clamp may have a bore which penetrates into the electrical conductor portion of the jaw for receiving an end of the jumper cable in electrical contact therewith, and a setscrew for securing the end of the jumper cable in the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Inventors: Robert W. Cameron, Richard Q. Opler
  • Patent number: 5018980
    Abstract: A snap-together universal-jointed electrical device comprised of an essentially spherical plug and socket that can rotate and swivel with respect to each other, the plug and/or socket portions being comprised of elastic material that resiliently deforms to permit the plug to be pushed and snapped into, and pulled and snapped out of, the socket, the plug being connected to a bulb with filament and means provided for linking together multiple socket/plug units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Inventor: John R. Robb
  • Patent number: 4978306
    Abstract: A snap-together universal-jointed electrical connection device comprised of an essentially spherical plug and socket that can rotate and swivel with respect to each other while providing for conducting current through the joint on up to three paths, the plug and/or socket portions being comprised of elastic material that resiliently deforms to permit the plug to be pushed and snapped into, and pulled and snapped out of, the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: John R. Robb
  • Patent number: 4971579
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector assembly having deflectable retaining fingers for mating with a corresponding connector assembly. Each assembly has at least one electrical terminal housed inside a hollow body adapted to enclose and support the terminal. The body has a separate passage intersecting the cavity in which the terminal resides. In addition, the hollow body has at least one wall section having a deflectable finger engaging and retaining the terminal within the cavity. A removable terminal retainer member is inserted into the passage to a position in which the member is in an interference relation with a portion of the terminal to retain the terminal within the cavity. The terminal retainer also has a wedge leg that, when inserted against the wall section, retains the deflectable finger in engagement with the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Interlock Corporation
    Inventors: Dewey F. Mobley, August Barbrick
  • Patent number: 4943243
    Abstract: A front housing including a terminal support made of resilient material and having a plurality of male terminals releasably imbedded therein. The male terminals are connected to corresponding electrical cable. A back housing including a second terminal support made of resilient material and having a plurality of female terminals imbedded therein. The female terminals are also connected to corresponding electrical cable. A clamping ring mounted on the front housing engages screwthreads formed on the back housing such that the front and back housings can be tightly secured together. As the clamping ring is tightened the male and female terminals contact one another and compress the resilient supports. Due to the natural resiliency of the support material a force maintaining a pressure connection between the male and female terminals is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Arthur I. Appleton
  • Patent number: 4921448
    Abstract: Described herein is a terminal connector retainer particularly suitable for use with a wire harness connector, which is fittingly interlockable with a rear portion of a connector housing for securely and extractably anchoring terminal members in terminal compartments in the connector housing. The terminal connector basically includes; a frame-like body internally provided with openings for insertion therethrough of wires with terminal members, and a plural number of resilient terminal anchoring fingers extending forwardly into the terminal compartments in the connector housing; the resilient anchoring fingers being capable of restoring an original form by the resiliency thereof when the retainer is in a finally interlocked state, and in the restored original form anchoring the terminal members securely in position in the respective terminal compartments in the connector housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Endo, Sakai Yagi, Hitoshi Sakai, Hitoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 4891018
    Abstract: A solderless electrical connector formed of a polyolefin is formed with the same integrity as with harder polymeric materials when used with a connecting member of ductile material having a clearance slot between the wire receiving grooves and when formed to force the supporting cap into tight engagement with the inside surfaces of walls forming the base cap receiving cavity. The connecting member includes a passage for encapsulant to pass through the plate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Martin G. Afflerbaugh, George J. Knox
  • Patent number: 4810899
    Abstract: The high-voltage transformer of the invention is clipped on to its high-voltage lead-out cables. The ends of these cables are held firmly in conductive pads in ducts moulded with the coating of the transformer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Orega Electronique et Mecanique
    Inventor: Joel Vincent
  • Patent number: 4801276
    Abstract: An improved connector assembly for interconnecting the high voltage cable output of a DC power supply to the anode socket embedded in the exterior surface of a cathode ray tube envelope wall, including a terminal having an inner end mechanically connected to the cable and electrically connected to the conductive core thereof and an outer end formed as a female connector, a generally U-shaped stamped spring metal clip having a pair of uniquely configured upstanding arms for electrically and mechanically connecting to the anode socket and having a male-configured connector integral therewith which mechanically and electrically connects with the female connector of the terminal, and a resilient cup having a large cavity which encloses the outer ends of the clip arms and a small cavity which snugly embraces the lower portion of the U-shaped metal clip, including the male connector thereof, and the female connector of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas V. Thole
  • Patent number: 4758182
    Abstract: An electric connector including a housing made of resin and having a plurality of cavities for receiving a plurality of terminals and a terminal retaining member made of resin and having a plurality of holes. When a rear portion of the housing is inserted into an opening formed in a front portion of the terminal retaining member, the housing and terminal retaining member are preliminarily coupled with each other in a first coupling mode in which the holes of the terminal retaining member are aligned with the cavities of the housing. After the terminals having electric wires connected thereto have been inserted into the cavities through the holes, the terminal retaining member is shifted in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the terminals are inserted and then is further moved toward the housing to attain a second coupling mode. In the second coupling mode the terminals are engaged with portions of the terminal retaining member to prevent the terminals from being removed out of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Shinagawa Jidosha Densen Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsugio Anbo, Katsuji Shimazawa, Yukifumi Machida
  • Patent number: 4741705
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for introducing video signals of an alternative video signal source to antenna terminals in the form of a pair of screw rods that are spaced apart from each other and provided on the back surface of a television receiver.The connector apparatus is provided with a housing, means for receiving the end of a coaxial cable extending from the alternative video signal source to introduce the outer conductor and the inner conductor of the coaxial into the housing, a pair of lead members comprising electric conductors and having free ends extending outwardly from the housing, and means for connecting one end of each of the lead members to the inner conductor and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Shintom Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsuneo Akiyama
  • Patent number: 4740178
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a battery terminal and a connector pin. The battery terminal is formed of an electrically condustive material and has means enabling it to be connected electrically to the positive or negative post of a 12 V DC vehicle battery post. The terminal presents two sockets each of which is capable of receiving a connector pin. The connector pin has spigot portion composed of spaced prongs biased apart from one another, so that the spigot portion can be inserted as an interference fit into the chosen socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: VBH Investments (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Carel D. Badenhorst, Nico Van Der Riet
  • Patent number: 4734045
    Abstract: A high density connector for connecting multiple circuits between printed circuit boards or the like is formed of inter-engaging mating, first and second connector halves formed of an electrical insulating material with said connector halves including opposed connection faces having uniform width and height undulations forming alternating flattened peaks and valleys of limited width with the peaks and valleys having an electrically conductive coating thereon to form longitudinally spaced transversely offset contacts at the peaks and valleys. The connection faces of the respective connector halves bear mirror image undulations. The center to center distance between longitudinally adjacent contacts is less than the peak to valley distance between those contacts to increase the electrical creapage path between longitudinally adjacent contacts of the mating first and second connector halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Masterite Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4732437
    Abstract: An electrical connector including two complimentary box-shaped elements each including a body having a plurality of compartments. Each compartment includes an aperture to receive an electrical contact device, a locking device for engaging the electrical contact device to lock the contact device in the compartment, and a lug having a portion that is sufficiently steep to prevent the electrical contact device from passing over this portion of the lug when the electrical contact device is inserted into the compartment in a position different from a normal insertion position. Also provided is a barrier which consists of a ramp connected to the steep portion of the lug. In the normal insertion position the electrical contact device passes over the ramp and lug to be locked in the compartment, whereas in a position different from this normal insertion position the electrical contact device abuts the steep portion of the lug and cannot fully enter the compartment or engage the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Precision Mecanique Labinal
    Inventor: Bertrand Vandame
  • Patent number: 4720273
    Abstract: An improved connector assembly for interconnecting the high voltage cable output of a DC power supply to the anode socket embedded in the exterior surface of a cathode ray tube envelope wall, including a terminal having an inner end mechanically connected to the cable and electrically connected to the conductive core thereof and an outer end formed as a female connector, a generally U-shaped stamped spring metal clip having a pair of uniquely configured upstanding arms for electrically and mechanically connecting to the anode socket and having a male-configured connector integral therewith which mechanically and electrically connects with the female connector of the terminal, and a resilient cup having a large cavity which encloses the outer ends of the clip arms and a small cavity which snugly embraces the lower portion of the U-shaped metal clip, including the male connector thereof, and the female connector of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Inventor: Thomas V. Thole
  • Patent number: 4715380
    Abstract: The cardiac pacing system comprises a cardiac pacer, and a multiconductor pacing lead having a distal end and a proximal end having a plurality of spaced apart ring electrodes thereon. The pacer comprises a metal case mounting electronic/electrical circuitry, and a power supply therein and having a top side. A soft pliable elongate neck is mounted to the top side of the case. A connector assembly is located inside said neck for connecting the cardiac pacer with the proximal end of the pacing lead and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart U-shaped electrical contacts and insulated conductors extending through the top side for coupling the electrical contacts to electrical circuitry in the case. The neck has at least one elongate lumen therein into which extend the electrical contacts and has an open end for receiving the proximal end of the pacing lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Telectronics N.V.
    Inventor: Donald L. Harris
  • Patent number: 4704091
    Abstract: Connector system such as for medical applications, which includes a yoke with inset pins, the yoke also including a locking feature for mating with an insulated connector, and locking the insulating connector into the yoke. The yoke includes at least one or a plurality such as three or more inset pins in the yoke for receiving insulated connectors such as for breath, heartbeat, and rate monitors. The yoke is formed in a three step molding process where colored buttons are first molded, the buttons and pins are then molded into a small inner yoke body assembly, and then a final yoke assembly is molded encompassing the pins, buttons, informational plaque, including a strain relief for the cable. The connector system provides for safety as well as FDA considerations and prevents a connecting lead being plugged into an AC outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventors: Rick L. Owens, Michael J. Fowler
  • Patent number: 4693530
    Abstract: An electrical connector has two mounting base portions with a cylindrical portion extending therebetween. The cylindrical portion is wrapped with a film having a plurality of conductive signal traces disposed on the outer surface thereof for interconnecting corresponding circuitry on two substrates. The inner surface of the film includes a screen printed ground plane thereon for partially shielding the signal traces, thereby preventing crosstalk between lines on the printed circuit boards. The first end of the film is attached to the body and the film is wrapped around the body until the second end overlaps the first end, which commons the ground traces disposed on the outer surface of the film to the ground plane disposed on the inner surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Donald G. Stillie, Paul D. Zakary
  • Patent number: 4674817
    Abstract: An improved electrical connector for connecting a medical electrode terminal on a patient with a lead wire is provided and comprises an electrical contact member that is embedded in a resilient insulating body member. The body member includes first and second cantilevered arms having circuitous arc segments with their concave surfaces facing towards each other to form an open jaw for receiving therebetween the electrode terminal. The electrical contact member includes a pair of open ended gripping appendages that extend into the open jaw and have respective concave gripping surfaces that face towards each other and are capable of contacting an electrode terminal. The end of the circuitous arc segments are capable of not only closing the body member jaw opening, but also of further locking the respective cantilevered arms to provide additional strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Tronomed, Inc.
    Inventor: Harald O. Olms
  • Patent number: 4674815
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprising a metal plate (30) containing a plurality of apertures (32). Disposed on each side of the plate (30) is a resilient rubber plug (42,44). Pairs of holes (45) in the plugs (42,44) are aligned with the apertures (32) in the plate (30) for receiving respective filter elements (16) therein. Adjacent each aperture (32) in the plate there is integrally formed with the plate (32) a resilient contact finger (36) which lies adjacent and parallel to the filter element (16). Disposed around the periphery of the metal plate (30) is a plurality of further fingers (38) which lie adjacent and parallel to the inner side wall of a tubular metal housing (34). A pair of rigid plates (46,48) disposed outboard of the rubber plugs (42,44) can be selectively brought together whereby to compress the plugs therebetween. The resulting lateral distortion of the plugs is arranged to have a three-fold effect. Fristly, the filter elements are gripped tightly in the holes in the plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Inventors: Jeffrey Chambers, Robert F. Oxley
  • Patent number: 4671589
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector body with a flexible tolerance compensation member to assure that consistent electrical contact is made between an electrical terminal of the assembly and the cylindrical contact portion of a vehicle cigarette lighter regardles of tolerance variations in the diameter of the contact portion above a minimum diameter. The connector body and tolerance compensation member include partially cylindrical guide and registration surfaces respectively that together provide a guide means with an effective diameter less than, but close to, the minimum diameter of the contact portion. The electrical terminal terminal is joined to the connector body so as to move with it and thereby maintain a constant location relative to the registration surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy N. Tackett