Combined With Plug Having Spaced, Longitudinally Engaging, Prong-like Contacts Patents (Class 439/651)
  • Patent number: 11904169
    Abstract: A system is provided for connecting a surgically implantable neurostimulation device to an neurophysiological monitoring device. The system includes an apparatus connecting the neurophysiological monitoring device to the implanted neurostimulation device. The connecting apparatus includes a port couplable to the neurostimulation device and a plurality of electrode pin connectors extending from the port that are connectable to the neurophysiologic monitoring device. Using the connecting apparatus, signals from the neurophysiologic monitoring device can be transmitted for stimulation and responses can be transmitted to the neurophysiologic monitoring device to enable accurate positioning of electrodes of the neurostimulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: THRESHOLD NEURODIAGNOSTICS LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey L Allott
  • Patent number: 11824284
    Abstract: A trunk cable 12 includes a signal trunk conductor 31 that is electromagnetically shielded by a shield layer 35. A branch cable 13 includes a signal branch conductor 38 that is electromagnetically shielded by a shield layer 42. The signal trunk conductor 31 and the signal branch conductor 38 are electrically connected to each other by a relay bus bar 64 that is electromagnetically shielded by a base shielding member 65 and a cover shielding member 27.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamamoto, Hiroki Hirai, Makoto Higashikozono, Kazuyoshi Ohara, Hisashi Sawada
  • Patent number: 11552489
    Abstract: An electrically operable aerosol-generating system is provided, including a charging device including a primary power source; and an elongated aerosol-generating device including a secondary power source and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the charging device having a docking arrangement configured to engage with the elongated aerosol-generating device and to charge the secondary power source by the primary power source, in which a first coupling member disposed on the body of the elongated aerosol-generating device is configured to engage with a second coupling member disposed on a wall of the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Holzherr, Hankak Lee
  • Patent number: 11509102
    Abstract: A powered wall plate comprising a wall plate, at least two electrical plug prongs, an electrical circuit, and an electrical feature. The wall plate has a front surface opposite a rear surface and at least one opening sized to expose a first electrical receptacle of an electrical device. The at least two electrical plug prongs originate within the wall plate and extend rearward from the rear surface, and are configured to removably mate with a second electrical receptacle of the electrical device. The electrical circuit is located between the front surface and the rear surface. The electrical feature is exposed on the wall plate and is configured to receive power from the at least two electrical plug prongs through the electrical circuit. The wall plate may have a profile with a first thickness and a second thickness. The second thickness may be less than three times the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Jeffrey P. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 11495928
    Abstract: A power adapter has a solenoid actuated retaining latch controlled by an electronic circuit that detects the presence or absence of AC mains voltage. When the assembled AC-DC adapter and plug assembly are removed from the wall, the latch detects removal and unlocks the plug assembly for easy removal without undue force required by the user. The circuit is designed for minimal power consumption, and the solenoid only consumes power when it is engaging or disengaging the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Boris Landwehr, James Lee, Craig Crawford, Andrew Bell, Samuel Duell
  • Patent number: 11469545
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle module connector includes a first mating ring connected to a first module and including a first bulkhead sealing the first module, a first electrical connector extending outward from the first bulkhead, and a first coupling mechanism. A second mating ring is connectable to a second module and includes a second bulkhead sealing the second module, a second electrical connector extending outward from the second bulkhead, and a second coupling mechanism. The first and second couplers are configured to releasably couple the first mating ring to the second mating ring and mate the first electrical connector with the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Foster-Miller, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Peter Scianna, Timothy James Przybylowicz, Joshua Thomas Bricknell
  • Patent number: 11018402
    Abstract: High speed waveguide-based data communication systems are disclosed. Such systems may include separable electrical connectors, forming signal propagation paths between electronic assemblies with one or more waveguides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: FCI USA LLC
    Inventors: Stephen B. Smith, Madhumitha Rengarajan, Kapil Sharma
  • Patent number: 10985516
    Abstract: The present embodiments disclose an outlet wall plate charger apparatus. The outlet wall plate charger apparatus includes a wall plate having a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion includes a mounting aperture and an outlet aperture extending therethrough. The upper portion protrudes from the lower portion to define an upper cavity and includes a top face having at least one cord slot. A charger includes a charger body dimensioned to fit within the upper cavity and a pair of plug blades extending from the charger body. An upper face of the charger body has at least one cable port, each being configured to receive a charging cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Gartside, Zechariah Jones
  • Patent number: 10931074
    Abstract: An AC (Alternating Current) plug for providing power via a power circuit is assembled by: selecting a cover that includes prongs and structures on an inner side; positioning a PCB (printed circuit board) that includes contact pads connecting the PCB to the power circuit on structures of the inner side of the cover; positioning the spring mounted terminals on structures on the inner side of the cover such that a first end of each spring mounted terminal is positioned on a contact pad of the PCB; positioning a cap on the spring mounted terminals, the PCB and the cover, such that assembly holes of the cap, the PCB and the cover are aligned; and fastening the cap to the cover, such that the first end of each spring mounted terminal is secured against a respective contact pad and each spring mounted terminal is loaded and exerts a force against a prong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss, Priyank Jatin Gajiwala
  • Patent number: 10559869
    Abstract: A base station interface device including an interface board, which is located in a housing and determines an upper portion of a first surface as a first mounting location and an upper portion of a second surface opposite to the first surface as a second mounting location, including a relay connector wherein one end is exposed to the upper portion of the first surface and the other end is exposed to the upper portion of the second surface; a base station signal matching unit mounted on the first mounting location and including a first connector coupled to the one end of the relay connector; and a base station signal processing unit mounted on the second mounting location and including a second connector coupled to the other end of the relay connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: SOLiD, INC.
    Inventor: Dongwon Lee
  • Patent number: 10238012
    Abstract: An electronic control device is provided with a resin base, a substrate, and a resin cover. The resin base has at least one opening part. The resin cover formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom is fixed on an inner surface of the resin base forming the opening part. The resin cover has a slit. The substrate has a card edge connector to be inserted into the slit. An electronic component is mounted on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD
    Inventors: Yoshinori Wakana, Masaru Kamoshida, Takeshi Igarashi, Kiyotaka Kanno
  • Patent number: 10118044
    Abstract: An apparatus including a header mountable to an implantable housing; and an electrically conductive connector block located within the header, wherein the conductive connector block is formed from a substantially non-metallic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Allen, David A. Chizek, James Michael English, Mary M. Byron
  • Patent number: 10084258
    Abstract: Disclosed are a power connector of a thermostat and a manufacturing method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignees: INZICONTROLS CO., LTD, Delphi Connection Systems Korea LLC
    Inventors: Yong-Jeong Kim, Hee-Hwa Joung, Seung-Chan Ha, Jae-Yup Jung, Joo-Hyun Park, Min-Young Lee, Hyun-Chul Baek
  • Patent number: 9960524
    Abstract: A while in use cover assembly includes a lid hingedly attached to a base having a back wall; a current member attached to the base, wherein the current member comprises a face with blade apertures configured to receive a power cord plug; and a orientable adaptor attached to the current member, wherein the orientable adaptor is symmetrical about a center line and wherein the orientable adaptor allows the current member to have a constant orientation within the base; and wherein the while in use cover assembly is configured to be attached to an outlet socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SIGMA ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashok Alilughatta Sathyanarayana, Vinayak Manohar Chavan, Yuvraj Totaram Khodape, Shriram Ramesh Divekar
  • Patent number: 9515652
    Abstract: In a relay module device, a signal converting section transmits driving signals of switching elements when receiving input signals from an external device and sets a relationship between the input signals and the driving signals. The relationship includes a first mode in which the signal converting section transmits the driving signals to separately control one of the switching elements with respect to one of the input signals, and a second mode in which the signal converting section transmits the driving signals to concurrently control two or more of the switching elements with respect to one of the input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Anden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Ohtani, Naoyuki Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9178308
    Abstract: A shield connector includes: a female connector having a female terminal connected to a shield wire and a locking protrusion; a male connector having a male terminal connected to the female terminal when the male connector is combined with the female connector, and a coupling protrusion to which the locking protrusion is locked for locking with the female connector; and a connector position assurance that is combined with the female connector to be movable forward/backward and has support levers that support the locking protrusion and prevent the locking protrusion from being unlocked from the coupling protrusion when the connector position assurance is moved forward, in which locking steps are formed at the female connector, and an insertion portion is formed at the male connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Korea Electric Terminal Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il Kim, Hee Rock Choe
  • Patent number: 9106035
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) connector is provided. The connector includes a first socket member. The first socket member includes a conductive sleeve comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of springs connecting the top portion and the bottom portion. The first socket member also includes a base inside the conductive sleeve comprising a first matching hole configured to match to a first conductive pin of a first plug member. The connector also includes a second socket member. The second socket member includes a second matching hole configured to match to a second conductive pin of a second plug member, and a conductive body having outer threads configured to match to inner threads of the second plug member. The connector further includes a middle portion connected between the first socket member and the second socket member, the middle portion extending radically outwardly from a periphery of the middle portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: DISH NETWORK L.L.C.
    Inventors: David Eugene Erdos, David Michael Lettkeman
  • Publication number: 20150140867
    Abstract: A power plug extender includes a bottom three-pin plug portion and a top three-pin plug receptacle portion. The top power plug receptacle portion is rotated to have a rotational offset angle between thirty degrees and sixty degrees with respect to the bottom plug portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Liang Light Chen
  • Publication number: 20150072564
    Abstract: An interface assembly for a panel board is provided. The interface assembly includes an interface assembly body and a number of conductor assemblies. The interface assembly body includes a front side and a back side, said body further defining a number of conductor passages. Each conductor passage extends from said interface assembly body front side to said body back side. The conductor assemblies each includes a stab coupling assembly and a secondary coupling assembly. Each stab coupling assembly and each said secondary coupling assembly are coupled and are in electrical communication. Each stab coupling assembly is disposed in a conductor passage. When the interface assembly body is mounted in a panel board, each stab coupling assembly is coupled to, and in electric communication with a stab. Each secondary coupling assembly can be coupled to another panel board device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: MICHAEL JEROME WHIPPLE
  • Patent number: 8957941
    Abstract: One embodiment is an enhanced power supply including electronic power supply circuitry within a housing. The enhanced power supply further includes one or more sockets operatively associated with the housing providing for the connection of an external apparatus to the enhanced power supply such that the external apparatus may communicate data or another signal through the connection to an output cable. The output cable may to be connected to a device such that both power and at least one signal will be provided to the device through the output cable. Systems featuring an enhanced power supply and methods of providing power and one or more other signals to a device with a reduced number of cables are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Biscotti Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Shoemake, Syed Nadeem Ahmed
  • Patent number: 8777639
    Abstract: A plug-in socket for coupling to a corresponding standard plug and for connection of an electrical terminal device to a primary voltage. The plug-in socket improves the use of mains units with voltage converters. The plug-in socket comprises a socket housing, a first electrical contact arranged in the socket housing for coupling to a corresponding standard plug electrical contact, a voltage converter integrated in the socket housing and converting a primary voltage into at least one secondary voltage for the electrical terminal device, a second electrical contact arranged on the socket housing for electrical contacting of the secondary voltage, wherein the voltage converter is integrated in the socket housing so that the external dimensions of the socket housing are substantially predetermined by the dimensions of the corresponding standard plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Achim Gleissner, Christoph Jehle
  • Patent number: 8708751
    Abstract: A connector assembly has a base and a cover. The base has first base terminals and second base terminals for engaging an equipment member. The first and second base terminals include tabs at a first end thereof. The cover has cover terminals, with each cover terminal comprising a tab at first end and at least one receptacle at a second end thereof. The tabs of the cover terminals are configured to releasably engage a first mating electrical connector and the receptacles are configured to releasably engage the tabs of the first base terminals or the tabs of the second base terminals. The configuration of the first base terminals and the second base terminals allows alternate covers to be releasably mounted on the base as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Brasil LTDA
    Inventors: Ednei Lopes, Jose Roberto Goldschmidt, Joao Antonio Marson
  • Patent number: 8702436
    Abstract: The universal plug adaptor contains a terminal set for contacting plug pins housed between a face plate and a casing. The face plate contains a number of sets of plug holes. A first hole set contains a first live hole, a first neutral hole, and a first ground hole conforming to the South Africa specification. A second hole set contains three separate openings, each containing a number of plug holes for ground pins of various specifications. A third hole set contains two plug holes conforming to global 250V specification with two flat pins or two round pins. A fourth hole set contains two plug holes conforming to America 125V specification's two flat pints or two round pins. And a fifth hole set contains two plug holes conforming to America specification with two flat pins. The third and fourth hole sets jointly provide two plugs' simultaneous plugging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: XYZ Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-San Lee
  • Patent number: 8648682
    Abstract: A magnet coil arrangement for an electromagnetically operated valve includes a coil that is electrically connectable to a current source by means of a base. The base is constructed in substantially two parts by a coil part and a connection part. A current source can be connected to contacts of the connection part, while the coil part has contacts which are electrically connected to the coil. The connection part and the coil part are connected by means of a connecting apparatus in order to be electrically and mechanically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Uber Malagoli
  • Patent number: 8647131
    Abstract: An electrical cord plug having a receiving plug physically and electrically couplable with wires of an electrical cord and a detachable plug detachably physically and electrically couplable with the receiving plug. The detachable plug may be a male plug configured to plug into an electrical outlet or a female plug configured to receive a male plug from an electrical cord or device. The receiving plug may have conductive prongs or conductive ports for physically and electrically interfacing with conductive ports or conductive prongs of the detachable plug, respectively. The receiving plug and the detachable plug may each have non-conductive housings mechanically and detachably attachable with each other such that, if damaged, the detachable plug may be removed and replaced with a new detachable plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Wiebusch Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Brian Wiebusch
  • Patent number: 8585444
    Abstract: A power strip device includes a casing and a plurality of socket modules. The casing has a casing body and a plurality of aligned retaining parts formed in the casing body. The socket modules are disposed respectively in the retaining parts. Each of the socket modules has a main body and a socket unit that is formed in the main body. The main body of at least one of the socket modules is movable between a first position to be aligned with the main body of the rest of the socket modules, and a second position to be misaligned with the main body of the rest of the socket modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Hung-Cheng Chang
  • Publication number: 20130286896
    Abstract: A single line network interconnectivity apparatus includes a system board, one or more female Ethernet ports, an Ethernet data receiving port (EDRP), an Ethernet data transfer port (EDTP), and a data switch. The data switch includes at least one of configurable hardware logic configured to implement or a processor coupled to a memory and configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory including obtaining at least one network data packet from the EDRP. The data packet is communicated to the female Ethernet port, when it is determined that the identifier included in the network packet matches the identifier associated with the computing device connected to the female Ethernet port. The data packet is communicated to the EDTP, when it is determined that the identifier included in the data packet does not match the identifier associated with the computing device connected to the female Ethernet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: Selph Secured LLC
  • Publication number: 20130252473
    Abstract: An interface module includes a first side having a plurality of input connectors of a same cross-sectional area corresponding to a same amperage rating, a second side having a plurality of output connectors of different cross-sectional areas from each other corresponding to different amperage ratings from each other, and wiring in the interface module configured to connect a first number of input connectors to a first one of the output connectors having a first amperage rating, and configured to connect a second number of input connectors to a second one of the output connectors having a second amperage rating different from the first amperage rating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. Dickey, Carl A. Wagner, Jeffrey T. Wavering, Michael Krenz, Norbert J. Simper, Kyle Steven Ives, Rainer J. Seidel, Josef Maier
  • Patent number: 8491318
    Abstract: A thin socket allowing reception of a power source through a power source input interface, said thin socket comprising a first case, a second case, a plurality of metal clamping parts and a movable part. The second case and the first case conjunctively form a first accommodating space and the movable part is movably embedded into the first accommodating space or protrudes out of the first accommodating space. The first case has a plurality of holes used for insertion of a plurality of conductive terminals in a plug. The second case has an opening whose position on the second case corresponds to the positions of the plurality of holes on the first case. The movable part movably passes through the opening on the second case and has a second accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Powertech Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Lee, Jung-Hui Hsu, Ming-Chou Kuo, Yu Hsuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8469725
    Abstract: An adapter for use in combination with an electric dryer to electrically connect the dryer to an outlet when the pattern of the prongs on the power cord plug do not correspond to the pattern of the prong-receiving receptacle openings at the outlet. In the preferred embodiment, the adapter comprises an adapter body having a plurality of prong-receiving openings on its outward face and a plurality of adapter prongs on its rearward face. The prong-receiving openings are in a first prong pattern that corresponds to the number and/or configuration of the prongs on the plug and the adapter prongs are in a second prong pattern that corresponds to the number and/or configuration of the receptacle openings on the outlet to electrically interconnect the plug and the outlet. In one embodiment, the adapter also includes a connecting wire inside the adapter body and a ground wire to ground the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Ferdinand Walls, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130130551
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method of routing power from a power source such as an AC power source directly to a printed circuit board and then to an appliance that interfaces with one or more appliance claws that are connected directly or indirectly to the circuit board. Various embodiments offer superior durability, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. They may also decrease the dimensions, cost, and complexity of a robust assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ThinkEco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Mayer, Max Rosenblatt, Mei Shibata
  • Publication number: 20130130558
    Abstract: A high frequency adapter electrically connecting a docking device to a circuit board. The high frequency adapter includes an insulating body, a high frequency signal terminal conductively connected to the circuit board, and two grounding terminals located at two sides of the high frequency signal terminal and conductively connected to the circuit board. Lateral projections of the high frequency signal terminal and the two grounding terminals are approximately the same and overlapping. Both the high frequency signal terminal and the two grounding terminals are pressed by the docking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ted Ju, Tien Chih Yu
  • Patent number: 8328583
    Abstract: A power connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a spacer fixed to the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a mating surface, an end surface opposite to the mating surface and a plurality of passageways extending through the mating and the end surfaces. A depression and a cavity are recessed into the insulative housing from the mating surface and the end surface, respectively. Each contact includes a main portion received in corresponding passageway and a tail portion located in the cavity in condition that at least one side wall of the tail portion is exposed to the air for excellent heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Wang-I Yu
  • Patent number: 8313350
    Abstract: A multi-functional wiring plug converter is provided. The converter is mainly composed of a case, connection guiding assemblies and a panel cover. A plurality of setting areas defined by the case are respectively used for installing and fixing the connection guiding assemblies, and each connection guiding assembly is composed of a connection guiding seat, a connection guiding clamp sheet and a wire-locking fixed block. A blocking portion extending from the connection guiding seat forms a plurality of fixed portions, and each fixed portion is used for fixing the connection guiding clamp sheet and the wire-locking fixed block. Therefore, when a power wire needs to be connected, it can be directly locked onto the wire-locking fixed block so that the power wire is fixed in the converter, and the converter can be sold to any region and additionally provided with a connection guiding panel which conforms to specifications of the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: XYZ Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiu-San Lee
  • Patent number: 8247746
    Abstract: A connector for incorporation into a heater system for inlet struts includes a body having a tapered forward end and an opposite rear end. A plurality of forward electrical terminals are formed on the outer surface of the tapered end. A plurality of rearward electrical terminals are formed on the rear end of the body. The rearward electrical terminals are in electrical connection with the forward electrical terminals. The forward electrical terminals on the tapered end are in electrical contact with a plurality of electrical contacts connected to heating elements formed in a heating mat. The heating mat entirely envelops the connector. The heater mat is formed within a substantially rigid outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip Emerson Alexander, David R. Lyders, John Vontell, George Alan Salisbury
  • Patent number: 8226444
    Abstract: A power strip has a power cord socket having a main electric receptacle provided on a face panel and a side electric receptacle provided on a stepped sidewall thereof, and an extension socket having a main electric receptacle provided on a face panel and a side electric plug provided an inverted stepped sidewall thereof, wherein the side electric plug is insertable into the side electric receptacle in a direction perpendicular to the base of the power cord socket, thereby connecting the extension socket to the power cord socket. The extension socket further includes an opposite stepped sidewall wherein two extension sockets can be connected together. The power strip includes an end piece with a plug insertable into the receptacle of the power cord socket or extension socket. Projection-and-groove and catch-and-trough engagements are formed on mating stepped sidewalls of the sockets and end piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Chun Hing Business Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Chun Fai Chow
  • Patent number: 8221166
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are disclosed for eliminating phantom power wastage utilizing a power tap. An insulation casing creates a receiving space for a printed circuit board which mounts male blades, female receptacles, phantom power indication and a mechanical electrical switching capability is disclosed. The conductive male blades and female receptacles create a cross pattern for a two pronged power tap that allows miniaturization of the power tap so as to allow full access to adjacent electrical outlets. Switching states include normally open which permits zero power flow and normally closed which permits power indication and allows power to flow from conductive male blades to conductive female receiving receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: OnPlug Innovations Inc
    Inventor: Gerard Martin Heffernan
  • Patent number: 8197265
    Abstract: The electrical adaptor contains a casing having a receiving indentation. Two corresponding positioning notches are provided, respectively, along two opposing lateral side walls of the receiving indentation. Inside the receiving indentation, there are two prong holes, each having an electrical contact inside. A first ground piece is tightly embedded into a front notch along a front wall of the receiving indentation. An additional second ground piece is provided along a back wall of the receiving indentation, opposing the first ground piece. When a German- or French-style plug is plugged, its two positioning ribs on the lateral sides are received by the positioning notches, respectively, and its ground pieces in the front and back are received by the ground notches. In the mean time, its prongs are received by the prong holes and contacted by the electrical contacts, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: XYZ Science Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chiu-San Lee, Su-Chen Shen
  • Publication number: 20110263161
    Abstract: A fuse adapter adapts coplanar blades of fuse having a predetermined blade spacing to fit a pair of coplanar blade receiving terminal slots in a circuit having a different slot spacing. The fuse adapter includes a pair of adapter terminals. Each adapter terminal has a slotted, planar upper end spaced from the other terminal's slotted upper end by the fuse blade spacing. Each adapter terminal upper end also has an adjusting tab bent away from the upper end substantially perpendicular thereto and substantially parallel to the plane of the coplanar terminal slots. Each adjusting tab is integral with a transition portion that extends to an adapter blade. The two adapter blades are coplanar with and spaced apart to match the fuse blade receiving terminal slots in the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: ANDREW JOSEPH JOZWIAK
  • Patent number: 8011975
    Abstract: Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide protection from exposed wires or terminals when a power plug is damaged or destroyed. One example may provide a plug having an inner cover that shields power carrying wires or terminals when an outer shell is damaged or destroyed. The inner cover may include openings to receive conductors, where the openings may lead to terminals or wires that connect to plug prongs. The received conductors may attach directly or indirectly to an outer shell, and further to a power cord, circuitry, or other electronic components. When the outer shell is damaged or destroyed, the conductors may pull out of the openings in the inner cover, thus disconnecting from the wires or terminals. The wires or terminals may thus remain protected by the inner shell, avoiding exposure to contact by users or inadvertent conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Min Chul Kim, Paul Yuan
  • Patent number: 7997936
    Abstract: A power connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a spacer fixed to the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a mating surface, an end surface opposite to the mating surface and a plurality of first passageways extending through the mating and the end surfaces. A depression and a cavity are recessed into the insulative housing from the mating surface and the end surface, respectively. Each first contact includes a main portion received in the corresponding first passageway and a tail portion located at the cavity in condition that at least one side wall of the tail portion is exposed to the outside for excellent heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics Co., Ltd (Su Zhou)
    Inventor: Wang-I Yu
  • Patent number: 7993164
    Abstract: A power adapter for extending power from an electrical power source to a electrical device. The power adapter includes an adapter body, including an exchange surface, having one or more sets of interior electrical contacts. The power adapter further includes an end section that is attachable and detachable from the body. The end section includes (i) a set of end section interior electrical contact elements that make contact with the at least one set of interior electrical contacts, and (ii) a plug connector, electrically connected to the set of end section interior electrical contacts, and adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Manjirnath Chatterjee, Yoshimichi Matsuoka, Peter Skillman
  • Patent number: 7969747
    Abstract: Apparatus includes a chassis assembly, a computing device configured to connect to a housing of the chassis assembly, and a line cord supplying power to the chassis assembly. The line cord has a first portion external to the chassis assembly and a second portion internal to the chassis assembly. The second portion has a shielding member that is in conductive contact with the housing to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for the chassis assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Wierzbicki, Ralph L. Hill
  • Patent number: 7963006
    Abstract: A device configured to maintain an electric circuit in a fixed position during an overmolding process comprises a wire retainer configured to hold the electric circuit taut and in a fixed position while being molded within a molded item. The retainer has a first end and an opposite second end, and includes a first bushing defining a mounting hole for the molded item extending along a width axis. The built-in bushing includes front and back surfaces configured to be aligned and substantially co-planar with the front and back surfaces of the molded item. The device also includes a first securing member configured to secure a portion of the electric circuit to the retainer within the molded item, to hold the electric circuit in a fixed position within the molded item during the overmolding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren L. Harmon, Thomas J. Schulz, William E. Marvell
  • Publication number: 20110039435
    Abstract: An electronic device with a detachable plug capable of changing plugging direction is disclosed. The electronic device comprises a main body and a plug. The main body has a plug-receiving portion, and the plug-receiving portion comprises at least two conducting pieces. The plug has a plug body and at least two conductive terminals. The plug body comprises four trenches disposed at a bottom thereof and arranged as a square. Each of the conductive terminals comprises a plugging portion, a connection portion and an extension portion, wherein the plugging portion is protruded out of a surface of the plug body, and the connection portion and the extension portion are embedded in the plug body and are corresponding to two adjacent trenches, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Chin-Chu Huang
  • Patent number: 7869192
    Abstract: An electrical switching apparatus mounting apparatus includes a base with a planar portion having a first side and an opposite second side. A number of first adjustable members are coupled to the opposite second side. Each of the first adjustable members includes a first end and an opposite second end. A number of second adjustable members are coupled transverse to the first adjustable members and include a first end and an opposite second end. At least one of the first end and the opposite second end of at least one of the first adjustable members and the second adjustable members is adjustable generally toward or generally away from the base. At least one of the first end and the opposite second end of the at least one of the first adjustable members and the second adjustable members is coupled to a number of walls of a switchgear enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Mark W. Jacobsen, Jaymie L. Davenport, Barry T. Rambo
  • Patent number: 7794283
    Abstract: A socket, plug, and adaptor combination includes a housing having a forward sliding door; an inverted L-shaped circuit assembly in the housing having a conductor mounting section in the vertical part; a transformer being concealed in the horizontal part of the circuit assembly in a waterproof way and adapted to electrically connect to a power cord; two electrical connection assemblies each disposed in the conductor mounting section and having a prong; a conductive assembly comprising two separate fuses disposed in the conductor mounting section, each fuse being electrically interconnected between the prong and the transformer; a cover releasably secured onto the circuit assembly and having two sockets distal the prongs; and a covering plate disposed between the transformer and the cover. The combination is applicable to be used as a charger for outdoor LED type Christmas light strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Ting Shen Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sheng Lien Wang
  • Patent number: 7758388
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a receptacle connector (100) and a plug connector (200) mating with the receptacle connector. The receptacle connector (100) has a receptacle housing (10) and a plurality of receptacle contacts (12) received in the receptacle housing, and the receptacle housing comprises a base portion (102) and an expansion portion (104) extending outwards from the base portion. The plug connector comprises a plug housing (20) and a plurality of plug contacts (21) retained in the plug housing. Each of the receptacle contacts and the plug contacts define a mating portion (121, 211), a retention portion (123, 213) retained with associated housing and a tail portion (124, 214) extending beyond the associated housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Xu, Su-Feng Liu, David Tso-Chin Ko
  • Publication number: 20100167593
    Abstract: A power connector includes an insulative housing, a number of contacts retained in the insulative housing and a spacer fixed to the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a mating surface, an end surface opposite to the mating surface and a plurality of first passageways extending through the mating and the end surfaces. A depression and a cavity are recessed into the insulative housing from the mating surface and the end surface, respectively. Each first contact includes a main portion received in the corresponding first passageway and a tail portion located at the cavity in condition that at least one side wall of the tail portion is exposed to the outside for excellent heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: ALLTOP ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wang-I YU
  • Patent number: RE46837
    Abstract: A secondary header for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) incorporates a secondary header plug configured for mating insertion into an AIMD ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, a secondary header ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, and at least one replacement lead connector cavity. The secondary header plug has four electrical contacts which correspond to four electrical contacts of the AIMD connector cavity. The secondary header connector cavity has less than four electrical contacts conductively coupled to the secondary header plug electrical contacts. The replacement lead connector cavity has at least one electrical contact conductively coupled to at least one electrical contact of the secondary header plug. An intermediate conformal section between the secondary header plug and a housing for the secondary header connector cavity places the secondary header connector cavity housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the AIMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Geddes Frank Owen Tyers, Robert A. Stevenson, Christina A. Frysz