Plug Having Cylindrical Or Annular Contacts Of Substantially The Same Diameter (e.g., Jack-type Plug) Patents (Class 439/669)
  • Patent number: 8616922
    Abstract: An audio jack connector adapted for soldering on a circuit board and engaging with an audio plug connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of terminals. The insulating housing has a main body, and an insertion portion connecting with one side of the main body. The insertion portion defines an insertion hole for receiving the audio plug connector therein. The main body defines a plurality of terminal grooves with bottoms thereof passing through a bottom surface of the main body. The insulating housing defines a plurality of mouths communicating between the insertion hole and the terminal grooves. The terminals are disposed in the terminal grooves. Each terminal has a contact portion projecting into the insertion hole through the mouth to electrically contact with the audio plug connector, and a soldering portion received in the bottom of the terminal groove to be soldered on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Liu, Rui-Bo Zhan
  • Publication number: 20130330978
    Abstract: The present application describes various embodiments regarding an apparatus and method for providing an audio jack for a portable computing device. More specifically a method and apparatus are disclosed for mounting the audio jack to machined audio jack mounts extending from an interior sidewall of the portable computing device housing. The machined mounts allow the audio jack to be suspended above an inner surface of the portable computing device so that the audio jack does not interfere with audio output or aesthetics of a speaker grill drilled into the portable computing device housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. SCHWALBACH, Brandon S. SMITH
  • Patent number: 8602827
    Abstract: An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lily Lim, Ronald W. Kunkel, Joseph Walker, Peter Hall, Steven E. Schultz, Devon N. Arnholt, Angelo Fruci
  • Patent number: 8597061
    Abstract: An earphone plug applicable to different system specifications includes a terminal and a switch device. The earphone plug is inserted into an earphone jack of an external electronic device for transmitting signals by a plurality of exposed signal interfaces of the terminal. The switch device combined with the terminal has a first conductor and a second conductor. When the switch device is switched between a first mode and a second mode, the first conductor and the second conductor alternately contact with two of the signal interfaces. Thus, the signal transmission defined by the signal interfaces is changed and the earphone plug is applicable to electronic devices with different system specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Merry Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Lan Liang, Ching-Wen Chang, Chiu-Yun Tung
  • Patent number: 8585445
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable housing, a header including a cavity, a post extending from a surface of the housing into the cavity, the post including an expanded head portion, and a retaining member mounted within the header and engaged with the post with a bottom surface of the retaining member abutting an internal surface of the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Deehr, Michael J. Kloosterboer, Blair Erbstoeszer, David A. Chizek, Mee S. Burckhardt, Noel Doherty, John M. Edgell, Lawrence D. Swanson, John E. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130280963
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a connector plug and a connector socket. The connector plug includes an outer surface having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a plurality of first plug signal transmitting lines. The second portion includes a plurality of second plug signal transmitting lines. The first and second plug signal transmitting lines form a plurality of first homocentric circles. The connector socket includes an inner surface which includes a first area and a second area. The first area includes a plurality of first socket signal transmitting lines. The second area includes a plurality of second socket signal transmitting lines. The first and second socket signal transmitting lines form a plurality of second homocentric circles. The connector plug inserts in the connector socket to connect the first and second plug signal transmitting lines to the first and second socket signal transmitting lines respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHI-TSE SHIH, CHIN-FENG CHEN, TAY-YANG LIN
  • Publication number: 20130267127
    Abstract: A plug includes a pin having an axial contact at its opposite end with a mounting rod connected to a center conductor. At the interface between the pin and the inner wall of the plug body, a support sleeve mounted on the shaft and bearing axially against a collar formed on said rod is provided. Axially, a locking ring is secured to the shaft so that the support sleeve is clamped between the collar of the rod and the locking ring, if necessary, leaving a degree of freedom of rotation between the sleeve and the pin. Radially, the outer surface of the sleeve comes into direct contact with the inner wall of the bore of the plug body, to which it is directly secured. The direct attachment of the sleeve to the plug body may be obtained by a snap-in connection with notches cooperating with a counterpart groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Luciano Di Maio, Mylène Roussin, Hélène Viatgé
  • Patent number: 8480437
    Abstract: Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts are disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. A further aspect is a provision for encasing each connector assembly or stack inside a thermoset layer or a thermoplastic layer before over-molding the same to a sealed housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Hugh Cook
  • Publication number: 20130156249
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connector plug housing member and a connector plug contact member. The connector plug housing member includes a first contact pin and a second contact pin. The connector plug contact member includes a first contact section and a second contact section. The connector plug contact member is configured to be positioned in the connector plug housing member in a first position. The connector plug contact member is configured to be positioned in the connector plug housing member in a second position. The first position corresponds to a first pinning order. The second position corresponds to a second pinning order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Timo Tapani Toivola, Jari Kinanen
  • Publication number: 20130137312
    Abstract: An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Lily Lim, Ronald W. Kunkel, Joseph Walker, Peter C. Hall, Steven E. Schultz, Devon N. Arnholt, Angelo Fruci
  • Patent number: 8435081
    Abstract: Thin plug assemblies and methods for constructing the same are disclosed. The plug assembly can include a plug portion, a cable portion, and an interfacing portion between the plug portion and the cable portion. The plug portion can include several conductive regions each connected to a conductor of the cable portion to form conductor/plug member coupling(s), for example via a plug extension member associated with each conductive region. The plug assembly is constructed such that a diameter of the plug portion, interface portion, and at least part of the cable portion have substantially the same diameter. Ring structures enhance one or more of the conductor/plug member couplings by providing a press or interference fit directly to the coupling(s). Ring structures are constructed to slide axially over at least one conductor and at least one plug member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Aase
  • Patent number: 8425258
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a computing device to different types of mobile devices that includes an enclosure that encloses a USB hub, mobile device cables connectable to different mobile devices, and a USB cable connectable to a computing device to extract data from connected mobile devices. The mobile device cables are coupled to the USB cable through the USB hub. The apparatus can include multimedia card readers within the enclosure that are coupled to the USB hub and connectable to different types of multimedia cards to extract data from connected multimedia cards. The multimedia card readers can be write-protected to only read information from connected multimedia cards. The apparatus can include biometric data gathering tools, camera or light within the enclosure. The enclosure can be tube, notebook or flask shaped. The apparatus can also include a wiring harness that seals one end of the enclosure from the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: Purdue, Research Foundation, Battlefield Telecommunications Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Richard P. Mislan, Sean Lane
  • Patent number: 8428288
    Abstract: An ear jack for detecting an earphone plug is provided. The ear jack includes a housing, a plurality of pins, a first detection part, a second detection part, and a controller. The housing includes a cavity for inserting terminals of the earphone plug. The plurality of pins are installed on an inner circumference surface of the housing and are in selective contact with a corresponding terminal of the earphone plug. The first detection part detects insertion of a first terminal of the earphone plug. The second detection part detects the insertion of the first terminal. The controller detects the insertion of the earphone plug when the first detection part and the second detection part both detect the insertion of the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-Yeong Lim
  • Patent number: 8382529
    Abstract: An IS-4 terminal connector assembly includes three terminal electrodes positioned over an inner tubular member such that they are radially offset from one another. Each of the terminal ring electrodes are configured such that they can withstand both tensile and cyclical bending loads with minimal compromise in their outer geometry. Additionally, each of the terminal electrodes is configured such that they have both an inner and outer geometry that facilitates adequate insulation between a select terminal electrode and an adjacent conductor. Additionally, each of the terminal ring electrodes is configured such that they facilitate an external approach to staking a cable conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lily Lim, Ronald W. Kunkel, Joseph Walker, Peter C. Hall, Steven E. Schultz, Devon N. Arnholt, Angelo Fruci
  • Publication number: 20130039508
    Abstract: A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8353729
    Abstract: A low profile connector system. In one set of embodiments, a low profile plug receptacle is provided that is thinner than a standard plug receptacle, thereby allowing the plug receptacle to be incorporated in small form factor (e.g., very thin) electronic devices while maintaining compatibility with standard plug connectors. In another set of embodiments, different types of custom plug connectors are provided that can improve the aesthetics of an electronic device housing the low profile plug receptacle when the custom plug connector is attached. In another set of embodiments, features are provided for preventing a plug connector from unintentionally falling out of, or coming loose from, the low profile plug receptacle and/or preventing a plug connector from rotating within the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Teo Dabov, Cameron Frazier
  • Patent number: 8342887
    Abstract: An electrical connector and assembly having a body arranged and disposed to receive an interconnector of a guide wire at a first end and an interface cable at a second end, and a contact module in the body, the contact module comprising a contact housing and a plurality of contacts, disposed in the contact housing, the plurality of contacts being configured for electrical connection with the interface cable and the guide wire, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Gleason, Keith Edwin Miller, Kenneth Alan McGiboney, Laurence Alan Daane
  • Patent number: 8333618
    Abstract: Plugs with core structural members and methods for manufacturing plugs with core structural members are provided. A plug can include a core structural member that may increase the structural integrity of the plug. The plug can further include contact pads and traces, and each trace can electrically couple with one of the contact pads and extend along a plug axis towards the proximal end (e.g., base section) of the plug. In orientation-specific embodiments, the traces may be disposed on the surface of the plug. However, in other embodiments, the traces may be disposed below but near the surface of the plug. The plug may also include one or more insulating layers to prevent contact pads and traces from shorting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Matthew Rohrbach
  • Publication number: 20120276785
    Abstract: A new and useful cable plug is provided, that is configured for a socket-plug system connecting a PSU to a load device over a 2 wire cable. The cable plug is selectively moveable to one of a plurality of positions for selecting a predetermined output voltage (or other operational characteristic) for the load device In addition, a new and useful socket is provided, that is configured to mate with the cable plug, to provide the selected output voltage (or other operational characteristic) for the load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Bogdan Tudor Bucheru, Pairor Thongkhumroi, Jui Ching Huang, Constanin Popescu, Enrique H. Velasco, JR.
  • Patent number: 8292663
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for assembling an audio plug with a cosmetic hard shell are provided. A plug may be coupled to a cable. An inner member may be molded about an end portion of the plug and an end portion of the cable. A strain relief member may be molded about a portion of the cable such that the strain relief member is adjacent to and substantially flush with the inner member. The seam between the inner member and the strain relief member may be covered by coupling a hard, smooth outer shell over a portion of the inner member and a portion of the strain relief member. Each of the inner member, the strain relief member, and the outer shell may be formed by injection molding, be of a cylindrical shape, and be formed from the same or different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus M. C. Crooijmans, Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 8287315
    Abstract: A phone plug connector device having a preassembled three conductive phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a triaxial cable, wherein the triaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the triaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 8277239
    Abstract: The USB AC adapter with removable USB vehicle power adapter comprises of a housing with a slot that holds a removable vehicle power adapter. The housing has an alternating current plug adapted to be insertable into an alternating current source. The housing further encloses a universal serial bus. Power conversion circuits are enclosed in the housing to convert the 110V alternating current to both 5V and 12V direct currents. The 5V direct current is directed through the universal serial bus in the housing. The 12V direct current is directed to the slot that holds the removable vehicle power adapter. The removable vehicle power adapter is adapted to be removable from the housing and insertable into a vehicle's cigarette lighter socket and converts the 12V from the vehicle's direct current power supply to 5V direct current output through a universal serial bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Ever Win International Corporation
    Inventors: Jackson Chun Chan, Yasuhiro Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8273028
    Abstract: An electrical connector is described. In one implementation, the connector includes a female portion including one or more electrical contacts and a male portion including one or more electrical contacts. The female portion and the male portion each have a self-orientating geometry that allows the male portion to be mated with the female portion in any rotational position along 360 degrees of rotation. When mated, the electrical contacts of the female portion mate with corresponding one or more electrical contacts of the male portion to form one or more electrical connections between two electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: E. Scott Harshman, Donald Masters, Peter Thornton
  • Patent number: 8267727
    Abstract: A low profile receptacle plug receptacle is disclosed. The low profile plug receptacle which may have a housing with a partially circular opening that is configured in one embodiment to receive a cylindrical plug. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may have a second opening which has a width smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical plug. A portion of the cylindrical plug may extend past the second opening when inserted into the housing. The low profile receptacle plug receptacle may part of an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Brian Lynch, Anthony Sagala Montevirgen
  • Patent number: 8251724
    Abstract: Provided are a lamp socket structured to realize a slimmer display device, and a display device having the lamp socket. The lamp socket includes: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of a lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hyeok Lee, Jae-Hwan Chun, Jung-Ki Kim, Hyun-Su Park, Jae-Sang Lee, Jeong-Ki Kim, Ki-Hwan Baek, Kyu-Hun Shim
  • Patent number: 8250752
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a medical device includes at least one contact assembly, and each of the at least one contact assembly includes a mounting member, a first contact clip and a second contact clip. A method for assembling the connector assembly includes mounting the first contact clip to one of a first pair of opposing mounting sidewalls, on a first side of a shoulder of the mounting member, and mounting a second contact clip to one of a second pair of opposing mounting sidewalls of the mounting member, on a second side of the shoulder. The mounting member includes a bore, to receive axial insertion of a medical electrical lead connector therein, and the first and second pairs of opposing mounting sidewalls extend about the bore, such that opposing curved legs of each of the mounted connector clips bend into and out from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael H. Z. Drew
  • Patent number: 8249672
    Abstract: A transmission plug for a complex earphone is disclosed. The complex earphone is capable of receiving a broadcast signal and sending out an audio signal. The transmission plug includes a first metal ring for providing an audio grounding, a first insulation layer formed inside the first metal ring, a second metal ring formed inside the first insulation layer for transmitting the audio signal, a second insulation layer formed inside the second metal ring, and a radio-frequency transmission stick formed inside the second insulation layer for transmitting the broadcast signal, wherein a shape of the transmission plug conforms to an international standard audio plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Wistron NeWeb Corporation
    Inventors: Shih-Hong Chen, Chieh-Sheng Hsu
  • Patent number: 8235756
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for assembling a plug with a low profile for use with an electronic device are provided. In some embodiments, a 4-pin plug may include a diameter similar to the diameter of a 3-pin plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may be coupled to the plug such that a portion of the fourth pin may be coupled to any suitable device on an internal surface of the plug. In some embodiments, the fourth pin may dive into the plug at the same depth as one of the other three pins of the plug. The pins within the plug may be coupled (e.g., soldered) at the ends that may emerge underneath an overmold to any other suitable device to form electrical connections. The plug may be used to transmit audio or transfer data to a user of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Stiehl
  • Patent number: 8206181
    Abstract: A connector arrangement is provided comprising an elongate member with a tip end and a base end. The elongate member has at least one ring area electrically insulated from the remaining surface of the elongate member. In the ring area, at least a first contact element and a second contact element electrically insulated from each other are provided. At least a portion of a boundary between the first contact element and the second contact element runs in a direction forming a non-zero angle with a boundary of the ring area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
    Inventor: Johan Magnus Rikard Steijner
  • Publication number: 20120156942
    Abstract: A plug is used for connecting a first speaker. The first speaker includes a first magnet, a first vibrating element, and a first electromagnetic inductor. The first vibrating element vibrates relatively to the first magnet for sounding. The first electromagnetic inductor generates electricity induced by a magnetic field of the first magnet. The plug includes a first audio terminal, a pair of first power terminals, and a ground terminal. The first audio terminal is used for electrically connecting the first vibrating element. The pair of first power terminals is used for electrically connecting the first electromagnetic inductor, so as to output the electricity generated by the first electromagnetic inductor. The ground terminal is used for connecting the first vibrating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: COTRON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bill Yang
  • Publication number: 20120148052
    Abstract: A wire system comprising a splitter integrated between two wire portions. The wire system can be used to transmit a signal between a signal source and a first output device connected to the wire portions. At any time, a user can choose to couple one or more additional output devices to the splitter to access the same signal being transmitted to the first output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: David Adam
  • Publication number: 20120142225
    Abstract: A portable electronic device having an audio jack is provided. The device comprises: a processor; a jack for receiving a plug of an audio accessory; electrical connectors provided in the jack for enabling communication between the audio accessory and the processor and for contacting corresponding electrical connectors of the plug; and a switching circuit in communication with the processor and two of the electrical connectors. The switching circuit routes audio signals between the corresponding electrical connectors and the processor; after insertion of the plug into the jack, conducts a test on the electrical connectors to determine if a first one of the corresponding electrical connectors is electrically grounded. A method for routing the signals is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Magnus Hansson, Mohamad El-Hage
  • Publication number: 20120135645
    Abstract: Jack assemblies having cylindrical contacts are provided. For example, an enclosure may provide a cavity with a longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical plug. The jack assembly may also include at least one jack contact positioned in the cavity. The jack contact may include a first end region extending about at least a portion of the axis and a contact region extending from the first end region towards the axis. The first end region may extend completely about the axis or just about a portion of the axis. The contact region may deflect and contact a first conductive region of the plug in multiple contact areas when the plug is inserted into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Eric S. JOL
  • Patent number: 8167660
    Abstract: Connector assemblies for use to concurrently transmit multiple signals or sources. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of ring contacts, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore for receiving a lead cable. Contact grooves or spring chambers for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. The connector assemblies may be used in a number of industries and applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Farshid Dilmaghanian, Hugh Cook, Daniel D. Poon, Shahriar Sean Madanipour, Rob Sjostedt, Bill Nissim
  • Patent number: 8162697
    Abstract: A silent plug includes a switch adapted to be automatically opened when the connector is inserted into the jack and closed when the connector is not inserted into the jack to eliminate electronically generated noise that would otherwise occur when the plug is inserted. The switch has a sliding ring contact for providing the electrical connection between the tip contact and the ground sleeve and providing 360° contact with the ground sleeve via a bridging contact. A spring applies a force in the mating direction to urge the sliding ring contact into the closed position. An actuator facing the jack contacts the front face of the jack when the connector is inserted into the jack in order to urge the sliding ring contact in a direction opposite to the mating direction and against the force applied by the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Amphenol Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Paolo Menolotto, Thien Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8142230
    Abstract: An earphone assembly includes a plug, a switch element; and a USB connector. The USB connector is rotatably assembled to the switch element and electronically connects the plug. The invention further discloses an electronic device including an earphone assembly and a plug seat. The earphone assembly includes a plug, a switch element, and a USB connector. The USB connector is rotatably assembled to the switch element and electronically connects the plug. The plug seat is assembled in the electronic device for receiving the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Jian-Hui Li
  • Patent number: 8123569
    Abstract: An audio jack connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1), a plurality of contacts (2) and a cover (3). the insulative housing has a bottom surface (12), a cavity (14) having a front end exposed to exterior for insertion of an electrical plug, and a plurality of receiving slots (15) recessed upwardly from the bottom surface and communicating with the cavity. The contacts are inserted into the receiving slots from the bottom surface of the insulative housing. the contacts have contacting portions (28, 29) protruding into the cavity for contacting with the electrical plug and soldering tail portions (27) extending outwardly beyond the bottom surface. The cover (3) envelopes the contacts into the receiving slots (15) with the tail portions (27) extending outwardly therefrom to make the audio jack connector communicate with the exterior via only the front end of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terrance F. Little, Howard Wallace Andrews, Michael McKee
  • Patent number: 8100726
    Abstract: An audio jack includes an insulative housing and a number of contacts retained therein. The insulative housing defines a receiving space for receiving a corresponding plug and a number of mounting holes extending inwardly from a mounting wall thereof. Each contact has a tail portion for connecting with a circuit board. A core pin is inserted into the receiving space and a plenty of elastomeric material is flowed into the mounting holes around the contacts to make the insulative housing being sealed except the receiving space. After the elastomeric material has solidified the core pin is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tod M. Harlan, Richard Scott Kline
  • Patent number: 8096838
    Abstract: A header assembly for an implantable medical device (IMD). The header assembly includes a plurality of cavities with a plurality of insulating rings interdisposed between adjacent ones of the cavities. The cavities receive electrical contact rings. In certain embodiments, the insulating rings are formed integrally with a body of the header assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Farshid Dilmaghanian
  • Patent number: 8092260
    Abstract: A locking device for connectors is provided that uses a threaded seal latch application using a ferrule. The locking device secures leads in electrical connectors, particularly connectors involved in medically implantable devices. The locking device utilizes a threaded nut, pre-assembled onto a lead cable with a ferrule. The lead cable is inserted into and engages with a threaded sleeve, the threaded sleeve serves as an opening for the in-line stack inside a housing. The threaded nut engages the threaded sleeve, and the ferrule along the lead cable is encased therebetween. The ferrule is pushed into and against the inner surface of the threaded sleeve by the threaded nut, tightly securing the ferrule in place, and thereby locking the lead cable in the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Sjostedt
  • Publication number: 20120003870
    Abstract: A phone plug connector device having a preassembled three conductive phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a triaxial cable, wherein the triaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the triaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: JOHN MEZZALINGUA ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 8070528
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) for insertion of an electrical plug, includes an insulative housing (1) having a receiving cavity (13) to receive the electrical plug in a front-to-rear direction and a plurality of receiving slots (14) communicating with the receiving cavity, and a set of terminals (2) received in the receiving slots and including first terminals (21). Each first terminal has a vertical flat first base portion (212) retained in the insulative housing and extending along the front-to-rear direction, a first contacting portion (211) protruding into the receiving cavity to electrical contact with the electrical plug, and a first tail portion (213) to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). Both the first contacting portion (211) and the first tail portion (213) simultaneously extend from one of an upper edge and lower edge of the first base portion (212).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Wu Wang, Hong-Qiang Han, Lun-Song Hu, Zi-Qiang Zhu
  • Patent number: 8062074
    Abstract: An implantable medical device connector assembly and method of manufacture include a molded, insulative shell having a first inner surface forming a connector bore, an outer surface defining a fill port for receiving an adhesive, and a second inner surface defining a channel extending from the fill port to the first inner surface forming the connector bore; one or more conductive members positioned along the connector bore; and sealing members positioned between the conductive members. An adhesive is disposed in the channel and seals the outer surface of the sealing member to the inner surface forming the connector bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, James Michael Iknayan, Thomas J. Olson, George Patras, John D. Longtin
  • Patent number: 8043123
    Abstract: A power receptacle for a portable electronic device suitable for connecting a power plug is provided. The power plug has a tubular terminal and a clamping terminal in the tubular terminal. The power receptacle includes an insulating housing, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal. The insulating housing has a receiving cavity, and the power plug is suitable for being plug in the receiving cavity. The anode terminal disposed in the insulating housing is located at the central part of the receiving cavity. The cathode terminal disposed in the insulating housing is located at a side of the receiving cavity. During a process of plugging the power plug into the receiving cavity, the tubular terminal contacts the cathode terminal, and then the clamping terminal contacts the anode terminal, so that the power plug is electrically connected to the power receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Ming Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20110256779
    Abstract: A plug assembly having a core structural member and methods for manufacturing such plug assemblies are provided. A plug assembly can include a core structural member defining an elongated component having a bore therethrough. Several conductors can be inserted through the bore to be coupled to conductive regions used to transfer data and/or power. The conductive regions can include a ring or band that is provided axially over the structural member such that an external surface of the band can transfer signals. Each conductive region can include an arm extending from an internal surface of the band along the axis of the structural member. The arm may extend to a tip of the structural member so that a connector passing through the bore of the structural member can be connected to the arm (e.g., soldered to a tip of the arm). The structural member can include slots for receiving each arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Jonathan Aase
  • Patent number: 8041047
    Abstract: Herein disclosed a sound inputting and outputting apparatus for being connected to an external apparatus which includes a noise cancel signal production section, a storage section and a reproduction section, including: a first auricle mounting section; a second auricle mounting section; and a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Ryota Matsumoto, Ichiro Nakajima, Osamu Koshida, Shinya Yudate
  • Publication number: 20110223812
    Abstract: Plugs with core structural members and methods for manufacturing plugs with core structural members are provided. A plug can include a core structural member that may increase the structural integrity of the plug. The plug can further include contact pads and traces, and each trace can electrically couple with one of the contact pads and extend along a plug axis towards the proximal end (e.g., base section) of the plug. In orientation-specific embodiments, the traces may be disposed on the surface of the plug. However, in other embodiments, the traces may be disposed below but near the surface of the plug. The plug may also include one or more insulating layers to prevent contact pads and traces from shorting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Prest, Matthew Rohrbach
  • Patent number: 8016615
    Abstract: A phone plug connector device having a preassembled three conductive phone plug and connector, wherein the phone plug includes a conductive tip and a stem, wherein the connector connects the phone plug to a triaxial cable, wherein the triaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by a first dielectric, the first dielectric being surrounded by a first conductive sheath, and the first conductive sheath surrounded by a protective outer jacket, wherein the connector connects the triaxial cable to the phone plug mechanically and electrically by compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah Montena
  • Patent number: 8011971
    Abstract: A plug assembly includes an insulation housing and an insertion pole fixed to the insulation housing. The insertion pole is made of elastic material and includes at least two insertion portions extended along an extension direction of the insertion pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xin Yang, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 8002564
    Abstract: A housing of a portable electronic device includes a main body, a waterproof structure, and a plug retainer. The main body defines a jack hole therein. The waterproof structure is formed on the main body and defines a plurality of waterproof grooves. The plug retainer is received in the waterproof structure and defines a connecting hole and a plurality of draining holes therein. The connecting hole is aligned with the jack hole, and the draining holes guide water entering the plug retainer to flow into the waterproof grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventor: Jin-Ti Cao