Having Annular, Push-pull-engaging Contact Concentrically Disposed About Longitudinal Axis Of Engagement Patents (Class 439/675)
  • Patent number: 6692285
    Abstract: A male coaxial connector adapted for receiving a female connection member. The male coaxial connector defines an axial direction along its major axis. The male coaxial connector includes a spring basket biased towards an open position which is positioned around a male connection member. The spring basket is adapted for engaging the female connection member. The male coaxial connector also includes a sleeve reciprocally positioned around the spring basket and the male connection member. The sleeve is movable in the axial direction with respect to the spring basket such that when the sleeve is in a forward position or rearward position with respect to the spring basket, the spring basket is in an open position. The female connection member can be released from or inserted into the spring basket when the spring basket is in its open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventor: Nahid Islam
  • Publication number: 20040003498
    Abstract: An electrical connector and method of making the same includes a radially resilient, cylindrical electrical contact member having a plurality of spaced strips extending between opposite ends of a sleeve. The ends of the strips are held in one or more housings in an angularly offset, end-to-end position. The contact member and the sleeve are urged from the one or more housings into a cylindrical portion of a holder or use element to mount the connector directly in the holder or use element. In one aspect, the contact strips are formed as individual strips joined to the sleeve at one end and at the other end. In another aspect, at least one contact strip is formed with a movable detent releasably engagable in a recess in a pin insertable into the connector to lock the pin in the connector. In another aspect, at least one strip has an extension which overlays a portion of the bare wire end of an electrical conductor mounted in one end of a terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Dean D. Swearingen, Joseph J. Koch
  • Patent number: 6672913
    Abstract: A plug connector (1) includes an insulative housing (2), a center contact (3), an inner contact (4) and an outer contact (5). The housing defines a cutout (23) at a rear end thereof. The center contact has a U shaped tail portion (32) at a rear end thereof, a mating portion (35) for electrically engaging with a complementary connector and an intermediate portion (31) embedded in the housing and connecting the tail portion and the mating portion. The inner contact and the center contact are insert molded with the housing. The inner contact has a mating face (42) exposed in the cutout at a rear end thereof. The outer contact has a reversed U shaped tongue (53) facing opposite to the tail portion of the center contact and extending from a rear end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Che Wang
  • Publication number: 20040002266
    Abstract: A three contact barrel power connector assembly is provided. The power connector assembly includes both a connector plug and a connector jack. The connector plug includes an inner body and an outer body transmitting electrical current. The connector plug further includes a center body that transmits a data signal or a low power current. The connector jack includes a housing ground, a housing body, outer contacts that couple with the outer body, inner contacts that couple with the inner body, and a center contact that couples with the center body. The power connector assembly further includes insulators operable to prevent unwanted electrical contact between the connector plug and the connector jack. The connector plug is operable to couple with the connector jack independent of the orientation of the connector plug with respect to the connector jack, provide high levels of power, and effectively transmit data signals in addition to power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Mark M. Hinkle, Christopher H. Muenzer
  • Patent number: 6666725
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector half, and a second. The first connector half includes a first transmission line, having a first outer conductor and a first center conductor. The first center conductor has a first end that has an angled flat region. The second connector half, includes a second transmission line. The second transmission line includes a second outer conductor and a second center conductor. The second center conductor has a first end that has an angled flat region. When the first connector half and the second connector half are connected together, the first outer conductor is electrically connected to the second outer conductor. Additionally, a wiping contact is established between the angled flat region of the first end of the first center conductor and the angled flat region of the first end of the second center conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Julius K. Botka, Michael T. Powers
  • Patent number: 6641442
    Abstract: An electrical coaxial connector ground terminal comprising a first connection section and a second connection section. The first connection section is adapted for connecting the terminal to an electrical conductor. The second connection section is connected to the first connection section for removably electrically connecting the terminal to a mating terminal. The second connection section comprises a general C shaped section with protrusions spaced along an outer perimeter side of the general C shaped section. The protrusions form outwardly facing contact surfaces for the second connection section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip G. Seminara, William R. Lyons
  • Patent number: 6612875
    Abstract: A multifunctional car adapter is provided. The multifunctional car adapter includes a main body with a first chamber formed therein. The main body has extending therefrom a connecting portion defining a second chamber. A plug unit is disposed in the second chamber, while a socket unit is disposed in the first chamber and is electrically connected with the plug unit. A circuit board is also disposed in the first chamber to be electrically coupled to the plug unit for Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface thereto. A USB connector is coupled to the circuit board for electrical connection to the plug unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventor: Sheng Hsin Liao
  • Patent number: 6595804
    Abstract: In the invention, when two electrodes are added by using the cylindrical portion of the body, the two additional electrodes are prevented from being short-circuited when the multipolar plug P having an annular electrode in the root portion of the shaft is connected to the jack. Four main electrodes of the shaft of the plug are in contact with four main electrodes inside the body of the jack, respectively. First and second additional electrodes are respectively placed on lateral sides of the cylindrical portion of the jack and are positionally shifted in the longitudinal and radial directions. First and second annular electrodes are concentrically disposed on a basal portion of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Nagata
  • Publication number: 20030121147
    Abstract: A method for configuring an electrical connector having a housing comprises the step of, 1) providing at least a pair of silos adapted to be formed on the housing of the connector; 2) providing at least a silo with a key thereon; 3) arranging the silos into different combinations established by events different from one another; and 4) selecting a first event from the combinations for serving configuration of the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Andrew Cheng
  • Patent number: 6568964
    Abstract: An RCA plug connector includes an annular outer ground sleeve, an insulating ring within the sleeve, and an elongated signal probe member having an exterior spring, extending from within the insulating ring along the central axis. The spring includes at least one axially extending portion bowed radially outward of the central axis of the probe member. The bowed portion may include a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending bowed portions. The conductive sleeve may have at least one finger portion extending radially inwardly, with an arcuate or a generally V-shaped tip cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: J. D'Addario & Company, Inc.
    Inventor: James D'Addario
  • Publication number: 20030045174
    Abstract: A socket for a cathode ray tube (CRT) forms part of a circuit board. The socket is positioned on the side of the circuit board away from the funnel portion of the CRT. The terminals which couple to the electron gun of the CRT are positioned along the side of the neck of the CRT, so that when the socket is engaged with the CRT, there is substantially no portion of the socket board which protrudes beyond the end of the neck portion of the CRT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Luc Tripod
  • Publication number: 20020193007
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector half, and a second. The first connector half includes a first transmission line, having a first outer conductor and a first center conductor. The first center conductor has a first end that has an angled flat region. The second connector half, includes a second transmission line. The second transmission line includes a second outer conductor and a second center conductor. The second center conductor has a first end that has an angled flat region. When the first connector half and the second connector half are connected together, the first outer conductor is electrically connected to the second outer conductor. Additionally, a wiping contact is established between the angled flat region of the first end of the first center conductor and the angled flat region of the first end of the second center conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Julius K. Botka, Michael T. Powers
  • Patent number: 6461199
    Abstract: A multiple electrode connecting for connecting multiple circuits, such as the headphones of a portable tape recorder or CD player. The multiple electrode connection comprises apparatus comprising a connection plug and a connection jack. The plug is equipped with a rod-shaped insertion part that comprises a first annular contact, a second annular contact, a third annular contact, and a fourth annular contact. Each contact is provided in sequence with an insulating material disposed there between. A cylindrical insertion part made of an insulating material is formed concentrically around the outside of rod-shaped insertion part at a position closer to the base end part thereof. A fifth annular contact and a sixth annular contact are sectionally formed on the outside of the cylindrical insertion part. A seventh annular contact and an eighth annular contact are sectionally formed on the inside of the cylindrical insertion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventors: Nobutaka Koga, Tadao Tonegawa
  • Patent number: 6450829
    Abstract: A coaxial connector assembly includes a plug connector 2 and a mating jack connector 102. The plug connector 2 is a snap-on or quick connect and quick disconnect style connector. The plug connector 2 includes a shell 10 that can be terminated to a coaxial cable outer shield or braid 114. The shell 10 has deflectable spring fingers 12 formed at its mating end with a radially extending lip 16. A collar 30 surrounds the shell 10. The collar 30 is formed by a two housing components 32 that are preferably identical and can be mated together in surrounding relationship to the shield. Spring beams 34, 34A or elastomeric members 34B engage the peripheral lip to urge the collar 30 and the shell 10 toward a neutral position, even though the collar 30 and the shell 10 are relatively axially shiftable to facilitate mating and unmating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Adam Weisz-Margulescu
  • Patent number: 6447323
    Abstract: An internally fitting cylindrical portion 14 formed on a front end of a second cylindrical casing 6 is fitted into an externally fitting cylindrical portion 13 formed on a front end of a first cylindrical casing 5. A rod-like plug 2 housed in the first cylindrical casing 5 is inserted into a cylindrical receptacle 4 housed in the second cylindrical casing 6, thereby connecting first and second power source cables 1, 3 together. A cylindrical protector 39 is externally fitted to an outer periphery of a fitting portion between the externally fitting cylindrical portion 13 and the internally fitting cylindrical portion 14. One end of the cylindrical protector 39 is engaged with an outer peripheral surface of a basal portion of the externally fitting cylindrical portion 13, and the other end of the cylindrical protector 39 is engaged with an outer peripheral surface of a basal portion of the internally fitting portion 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6443763
    Abstract: A triaxial contact (1) comprising three contacts (2, 3, 4) retained by a front insulator (5) which is anchored in a cavity (7) of a first cylindrical contact (2). A triaxial contact such that an intermediate contact (3) is harpooned inside a first receptacle of the front insulator. The front insulator is such that it has a second receptacle (30) allowing to accommodate and insulate the central contact. Said triaxial contact has a rear insulator (6) allowing to retain the intermediate contact and the central contact inside the cavity of the first contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Framatome Connectors International
    Inventor: Daniel Richet
  • Patent number: 6386888
    Abstract: A modular connector is provided that includes a plurality of modular components that are connectable together. Such components or modules include a conductive bracket that may be grounded, a cover attachable to the bracket, a conductive insert that is extendable through the bracket and into the cover, an insulator that is extendable into the insert, and a contact that is insertable into the insulator to insulate the contact from the insert. The insert engages the bracket and is therefore grounded when the bracket is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Osram Sylvania Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Skopic, Donald Burger
  • Patent number: 6363272
    Abstract: A fetal electrode assembly including a housing having a first opening for receiving a first connector and a second opening for receiving a second connector. The second connector is a snap connector of an electrode mounted on a mother's body. A support is disposed within the housing and has an access opening communicating with the second opening. A contact is mounted on the support opposite the second opening. The contact includes a pair of spaced, resilient members adapted to resiliently engage and make electrical contact with the snap connector. In one aspect of the invention, the contact is bent to define a pair of parallel spaced apart legs, one end of each of the legs being interconnected by a resilient loop portion, the other ends of the legs being free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Combs
  • Patent number: 6356778
    Abstract: A connector assembly for a fetal scalp electrode for use in monitoring fetal heart rate. The connector assembly is used in conjunction with a fetal monitor coupling device and includes a holder formed of an insulating material and a fetal electrode and a maternal electrode secured to the holder. Each wire of an insulated pair of elongated flexible wires is electrically connected to a respective one of the fetal and maternal electrodes. The connector assembly further includes a connector having a pin contact electrically connected to one of the wires and a cylindrical contact electrically connected to the other of the wires. The cylindrical contact is mounted coaxially with the pin contact so that the contacts are electrically isolated from each other and are positioned to make electrical contact with complementary contacts in the coupling device. The connector assembly also preferably includes an elongated tubular sheath that covers the connector and is sized to be received in the coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Pirc
  • Patent number: 6350155
    Abstract: A plug connector with a hollow, cylindrical, metallic housing (1), within which is centrically disposed an inside contact pin (8, 9, 10) extending at least approximately over the entire axial length of the housing (1). In order to make contact with the reciprocal plug connector, the inside contact pin (8, 9, 10) is accessible at a first front side of the housing (1). The first front side is open toward the plug side of the plug connector, such that a latch interlock (6, 7) and a contact basket (5), which extends out of the open front side of the housing (1) and which is rotatably mounted about the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), are disposed co-axially with the inside contact pin (8, 9, 10). The contact basket (5) makes permanent electrical contact with the metallic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: IMS Connector Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christopf Müllinger-Bausch, Frank Röse, Roland Baumgaertner
  • Patent number: 6346008
    Abstract: A phono-type plug has a center pin, a ground element, a barrel surrounding the ground element and the center pin, and an insulating element provided between the pin and the barrel, the insulating elements being provided with an extension which forms a strain relief supporting a wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jed Hacker
  • Patent number: 6320477
    Abstract: An energy coupler (10) includes a movably adjustable energy coupling sleeve (16), and a coupling transmission line (18) operatively coupled to the movably adjustable energy coupling sleeve (16) to provide adjustable coefficient coupling with a transmission line (14), such as a coaxial transmission line. In one embodiment, the movably adjustable energy coupling sleeve (16) is configured to rotatably move to provide selectable energy coupling with the coaxial transmission line (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Lithgow, Hong Gan, Miles Tusa
  • Patent number: 6321103
    Abstract: A fetal electrode sleeve and wire interconnect system for transmitting signals indicative of fetal heart rate from a fetus inside a mother through a cable to a monitor external to the mother. The system includes a holder having a fetal spiral electrode on one end and a maternal reference electrode on its opposite end. A safety cap has a retention groove, a grip, a tip with a recessed end opposite the grip, and a conductive sleeve. The conductive sleeve has a first end enclosed by the grip, a second end enclosed by the tip, and an intermediate exposed portion enclosed by neither the grip nor the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Ludlow Company LP
    Inventors: Edward Dowd, Robert J. Graumann, Brian E. Haug, James F. McIntire, Joseph T. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 6309250
    Abstract: Inner and outer coaxial contacts (40, 50) of a connector are connected to first and second conductors (30, 32) of a cable by first crimping the conductors to the rear ends (90, 92) of a pair of terminals (84, 86) that have pin-shaped front ends (80, 82). Then, the pin-shaped front ends of the terminals are inserted into passages (74, 76) at the rear ends of the contacts to lie in a sliding fit with the contacts. The passage at the rear end of each contact holds a clip (100, 102) forming tines (104, 106) that grasp the pin at the front of a terminal to establish good electrical contact. An insulative terminal positioner (110) has bores (112, 114) that receive the terminals to position them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Joseph Hyzin
  • Patent number: 6299489
    Abstract: A sleeve terminal which provides a continually assured level of normal force with respect to a received pin terminal, even as the sleeve member thereof may tend to relax over time. The sleeve terminal includes a sleeve member having a slot which allows the sleeve member to be resiliently expanded when a pin terminal is inserted therewithin. A pair of resilient arms characterized by an opposing V-shape are formed integrally with the sleeve member on opposing sides of the slot. The apex of the resilient arms provides a contact location with the inner surface of a barrel which is concentrically receives the sleeve terminal. A free end of each resilient arm is spaced a predetrmined distance from the sleeve member. A wire mount is connected to the sleeve member opposite the slot. In operation, a pin terminal is inserted into the sleeve member, causing the sleeve member to be resiliently expanded as the slot widens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Paul Phillips, David A Simoni, William L. Stein, Sr., John M Sova, William G Strang
  • Patent number: 6276953
    Abstract: An orientation less squib connector for an automotive air bag assembly is disclosed. The squib connector includes a connector configured to fit within a squib socket. A connector position assurance member (CPA) is mounted on the connector body for movement between an open position and a closed position. The CPA includes an abutment member positioned to abut against a portion of the connector body to prevent movement of the connector position assurance member out of the open position. The CPA also includes a flexural member configured to abut against the socket to deflect the flexural member and the abutment member out of abutment with the portion of the connector body, whereby the connector position assurance member is movable to the closed position to prevent removal of the connector from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Thoma & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford K. Gauker, David J. Rhein
  • Patent number: 6241489
    Abstract: An internal electrical connector includes at least one electrical conductor overmolded by a body formed from an electrically non-conducting material. The connector is received by a bore extending through a valve body for an anti-lock brake system hydraulic control unit. An electronic control unit mounted upon a first surface of the valve body is electrically connected to one end of the connector while the other end of the connector is electrically connected to a pump motor mounted upon a valve body surface opposite from the electronic control unit. The connector is free to move both transversely and axially within the valve body bore to compensate for component tolerance stack up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventors: Douglas Lewin, Paolo Rea, James Cossins
  • Patent number: 6241559
    Abstract: A male connector and mating female connector for use in a cordless electric water heater jug. The male connector has a cup-shaped body with an open base within which are located a central pin terminal and two concentric annular terminals. The body of the female connector is dimensioned to fit within the male connector and has openings to receive the pin and inner annular terminal so that they may engage two female terminals. A further female terminal projects from the side wall of the female connector for engagement with the outer annular male terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventor: John Crawshaw Taylor
  • Patent number: 6220899
    Abstract: A connecting sleeve spring is resiliently mounted in a connecting sleeve of an electrical connecting jack. The connecting sleeve spring has a arcuate sinusoid-like side profile, with its two ends curving in a direction opposite the curve of a center contact portion. The center portion has an inwardly angled tongue. When a plug having a collar is inserted into the electrical connecting jack, the collar comes in contact with the tongue and pushes the central contact portion inward, thus forcing the two ends of the connecting sleeve spring to move outward. The two ends press against the inner periphery of the collar. In this way, the collar makes contact with the connecting sleeve spring at three points; the two ends and the center contact portion. This three point contact arrangement firmly holds and electrically connects the plug to the jack even if there is a gap between the collar and sleeve. The electrical connecting jack also includes a housing with a plurality of contact spring openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6217382
    Abstract: An ESD bleed path for a coaxial cable (10). A disk (20) is provided around a center pin (18) of a SMA connector (12) for a center conductor (22) of the coaxial cable (10) in order to provide a bleed path for a floating center conductor (22). The disk (20), preferably made of carbon loaded with kapton, fits over the center pin (18) of a male portion (14) of the SMA connector (12). The disk (20) is compressed between the male portion (14) of the SMA connector (12) and the female portion (16) of the SMA connector (12). The compression connection provides electrical contact among the connector (12), the disk (20), the center conductor (22) and the outer conductors (23, 25) of the connector (12) and the cable (10). The present invention provides an electrostatic discharge bleed path for the center conductor (22) of the coaxial cable (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: David G. Ziers
  • Patent number: 6210221
    Abstract: A versatile quick connect/disconnect coaxial 3.5 mm male connector which can be used to mate with unmodified standard SMA, 2.92 mm, and 3.5 mm female connectors with or without the use of a threaded nut. The connector employs simple construction and achieves excellent electrical performance. The connector allows the user the option of a push to engage and pull to disengage operating feature, plus the additional option to connect using a threaded nut with reduced thread engagement, which can be hand tightened or torqued to a specific value. The threaded nut is retractable and is held clear of the mating area for push/pull operation, and due to the minimum number of threads, the nut can be coupled and uncoupled in one third to one fourth the time needed to thread a conventional nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Maury Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc A. Maury
  • Patent number: 6203368
    Abstract: An electrical connector (10) seatable in a hole (16) in a enclosure wall (14) and having an outer conductive shell (30) containing a dielectric sleeve (32) holding a seizure contact (34) at an inner end to compressively engage an inner conductor (18) of a coaxial cable entering the enclosure (12). During servicing of the enclosure (12), the (10) is matable at an opposed end with a connector (100) of a jumper cable to connect the jumper cable the to providing uninterrupted CATV service to customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin Edward Weidner
  • Patent number: 6183297
    Abstract: A connector for a coaxial cable having an conductive inner cable surrounded by a conductive outer cable with an insulator between the inner and outer cables. The conductor includes a conductive first base member having a first opening therethrough adapted to received the inner and outer cables therein, an insulating member secured to the first base member and having a second opening therethrough substantially in alignment with the first base member first opening, and a conductive second base member secured to the insulating member and conductively insulated from the first base member. The insulating member second opening is restricted relative to the first base member first opening whereby the second opening is adapted to receive the inner cable and the insulator and to block the outer cable from entry into the second opening. The second base member has a pocket substantially in alignment with the first and second openings and adapted to receive the inner cable and the insulator therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Tech Lighting, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kay, Wallace H. Hepkema
  • Patent number: 6177851
    Abstract: A high-frequency electronic device is disclosed which can be reduced in thickness without performance deterioration and increase of product price. The high-frequency electronic device comprises a coaxial type connector and a shielding case which is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the connector having a short diameter and a long diameter in a cross section thereof, the shielding case having a side face which has short sides and long sides. The connector is attached to the side face of the shielding case so that the direction of its short diameter and the direction of the short sides of the shielding case side face are parallel to each other. A filter having a predetermined nominal impedance is disposed within the shielding case, and a central conductor of the connector and the filter are connected with each other through an inductor which is for impedance matching of the connector and the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michihiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 6174206
    Abstract: A quick-connect connector adaptor for use between male and female portions of a BNC connector includes a body having mating male and female portions. The male portion of the adaptor may be inserted into the female portion of the BNC connector without locking thereto, thereby allowing quick connection thereto. A plurality of these adaptors may be mounted to a panel for simultaneous quick-connection to a plurality of connector portions of BNC connectors disposed on an electrical instrument. In this manner, a plurality of connections may be quickly and accurately made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Avid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Yentile, Clifford G. Westland
  • Patent number: 6151520
    Abstract: A fetal electrode assembly for use in monitoring fetal heart rate and used in conjunction with a fetal monitor coupling device supported on the mother's body. The assembly including fetal and maternal electrodes secured to an insulating holder, a connector dimensioned and shaped to be received in an opening in a coupling device housing and having first and second contacts separated and electrically isolated from each other and positioned to make electrical contact with complementary contact members in the coupling device. An insulated pair of elongated flexible wires, each electrically connecting a respective one of the first and second contacts to a respective one of the fetal and maternal electrodes. An elongate tubular sheath covers the connector and has a first open end extending over and receiving the ends of the pair of flexible wires, the opposite end of the sheath being spaced from each of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Combs
  • Patent number: 6146196
    Abstract: A mated coaxial contact system including a nano-miniature pin and socket contact centered in a shielding sleeve by a dielectric insulator. The pin and socket contacts are each mechanically crimped to the respective center conductor of the coaxial wire. The conductive braid of the coaxial wire is soldered to the shielding sleeve with a disc insulator overlaying the terminal end of the insulation encircling the center conductor, thus facilitating solder of the braid to the sleeve and preventing electrical shorts between the center conductor and the braid of the coaxial wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventors: Edward W. Burger, Eric J. Paulus, Derald L. Ryan, Robert F. Stanton
  • Patent number: 6146208
    Abstract: An adaptor is provided for facilitating testing a coaxial cable connector assembly in the field with a test connector, wherein the coaxial cable connector assembly has a projecting pin of a selected length. The adaptor comprises a tubular member having a first end and a second end. The first end receives the coaxial cable connector assembly and the second end is for mounting the test connector. The first and second ends are joined by a bore which extends from the first end to the second end with the bore having a length at least as long as the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: CommScope
    Inventor: Timothy M Pennell
  • Patent number: 6126487
    Abstract: A coaxial plug-and-socket connector has an external-conductor contact-socket for engaging a mating plug external-conductor. The socket has an end face through which the mating-plug external-conductor passes. The external-conductor contact-socket has a bushing with a metal wall with an axial slit. The wall at the bushing end face is compressed in such manner that it conically tapers toward the mating-plug external-conductor. The opposite wall segments at the slit partly overlap so the bushing has a frustoconical shape and spring properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH and Co.
    Inventor: Bernhard Rosenberger
  • Patent number: 6102746
    Abstract: A female electrical connector for mating with a male counterpart is provided. The female connector includes an outer structure and an inner structure. The outer structure has a first inner surface for receiving a first contact member of the male counterpart. The inner structure includes at least one resilient conducting wire mounted within the inner structure for contacting the second contact member of the male counterpart upon insertion of the second contact member of the male counterpart into the inner structure. The at least one resilient conducting wire has opposite ends and a central portion. The opposite ends are contacting and fixed to the inner structure. The central portion is spaced from the second inner surface prior to insertion of the second contact member of the male counterpart into the inner structure and displaced toward the second inner surface upon insertion of the second contact member of the male counterpart into the inner structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Hypertronics Corporation
    Inventors: Frank A. Nania, Donald R. LaCoy
  • Patent number: 6062910
    Abstract: A capacitive cable adapter for providing ground of the same potential at high frequencies for interconnected electrical devices. The capacitive cable adapter, for being interposed between at least two electrical devices interconnected via a shielded cable, comprises two shielded electrical connectors aligned back-to-back with an internal pin-to-pin connection, with the outer shield of each of the two connectors being interrupted approximately at mid distance between the end of the two connectors, thereby forming a gap between the outer protective shield of the two connectors, including a predefined number of capacitive components arranged such that, one of the two pins of each capacitor is connected to the protective shield of one of the two connectors, and the other pin of each capacitor is connected to the shield of the other connector, thereby connecting over the gap the outer shields of the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Henri Braquet, Serge Lorion, Thierry Sordello
  • Patent number: 6053755
    Abstract: A microwave coaxial connector having both inner and outer axial resilient conductors is provided. The connector may be used for connecting a microwave device to a coaxial cable without causing damage to the microwave device housing or degrading a transmitted microwave signal. The inner axial resilient conductor includes an inner cylindrical conducting member having an inner bore formed by a plurality of fingers. A cylindrical contact member includes a first end for inserting into the inner bore. The outer axially resilient conductor includes an outer cylindrical conducting member circumjacent about the inner conductor forming a ring-shaped opening. An outer contact member having a plurality of fingers is inserted in the ring-shaped opening to provide an outer resilient conductor. A connector for connecting adjacent devices is also provided. This connector includes a pair of inner and outer resilient conductors positioned at opposite ends of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Anritsu Company
    Inventor: William Oldfield
  • Patent number: 6039605
    Abstract: A shield connector includes a female connector housing and a male connector housing. The female connector housing has an axially-extending retainer disposed within the female connector housing and has a radially-extending female-side fitting surface disposed forward of the retainer with a hole formed therethrough. The male connector housing includes a step portion, a male-side fitting surface and a male metal terminal that is mounted in the male connector housing. The male metal terminal has a distal end portion that projects axially from the male-side fitting surface. The step portion is disposed within the male connector housing and has a radially-extending inner peripheral surface that intersects the male-side fitting surface to define a receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignees: Harness Systems Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6039609
    Abstract: A coaxial shaped power inserter connector for a CATV (Cable Television) housing accepts two conductors at a first end. A first conductor, typically a power conductor, is secured to a center terminal which extends beyond the distal end of the connector body. A second conductor, typically a ground conductor, is secured to the body of the connector. The connector may be sealed or unsealed. The connector is useful for providing power to a CATV housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. Hauver, Sr., Ronald P. Locati, Larry Michael Massaglia
  • Patent number: 6024609
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for engagement with a mating connector and a coaxial device. The connector assembly includes a body member attachable to the coaxial device. The body member is also attachable to the mating connector. An outer contact spring is provided with an annular base for threadably connecting to the body member. The annular base has a plurality of spring fingers extending longitudinally away from the annular base, each one of the plurality of spring fingers includes a base end and a distal end. Each adjacent pair of the spring fingers define a longitudinal slit that is narrow enough to prevent inward flexure of the spring fingers beyond a point where the flexed spring finger contacts an adjacent spring finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Andrew Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Kooiman, Frank A. Harwath
  • Patent number: 6019640
    Abstract: The housing bore (5) is substantially widened in the shape of a step at its edge and the outside diameter (A) of a support plate is widened correspondingly. The contact surface (8) of the housing (2) is reduced in accordance with the step-shaped widened part (7) to form comparatively narrow annular surfaces. An advantage of this is that passive intermodulation can essentially be prevented by the reduction of the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Huber+Suhner AG
    Inventor: Roger Harri
  • Patent number: 5993230
    Abstract: An orientationless squib connector assembly (10) for automotive air bag assemblies is disclosed. A single initiator pin (24, 326) is provided axially aligned within a squib socket (12, 324). An annular ground plate (28, 328) surrounds and shunts to ground the initiator pin near the base of the socket. An associated connector (16, 202, 312, 410) includes a first, axially located terminal (64, 280, 314, 416) for electrical contact with the initiator pin and a second terminal (66, 282, 316, 418) comprising a depending leg or beam (110, 320) radially aligned with the first terminal for electrically contacting the ground plate at any rotational orientation of the connector with respect to the socket and for moving a part of the ground plate (28) out of electrical engagement with pin (24). Eliminating a required rotational orientation of the connector simplifies its manufacture and assembly and its incorporation into a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford K. Gauker, David J. Rhein, Scott J. Lapraik
  • Patent number: 5980326
    Abstract: A sealed bulkhead coaxial jack (100) that includes a shell (200), a front dielectric (300), a rear dielectric (400) having a projection ring (404), a front seal (500), a contact (600), and a pin (700). The shell (200) has a metal cylindrical sidewall (201) with the sidewall (201) having retaining lips (204,205). The front dielectric (300) fits snugly within the front shell portion (202) and is constructed of a cylindrical sidewall (301), a front face (302) having an opening (302a) therethrough, and an open rear end. The rear dielectric (400) is a generally solid cylinder block (401) having a passage therethrough. The rear dielectric (400) has a projection ring (404) that encircles and extends away from its outer surface, providing an internal seal for the jack. The front seal (500) is positioned in the front opening (204a) of the shell between the front retaining lip (204) and the front face (302) of the front dielectric (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin E. Weidner, John Timothy Lippert
  • Patent number: 5971811
    Abstract: In a shielded connector adapted to be directly attached to an apparatus, contact pieces bendingly project from a metal shell which is attached to a connector housing and surrounds a terminal housing portion. An elastic contact portion is disposed in each of the contact pieces. When a flange of the connector housing is attached to an electric apparatus, the elastic contact portion is compressively deformed in an elastic deformation amount range so as to be pressingly contacted with an electrically conductive casing of the electric apparatus, whereby the contact pressure between the contact pieces and the casing is held.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Mori, Nobuaki Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5971810
    Abstract: A male connector and mating female connector for use in a cordless electric water beating jug. The male connector has a cup-shaped body with an open base within which are located a central pin terminal and two concentric annular terminals. The body of the female connector is dimensioned to fit within the male connector and has openings to receive the pin terminal and the inner annular terminal so that they may engage two female terminals. A further female terminal projects from the side wall of the female connector for engagement with the outer annular male terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Strix Limited
    Inventor: John Crawshaw Taylor