By Key Or Guideway Patents (Class 439/680)
  • Patent number: 7435112
    Abstract: An electrical connector having a mechanical mating cycle limitation that renders the connector inoperable after a predetermined number of mating cycles is disclosed. The electrical connector includes a rotating component that rotates within the connector for the predetermined number of mating cycles until the rotating component is prohibited from further rotation, which prevents the connector from further mating, thereby rendering the connector inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, William David Irwin, Lawrence John Brekosky
  • Patent number: 7435138
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulated housing (1) having a base (10) a plurality of conductive terminals (2) retained in the housing and a shielding member (3) assembled on the housing. The base extends along a longitudinal direction and defines a latching hole (16) recessed at one of lengthwise ends of thereof. The shielding member has a latching portion (34) extending along a mating direction of the electrical connector perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so as to be retained in said latching hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yan-Sheng Liu, Ren-Chih Li
  • Patent number: 7429197
    Abstract: An easily manufactured miniaturized connector in which a shoulder formed on each side of the plug portion cooperates with a cooperating sidewall bearing surface on each side of a recess in the receiver portion so that alignment of the plug with the receiver is automatically achieved as the plug is inserted into the receiver, thereby minimizing misalignment of terminals in the plug and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Monster Cable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jarret Weis, F. David LaRiviere
  • Patent number: 7422486
    Abstract: A connector is provided that facilitates an electrical connection between an electronic device and another device. The connector includes a base, a hollow sheath extending from the base, and a plurality of electrical connecting elements disposed and extending longitudinally within the sheath. The plurality of electrical connecting elements includes a first set of electrical connecting elements and a second set of electrical connecting elements, where the electrical connecting elements of the second set have a transverse cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the transverse cross-sectional dimension of electrical connecting elements of the first set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg M. Hoff, Dan Leeuw, Ed Poorman
  • Patent number: 7419399
    Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a nonconductive housing comprising a plug insertion opening extending therein, a latch projection extending outwardly from the opening, and an alignment slot proximate the plug insertion opening and partly defining the latch projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: James Christopher Yosler
  • Patent number: 7419406
    Abstract: A controller suitable for use in controlling components in a bathing unit is provided. The controller includes a controller body having a back surface and a front surface generally opposed to the back surface. The front surface includes a plurality of connector interfaces each being adapted for receiving a connector associated to a respective bathing unit component. A control circuit is positioned within the controller body for selectively providing electrical power to respective bathing unit components connected through the plurality of connector interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Brochu, Daniel Gaudreau, Pascal Recoura, Benoit Laflamme
  • Patent number: 7416428
    Abstract: A memory card connector includes an insulating housing having a top wall and two sidewalls and defining conductive terminal grooves and a switch terminal groove. One sidewall extends upward and then extends toward the other sidewall to define an anti-mismating portion having a transverse portion above the top wall and a vertical portion connecting with the transverse portion and the sidewall. A metallic shell coupling with the insulating housing to form a card cavity has two side sections. One side section extends rearward to form a touching portion. Conductive terminals received in the conductive terminal grooves have a base portion, a soldering portion and a contacting portion. A switch terminal assembled in the switch terminal groove has a main body extending rearward to form a resilient arm received in the card cavity. The resilient arm defines a contacting projection facing the touching portion and a pressing portion facing the inner of the card cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pei-Chiao Hung, Mei-Chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7410392
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having an array of compartments, and substantially identical signal contact assemblies arranged in sets, each including a pair of the signal contact assemblies arranged opposite first and second orientations, and selectively installed in a respective pair of compartments. One ground contact may form a signal-signal-ground pattern, while two ground contacts may form a signal-signal-ground-ground pattern. Additionally, an electrical connector assembly includes a housing having at least two substantially identical signal contact assemblies, one in a first orientation, another in a second orientation. At least one recess is formed within the signal contact assembly; and at least one protruding ridge extends from the signal contact assembly. The recesses of the signal contact assembly in the first orientation receive at least one of the protruding ridges in a second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David Stanley Szczesny, Robert Neil Whiteman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20080183241
    Abstract: An implantable connector for use with a neurological device and a lead extension includes a male connector having a plurality of electrical contacts axially arranged along the connector, insulated from each other. The connector also includes a female connector having one or more channels axially disposed therein and a plurality of conductors axially arranged on the female connector. The plurality of conductors are electrically insulated from each other, and at least one indexing element is disposed adjacent to one or more of the channels. The indexing element allows the male connector to be received into the one or more channels in a defined orientation relative to the channel, thereby forming at least two electrical connections along two or more axial positions. Often the neurological device is a brain stimulating and recording lead. The male and female connectors are often fastened together with a screw or by twist-locking the two members together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Cranial Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Purvis Bedenbaugh
  • Patent number: 7402086
    Abstract: A system including a plug device, configured to be reversibly operationally plugged into a socket of a standard configuration, and a socket device, configured with at least one restriction structure that prevents a plug that is configured according to the standard configuration from being operationally plugged into the socket device. The plug device is configured with a respective accommodating structure to be reversibly operationally plugged into the socket device despite the restriction structure. The scope of the invention also includes a method of digital rights management by configuring a media player with the socket device of the present invention to connect to a media carrier configured with the plug device of the present invention, thereby allowing only the media carrier configured with the plug of the present invention to download data to this media player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sanbisk Il Ltd
    Inventors: Itzhak Pomerantz, Tavi Salomon
  • Patent number: 7396260
    Abstract: Aspects for easing the attachment of a peripheral cable to a personal computer (PC) include providing a connector with a symmetric shape that supports multiple orientations of cable attachment to a PC. An orientation of insertion is identified when the connector is attached to the PC, and signal lines from the connector are rearranged based on the identified orientation of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Tomasz Franciszek Wilk
  • Patent number: 7396259
    Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle housing is provided that includes protrusions in the housing's contact assembly receiving area. The location of each protrusion corresponds to a location of a well formed in a contact assembly between dual beams of ground contacts. When the contact block is received in the housing, each protrusion is received in a corresponding well. The protrusions may be sized to provide a snug fit as the contact block is received in the receptacle housing. The protrusions thus help minimize the movement of the contact block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20080139051
    Abstract: A keying system to control a mating interface between a plurality of mating jacks and plugs in a coaxial telecommunications panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Louis Peters, David J. Johnsen, Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Duane R. Sand, M'hamed Anis Khemakhem
  • Patent number: 7381099
    Abstract: A door penetrating connector assembly for providing electrical connectivity through a perforated equipment rack door includes a first connector that includes first electrical contacts configured and disposed to fit through corresponding holes in the equipment rack door, and a second connector that includes second electrical contacts configured and disposed to receive and make electrical contact with the first electrical contacts, where the connectors are configured to inhibit electrical connection through the holes provided by the door, of the first and second electrical contacts if the connectors are disposed with an undesirable alignment relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Rohr, Gary Ware
  • Publication number: 20080124033
    Abstract: A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Gurreri, David D. Erdman, Bryan T. Edwards, Eric J. Hopkins, David R. Baechtle
  • Patent number: 7377821
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing defining a receiving space with an inserting port, a pair of guiding slot on two lateral sides of the receiving space and a plurality of first and second contact receiving channels, and a plurality of signal and power contacts respectively received in the first and the second contact receiving channels. The insulating housing has at least one protruding portion in front of the second contact receiving channel, a distance between the protruding portion and an opposed face of the insulating housing is narrow than a dimension of the guiding slot in a vertical direction to prevent a guiding post of a complementary connector from inserting into the second channel by mistake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Chen, Yu-Hua Mao, Wei Li
  • Patent number: 7377820
    Abstract: A terminal for preventing incorrect insertion into a housing and a method of correctly inserting a terminal into a housing of a connection. The terminal includes a frame that is adapted to be received into a cavity in the housing and a wire operatively connected to the frame. A protrusion, which extends from the frame, includes a leading side, a top side, and a trailing side. The protrusion is configured to only allow a desired orientation of the terminal when inserted into the cavity. The frame and protrusion are formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The method includes orienting the terminal such that a protrusion disposed on the terminal is aligned with a slot formed in a cavity in the housing and inserting the terminal into the cavity in the housing such that the protrusion passes through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: J.S.T. Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Osada, Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7371077
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) in the present invention comprises an insulative housing (100), a plurality contacts (100) received therein, a placement device (100) in shape of hollow case for positioning the chip module (3) onto the housing (2), wherein the placement (1) defines a number of deformable members (42) to engage with the chip module for simplifying the chip module (3) to be inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Yu-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7367325
    Abstract: A fuel feed apparatus is provided to a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member, a pump module, and an electric connector. The lid member plugs an opening of the fuel tank. The pump module is accommodated in the fuel tank for pumping fuel from the fuel tank. The electric connector is provided to the lid member. The electric connector includes at least one terminal and at least one sheath. The at least one terminal electrically connects with the pump module. The at least one sheath covers the at least one terminal partially on a side of the pump module. The at least one sheath has an outer periphery that is surrounded by a recess. The at least one sheath has an end on an opposite side of the pump module. The recess is concaved from the end of the at least one sheath toward the pump module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yukio Sakamoto, Takashi Akiba
  • Patent number: 7364471
    Abstract: A card connector into and from which at least one card is inserted and removed includes a plurality of contacts each having a contact portion adapted to contact the card, and a housing arranging and holding the contacts and having a fitting opening into which the card is inserted. The housing is provided with a terminal at one end in the width direction of the housing for achieving continuity between the card and a substrate and precluding the card from being erroneously inserted with its rear end or upside down, and the housing is further provided with a notch at a predetermined position for permitting part of the terminal to extend into the fitting opening. The card connector achieves its miniaturization and is able to prevent troubles caused by the electro-static discharge and an erroneous insertion of a card into the card connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: DDK, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Takahashi, Hitoshi Kikuchi, Hiromichi Kato, Kazunori Takei
  • Patent number: 7364472
    Abstract: A connector includes a seal member holder 20 having a second cylindrical wall 22 for fitting on an outer periphery of a first cylindrical wall 2, and a plurality of groove-like notches 25 and a plurality of engagement holes 27 are formed in the second cylindrical wall, and engagement convex portions 7 for engagement with the respective engagement holes are formed on the outer periphery of the first cylindrical wall. One (25A) of the notches 25 in the second cylindrical wall is larger in width than the other notches, and has a spreading fan-like shape when viewed in plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Kameyama, Noriko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7364464
    Abstract: An electrical connector for engaging with a mating connector comprising an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts in the housing and a metallic shell covering the insulative housing. The metallic shell comprises a frame with at least one tab arranged at the front edge of the frame, so as to properly guide the mating connector to prevent contact misalignment or short-circuit during the mating process. The insulative housing comprises a base portion defining a pair of concavities so as to minimize size. A spacer is mounted at a rear end of the housing to prevent the contacts from moving rearward during mating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Iino, Guo-Jian Shen
  • Patent number: 7354301
    Abstract: A DC adapter that can be housed in a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus selectively with a primary and secondary battery. The DC adapter is connected to an AC/DC converter and is inserted into a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus so as to supply the electronic apparatus with a DC power, wherein a substantially cylindrical adapter main body has an insertion limiting portion which is guided by an insertion guide portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the proper polarity, and comes into contact with the contact portion of the battery housing portion when the DC adapter is inserted into the battery housing portion with the reversed polarity so as to limit the insertion of the DC adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Noguchi, Masumi Iohara, Yuri Okumura, Yoichi Miyajima, Hideaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7354299
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a plug connector and a receptacle connector detachably fitted with each other. The plug connector comprises a plurality of coaxial cables, a flexible printed circuit board and a ground bar. Each of the coaxial cable has a center conductor, an insulator covering the center conductor, a braid as an external conductor covering the insulator, and a sheath covering the braid. The flexible printed circuit board has lands each connected to the center conductor of the coaxial cable and land portions to which the ground bar is connected. The grand bar has a main portion adapted to contact the braids of the coaxial cables, and fixed portions each positioned contiguously with the main portion and connected to the land portion. The electrical connector achieves the low height geometry of the plug connector and hence that of the receptacle connector and precludes any failed connection between the ground bar and the coaxial cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: DDK Ltd
    Inventors: Akio Yamada, Kato Hiromichi
  • Patent number: 7354317
    Abstract: A system and a method for keying lamps which involve a lamp keying device such as a keying device with at least one base protruding key being formed on the base and at least one support slot being formed in the lamp support receptacle, the at least one base protruding key detachably coupling with the at least one support slot; a keying device with at least one support protruding key being formed on the lamp support receptacle and at least one base slot being formed in the base, the at least one base slot detachably coupling with the at least one protruding support key; and a keying device with at least one base protruding key being formed on the base and at least one base slot being formed in the base, the keying device further having at least one complementary support protruding key being formed on the lamp support receptacle and at least one complementary support slot being formed in the lamp support receptacle, the at least one base protruding key detachably coupling with the at least one complementary sup
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ultraviolet Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Witham, Roberto E. Arance, Keith M. Crawford, Michael A. Pedersen, Michael A. Jacques
  • Patent number: 7341494
    Abstract: A low profile connector (1) includes an insulative housing (2) having an opening (221) surrounded by an upper wall (20), a lower wall (21), a pair of opposed side walls (23) and a back wall (24). A plurality of contacts (3) is assembled with the back wall for being fastened with the housing. The back wall defines at least one protrusion (25) extending into the opening. The protrusion is dissymmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shi-Yong Wang
  • Patent number: 7331827
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a female housing configured to include a first mating interface adapted to receive a second mating interface; a male housing configured to include the second mating interface; and at least one first anti-splay ferrule positioned at least one of the female housing and the male housing. An electrical connection is achieved when the first mating interface receives the second mating interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Christopher Gleissner, Kenneth Capozzi, Michael Andrew Hoyack, Gino Antonini, Hardik Parikh, Owen Barthelmes
  • Patent number: 7331826
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electric disk brake which enables an operation for wiring the harness to be easily conducted without the risk of lowering production efficiency. A caliper body-side connector 26 which, together with a harness-side connector 24 of a harness 23, forms a connector 25, is provided in a caliper body 3. In the caliper body-side connector 26, first to fourth lead-out terminals 30a to 30d connected to an electric portion for an electric motor are arranged in this order from a first side portion 20a towards a third side portion 20c of a cover 20. In the harness-side connector 24, a first set of first to fourth harness-side terminals and a second set of first to fourth harness-side terminals independently connected to the first to fourth lead-out terminals 30a to 30d are arranged in reverse order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Usui, Toshio Takayama, Masaru Sakuma
  • Patent number: 7329155
    Abstract: A keying system to control a mating interface between a plurality of mating jacks and plugs in a coaxial telecommunications panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Louis Peters, David J. Johnsen, Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Duane R. Sand, M'hamed Anis Khemakhem
  • Patent number: 7326090
    Abstract: Fixing device for two-part connectors for connecting electrical conductors, the device comprising a first bush (12) and a second bush (14) adapted to be mounted in respective bores in the two connector parts, the first and second bushes comprising complementary means for removably fixing the first bush to the second bush, including polarizer means (24, 26) for authorizing cooperation of the fixing means in only one predetermined angular position of the first and second bushes, the device being characterized in that the removable fixing means are quarter-turn fixing means (43, 44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Amphenol-Air LB
    Inventor: Gaspard Cayzac
  • Patent number: 7325976
    Abstract: A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael L. Gurreri, David D. Erdman, Bryan T. Edwards, Eric J. Hopkins, David R. Baechtle
  • Patent number: 7318755
    Abstract: The plug-in connection device consists of at least one plug part and one socket part, which can be connected together detachably. A plug insert or socket insert is accommodated in the respective part, wherein at least one of the inserts is configured for plug coding. Each insert exhibits electrical connecting devices which cannot be rotated relative to it. It can be inserted into the assigned part, rotationally fixed, in a number of rotational positions relative to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Sauer
  • Patent number: 7311558
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle defines a receptacle formation of a mating formation pair to prevent a standard plug from establishing electrical connection while permitting an otherwise standard plug defining a corresponding plug formation to be sufficiently inserted to establish an electrical connection. The mating formation pair may include a projection on the receptacle adapted for receipt by a corresponding recess on a compatible plug. Alternatively, the mating formation pair is defined by an opening of the receptacle and a conductor of the plug, each having a cross-sectional height that is reduced from that of a standard receptacle and plug. The mating formation pair is particularly desirable for installation including a receptacle controlled by a dimmer to prevent electrical connection by a standard plug connected to a non-dimmable electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Jason O. Adams, Robert Paul Stocker, Joel S. Spira, Robin C. Moseley, Robert C. Newman, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20070287336
    Abstract: Electrical connectors of the present invention include alignment guides that provide rough connector alignment, vary an electrical contact mating wipe distance, and provide partial separation between two mating electrical connectors. The alignment guides can be, for example, electrically insulative posts that are received in silos formed in the housings of the electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Buck, Donald K. Harper, Lee William Potteiger, John M. Spickler
  • Patent number: 7303445
    Abstract: A male connector (M) is provided with a receptacle (10) and a female connector (F) is provided with a housing (40) that can fit into the receptacle (10) from the front. Mounting grooves (18) are formed by recessing both side walls (16) of the receptacle (10) and fixing members (30) are mounted into the mounting grooves (18). The fixing members (30) are fixed to a circuit board (80) by soldering. Engaging projections (49) bulge out sideways from the opposite side surfaces of the housing (40). Engaging grooves (19) are recessed in the inner side surfaces of the both side walls (16) of the receptacle (10) at positions before the mounting grooves (18) and engage with the engaging projections (49) as the connectors (F, M) are connected to resist a tensile force acting when the housing (40) is pulled away from the circuit board (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignees: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakano, Kenji Okamura, Masahide Hio, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7297026
    Abstract: In a connector including a contact and a housing holding the contact, a shell is coupled with the housing. The housing has a coupling portion to be coupled with a mating connector in a first direction. The contact has a contacting portion disposed in the coupling portion. The shell includes an opening edge defining an opening faced to the coupling portion and a guide portion disposed in the coupling portion to guide movement of the mating connector in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Kentaro Toda, Yukitaka Tanaka, Daisuke Machihara, Hiroaki Kinoshita, Kazuomi Sato, Keiichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7270570
    Abstract: A stacked electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having an upper face opposite a mounting face and opposed sides between the upper face and the mounting face. The housing holds one row of contacts in a lower contact area between lower side sections of the housing. Two rows of contacts are held in an upper contact area. The housing includes an unshielded spacing section separating the upper and lower contact areas. A lower shield includes a shroud surrounding the lower contact area and side panels that cover the lower side sections of the housing. An upper shield includes a shroud that surrounds the upper contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Elof Hamner, Michael Warren Fogg, Eric Leonard Himelright, Justin Shane McClellan
  • Patent number: 7267585
    Abstract: Aspects for easing the attachment of a peripheral cable to a personal computer (PC) include providing a connector with a symmetric shape that supports multiple orientations of cable attachment to a PC. An orientation of insertion is identified when the connector is attached to the PC, and signal lines from the connector are rearranged based on the identified orientation of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Tomasz Franciszek Wilk
  • Publication number: 20070207680
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing defining a receiving space with an inserting port, a pair of guiding slot on two lateral sides of the receiving space and a plurality of first and second contact receiving channels, and a plurality of signal and power contacts respectively received in the first and the second contact receiving channels. The insulating housing has at least one protruding portion in front of the second contact receiving channel, a distance between the protruding portion and an opposed face of the insulating housing is narrow than a dimension of the guiding slot in a vertical direction to prevent a guiding post of a complementary connector from inserting into the second channel by mistake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ran Chen, Yu-Hua Mao, Wei Li
  • Publication number: 20070207679
    Abstract: In order to connect an electric PE contact with an electrically conductive connector housing, the invention proposes that the PE contact that is realized in the form of a pin or socket contact and arranged in a sleeve of an insulating supply insert is directly contacted with the connector housing and fixed by means of a screw connection. For this purpose, the contact features a thickening that is arranged between its mating region and the connecting region, wherein said thickening directly adjoins an elevated shoulder in the connector housing through an opening in the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventors: Stephan KLEINSCHMIDT, Marco Tadje
  • Patent number: 7264508
    Abstract: A shielded connector assembly has first and second housings (11, 31). The first housing (11) has a fitting space (17) formed with coupling ribs (16). A shielding shell (26) is in the fitting space (17) and has slits (27) that receive the coupling ribs (16). A preventing groove (29) is formed in a peripheral surface of a fitting space (17) and receives a projection (37) of the second housing (31) when the housings (11, 31) are connected properly. The preventing groove (29) is aligned with the slit (27) so that the slit (27) also receives the projection (37). Thus, it is unnecessary to form a separate notch to receive the projection (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Sakakura, Tetsuya Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 7261597
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) for accommodating an electrical device, and includes a shielding member (3), a terminal block positioned adjacent to the bottom of the shielding member (3), a number of terminals (2) received in the terminal block (1). The shielding member (3) includes a first wall (31), a second wall (32), a third wall (33) and a fourth wall (34) connecting with one another in turn, the terminal block (1) mainly extends along a first direction and is positioned adjacent to the bottom of the shielding member (3), the terminals (2) are assembled to the terminal block (1) and extends to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao-Chang Li
  • Patent number: 7258566
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a socket connector to couple electrical plugs to sockets mounted on circuit boards or cable ends. The socket connector includes a socket that receives an electrical plug and a socket silo. The silo may contain a beveled outer surface that receives a beveled face on the plug. The plug is held in the socket by latches disposed on the plug. The latches include pawls that fit within pawl receiving chambers in the socket and couple the plug to the socket. The latch and hinged section may rotate into a recessed section on the plug from an extended to a retracted position. A locking portion on the pawl and the receiving chamber may be angled to develop a desired pullout force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Spacelabs Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Koenig, William Wekell
  • Patent number: 7258493
    Abstract: A keying system for providing selective interconnection between a receptacle socket and a connector plug terminating an optic fibre, the connector plug adapted for insertion into the receptacle socket. The keying system comprises a raised boss configured to one of a plurality of predefined boss keying geometries and a cavity configured to one of a plurality of predefined cavity keying geometries. The boss is either in one of the receptacle socket or on a forward end of the connector plug and the cavity is formed in the other of the receptacle socket or the forward end of the connector plug. At least one of the predefined boss keying geometries matches at least one of the predefined cavity keying geometries. When the boss keying geometry matches the cavity keying geometry, the boss can be inserted into the cavity thereby interconnecting the connector plug with the receptacle socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Belden CDT (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Luc Milette
  • Patent number: 7258554
    Abstract: A foolproof structure for preventing incorrect insertion an interface module is a PCI-Express (PCI-E) interface structure having at least one module stand disposed in a casing and a corresponding fixing frame. The fixing frame includes a first structure corresponding to the module stand, and the module stand includes different interface cards for converting PCI-E signals into different telecommunication signals. A second structure is disposed in a connecting end of the motherboard in the casing. The first and second structures can be used for preventing a wrong connection between the interface card, module stand and motherboard, so as to avoid damages to the electronic components and assure the normal operation of the foregoing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Portwell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 7257886
    Abstract: Each of one or more devices to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides with insertion/extraction mechanisms. Each of a plurality of pairs of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains a respective set of rails upon attachment of the devices. The insertion/extraction mechanism includes one or more pivotable handles associated with each device for retaining the device with the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with electrostatic discharge ground pads on the substructure to discharge existing static charge from the device prior to electrical engagement between an electrical connector on the device and an electrical connector on the substructure. An apertured plate of the substructure includes a plurality of apertures through which the devices are inserted/extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Ronald E. Tupa, Daniel P. Fogelson
  • Patent number: 7255604
    Abstract: A resin body (2) cooperates with a cover (3) made of sheet metal to form a slot (5) into which a memory card (100) is to be inserted. The resin body has an erroneous card insertion preventing thickened portion (22) into which a core member (24) made of a material that is higher in strength than the resin forming the body is embedded. The thickened portion (22) is positioned in an erroneous insertion preventing notch region of the memory card (100) that is to be inserted in a card attachment position of the slot (5) in a normal insertion posture, and is to butt against an insertion end face of the memory card (100) that is erroneously inserted in a posture different from the normal insertion posture, to block the insertion of the memory card (100) to a card set position. An end face (25) of the core member (24) is protruded from an end face (23) of the thickened portion (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Tanaka, Yasuo Nakai
  • Patent number: 7252549
    Abstract: A connector includes a receptacle 1 to be mounted on a substrate 11 and a plug 5 adapted to be connected to the receptacle 1. The receptacle 1 has a shield case 2 provided with connection terminals 31 therein, and the plug 5 has a shield case 6 provided with connection terminals 71 therein. The shield case 6 of the plug 5 is adapted to be inserted into the shield case 2 of the receptacle 1 when the plug 5 is connected to the receptacle 1, at which the connection terminals 71 of the plug 5 are electrically connected to the connection terminals 31 of the receptacle 1. A tongue portion 23 is provided on a bottom surface of the shield case 2 of the receptacle 1 and a recess 63 is formed on a bottom surface 61 of the shield case 6 of the plug 5 so that the tongue portion 23 is fitted into the recess 63 when the plug 5 is connected to the receptacle 1, which serve as an erroneous insertion preventing and guiding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Nishio, Takashi Kawasaki, Masashi Ouchi, Takahiro Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 7252550
    Abstract: A connector whose guide sections are hardly damaged by a mating connector even if it is inserted into in a prying manner. A housing is formed with a receiving hole for receiving a plug-side connector, and two guide sections at opposite ends of the receiving hole in a contact arrangement direction, for guiding the plug-side connector in a fitting direction. A shell made of a metal plate is comprised of a first covering section that covers a first outer surface of the housing, substantially parallel to the contact arrangement direction, a second covering section that covers a second outer surface of the housing, substantially parallel to the contact arrangement direction, and two connecting sections that connect the first covering section and the second covering section, and covers opposite ends of a front of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited
    Inventors: Takahiro Yamaji, Kazukuni Hisatomi
  • Publication number: 20070155252
    Abstract: The invention proposes a one-piece holding frame of plastic for a plug-type connector, in which several connector modules are arranged adjacent to one another, wherein several wall segments with window-like openings are formed in the collar-shaped mating side of said holding frame by means of slots. Two wall segments that lie opposite of one another respectively form a receptacle for one connector module, wherein projections arranged on the connector modules snap into the openings of the holding frame when the connector modules are inserted into the holding frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventor: ALBERT FERDERER