User Adjustable Key Or Guideway Patents (Class 439/681)
  • Patent number: 11503724
    Abstract: An AC trunk cable assembly and a system for coupling AC power to a power grid. In one embodiment, the AC trunk cable assembly comprises an AC trunk cable that (i) comprises at least two wires for carrying AC voltage phases, and (ii) does not have a ground wire; and a plurality of AC trunk splice connectors, spaced along the AC trunk cable, for coupling to a plurality of inverters in a one-to-one-correspondence, wherein each AC trunk splice connector of the plurality of AC trunk splice connectors comprises at least two phase-line conductors for coupling AC power from the corresponding inverter to the at least two wires of the AC trunk cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Linderman
  • Patent number: 11228139
    Abstract: A plug connector of an electrical plug connection, the electrical plug connection including a mating connector to which the plug connector can be plugged in a plug-in direction. The plug connector has a housing and electrical plug contacts, which are arranged at least partially in the housing and are arranged side by side in a series direction. A first housing wall of the housing, which is arranged parallel to a plane spanned by the plug-in direction and the series direction, adjoins a second housing wall. The normal of the second housing wall points approximately in the plug-in direction and is arranged at an angle to the first housing wall. A third housing wall adjoins the second housing wall. Some of the housing walls may include fastening elements formed as grooves or recesses by which functional elements, such as latches or coding elements, may be attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Mastel, Marcel Pahl, Henning Meier, Philipp Ober-Woerder
  • Patent number: 11189969
    Abstract: A plug-in connector system includes: a first plug-in connector part and a second plug-in connector part, which are connectable to one another in a plug-in manner along a plug-in direction; and an encoding device having a first encoding part connectable to the first plug-in connector part and a second encoding part connectable to the second plug-in connector part. The first encoding part and the second encoding part are arrangeable together on the second plug-in connector in a pre-assembly position and the first encoding part is connectable with the first plug-in connector part during connecting of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part and to remain on the first plug-in connector part during detaching of the first plug-in connector part and the second plug-in connector part from each other. One of the second plug-in connector part and the second encoding part has a locking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Joerg Soefker
  • Patent number: 11031708
    Abstract: A board edge connector is provided. The board edge connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals and a metal keycap. The insulating housing includes a board edge slot and at least one key integrally configured in the board edge slot. The key includes a top portion and two surfaces opposite to each other. A plate body receiving portion is provided alongside each of the two surfaces of the key. The plate body receiving portion includes a holding recess. The metal keycap includes plate bodies respectively received in the two-plate body receiving portions and an elastic holding arm positioned on at least one side of the plate body. The elastic holding arm latches to the holding recess of the plate body receiving portion. Therefore, the metal keycap can protect and prevent the key from being damaged or generating debris due to hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventor: Chien-Ching Teh
  • Patent number: 11005207
    Abstract: A plug-and-socket connector for an electrical plug-and-socket connection that has the plug-and-socket connector and a mating connector associated with the plug-and-socket connector as a mating part to which the plug-and-socket connector can be attached in a plug-in direction, wherein the plug-and-socket connector has a housing and multiple electrical plug-in contacts that are arranged at least partially in the housing and that are arranged side by side in a row direction, wherein a first housing wall of the housing, which is arranged parallel to a plane spanned by the plug-in direction and the row direction, adjoins a second housing wall of the housing, which faces in the plug-in direction and is arranged at an angle to the first housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: WAGO Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Mastel, Marcel Pahl, Henning Meier, Philipp Ober-Woerder
  • Patent number: 10866369
    Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for removing debris from an end surface of a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connectors may be a Multi Push On (MPO) or Mechanical Transfer (MT). The end surface may have a one or more ferrules with a fiber optic glass cable. The cleaning device includes a housing with a first end open to a gel that adheres to debris. A second end of the housing may be releasably attached to a protrusion or handle to insert and remove the device from an adapter receptacle. The handle may be replaced with a plug frame and protrusion so the device may be inserted into the receptacle of the adapter. The device may be placed over the end surface of the fiber optic connector that is not inserted into an adapter receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Senko Advanced Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takano, Jimmy Jun-Fu Chang
  • Patent number: 10840640
    Abstract: A pluggable connector includes a housing, a handle, a rotating assembly, and a sliding block. The housing has a fastening portion disposed on a top surface of the housing. The handle has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion passes through the housing and is located inside the housing, and the second end portion is located outside the housing. The rotating assembly is rotatably disposed in the housing and coupled to the first end portion of the handle. The sliding block is movably disposed on the top surface of the housing and adjacent to the fastening portion. When a force is exerted to the second end portion of the handle, the first end portion of the handle drives the rotating assembly to push the sliding block, so that the sliding block is moved toward the fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Optoway Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Te-Shu Yu
  • Patent number: 10790609
    Abstract: A system includes a housing having multiple slots. The system also includes multiple adaptor modules each configured to be inserted into one of the slots and perform at least one function related to an associated input or output signal. For each slot-adaptor module pair, the slot includes one of a key and a receptacle configured to receive the key, and the adaptor module includes the other of the key and the receptacle. Each key fits into the receptacle associated with one type of adaptor module and cannot fit into the receptacles associated with other types of adaptor modules. Each receptacle accepts the key associated with one type of adaptor module and cannot accept the keys associated with other types of adaptor modules. Each of at least one of the keys and the receptacles is rotatable to achieve one of multiple different orientations. Different ones of the keys have different cross-sectional shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dawa Pakimo, Vishwanath Balakrishna, Hemanth Vijaykumar, Karma Bhutia, Shripurnabodh Deshpande, Jaison Cherian, Chandrashekar Thayumanavan, Dinesh Kumar KN
  • Patent number: 10631428
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a hardware adapter device are described herein. One device includes housing, a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCBs) housed by the housing, where each of the plurality of PCBs include traces, and a switch to select a bus address corresponding to the hardware adapter device, where the housing receives an input/output (I/O) module such that the traces of the PCBs provide an electrical path from a wiring baseboard to the I/O module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Zheng, Xiaohui Qin, Xinyan Zheng, Li Chen, Qingyong Zhang, Qian Liu, Cary Leen, Roy Kolasa, Andrew Halford
  • Patent number: 10439309
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a body, multiple terminals and a shell. The body includes a mating cavity defined by a top plate, a bottom plate and two side plates. The top plate and the bottom plate are respectively provided with multiple accommodating grooves, which include a wider first accommodating groove and a narrower second accommodating groove. Each terminal has an elastic portion accommodated in a corresponding accommodating groove. A first clearance is provided between the elastic portion and a side of the first accommodating groove close to the corresponding side plate. A second clearance is provided between the elastic portion and a side of the second accommodating groove close to the first accommodating groove. The first clearance is greater than the second clearance The shell has a top wall and two side walls. A mating port being defined by the front ends thereof is larger than the mating cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: LOTES CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ted Ju, Jun Wang, Yong Quan Wu
  • Patent number: 10424879
    Abstract: Hybrid plug connectors are provided for connecting different electronic modules to insulators arranged in an outer casing and for receiving a power conductor transmitting a power supply and a shielded data conductor for data transmission for transmitting signals/data of an industrial bus, such as ISA, ethernet or similar, wherein the power conductor has at least two power lines and the data conductor has at least one data line, wherein the power lines and the data lines are guided in contact parts designed as plugs or sockets and can be coupled via these contacts parts, and wherein the outer casings of the pair-type hybrid plug connectors can be joined inside one another for interlocking coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignees: BECKHOFF AUTOMATION GMBH, CONEC ELEKTRONISCHE BAUELEMENTE GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Vogel, Thomas Rettig, Dirk Bechtel, Werner Schmidt, Christian Schramm
  • Patent number: 10211562
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a cover, an electrical connector, and a connecting member connecting the cover and with the electrical connector. A method of assembling an electrical connector assembly includes providing a cover, providing a connecting member, providing an electrical connector, connecting the electrical connector with the connecting member to form an intermediate assembly, and connecting the intermediate assembly with the cover. Connecting the intermediate assembly with the cover may include disposing a first flange of the connecting member in a recess or groove of the cover and disposing a second flange of the connecting member at least partially between opposing axial faces of the cover and the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Fisher
  • Patent number: 9847588
    Abstract: A system for connecting superconducting tapes in a superconducting fault current limiter (SCFCL) system is disclosed. The novel connector system allows two superconducting tapes to be installed in a single opening in a connector stack. This reduced the height of the connector stack by nearly 50%, making the SCFCL system more efficient and smaller in volume. In one embodiment, each connector has a recessed portion on both the top and bottom surfaces, such that when stacked on another connector, the recessed portions align, forming a larger opening. In another embodiment, the connector has a single recessed portion that can accommodate two superconducting tapes. The superconducting tapes may be disposed in a protective sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Semaan Y. Fersan
  • Patent number: 9825459
    Abstract: An electrical coupling device, such as a surge protector for a rail or other conductive structure, includes a pair of terminals, and a jumper for selectively electrically coupling and decoupling the terminals. Movement of the jumper may expose part of the jumper or one or both of the terminals, such as for use as a test point. A surge module with one or more surge protection features may fit into a base that includes the terminal and the jumper. The module may have an interface feature, such as a protruding post, that prevents engagement with the base if the base is not properly engaged with the rail or other structure. In one embodiment, a threaded rod may serve as the jumper and in one position electrically couples the terminals and in another position electrically decouples the terminals and one end of the threaded rod becomes exposed for use as a test point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ernest Richard-Dean Buehman, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Daniel Watson, Daniel A. Pfaff, Thomas R. Bockstoce
  • Patent number: 9763342
    Abstract: Cable retention assemblies for use with head mounted displays are disclosed herein. In various embodiments, a head mounted display has a front display module containing a circuit board operatively coupled to the displays and having a first connector. A connection cable with a second connector is releasably connected to the first connector. A cable retention assembly attached to the front display module adjacent to the first connector has a cable receptacle releasably engaging the second connector and retaining the second connector in a substantially fix position relative to the first connector to substantially isolate the first connector from axial or torsional loads applied to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventors: Clare Regimbal Long, Ryan Hamilton Brown, Matthew James Devoe, Rong Xu
  • Patent number: 9716343
    Abstract: The arrangement includes at least one modular part of a first type (60), at least one modular part of a second type (60?), an adjustable coding (10, 10?), which has coding settings, which allow or prevent a joining together of the modular parts, and a holding appliance (62-64, 62?-64?) for holding one modular part on the other modular part when these are joined together. Coding elements (10, 10?) are provided, which in each case are received in a receiving space (51, 51?) formed in the modular part of the first or second type (50, 50?, 60, 60?) and which in each case have a projection (31, 31?) projecting out of the receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SELECTRON SYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Robert Wess, Werner Hunziker
  • Patent number: 9548562
    Abstract: An apparatus with a specific connector configuration is disclosed. A system that includes the connector configuration of the apparatus is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a first connector having a first guide pin insertable into a first guide socket of a first mating connector. The first guide pin is blocked from being inserted into a second guide socket of a second mating connector. The second guide socket has a different shape than the first guide socket. The apparatus includes a second connector having a second guide pin with a different shape than the first guide pin. The second guide pin is insertable into the first guide socket of the first mating connector and insertable into the second guide socket of the second mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: David J. Jensen, William G. Holland, Brian Kerrigan, Robert M. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 9537235
    Abstract: Configurable guide hardware is provided for aligning two associated connectors that are mounted on different circuit cards. The guide hardware includes a guide receptacle that is mounted to one of the circuit cards. The guide receptacle includes a housing that defines a channel and a keyway ring that is held in the channel. The guide receptacle is configured to receive a pin of a guide plug in the channel through a central opening of the keyway ring. The keyway ring includes a receptacle keying feature along an inner perimeter. The keyway ring is selectively positionable to locate the receptacle keying feature in multiple pre-defined angular orientations relative to the housing. The pin of the guide plug may also be selectively positionable in multiple pre-defined angular orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Tsang, Matthew Richard McAlonis, Chong Hun Yi, Kyle Gary Annis, Kevin Michael Thackston, Dustin Carson Belack
  • Patent number: 9255828
    Abstract: A cable assembly for coupling a transducer includes a plug body having a nose section with a nose end, a tail section with a tail end opposite the nose end; and a cable restraining feature disposed proximal the tail end. In addition, the cable assembly includes a cable having a first end, a second end, a signal conductor, and a pliable fixing member. A portion of the pliable fixing member is disposed in the cable restraining feature and extends at least partially around the plug body to limit the movement of the first end of the cable relative to the plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DANIEL MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Charles Robert Allen
  • Patent number: 9225117
    Abstract: An exemplary field device connection unit includes a base plate on which a plurality of connection elements for connection of connecting lines with field devices and a plurality of module slots for receiving in each case one plug-in unit of different plug-in unit types. To avoid erroneous configurations, an identical type coding is assigned to the plug-in units of the same plug-in unit type, which identical type coding is formed by a plurality of wedge-shaped code elements which are anchored rigidly in the plug-in unit, and a plurality of wedge-shaped code elements are assigned to each module slot, which wedge-shaped code elements are mounted moveably about a rotary spindle between two opposite stops and whose wedge tips are oriented, in an initial rest position, centrally between the stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Peter Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 9166341
    Abstract: A mounting frame is proposed for a system for preventing mating errors between electrical connectors, which mounting frame surrounds the connector at least on the plug side, wherein at least one coding element is held in the mounting frame. The coding element can rotate about its longitudinal axis and can be fixed in various radial positions in a front holding frame, wherein the front holding frame together with a rear securing frame forms the mounting frame. The coding element only interacts with a coding element on the mating connector to be connected when two connectors are being mated in a correspondingly correct position in the mounting frame, thus allowing the connectors to be mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HARTING ELECTRONICS GMBH
    Inventors: Yingtao Wang, Longfei Wang
  • Patent number: 9072160
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electronic device and a dock. The electronic device includes a first body, an insertion connector for connecting the first body, a second body connected to the insertion connector and physically connected/disconnected to/from the first body via the insertion connector by inserting the first body into the insertion connector or pulling the first body out of the insertion connector, a lock means having a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the first body is securely connected to the insertion connector and cannot be physically pulled out of and disconnected from the insertion connector when the lock means is in the locked state and the first body is insecurely connected to the insertion connecter and can be physically pulled out of and disconnected from the insertion connector when the lock means is in the unlocked state, and a rotation means physically connected to the lock means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventors: Chunfeng Yuan, Xiaosong Xia, Zhifeng Xin
  • Patent number: 8951074
    Abstract: A plug and socket assembly comprising (i) a socket that includes a mating means disposed thereon, and an electrical contact on the socket, and (ii) a plug that includes a matching means for mating with the mating means disposed on the socket, and a conducting terminal for coupling electrically to the electrical contact on the socket. The matching means is configured to be adjustable between a compatible mode and an incompatible mode. When in the compatible mode, the matching means allows the electrical contact to contact the conducting terminal, and when in the incompatible mode, the matching means substantially prevents the electrical contact from contacting the conducting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Didier Severac
  • Publication number: 20150031247
    Abstract: A connector system, keying member and method for electrically connecting a post to a connector. The system includes a terminal post, a connector and a keying member. The connector has a housing body with a post receiving passage for receiving the terminal post therein. The housing body has a keying member receiving recesses provided proximate a first end of the post receiving passage. A keying member is positioned on the terminal post and maintained thereon. The keying member is configured to be positioned in the keying member receiving recesses when the connector is properly inserted onto the terminal post. The keying member prevents the mating of an improper connector onto a respective post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: John Louis MCKIBBEN
  • Publication number: 20150017842
    Abstract: An exemplary field device connection unit includes a base plate on which a plurality of connection elements for connection of connecting lines with field devices and a plurality of module slots for receiving in each case one plug-in unit of different plug-in unit types. To avoid erroneous configurations, an identical type coding is assigned to the plug-in units of the same plug-in unit type, which identical type coding is formed by a plurality of wedge-shaped code elements which are anchored rigidly in the plug-in unit, and a plurality of wedge-shaped code elements are assigned to each module slot, which wedge-shaped code elements are mounted moveably about a rotary spindle between two opposite stops and whose wedge tips are oriented, in an initial rest position, centrally between the stops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Peter JACOBSSON
  • Patent number: 8911263
    Abstract: A connection assembly includes a first connector and a second connector, each with a housing extending along an axis and having a connection face, being connected together via their connection faces. Also included is, at least, one coupled-together pair of polarizing keys, each key being of elongate shape along an axis and projecting from one of the housings beyond its connection face. Each key includes at each one of its ends a portion with a peripheral surface that is provided with at least one projecting and/or hollow shape. Each end portion of one of the two keys is adapted to engage via complementary shapes with a single end portion of the other of the two keys along their coinciding axes and in only one relative angular position between them. Each polarizing key is fastened via one of its end portions to the housing of one of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Radiall
    Inventor: Patrice Becavin
  • Patent number: 8894439
    Abstract: A capacitivly coupled flat conductor connector provided with a male connector body and a female connector body. An alignment insert is coupled to the male connector body, the alignment insert dimensioned to support a predefined length of an inner conductor. An alignment receptacle coupled to the female connector body, the alignment receptacle dimensioned to receive a connector end of the alignment insert to seat an overlapping portion of an inner conductor and an inner conductor trace parallel with one another against opposite sides of a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, Jeffrey D Paynter, Frank Harwath, Jonathon C. Veihl
  • Patent number: 8876549
    Abstract: A capacitively coupled flat conductor connector is provided with a male connector body and a female connector body. An alignment insert is coupled to the male connector body, the alignment insert dimensioned to support a predefined length of an inner conductor. An alignment receptacle is coupled to the female connector body, the alignment receptacle dimensioned to receive a connector end of the alignment insert to seat an overlapping portion of an inner conductor and an inner conductor trace parallel with one another against opposite sides of a dielectric spacer. An outer conductor dielectric spacer isolates the contacting elements of the outer conductor signal path between the male and female connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, Jeffrey D Paynter, James P Flemming, Frank A. Harwath
  • Publication number: 20140065891
    Abstract: A mounting frame is proposed for a system for preventing mating errors between electrical connectors, which mounting frame surrounds the connector at least on the plug side, wherein at least one coding element is held in the mounting frame. The coding element can rotate about its longitudinal axis and can be fixed in various radial positions in a front holding frame, wherein the front holding frame together with a rear securing frame forms the mounting frame. The coding element only interacts with a coding element on the mating connector to be connected when two connectors are being mated in a correspondingly correct position in the mounting frame, thus allowing the connectors to be mated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HARTING ELECTRONICS GMBH
    Inventors: Yingtao Wang, Longfei Wang
  • Patent number: 8337240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to high-current plug-in connectors, in particular to unipolar high-current plug-in connectors for wind turbine generator systems, which can be arranged beside one another in a space-saving manner and can also meet high requirements on the current-carrying capacity. According to the invention, this is achieved in that cross-sections of which the longitudinal extent exceeds the transverse extent are selected for the plug-in and coupling contact. This means that the dimension in the transverse direction can be restricted and simultaneously the cable cross-section and the contact surface required from an electrical point of view are provided by the increased longitudinal extent. Moreover, the plug and the coupling comprise a visible mechanical coding, which prevents accidental reversal of the polarity of adjacently arranged cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Feldmeier, Horst Braun, Zoltan Lampert, Thomas Schnurpfeil
  • Patent number: 8251754
    Abstract: A power connector includes an insulative housing, a power contact retained in the insulative housing, a locking member formed on the insulative housing and a key member. The key member includes a retaining portion fixed in the insulative housing and a protrusion extending along a lengthwise direction of the insulative housing. The locking member locks the key member in a mounting hole of the insulative housing. The locking member includes a locking arm. The locking arm is accessible from outside of the insulative housing to thereby release the key member from the insulative housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Ltd
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Tai, Zhi-Qiang Rong
  • Publication number: 20120196490
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a connector, having a rear side and a mating side and including a housing having at least one contact receiving space and at least one non-contact receiving space, the spaces extending in a direction from the mating side towards the rear side. The non-contact receiving space is adapted for receiving a portion of a mating connector housing and has a substantially rounded cross sectional shape substantially perpendicular to the direction from the mating side towards the rear side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Roland Tristan DE BLIECK, Gert DROESBEKE, Thierry GOOSSENS, Peter POORTER
  • Patent number: 8172583
    Abstract: A distributor arrangement for electrical lines, having a housing and a multiplicity of sockets, situated on the housing and each having a contact carrier that has two or more electrical contact elements and an angle encoding feature for inserting plugs in an orientation determined by the angular position of the encoding elements. The distributor arrangement also has a motherboard arranged in the housing and having printed conductors to which the electrical contact elements are connected in an electrically conductive manner by an electrical connecting element. An electrical connecting member, in the form of a connecting board, is associated with the motherboard in one of a multiplicity of preselectable angular positions by the electrical connecting elements located at different radial distances from a center, each connecting element being connected in an electrically conductive manner to one of a plurality of contact sites situated on a circular arc about the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Escha Bauelemente GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8070533
    Abstract: A power connector includes an insulative housing, a power contact retained in the insulative housing and a key member. The insulative housing defines a receiving chamber recessed from a mating face and a rear portion located at the rear of the receiving chamber. The rear portion defines a mounting hole in communication with the receiving chamber and a first locking arm having a first hook protruding into the mounting hole. The first hook is lockable with the key member in order to prevent the key member from withdrawing from the mounting hole. The key member further defines a slit through which the first hook is forwardly exposed to an exterior. As a result, a tool can be inserted into the slit to push the first hook so as to unlock the first locking arm with the key member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Alltop Electronics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hung-Chi Tai, Zhi-Qiang Rong
  • Patent number: 8052460
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a receiving connector and an insert connector. The receiving connector includes a main body and a locating plate movably attached to the main body. The main body is provided with a first flange. The locating plate is provided with a second flange formed thereon. The first flange and the second flange are spaced from each other. The insert connector includes a base and a fixing plate formed on the base. The fixing plate has a particular width and is positioned between the first flange and the second flange. The locating plate is slidable on the main body between different positions to regulate a gap defined between the first flange and the second flange, to cause the receiving connector to be able to match with the insert connector having the fixing plate of the particular width or other width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xian-Xiu Tang, Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Patent number: 8025536
    Abstract: A polarized shell for preventing mis-mating of a first coaxial connector comprising the polarized shell and a second coaxial connector is provided. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the polarized shell can comprise an external wall, and internal wall, and two or more polarizing members circumferentially spaced apart on one of the external wall and the internal wall. A coaxial connector for preventing mis-mating is also provided. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the coaxial connector can comprise a body and a polarized shell within the body. The polarized shell can comprise an external wall, an internal wall, and two or more polarizing members circumferentially spaced apart on one of the external wall and the internal wall. A system for preventing mis-mating is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Distinct Intuitive Designs, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Kelly
  • Patent number: 7963808
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus is configured to be provided with a communication line socket provided on a backside surface of a casing of the electronic apparatus, metallic terminals provided in the communication line socket, and abutment sections each of which is provided in the vicinity of the communication line socket, and is given a predetermined height from the metallic terminals in an insertion direction of the communication line socket. By virtue of the above configuration, even if it is tried to insert a wrong plug into the communication line socket by mistake, the wrong plug abuts against the abutment sections, and the insertion is stopped on the way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tomofumi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7892043
    Abstract: Key assemblies to mechanically key pluggable-module sockets are described. A disclosed example key assembly includes a key having a shaft, a first radial protrusion extending from the shaft and an annular guide surface on the shaft; and a key base having a plurality of fingers defining a plurality of radial slots and an opening to receive at least a portion of the shaft, wherein at least one of the fingers is to engage the annular guide surface to enable the key to rotate to a set position, and wherein the first radial protrusion is to engage one of the slots to rotationally hold the key in a set position when the at least one of the fingers forced out of engagement with the annular guide surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fisher-Rosemount Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Jacob Orand, Darryl David Daniel, Glen Eric Biron
  • Patent number: 7892042
    Abstract: A connector is provided for terminating an end portion of a cable that includes a conductor. The connector includes a housing and a contact held by the housing. The contact is configured to be connected to the conductor of the cable. A keying member is rotatably held by the housing. The keying member is configured to cooperate with a keying element of a mating connector that mates with the connector. The keying member is movable about the housing such that the keying member is rotatably positioned to align with the keying element of the mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael John Spicer, Daniel Eugene Stahl, Stephen Daniel Gherardini, Keith Edwin Miller, John Kevin Knoll
  • Patent number: 7867033
    Abstract: A branch connector located at a position where a branch line is connectedly branched from a main line constituting a communication circuit, comprising: inside a connector housing thereof, one or a plurality of bus bars each having a joint part long and narrow and a plurality of electric wire connection terminal parts projected by spacing said electric wire connection terminal parts at a certain interval from said joint part in a longitudinal direction thereof; a plurality of cylindrical insulation parts each having a hollow portion through which one of said electric wire connection terminal parts is inserted; and a plurality of filter materials each of which is made of a conductive magnetic material and fitted on one of said cylindrical insulation parts to prevent each of said filter materials and said corresponding electric wire connection terminal part from contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd, Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Kumagai, Toshiyasu Tsubouchi
  • Patent number: 7837478
    Abstract: An electrical socket connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a general flat base (11) with a mating surface (11a) adapted to face a chip package (3), and a mounting surface (11b) adapted to face a printed circuit board. The base includes a peripheral wall (102) extending from edges thereof. A plurality of passageways (12) extends from the mating interface toward the mounting interface, with a plurality of terminals each inserted into the passageways from the mating interface to the mounting interface. A detachable aligning key (2) is assembled to the insulative housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Fan
  • Patent number: 7811095
    Abstract: A socket connector is provided for accommodating different sizes of chips and a printed circuit board and includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts embedded in the housing. The housing includes a conductive region and a margin region around the conductive region, and defines a supporting surface and a mounting surface opposite to the supporting surface. A number of passageways for accommodated the contacts extending through the isulative housing. Sidewalls extend upwardly from the margin region with a plurality of location blocks extending to the conductive region. The location blocks and the sidewalls are unitarily formed. A number of engaging grooves are defined in the margin region for assembling a number of aligning keys can be assembled to the respond engaging grooves for accommodating different sizes of chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Wei Fan
  • Publication number: 20100130070
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a rugged, polarized connector or adaptor with interlocking end tabs and notches for polarizing a jack to a specific plug, and in one specific embodiment, a QMA-type RF connector where a rugged spanner nut and a rugged jack casing are used to reinforce the mating connector ends. The connector also includes tabs and mating notches on the spanner nut and the jack casing to polarize the connectors without creating a weakness in the rugged connection. A series of tab orientations is illustrated, a method for grounding the spanner nut to the connector, and a method of using the rugged and polarized interface on any type of connector or as part of a connector adaptor or add-on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Emad S. Isaac, Daniel A. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7661995
    Abstract: A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hypertronics Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco A. Nania, Christopher Coughlan, Arnold S. Feinberg, Thomas H. Kannally, Jr., Vadim L. Radunsky
  • Patent number: 7491092
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) include an insulating housing, one row of contact disposed in the housing, a key (6) and a position member (67). The housing defines an elongated slot (12) extending longitudinally along a first direction while communicating with an exterior in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The key is inserted into the slot in the second direction and the position member encounters the key in a third direction to prevent the key from fall off in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian-Kuang Zhu, Wan-Qin Ji
  • Patent number: 7442093
    Abstract: A card edge connector is adapted for connecting a card to a mother board, includes a housing made from insulating material. The housing includes a slot for receiving the card, a retaining hole communicating with the slot and a plurality of conductive contacts received in the housing. A metallic key is received in the retaining hole discretely and have a recess thereof. A retaining section includes a body portion received in the recess of the key and a leg to connect with the mother board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hua Li, Xiao-Gao Yang, Zhen-Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 7364467
    Abstract: A card edge connector (100) adapted for a daughter card with at least one notch comprises a housing (1) made from insulating material and contacts. The housing comprises a slot (12) for receiving the daughter card along its length direction and channels (14) communicating with the slot. The contacts (2) is received in the channels, each comprising a contacting section extending in the slot for contacting with the daughter card and a leg extending out of the housing. At least one key (5) for matching with the at least one notch of the daughter card is transverly retained in the slot and is better than the housing in resistibility of abrasion or breakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Ming Chen, Jian-Kuang Zhu, Wan-Qin Ji
  • Patent number: 7331828
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a housing; electrical contacts connected to the housing; a shield connected to the housing; and a mating connector key connected to the housing. The key includes a front section and a rear section. A portion of the shield is located between the front and rear sections of the key to retain the key with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Allison
  • Patent number: 7326091
    Abstract: A connector for electrical or optical conduits that provides a field configurable keying of the insulator plugs relative to each other and relative to the connector casings. A separate relative keying means is included that is separate from the case keying or locating mechanism. The connector also utilizes a retention means for example, a one-way snap apron, to retain the insulator within the receptacle case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Hypertronics Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco A. Nania, Christopher Coughlan, Arnold S. Feinberg, Thomas H. Kannally, Jr., Vadim L. Radunsky
  • Patent number: 7326092
    Abstract: A double ended guide pin assembly includes a first guide pin body having a first rotation axis and a first keying surface. A second guide pin body has a second rotation axis and a second keying surface. A fastener element connects the first guide pin body to the second guide pin body such that the first and second guide pin bodies are independently rotatable on the first and second rotation axes, respectively. The first and second keying surfaces are selectively positionable at different orientations with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: James Lee Fedder, Robert Charles Trea, Gregory Gordon Griffith