Adapted To Receive Elongated Contact Or Conductor By Insertion Along Axis Passing Through Spring Coils Patents (Class 439/841)
  • Patent number: 10263379
    Abstract: A connector assembly having a housing and pin and a spring contact located therebetween to take up a set gap between the pin and the housing. The spring contact can be a canted coil spring and the spring contact can be made to have a large range of deflection to take up the gap with a large range of variation, such as when the pin diameter varies for a given groove bore diameter or when the groove bore diameter varies for a given pin diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: David Wang
  • Patent number: 10230206
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing and a header mounted to the housing, the header including a header body having a bore with an electrical contact located within the bore, wherein the electrical contact includes a helical coil spring having an axial bore, wherein the axial bore of the helical coil spring is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Flynn
  • Patent number: 10181668
    Abstract: A dual spring contact assembly having an intermediate component between at least two canted coil springs with opposite canting angle directions for fitment between a first component and a second component. When there is relative displacement between the first and second components, the direction of movement of one of the components relative to one of the canted coil spring can always occur along the canting angle, reducing the friction between coils and component and increasing the life of the slip ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Rust
  • Patent number: 9650848
    Abstract: Electrical contacts for use in oil and gas applications that include at least one elongate contact element defining a cavity for receiving a male electrical contact. The at least one elongate contact element may be configured to flex away from the cavity. Such electrical contacts may be used in electrical connectors, including contact blocks and electrical contact kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SABRITEC
    Inventors: Ronald Taylor, Richard Johannes, Michael Carlson
  • Patent number: 9345894
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an implantable housing, a header mounted to the implantable housing and including a connector block cavity, and a connector block located within the connector block cavity, the connector block including a plastic housing portion, a coil spring, and a metallic termination member connected to the coil spring and exposed outside the plastic housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Moira B. Sweeney, Michael J. Kane, James Fouhy
  • Patent number: 8884162
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a conductive element includes: providing a line segment made of a conductive material, forming a spiral portion at one end of the line segment by joining a plurality of rings, and forming a loop at the other end thereof, so that the line segment forms a conductive rod; and encasing an insulator around the conductive rod and exposing the loop. By winding the line segment, there is no need to remove any material from the line segment, and no waste material is produced, thus lowering the manufacturing cost. A conductive element is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Frank Hayama
  • Patent number: 8872424
    Abstract: A lamp device and a light source module are provided. The lamp device includes a lamp body and a coil connecting tube. The lamp body has an end portion and a lead wire extends from the end portion. The coil connecting tube is disposed corresponding to the end portion of the lamp body and electrically connecting to the lead wire for power supply purpose. The coil connecting tube winds about an axial direction of the lamp body and is capable of stretching or compressing along the axial direction. The light source module includes the lamp device and a lamp connector which has a power source portion being coupled to the coil connecting tube for power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Mu Nien, Yen-Lin Lee, Shih-Che Fu, Hsuan-Hao Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130237076
    Abstract: A contact includes a contact body including a tip, a spring beam opposite the tip and a shoulder between the tip and the spring beam. A plunger is movable with respect to the contact body and has the plunger having a tip and a shoulder. A biasing member is contained by the shoulders. The biasing member imparts a biasing force on the shoulder of the plunger. The biasing member is compressed as the plunger moves relative to the contact body. The spring beam engages the plunger between the tip and the shoulder of the plunger and is spring biased against the plunger to electrically couple the contact body and the plunger. An electrical path is defined from the tip of the plunger to the spring beam and to the tip of the contact body. The electrical path is routed outside of the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III
  • Patent number: 8378218
    Abstract: An electrically conductive spring having first and second coils defining first and second electrical pathways for completing an electric circuit between two components which may move relative to each other. In one embodiment, the spring is a double start helical spring with first and second coils extending between respective, electrically insulated ends with the coils extending in alternating, spaced relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lane Daniel Dicken, Dennis Eugene Lund, Jr., Mark Russell Squires
  • Patent number: 8334655
    Abstract: A lamp device and a light source module are provided. The lamp device includes a lamp body and a coil connecting tube. The lamp body has an end portion and a lead wire extends from the end portion. The coil connecting tube is disposed corresponding to the end portion of the lamp body and electrically connecting to the lead wire for power supply purpose. The coil connecting tube winds about an axial direction of the lamp body and is capable of stretching or compressing along the axial direction. The light source module includes the lamp device and a lamp connector which has a power source portion being coupled to the coil connecting tube for power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Sung-Mu Nien, Yen-Lin Lee, Shih-Che Fu, Hsuan-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 8118471
    Abstract: A connecting structure for connecting a cable and a light source includes a wound part and a pin-shaped terminal. The wound part is formed at a distal end of the cable by bending an exposed end of a lead wire of the cable in a spiral shape. A direction of a center axis of the wound part substantially coincides with a direction of the distal end of the cable. The pin-shaped terminal is disposed at an end of the light source and fixedly connected to inside of the wound part. A direction of the pin-shaped terminal substantially coincides with the direction of the distal end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoto Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 8052491
    Abstract: An electrical contact (1) comprises an upper contact (10), a lower contact (12) and a spring (14) located between the upper contact (10) and the lower contact (12). The upper contact (10) comprises a first contacting portion (104) at one end thereof and a first mating end (108) comprising two contacting sheets overlapped at an opposite end thereof, and a lower contact comprises a second contacting portion and a second mating end defining a channel, the channel providing a space to allow movement of the first mating end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Fu Lin
  • Patent number: 7976314
    Abstract: An adapter of the present invention is used to connect between a lead terminal of an electronic component and a contact of a connecting device. The adapter includes a first connecting part, adapted for electrical and mechanical connection to the lead terminal; a second connecting part, disposed at a spaced relation to the first connecting part in a length direction of the electronic component and connectable to the contact electrically and mechanically; and an elastically deforming part, provided between the first and second connecting parts and elastically deformable in accordance with thermal expansion deformation or thermal contraction deformation in the length direction of the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Ohmori, Masahiko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20110117796
    Abstract: A probe pin includes a barrel having an internal space extending from one end to the other end, a plunger provided at the one end of the barrel, a plunger provided at the other end of the barrel, and a coil spring received in the barrel for supporting the plungers elastically. The coil spring includes a central portion having substantially same diameter, a first taper portion adjacent to one end of the central portion and having diameters decreased gradually, and a second taper portion adjacent to the other end of the central portion and having diameters decreased gradually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Oishi
  • Publication number: 20110059661
    Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having a connector part for electrically and mechanically connecting a printed circuit board with a land part to a lead part of an electrical component by inserting the lead part into the connector part. The connector part composed of a line spring member having a fixed end part, a terminal fixing part, and an elastic deforming part. The fixed end part is fixed to the land part. The terminal fixing part formed by winding the line spring member elastically fastens the lead part. The elastic deforming part is elastically deformed when external force is applied to the lead part while maintaining the lead part fixed to the terminal fixing part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyasu INOMATA, Toshihiro MIYAKE, Yasuyuki TACHIBANA, Hideyuki IIBOSHI
  • Patent number: 7874880
    Abstract: An adapter apparatus includes a substrate having a plurality of openings defined therethrough. Further, a sleeve spring contact is mounted in each of the openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Ironwood Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mickiel P. Fedde, Ranjit Raghunath Patil
  • Patent number: 7841866
    Abstract: An electrical contact comprises an enclosure member having a tubular portion defining grooves on thereof, an upper contact pin movable assembled on one end of the enclosure member, a lower contact pin movable assembled on another end of the enclosure member, and a spring inserted within the enclosure member and between the upper and lower contact pins. The upper contact pin has a base portion, an upper contacting portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and a pair of supporting slides extending outwardly from two sides of the base portion. The lower contact pin comprises a main body, a lower contacting portion extending downwardly from the main body, and a pair of supporting slides extending outwardly from two sides of the main body. The supporting slides of the upper contact pin and the lower contact pin being received in the grooves of the enclosure member and movable up and down along the grooves in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsiu-Yuan Hsu, Ke-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 7837476
    Abstract: A socket assembly formed of hollow tubes for connecting an array of terminals off opposing electronic structures with both axial and lateral resilience, wherein the resilience is achieved through angular cuts in the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 7601008
    Abstract: A socket adaptor 10 made of an electrically insulating material has a main adaptor body 12 on which a plurality of through holes 14 containing an upper opening and a lower opening has been formed. In certain preferred embodiments a probe pin 60 and coil spring 62 is placed in each through hole 14. An electrical engagement clipping part 68 for clipping a contact inserted in a respective through hole from said upper opening is formed on the upper end of each probe pin 60. The coil spring 62 is installed on each probe pin and biases the respective probe pin toward a position so that a tip formed on the lower end of the probe pin protrudes from the lower opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideyuki Takahashi, Kiyokazu Ikeya
  • Publication number: 20090233497
    Abstract: An exemplary battery connecting structure includes a housing and a contact spring. The housing includes a base, a sidewall extending around a periphery of the base, and at least one fixing portion defined at an inner surface of the sidewall away from the base. The contact spring includes a plurality of loops. A loop of an end of the contact spring is fixed between the base and the fixing portion, such that the end of the contact spring is electrically fixed to the base of the housing. In the present battery connecting structure, the contact spring is not easily detached from the housing. A battery-powered device using the battery connecting structure is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: DA-QING CHENG
  • Patent number: 7559806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact for electronic devices. The contact includes an upper contact, a lower contact, which includes a contact portion, a lower contact coupled to the upper contact, and a spring fitted over a predetermined area between the upper contact and lower contact. The lower contact includes a second supporting portion, two elastic parts extending from the second supporting portion and provided with opposite to each other. A channel is defined by the two elastic parts of the lower contact, and provides a space to allow movement of the contact portion of the upper contact therein, when the upper contact is coupled to the lower contact. When the upper contact is coupled to the lower contact, the contact portion of the upper contact is insert into the channel defined by the two elastic parts of the lower contact. Thereby, the contact portion is in close contact with the retaining portion, and so an efficient and a short transmitted between two contacts is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Fu Lin, Shih-Wei Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7520754
    Abstract: A socket connector, adapted for electrically connecting an IC package and a printed circuit board, comprises a plurality contacts, an upper housing and a lower housing. The contact has a top contact, a bottom contact and a spring disposed between the top contact and the bottom contact. The top contact has a keeping portion formed with a front piece, a rear piece facing to the front piece and a bend portion connecting bottom edges of the front piece and the rear piece, and defines a guiding slot between the front piece and the rear piece. The bottom contact is inserted into the top contact and movable along the guiding slot. The lower housing defines a plurality of through gaps for receiving the bottom contacts; and the upper housing is mounted upon the lower housing and defines a plurality of receiving slots for receiving the top contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Gattuso
  • Patent number: 7494387
    Abstract: An electric contact of a socket for an electrical part is disposed between a first electrical part and a second electrical part so as to electrically connect the first and second electrical parts, and includes: a first electrical part side contact member contacting the first electrical part; a second electrical part side contact member contacting the second electrical part, the coil spring including a first spring portion abutting against the first electrical part side contact member and a second spring portion abutting against the second electrical part side contact member. When the first electrical part contacts the first electrical part side contact member, an axis of the first spring portion inclines with respect to an axis of the second spring portion, and then, a portion of the first electrical part side contact member on a side contacting the first electrical part is transversely moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Enplas Corporation
    Inventors: Hisao Ohshima, Leo Azumi
  • Patent number: 7491069
    Abstract: A self-cleaning socket for contacting terminals on a microelectronic device wherein the first end of compliant tubular contactors rotate and wipe against terminals urged downwardly against the first end of the contactors. A rotational wipe of a contactor against a mating terminal breaks through any surface contamination layers on the terminal, thereby producing good electrical contact therebetween. Rotation of the first end of a contactor is caused by a downward deflection of a collar supported by two or more helical legs along a midsection of the contactor. Deflection of the collar distorts the resilient helical legs, each of which exerts a force on the collar which add up to produce a torsional force on the collar, thereby providing a rotational wipe in response to a downward urging of a terminal against the contactor. A void along the axis of the tubular contactor provides a reservoir to hold debris dislodged from the terminal and to keep the debris from interfering with operation of the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Centipede Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Di Stefano, Anthony B. Faraci, Konstantine Karavakis, Peter T. Di Stefano
  • Patent number: 7429199
    Abstract: A female electrical terminal is comprised of a contact body which is electrically conductive and at least partially bounds an interior volume. The doubly coiled contact spring is disposed in the interior volume. The spring is configured to have a first coil which defines a first helix having a central axis, and the spring is wound so that the central axis defines a second helix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: James P. Burgess
  • Publication number: 20080214063
    Abstract: A contact includes a first contact pin, a second contact pin and a spring. The first contact pin comprises a wide portion for contacting and a narrow portion. The second contact pin comprises a holding portion and a guiding portion extending upwards from the holding portion. The guiding portion has a receiving space and a pair of channels, the narrow portion is received in the receiving space and has thereof a pair of projecting portions sliding in the channels. The spring is moveably seated on the holding portion and limited under the wide portion to allow the first contact pin to shift upwards and downwards therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Shih-Wei Hsiao, Chun-Fu Lin
  • Publication number: 20080064270
    Abstract: An electric contact of a socket for an electrical part is disposed between a first electrical part and a second electrical part so as to electrically connect the first and second electrical parts, and includes: a first electrical part side contact member contacting the first electrical part; a second electrical part side contact member contacting the second electrical part, the coil spring including a first spring portion abutting against the first electrical part side contact member and a second spring portion abutting against the second electrical part side contact member. When the first electrical part contacts the first electrical part side contact member, an axis of the first spring portion inclines with respect to an axis of the second spring portion, and then, a portion of the first electrical part side contact member on a side contacting the first electrical part is transversely moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisao OHSHIMA, Leo Azumi
  • Patent number: 7294020
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical terminal for electrical connections formed from a metal stamping and including a coil spring interface. Broadly, the inventive electrical terminal includes a female terminal body having at least one opening for receiving an inserting portion of a male terminal body, the female terminal body including a stamped groove positioned about a perimeter of the opening; and a coil spring for providing an electrical interface between the inserting portion of the male terminal body and the female terminal body being positioned in the stamped groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Stefano Spadoni, Ankoor Bagchi
  • Patent number: 7229327
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical power system comprising a plurality of battery modules in series connection between adjacent battery modules, wherein each of the battery modules comprises a positive male terminal, a negative male terminal, and a socket corresponding to each of the positive male terminals and the negative male terminals. The connectors connecting the adjacent battery modules include a sequence tab that provides an irreversible engagement sequence of the connectors into the sockets of the adjacent battery modules. The irreversible engagement sequence positions an insulating portion of the connectors housing on each positive male terminal of the battery modules that are in series connection in order to isolate the positive male terminals from human contact. The present invention also provides a female terminal including a canted coil spring positioned within a stamped groove that may be housed within the above-described connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Limited
    Inventors: Weiping Zhao, Stefano Spadoni, Ankoor Bagchi
  • Patent number: 7074096
    Abstract: An electrical contact includes a conductor comprising a series of arch-shaped elements that are formed continuous with one another and extend along a centerline. Optionally, the arch-shaped elements are pitched at an acute angle with respect to the centerline and are arranged in separate parallel planes that are also oriented at an acute angle with respect to the centerline. The arch-shaped elements includes a pair of opposed leg portions, having first ends joined to a bridge portion and having second ends spaced apart to form an opening therebetween. The leg portions of adjacent arch-shaped elements are joined to one another at linking portions. The arch-shaped elements and the centerline can be arranged in a circular geometry about a center point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Dudley Copper, Michael Laub
  • Patent number: 6966802
    Abstract: The invention is embodied in a plug connector having first and second plug contacts, a conductive connecting member and a receiving element. The conductive connecting member is formed as a spring and is positioned between the first and second plug contacts to form an electrical contact between an inner surface of the first plug contact and an outer surface of the second plug contact. The receiving element houses the connecting member between the first and second plug contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electroncis AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Brigitte Hielscher, Rolf Jetter, Alexander Schmid
  • Publication number: 20040224572
    Abstract: The invention is embodied in a plug connector having first and second plug contacts, a conductive connecting member and a receiving element. The conductive connecting member is formed as a spring and is positioned between the first and second plug contacts to form an electrical contact between an inner surface of the first plug contact and an outer surface of the second plug contact. The receiving element houses the connecting member between the first and second plug contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Brigitte Hielscher, Rolf Jetter, Alexander Schmid
  • Patent number: 6749358
    Abstract: A tooless electrical connector includes a housing having a bore with a groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with the groove establishing a shoulder between a groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A flat spring is provided and disposed in the groove for defining a spring cavity between the flat spring and the shoulder and a circular canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a circumferential groove is provided for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore and a plurality of primary radial fingers formed in the flat spring retain the coil spring in the cavity before insertion of the pin. A plurality of secondary radial fingers formed in the flat spring prevent axial movement between the housing and the pin with the coil spring within the pin groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Bal Seal Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Balsells
  • Patent number: 6716065
    Abstract: An electrical system includes plug fuse set (20) or fuse unit (20a) (20b), fuse connector (22) (22a) (22b) (22c) (22d), circuit connector (23) (23a) (23b) (23c) and cabling (41). Each fuse element is made up of at least a circuit electrode (25), a bus electrode (26) and a fuse link (43) positioned within a void (42) within an enclosure (24) (24a). The bus connector, also known as the fuse connector, has pairs of bus electrode(s) (34) (34a) flanked by a pair of slots (29), each of which is adapted for insertion of a pair of the circuit connectors to interlock the bus connector and the circuit connector. The bus connector can be directly connected to battery cable(s) (85). The circuit connector(s) have electrodes (39) which connect to bus electrode(s) and fuse electrodes. Each circuit connector also is attachable to circuit cabling (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Leftek International, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6471554
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an at least substantially helical winding shaped to provide a first portion, having a diameter suitable to receive and embrace an electrical contact when inserted therein, and a second portion of larger diameter than the first for contacting an electrical terminal when disposed around or adjacent the contact, to thereby form an electrical connection from the contact to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Oxley Developments Company Limited
    Inventors: Trevor Armistead, Robert Graham Armistead
  • Patent number: 6471555
    Abstract: A female electrical connector includes a socket (1) made of conducting material, defining an approximately cylindrical internal space (2) open at one of its ends, inside of which plural wire contacting components made of a conducting material are placed, these being intended to grip, flexibly, a male component to be inserted into the socket (1), the plural components each extending from one end of the cylindrical space (2) to the other. The wire contacting components are formed from a single wire (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Hypertac S.A.
    Inventor: Fabrice Creze
  • Patent number: 6435922
    Abstract: A cylindrical coaxial electrical connector comprising a male portion and a female portion, the connector being of the type that includes an intermediate strip of contact springs of elastic material, the springs being united at their ends by two continuous side strips and each having a succession of tongues extending the side strip outwards, said intermediate strip being placed in an annular housing in one or other of the two portions, said housing having two side flanks with walls that are perpendicular to the axis of the connector, wherein each elastic tongue has a first face bent towards the bottom of the housing and then bent in the opposite direction to form an end face rising up towards the outside of the housing, the end of said face bearing against the side flank of said annular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Markus Keiser, Peter Wagner
  • Patent number: 6422722
    Abstract: A lighting fixture with arms, comprising at least a central body, a plurality of protruding radial arms and clutching means for fastening said arms to the central body and for the electric connection of the bulb-carrying arms, comprising a fixed element (1) connected to said central body and a movable element (3,3′) connected to the end portion of each arm and introduced into the fixed element (1). The movable element (3′), connected to the end of an arm (4) carrying no bulb, is provided at the end portion with a blind tube (25) and the movable element (3), connected to the end of an arm (5) carrying a bulb (6), is provided with two electrical wins (41) connecting a bulb-holder for the bulb (6) to an electric contact means (15,17) that protrudes from the movable element (3) facing the fixed element(1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Francesco Voltolina
  • Patent number: 6420656
    Abstract: The invention intends to simplify the connecting operation of an insulated wire and a pin terminal, and to reduce the cost of connection. A spiral part of the insulated wire having a spiral end according to the invention is formed by removing an insulation at an end of the insulated wire to expose a conductor, and winding the exposed conductor into a spiral form by 1.5 folds or more to produce a spiral part. The insulated wire and the pin terminal are connected in such a manner that the pin terminal is inserted into the central opening of the spiral part, and the spiral part and the pin terminal are fixed with a fixing material, such as solder, or binding agent having a high conductivity. When a solder coating is formed on the conductor in the spiral part, it is possible to fix the spiral part and the pin terminal only by heating the spiral part to melt the coating solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Sumideninet Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Sugiyama, Yoshifumi Kawata, Kyuzo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6388885
    Abstract: A user-friendly controller provides a special dynamic interconnect which reliably connects terminals of electronic device, such as solenoids, to a circuit board to enhance vehicle performance and help obtain a smoother more comfortable ride. The special interconnect comprises a coil spring contact. The coiled spring contact can have an enlarged head which can be soldered to a contact on the circuit board. The central portion of the spring contact provides a terminal-receiving opening to slidably receive the terminal of the electronic device. The smaller end portion of the spring contact can compressively engage and dynamically contact the terminal of the electronic device. A cover can be provided to environmentally protect and cover the circuitry and circuit board. The cover can have chambers for receiving and engaging the spring contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Alexander, Heather L. Havlicsek, Kevin C. Loewe, Donald J. Zito
  • Publication number: 20010039152
    Abstract: An electrical connector comprising an at least substantially helical winding shaped to provide a first portion, having a diameter suitable to receive and embrace an electrical contact when inserted therein, and a second portion of larger diameter than the first for contacting an electrical terminal when disposed around or adjacent the contact, to thereby form an electrical connection from the contact to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Trevor Armistead, Robert Graham Armistead
  • Publication number: 20010018298
    Abstract: An electrical contactor has low electrical contact resistance and superior durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Takaya Nakamura, Asao Ishikawa, Michiharu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6222127
    Abstract: An electrical bus connector including a series of pins which are extended or retracted through a series of receptacles. Each receptacle is generally a bulbous-shaped longitudinally elongated shell having an opening at a base end and at a top end, the base end having a larger interior area than the top end. The bulbous base end includes a sleeve to guide the pin. The receptacle shell wraps around the sleeve and tapers inward toward the top end to retain the sleeve within the receptacle. The receptacle shell includes a series of longitudinally elongated leaves circularly arranged about the longitudinal axis. The leaves of the receptacle flare out at the top end, providing a lip to accept the pin. The receptacle shell has at least one and preferably two annular recesses, each recess receiving a coiled spring. The coiled spring(s) bias the leaves of the receptacle shell inwardly, but allow the leaves to expand upon pin insertion to ensure contact between the pin and the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: SPD Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John I. Ykema
  • Patent number: 6086432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric plug connection (1) with a plug holder (7) and a pin (3), especially a round-section pin (3), in which the plug holder (7) has a holding compartment in which is an axially compressible coil spring (2) having individual turns (5, 6) with the turns (5) largely having the same main diameter (dh). In order to reduce wear to the minimum even with frequent plug-in cycles and also not to increase the plugging force excessively, the invention proposes that the main diameter (dh) be larger than the outside diameter (d) of the pin (3) and that one or a few of the contact windings (6) have a smaller contact diameter than the main diameter (dh) and than the outside diameter (d) of the pin (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Frinker, Stephan Peter Dieudonne, Peter Pszola
  • Patent number: 5990697
    Abstract: In an electroconductive contact unit including a pair of needle members projecting from either end of a holder arrangement, and an electroconductive compression coil spring interposed therebetween for resiliently urging the needle members away from each other, the compression coil spring comprises a normally wound segment and a coarsely wound segment. When the contact unit is applied to an object to be contacted, the adjacent turns of the coil wire of the normally wound segment are brought into contact with each other so that the electric path between the needle members is substantially straight along the length of the coil spring with the coarsely wound segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshio Kazama
  • Patent number: 5906520
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric plug connection (1) with a plug holder (7) and a pin (3), especially a round-section pin (3), in which the plug holder (7) has a holding compartment which is an axially compressible coil spring (2) having individual turns (5, 6) with the turns (5) largely having the same main diameter (dh). In order to reduce wear to the minimum even with frequent plug-in cycles and also not to increase the plugging force excessively, the invention proposes that the main diameter (dh) be larger than the outside diameter (d) of the pin (3) and that one or a few of the contact windings (6) have a smaller contact diameter than the main diameter (dh) and than the outside diameter (d) of the pin (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Frinker, Stephan Peter Dieudonne, Peter Pszola
  • Patent number: 5697804
    Abstract: An implantable cardiac stimulator has locking device for a pin-like conductor element of an electrode lead, the locking device having a helical coil which can assume a first, locking position, in which it grips the pin-like conductor element inserted into the coil to prevent longitudinal movement of pin-like conductor element, and a second, release position in which the pin-like conductor element is free to move in and out of the coil in relation to the coil's longitudinal axis. The first position is assumed when the coil is not influenced in its helix diameter increasing direction and the second position being assumed when the coil is influenced in its helix diameter increasing direction. The locking device also has a blocking component which only prevents the coil from rotating in the unwinding direction around its longitudinal axis in the locking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Pacesetter AB
    Inventors: Paul Froberg, Kenneth Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 5628644
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power connector having three components. A pin contact is provided having a contact area in the shape of a cylinder with the front end in the form of a cone or other shape with an extended surface. A socket contact is provided that is similar to the pin contact, except the front end is shaped to conform to the front end of the pin. A wound torsion spring is provided for biasing the pin contact and socket contact together. The torsion spring, pin contact and socket contact are carried in a receptacle connector, plug connector and back shell respectively which can be mated and unmated with negligible force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Packard Hughes Interconnect Company
    Inventors: John S. Szalay, Edward Rudoy
  • Patent number: 5476398
    Abstract: A pluggable electrical connection device comprises at least one pin-shaped male element of electrically conductive material and at least one female element. The female element is a metal coil spring having at least four turns sufficiently spaced apart to receive the male element between two mutually adjacent turns. The coil spring may have end portions which are bent to constitute tabs parallel to an axis of said coil spring and soldered to said support. It may also be locked between two elongated holes formed in two opposed sides of a cage and connected to a base circuit fast with said cage by pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: Matra Marconi Space France
    Inventors: Jacques de Givry, Jean-Claude Vallet
  • Patent number: 5158734
    Abstract: A two component leadwire system is disclosed for electrical connection between biomedical electrodes and electrical equipment for diagnostic or therapeutic use. One leadwire component has a bayonet terminus and can be rugged for reuse. The second leadwire is an inexpensively-made receptacle for making electrical contact with the bayonet. The receptable has a socket for receiving the bayonet and an electrical conductor surrounded by a resilient, insulative sheath. When the bayonet is inserted into the socket, the sheath resiliently grips the bayonet and holds the bayonet in electrical contact with the conductor. A method for making the receptacle component, involving dip molding of the conductor arrayed on a mandril, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Terry S. Nees