Observation Aide, E.g., Transparent Material, Window In Housing Patents (Class 439/910)
  • Patent number: 11909146
    Abstract: A connector device produces a connection by means of Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). The connector device includes at least one connection element for an SPE connection, a light source for generating a light emission, and a light-guide element. The light source is set up to couple the generated light emission into the light-guide element, and the light-guide element is set up to couple an output-light distribution out in a coupling-out area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: TURCK HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Schneider
  • Patent number: 11831092
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a bottom and a wall bounding an opening adjacent the bottom, and a shell configured to encircle an outer surface of the wall. The shell may include: first shell corners configured to conform with first housing corners of the housing, second shell corners configured to be spaced apart from second housing corners of the housing in a first direction, a plurality of first portions configured to conform with the outer surface of the wall, and a plurality of second portions configured to be spaced apart from the outer surface of the wall. The first and second shell corners have a height greater than a maximum height of the housing. Such a connector may be miniaturized, yet provide for robust operation and resist unintentional demating as a result of twisting forces on a plug inserted into the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Amphenol East Asia Ltd.
    Inventor: Lo-Wen Lu
  • Patent number: 11677176
    Abstract: Provided is a connector capable of allowing a counter connector to be properly fitted with the connector. The connector of the invention includes a frame provided with an opening and is capable of allowing a counter connector to be fitted in an inside of the frame through the opening, and the frame includes a lateral wall that extends in a fitting direction and that surrounds the counter connector being fitted with the connector, and a guide portion that is provided at an end portion of the lateral wall on an opening side where the opening is situated in the fitting direction and that guides the counter connector to an inside of the frame. The lateral wall is continuous over an entire circumference of the frame, and the guide portion is provided at the end portion of the lateral wall on the opening side over the entire circumference of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Junji Oosaka, Yohei Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8944843
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having outwardly extending sleeves for connection with a corresponding connector. The housing defines an aperture extending through the extending sleeves, and an electrically-conductive contact is retained within the interior space of the housing and extending into the aperture. The electrically-conductive contact has an end comprising a contact portion within the aperture and an opposite end comprising a push-in type contact element. A cap retains the contact within the interior space, enclosing the interior space, and defining a port to allow insertion of a conductor of various construction therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Sushil N. Keswani
  • Patent number: 8864515
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multimedia jack for a vehicle with a lighting apparatus, including: a housing with an opening part; a terminal part, mounted on an inner side of the housing, with a multimedia port and a light emitting diode (LED) lighting apparatus; a cover part covering the opening part of the housing and including a connection receptacle disposed at a position corresponding to the multimedia port so as to be connected to the multimedia port; and a connection receptacle display part disposed around the connection receptacle, wherein light of the LED lighting apparatus is irradiated through the connection receptacle display part. Therefore, it is possible to increase user convenience at night by uniform lighting of the multimedia jack and control power and brightness by interworking with other apparatuses in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Se Min Oh
  • Patent number: 8845361
    Abstract: A fitting, for terminating an electrical cable having two or more conductors, includes a substantially tubular body having a central bore configured to receive the electrical cable therethrough. A substantially tubular sealing sleeve is configured to engage a forward end of the body during assembly of the fitting to receive the two or more conductors of the electrical cable passing through the body. After receiving the two or more conductors, the sealing sleeve is configured to receive a sealing compound therein, such that the sealing compound flows between the two or more conductors during filling of the sealing sleeve. The sealing sleeve is formed of a transparent material to enable visible confirmation of sealing compound distribution and a determination that the sealing compound is free of voids or air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Joey D. Magno, Jr., Rasoul Shouri
  • Patent number: 8651892
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system for connecting two connectors to each other. The system includes a first connector having a first connector surface, and the first connector surface includes a transparent shape. Further, a second connector, having a second connector surface, includes a portion that includes a second connector color. Particularly, the second connector is configured to be inserted into the first connector, enabling a superimposition and alignment of the transparent shape with the portion of the second connector surface, thereby visually indicating a valid connection between the two connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Paul Arant
  • Patent number: 8613631
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole made on the same straight line in both side faces facing each other in a base, a support contact piece of a first connecting terminal and a second connecting terminal laterally inserted into the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole respectively, and an operation lever rotatably attached to a side face on one side of the base while a front end portion of an FPC is inserted from an opening formed in a side face on the other side of the base. An inspection hole communicated with the first insertion hole and the second insertion hole is made in a bottom surface of the base such that a front end portion of the inserted first connecting terminal and a latch portion of the inserted second connecting terminal can visually be observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Hemmi, Naoyuki Kimura
  • Patent number: 8535066
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board, an infrared receiving device and a protection cover. The protection cover is engaged in the window of the housing to cover the infrared receiving device. The protection cover includes a blocking plate, a side wall extending outwardly from the blocking plate, and two clasping ears respectively located at two opposite sides of the side wall. The blocking plate is attached to the housing, and the two clasping ears of the protection cover provide a permanent means of securing the protection cover to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong Li, Ke-Hui Peng, Li-Ni Liang, Ren-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 8382512
    Abstract: A body housing supports a plurality of terminals, and an end of a flat cable that includes a conductor-exposed portion is disposed in the body housing. The cover housing is attached to the body housing, and holds the plurality of terminals and a plurality of conductors so as to be sandwiched between the body housing and the cover housing. The terminals are provided with a raised portion that is formed such that a portion of the terminals protrudes, and the plurality of terminals and the plurality of conductors in the conductor-exposed portion are respectively welded together by performing resistance welding with the terminals and the conductors abutting against each other via the raised portion. This enables welding to be performed with a small current with regard to resistance welding of the plurality of terminals of the flat cable connector and the plurality of conductors of the flat cable, thus reducing power consumption during welding, and can also achieve stable welding quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: J.S.T. Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Morita
  • Patent number: 8021200
    Abstract: A socket contact having a mating portion, a crimp portion, and a transition region connecting the mating portion with the crimp portion. The mating portion includes a first contact beam and a second contact beam. The first contact beam has a cantilevered portion with at least one first contact finger with a first contact point. The first contact beam also has an inflexible first fixed contact point which is positioned on the surface of the first contact beam. As a mating pin is inserted through the front aperture of the mating portion, the mating pin engages the first finger contact point causing the first contact beam to deflect. The mating pin then engages the inflexible first fixed contact point at a shallow mating angle and a reduced normal force, resulting in the first contact beam of the mating portion of the socket contacting the mating pin at multiple points of contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Mark Myer, John Wesley Hall, Hurley Chester Moll
  • Patent number: 8016622
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mains-power electrical connector. The connector includes a core defining passages for receiving respective cables, and apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten the cables within the passages. Windows terminate the passages. A light penetrable cover is provided for covering the core and the windows. The fasteners may be in the form of shear bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sicame Australia Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Robert James Battle
  • Patent number: 7976339
    Abstract: Connectors for interconnecting a coaxial cable to an electrical device are disclosed. The connector has an internal body and an external body which are assembled together, and which can be activated to clamp upon and seal to an inserted coaxial cable. The external body includes a bushing made from a transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent material. In some embodiments, the bushing further includes a deformable inner collar that permits the connector to be attached and sealed to cables of varying thickness as are found on common single shield cable, tri-shield cable and quad-shield cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Dascombe Buck, Alfred Lee Clifford
  • Patent number: 7976336
    Abstract: A trigger signal-lighted connector including a terminal housing in which multiple terminals are inlaid; an adapter circuit board having multiple lines of printed circuits, each printed circuit being connected between one of the terminals and one of multiple signal wires, one of the printed circuits being connected to a grounding terminal, while another of the printed circuits being connected to a trigger signal terminal; and an insulation layer wrapping the terminal housing, the adapter circuit board and the signal wires. The insulation layer is made of transparent material and at least one light-emitting component is disposed on the adapter circuit board. One of two electrode pins of the light-emitting component is connected to the printed circuit, which is connected to the grounding terminal, while the other of the electrode pins is connected to the printed circuit, which is connected to the trigger signal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Elka International Ltd.
    Inventors: Jui-Ming Yang, Yen-Tung Chen
  • Patent number: 7922519
    Abstract: A connector includes a main body, and a cable electrically connected to a rear end of the main body. An elastic latch is formed on a top of the main body. Two protrusions are formed on a rear portion of the top of the main body. A surface of each protrusion is coated with reflecting material, slanted, and opposite to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 7914326
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector is provided with a generally tubular mandrel. An attachment element and a retainer are associated with the mandrel and a bushing is telescopically mounted on the retainer. The bushing is adapted for axial movement along the retainer to a closed position wherein the bushing biases a first portion of the retainer into sealing engagement with a seating surface on the exterior of the mandrel. The retainer is sufficiently translucent to permit visual observation of a cable inserted into the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert W. Sutter
  • Patent number: 7815451
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus coupler element, a second bus coupler element, and a visual element associated with the second bus coupler element and including a transparent media enabling the second coupler element to be visually aligned with the first coupler element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Simon, Rajeevan Amirtharajah, John R. Benham, John Critchlow
  • Patent number: 7758369
    Abstract: A plug connector for use with a receptacle. The plug connector and receptacle combination may prevent more than one use of the single use plug connector, thereby necessitating disposal of the plug connector and associated, disposable, specialized instrumentation to which the plug connector is connected. The plug connector may be keyed and otherwise identified to the receptacle by shape, tactile indicia and visual indicia so that it cannot be mistakenly used with a different receptacle, while providing proper orientation for rapid assembly. When designed for single use or limited multiple use, the insertion of the plug connector into the receptacle moves a jumper contact in the plug connector from a first position to a second position where it is captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Edwin Miller, William David Irwin, Timothy M. Beck, Navin Kanjibhai Patel
  • Patent number: 7717740
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a window assembly including an electrically insulating transparent base and a plurality of electrically insulating transparent windows extending outwardly therefrom. The connector may include an electrically conducting body having spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective insulation-free electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each cable-receiving passageway. The individual windows of the window assembly are aligned with respective cable end viewing openings to provide a cover and to permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the insulation-free electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Kenneth C. Elliott, III
  • Patent number: 7704080
    Abstract: A receiving housing for a hand-held power tool includes a first housing part (13) having an opening (15), a board (20) with electronic component (17, 18, 19) arranged in the first housing part (13) at a distance (A) from the opening (15), and a second housing part (14) for closing the opening (15) and forming, together with the first housing part (13), a receiving space (16), with the second housing part (14) having at least one sleeve section (26) an axial length (L) of which at least corresponds to the distance (A) between the board (20) and the opening (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Naumann, Helmut Burger, Claus Osselmann
  • Patent number: 7651344
    Abstract: A power connector comprises an insulative housing (1), a first and a second conductive terminals (3, 4) arranged in the housing, each terminal comprising a main body (31, 41), a plurality of resilient contact arms (32, 42) extending forwardly from the main body. The resilient contact arms (32, 42) of the first and the second conductive terminals respectively form an outer circle and an inner circle, and the conductive terminals (3, 4) are made of metal plate with electrical conductivity higher than 30% IACS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian-Feng Wu
  • Patent number: 7645170
    Abstract: An audio jack comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts received in the housing. The housing defines a receiving hole along the longitudinal direction of the housing, and the face of the housing has at least an opening communicating with the receiving hole. The contacts at least include a deflectable contact and a fixed contact. The audio jack includes at least a dustproof film covering said opening so as to prevent the dust invading the interior of the audio jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-En Long, Hai-Qiu Lu
  • Patent number: 7597583
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulating housing (1) defining a mating face and a cylindrical receiving space (13) running though the mating face. A plurality of terminals is retained in the insulating housing and each includes contacting portions projecting to the receiving space and solder portions extending downwardly out of the housing. A retaining device (6) is individually formed and has a second portion (63) located at a rear portion of the housing for receiving the solder portions of the terminals and a first portion (61) located under a bottom wall of the housing. An indicating device (5) is received in the first portion (61) and facing the mating face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Quan Zhuang
  • Patent number: 7591670
    Abstract: A connector device having a counter thereof includes a connector, a micro control unit, an encoder, a display drive unit, and a display unit. The connector provides a power signal to the micro control unit when plugged an electrified device. The micro control unit outputs data and clock signals to the display drive unit to make the display drive unit count plug-in times of the connector, and also outputs a drive signal to the encoder after receiving the power signal. The encoder encodes the drive signal and outputs corresponding signals to the display drive unit to make the display drive unit control the display unit to display a count of plug-in times of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhu Chen, Zhen-Xing Ye
  • Patent number: 7591669
    Abstract: A board-to-board connector adapted to be mounted to a printed circuit board includes a housing and at least one row of terminals. The housing defines at least one longwise row of cavities and at least one checking window extending longwise adjacent the row of cavities and penetrating the housing. The terminals are received in the corresponding cavities. Each of the terminals has a soldering portion adapted for being soldered to the printed circuit board. The soldering portions stretch into the corresponding checking window so as to check the solderability thereof with the printed circuit board in order to ensure that the terminals are soldered to the printed circuit board firmly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yung-Chi Peng
  • Patent number: 7497723
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a receptacle and a plug. The receptacle includes a tubular housing having an axial bore and at least one electrical contact within the bore. The plug is received in the bore of the receptacle housing and includes a tubular core having an axial bore and at least one electrical contact that engages the electrical contact on the receptacle when the plug is coupled to the receptacle. The plug further includes a rotatable collar for securing the plug to the receptacle. A visual indicator on at least one of the plug core or the receptacle housing is visible through a window in the collar to provide a visual indication when the plug is fully coupled to the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Brassell, James W. Schmitkons
  • Patent number: 7494365
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body having a first end and an opposite second end. The connector body is configured to receive and electrically connect with an electric module. An ejector lever is pivotally mounted to at least one of the first and second ends for releasable retention of the module. The ejector lever is configured with an aperture therethrough and a light pipe extends through the aperture for alignment with a fault indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Gange
  • Patent number: 7462050
    Abstract: Any one of the reversing portions of the flat cables is positioned in the sighting window when the inner case is in the neutral state. A prescribed mark is attached to the reversing portion which is positioned in the sighting window when the inner case is in the neutral state. Thus, it can be determined that the inner case is in the neutral state when the prescribed mark is attached to the reversing portion sighted through the sighting window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kenji Yoshimura, Hiromi Ishiyama, Noritsugu Enomoto, Toshio Kitaoka, Shigeo Nakamura, Yoshihiro Natsuda
  • Patent number: 7458842
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connector body having a first end and an opposite second end. The connector body is configured to receive and electrically connect with an electric module. An ejector lever is pivotally mounted to at least one of the first and second ends for releasable retention of the module. The ejector lever is configured with an aperture therethrough and a light pipe extends through the aperture for alignment with a fault indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Gange
  • Patent number: 7425141
    Abstract: An enclosure of an electronic apparatus includes an upper panel covering over the upper surface of an inner space of the enclosure. A connector is incorporated in the enclosure. The electronic apparatus allows the upper panel to define the peripheral edge retreating from the tip end of the connector. When the user of electronic apparatus looks down at the upper panel, the user can see the tip end of the connector. The user is in this manner allowed to locate the connector without looking into the side of the enclosure. The user can thus insert a plug or male connector into a connector or female connector with a higher reliability. A cover member may be used to cover over the tip end of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Kanayama, Mitsuhiko Kawami, Hisao Morooka, Yusuke Mizuno, Sonomasa Kobayashi, Katsuichi Goto
  • Patent number: 7422460
    Abstract: An adjustable connection mechanism of an uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a first connector, a second connector, a supporting member and a carrier plate. The first connector is arranged on a battery module and electrically connected to the battery module. The second connector is electrically connected to a power supply module and a control module of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus. The supporting member is disposed within a case for supporting the second connector. The carrier plate is coupled with the second connector, and selectively movable to a first position to have the second connector disconnect with the first connector or movable to a second position to have the second connector connect with the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Cheng, Shih-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7422470
    Abstract: A wire cover is provided for enabling a held state of a corrugate tube to be confirmed visually. Since tube holders (19) into which a front end portion of the corrugate tube (30) is fitted are formed with through holes (23A, 23B) and (23C) penetrating from the outer circumferential surface to the inner circumferential surface, a held state of the corrugate tube (30) fitted in the tube holders (19) of the wire cover (10) can be confirmed by the eyes through the through holes (23A, 23B) and (23C). Further, since water inside the wire cover (10) is drained out through the through holes (23A, 23B) and (23C), water is unlikely to stay inside the wire cover (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 7361039
    Abstract: An electrical connector within a tubular structure is disclosed which includes a pole (12) having a tubular bottom portion (15) and a tubular top portion (16). The bottom portion has a top connecting end (17) having a narrowed neck (18) with a large notch (19). The pole top portion has a bottom connecting end (21) having an internal diameter sized to receive the neck of the bottom portion. The pole top portion also has a window (22) therein. A cover plate (24) is configured to be mounted over the window. The structure also includes an electrical cord (27) which provides an electrical current to a device coupled to the pole. The electrical cord has a first portion (28) terminating with a female electrical coupler or connector (29) and a second portion terminating with a male electrical coupler (32). The male coupler or connector is configured to be received within the female coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Edwin T. Koehler
  • Patent number: 7316575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casing termination for an electronic casing, particularly sensor casing, with several contact elements for contacting a circuit received in an electronic casing, with a connecting cable having several conductors in each case connected to the contact elements, and with at least one lighting element, particularly a light emitting diode, for providing an optical display for a user. The casing termination is inventively characterized in that the contact elements and lighting element are housed in an at least partly transparent contact display module which, together with an end region of the connecting cable is at least partly surrounded by an at least partly transparent integrally manufactured envelope for mechanical stabilization and electrical insulation purposes and which is connected in tension-proof manner to the contact display module. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a casing termination for an electronic casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Pepperl & Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Muschketat
  • Patent number: 7252537
    Abstract: A system includes a first bus coupler element, a second bus coupler element, and a visual element associated with the second bus coupler element and including a transparent media enabling the second coupler element to be visually aligned with the first coupler element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Simon, Rajeevan Amirtharajah, John R. Benham, John Critchlow
  • Patent number: 7241150
    Abstract: A circuit board connector has a housing 10 and terminal fittings (30) mounted in the housing (10). The terminal fittings (30) have board connecting portions (34) drawn out of the housing (10). The board connecting portions (34) are arranged on the surface of a circuit board (K) and connected with conductors on the circuit board (K) by soldering. Notches (36) are formed in lateral edges (37) of the board connecting portions (34) and have upward-sloped surfaces (39) to which solder (H) applied to the conductors adheres. A solder test is conducted by observing from above the adhered state of the solder (H) to the sloped surfaces (39) of the notches (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuya Aihara
  • Patent number: 7204700
    Abstract: The electrical connector includes a connector body and an accessing device. The connector body includes an insulation body that receives a plurality of pins and has a multilateral through hole in the middle. The PCB has a positioning frame line that corresponds to the through hole. The accessing device has one or a plurality of holes near the middle of the accessing device and the one or the plurality of holes cover at least one part of the positioning frame's two sides that are not located opposite. The precision of the positioning is enhanced substantially and the welding effect is ensured between the electrical connector and the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ted Ju
  • Patent number: 7144279
    Abstract: An electrical connector for electrical cables may include an electrically conductive body, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) insulating cover, and windows aligned with cable end viewing openings in the conductive body. The electrically conductive body may have spaced apart cable-receiving passageways for receiving respective electrical cable ends therein, and with each cable-receiving passageway having a cable inlet opening and a cable end viewing opening opposite the cable inlet opening. The electrically conductive body may also have at least one respective fastener-receiving passageway intersecting each of the cable-receiving passageways. A respective fastener may be provided in each of the fastener-receiving passageways. The windows provide a cover and permit visual confirmation of proper placement of the electrical cable end within a corresponding one of the cable-receiving passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Homac Mfg. Company
    Inventors: James L. Zahnen, Roy E. Jazowski, Paul W. Lubinsky
  • Patent number: 7140918
    Abstract: A shielded electrical connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit board. The connector includes a dielectric housing for mounting on the circuit board and including a front mating end and a rear terminating end. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the housing. A metal shield surrounds the dielectric housing. The shield has an opening at the rear of the housing to afford visual inspection of the connections between the tail portions of the terminals and the circuit traces on the circuit board. A shield cover is slidably mounted at the rear of the housing and the shield to slidably close the opening in the metal shield in a direction generally perpendicular to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Delaney, Colin Patrick Hehir, Mike O'Halloran, David Walsh
  • Patent number: 7134921
    Abstract: The terminal block assembly of this invention provides a finger safe method of distributing power while at the same time enabling the installer to make uniform and correct connections to a multiplicity of taps or ports. Each connection includes an abutment or seat physically to engage the end of the conductor and in addition the construction of the block and its insulating case provides the installer with visual access to the tip of the conductor in its proper seated position before the conductor is secured to the block with clamp screws. In order to provide such visual access the walls partially blocking the seating end of each conductor socket are scalloped or provided with an inverted conical section which enables the tip of each conductor to be seen from the top of the block. To facilitate this visual access the entire top of the insulating case is made from a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn T. Siracki, Pascal Godard, Richard E. Sasso, Jr., Robert Crozier
  • Patent number: 7121903
    Abstract: The terminal includes a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion. The rear portion is opened and has a pair of upright segments. The front portion is a shape of hollow cylinder and has bent tips. The middle portion is partly opened and an inner edge thereof has a collapsed or chamfered face. A step H is disposed between the rear portion and the front portion so that the middle portion is downwardly tapered to the rear portion. A through-hole is disposed at inner wall of the middle portion close to the rear portion for a part of the core wires, preferably edges of the covers also, to be visible through the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahisa Sakaguchi, Masanori Onuma, Nobuyuki Asakura
  • Patent number: 7101230
    Abstract: A combined connector comprising an insulative housing and a plurality of terminals. The insulative housing has a mating face and a rear face connecting with two opposite top face and bottom faces, and defines a plurality of terminal insertion slots. Each terminal comprises a mounting portion and a soldering portion. The mounting portions are received in the terminal insertion slots, and the soldering portions are exposed out of the terminal insertion slots and separately located below the bottom face. The housing further having a hollow portion extending through the top face to the bottom face and corresponding to the soldering portions below the bottom face. The hollow portion allows for the easy inspection of the solder joint quality of the terminals under the housing. The terminals are fixed only by the base portions of the mounting portions thereof to reduce the overall dimension of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Xuedong Ma
  • Patent number: 7066742
    Abstract: An information means with waterproof and transmitting light characteristic is disclosed to include a connector, an electric device connected to the connector for data storage and transmission, a transparent waterproof member surrounding the connector around the electric device for protection against outside water, an outer layer surrounding the waterproof member and a part of the connector and the whole area of the electric device for protection against external heat energy, and a light guide extending from the transparent waterproof member to the outside of the outer layer for guiding light from electric device to the outside for visual check of the operation status of the electric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Billionton Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yeongchang Liang, Min chang Lin, Bohong Lin
  • Patent number: 7056130
    Abstract: A socket connector is provided that includes a housing holding a plurality of electrical contacts. The housing includes a base having a top side and a bottom side. Opposed side walls upwardly extend from the top side of the base. A datum protrusion is formed on each of the side walls. The datum protrusions define a first dimension extending in a first direction and a second dimension extending in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The first and second dimensions extend from a maximum protrusion on one of the side walls to a maximum protrusion on an opposed side wall. An inspection window is proximate each datum protrusion. The inspection window enables a measurement of the first dimension and the second dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Richard McAlonis, Elwood Scott Martin, Jeffrey Byron McClinton, George Essa Albert
  • Patent number: 7052333
    Abstract: The terminal block assembly of this invention provides a finger safe method of distributing power while at the same time enabling the installer to make uniform and correct connections to a multiplicity of taps or ports. Each connection includes an abutment or seat physically to engage the end of the conductor and in addition the construction of the block and its insulating case provides the installer with visual access to the tip of the conductor in its proper seated position before the conductor is secured to the block. In order to provide such visual access the walls partially blocking the seating end of each conductor socket are scalloped or provided with an inverted conical section which enables the tip of each conductor to be seen from the top of the block. To facilitate this visual access the entire top of the insulating case is made from a transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn T Siracki, Pascal Godard, Richard E. Sasso, Jr., Robert Crozier
  • Patent number: 7001188
    Abstract: A tuning fork-like terminal is accommodated in a terminal-containing section. The tuning fork-like terminal is provided on the central end with a slit adapted to receive a tab being connected. Clamping portions are projected from the opposed surfaces of the slit to pinch the tab between the clamping portions. A slit gage is inserted into a rectangular terminal hole formed in an end of the terminal-containing section to inspect a slit width between the clamping portions of the tuning fork-like terminal. A wide hole portion is formed in the rectangular terminal hole at the insertion position of the slit gage. The wide hole portion is formed by widening a length of a short side of the rectangular terminal hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuchika Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6981890
    Abstract: A locking connector is provided for electrically interconnecting first and second electrical conductors. The connector includes an enclosure that accommodates an electrical contact component electrically interengaged with the first conductor. At least two spring locking clips are mounted in the enclosure and serially arranged to face away from the inlet such that the clips are sequentially and resiliently opened by introducing the second conductor into the enclosure through the inlet. The clips are spring biased to grip the second conductor at a plurality of locations and hold the second conductor in electrical interengagement with the contact component. This enables the second conductor to resist disengagement from the contact component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Inventors: Stephen Cutler, Paul A. Verwer
  • Patent number: 6932639
    Abstract: The electroluminescent cable (EL-cable) connector is a connector for mechanically and electrically splicing together a pair of EL-cables, each cable having a center conductor coated with an electroluminescent phosphor and two fine wires spiraling the length of the phosphor coating. The connector comprises an insulated base into which the EL-wires are inserted at opposite ends, passing through annular sleeves of conducting material, which interconnect the thin outer wires of the two EL-cables. An electrically conducting jumper disposed within an insulated cap has spaced forked protrusions for mechanically engaging and electrically connecting together the center conductors of the EL-cables when the cap nests within the base. Additional embodiments of the present invention include a connector for interconnecting an EL-cable to a pair of insulated wires and a third embodiment for mounting EL-cable to a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventor: George Woodruff
  • Patent number: 6921284
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) includes a housing (110) and a light source (120) inside the housing. The housing has a surface (130). A first portion of the surface permits the passage of a first amount of light from the light source, and a second portion of the surface permits the passage of a second amount of light from the light source, where the second amount of light is different from the first amount of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Belkin Corporation
    Inventors: Saharut Sirichai, Ernesto Quinteros
  • Patent number: 6905363
    Abstract: A jumper assembly for a DSX system is disclosed herein. The jumper assembly includes a messenger wire for electrically connecting tracer lamp circuits corresponding to two cross-connected DSX modules. The jumper assembly also includes tracer lamp devices carried with the messenger wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Musolf, Thomas Good, Richard T. Demulling, Dennis Burroughs