With Circuit Conductors And Safety Grounding Provision Patents (Class 439/92)
  • Publication number: 20130337667
    Abstract: An electrical connector is provided having a housing. Contact modules are positioned within the housing. The contact modules each have a dielectric body holding at least one conductive lead. The at least one conductive lead extends between a mating end and a mounting end. The mating end is configured to be electrically connected to an electrical component. The mounting end is configured to be electrically connected to a circuit board. Ground plates are positioned within the housing between corresponding contact modules. The contact modules and the ground plates form a contact assembly held by the housing. A conductive elastomeric material extends through the contact modules and engages the ground plates to electrically interconnect the ground plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Szczesny, John J. O'Keefe, II, Douglas M. Thomas, Eric David Briant
  • Publication number: 20130224971
    Abstract: Modular connectors are provided that have a modular receptacle connector assembly matable with a modular plug connector assembly for connecting AC or DC power connectors and electrical signals including board-to-board and wire-to-board connection. Provided is a “pass through” modular component to facilitate connection and disconnection of only the power supply for service without disconnecting the entire system. The wire connector also may load to the main housing thus obviating the need for a panel mount. Also provided is a one-unit modular connector system with either a coplanar or a right-angle design. Furthermore, multiple AC and/or DC power supplies can be provided that utilize minimum board space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Molex Incorporated
  • Publication number: 20130201629
    Abstract: A power cord (14) for an electronic product (10) such as a set-top box or the like provides a reduced thermal resistance path from a heat generating portion of the set-top to the ambient air to improve heat dissipation. In a preferred embodiment, the power cord includes a ground wire having a size in excess of that necessary to carry ground current to as to increase heat conduction from the ground plane of the set-top box circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Alan Schultz, Robert Warren Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8436243
    Abstract: An anti-lightning system for a composite structure having an external surface liable to be subjected to an air flow, the aforementioned system including at least one electrically conducting strip and fasteners fastening the aforementioned strip to the structure, the aforementioned strip being electrically connected to an electrical earth for removing current. According the disclosed embodiments, the aforementioned strip has a shape intended to collaborate with a housing created at the aforementioned external surface so that the external surface of the strip lies flush with the aforementioned external surface of the structure, and the aforementioned fasteners include an upper part flush with the external surface of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Olivier Gattus, Charles Lambert, Jacques Fournie, Jean-Christope Loche, Mathieu Giraudineau, Gautier Destombes, Gilles Mercadier, Patrick Lieven, Damien Binaud
  • Patent number: 8435058
    Abstract: A coupling system is provided. The system comprises a first hydraulic line element that is electrically conductive at least inside, a second hydraulic line element, an electrically conductive intermediate element that projects by a first end thereof at least partially into the first hydraulic line element, a releasable fastening element configured to couple the electrically conductive intermediate element to the second hydraulic line element, and a conducting device coupled to a predetermined electric potential and connected in an electrically conductive manner to the electrically conductive intermediate element. In this way, the two hydraulic lines can be coupled in a releasable manner and dissipate electric charge that may build up in, for example, a fuel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Andreas Franke
  • Publication number: 20130109204
    Abstract: A power adapter includes a body, and a socket received in the body. The socket defines a first hole, a second hole and a third hole, and includes a live pin, a neutral pin and a ground pin respectively secured in the first hole, the second hole and the third hole. The live pin, the neutral pin and the ground pin are located along a straight line, and the neutral pin is located between the live pin and the ground pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: AMPOWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YU-CHENG LIU
  • Patent number: 8419449
    Abstract: A split electrical grounding bushing having adjacent bushing portions with insulating bushing portions having guard tabs covering a gap formed between the insulating bushing portions creating a continuous insulating ring. The bushing portions are connected by a hinge permitting the bushing to be placed over electrical conductors or wires after being installed. Gaps in the insulating bushing portion are covered by attached guard tabs improving the safety of a split electrical bushing. The split electrical bushing is placed on a distal end of an electrical conduit. The split bushing may be an electrical grounding bushing providing an electrical ground connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20130089993
    Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a connector body having a conductive surface configured to oppose an engagement side of a mating connector. The electrical connector also includes electrical terminals that are held by the connector body and located in an array along the conductive surface. Adjacent terminals are separated by gaps that collectively form an interwoven reception region along the conductive surface between the electrical terminals. The electrical connector also includes ground contacts that are coupled to the conductive surface and are located in corresponding gaps. The ground contacts include flex portions that are configured to be compressed between the conductive surface and the engagement side of the mating connector when the mating connector is coupled to the electrical connector during a mating operation. The ground contacts are configured to electrically couple the conductive surface and the mating connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: MYOUNGSOO JEON
  • Patent number: 8398433
    Abstract: A connector structure includes an enclosure; a plurality of ground units arranged in the enclosure and respectively including a carrier plate and a plurality of ground terminals electrically connected to one another and associated with the carrier plate; a plurality of signal units arranged in the enclosure side by side to locate between any two adjacent ones of the ground units, and the signal units respectively including a carrier plate and a plurality of signal terminals associated with the carrier plate; and a ground connecting member connected to the carrier plates of the ground units and the signal units. With these arrangements, the connector has simple structure and can be easily assembled for use, and the ground units are connected to the ground connecting member to thereby effectively prevent electromagnetic interference during signal transmission and ensure increased transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: All Best Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fenny Yang
  • Publication number: 20130065409
    Abstract: A cable installation assembly includes a connector, a power wire, a ground wire and two signal wires. The connector includes a base, having a plurality of terminal containing grooves formed in the base and arranged separately adjacent to each other. The power wire includes a power core and a power terminal electrically coupled to power core, and each power terminal is plugged into each corresponding terminal containing groove. The ground wire includes a grounding core and a grounding terminal electrically coupled to the grounding core and plugged into the terminal containing groove. The signal wire includes a signal core and a signal terminal electrically coupled to signal core, and the two signal terminals are plugged into the terminal containing grooves respectively and not arranged adjacent to each other, so that signals can be transmitted without interfering with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Chih-Cheng LIN
  • Publication number: 20130034977
    Abstract: A receptacle connector includes a dielectric connector body having a receptacle configured to receive a mating connector therein. Signal and ground contacts are held by the connector body. The signal and ground contacts include mating segments that are arranged within the receptacle of the connector body in a row that extends a length along a row axis. The mating segments of the signal and ground contacts include mating interfaces that extend within the receptacle for mating with corresponding mating contacts of the mating connector. A ground shield extends within the receptacle. The ground shield overlaps the mating segments of the signal and ground contacts within the receptacle along the length of the row of the mating segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Frank Cina, Randall Robert Henry, Michael J. Phillips, David Szczesny
  • Publication number: 20130005164
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a first row of contact pins. The first row of contact pins comprises a first grounding pin, a second grounding pin and a first signal pin arranged between the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin. A grounding bar electrically connects the first grounding pin and the second grounding pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicants: TYCO ELECTRONICS NEDERLAND BV, TYCO ELECTRONICS BELGIUM EC BVBA
    Inventors: Rutger Wilhelmus SMINK, Lieven Decrock, Jacobus Nicolaas Tuin
  • Patent number: 8337219
    Abstract: A grounding strip is described configured to be installed along an edge portion of a substrate for establishing electrical grounding contact between the substrates and a card guide. The grounding strip includes integral grounding members. Each grounding member includes opposing sidewall portions defining a channel configured to receive the edge portion of the substrate therein. The sidewall portions of each grounding member are configured to engage the substrate when the edge portion of the substrate is received in the channel to help retain the edge portion of the substrate in the channel. Each grounding member also includes a contact element disposed generally over the channel. The contact element is integrally formed with at least one of the opposing sidewall portions of the grounding member and is configured to establish electrical contact with the card guide when the grounding strip is installed to the substrate and located in the card guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Laird Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Green, James E. Kline
  • Patent number: 8299362
    Abstract: An electrical adapter enables the conductors of a flexible cable to be extended into an armored conduit with electrical ground continuity and a rigid structural attachment. The adapter is cylindrical and has removable cover over an oblique aperture providing a highly rigid and strengthened fixture, which has a ground wire clamp for securement of the wires of the cable. An adapter collar is secured rotationally to one end of the adapter body for connecting the adapter to a nipple of an armored conduit mounted to a wall structure. The ground wire is secured to the ground wire fixture, and with the adapter collar secured to the armored conduit, electrical ground continuity is extended from the flexible cable to the armored conduit. With the removable cover secured over the access aperture, exposure of the ground wire clamp and the conductors of the flexible cable is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Metis Holdings LLC
    Inventor: James A Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20120270425
    Abstract: A bi-metallic boss is provided. The bi-metallic boss includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is made of a first metal powder. The second portion is integrated with the first portion. Moreover, the second portion made of a second metal powder, such that the second metal powder is different from the first metal powder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Rae, Marius G. Enescu
  • Publication number: 20120270424
    Abstract: Electrical connections that provide a highly manufacturable, well-shielded path from a cable to a printed circuit board. One example provides a path that includes a card and a connector. Conductors in a cable may be attached to a card. The card may be shielded with a ground plane on one or more sides and edges. The card may insert into a connector that may be attached to a printed circuit board. The connector may include a shield that may have a top portion that forms electrical contact with a ground plane on a top of a card inserted in the connector. The connector may have an opening for accepting the card that is defined by the top portion of the shield and a plurality of rows of contacts. The rows of contacts may include an outer row of ground contacts, and an inner row of signal contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, George Tziviskos, Min C. Kim, Vincent D. Duperron, George V. Anastas, Greg A. Springer
  • Patent number: 8287285
    Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes an electronic sub-assembly and a conductive interior trim component at least partially disposed about the electronic sub-assembly. The conductive interior trim component is electrically coupled to a conductive structure at a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Mainville, Sreeniwas Ranganathan, Bryan Shafer, Scott W. Mee
  • Patent number: 8282400
    Abstract: An electronic connector includes an insulating case, a metal plate and a contact module. The insulating case includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a receiving space defined therein, and a plurality of grooves defined at the top surface. The metal plate is retained in the receiving space and attached to the bottom surface of the insulating case. The contact module is retained in the receiving space, which includes an insulating housing, a plurality of contacts and a ground terminal. Each contact includes a first connecting portion extended above the top surface and aligned with the corresponding groove of the insulating case. The ground terminal includes a second connecting portion and a contacting portion. The second connecting portion is extended above the top surface and aligned with the corresponding groove of the insulating case. The contacting portion is connected to the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ou Yang, Ping-Chih Chen, Hong-Tu Zhang, Ming-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8272877
    Abstract: An interconnection system that includes a daughter card and backplane electrical connectors, each mounted to a printed circuit board at a connector footprint. The backplane connector has conductive elements with transition regions that allow the mating contact portions to be positioned on a uniform pitch while contact tail portions can be shaped to improve signal integrity or to provide a more compact and/or mechanically robust footprint. The conductive elements in both connectors are configured such that the contact tails of the ground conductors align from column to column, but the planar portions of the ground conductors in one column align with a pair of signal conductors in the other column, which improves mechanical and signal integrity. Mechanical integrity may be improved by forming the connector footprints with pads for the ground conductors that span multiple columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Philip T. Stokoe, Mark W. Gailus, Huilin Ren, Donald A. Girard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8253022
    Abstract: A suspension tray is provided that is adapted to hold a plurality of cables and/or wires that includes a device for electrically bonding and grounding the tray. The tray includes a series of spokes forming a wire mesh support on which the cables and/or wires are placed. The device (which serves to electrically bond and ground the tray) includes a plurality of conductive elements affixed to the wire mesh support. Each conductive element may include two side portions and a middle portion. The two side portions are preferably sealed with a paint composition and the middle portion includes a conductive surface that is capable of electrically bonding and grounding the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cablofil, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Crain, Dallas Kellerman
  • Patent number: 8221139
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a front and a rear opposite the housing with a rear wall at the rear. The housing has a slot open through the front that receives a mating connector therein. The housing has contact openings through the rear wall and a ground clip channel in the rear wall open at the rear. Signal contacts are held in the housing and arranged in pairs. The signal contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. Ground contacts are held in the housing and are arranged between corresponding signal contacts. The ground contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. A ground clip is loaded into the ground clip channel. The ground clip engages the ground contacts to create a ground circuit between the ground contacts engaged by the ground clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jie Qin, Steven J. Millard, David W. Helster
  • Patent number: 8210858
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a socket device comprising a base, a socket structure and a grounding structure. The base comprises a substrate and a sidewall adjacent thereto, and the substrate comprises a first lateral and a second lateral corresponded to each other. The socket structure is disposed on the sidewall of the base. The grounding structure is disposed on the substrate of the base and comprises a grounding element, a fixing element, a grounding wire, and an insulating plate. The grounding element comprises first and second terminals, wherein the first terminal is protruded from the first lateral of the substrate. The fixing element is substantially disposed on the second lateral of the substrate and connected to the second terminal of the grounding element, so as to fix the grounding element to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Liang Lee, Juin-Kai Chuang
  • Patent number: 8202102
    Abstract: An earth terminal is disclosed. The earth terminal includes a fixing member fixed to a vehicle body by a bolt, a barrel member to which an earth wire is inserted and fixed, and a cut member for connecting the fixing member and the barrel member, in which the cut member is broken or disengaged by bending. Since the cut member is bent and broken, if necessary, the earth wire is easily and conveniently disengaged from the vehicle body to enhance a disengaging performance of a wire harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Kyungshin Industrial Company, Yura Corporation Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Soo Kim, Cheol Hun Lee, Hak-Cheol Lee, Jong-Myung Oh
  • Patent number: 8191923
    Abstract: A holder for a controller housing of a central airbag unit is arranged on a central tunnel of the vehicle and fixed using fastening bolts by union nuts. A blank paint-free contact area is created around the fastening bolts by the union nuts being mounted on the fastening screws before a painting process. After a painting process, the union nuts are removed from the screws and the controller housing is mounted on the contact areas and secured by the union nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Mike Bachmann
  • Patent number: 8192206
    Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting to a circuit board. In one embodiment, the electrical connector includes: an insulating body, having at least one grounding terminal slot and a plurality of signal terminal slots, at least one grounding terminal, made of a flexible conductive material and accommodated in the grounding terminal slot, and including a first base and a first soldering portion accommodated in the grounding terminal slot in a suspended manner, a plurality of signal terminals, and a plurality of solder balls, at least one of which is disposed on the first soldering portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Lotes Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ted Ju
  • Publication number: 20120129365
    Abstract: An electrical box is mounted on a wall stud, and a wiring panel is installed within the electrical box so as to partition the interior of the electrical box into a user inaccessible wiring compartment and a user accessible module compartment. A protective cover is attached to the wiring panel so as to protect the wiring panel during a makeup phase of wall panel installation and painting. After the makeup phase, the protective cover is removed from the wiring panel and a module having a user operable electrical function is mounted to the wiring panel within the user accessible module compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: PROTECTCONNECT, INC.
    Inventor: Michael P. Gorman
  • Patent number: 8177562
    Abstract: A socket arrangement having a housing, in particular a built-in housing, bearing at least one socket, preferably a plurality of sockets, the socket having an electrically conductive flange inserted into a housing opening, and a contact carrier which is inserted into the flange and which has one or more electrically conductive contacts for connecting to countercontacts of a plug corresponding to the socket. In order to effectively divert high-voltage discharges from the flange, a conductive element situated in the housing and having an introduction portion which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a portion of the flange inside the housing, has a diversion portion which is connected to a diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Escha Bauelemente GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Friedrich
  • Patent number: 8173008
    Abstract: A method for determining an analyte in a bodily fluid sample includes inserting the analyte test strip into a test meter. The insertion is such that an electrical connector pin of the test meter travels along an electrical contact pad of the analyte test strip, and across a meter identification feature disposed on the electrical contact pad, during the insertion. Moreover, during the insertion, a signal processing module of the test meter measures an electrical characteristic via the electrical connector pin as the electrical connector pin travels along the electrical contact pad and across the meter identification feature. The method also includes identifying the analyte test strip, using the signal processing module, based on the electrical characteristic measured as the analyte test strip is inserted into the test meter and, thereafter, applying the bodily fluid sample to the analyte test strip upon notification by the test meter that the identification indicates that such applying is appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventor: Koon-wah Leong
  • Patent number: 8152575
    Abstract: A grounding lug for holding a grounding wire includes a housing defining an opening for receiving a wire and a clamping pad movable relative to the housing. The clamping pad is movable between an unclamped position in which the clamping pad defines a wire-receiving pocket in combination with the opening defined by the housing, and a clamped position in which the clamping pad clamps the wire to the housing. The grounding lug also includes a moving mechanism coupled to the housing and the clamping pad for moving the clamping pad between the unclamped and clamped positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: ERICO International Corporation
    Inventors: Dale R. Boling, Nicholas J. Ambrogio, Matthew Flemming
  • Patent number: 8149594
    Abstract: An electromagnetic shield structure of an electronics housing includes a terminal having a protrusion for external connection; a substrate having the terminal disposed thereon and electrically connected to the terminal; a housing made of resin, enclosing the substrate and having an opening at a position corresponding to the protrusion of the terminal on a front surface side where the protrusion of the terminal is located; and an electromagnetic shield disposed so as to surround the substrate inside the housing, having an opening at the position corresponding to the protrusion of the terminal, and electromagnetically shielding the substrate. The electromagnetic shield has a bent portion formed on the front surface side for filling a gap between the terminal and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yosuke Nishihata
  • Publication number: 20120071013
    Abstract: A connector structure includes a first connector installed on a host device. The first connector includes a first base, a first terminal set installed on the first base, and a first grounding component installed on the first base. The connector structure further includes a second connector installed on a docking station for connecting with the first connector. The second connector includes a second base, a second terminal set installed on the second base for contacting with the first terminal set so as to transmit signals between the host device and the docking station with the first terminal set when the host device is docked in the docking station, and a second grounding component installed on the second base for contacting with the first grounding component so as to ground with the first grounding component when the host device is docked in the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Chin-Chung Hung, Yu-Jen Li, Tsung-Jen Su
  • Patent number: 8137116
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ground joint connector capable of collectively connecting a plurality of grounding wires included in a wire harness for a vehicle, to a given ground site, while occupying a little space. The ground joint connector JC comprises a plurality of wire terminals to be attached to respective terminal ends of the grounding wires, a grounding conductor a connector housing holding the grounding conductor. The grounding conductor includes a plurality of wire-side terminal portions to be fitted to the respective wire terminals in a terminal fitting direction and a ground-side terminal portion to be connected to the ground site while fixed onto the wall surface around the ground site. The wire-side terminal portions aligned in a direction approximately perpendicular to the terminal fitting direction and parallel to the wall surface, and integrally joined to the ground-side terminal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Omori, Hiroki Hirai, Tetsuji Tanaka, Masaaki Tabata, Yuujirou Imai, Teruo Hara
  • Publication number: 20120064743
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a front and a rear opposite the housing with a rear wall at the rear. The housing has a slot open through the front that receives a mating connector therein. The housing has contact openings through the rear wall and a ground clip channel in the rear wall open at the rear. Signal contacts are held in the housing and arranged in pairs. The signal contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. Ground contacts are held in the housing and are arranged between corresponding signal contacts. The ground contacts are received in corresponding contact openings and are arranged within the slot to mate with the mating connector. A ground clip is loaded into the ground clip channel. The ground clip engages the ground contacts to create a ground circuit between the ground contacts engaged by the ground clip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jie QIN, Steven J. MILLARD, David W. HELSTER
  • Publication number: 20120052701
    Abstract: A grounding contact (10) for an axle, particularly an axle of a rail vehicle or the like, includes a housing unit (12), a contact device (16) and a sensor device (24). The housing unit consists of a housing structure (13) and a housing cover (14), wherein the contact device consists of a sliding contact element (17) that may be attached to an axle and of a contact element (18), wherein an electrical sliding contact can be created between the sliding contact device and the contact element, wherein the sensor device consists of a signal output device and at least one sensor for acquiring operating parameters of the axle. The sensor device is arranged inside the housing unit and the signal output device is able to output at least two signals having differing structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Wilfried Weigel
  • Publication number: 20120051025
    Abstract: A personal media device includes at least a housing having at least a highly curved portion. The housing includes at least one opening suitably sized to accommodate a multi-pin connector. A portion of the multi-pin adapter associated with the highly curved portion includes at least a spring loaded, small form factor, electrical contact arranged to provide EMI ground contact when a plug is inserted into and engages the multi-pin connector assembly. In one embodiment, the spring loaded electrical contact takes the form of a dimple formed of conductive material such as stainless steel or copper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. Jol, Stephen Brian Lynch, Fletcher R. Rothkopf
  • Patent number: 8116102
    Abstract: An electronic device which comprises a lead frame comprising at least one clip, a capacitor comprising at least one terminal, the at least one terminal being received in the at least one clip, and a semiconductor chip attached to the lead frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Chee Peng Wong, Tiam Sen Ong, Guan Choon Tee
  • Patent number: 8106297
    Abstract: By providing a grounding conductor assembly affixed to a conduit bushing in a manner which enables the grounding conductor assembly to extend inwardly from the bushing, effectively being positioned coaxially with the inside diameter of the rigid metal conduit, conduit bushing is realized which enables all grounding wires to be quickly and easily mounted to the grounding conductor assembly. The conduit bushing of the present invention includes a generally circular shaped cover or cap member mounted to the terminating end of the conduit and incorporating an enlarged aperture which overlies the elongated passageway formed in the conduit. In this way, the electrical power carrying wires are able to extend outwardly from the rigid metal conduit into the desired outlet box, junction box with the grounding wire being quickly affixed to the receiving zone of the grounding connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bridgeport Fittings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Kiely
  • Patent number: 8100730
    Abstract: A ground joint connector (JC) has a housing (20) with cavities (21) for receiving female terminals (11). The ground joint connector (JC) also has a joint terminal (50) including a male terminal portion (51) with male terminals (55) to be accommodated in the respective cavities (21). A bracket (52) is connected with the male terminal portion (51) and includes a mounting portion (65) to be mounted on a grounding portion. The bracket (52) extends in an extending direction of the cavities (21) from the rear edge of the male terminal portion (51) and then is bent twice to define a crank shape. Reinforcing flanges (73) and ribs (75) are formed on a flat portion at a base end side of the bracket (52). The housing (20) includes receiving portions (46, 47) for tightly holding back ends of the flanges (73) and the ribs (75).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruo Hara, Yuujirou Imai
  • Patent number: 8096816
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kossak, Robert L. Sokol
  • Publication number: 20110281446
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an insulative housing having an inserting slot, and a bottom wall under the inserting slot. The bottom wall defines a supporting surface extending along a front-to-back direction, a horizontal guiding surface located in front of the supporting surface, and a plurality of depressions recessed from the supporting surface and arranged in one row along a transverse direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. A plurality of first contacts each has a planar first contact portion retained in the depression. A plurality of second contacts each has an arc-shaped second contact portion extending upwardly beyond the supporting surface and protruding into the inserting slot. The second contact portions are located behind the first contact portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JIAN-FEI YU, XI-FU XU, XIAO-MING HUANG, QI-JUN ZHAO
  • Patent number: 8025508
    Abstract: An electrical connector including a first section adapted to receive a first electrical conductor; a second section, and a rotatable connection between the first and second section. The second section has a channel adapted to receive a portion of a frame of a solar panel. The second section is adapted to spring clip onto the solar panel frame and make an electrical connection therewith. The rotatable connection is adapted to rotate the first section relative to the second section to orient the first electrical conductor at a desired orientation relative to the solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Justin L. Parker, Michael Rzasa, Craig E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8023793
    Abstract: An external grounding arrangement for a fiber access terminal includes a lug extending through a housing of the terminal. The lug is connected to strength members of a fiber optic cable extending to the terminal by a clamp about the cable within the terminal and a rod extending from the clamp to the lug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Kowalczyk, James J. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8023272
    Abstract: To perform the temporary mounting of an electronic component housing unit, a clamp is inserted into a clamp hole formed in the load bearing face of a vehicle body. Then, a screw through hole in a grounding terminal is aligned with a screw hole formed in the load bearing face, and a screw is inserted therein and tightened to secure the earth portion of the grounding terminal to the load bearing face. At this time, rotational torque generated by tightening the screw is absorbed by the clamp that is directly fixed to the grounding terminal. Since the clamp is fixed directly to the grounding terminal, turning of the electronic component housing unit bearing the grounding terminal can be prevented, without stress being transmitted to a case and to other constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiko Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8000111
    Abstract: An electronic device structure includes an upper case, a lower case, a main board, a suspending member, and a fixing member. The upper case and the lower case respectively have an upper combining column and a lower combining column. The main board has a through hole, the upper combining column passes through the through hole, and a size of the through hole is larger than a size of the upper combining column, such that a moving gap is kept between the upper combining column and the through hole. The suspending member is combined with a side of the main board and spaced with the main board by a suspending distance. The fixing member passes through the lower combining column and the suspending member and is fixed on the upper combining column, such that the main board is disposed on the lower combining column through the suspending member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Fei-Chin Liao
  • Patent number: 7988464
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a clamp for securing a grounding connector to a structural member. The clamp includes a clamp body having a top section, a bottom section, and a side section, which define an opening for receiving the structural member. The top section includes a plurality of mounting sections separated by at least one slot. Each of the mounting sections includes a mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener to secure the clamp to the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kossak, Robert L. Sokol
  • Patent number: 7953125
    Abstract: A Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) is partitioned into Line Cards, I/O Cards, and a midplane to provide enhanced Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability. Each I/O Card provides a cabling interface for coupling an assigned Line Card to other portions of a Hybrid-Fiber-Coax Network. A plurality of RF signals is coupled via connectors between each Line Card and a corresponding I/O Card, via the midplane. This permits a Line Card to be removed for servicing without requiring recabling of the corresponding I/O Card. Preferably, a rectangular-multi-pin collinear connector-cascade (Line Card jack, midplane double-plug, and I/O Card jack) is used to couple the plurality of RF signals. The connector-cascade is configured with protective RF ground pins adjacent and surrounding each of a plurality of RF signal pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Valentino Liva, Alok Sharma, Lance Smith, James Yee
  • Patent number: 7947402
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel cell system including: a cartridge in which fuel is stored; a power unit producing power by using the fuel supplied from the cartridge; and a port to which an electronic device is connected, wherein the port comprises: a first channel which is a channel for receiving start-up power from the electronic device and supplying produced power to the electronic device; a second channel via which a signal indicating attachment of the fuel cell system to the electronic device is transmitted to the electronic device when the fuel cell system is attached to the electronic device; and a third channel for grounding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-jae Kim, Hye-jung Cho
  • Publication number: 20110117759
    Abstract: A connector apparatus includes a receiving connector connected to a power source and including first and second power jack terminals, a control jack terminal, a control switch including first and second contact points, and an insulative spring positioned below the control switch, and an inserting connector connected to an electronic device and including first and second power plug terminals connected in correspondence with the first and second power jack terminals for receiving power from the power source, and a control plug terminal that extends towards the control switch and applies pressure to the insulative spring for causing the first and second contact points to connect and enabling the power from the power source to be supplied to the electronic device. A part of the insulative spring is configured to melt when an electric arc is generated by disconnecting the connection between the first and second contact points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Seung Seok Beak, Koichi Kiryu, Keiichi Hirose, Tomonori Iino
  • Publication number: 20110117758
    Abstract: A connector unit includes a male connector including a control plug terminal, a slide switch for moving the control plug terminal between a first position and a second position in a first direction, a return button protruding from the opening of the slide switch in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, an urging part to urge the return button in the second direction, and an elastic member; and a female connector including a control jack terminal including a control switch. The control plug terminal is moved to the first position to connect the contacts of the control switch. The return button is pressed with the control plug terminal at the first position to cause the elastic member to deform via the control plug terminal, so that the control plug terminal is moved to the second position with the restoring force of the elastic member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Seung Seok Beak, Yasushi Masuda, Hideo Miyazawa, Keiichi Hirose, Tomonori Iino
  • Patent number: 7939751
    Abstract: A return path between a first HVDC station and a second HVDC station. A first electrode is connected to the first station and a second electrode is connected to the second station. The return path includes a first part including a first low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the first electrode is embedded. A second part includes the earth mantle. A third part includes a second low resistive zone through the crust of the earth in which the second electrode is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Gunnar Asplund, Olof Heyman, Urban Åström