Retainer for overmolded electrical circuit

• US 7,963,006 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2007
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Grote Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Grote Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Harmon, Darren L., Marvell, William E., Schulz, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder; Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US11/844,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20090049661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 24/115.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/145 Moulds
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/39 Cord and rope holders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44017 with specific mounting means for attaching to rigid or semirigid supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured

Abstract

A device configured to maintain an electric circuit in a fixed position during an overmolding process comprises a wire retainer configured to hold the electric circuit taut and in a fixed position while being molded within a molded item. The retainer has a first end and an opposite second end, and includes a first bushing defining a mounting hole for the molded item extending along a width axis. The built-in bushing includes front and back surfaces configured to be aligned and substantially co-planar with the front and back surfaces of the molded item. The device also includes a first securing member configured to secure a portion of the electric circuit to the retainer within the molded item, to hold the electric circuit in a fixed position within the molded item during the overmolding process.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an electric circuit comprising a first electric circuit portion and a second electric circuit portion;

a wire retainer configured to hold the first electric circuit portion in a fixed position with respect to the second electric circuit portion while being molded within a molded item during an overmolding process, the retainer having a first end and an opposite second end, wherein the retainer includes a first bushing extending along a first width axis and configured to define a mounting hole for the molded item, wherein the bushing includes front and back surfaces configured to be aligned and substantially co-planar with the front and back surfaces of the molded item; and

a first securing member configured to secure a portion of the electric circuit to the retainer and hold the electric circuit in a fixed position during the overmolding process, such that the first electric circuit portion cannot move with respect to the second electric circuit portion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a second securing member configured to secure a portion of the electric circuit to the retainer and hold the electric circuit in a fixed position during the overmolding process.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the retainer includes a second bushing adjacent the second end of the retainer, the first bushing being adjacent the first end of the retainer, wherein the second bushing extends along a second width axis and is configured to define a second mounting hole for the molded item, wherein the retainer includes a longitudinal portion extending between the first and second bushings along a longitudinal axis, the first and second width axes being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second securing members are wire ties configured to wrap around the retainer and the electric circuit to securely maintain the connection between the electric circuit and the retainer.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second securing members are sections of tape configured to wrap around the retainer and the electric circuit to securely maintain the connection between the electric circuit and the retainer.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second securing members are wire crimps configured to connect the electric circuit to the retainer to securely maintain the connection between the electric circuit and the retainer.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second securing members are molded to the retainer.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second securing members are integral components of the retainer.