Low profile connector system
First Claim
1. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
- a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface;
a first side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element, the channel being disposed beneath the top surface such that the top surface forms an upper guiding surface for an electrically conductive element, and the channel having at least two interior walls, wherein the upper guiding surface and at least two interior walls are configured to guide the electrically conductive element along the first side-entry guide channel; and
a receptacle positioned within the housing and disposed between the at least two interior walls, the receptacle having a receiving pocket with an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element, and at least one guide leg configured to guide the electrically conductive element from the first side-entry guide channel to the receiving pocket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low-profile electrical connector includes a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, where the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface. The connector also includes a side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface. The channel includes an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element. The channel is also configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing. The connector includes a receptacle positioned within the housing and forms an electrically conductive interface with the electrically conductive element.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
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a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface; a first side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element, the channel being disposed beneath the top surface such that the top surface forms an upper guiding surface for an electrically conductive element, and the channel having at least two interior walls, wherein the upper guiding surface and at least two interior walls are configured to guide the electrically conductive element along the first side-entry guide channel; and a receptacle positioned within the housing and disposed between the at least two interior walls, the receptacle having a receiving pocket with an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element, and at least one guide leg configured to guide the electrically conductive element from the first side-entry guide channel to the receiving pocket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of configuring an electro-stimulation connector comprising:
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providing an electrical connector with a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a plane where an electrically conductive element is positioned and the top surface is spaced away from the bottom surface, and wherein a side-entry guide channel is disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element, the channel being disposed beneath the top surface such that the top surface forms an upper guiding surface for an electrically conductive element, and the channel having at least two interior walls configured to guide the electrically conductive element along the side-entry guide channel; sliding the housing along the plane to receive the electrically conductive element through the opening and to pass the electrically conductive element along the guide channel to a receiving pocket within a receptacle, the receiving pocket having an electrical contact site, and the receptacle being positioned within the housing and having at least one guide leg configured to guide the electrically conductive element from the side-entry guide channel to the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
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a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface; a receptacle positioned within the housing and having a guide leg configured to guide an electrically conductive element to the receptacle, and an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element; a first side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive the electrically conductive element, the channel including at least two interior walls that form a path that tapers from the opening into the receptacle, and the channel being configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
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a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface; a plurality of side-entry guide channels disposed along the exterior perimeter sides and exposed through the bottom surface, wherein each of said side-entry guide channels has an opening along at least one of the exterior perimeter sides that is configured for receiving an electrically conductive element, the channels being configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing to a receptacle, the receptacle being positioned within the housing and having an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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34. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
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a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface; a first side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element, the channel being configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing; a receptacle positioned within the housing and having an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element; and a release actuator operatively engaged to the receptacle, wherein the release actuator applies a force along a plane substantially parallel with the guide channel to disengage the electrically conductive element from the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
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37. A low profile electrical connector for connecting to an electro-stimulation element comprising:
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a housing having exterior perimeter sides and top and bottom surfaces, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to extend along a user'"'"'s body site and the top surface is spaced above the bottom surface; a first side-entry guide channel disposed along the bottom surface, the channel having an opening along the exterior perimeter side that is configured to receive an electrically conductive element, and the channel being configured to guide the electrically conductive element within the housing; a receptacle positioned within the housing and having an electrically conductive surface that forms an electrical interface with the electrically conductive element, wherein the receptacle includes at least two upper legs, at least two vertically disposed post legs, and at least two guide legs configured to guide the electrically conductive element from the side-entry guide channel, the vertically disposed post legs being spaced apart from one another and configured to maintain space between the legs throughout operation. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
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Specification