Mechanical device showing prior mating
First Claim
1. A mechanical device disclosing prior mating, comprising:
- a first part, the first part includinga first conductive device movable from a first position to a second position,a retention feature that captures the movable conductive device in the second position, anda plurality of second conductive devices;
a second part, the second part includinga plurality of third conductive devices mateable with the second conductive devices;
a plurality of fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices,the second part mateable to the first part;
wherein upon initial mating, the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part contact the first movable conductive device of the first part to close a circuit prior to the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contacting the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part; and
wherein upon full mating of the first and second parts, the substantially fourth inelastic conductive devices of the second part urge the first movable conductive device of the first part to its second position, at which location it is captured by the retention feature, the second position being such that upon any subsequent mating of the first and second part, the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contact the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part prior to the first movable conductive device of the first part contacting the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part;
wherein the first conductive device is a jumper contact;
the plurality of second conductive devices are the plurality of second contacts;
the plurality of third conductive devices are the plurality of third contacts.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mechanical device that indicates prior mating. The device comprises a first part having a first conductive device movable from a first position to a second position and a plurality of second conductive devices, and a second mating part including a plurality of third conductive devices mateable to the plurality of second conductive devices. On initial mating of the first and second part, the second part causes the movable first conductive device to move from the first position to a second position where it is captured, while closing a circuit that causes a signal to be sent. Further mating of the first and second parts connects the plurality of second conductive devices to the plurality of third conductive devices. In subsequent unmating and remating of the first and second parts, the first conductive device, being captured in its second position, does not result in a circuit closing before the plurality of second conductive devices mate with the third conductive devices. Either no signal is generated or the signal is ignored since the timing of the closing of the circuit is not prior to the mating of the plurality of second conductive devices with the third conductive devices.
21 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A mechanical device disclosing prior mating, comprising:
-
a first part, the first part including a first conductive device movable from a first position to a second position, a retention feature that captures the movable conductive device in the second position, and a plurality of second conductive devices; a second part, the second part including a plurality of third conductive devices mateable with the second conductive devices; a plurality of fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices, the second part mateable to the first part; wherein upon initial mating, the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part contact the first movable conductive device of the first part to close a circuit prior to the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contacting the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part; and wherein upon full mating of the first and second parts, the substantially fourth inelastic conductive devices of the second part urge the first movable conductive device of the first part to its second position, at which location it is captured by the retention feature, the second position being such that upon any subsequent mating of the first and second part, the plurality of second conductive devices of the first part contact the plurality of third conductive devices of the second part prior to the first movable conductive device of the first part contacting the fourth substantially inelastic conductive devices of the second part; wherein the first conductive device is a jumper contact;
the plurality of second conductive devices are the plurality of second contacts;
the plurality of third conductive devices are the plurality of third contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification
-
- Resources
-
Current AssigneeCreganna Unlimited Company (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
-
Original AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
-
InventorsMiller, Keith Edwin, Irwin, William David
-
Primary Examiner(s)Abrams; Neil
-
Assistant Examiner(s)NGUYEN, PHUONG CHI THI
-
Application NumberUS12/109,662Time in Patent Office200 DaysField of Search439/188, 439/489, 439/510, 200/51.12US Class Current439/489CPC Class CodesH01R 12/721 cooperating directly with t...H01R 13/582 the cable being clamped bet...H01R 13/6335 comprising a handleH01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H0...
