US4887876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector including light-conducting means
Assignee: Weidmueller Interface GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1988-11-07
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Granted: 1989-12-19
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Expires: 2008-11-07
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector or terminal block (1) is adapted for mounting on a printed circuit board or the like (2) at a position at least partially concealing a luminous diode (3), the connector containing a light-conductive member (4) that extends from the luminous diode to an exposed surface (5) of the connector, thereby to present a visible indication of the state of operation of the diode.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert Fricke
- 👤 Klaus Strate
- 👤 Manfred Wilmes
- 👤 Arian Frikkee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4249; G02B6/4292; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7076; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/717; H01R13/7175; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/381; G02B6/3817; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R9/00; H01R9/22; H01R9/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An electrical connector adapted for connection with a conductor plate (2) and operable to indicate the status of a luminous diode (3) electrically connected with the plate, comprising: (a) a connector body (1') adapted for mounting on the conductor plate in such a manner as to at least partially conceal the luminous diode, said connector body containing an internal passage (6') extending from said luminous diode to an exposed surface (5') of the body; (b) light-conducting means including a first light-conducting member (4a) mounted within said passage and extending at one end adjacent said luminous diode for conducting light from said luminous diode to said exposed surface, said light-conducting means also including an auxiliary light-conducting member (16, 17); and (c) a light-conducting cap member (4b', 4b") arranged in light-conducting relation adjacent the other end of said first member that is remote from said luminous diode, said cap member being sectional and including a body section containing a recess (12) receiving one end of said auxiliary member in light-conducting relation relative to said other end of said first light-conducting member, said cap member also including a cover section (4c', 4c"), and means (13, 14) locking said cover section to said body section to maintain said auxiliary member one end in said recess.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electrical connector adapted for connection with a conductor plate (2) and operable to indicate the status of a luminous diode (3) electrically connected with the plate, comprising: (a) a connector body (1') adapted for mounting on the conductor plate in such a manner as to at least partially conceal the luminous diode, said connector body containing an internal passage (6') extending from said luminous diode to an exposed surface (5') of the body; (b) light-conducting means including a first light-conducting member (4a) mounted within said passage and extending at one end adjacent said luminous diode for conducting light from said luminous diode to said exposed surface, said light-conducting means also including an auxiliary light-conducting member (16, 17); and (c) a light-conducting cap member (4b', 4b") arranged in light-conducting relation adjacent the other end of said first member that is remote from said luminous diode, said cap member being sectional and including a body section containing a recess (12) receiving one end of said auxiliary member in light-conducting relation relative to said other end of said first light-conducting member, said cap member also including a cover section (4c', 4c"), and means (13, 14) locking said cover section to said body section to maintain said auxiliary member one end in said recess.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the light-conducting means comprises at least one light-conducting rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said light-conducting rod is longitudinally curved.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said light conducting member includes longitudinal guide rail portions (4c) that extend laterally within corresponding guide grooves (6c) contained in the walls of said passages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including locking means (8, 9) connecting said cap member with said connector body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further wherein said cap member is in the form of a plug having at least one leg portion (10) that extends within a corresponding groove (11) contained in said connector body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said connector body contains a recess (18) for at least partially enclosing said luminous diode when said connector body is mounted on said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a plurality of said connector bodies arranged in laterally stacked relation, said passage (16) being contained in the rear wall of one of said connector bodies adjacent the front wall of the next connector body of the stack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, and further including means for mounting said light-conducting members and said cap members independently on said connector body.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-12-18 | 1993-06-19 | 1993-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-12-18 | 1997-06-19 | 1997-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-12-18 | 2001-06-19 | 2001-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |