Patent US4671079A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5229544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rotary connector
Assignee: Furukawa Electric Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-10-21
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2011-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A rotary connector is provided which includes a rotatable case having an inner cylindrical shaft, a fixed case having an engaging portion engaged with an end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft and coupled with the rotatable case with a clearance therebetween, and a spirally wound flat cable housed in the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable being allowed to loosen and tighten to thereby permit a predetermined number of rotations of the rotatable case relative to the fixed case. A projection protruding radially inward is provided at the engaging portion, such that a radially extending clearance is defined between the projection and the end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Naoaki Horiuchi
- 👤 Michio Abe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/027; H; H01; H01R; H01R35/00; H01R35/02; H01R35/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a rotary connector including a rotatable case having an inner cylindrical shaft, a fixed case having an engaging portion engaged with an end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft and coupled with the rotatable case with a clearance therebetween, and a spirally wound flat cable housed in the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable being allowed to loosen and tighten to thereby permit a predetermined number of rotations of the rotatable case relative to the fixed case, the improvement comprising a projection provided at the engaging portion and protruding radially inward, such that a radially extending clearance is defined between the projection and the end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a rotary connector including a rotatable case having an inner cylindrical shaft, a fixed case having an engaging portion engaged with an end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft and coupled with the rotatable case with a clearance therebetween, and a spirally wound flat cable housed in the fixed and rotatable cases, the flat cable being allowed to loosen and tighten to thereby permit a predetermined number of rotations of the rotatable case relative to the fixed case, the improvement comprising a projection provided at the engaging portion and protruding radially inward, such that a radially extending clearance is defined between the projection and the end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said projection is formed integrally with the engaging portion of the fixed case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said projection comprises a ring member attached to a lower surface of the engaging portion of the fixed case.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said clearance defined between the projection and the end portion of the inner cylindrical shaft is about 1 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said flat cable comprises an electrical transmission line having a plurality of electrical conductors covered with an insulating material for transmitting an electrical signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said flat cable comprises an optical transmission line having a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting an optical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A rotary connector according to claim 1, wherein said flat cable comprises a composite transmission line having a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting an electrical signal and a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting an optical signal, covered together with an insulating material.
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) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |