US5252085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clock spring connector
Assignee: Alps Alpine Co Ltd
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Filing: 1993-01-15
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Granted: 1993-10-12
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Expires: 2013-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A clock spring connector which has a shorter length of a flexible cable and can suppress noises. In a ring-shaped space between an outer cylindrical portion of a first housing and an inner cylindrical portion of a second housing, there are disposed a flexible cable wound in opposite directions with a reversely looped portion being at a U-turn point, and a carrier member rotatable following the reversely looped portion. A spacer as part of the carrier member slides over a rib provided on a bottom plate of the first housing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hironori Kato
- 👤 Kunihiko Sasaki
- 👤 Hiroyuki Bannai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/027; H; H01; H01R; H01R35/00; H01R35/02; H01R35/025; H02; H02G; H02G11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A clock spring connector comprising a stationary member, a movable member rotatably connected to said stationary member, a flexible cable stored in a space between an inner cylindrical portion provided on one of said stationary member and said movable member and an outer cylindrical portion provided on the other of said stationary member and said movable member, and a carrier member disposed in said space and having an opening, said flexible cable being reversely looped through said opening in opposite directions upon said inner cylindrical portion and said outer cylindrical portion, wherein a projection is provided between said carrier member and at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of said space for making smaller a contact area between said carrier member and one of said top surface and said bottom surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A clock spring connector comprising a stationary member, a movable member rotatably connected to said stationary member, a flexible cable stored in a space between an inner cylindrical portion provided on one of said stationary member and said movable member and an outer cylindrical portion provided on the other of said stationary member and said movable member, and a carrier member disposed in said space and having an opening, said flexible cable being reversely looped through said opening in opposite directions upon said inner cylindrical portion and said outer cylindrical portion, wherein a projection is provided between said carrier member and at least one of a top surface and a bottom surface of said space for making smaller a contact area between said carrier member and one of said top surface and said bottom surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 1, wherein said projection is provided on at least one of said carrier member and the top surface and the bottom surface of said space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 1, wherein said projection is provided on said carrier member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 2, wherein a ring-shaped recessed groove is provided on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of said space in facing relation to said carrier member for guiding said carrier member in the circumferential direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 2, wherein said projection is provided on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of said space in facing relation to said flexible cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 2, wherein said projection is in the form of a radial rib.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 2, wherein said projection is in the form of an annular rib.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 4, wherein said projection is provided on at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface of said space in facing relation to said flexible cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 3, wherein said projection is in the form of a radial rib.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 4, wherein said projection is in the form of a radial rib.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 3, wherein said projection is in the form of an annular rib.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clock spring connector according to claim 4, wherein said projection is in the form of an annular rib.
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) | 1996-10-11 | 1997-04-12 | 1997-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-11 | 2001-04-12 | 2001-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-11 | 2005-04-12 | 2005-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |