US5387122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pulse oximeter probe connector
Assignee: Datex Ohmeda Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-18
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Granted: 1995-02-07
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Expires: 2013-05-18
Abstract
Abstract The pulse oximeter probe uses an inexpensive connector to electrically interconnect the sensor elements with the pulse oximeter. One segment of the probe connector contains a set of connector pins that are wired to the sensor elements. Another segment of the probe connector is equipped with a mating configuration of sockets which align with these pins. Three projections function to automatically align the connector pins with the connector sockets. Two of the projections engage a mating aperture in the other connector segment to fasten the two connector segments together, while a third projection aligns with an edge of the other connector segment to position the two connector segments.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel S. Goldberger
- 👤 Timothy A. Turley
- 👤 Kirk L. Weimer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/68; A61B5/6801; A61B5/683; A61B5/6831; A61B5/02; A61B5/024; A61B5/02416; A61B5/02427; A61B5/02433; A61B5/145; A61B5/1455; A61B5/14551; A61B5/14552; A61B5/6813; A61B5/6814; A61B5/6825; A61B5/6826; A61B5/6838; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/22; A61B2562/225; A61B2562/227; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A connector for electrically connecting first and second sets of conductors to exchange signals therebetween, comprising: first connector segment, having a top side, a bottom side and at least one edge, comprising: a plurality of sockets located on said bottom side of said first connector segment and configured in a predetermined pattern, each of said plurality of sockets being connected to a one of said first set of conductors, first and second apertures in said bottom side of said first connector segment, second connector segment, having a top side and a bottom side, comprising: a like plurality of pins located on said top side of said second connector segment and configured in said predetermined pattern, each of said plurality of pins being connected to a one of said second set of conductors, first projection located along a first side of said predetermined pattern of pins, and mating with said first aperture in said bottom side of aid first connector segment, second projection located along a second side of said predetermined pattern of pins, and mating with said second aperture in said bottom side of said first connector segment, and alignment projection located on said top side of said second connector segment engagable with said edge on said first connector segment and cooperatively operative with said first and second projections for positioning said first and second connector segments to align said plurality of pins with said plurality of sockets, said first and second projections in combination with said alignment projection forming a substantially U-shaped configuration of elements to partially encircle said plurality of pins that project from said top side of said second connector segment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A connector for electrically connecting first and second sets of conductors to exchange signals therebetween, comprising: first connector segment, having a top side, a bottom side and at least one edge, comprising: a plurality of sockets located on said bottom side of said first connector segment and configured in a predetermined pattern, each of said plurality of sockets being connected to a one of said first set of conductors, first and second apertures in said bottom side of said first connector segment, second connector segment, having a top side and a bottom side, comprising: a like plurality of pins located on said top side of said second connector segment and configured in said predetermined pattern, each of said plurality of pins being connected to a one of said second set of conductors, first projection located along a first side of said predetermined pattern of pins, and mating with said first aperture in said bottom side of aid first connector segment, second projection located along a second side of said predetermined pattern of pins, and mating with said second aperture in said bottom side of said first connector segment, and alignment projection located on said top side of said second connector segment engagable with said edge on said first connector segment and cooperatively operative with said first and second projections for positioning said first and second connector segments to align said plurality of pins with said plurality of sockets, said first and second projections in combination with said alignment projection forming a substantially U-shaped configuration of elements to partially encircle said plurality of pins that project from said top side of said second connector segment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one projection comprises: tab means engagable with said aperture to lock said first connector segment to said second connector segment when said first and second connector segments are interconnected.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: spring clip means engagable with said tab means for disengaging said tab means from said aperture when said spring clip means is operated by a user.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bottom side of said first connector section and said top of said second connector section are each shaped to be geometrically mating elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second projections in combination with said predetermined pattern of pins form a U-shaped connector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said aperture comprises: first opening formed in said bottom of said first housing segment and located along a first side of said predetermined pattern of sockets; second opening formed in said bottom of said first housing segment and located along a second side of said predetermined pattern of sockets; and wherein said first opening and said second opening are oriented to receive said first projection and said second projection.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second housing segment further comprises: first tab means formed on an end of said first projection located distal from said predetermined pattern of pins; second tab means formed on an end of said second projection located distal from said predetermined pattern of pins; and wherein said first tab means and said second tab means are engagable with said first opening and said second opening, respectively, to lock said first connector segment to said second connector segment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: user activated spring means activatable to release said tab element from said opening when said first housing segment is interconnected with said second housing segment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said predetermined pattern of pins is substantially trapezoid in shape, said first and second projections being aligned substantially juxtaposed to and along equal opposite sides of said trapezoid shape pattern of pins, said alignment projection being aligned substantially juxtaposed to and along a remaining side of said trapezoid shape pattern of pins.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first and second projections extend at least of height above said top side of said second connector segment greater than said pins.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said alignment projection extends at least of height above said top side of said second connector segment greater than said pins.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said spring clip means substantially encircles said first and second projections and said alignment projection and is movable to engage only said first and second projections to release said tab means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-06 | 1998-08-08 | 1999-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-06 | 2002-08-08 | 2003-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-06 | 2006-08-08 | 2007-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |