Patent US5480312A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5480312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protecting cap for panel-mounted electrical connector
Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Filing: 1994-03-10
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-03-10
Abstract
Abstract A protecting cap is used for protecting a plurality of terminals disposed in a cylindrical portion of an electrical connector to be inserted in a mounting hole formed in a panel so that an open end of the cylindrical portion faces the mounting hole. The protecting cap is attached to the open end of the cylindrical portion. The protecting cap includes a lid portion covering the open end of the cylindrical portion of the connector and a pair of engagement members attaching the lid portion to the cylindrical portion of the connector. The lid portion has inclined faces so that the lid portion tapers in a direction away from the open end of the cylindrical portion. Since the protecting cap is tapered, it can be readily inserted into the mounting hole. Upon insertion of the distal end of the cap into the mounting hole, the connector can be guided to a normal position even when it is positionally offset relative to the mounting hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Kaoru Watanabe
- 👤 Hajime Kawase
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/443; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5213; H01R13/62; H01R13/621; H01R13/6215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
The combination of a protecting cap and an electrical connector, said electrical connector including a cylindrical portion having an open end and a plurality of terminals disposed within said cylindrical portion, the protecting cap being attached to said cylindrical portion, and the protecting cap comprising a lid portion covering the open end of the cylindrical portion of the connector, the lid portion having faces inclined inwardly in a direction away from the open end of said cylindrical portion such that the lid portion tapers in said direction away from the open end of said cylindrical portion, and a pair of engagement members engaging the cylindrical portion of the connector and attaching said protecting cap directly to said connector, whereby said protecting cap will protect said terminals during transportation of the electrical connector to a panel to which the connector is to be mounted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
The combination of a protecting cap and an electrical connector, said electrical connector including a cylindrical portion having an open end and a plurality of terminals disposed within said cylindrical portion, the protecting cap being attached to said cylindrical portion, and the protecting cap comprising a lid portion covering the open end of the cylindrical portion of the connector, the lid portion having faces inclined inwardly in a direction away from the open end of said cylindrical portion such that the lid portion tapers in said direction away from the open end of said cylindrical portion, and a pair of engagement members engaging the cylindrical portion of the connector and attaching said protecting cap directly to said connector, whereby said protecting cap will protect said terminals during transportation of the electrical connector to a panel to which the connector is to be mounted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination of a protecting cap and electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein said protecting cap includes convexities protruding outward from the lid portion to locations within the projected area of a widest part of the lid portion which widest part is located closest to the open end of the cylindrical portion of said electrical connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of a protecting cap and electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein each of said convexities has elasticity such that it can flex in a direction toward said electrical connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A protecting cap according to claim 3, wherein each of said convexities is inclined, from a base thereof at which the convexity connects to said lid portion, toward the cylindrical portion of said electrical connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination of a protecting cap and an electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said engagement members includes an engagement protrusion projecting in a radially outward direction, and the inclined faces of the protecting cap have rear ends closest to the cylindrical portion of said electrical connector, the rear ends being located radially outwardly of the engagement members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of a protecting cap and electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the lid portion has the shape of a box and the inclined faces are formed only at a distal end of the lid portion remote from said connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of a protecting cap and electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein each of the inclined faces are arcuate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of a protecting cap and electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the entirety of said protecting cap is located within the projected area of said electrical connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2987690A
Cited
JPS54116694A
Cited
US4742541A
Cited
US4541538A
Cited
US5003128A
Cited
JPH0355263A
Cited
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Cited
JPH0587844A
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US5277601A
Cited
US5285014A
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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) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |