Patent US5177651A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5741156A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5741156A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective cover for electrical connector
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
•
Filing: 1996-11-08
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2016-11-08
Abstract
Abstract A protective cover for an electrical connector comprises a shell having a wall and an aperture extending through the wall to permit a wire leading from the connector to pass out of the shell. The aperture is surrounded by a flexible skirt which is dimensioned to seal around the wire. The skirt keeps contaminants from entering the cover and provides a strain relief for the wire.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Dwayne Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5213; H01R13/58; H01R13/582; H01R13/5829
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A protective cover for an electrical connector, comprising: a shell having a wall and an aperture extending through the wall, the aperture being surrounded by a flexible skirt unitary with the wall and having an inner edge which defines a cross-sectional dimension of the aperture, the cross-sectional dimension being less than a cross-sectional dimension of a wire which is to be installed through the aperture, wherein the skirt is sealingly engageable with the wire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A protective cover for an electrical connector, comprising: a shell having a wall and an aperture extending through the wall, the aperture being surrounded by a flexible skirt unitary with the wall and having an inner edge which defines a cross-sectional dimension of the aperture, the cross-sectional dimension being less than a cross-sectional dimension of a wire which is to be installed through the aperture, wherein the skirt is sealingly engageable with the wire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the skirt is less than a thickness of the wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The protective cover according to claim 2, wherein the aperture is surrounded by a counterbore which defines a bore surface in the wall, and the skirt extends inwardly from the bore surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the skirt is integrally molded with the wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the shell includes a receptacle portion which is dimensioned to receive the connector therein, and the wall is hingedly connected to the receptacle portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The protective cover according to claim 5, wherein the shell includes a latch mechanism for securing the wall in a closed position on the receptacle portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the shell includes a plurality of said apertures arrayed linearly along the wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protective cover according to claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the skirt is circular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A protective cover for an electrical connector, comprising: a shell having a wall, an aperture extending through the wall, and a flexible skirt surrounding the aperture, the skirt unitary with the wall and being dimensioned for sealing engagement with a wire when the wire is installed through the aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A protective cover for an electrical connector, comprising: a shell having a wall, an aperture extending through the wall, and a flexible skirt surrounding the aperture, the skirt unitary with the wall and being dimensioned for sealing engagement with a wire when the wire is installed through the aperture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein a thickness of the skirt is less than a thickness of the wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The protective cover according to claim 10, wherein the aperture is surrounded by a counterbore which defines a bore surface in the wall, and the skirt extends inwardly from the bore surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the skirt is integrally molded with the wall.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the shell includes a receptacle portion which is dimensioned to receive the connector therein, and the wall is hingedly connected to the receptacle portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The protective cover according to claim 13, wherein the shell includes a latch mechanism for securing the wall in a closed position on the receptacle portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the shell includes a plurality of said apertures arrayed linearly along the wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the aperture is circular.
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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) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |