US5897387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical waterproof coupler socket with protective flap
Assignee: MELTRIC Corp
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Filing: 1997-03-19
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2017-03-19
Abstract
Abstract Electrical waterproof coupler socket is provided with a body including housings containing contacts and openings for passage of opposing contacts of another device. A protective flap is translationally slidably mounted on the body and includes apertures arranged in a same number and manner as the openings of the body, and includes at least one blocking zone. The flap is slidable between at least one blocking position where the at least one blocking zone blocks the openings, and an opening position where the openings and apertures are superimposed, with the at least one blocking zone comprising a plane that is inclined towards the opposing surface of the flap from front-to-rear with respect to the direction in which the flap translates towards the opening position. The openings of the body are surrounded by bevelled edges comprising ridges, with a plane passing through the ridges being parallel to the inclined plane of the at least one blocking zone, so that the at least one blocking zone presses on the ridges in the blocking position. Seals can also be included on the body or on the flap or on both. Water-tightness is thereby ensured while allowing an easy sliding of the flap which does not remain permanently in contact with the edges during its sliding, but which presses perfectly thereon in the blocking position.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Michel Vallet
- 👤 Pierre Willams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:57
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/453; H01R13/4534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
Electrical waterproof coupler socket comprising: a body including housings for receiving contacts and openings for passage of opposing contacts of another device; contacts arranged in said housings; a protective flap translationally slidably mounted on said body, said flap comprising apertures arranged in a same number and manner as the openings of said body, a surface facing said housings, an opposing surface, and at least one blocking zone positioned on the surface of said flap facing said housings; said flap being translationally slidable between at least one blocking position where said at least one blocking zone blocks the openings of said body, and an opening position where said openings of the body and said apertures of the flap are superimposed; said at least one blocking zone comprising a plane that is inclined towards the opposing surface of the flap from front-to-rear with respect to the direction in which the flap translates towards said opening position; and said openings of the body are surrounded by bevelled edges comprising ridges, and a plane passing through said ridges is parallel to the inclined plane of said at least one blocking zone, so that said at least one blocking zone presses on said ridges in the blocking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
Electrical waterproof coupler socket comprising: a body including housings for receiving contacts and openings for passage of opposing contacts of another device; contacts arranged in said housings; a protective flap translationally slidably mounted on said body, said flap comprising apertures arranged in a same number and manner as the openings of said body, a surface facing said housings, an opposing surface, and at least one blocking zone positioned on the surface of said flap facing said housings; said flap being translationally slidable between at least one blocking position where said at least one blocking zone blocks the openings of said body, and an opening position where said openings of the body and said apertures of the flap are superimposed; said at least one blocking zone comprising a plane that is inclined towards the opposing surface of the flap from front-to-rear with respect to the direction in which the flap translates towards said opening position; and said openings of the body are surrounded by bevelled edges comprising ridges, and a plane passing through said ridges is parallel to the inclined plane of said at least one blocking zone, so that said at least one blocking zone presses on said ridges in the blocking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 1, further comprising a coating forming a seal on said inclined plane of said at least one blocking zone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 2, wherein the bevelled edges comprise a portion of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical coupler socket according claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said bevelled edges comprises a waterproof seal positioned on said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical coupler socket according claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said bevelled edges comprises a waterproof seal positioned on said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 4, comprising a one piece waterproof seal positioned on at least a portion of said body, said seal including as many apertures as the openings of the body, and at least partially comprising said bevelled edges comprising ridges, so that said inclined plane of the flap presses on said ridges of said seal in said blocking position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 5, comprising a one piece waterproof seal positioned on at least a portion of said body, said seal including as many apertures as the openings of the body, and at least partially comprising said bevelled edges comprising ridges, so that said inclined plane of the flap presses on said ridges of said seal in said blocking position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 3, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 4, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 5, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 7, comprising a plurality of blocking zones.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 9, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrical coupler socket according to claim 13, wherein said plurality of blocking zones comprises two blocking zones.
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) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |