US6942503B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with grounded shutter member
Assignee: Molex LLC
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Filing: 2003-02-26
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Granted: 2005-09-13
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Expires: 2023-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector includes a dielectric housing having a receptacle for receiving a complementary mating connector. A plurality of conductive terminals are mounted on the housing and have contact portions exposed in the receptacle for engaging appropriate contacts of the mating connector. A metal shell is disposed about at least a portion of the housing. A shutter plate is movably mounted on the housing for movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the shutter plate substantially closes the receptacle to prevent inadvertent engagement of foreign objects with the contact portions of the terminals. In the open position, the shutter plate allows mating of the complementary mating connector. At least a portion of the shutter plate is conductive to dissipate static electricity at the receptacle. At least one spring is mounted on the housing for biasing the shutter plate toward its closed position. The spring is conductive and is electrically coupled between the conductive portion of the shutter plate and the metal shell to ground the plate to the shell.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenichi Yamaguchi
- 👤 Mitsuo Fujikura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:41
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/6485; H01R13/44; H01R13/447; H01R13/453; H01R13/4538
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
An electrical connector ( 10 ), comprising: a dielectric housing ( 12 ) having a receptacle ( 24 ) for receiving a complementary mating connector ( 62 ); a plurality of conductive terminals ( 40 ) mounted on the housing and having contact portions ( 40 a ) exposed in the receptacle for engaging appropriate contacts ( 66 ) of the mating connector; a metal shell ( 14 ) about at least a portion of the housing; a shutter plate ( 32 ) movably mounted on the housing for movement between a closed position substantially closing said receptacle to prevent inadvertent engagement of foreign objects with the contact portions of the terminals and an open position allowing mating of said complementary mating connector, at least a portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate being conductive to dissipate static electricity at the receptacle; and at least one spring ( 30 ) mounted on the housing for biasing the shutter plate toward its closed position, the spring being conductive and electrically coupled between the conductive portion of the shutter plate and the metal shell to ground the plate to the shell; characterized in that said spring comprises a coil spring ( 30 ) having opposite ends ( 30 b , 30 c ) maintained in engagement with the conductive portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate and the metal shell ( 14 ).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
An electrical connector ( 10 ), comprising: a dielectric housing ( 12 ) having a receptacle ( 24 ) for receiving a complementary mating connector ( 62 ); a plurality of conductive terminals ( 40 ) mounted on the housing and having contact portions ( 40 a ) exposed in the receptacle for engaging appropriate contacts ( 66 ) of the mating connector; a metal shell ( 14 ) about at least a portion of the housing; a shutter plate ( 32 ) movably mounted on the housing for movement between a closed position substantially closing said receptacle to prevent inadvertent engagement of foreign objects with the contact portions of the terminals and an open position allowing mating of said complementary mating connector, at least a portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate being conductive to dissipate static electricity at the receptacle; and at least one spring ( 30 ) mounted on the housing for biasing the shutter plate toward its closed position, the spring being conductive and electrically coupled between the conductive portion of the shutter plate and the metal shell to ground the plate to the shell; characterized in that said spring comprises a coil spring ( 30 ) having opposite ends ( 30 b , 30 c ) maintained in engagement with the conductive portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate and the metal shell ( 14 ).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said shutter plate ( 32 ) is elongated, and including a pair of said coil springs ( 30 ) located at opposite ends of the elongated shutter plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein said shutter plate ( 32 ) includes a dielectric core ( 48 ) and said conductive portion of the shutter plate comprises a metal cover ( 50 ) over at least part of the dielectric core.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electrical connector of claim 3 wherein said dielectric core ( 48 ) of the shutter plate includes an inside face ( 48 a ) which faces the contact portions ( 40 a ) of the terminals ( 40 ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The electrical connector of claim 1 wherein at least one of said terminals is provided as a ground terminal ( 40 A) and is in engagement with the conductive portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate, thereby coupling the ground terminal, via the conductive spring ( 30 ), to the metal shell ( 14 ).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The electrical connector of claim 5 wherein said conductive portion ( 50 ) of the shutter plate ( 32 ) includes a foot ( 54 ) extending into engagement with said at least one ground terminal ( 40 A).
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) | 2008-09-12 | 2009-03-14 | 2009-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-09-12 | 2013-03-14 | 2013-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-09-12 | 2017-03-14 | 2017-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |