Christopher P Dillon

US Patent:

6971894, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Mar 31, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/812927

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dillon - Farmington Hills MI, US
Ping Chen - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

JST Corporation - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

H01R013/62

US Classification:

439157, 439347, 439372

Abstract:

A lever-type electrical connector assembly reduces the connection mating forces required to mate female and male connectors. The connector assembly employs a first connector with cam follower projections, a base housing with guide channels, a slide cam housing including cam grooves and projection guide tracks, and a cover housing pivotally mounted on the base housing, the cover housing having a cover housing projection. As the cover housing is rotated from an open to a closed position, it engages the cover housing projection in the projection guide track. This engagement moves the slide cam housing in the guide channel. As the slide cam housing is moved from an open to a closed position, it engages the cam follower projections in the cam grooves thereby drawing the first connector into the base housing to a connected position.

US Patent:

7037130, May 2, 2006

Filed:

Feb 10, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/776026

Inventors:

Christopher Dillon - Dearborn Heights MI, US

Assignee:

J.S.T. MFG. Co., Ltd.

International Classification:

H01R 13/627

US Classification:

439357, 439489

Abstract:

When a latch element is inserted in an opening of a first connector element, a cantilevered flexible portion of the latch element is retained in and latchingly engaged with the first connector element at a deflectable end portion of the cantilevered flexible portion. When the second connector element is inserted in and mated with the first connector element, the deflectable end portion of the cantilevered flexible portion is deflected in a direction orthogonal to the insertion/mating direction of the second connector element to force the deflectable end portion of the cantilevered flexible portion to move in the direction orthogonal to an insertion/mating direction, so as to release the retention of the latch element with the first connector element, thereby rendering the latch element movable in an insertion direction thereof.

US Patent:

7070438, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Nov 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/995424

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dillon - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

JST Corporation - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

H01R 13/625

US Classification:

439347, 439372, 439157

Abstract:

A lever-type connector assembly reduces connection mating forces between connector halves. The assembly employs a first connector with cam follower projections, a base housing with guide channels and a latch member, a slide cam housing including cam grooves and projection guide tracks, and a cover housing pivoting on the base housing, the cover housing having a cover housing projection and release latch. The release latch is fully protected and concealed within the profile of the cover housing. As the cover housing rotates, the cover housing projection engages in projection guide track, thereby moving slide cam housing in a guide channel. As slide cam housing moves from an open to a closed position, it engages cam follower projections in cam grooves thereby drawing first connector into base housing to a connected position while the cover housing release latch engages base housing release latch aperture to provide a secure electrical connection.

US Patent:

7300317, Nov 27, 2007

Filed:

Dec 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/296691

Inventors:

Christopher J. Dillon - Farmington Hills MI, US
Ping Chen - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

JST Corporation - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

H01R 13/64

US Classification:

439678

Abstract:

The invention relates to a connector device that includes a plurality of terminals of varying heights that extend upwardly from the surface of a circuit board, and a connector housing that defines a receptacle portion. The connector housing includes an asymmetrical surface adapted to receive a plurality of terminals, and each of the plurality of terminals extends through a portion of the asymmetrical surface into the receptacle portion of the connector housing. The asymmetrical surface may include a plurality of substantially parallel vertical sections separated by at least one substantially horizontal section, may be angled relative to the surface of the circuit board, or may be curved relative to the surface of the circuit board. In addition, at least a portion of the asymmetrical surface of the connector housing may protrude over at least a portion of at least one of the terminals extending between the circuit board and the asymmetrical surface. In addition, the invention provides a connector device wherein the asymmetrical surface allows for the reduction of the packaging size of the terminals and a reduction of the size of the terminals.

US Patent:

8079882, Dec 20, 2011

Filed:

Jul 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/670673

Inventors:

Matthew Bailey - Redford MI, US
Michael Gonzalez - Lake Orion MI, US
Christopher Dillon - Springfield Township MI, US

Assignee:

Molex Incorporated - Lisle IL

International Classification:

H01R 9/22

US Classification:

439717

Abstract:

Interconnecting modular connectors or headers have flexible tongue and groove structures for forming a variety of header assembly configurations. The interconnecting modular headers can have locking structures in addition to the tongue and groove mating structures for permanently interlocking the modular headers together. The sidewalls of each modular connector can be parallel to each other and disposed at supplementary angles with respect to the rear wall of the housing. The top wall of each modular connector can have a portion wall extending inwardly from each sidewall at an angle of greater than ninety degrees and each portion wall can have an upwardly extending wall that joins the portion walls to a ceiling. The portion walls can join with the upwardly extending walls to form a T-shape corner. The upwardly extending walls can join with the ceiling equally at an angle of greater than ninety degrees.

US Patent:

8043127, Oct 25, 2011

Filed:

Jul 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/670672

Inventors:

Matthew Bailey - Redford MI, US
Michael Gonzalez - Lake Orion MI, US
Christopher Dillon - Springfield Township MI, US

Assignee:

Molex Incorporated - Lisle IL

International Classification:

H01R 13/502

US Classification:

439701

Abstract:

Interlocking modular connectors or headers Have flexible tongue and groove structures for forming a variety of header assembly configurations. The interlocking modular headers can have locking structures in addition to the tongue and groove mating structures for permanently interlocking the modular headers together. The locking structures can include opposing ramps having locking surfaces that engage each other and prevent sliding disengagement of the modular headers in one direction and the grooves can include stop members to prevent sliding disengagement in the opposite direction. The tongues and grooves can have a dovetail shaped cross-section to allow some freedom of lateral movement between the interlocking modular headers in order for ramps to slide over each other and cause locking surfaces to engage and also to provide some independent flexibility to facilitate placement onto a mounting component and to withstand elevated temperatures.

US Patent:

20020093830, Jul 18, 2002

Filed:

Apr 18, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/837685

Inventors:

Michael Alloway - Canton MI, US
Earl Hayes - South Lyon MI, US
Christopher Dillon - Dearborn Heights MI, US
Thomas Rahrig - Woodhaven MI, US

International Classification:

B60Q001/00

US Classification:

362/539000, 362/226000, 362/267000, 362/538000

Abstract:

A lamp assembly for use with a vehicle's electrical system, the electrical system including a plurality of terminals each having a wire insulating portion and an end connector portion. A main elastomeric housing includes a socket for receiving a bulb. A front seal encircles an exterior surface of the socket and seals around a periphery of the socket. A first plurality of sealing ridges extend along an open facing side of the main housing, opposite the bulb socket, and within which are received the wire insulating portions of the terminals and the end connector portions of each terminal communicating with the bulb socket upon the terminals being located within the main housing. A back cap matingly aligns over an open facing side of the main housing and includes an opposingly facing side with a second plurality of sealing ridges which align with the first plurality of sealing ridges and to sandwich therebetween the wire insulating portions of the terminals. An inlet seal is seatingly received between aligning recesses defined between the opposingly facing sides of the main housing and the back cap and is located proximate the first and second pluralities of sealing ridges. Wire receiving apertures extend through the seal and into which are inserted the wire insulating portions of the terminals. An ultrasonic welding operation secures the back cap to the main elastomeric housing in a seal-tight manner.