Richard John Middlehurst

US Patent:

6402566, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Jun 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/344821

Inventors:

Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Robert S. Jetter - Oakland CA
Robert G. Foley - Fremont CA

Assignee:

TVM Group, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

H01R 1200

US Classification:

4396991, 439746, 439680, 439947

Abstract:

A low profile connector assembly for use with first and second printed circuit boards comprising a male connector housing having a cavity communicating with an opening in a side. A plurality of male electrical contacts have respective blades are disposed completely within the cavity in longitudinally spaced-apart positions and accessible from the opening. A female connector housing is included in the connector assembly for at least partially seating within the cavity. A plurality of female electrical contacts are carried by the female housing and have respective socket portions for receiving the blades when the male and female housings are interconnected. The male and female electrical contacts serve to transmit power between the printed circuit boards. The connector assembly may include a split blade assembly having unitary bodies separated by an insulative spacer for transmitting power from distinct traces and may include cooperative ribs and grooves.

US Patent:

6604967, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Feb 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/061554

Inventors:

Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Robert S. Jetter - Oakland CA
Robert G. Foley - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H01R 1200

US Classification:

439862, 439947

Abstract:

A socket assembly having first and second bodies of an electrically conductive material. Each of the bodies has a unitary construction and has a width and a central portion extending substantially in a plane. The central portion has a plurality of pin members extending in the plane in spaced-apart positions across the width from its second end and a plurality of thin contact members secured to its first end and spaced apart across the width. The thin contact members extend toward the second end and are bowed outwardly from the central portion, and are opposed to each other for sandwiching a connector blade therebetween. The pin members are adapted to engage an array of interconnect holes in a printed circuit board.

US Patent:

6835103, Dec 28, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/387857

Inventors:

Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Robert S. Jetter - Oakland CA
Robert G. Foley - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

H01R 1200

US Classification:

4396991, 4399241

Abstract:

A male electrical contact assembly having first and second unitary bodies, each having a central portion and a blade member extending from the central portion. An insulating spacer is disposed between the bodies for insulating them from each other. Each of the bodies transmits a distinct power supply. In another embodiment, a male electrical contact comprising a conductive body having first and second blade members is provided. The blade members have first ends joined together to form a rounded end and second ends joined to respective spaced-apart, first and second central members. In a further embodiment, an electrical contact comprising a conductive body having a central portion is provided. A plurality of thin contact members are secured to a first end of the body and extend in a first direction to a fold and then in an opposite second direction towards the second end of the body to a common strip for engaging a contact blade.

US Patent:

7841910, Nov 30, 2010

Filed:

Sep 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/239099

Inventors:

Stewart Shannon Fields - Belmont CA, US
Matthew K. Herndon - San Carlos CA, US
Min Chul Kim - San Jose CA, US
Ron Larson - Mountain View CA, US
Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA, US
Anilkumar R. Pannikkat - Mountain View CA, US
Glenn Wheelock - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01R 13/64

US Classification:

439680, 439358

Abstract:

Connectors having a smaller profile. These connectors are useful as a reduced form factor DisplayPort connector. Keys on a receptacle are used to indicate when an insert is fully engaged. Edges of the receptacle and insert are chamfered in such a way as to prevent the pins of the connector from being damaged when an improper insertion is attempted. User experience is also enhanced by the use of one or more latches. As the connector is inserted, the latch provides resistance that builds until the connector is inserted a certain distance, after which the latch enters a cutout portion of the insert thus releasing the pressure and letting the user know the connection has been made. Fingers are employed to provide mechanical stability and electrical connection between receptacle and insert.

US Patent:

8047880, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Oct 22, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/910722

Inventors:

Stewart Shannon Fields - Bend OR, US
Matthew K. Herndon - San Carlos CA, US
Min Chul Kim - Santa Clara CA, US
Ron Larson - Mountain View CA, US
Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA, US
Anilkumar R. Pannikkat - Mountain View CA, US
Glenn Wheelock - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Apple Inc. - Cupertino CA

International Classification:

H01R 13/64

US Classification:

439680, 439357

Abstract:

Connectors having a smaller profile. These connectors are useful as a reduced form factor DisplayPort connector. Keys on a receptacle are used to indicate when an insert is fully engaged. Edges of the receptacle and insert are chamfered in such a way as to prevent the pins of the connector from being damaged when an improper insertion is attempted. User experience is also enhanced by the use of one or more latches. As the connector is inserted, the latch provides resistance that builds until the connector is inserted a certain distance, after which the latch enters a cutout portion of the insert thus releasing the pressure and letting the user know the connection has been made. Fingers are employed to provide mechanical stability and electrical connection between receptacle and insert.

US Patent:

58506934, Dec 22, 1998

Filed:

Apr 10, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/631701

Inventors:

Orest D. Guran - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Berg Technology, Inc. - Reno NV

International Classification:

H05K 330
H01R 4300

US Classification:

29884

Abstract:

An electronic socket adapter includes an insulative carrier and an array of a plurality of surface mount contacts carried on the base. The pins may be floatably mounted on the carrier. A plurality of relatively large openings are formed in the carrier between adjacent contacts in the array. The openings provide improved heat flow in the region of the surface mount portions of the contacts and also provide for visualization of the surface mount portions of the contacts during and after soldering.

US Patent:

63173115, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Sep 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/145922

Inventors:

Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Jason S. Sloey - Rancho Cucamonga CA

Assignee:

TVM Group, Inc. - Fremont CA

International Classification:

H02B 104

US Classification:

361637

Abstract:

Contact bands for electrically connecting pluggable circuit breakers to ground and to distribution wires in a wiring system are housed in respective housings for protection. The housings are mounted on modular circuit breaker bus bar assemblies adapted to pluggably receive the pluggable circuit breakers, which have posts for pluggably engaging associated contact bands.

US Patent:

62703625, Aug 7, 2001

Filed:

Dec 7, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/206842

Inventors:

Orest D. Guran - Fremont CA
Donald E. Wood - Fremont CA
Richard J. Middlehurst - Fremont CA

Assignee:

Berg Technology, Inc. - Reno NV

International Classification:

H01R 909
B65D 7302

US Classification:

439 83

Abstract:

An electronic socket adapter includes an insulative carrier and an array of a plurality of surface mount contacts carried on the base. The pins may be floatably mounted on the carrier. A plurality of relatively large openings are formed in the carrier between adjacent contacts in the array. The openings provide improved heat flow in the region of the surface mount portions of the contacts and also provide for visualization of the surface mount portions of the contacts during and after soldering.