Alexander P Mathews

US Patent:

6574114, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/137150

Inventors:

Steven R. Brindle - Cedar Park TX
John S. Burg - Cedar Park TX
Kwang-Ho Chu - Austin TX
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX
Ronald K. Revell - Austin TX

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H05K 710

US Classification:

361769, 174262, 257698

Abstract:

A compliant interconnect assembly to electrically connect a first electronic device to a second electronic device comprises a contact set including an electrically insulating flexible film having at least one conductive contact suspended therein. The interconnect assembly also includes a compressible interposer as an electrically insulating elastomer sheet matrix for at least one electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path through the thickness of the elastomer sheet. The electrically conducting elastic column comprises a central pillar of conductive spheroidal particles having a first average particle size. The central pillar has a first end opposite a second end. At least the first end has a particulate cap bonded to it including particles having a second average particle size that is less than the first average particle size. The compliant interconnect assembly is formed when the contact set lies adjacent to the compressible interposer to provide engagement between the at least one conductive contact and the at least one conducting elastic column for electrically connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device abutting opposite sides of the compliant interconnect assembly.

US Patent:

7553187, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Jan 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/627258

Inventors:

Steven Feldman - Cedar Park TX, US
Kevin R. Meredith - Loretto KY, US
Rudy L. Densmore - Austin TX, US
Joseph N. Castiglione - Cedar Park TX, US
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX, US
Alexander W. Barr - Austin TX, US
Richard J. Scherer - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01R 13/648

US Classification:

439607, 439108

Abstract:

An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engages a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.

US Patent:

7731528, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Jul 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/830703

Inventors:

Steven Feldman - Cedar Park TX, US
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01R 9/05

US Classification:

439578

Abstract:

An electrical termination device includes an electrically conductive shield element, an insulator disposed within the shield element, and one or more electrical contacts supported within and electrically isolated from the shield element by the insulator. The insulator includes one or more insulative spacer bars configured to guide the one or more electrical contacts during their insertion into the insulator. The one or more spacer bars may be configured to enable straight pull injection molding of the insulator. The insulator may be positioned away from the one or more electrical contacts along at least a major portion of the length of the one or more electrical contacts in an impedance controlling relationship. The electrical termination device can be included in an electrical connector.

US Patent:

7762847, Jul 27, 2010

Filed:

May 26, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/471531

Inventors:

Steven Feldman - Cedar Park TX, US
Kevin R. Meredith - Loretto KY, US
Rudy L. Densmore - Austin TX, US
Joseph N. Castiglione - Cedar Park TX, US
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX, US
Alexander W. Barr - Austin TX, US
Richard J. Scherer - Austin TX, US

Assignee:

3M Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

H01R 13/648

US Classification:

43960741, 439578, 439874

Abstract:

An electrical connector assembly includes an organizer plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving termination devices. Each termination device includes a shield box, an insulator, and a socket contact. The shield box has at least one outwardly extending ground contact element and a latch member. When the termination device is inserted into an aperture of the organizer plate, the latch member on the shield box engage a surface of the organizer plate to prevent withdrawal of the termination device.

US Patent:

20070238323, Oct 11, 2007

Filed:

Mar 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/690004

Inventors:

Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX, US
Johannes P.M. Kusters - Cedar Park TX, US
Juan P. Rios - Austin TX, US
Kevin R. Meredith - Loretto KY, US
Alexander W. Barr - Austin TX, US
Richard J. Scherer - Austin TX, US
Steven Feldman - Cedar Park TX, US

International Classification:

H05K 1/00

US Classification:

439 65

Abstract:

A terminal for use in an electronic connector for establishing electrical contact with a conductive surface on a first printed circuit board. The terminal includes a base section configured for electrical connection with a second printed circuit board, and a resilient contact beam having a proximal end coupled to the base section and a free distal end. The contact beam is shaped to provide a contact section between the proximal end and the distal end. The contact section is configured for engaging the conductive surface on the first printed circuit board upon insertion of the first printed circuit board into the housing in a first direction. The free distal end of the contact beam extends substantially in the first direction.

US Patent:

56824505, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

Jun 29, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/496360

Inventors:

Richard A. Patterson - Georgetown TX
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 65

Abstract:

A device for interconnecting the bare ends of two or more optical fibers uses a common receptacle having a fiber clamping element therein and camming surfaces for actuating the element, and at least one plug having a camming finger for engaging one of the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are located such that, when only one of the camming surfaces is actuated, the clamping element rocks to a side of the pocket opposite the one camming surface and remains in the open state, but when both of the camming surfaces are actuated, the clamping element is forced to the closed state. The plug includes a fiber protector free to slide within the plug housing, substantially enclosing the bare end of the fiber when the plug housing is removed from the receptacle, but retracting when the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle to direct the bare end of the fiber toward said guide tube. A fiber collet biases the terminal end of the fiber toward the forward end of the plug place a preload condition on the bare end of the fiber. The connector is particularly suited for cleave-and-bevel installations.

US Patent:

D3858499, Nov 4, 1997

Filed:

Sep 26, 1995

Appl. No.:

D/044560

Inventors:

Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX
Richard A. Patterson - Georgetown TX

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

1303

US Classification:

D13133

US Patent:

57321744, Mar 24, 1998

Filed:

Mar 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/829743

Inventors:

James B. Carpenter - Austin TX
Alexander R. Mathews - Austin TX
Richard A. Patterson - Georgetown TX
Ronald P. Pepin - Round Rock TX

Assignee:

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 72

Abstract:

A device for interconnecting the bare ends of two or more optical fibers uses a common receptacle having a fiber clamping element therein and camming surfaces for actuating the element, and at least one plug having a camming finger for engaging one of the camming surfaces. The camming surfaces are located such that, when only one of the camming surfaces is actuated, the clamping element rocks to a side of the pocket opposite the one camming surface and remains in the open state, but when both of the camming surfaces are actuated, the clamping element is forced to the closed state. The plug includes a fiber protector free to slide within the plug housing, substantially enclosing the bare end of the fiber when the plug housing is removed from the receptacle, but retracting when the plug housing is inserted into the receptacle to direct the bare end of the fiber toward said guide tube. A fiber collet biases the terminal end of the fiber toward the forward end of the plug place a preload condition on the bare end of the fiber. The connector is particularly suited for cleave-and-bevel installations.