Randy T Matthews

US Patent:

6659783, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/022635

Inventors:

Charles Dudley Copper - Harrisburg PA
Randy Thomas Matthews - Yadkinville NC
Larry George Novotny - Clemmons NC
Jeremy Patterson - McLeansville NC
Norbert Krause - Bensheim, DE
Horst Teutschlaender - Heppenheim, DE

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corp - Middletown PA

International Classification:

H01R 1353

US Classification:

439181, 439157, 439839, 361 2

Abstract:

Electrical connectors ( ) including contact terminals that can be unmated without previously disconnecting power include main contacts ( ) and auxiliary contacts ( ) that are shunted by a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) resistor ( ) located between the main and auxiliary contact. The main contact ( ) will be disconnected first and the auxiliary contact ( ) can be longer than the main contact ( ). Arcing will not occur at the mating end of the main contact ( ), because the current will be shunted to the still connected longer auxiliary contact ( ). I R heating will increase the resistance in the PTC resistor ( ), so when the auxiliary contact ( ) is disconnected, current will be below the arcing threshold. Multiple latches ( A,B) and ( A,B) or ( ) and ( ) permit only discontinuous mating and unmating or two state mating and unmating of electrical connectors, so that the connectors can be disconnected without arcing for a range of currents.

US Patent:

7044812, May 16, 2006

Filed:

Nov 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/718371

Inventors:

John Mark Myer - Millersville PA, US
Hurley Chester Moll - Harrisburg PA, US
Alexandra Lynne Matthews Spitler - Palmyra PA, US
Randy Thomas Matthews - Yadkinville NC, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

H01R 4/02

US Classification:

439876

Abstract:

A header assembly includes an insulative housing comprising a plurality of walls defining an interior cavity, and a plurality of contacts within said cavity and extending through one of the walls to an exterior of the housing for surface mounting to a circuit board. The insulating housing comprises at least one alignment rib extending on an exterior surface thereof. The contacts are formed to abut the alignment rib, thereby ensuring coplanarity of the contacts for surface mounting to a circuit board.

US Patent:

62544217, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Apr 26, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/299249

Inventors:

Sam Denovich - Harrisburg PA
David D. Kaat - Kernersville NC
Randy Thomas Matthews - Yadkinville NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 424
H01R 426
H01R 1120

US Classification:

439409

Abstract:

Connector assembly (10) includes a wire carrier section 14 pivotably mounted to a housing (12) and adapted to be mounted directly to a circuit board without separate fasteners to terminate a discrete wire (180) to a contact (24) that is electrically connected to the board. A wire end (182) is inserted into a respective passageway (16,18) of the wire carrier 14, and the wire carrier section (14) is pivoted toward housing (12) pressing the wire into a slot of an IDC section (26) of the contact. The compact profile occupies minimal board real estate.

US Patent:

20150380857, Dec 31, 2015

Filed:

Jun 30, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/320206

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Randy Thomas Matthews - Yadkinville NC, US
Galen M. Martin - Camp Hill PA, US

International Classification:

H01R 13/453
H01R 13/46

Abstract:

Electrical connector assembly including a connector housing having a front end and a receiving cavity that opens to the front end. The receiving cavity is configured to receive a mating connector therein that is inserted into the receiving cavity along a central axis. The electrical connector assembly also includes a contact array of electrical contacts that is disposed within the receiving cavity. The electrical contacts have elongated bodies that extend generally parallel to the central axis through the receiving cavity. The electrical connector assembly also includes a movable guard that is configured to be slidably held by the contact array within the receiving cavity. The movable guard includes a dielectric sheet that extends transverse to the central axis and has an array of thru-holes. Inner edges of the thru-holes engage corresponding electrical contacts to slidably hold the movable guard at a forward position within the receiving cavity.