Robert C Nichols

US Patent:

7931500, Apr 26, 2011

Filed:

Dec 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/648700

Inventors:

John Edward Knaub - Etters PA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Santa Rosa CA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Berwyn PA

International Classification:

H01R 13/648

US Classification:

43960707

Abstract:

An electrical connector system may include a plurality wafer assemblies that engage with a substrate. Each wafer assembly includes a housing that defines a plurality of projections extending from an edge of the housing at a mounting end of the wafer assembly. At least a portion of a projection of the plurality of projections of the housing is dimensioned to fit into a corresponding hole in a substrate when the housing is engaged with the substrate. In some implementations, the projection is positioned on the housing to block a line-of-sight between a first signal substrate engagement element of an array of electrical contacts associated with the housing and a second signal substrate engagement element of the array of electrical contacts.

US Patent:

20150200474, Jul 16, 2015

Filed:

Jan 15, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/156020

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Christopher Ritter - Hummelstown PA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Vacaville CA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Berwyn PA

International Classification:

H01R 12/70
H01R 12/91

Abstract:

Backplane communication system including a backplane and a rack assembly having an array of electrical connectors with respective mating ends. The backplane communication system also includes a plurality of guide pins that each have a cross-sectional diameter taken transverse to an axis of the guide pin. The backplane interfaces with the rack assembly such that the guide pins extend through guide holes of the backplane and the electrical connectors are aligned with mating windows. Each of the guide pins has a leading segment that extends through the corresponding guide hole and a trailing segment that is disposed within the corresponding guide hole. The cross-sectional diameter along the trailing segment is greater than the cross-sectional diameter along the leading segment.

US Patent:

20140360752, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jun 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/911262

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Christopher David Ritter - Hummelstown PA, US
Nathan Glenn Lehman - Harrisburg PA, US
Brian Patrick Costello - Scotts Valley CA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Vacaville CA, US

International Classification:

H02G 3/10

US Classification:

174 79

Abstract:

A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings therethrough and a cable rack coupled to a rear of the backplane. The cable rack includes a tray having a frame surrounding a raceway and a brick held by the tray. The brick has side spacers at opposite sides of the brick and plates coupled to the side spacers that support a plurality of cable connector assemblies. Each cable connector assembly is positioned between and supported by corresponding plates on opposite sides of the cable connectors with the cable connectors positioned in corresponding openings in the backplane. The plates each include a hem folded over at a rear of the plate. The hem has an edge positioned rearward of the cable connectors and supporting the cable connectors from retreating from the openings in the backplane.

US Patent:

20140360753, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jun 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/911297

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Christopher David Ritter - Hummelstown PA, US
Nathan Glenn Lehman - Harrisburg PA, US
Brian Patrick Costello - Scotts Valley CA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Vacaville CA, US

International Classification:

H02G 3/10

US Classification:

174 79

Abstract:

A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings therethrough. A cable rack is coupled to a rear of the backplane, which includes a tray and spacers coupled to the tray that have guide pins. Cable connector assemblies are held by the tray. Removable dust caps are coupled to corresponding cable connectors each having a distal end and guide walls extending therefrom that guide mating of the cable rack with the backplane. The distal end of each dust cap is received in a corresponding opening in the backplane. The guide walls guide the cable rack relative to the backplane such that the guide pins of the spacers are aligned with guide holes of the backplane and such that the cable connectors are aligned with the openings of the backplane. The removable dust caps are removed after the cable rack is coupled to the backplane.

US Patent:

20140362546, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jun 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/911170

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Christopher David Ritter - Hummelstown PA, US
Nathan Glenn Lehman - Harrisburg PA, US
Brian Patrick Costello - Scotts Valley CA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Vacaville CA, US

International Classification:

H05K 7/14

US Classification:

361752

Abstract:

A cable backplane system includes a backplane and a cable rack coupled to the backplane. The cable rack includes first and second trays having first and second frames. A plurality of cable connector assemblies are held by the cable rack each having a plurality of cables extending between a first cable connector and a second cable connector. The first cable connector is coupled to the first frame and the second cable connector is coupled to the second frame with the cables routed in first and second raceways of the first and second trays. Float mechanisms are connected between the first and second frames that allow limited movement between the first and second trays. The float mechanisms allow alignment of the cable connectors with corresponding openings in the backplane.

US Patent:

20140362549, Dec 11, 2014

Filed:

Jun 6, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/911214

Inventors:

- Berwyn PA, US
Christopher David Ritter - Hummelstown PA, US
Nathan Glenn Lehman - Harrisburg PA, US
Brian Patrick Costello - Scotts Valley CA, US
Robert Paul Nichols - Vacaville CA, US

International Classification:

H05K 7/14

US Classification:

361758

Abstract:

A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings therethrough and a plurality of mounting blocks. A cable rack is coupled to a rear of the backplane and includes a tray having a frame surrounding a raceway. Spacers are coupled to the tray that are secured to corresponding mounting blocks to position the spacers relative to the backplane. Cable connector assemblies are held by the tray. Each cable connector assembly has a plurality of cables extending between at least two cable connectors. The cables are routed in the raceway. Each cable connector assembly is positioned between and supported by corresponding spacers on opposite sides of the cable connector assemblies. The spacers allow limited movement of the cable connectors in at least two directions to allow alignment of the cable connectors within corresponding openings in the backplane.