Vincent K Brown

US Patent:

44602375, Jul 17, 1984

Filed:

Dec 30, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/335726

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Robert F. Schlacks - Mount Prospect IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 900

US Classification:

339176MP

Abstract:

Contact designs for leadless chip carrier sockets of either the surface compression or the solder type. The contact for a compression type socket employs a dual cantilever configuration mounted on a base member which mechanically isolates one portion of the contact from another. Two cooperative contact designs are used for a solder type socket in which each type is alternately arranged with respect to the other in mounted relationship on a base member. The upper chip carrier contacting portions of the two contacts for a solder type socket are disposed side-by-side along each side wall, while the terminal ends are aligned inwardly perpendicular to the upper alignment.

US Patent:

42532221, Mar 3, 1981

Filed:

Aug 6, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/063849

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Donald G. Schreiner - Wheeling IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 4300

US Classification:

29 33F

Abstract:

Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.

US Patent:

49540890, Sep 4, 1990

Filed:

Sep 8, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/404694

Inventors:

William T. Jensen - Mundelein IL
Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Cathy J. Edgerton - Barrington IL
Robert W. Masterson - Denver CO

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 909
H01R 1366

US Classification:

439 76

Abstract:

A compact terminator for interconnecting computer devices with each other and with peripheral equipment having contact ends to be interconnected with connectors. The contacts are interconnected on a circuit board employing thick film circuitry mounted thereon. The contacts are press fitted in plated through holes on the circuit board and form male or female connectors at one end. The device may be differential or single ended type.

US Patent:

42650135, May 5, 1981

Filed:

May 10, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/037741

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Charles A. Kozel - McHenry IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H05K 332

US Classification:

29739

Abstract:

An apparatus for driving pins into a printed circuit board and the like which comprises: table means for receiving and retaining a board into which the pins are to be driven; magazine means for holding a supply of the pins in a position parallel to the plane of the table, and receiver means, pivotally movable to receive the pin from the magazine means in one pivotal position and to pivot the pin into transverse relation with the table means in a second pivoting position. Loading means are provided for inserting the pins into the receiver means. Means are also provided for moving the receiver means while in the second pivoting position to drive the pin inserted in it into the board.

US Patent:

50548794, Oct 8, 1991

Filed:

Apr 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/506296

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL

Assignee:

Mthode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 59

Abstract:

A fiber optic connector assembly for terminating and connecting fiber optic cables. The assembly comprises a housing, which housing comprises a pair of separable portions which may be locked together, with each of the housings carrying a plurality of fiber optic connector halves. The fiber optic connector halves, when connected, comprise a pair of ferrules, each having a bore proportioned to receive the stripped end of one of the cables having an exposed fiber optic core end. The ferrules have outer walls that are parallel to the axis of the bore. An outer sleeve is present defining a tubular portion for snug contact with the ferrule outer walls while the ferrules are in end-abutting relation. The relative transverse positioning of the ferrules in an abutting relation is determined by the position and shape of the tubular portion and its engagement with the ferrule outer walls. Thus, fiber optic core ends within the abutting ferrules may abut each other with precisely controlled transverse alignment.

US Patent:

46935509, Sep 15, 1987

Filed:

Mar 11, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/710317

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Sherman W. McGrew - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

350 9620

Abstract:

A connector for fiber optical cable inluding a ductile metal sleeve, a portion of the fiber optical cable adjacent its end being positioned within the sleeve, with the end of the fiber optical cable projecting from a hole through the end of the sleeve. The portion of fiber optical cable adjacent its end is stripped of substantially all insulation and sheathing, while a resilient tubular insert surrounds such portion which is adjacent the cable end, the tubular insert in turn being positioned within the metal sleeve. The metal sleeve is crimped to hold the sleeve, tubular insert, and stripped adjacent end portion together in immovable relation. By means of this invention connectors may be placed on optical cable, capable of withstanding excessive cable retention, without the use of adhesives.

US Patent:

45346038, Aug 13, 1985

Filed:

May 25, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/498058

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Lawrence Geib - Elmwood Park IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 409
H01R 1315

US Classification:

339 17C

Abstract:

An assembly of a contact spring and a wire wrap terminal whereby the contact spring has a socket in which the pin of a suitable electrical device may be inserted. The terminal includes a wrappable wire end to make a connection with an electrical circuit. The contact spring and wire wrap terminal are stamped and formed as two separate pieces to be assembled together for use in a printed circuit board and the like. The contact spring may be formed from a different material than the wire wrap terminal. The assembly is fabricated in a manner to insure proper orientation of the spring when inserted into a board. Gold plating or the other expensive highly conductive materials may economically be applied to selective areas, because the contact spring is formed from flat stock material.

US Patent:

42432863, Jan 6, 1981

Filed:

Feb 21, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/013238

Inventors:

Vincent B. Brown - Prospect Heights IL
Charles A. Kozel - McHenry IL
John T. Scheitz - Palatine IL

Assignee:

Methode Electronics, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

H01R 426
H01R 1350

US Classification:

339 97R

Abstract:

The disclosed connector has a housing and a terminal interfitted in a channel in the housing, and special exposed jaws are formed on the terminal between which a wire of the type having a conductive core and an insulation overwrap can be forced to establish a mechanically secure and an electrically sound solderless type connection. One pair of jaws are rigid and have cutting and gripping edges that cut through the insulation overwrap to establish electrical contact with the conductive core. These same edges are used to axially restrain the wire relative to the terminal. The second pair of jaws are flexible and have inwardly sloped tabs presenting adjacent edges that are angled transversely of the wire and are spaced apart approximately by the diameter of the insulation overwrap. The wire thus can be forced past the tabs spreading apart the second set of jaws which then spring back and overlie the wire and thereby transversely restrain the wire relative to the terminal.