Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Other

Kenneth C Thompson

Robert S Reylek

Timothy L Hoopman

Lew A Tousignant

Michael S Kent

Thomas O Parsons

An electrical connector having two correspondingly configured electrically conducting members includes a fail safe mechanism which enhances and maintains the interlocking engagement between the members. The fail safe mechanism includes a latching structures which apply horizontal forces to the connector. These horizontal forces are translated and resolved in a vertical direction such that member retention forces in the vertical direction are increased and electrical contacts among the correspondingly configured electrically conducting tapered elements of the members are increased.

Latch mechanisms for locking taper connectors

A unitary jet impingement plate is formed including a body portion thereof and at least one manifold integrally connected with the body portion, each having internal passages in fluidic communication with one another. At least one jet impingement orifice is provided through a plate of the body portion of the jet impingement plate through which heat transfer fluid can be directed into a fluid jet of such heat transfer fluid from the jet impingement plate and for impinging on a component or object to the thermally effected thereby. The heat transfer fluid may be heated or cooled as required depending on the specific application. Preferably, the jet impingement plate is structurally enhanced by the provision of integral posts provided in a pattern within the body portion of the jet impingement plate. More preferably, a plurality of jet impingement orifices are provided in accordance with a predetermined pattern designed for a particular application. Such a unitary jet impingement plate including integral posts is advantageously made by using a sacrificial core designed to provide the body portion and manifold of the jet impingement plate, and depositing forming material about the sacrificial core. After deposition, at least one access opening is needed through which the sacrificial core can be removed by melting, dissolving or decomposing. The at least one jet impingement orifice or plurality thereof can be provided while the sacrificial core is within the jet impingement plate, after the sacrificial core is removed, or during the deposition step.

Jet impingment plate and method of making

Two electronic components having fine pitch arrays of terminals can be disconnectably interconnected by a multiple electrical connector that includes a pair of intermeshable members. Each of those members has an electrically insulative body with a structured surface including a plurality of tapered elements. Tapered sides of those elements fit flush against each other when the two members intermesh, and the members become strongly adhered to each other when the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting surfaces. Each of the members has a plurality of electrically conductive segments in position to make good electrical contact when the members intermesh.

Miniature multiple conductor electrical connector

A hinge apparatus for coupling the component parts of a foldable device is provide. The hinge apparatus comprises a moveable sleeve adapted to tightly fit a guide and stop bushing operably connected with the support components of the foldable device. With the foldable device is in the use extended position, the moveable sleeve may surround and provide support to a hinge link. The hinge link is adapted to permit folding of the foldable device when the moveable sleeve is not surrounding the hinge link. A folding crutch comprising the hinge apparatus is provided. The folding crutch, comprising the hinge apparatus, provides the crutch user with safe, firm and sure support.

Hinge apparatus

The adhesive layer of the novel transfer tape contains electrically and thermally conductive particles such as silver which are preferably spherical and are larger than the thickness of the adhesive between particles. When used to bond two rigid substrates together, pressure is applied to the substrates to flatten the particles to the thickness of the adhesive between particles, thus making good electrical and thermal connection between the substrates through each particle.

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Kenneth C Thompson