The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 07, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 24, 1998
Jonathan Mark Gregory, II, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Yazaki Corporation, , JP;
Abstract
A floating connector assembly allowing for axial movement of joined wire harness terminal connectors as a unit, thereby preventing rubbing and wear of their electrical contacts or terminals. The floating connector assembly comprises a first connector having electrical terminals and a spring-receiving surface, and a spring bracket assembly which secures the first connector to a fixed surface on a vehicle with axial spring force greater than a terminal-connecting force between mating electrical terminals of the first connector and a second connector. A bellows-type seal designed to accommodate the axial spring compliance of the connector is also disclosed. The spring bracket assembly is loaded into a compressed state when the second connector is placed in a final position by a mounting surface or electrical device. Forces tending to loosen or disengage the mated electrical terminals of the first and second connectors are absorbed by the spring bracket assembly.