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:
Sep. 16, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 13, 2001
John P. Huetter, Auburn, CA (US);
Richard J. Kunze, Roseville, CA (US);
Craig A. Sanford, Grass Valley, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method for preventing inadvertent disconnection of male and female electrical connectors is provided. In one principal type of method and apparatus, devices are configured to provide outside retaining forces to retention prongs of a female electrical connector, substantially restricting or preventing the retention prongs from moving toward an outer non-holding position after connecting with receiving portions in the male connector. In another principal type of method and apparatus, a female electrical connector includes modified retention prongs having a portion configured to enter and remain in surface holes of the male connector so that the male connector, once inserted, cannot be removed from the female connector without a user manipulating the modified retention prongs.