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:
Aug. 24, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 07, 2002
David J. Rhein, Memphis, MI (US);
Suresh N. Thota, Clinton Twp., MI (US);
Sheikh H. Rahman, Macomb Twp., MI (US);
Tyco Electronics Corporation, Middletown, PA (US);
Abstract
A loop back type clockspring connector includes a first housing section and a second housing section that are rotatable with respect to each other. The first housing section and second housing section define an accommodating space. Within the accommodating space, the clockspring connector includes two or more flexible cables and two or more guiding mechanisms. The cables conduct current from one housing section to the other. The guiding mechanisms divide the accommodating space into inner and outer portions where the cable accumulates as the housing sections rotate relative to one another. The guiding mechanisms move radially inwardly and outwardly within the accommodating space as the cable accumulates with the inner and outer spaces, thereby reducing the potential for the flexible cables to bind up during operation of the connector. The clockspring connector may also include a feature for dividing high current into multiple paths within the connector, thereby reducing temperature in high current applications.