US4689718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable junction box
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1986-04-04
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Granted: 1987-08-25
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Expires: 2006-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An automobile junction box (2), programmable in relation to vehicle options that may be required, houses printed circuit boards (24, 25) having receptacles (28) for receiving tabs (36) depending from an elongated member (34). The tabs connect the circuit pathways (26) corresponding to vehicle options. The selected circuit pathways may be modified by the inclusion of a second set of receptacles (29) on the printed circuit boards for receiving electrical components (14) such as diodes, resistors, zener diodes and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 H. Winston Maue
- 👤 Brian E. Henderson
- 👤 Robert G. Szudarek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; B; B60; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/023; B60R16/0238; H01R29/00; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14; H05K1/144; H05K7/00; H05K7/02; H05K7/026; H01R31/00; H01R31/08; H01R31/085; H01R9/22; H01R9/24; H01R9/2458
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A programmable automobile junction box characterized by: printed circuit pathways within said box, said circuit pathways providing electrical connections for electrical harnessess attaching to said junction box, a first set of receptacles electrically connected to said circuit pathways forming terminals thereon for joining selected configurations of said circuit pathways; an elongated, electrically insulative member, and a plurality of electrically conductive tabs directly connected to and depending from one side of said member arranged at selected locations thereon to mate with selected of said receptacles to electrically interconnect selected of said circuit pathways within said box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
95 words
A programmable automobile junction box characterized by: printed circuit pathways within said box, said circuit pathways providing electrical connections for electrical harnessess attaching to said junction box, a first set of receptacles electrically connected to said circuit pathways forming terminals thereon for joining selected configurations of said circuit pathways; an elongated, electrically insulative member, and a plurality of electrically conductive tabs directly connected to and depending from one side of said member arranged at selected locations thereon to mate with selected of said receptacles to electrically interconnect selected of said circuit pathways within said box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The box of claim 1, wherein said circuit pathways are further characterized by: a second set of receptacles electrically connected to said circuit pathways forming terminals thereon for receiving electrical components to modify electrical characteristics of said selected configurations of said circuit pathways.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The box of claim 2, said components being characterized as any of a group consisting of a resistor, diode or zener diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The box of claim 1, wherein said elongated member is further characterized by: electrically conductive paths imprinted within said member for connecting selected tabs depending from said member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The box of claim 1, wherein said member is further characterized by selected of said tabs being electrically interconnected.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The box of claim 5, wherein said tabs are further characterized as being electrically interconnected by electrical components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The box of claim 6, wherein said circuit pathways are further characterized by: a second set of receptacles electrically connected to said circuit pathways forming terminals thereon for receiving electrical components to modify electrical characteristics of said selected configurations of said circuit pathways.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-08-24 | 1991-02-23 | 1991-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-24 | 1995-02-23 | 1995-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-24 | 1999-02-23 | 1999-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |