EP0709926B1 - Système de connecteur de type centre jack vis - Google Patents

Système de connecteur de type centre jack vis Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0709926B1
EP0709926B1 EP95307674A EP95307674A EP0709926B1 EP 0709926 B1 EP0709926 B1 EP 0709926B1 EP 95307674 A EP95307674 A EP 95307674A EP 95307674 A EP95307674 A EP 95307674A EP 0709926 B1 EP0709926 B1 EP 0709926B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
bolt
flange
module
axial bore
threaded portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP95307674A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0709926A1 (fr
Inventor
John Mark Myer
Mark Dwayne Anderson
Keith Robert Denlinger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0709926A1 publication Critical patent/EP0709926A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0709926B1 publication Critical patent/EP0709926B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/621—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/621—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
    • H01R13/6215—Bolt, set screw or screw clamp using one or more bolts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of electrical connectors, and more particularly, to center jackscrew type connectors with over torque protection and with enhanced locking performance.
  • Center jackscrew type connectors such as described in GB-A-2272335 typically include a pair of mating plastic housings (a module housing and a receptacle housing) which are connected to each other and fastened by means of a steel bolt which has a threaded portion and a flange spaced apart from the threaded portion.
  • the threaded portion of the bolt is threaded into a tapped metal insert installed longitudinally within the module housing until both the module housing and the receptacle housing bottom.
  • the plastic housings are placed in greater and greater compression. Referring to FIGS.
  • a module housing 10 mates with a receptacle housing 11 by means of a bolt 12.
  • a metal insert 13 is installed within the module housing 10 to receive the threaded portion 14 of the bolt 12.
  • the bolt 12 is threaded into the metal insert 13 until mating surface 16 of the module housing 10 and mating surface 17 of the receptacle housing 11 bottom (or engage each other).
  • the module housing 10 and the receptacle housing 11 are placed in continually increasing compression until the plastic breaks.
  • a particular application in the automotive field requires a torque of 70 cm-kg (60 inch-pounds) which translates into a compressive force of 575 kg (1,270 pounds) on the plastic housings.
  • the excessive torque is applied by a flange 21 on the bolt 12 (FIG. 1) which engages a tower 18 on the plastic housing 11 (FIG. 2) causing the tower 18 to mushroom out, shear off or crack.
  • a typical remedy for overcoming this problem is to employ additional strengthening components or else use very high compressive strength plastics as a material for the housings, all of which is burdensome and costly.
  • an object of the present invention to provide a cost effective center jackscrew type connector assembly, wherein the plastic parts of the connector assembly are not subject to damage under excessive torque loads, thereby eliminating plastic creep problems.
  • a plastic receptacle housing has an engagement surface and a crush rib on the engagement surface
  • a module connector includes a metal insert having an internally-threaded blind axial bore having a bottom at a predetermined depth.
  • the metal-to-metal contact between the tip of the bolt and the bottom of the blind axial bore keeps the flange on the bolt at a certain distance from the engagement surface of the receptacle housing, even if a sufficient over-torque is applied to the bolt, thereby avoiding an excessive compressive load to be applied to the receptacle housing.
  • the threaded portion of the bolt is received into the blind axial bore by turning the bolt until the tip on the threaded portion engages the bottom of the blind axial bore. Then, the bolt is turned further to a predetermined torque. This stretches the insert axially relative to the bolt and deforms the internal threads, thereby removably locking the bolt to the insert.
  • FIG. 1 is a lonqitudinal cross-sectional view of a module connector of the prior art.
  • FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a complementary receptacle housing of the prior art.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of a connector assembly of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the module connector.
  • FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the module connector taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the receptacle housing.
  • FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the receptacle housing taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6.
  • FIGS. 8-11 are longitudinal sectional views showing the connector assembly mating sequence.
  • FIGS. 12-15 show respective longitudinal enlarged sectional views of the bolt within the metal insert during the over torquing procedure.
  • the connector assembly 22 of the present invention includes a module connector 23, an upper connector subassembly 24, sealing O-rings 25, a bolt 12, and a rubber bolt grommet 26.
  • the module connector 23 and the upper connector subassembly 24 are removably secured to each other by the bolt 12.
  • O-rings 25 provide a sealing function where the module connector and the upper connector subassembly 24 are received in a casting 27 (for example, an automotive transmission casing) as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.
  • the module connector 23 includes a plastic module housing 28 and a metal insert 29 (preferably made of brass) secured within the module housing 28 along its longitudinal axis 30.
  • the metal insert 29 has an internally threaded blind axial bore 31 having a bottom 32 and a plurality of internal threads 33. The bottom 32 is located a predetermined depth 34 within the blind axial bore 31.
  • the metal insert 29 has three rings 35, 36 and 37 with external threads, thereby securing the metal insert 29 within the module housing 28. While the internal surface of the blind axial bore 31 is shaped as a right cylinder, the external surface has a gradually changing cross-section diameter, increasing in the direction from an opening 38 of the blind axial bore 31 towards the head 39 of the metal insert 29.
  • a tower-like element 40 is provided to receive and secure a portion of the metal insert 29.
  • a step-like element 41 is extended above a bottom 42 of the module housing 28 and extends longitudinally from the bottom 42 until the tower-like element 40.
  • the step-like element 41 has walls 43, which form recesses 44 between an external surface of the walls 43 and an internal surface 45 of walls 46 of the module housing 28.
  • the internal surface 45 of the walls 46 forms a box-like receptacle cavity 47, while an external surface 48 of the walls 46 is formed as a cylinder.
  • the external surface 48 has a recess 49 for receiving one of the sealing O-rings 25 for sealing contact between the casting 27 and the module housing 28.
  • the upper connector subassembly 24 includes a plastic receptacle housing 50 and a plurality of conductive wires (not shown) received in respective slots 51.
  • the receptacle housing 50 includes a module side 52 and a wire side 53 connected by a main body 54.
  • the module side 52 has walls 55 which, being of rectangular box-like shape, fit into the box-like receptacle cavity 47 of the module housing 28.
  • the walls 55 On their external surface, the walls 55 have tabs 56 (FIGS. 8, 9) which are received in respective keyways 57 (FIG. 4) on internal surface 45 of the walls 46 of the module housing 28.
  • the walls 55 extend from the main body 54 the full internal length of the module housing 28.
  • the main body 54 of the receptacle housing 50 being of cylindrical shape outwardly, has the same diameter as the cylindrical external surface 48 of the walls 46. This diameter is identified as a major diameter.
  • the main body provides two recesses 61 for sealing O-rings 25.
  • the wire side 53 of the receptacle housing 50 has an axial tower-like element 62 having a cylindrical shape.
  • the tower-like element 62 extends a predetermined length 63 (for example, 24.50 mm) from the mating surface 59 and has an engagement surface 64.
  • the engagement surface 64 has a ring shape of a certain width 66.
  • Crush rib 65 is integrally molded on the engagement surface 64.
  • Crush rib 65 also has a cylindrical shape; however, a width 67 of the crush rib 65 is smaller than the width 66 of the engagement surface 64.
  • the crush rib 65 extends axially from the engagement surface 64 by a certain length 68, such that an edge 69 of the crush rib 68 is spaced apart from the mating surface 59 by a predetermining length 70, for example, 25.50 mm.
  • the bolt 12 has a threaded portion 71, having a plurality of external threads 72, the flange 21 at the head 19, and a tip 73.
  • the tip 73 is spaced apart from the flange 21 by a predetermined distance 74.
  • the preassembled bolt 12 (inserted by its threaded portion first through a central through opening 75 and turned into the blind axial bore 31) is turned until the tip 73 hits the bottom 32 of the blind axial bore 31. Since the blind axial bore 31 has the predetermined depth 34 and the flange 21 is spaced apart from the tip 73 by the predetermined distance 74, the flange 21 is kept continuously a certain distance 76 from the mating surface 58 of the module housing 28, for example, 25.00 mm.
  • the 25.00 mm distance 76 will not change regardless of torque applied to the bolt 12, due to metal-to-metal engagement of the steel tip 73 and brass bottom 32 of the blind axial bore 31. Due to chosen combination of the predetermining length 63, the predetermined length 70, the predetermined depth 34, and the predetermined distance 74, the tip 73 engages the bottom 32 simultaneously with the engagement between the mating surfaces 58, 59 and prior to the flange 21 of the bolt 12 engaging the engagement surface 64 of the tower-like element 62 on the receptacle housing 50.
  • the engagement surface 64 itself does not bear a torque force applied by flange 21. Rather, it is the crush rib 65, which bears the torque load applied by the flange 21, which creates compressive force on plastic module housing 28 and the receptacle housing 50.
  • the crush rib 65 serves as sacrificial plastic material which is easily compressed and sheared off by the flange 21 of the bolt 12 in order that the module housing 28 and the receptacle housing could be held snugly together but not under the excessive compressive load.
  • tabs 56 on external surface of the walls 54 of the receptacle housing 50 engage respective keyways on the module housing 28.
  • the major diameter of the main body 54 of the receptacle housing 50 engages the casting 27.
  • the threads 72 of the bolt 12 engage the internal threads 33 of the blind axial bore 31, and the bolt is torqued down (O-rings 25 enter the casting 27) as the bolt 12 is turned until the tip 73 engages the bottom 32 and the mating surfaces 58 and 59 are engaged. Simultaneously, the crush rib 65 is sheared off and deformed by the flange 21 of the bolt 12.
  • This stored strain energy provides a frictional locking force between the internal threads 33 of the blind axial bore 31 and the external threads 72 of the bolt 12 and does not appreciably diminish during thermal cycling and vibration.
  • Metal-to-metal interference of the steel bolt 12 and the brass threaded insert 29 keeps the bolt 12 from vibrating loose.
  • the bolt 12 will not loosen and allow loss of electrical engagement between wires (not shown) and respective contact members (not shown).
  • the steel bolt 12 may be employed in combination with the brass metal insert 29. It would also work if materials of the bolt and the metal insert were reversed, and/or the metal insert 29 would be made as the compressed member. For example, if the bolt 12 had a shoulder which bottomed on the mating face of the metal insert 29, the metal insert 29 would be compressed as the bolt 12 was turned.
  • the present invention provides a superior central jackscrew connector having a robust design, over torque protection for plastic components, reduced plastic creep problems and enhanced locking performance, thereby assuring proper mechanical and electrical engagement of all components of the connector system.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Système connecteur (22) du type à vis de calage centrale, comprenant un connecteur en module (23) et un sous-ensemble connecteur (24) fixé de manière détachable au connecteur en module (23) au moyen d'un boulon (12) possédant une partie filetée (71), un collet (21) et un bout (73), le connecteur en module (23) possédant un logement en module (28) et un insert métallique (29) fixé à l'intérieur du logement en module (28) et présentant un alésage axial borgne (31) à filetage intérieur engageant une partie filetée (71) du boulon (12) et un fond (32) espacé d'une profondeur prédéterminée à l'intérieur de l'alésage axial borgne, caractérisé en ce qu'un logement femelle (50) du sous-ensemble connecteur (24) présente une nervure d'écrasement (65) sur une surface d'engagement (64), et le bout (73) du boulon (12) se trouve en engagement avec le fond (32) de l'alésage axial borgne (31) et engage ledit fond avant que le collet (21) du boulon (12) n'engage la surface d'engagement (64) du logement femelle (50), le collet (21) étant ainsi retenu à une certaine distance de la surface d'engagement (64) et le collet (21) engageant la nervure d'écrasement (65) et appliquant une charge requise sur la nervure d'écrasement (65) .
  2. Connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le logement en module (28) possède une première surface d'accouplement (58), le logement femelle (50) possède une deuxième surface d'accouplement (59), et les première et deuxième surfaces d'accouplement s'engagent mutuellement lorsque le bout (73) de la partie filetée (71) du boulon (12) engage le fond (32) de l'alésage axial borgne (31).
  3. Système connecteur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel la nervure d'écrasement (65) présente un bord (69), et ledit bord (69) et la surface d'engagement (64) sont espacés axialement de la deuxième surface d'accouplement (59) d'une première et d'une deuxième longueur prédéterminée, respectivement, la première longueur prédéterminée étant supérieure à la deuxième longueur prédéterminée, et dans lequel une distance entre le collet (21) du boulon (12) et les première et deuxième surfaces d'accouplement (58,59), respectivement, est supérieure à la deuxième longueur prédéterminée et inférieure à la première longueur prédéterminée.
  4. Système connecteur selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le logement femelle (50) comprend un côté module (52) et un côté fil (53) connectés, de manière solidaire, par un corps principal (54), et le côté module (52) comporte des parois (55) présentant une surface externe comportant une pluralité d'ailerons (56), et dans lequel le logement en module (28) fournit une cavité femelle (47), et une surface interne (45) de la cavité femelle (47) présente une pluralité de rainures de clavetage (57), les parois (55) respectives sur le côté module (52) du logement femelle (50) étant reçues dans la cavité femelle (47) dans le logement en module (28), chacun de ladite puralité d'ailerons (56) étant reçu dans une rainure respective de ladite pluralité de rainures de clavetage (57).
  5. Système connecteur selon la revendication 1, 2, 3 ou 4, dans lequel la nervure d'écrasement (65), déformée par le collet (21) sur le boulon (12), crée, conjointement avec une charge préliminaire sur une partie filetée (71) du boulon (12), une force de compression requise pour maintenir en engagement le logement en module (28) et le logement femelle (50).
  6. Système connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le boulon (12) est en acier et l'insert métallique (29) est en métal de moindre résistance.
  7. Système connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes 1 à 5, dans lequel l'insert métallique (29) est en métal et le boulon (12) est en métal de moindre résistance.
  8. Système connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'insert métallique (29) comprend un élément comprimé.
  9. Méthode consistant à fournir une force de verrouillage supplémentaire maintenant la partie filetée (71) d'un boulon (12) à l'intérieur d'un premier sous-ensemble (23) en plastique d'un système connecteur comprenant des premier et deuxième sous-ensembles (23, 24) en plastique fixés l'un à l'autre de manière détachable au moyen d'un boulon (12), le boulon possédant un collet (21) espacé axialement de la partie filetée et s'appuyant sur le deuxième sous-ensemble (24) en plastique, et la partie filetée du boulon possédant un bout (73), ladite méthode comprenant la fixation d'un insert métallique (29) à l'intérieur du premier sous-ensemble (23) en plastique, le long d'un axe longitudinal de ce dernier, ledit insert métallique présentant un alésage axial borgne (31) d'une profondeur prédéterminee et l'alésage axial borgne présentant un fona (32) et des filets internes (33), l'engagement de la partie filetée du boulon (12) dans l'alésage axial borgne (31) et la rotation du boulon pour fixer ensemble les sous-ensembles, caractérisée par la fourniture d'une nervure d'écrasement (65) sur une surface d'engagement (64) du deuxième sous-ensemble, la rotation du boulon (12) jusqu'à ce que le bout (73) sur sa partie filetée (71) engage le fond (32) de l'alésage axial borgne (31), le bout engageant le fond de l'alésage axial borgne avant que le collet (21) du boulon n'engage la surface d'engagement (64) du deuxième sous-ensemble de manière à retenir le collet (21) à une certaine distance de la surface d'engagement (64), et le collet engageant la nervure d'écrasement (65) en appliquant ainsi une charge requise à la nervure d'écrasement, et la rotation supplémentaire du boulon (12) selon un couple prédéterminé, en étirant l'insert (29) axialement par rapport au boulon (12), en déformant les filets internes (33) et en verrouillant ainsi de manière détachable le boulon vis-à-vis de l'insert (29).
EP95307674A 1994-10-28 1995-10-27 Système de connecteur de type centre jack vis Expired - Lifetime EP0709926B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US331258 1989-03-30
US33125894A 1994-10-28 1994-10-28

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0709926A1 EP0709926A1 (fr) 1996-05-01
EP0709926B1 true EP0709926B1 (fr) 1999-01-13

Family

ID=23293225

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP95307674A Expired - Lifetime EP0709926B1 (fr) 1994-10-28 1995-10-27 Système de connecteur de type centre jack vis

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0709926B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH09180812A (fr)
KR (1) KR100354448B1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9504556A (fr)
DE (1) DE69507256T2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2012186002A (ja) * 2011-03-04 2012-09-27 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd コネクタ
DE102016206378A1 (de) * 2016-04-15 2017-10-19 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Verbindungsanordnung eines ersten Bauelements an einem zweiten Bauelement, insbesondere für ein Fahrzeug, sowie Verbindungsvorrichtung, insbesondere für ein Fahrzeug
JP2019079800A (ja) * 2017-10-25 2019-05-23 タイコ エレクトロニクス アンプ コリア カンパニー リミテッドＴｙｃｏ Ｅｌｅｃｔｒｏｎｉｃｓ ＡＭＰ Ｋｏｒｅａ Ｃｏ．，Ｌｔｄ 直接結合コネクタアセンブリ
DE102019205050A1 (de) 2019-04-09 2020-10-15 Audi Ag Buchsenvorrichtung zum berührsicheren elektrischen Kontaktieren einer korrespondierenden Steckervorrichtung, Steckervorrichtung und Batteriemodul für eine Hochvoltbatterie
US11462854B2 (en) 2019-11-12 2022-10-04 Aptiv Technologies Limited Electrical connector with a mounting flange and method of assembling same

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07729Y2 (ja) * 1990-04-23 1995-01-11 矢崎総業株式会社 ねじ締め型コネクタハウジング用防水リング
JP2613985B2 (ja) * 1991-05-21 1997-05-28 矢崎総業株式会社 ねじ締めコネクタ
FR2685826B1 (fr) * 1991-12-31 1994-02-11 Labinal Precision Mecanique Connecteur electrique.
GB2272335B (en) * 1992-10-28 1996-07-03 Whitaker Corp Pre-latch retainer for facilitating threaded connections

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69507256T2 (de) 1999-09-02
JPH09180812A (ja) 1997-07-11
DE69507256D1 (de) 1999-02-25
KR100354448B1 (ko) 2002-12-26
BR9504556A (pt) 1997-02-25
EP0709926A1 (fr) 1996-05-01
KR960016016A (ko) 1996-05-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA1296078C (fr) Joint d'etancheite pour connecteur de paire coaxiale
US4447103A (en) Moisture seal for a separable electrical connection
US5030126A (en) Coupling ring retainer mechanism for electrical connector
EP0645844B1 (fr) Connecteur d'adaptation autocentrant
US7717658B2 (en) Bolt assembly
US4462653A (en) Electrical connector assembly
US4749251A (en) Connector locking system
US20060084312A1 (en) Electrical connector having a spring to facilitate mounting
KR950002113A (ko) 변형이 감소된 케이블 커넥터
EP0210272A1 (fr) Mecanisme d'accouplement pour connecteurs
WO2010100467A1 (fr) Raccordement de tresse de blindage pour un connecteur électrique blindé
EP3475746B1 (fr) Boîtier destiné à un connecteur sur un câble
EP0121610B1 (fr) Système de couplage notamment pour un connecteur
EP2495827A1 (fr) Connecteur
CA1151252A (fr) Connecteur electrique a contacts de filtrage montes dans un module de filtrage amovible
GB2109645A (en) Self-locking electrical connector
EP0709926B1 (fr) Système de connecteur de type centre jack vis
US6083031A (en) Cable end connector
US5586854A (en) Connector fastening nut and bolt-nut fastened connector
US6273742B1 (en) Electrical connector having a jack screw
US4762504A (en) Connector coupling lock
US4707047A (en) Environmentally sealed electrical connector
US7780386B2 (en) Torque-limited electrical connector
EP0715374B1 (fr) Connecteur séparable pour la transmission de véhicule
US5681177A (en) Anti-decoupling device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19961030

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19961227

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 19990113

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69507256

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19990225

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20011005

Year of fee payment: 7

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20030630

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20051019

Year of fee payment: 11

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20051130

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20070501

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061027

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20061027