(19)

(11)

EP 1 044 486 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 18.10.2000 Bulletin 2000/42 (21) Application number: 98951636.4 (22) Date of filing: 13.11.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01R 13/658, H01R 23/68 // (H01R13/648, 9:09) (86) International application number: PCT/IB9801/823 (87) International publication number: WO 9926/321 (27.05.1999 Gazette 1999/21)

(84) Designated Contracting States: DE FR GB (30) Priority: 19.11.1997 EP 97120256 (71) Applicant: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION Wilmington, DE 19808 (US)	(72) Inventors: DE BLIECK, Roland, Tristan NL-5345 ET Oss (NL) WIEKAMP, Jan, Hendrik, Ate NL-5211 PM 's-Hertogenbosch (NL) (74) Representative: Heinz-Schäfer, Marion et al AMP International Enterprises LimitedAMPèrestrasse 3 9223 Steinach/SG 9223 Steinach/SG (CH)