(19)

(11)

EP 1 206 706 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 22.05.2002 Bulletin 2002/21 (21) Application number: 00971043.5 (22) Date of filing: 24.08.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01R 31/04 (86) International application number: PCT/US0040/735 (87) International publication number: WO 0114/896 (01.03.2001 Gazette 2001/09)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 25.08.1999 US 382724 (71) Applicant: Cinch Connectors, Inc. Lombard, IL 60148-3230 (US)	(72) Inventors: BYCZEK, Roger Lake in the Hills, IL 60102 (US) ONG, Chuan, A. Lisle, IL 60532 (US) (74) Representative: Hörner, Andreas  Hoeger, Stellrecht & PartnerPatentanwälte GBRUhlandstrasse 14 c 70182 Stuttgart 70182 Stuttgart (DE)