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(11)

EP 1 269 593 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 03.01.2002 (43) Date of publication: 02.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/01 (21) Application number: 01922921.0 (22) Date of filing: 29.03.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H02G 15/04, H01R 4/22 (86) International application number: PCT/US0110/314 (87) International publication number: WO 0107/6035 (11.10.2001 Gazette 2001/41)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 31.03.2000 US 539541 12.09.2000 US 660062 (71) Applicant: Tyco Electronics Corporation Middletown, PA 17057-3163 (US)

(72) Inventors: FITZGERALD, Frank, J. Cary, NC 27511 (US) CAREY, Paul, Raymond Raleigh, NC 27606 (US) BUKOVNIK, Rudolf, Robert Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (US) JUDD, Jeffery, Craig Wake Forest, NC 27587 (US) YAWORSKI, Harry, George Apex, NC 27502 (US) BLUE, Kenton, Archibald Holly Springs, NC 27540 (US) MARKS, Jimmy, E. Dunn, NC 28334 (US) KAMEL, Sherif, I. Apex, NC 27502 (US) PULLIUM, III, George, W. Garner, NC 27529 (US) (74) Representative: Jay, Anthony William et al Tyco Electronics UK LimitedEuropean Patent DepartmentFaraday Road DorcanSwindonWiltshire SN3 5HH DorcanSwindonWiltshire SN3 5HH (GB)