Patents by Inventor James L. Kraft
James L. Kraft has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6358083Abstract: A communications cabling system adapted for being installed adjacent a first side of a structure having a port communicating with a second side of the structure includes a plurality of unique cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a plurality of wires having first and second ends, a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to each of the plurality of wires at the first end, a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a first unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end and a third connector having a third plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a second unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end. At least one of the first, second and third connectors is configured for being supported proximate the port. At least one of the first, second and third connectors includes a portion accessible from the second side.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: James L. Kraft
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Patent number: 6336826Abstract: A modular communications cable assembly comprises first and second connectors, each having an elongated array of electrical contacts, and high-speed (e.g., data) and low-speed (e.g., voice) twisted wire pairs extending between the first and second connectors and terminated to the electrical contacts. Electrical contacts are skipped (or left empty) between the high-speed wire pairs to reduce cross-talk., but no electrical contacts are skipped between the low-speed wire pairs. An electrically conductive member with pins may be used to electrically couple the skipped contacts together to further reduce cross-talk. In another aspect, a modular communications cable assembly provides a plurality of communication circuits to a cluster of workstations. The cable assembly comprises an upstream connector and at least one downstream connector, with a plurality of high-speed cable segments and at least one low-speed cable segment extending between the upstream and downstream connectors.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1998Date of Patent: January 8, 2002Assignee: Steelcase Development CorporationInventor: James L. Kraft
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Patent number: 6168458Abstract: A communications cabling system adapted for being installed adjacent a first side of a structure having a port communicating with a second side of the structure includes a plurality of unique cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a plurality of wires having first and second ends, a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to each of the plurality of wires at the first end, a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a first unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end and a third connector having a third plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a second unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end. At least one of the first, second and third connectors is configured for being supported proximate the port. At least one of the first, second and third connectors includes a portion accessible from the second side.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventor: James L. Kraft
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Patent number: 6111195Abstract: A communication cable management and distribution system for use in a modular partitioned workspace environment including a plurality of partition panels defining the workspaces and a consolidation point cabinet mounted on and supported by the partition structure. The cabinet is generally rectangular and includes an interior defined by a top, a bottom, a back, a pair of sides and a front. The cabinet is mounted on the partition structure by mounting brackets which are configured so that the cabinet can only be unmounted from the partition structure by gaining access to the cabinet interior. A back wall in the cabinet interior includes a plurality of apertures which allows cable management elements to be mounted by screws at a plurality of interchangeable locations. One such cable management element is a consolidation point bracket that is pivotable between a first position for storage and a second position offering improved access to the consolidation point.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Steelcase Inc.Inventors: R. Scott Hand, Robert H. Greenhoe, Todd C. Fitzpatrick, James L. Kraft, Jared Alden Judson, Karl J. Mead, Kevin M. Stanley
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Patent number: 5774979Abstract: A method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network is disclosed. The process includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks and equipping each of the equipment racks identically with at least one cable interconnection means. The method also includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site, providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one or more devices to one of said multiconductor cables, and grouping one of the equipment racks with said plurality of multiconductor cables and with a set of the multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for an installation site.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Inventor: James L. Kraft
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Patent number: 5682301Abstract: A cabling system for an enterprise having multiple, remotely located work sites or branch offices is described. Each work site has a plurality of workstations that are interconnected in a computer and/or communication network and the cabling system includes a plurality of cabling kits that are prefabricated for installation. Each cabling kit includes a prefabricated equipment rack, at least one cable interconnection device mounted on the equipment rack for providing an interconnection to a centralized network or communication system device, a plurality of distribution outlets, each located at one of the workstations, and a plurality of multiconductor distribution cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of a work site for interconnecting the cable interconnection device and the distribution outlets. Except for the number and lengths of the multiconductor distribution cables, the cabling kits are configured identically for each of the work sites.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Inventor: James L. Kraft
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Patent number: 4809360Abstract: An apparatus for housing a plurality of remote control units wherein the units are consolidated at a common location and wherein the units are protected from damage which may be occasioned upon them. Each housing is defined by a wall having a window formed therein and a drawer for mounting a unit therewithin whereby an infrared emitter of a remote control unit is disposed so that it will project an infrared signal through the window. Further, the housings include hook and notch arrangements for mating the plurality of housings together whereby each transmission path from a remote control through the corresponding window to electronic equipment is rendered unobstructed.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: Collage Video Specialities, Inc.Inventor: James L. Kraft