Abstract: A universal serial bus hub (100, 900) includes a housing (110), a power port (210), a first universal serial bus port (120), and a second universal serial bus port (220). The housing includes a middle portion (112), a top portion (111) coupled to the middle portion, and a bottom portion (113) coupled to the middle portion opposite the top portion. The middle portion has a first region (163), a second region (161) substantially opposite the first region, and a third region (162), where the third region is between the first region and the second region. The power port is located at the first region, the first universal serial bus port is located at the second region, and the second universal serial bus port is located at the third region.

Abstract: A cable management device includes a clamping mechanism (110) suitable for attachment to a surface. The clamping mechanism comprises an annular portion (111) having an outside surface (114), an inside surface (115) that forms a perimeter of a cavity (118) interior to the annular portion, a first terminus (116), and a second terminus (117) disposed opposite the first terminus. The first terminus and the second terminus define a gap (151) between them. In one embodiment, the cable management device further comprises a membrane (120, 220) attached to the clamping mechanism at the inside surface, where the membrane contains a first opening (121). In the same or another embodiment, the cable management device further comprises a slot (140) in the annular portion of the clamping mechanism. Both the membrane and the slot enhance the cable management features of the cable management device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cord management device. The method includes: (a) providing a power strip; (b) physically and electrically coupling a power cord to the power strip; (c) providing a stationary portion, providing the stationary portion includes: (1) providing a first wall; (2) providing two or more slots in the first wall configured to contain a first portion of a single electrical cord; and (3) providing a second wall spaced part from the first wall, the first wall and second wall defining a first space there between; (d) providing a cover; (e) hingedly attaching the cover to the stationary portion, thereby defining a second space; (f) integrating the power strip into the second space; and (g) locating a portion of the power cord in the first space.

Abstract: A cord management device (100) includes: a receptacle (110) defining an interior space (120) and including: (a) a stationary portion (111); and (c) a cord management feature (113) coupled to the stationary portion, the cord management feature includes: (1) a first finger (171); and (2) a second finger (172), the stationary portion and the cord management feature define a first space (173) there between; and (b) a cover (115) hingedly coupled to the stationary portion. The cover is configured to move between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The first space between the first finger and the second finger allows a cord to enter the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

Abstract: A cord management device includes a receptacle (110, 210) defining an interior space (120, 220) capable of containing a power strip (140, 240). The receptacle includes a stationary portion (111, 211) and a cover (115, 215) attached to the stationary portion as with a hinge such that the cover is capable of movement between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The cover has a cutout (117, 217) therein. The stationary portion includes a cord management feature (113, 213). The cutout in the cover interacts with the stationary portion of the receptacle to form an opening in the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

Abstract: An electrical connectivity system capable of being mounted to an object in a variety of configurations includes a housing (110), a power cord (130), and a mounting bracket (120). The housing includes a first threaded aperture (151) at a first surface (111) of the housing, a second threaded aperture at a second surface (112) of the housing, and an electrical connection port (171) at a third surface (113) of the housing. The mounting bracket includes a first portion (121), a second portion (122) adjacent to and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the first portion, and a first aperture (127) in the first portion. The power cord is integral with the housing and is capable of delivering electric power to the electrical connection port.

Abstract: A cable management device for use in connection with a power center (210, 500, 810) comprises a perimeter wall (110, 410, 710) defining a passageway (120, 420, 720) capable of receiving a cable (820) coupled to the power center, and an attachment feature (130, 430, 450, 730) adjacent to the perimeter wall and capable of removably engaging the cable management device with at least one of the power center and a power cord (220, 817) of the power center.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting data and a reusable structure for holding a data transmission unit such as a computer cable and a number of adapter tips configured to attach to different plug types. The cable may be wound around the structure, and the tips may be stored in recesses in the structure having at least three sides and at least one opening. The recesses may be parallel and the tips may be held in place with an interference or snap fit. The unit and tips may be held at least partially external to the structure, which may be a monolithic plastic body. Opposing substantially concave surfaces may be provided on opposite ends upon which to wind the cable. A method of providing cable connections includes providing the structure and teaching to wind the cable around the structure and to hold the tips at least partially within the structure.

Abstract: An electrical device (800, 1100, 1700, 1800) includes: a housing (810, 1110) having a top portion (811, 1111); a bottom portion (816, 1316) opposite the top portion; and a first side portion (917, 1217) between the top portion and the bottom portion; and a first cable management element (850) located at the first side portion, and having a first flexible tube (851) with a first opening (852) along a length of the first flexible tube.

Abstract: A universal serial bus hub (100, 700) includes a housing (110) having a top portion (111), a bottom portion (211) opposite the top portion, a first side (112) between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a second side (113) between the top portion and the bottom portion. The universal serial bus hub further includes a first universal serial bus port (120) at the top portion and a second universal serial bus port (210) at the second side.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply comprises a power source (250) and a housing (110) to contain the power source. The housing comprises an outer surface (111) in which are located a recess (121) and a flat region (231). An electrical outlet (241) is located at the flat region, and a light source (130) is removably housed in the recess. The power source is capable of supplying electric power to the electrical outlet in response to a condition external to the uninterruptible power supply.

Abstract: A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base.

Abstract: An electrical power delivery system includes a base (110) having a first surface (111) and a second surface (112) spaced apart from the first surface by a first sidewall (113). The electrical power delivery system also includes a platform (120) extending away from the second surface of the base such that the platform covers a portion of but less than all of the second surface. The platform itself includes a third surface (121) substantially parallel to the second surface and spaced apart from the second surface by a second sidewall (122) that is substantially perpendicular to the second surface. A first electrical power outlet (130) is located at the third surface, and a second electrical power outlet (140) is located at the second sidewall. A power cord (150) is physically and electrically coupled either to the base or to the platform.

Abstract: An electrical connectivity system capable of being mounted to an object in a variety of configurations includes a housing (110), a power cord (130), and a mounting bracket (120). The housing includes a first threaded aperture (151) at a first surface (111) of the housing, a second threaded aperture at a second surface (112) of the housing, and an electrical connection port (171) at a third surface (113) of the housing. The mounting bracket includes a first portion (121), a second portion (122) adjacent to and extending substantially perpendicularly away from the first portion, and a first aperture (127) in the first portion. The power cord is integral with the housing and is capable of delivering electric power to the electrical connection port.

Abstract: A cord management device includes a receptacle (110, 210) defining an interior space (120, 220) capable of containing a power strip (140, 240). The receptacle includes a stationary portion (111, 211) and a cover (115, 215) attached to the stationary portion as with a hinge such that the cover is capable of movement between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The cover has a cutout (117, 217) therein. The stationary portion includes a cord management feature (113, 213). The cutout in the cover interacts with the stationary portion of the receptacle to form an opening in the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

Abstract: USB hubs and methods of connecting peripheral devices to multi purpose computers wherein the devices or cables thereto are pushed downward into a USB port on the hub resting on a desk or other horizontal surface. Holding the hub with another hand may be unnecessary. Some hubs also have USB ports on a side to which other peripheral devices may be connected while holding the hub with another hand. Some hubs have several USB ports on the side which may be in a horizontal line when viewed in a side view. Some hubs have another port on top for connecting peripheral devices with one hand. Hubs may have a housing with a top, bottom, and at least one straight or curved side and a surface may curve upward from a substantially vertical side. Different embodiments have a power port, indicator lights, feet, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A universal serial bus hub (100, 700) includes a housing (110) having a top portion (111), a bottom portion (211) opposite the top portion, a first side (112) between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a first universal serial bus port (120) at the top portion. Various embodiments include a second side (113) between the top portion and the bottom portion, a second universal serial bus port (210) at the second side, as many as six or more universal serial bus ports at a side, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, ports are arranged in a line or horizontally, a seventh port is provided, a status indicator, translucent material, or rubberized material are provided, or a combination thereof.