Abstract: A retractable cord reel is disclosed. The retractable cord reel may have a spool having a conductor carried thereon. The cord reel may also have a conductor lead coupled to a ratchet. The spool and the ratchet may be configured to make an electrical connection with each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, personal breath tester device for testing the blood alcohol content of the user of the device. The breath tester comprises a circuit board, wherein a sensor, a liquid crystal display, and a processing unit are installed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The processing unit receives a voltage signal from the sensor representing the blood alcohol content of the user and converts the voltage signal to a precise value that is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a USB cable capable of being fed out of and returned to a cable reel is disclosed along with a cable reel that houses the cable and provides connectivity for the cable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, personal breath tester device for testing the blood alcohol content of the user of the device. The breath tester comprises a circuit board, wherein a sensor, a liquid crystal display, and a processing unit are installed on and electrically connected to the circuit board. The processing unit receives a voltage signal from the sensor representing the blood alcohol content of the user and converts the voltage signal to a precise value that is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A cable system includes one or more bundles of conductive wire having multiple thin strands of flexible wire cable that are individually coated with an insulation layer. The bundles of conductive wire are covered by wire jacketing material and are further covered by a nylon braiding material. The cable is preferably made by coating individual wire strands with an insulating material, and then forming wire strands into wire. A thin insulating material may then be extruded over the bundles of wire strands, which are then twisted and/or shielded into cables forming a subassembly. The group of wires is formed into cables. A thin insulating material may be extruded over the cable subassemblies as a jacketing layer before the cable is cut to the desired length and braided or jacketed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, personal breath tester device for testing the blood alcohol content of the user of the device. The breath tester includes an electronic sensor for providing an output voltage signal with an amplitude level that varies as a function of the alcohol content of the breath sample. The output voltage signal is coupled as an input signal to analog circuitry for comparing the input signal to predefined voltage thresholds associated with known blood alcohol contents. The analog circuitry generates an output signal to a display comprising a first and second LED, wherein the illumination of a specific LED corresponds to a predefined blood alcohol content range.

Abstract: Retractable cord reels are disclosed. The retractable cord reels include a housing portion and a spool disposed within the housing portion. The spool has an outer surface associated with an expansion chamber within the housing portion, an inner channel configured to hold a wound length of flat electrical cable and a passage extending between the outer surface and the inner channel. The retractable cord reels also include a flat electrical cable having a first portion disposed in the expansion chamber, a second portion disposed in the inner channel, and a third portion disposed in the passage to follow a path from the outer surface of the spool to the inner channel.

Abstract: Mounting assemblies for product display and security are described herein. An example mounting assembly includes a first portion, a second portion, a fastener, and an electrical connector. The first portion is configured to carry a sensor and the second portion defines a cavity to provide passage to a first cable assembly. The electrical connector is configured to electrically couple the first cable assembly to a second cable assembly from a plurality of cable assemblies associated with the plurality of electronic devices. Two or more of the plurality of cable assemblies include different connector types. The second cable assembly includes a first connector type configured to be electrically coupled to the connector associated with the first portion, and a second connector type configured to be electrically coupled to the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: Mounting assemblies for product display and security are described herein. An example mounting assembly includes a first portion, a second portion, a fastener, and an electrical connector. The first portion is configured to carry a sensor and the second portion defines a cavity to provide passage to a first cable assembly. The electrical connector is configured to electrically couple the first cable assembly to a second cable assembly from a plurality of cable assemblies associated with the plurality of electronic devices. Two or more of the plurality of cable assemblies include different connector types. The second cable assembly includes a first connector type configured to be electrically coupled to the connector associated with the first portion, and a second connector type configured to be electrically coupled to the one of the plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: Retractable cord reels are disclosed. The retractable cord reels include a housing portion and a spool disposed within the housing portion. The spool has an outer surface associated with an expansion chamber within the housing portion, an inner channel configured to hold a wound length of flat electrical cable and a passage extending between the outer surface and the inner channel. The retractable cord reels also include a flat electrical cable having a first portion disposed in the expansion chamber, a second portion disposed in the inner channel, and a third portion disposed in the passage to follow a path from the outer surface of the spool to the inner channel.

Abstract: A cord management apparatus that provides for the convenient management of cords associated with the retail display of small electronic devices such as video cameras. The apparatus comprises a multi-conductor cable, a retractable reel for dispensing and retracting the cable, a mounting member for mounting the electronic device, an adapter for connecting the cable to the electronic device, and a base member for removably holding the mounting member. The base member is fastened to a display rack or counter. A plurality of adapters are provided so that the apparatus may be used with a wide variety of devices that may have different connection requirements.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a product, such as a video camera comprises a shroud for holding a security system sensor and a fastener for attaching the shroud to the product so as to hold the sensor against the product. The shroud further comprises a mounting flange, a cavity for holding electrical connectors, and passageways for cables. The shroud has an opening for receiving electrical connectors and a cover therefor to limit access to the electrical connectors. A fatigue reducing grommet is attached to a main cable at its entry point into the shroud. The shroud includes a seat for receiving the sensor, the sensor being connected to a security system via the electrical connectors. A fastener extends through a flange of the shroud, the cover and the sensor and into the product. An optional power cable carries power from the main cable to power the product. Thereby the sensor is securely attached to the product and the cables and connectors for the security system are neatly tucked away in the shroud.

Abstract: A cord reel device for connecting a signal source to remote device comprises a spool rotatable on an arbor, the spool having an inner chamber and an outer trough. A retractable cord is removably held in the trough. A spring for urging rotation of the spool in a direction to retract the cord is held in the inner chamber. An inner cable is wound with the spring in the spool inner chamber. The inner cable is electrically connected to the retractable cord. The cord reel of the invention may preferably include EMI-RFI shielding, and may find particular utility in applications requiring a substantially miniature cord reel, such as with a cellular telephone or the like.

Abstract: A cord reel device (1) for connecting a signal source (A) to a remote device (B, C) comprises a spool (2) rotatable on an arbor (18), the spool (2) having an inner chamber (6) and an outer trough (8). A retractable cord (10) is removably held in the trough (8). A spring (220) for urging the rotation of the spool (2) in a direction to retract the cord (10) is held in the inner chamber (6). The inner cable (24) is electrically connected to the retractable cord (10). The cord reel (1) of the invention may preferably include EMI-RFI shielding (112), and may find particular utility in applications requiring a substantially miniature cord reel, such as with a cellular telephone or the like.

Abstract: A cord management apparatus that provides for the convenient management of cords associated with the retail display of small electronic devices such as video cameras. The apparatus comprises a multi-conductor cable, a retractable reel for dispensing and retracting the cable, a mounting member for mounting the electronic device, an adapter for connecting the cable to the electronic device, and a base member for removably holding the mounting member. The base member is fastened to a display rack or counter. A plurality of adapters are provided so that the apparatus may be used with a wide variety of devices that may have different connection requirements.

Abstract: The retractable cord assembly (26) comprises a cable (28) having a central carrier and plural conductors helically wrapped about the central carrier. The assembly further includes a grommet for connecting the cable (28) to a device, the grommet having a head and stem, with a passage throught he head and stem for receiving the cable (28). The passgae is tapered to provide an enlarged proximal end when installed. The assembly further includes a flexible metal conduit (30) through which the cable slides. The cable outer surface is nylon braid and the conduit inner surface is a nickel plated to minimize friction therebetween.

Abstract: A cord management apparatus that provides for the convenient management of cords associated with the retail display of small electronic devices such as video cameras. The apparatus comprises a multi-conductor cable, a retractable reel for dispensing and retracting the cable, a mounting member for mounting the electronic device, an adapter for connecting the cable to the electronic device, and a base member for removably holding the mounting member. The base member is fastened to a display rack or counter. A plurality of adapters are provided so that the apparatus may be used with a wide variety of devices that may have different connection requirements.

Abstract: A seamless flat-round conductive cable is adapted for use in a retractable cord reel having a spool on which a round portion of the cable is wound and a cable expansion chamber in which a flat portion of the cable is disposed. The cable has a plurality of seamless conductive members, each of which may include an inner conductor and an outer insulating layer. The cable includes a first cable portion with a substantially flat configuration and a second cable portion with a substantially round configuration. The first cable portion includes a plurality of conductive members which are held together in a substantially flat configuration by, alternatively, bonding, jacketing or weaving the conductive members together. The second cable portion includes a plurality of conductive members, each of which is seamlessly connected to i.e., integral with, the respective conductive members of the first cable portion.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a product, such as a video camera comprises a shroud for holding a security system sensor and a fastener for attaching the shroud to the product so as to hold the sensor against the product. The shroud further comprises a mounting flange, a cavity for holding electrical connectors, and passageways for cables. The shroud has an opening for receiving electrical connectors and a cover therefor to limit access to the electrical connectors. A fatigue reducing grommet is attached to a main cable at its entry point into the shroud. The shroud includes a seat for receiving the sensor, the sensor being connected to a security system via the electrical connectors. A fastener extends through a flange of the shroud, the cover and the sensor and into the product. An optional power cable carries power from the main cable to power the product. Thereby the sensor is securely attached to the product and the cables and connectors for the security system are neatly tucked away in the shroud.

Abstract: A retractable reel assembly comprises double tear drop shaped housing, a spool disposed in the housing and journaled for rotation about an axis, the spool and housing defining a plurality of chambers within the housing around the axis. The spool and housing define a cable storage chamber with a second length of cable retractably stored therein and a cable expansion chamber with a length of cable stored therein, a spring chamber and a ratchet chamber. The housing also has a spring takeup compartment and cable adjustment compartment located on a second parallel axis. A constant force spring extends from the spring storage chamber to the spring takeup compartment to urge the spool to rotate in a cable retracting direction.