Patents by Inventor Randell E. Pate

Randell E. Pate 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).

  • Patent number: 9748709
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly is mountable at an opening in a work surface to provide convenient access to electrical power and/or data. The assembly includes a main housing and a housing shell. The main housing defines an interior cavity for receiving a lower portion of an electrical or data outlet, and has an outlet opening in which a face of the electrical or data outlet is supported. The housing shell is coupled to the main housing and surrounds at least a portion of the interior cavity. Respective outer surfaces of the main housing and the housing shell cooperate to form an outer surface of the two-piece housing that is insertable into the opening in the work surface. A fastener, which may be an internally threaded collar, engages the two-piece housing, which may be externally threaded, and also engages the work surface, to secure the assembly to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate, E. Stephan Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20170110840
    Abstract: A branched electrical system is adapted for providing multiple users with access to high and/or low voltage electrical power in work areas or high density seating areas, such as stadium or theater seating, work rooms, lecture halls, and public transportation vehicles. The system includes a main line and a plurality of branch lines, each branch line having at least one high voltage or low voltage electrical receptacle that is accessible to a user located at the seating, such as for powering a portable electronic device. The branch lines may be coupled to the main line via a splice or other electrical-mechanical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9601860
    Abstract: A rotatable power center is configured for installation along a work surface or the like, and includes an outer housing and a pivotable inner housing having one or more electrical or data outlets. The inner housing is positionable between a use position in which the outlets are accessible along the work surface, and a non-use position in which the outlets are generally not accessible. The outer housing defines an upper opening through which different surfaces of the inner housing are exposed or accessible, depending on the inner housing position. Spindles or spindle caps are used to pivotable mount the inner housing to the outer housing, and may also serve to secure two inner housing pieces together. A separate latch may be provided to secure the inner housing at the use or non-use position. Optionally, a detent arrangement holds the inner housing at the use or non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9531145
    Abstract: A branched electrical system is adapted for providing multiple users with access to high and/or low voltage electrical power in work areas or high density seating areas, such as stadium or theater seating, work rooms, lecture halls, and public transportation vehicles. The system includes a main line and a plurality of branch lines, each branch line having at least one high voltage or low voltage electrical receptacle that is accessible to a user located at the seating, such as for powering a portable electronic device. The branch lines may be coupled to the main line via a splice or other electrical-mechanical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9485463
    Abstract: A video switch system providing a collaborative environment for one or more users to share information. In the current embodiment, the video switch system enables users to quickly connect to the system, present information, have a video conference, or have a multi-user wireless video session, or a combination thereof, in a collaborative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. McClymonds, Eric B. Snavely, Steffen Lipsky, Robert C. Wayner, Steven J. King, Randell E. Pate, Timothy J. Warwick, Patrick E. Young
  • Publication number: 20160294128
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly is mountable at an opening in a work surface to provide convenient access to electrical power and/or data. The assembly includes a main housing and a housing shell. The main housing defines an interior cavity for receiving a lower portion of an electrical or data outlet, and has an outlet opening in which a face of the electrical or data outlet is supported. The housing shell is coupled to the main housing and surrounds at least a portion of the interior cavity. Respective outer surfaces of the main housing and the housing shell cooperate to form an outer surface of the two-piece housing that is insertable into the opening in the work surface. A fastener, which may be an internally threaded collar, engages the two-piece housing, which may be externally threaded, and also engages the work surface, to secure the assembly to the work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate, E. Stephan Winkelmann
  • Publication number: 20160226178
    Abstract: A rotatable power center is configured for installation along a work surface or the like, and includes an outer housing and a pivotable inner housing having one or more electrical or data outlets. The inner housing is positionable between a use position in which the outlets are accessible along the work surface, and a non-use position in which the outlets are generally not accessible. The outer housing defines an upper opening through which different surfaces of the inner housing are exposed or accessible, depending on the inner housing position. Spindles or spindle caps are used to pivotable mount the inner housing to the outer housing, and may also serve to secure two inner housing pieces together. A separate latch may be provided to secure the inner housing at the use or non-use position. Optionally, a detent arrangement holds the inner housing at the use or non-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9368924
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly with protective housing is adapted for installation in unconventional areas or surfaces, including areas that are more susceptible to spills or other contaminants than traditional mounting locations. The electrical receptacle assembly includes a receptacle subassembly with a main receptacle body and a front surface portion in which a plurality of electrical contacts are housed and made accessible to corresponding contacts of an electrical or electronic device. A housing defines a cavity for receiving the receptacle body, and a face plate is coupled to the housing and defines a receptacle opening for engaging and supporting the electrical receptacle subassembly. The face plate may take on many different sizes and shapes for a desired application, while the other components of the electrical receptacle assembly can remain the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Patrick E. Young, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9312653
    Abstract: A rotatable power center is configured for installation along a work surface or the like, and includes an outer housing and a pivotable inner housing having one or more electrical or data outlets. The inner housing is positionable between a use position in which the outlets are accessible along the work surface, and a non-use position in which the outlets are generally not accessible. The outer housing defines an upper opening through which different surfaces of the inner housing are exposed or accessible, depending on the inner housing position. Spindles or spindle caps are used to pivotable mount the inner housing to the outer housing, and may also serve to secure two inner housing pieces together. A separate latch may be provided to secure the inner housing at the use or non-use position. Optionally, a detent arrangement holds the inner housing at the use or non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9312673
    Abstract: A low voltage power receptacle assembly is adapted for providing access to low voltage power in compact spaces. The low voltage power receptacle assembly includes a circuit subassembly that is operable to transform a line voltage input, such as about 110V to 220V AC, to a lower voltage output, such as about 2V to 12V DC. Electrical input conductors receive and convey the line voltage from a power source to the circuit subassembly, while electrical output conductors convey the lower voltage output from the circuit subassembly to a low voltage power receptacle that may be spaced some distance from the circuit subassembly. The low voltage power receptacle is mountable in different housings, faceplates, and the like, to accommodate different mounting styles and locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Randell E. Pate, Gerald N. Vander Till
  • Patent number: 9257823
    Abstract: A low voltage power receptacle assembly is provided for use in a modular electrical system. The receptacle assembly includes a housing that defines an internal cavity for receiving a circuit board assembly that transforms a line voltage input to a lower voltage output. The housing may define a plurality of contact-receiving portions in spaced arrangement, and has at least two electrical contacts disposed in respective contact-receiving portions. A low voltage power receptacle is in communication with the circuit assembly and provides user-access to the low voltage output. Optionally, the size of the housing may be varied to suit a particular application, and a spacer may be used inside the cavity to ensure proper positioning of the low voltage power receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate, Roger D. Burdi, Patrick E. Young
  • Patent number: 9220342
    Abstract: A work surface coupling system has power and data capability with an elongate housing defining an internal passageway and having first and second coupling regions for coupling to one or more work surface. The housing may be a one-piece unit or multi-piece assembly, and can support at least one power or data outlet positioned therealong. The internal passageway unobtrusively supports a plurality of electrical conductors associated with power or data outlets. Optional features include one or more removable side panels, laterally-extending support pads, an accessory mounting surface, and various work surface accessories such as shelving, privacy panels, and lighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Brent A. Reame, Chad Zimmerman, William F. Schacht, Randell E. Pate, Robert L. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20150333461
    Abstract: A branched electrical system is adapted for providing multiple users with access to high and/or low voltage electrical power in work areas or high density seating areas, such as stadium or theater seating, work rooms, lecture halls, and public transportation vehicles. The system includes a main line and a plurality of branch lines, each branch line having at least one high voltage or low voltage electrical receptacle that is accessible to a user located at the seating, such as for powering a portable electronic device. The branch lines may be coupled to the main line via a splice or other electrical-mechanical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate
  • Publication number: 20150325962
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle assembly with protective housing is adapted for installation in unconventional areas or surfaces, including areas that are more susceptible to spills or other contaminants than traditional mounting locations. The electrical receptacle assembly includes a receptacle subassembly with a main receptacle body and a front surface portion in which a plurality of electrical contacts are housed and made accessible to corresponding contacts of an electrical or electronic device. A housing defines a cavity for receiving the receptacle body, and a face plate is coupled to the housing and defines a receptacle opening for engaging and supporting the electrical receptacle subassembly. The face plate may take on many different sizes and shapes for a desired application, while the other components of the electrical receptacle assembly can remain the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Patrick E. Young, Thomas A. Petersen, Randell E. Pate
  • Publication number: 20150295375
    Abstract: A rotatable power center is configured for installation along a work surface or the like, and includes an outer housing and a pivotable inner housing having one or more electrical or data outlets. The inner housing is positionable between a use position in which the outlets are accessible along the work surface, and a non-use position in which the outlets are generally not accessible. The outer housing defines an upper opening through which different surfaces of the inner housing are exposed or accessible, depending on the inner housing position. Spindles or spindle caps are used to pivotable mount the inner housing to the outer housing, and may also serve to secure two inner housing pieces together. A separate latch may be provided to secure the inner housing at the use or non-use position. Optionally, a detent arrangement holds the inner housing at the use or non-use position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: 9148006
    Abstract: An interchangeable base system is provided for use with an electrical power and/or data unit in a work area or the like. The base system includes a bottom housing portion associated with the electrical unit, with the bottom housing portion having a mechanical receptacle portion. The base system further includes at least two different mounts, each having an engaging portion configured to mate with the receptacle portion, and each having a different distal mounting portion. The different distal mounting portions are configured for mounting to different types of surfaces, so that the electrical unit may be configured for installation in different locations or in different ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Daniel P. Byrne, Randell E. Pate
  • Publication number: 20150222853
    Abstract: A video switch system providing a collaborative environment for one or more users to share information. In the current embodiment, the video switch system enables users to quickly connect to the system, present information, have a video conference, or have a multi-user wireless video session, or a combination thereof, in a collaborative manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan J. McClymonds, Eric B. Snavely, Steffen Lipsky, Robert C. Wayner, Steven J. King, Randell E. Pate, Timothy J. Warwick, Patrick E. Young
  • Patent number: D736159
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel P. Byrne, Chad Zimmerman, William F. Schacht, Randell E. Pate, Brent A. Reame, Timothy J. Warwick
  • Patent number: D741266
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate
  • Patent number: D793343
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate, Roger D. Burdi, Patrick E. Young