Extensible Patents (Class 174/69)
  • Patent number: 6396414
    Abstract: A down-hole tool includes a first and second portion that are moveable relative to one another, but are electrically coupled together. A rigid tube formed into a helical coil extends between the first and second portions. The helical coil is expandable and compressible in response to movement between the first and second portions. A conductor is positioned within the helically wound tube and is adapted to pass electrical signals between the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary P. Bickford, Joseph F. Cordera
  • Patent number: 6372988
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: Paul C. Burke, John S. Runzel
  • Publication number: 20020036094
    Abstract: A secure cage for use in a manhole for surrounding a splice box in which fiber optic or other cable is spliced together in the development of a telecommunication system for business users. The secure cage includes approximately four panels, hinged together, which may be collapsed to facilitate its locating and storage, and which may be erected, down in the manhole, to enclose each splice box and its spliced cables, segregating the telecommunications for each business user from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventor: Michael A. DeNatale
  • Patent number: 6337444
    Abstract: A wire winding box of a replaceable connecting receptacle includes a wire winding box and a replaceable connecting receptacle. In the wire winding box, a rotary disk with a built-in spiral spring causes the wire on the rotary disk to be sustained in an elastic rewinding state. The wire controlled by the spiral spring within the wire winding device is connected to a universal plug having a unified type of audio/video signal terminal. One end of the connecting plug is an universal receptacle portion capable of being inserted an universal plug, while another end is a signal input/output portion of various type and signal input mode, such as a communication plug, an earphone, a mobile phone hand-free receiver, a USB, an ADSL connectors. Therefore, only one wire winding device matching with various replaceable connecting receptacle of various type, different communication, video/audio or computer and other electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liao
  • Publication number: 20010047746
    Abstract: A shock absorber for waterskiing 59 provides multiple adjustments to the adjacent cores 14B, 14S of the dihedral core 15 and the weave assembly 29 securing the multipurpose assembly 48 in the cavity thereof, and provides attachment means 40,45 for use between the boat and the mainline. In addition, the pneumatic core 14 provides emergency floatation properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2000
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: James D. Sampson
  • Patent number: 6327139
    Abstract: An electrical equipment rack includes an electrical equipment unit that slides in and out of the rack on two drawer slides. A hinge attaches a first cable management arm to the rack or to a first drawer slide, which is attached to the rack. Another hinge attaches a second cable management arm to the equipment unit or to a second drawer slide, which is attached to the equipment unit. A flexible linkage is connected between and joins each of the free ends of the two cable management arms. Cables for interconnecting two or more equipment units are attached to the cable management arms and flexible linkage. The equipment unit can be extended out the front or back of the rack for servicing, and each of the cable management arms can be rotated away from the equipment unit to permit easy access to the unit. The flexible linkage limits the bend radii of the cables without regard to the position of the cable management arms or the position of the equipment unit relative to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David Frederick Champion, Kevin D. Johnson, Michael Sven Miller, Glenn Edward Myrto, Brian Alan Trumbo
  • Patent number: 6326547
    Abstract: A cable management system for organizing and controlling cables extending from an electronic device while providing substantially unimpeded device access, substantially unrestricted cable movement and substantially unrestricted air flow into and out of the device. The system attaches to a secure structure and is capable of boxing out from the structure to allow access to service a device positioned within the secure structure. The cable management system includes at least three cable arms of rigid material, a coupling member attached between each adjacent pair of the at least three cable arms, where the coupling member provides movement between each of the adjacent pairs of cable arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Don M. Saxby, Mark J. Williams, Thomas T. Hardt, Joseph R. Allen, Edward J. Kliewer, Christopher Hunt, Henry C. Coles, III
  • Patent number: 6323425
    Abstract: For the production of a one-piece corrugated jacket pipe of thermoplastic, the corrugated jacket pipe is formed to have corrugated partial sections which are deformed such that the direction in which they lie one above the other radially to the axis of the corrugated pipe is reverse to the direction in the locked condition after insertion of electric lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Ralph Peter Hegler, Maximilian Groebmair
  • Patent number: 6319012
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible strip conductor connection, by means of which electrical connections between an electrical device (2) and an external component (1) can be made, wherein the strip conductors (8) are located in or on a flexible foil (3), which is clamped on the electrical device (2) as well as the external component (1). In a predetermined area in the course of the strip conductors (8), the flexible foil (3) has a loop (6), which can be filled with an elastic material perpendicularly in relation to the foil plane, or the strip conductors (8) in the plane of the foil respectively have a loop-shaped deviation (9) perpendicularly to the course of strip conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Moessinger, Walter Grote
  • Patent number: 6320131
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing for a single piece, hinged cable routing device for use with cables. The device includes sections hingedly connected allowing each section to flex and bend. The device can include fingers on an upper portion of the device. Upon pushing a cable through the fingers, the cable securely remains in position within the device. In a preferred embodiment, the device connects cables to an amplifier housing in a cable television network. When the amplifier housing closes, the device folds securely within the amplifier housing ensuring the cable remains in a position within the amplifier housing that avoids electrical interference and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew F. McCann
  • Patent number: 6303864
    Abstract: A cable management arm (10) according to the invention attaches to a receiver arrangement (15) associated with some structure adapted to slide with a component (12) mounted in a rack structure (11). The receiver arrangement (15) includes an edge feature (40) and a tab receiving feature (41). A connector arrangement (14) includes a connector base (45) with a connector member (46, 47) extending from one side of the connector base and having an intermediate section (51) and a distal section (50). The distal section (50) of the connector member (46, 47) is adapted to hook over the edge feature when the intermediate section is positioned adjacent to, or flush against the edge feature. A retainer member (54) is also connected to the connector base with a retainer tab (55) extending from the retainer member. The retainer tab (55) cooperates with the tab receiving feature (41) to hold the connector member (46, 47) in a connected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Chris Stephen Johnson, Robert F. Gontarek
  • Patent number: 6293803
    Abstract: An interconnect, having some length, that reliably connects two conductors separated by the length of the interconnect when the connection is made but in which one length if unstressed would change relative to the other in operation. The interconnect comprises a base element an intermediate element and a top element. Each element is rectangular and formed of a conducting material and has opposed ends. The elements are arranged in a generally Z-shape with the base element having one end adapted to be connected to one conductor. The top element has one end adapted to be connected to another conductor and the intermediate element has its ends disposed against the other end of the base and the top element. Brazes mechanically and electrically interconnect the intermediate element to the base and the top elements proximate the corresponding ends of the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignees: TRW Inc., The United States of America as represented the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Thomas M. Rust, Edward M. Gaddy, Michael J. Herriage, Robert E. Patterson, Richard D. Partin
  • Publication number: 20010017216
    Abstract: A non-tangling line of conveyance includes a flexible outer and non-extendible tubular hose. Within the tubular hose a flexible non-extendible body member is placed. The body member is of a material that includes a plastic memory especially against torqueing. The body member is restrained against any substantial lateral movement. When the tubular conveyance is twisted in any direction, the inner body member undergoes a like motion. However, if the twisting of the tubular hose is released or ceased, the memory torque within the body member tends to force the line of conveyance into an untwisting state, thus avoiding any tangling, knotting or kinking of the conveyance line. The inner body member is restrained against substantially lateral movements by a multiple of electric conductors that are wrapped around the inner body member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: James D. Mitchem
  • Patent number: 6281441
    Abstract: A retractable harness system for an electrical wire having a slidable harness wire pulley, an elastic cord pulley, and an elastic cord. The slidable harness wire pulley places a rearward tension on the harness wire while allowing the harness wire to be extended and retracted from the front portion of an elongate support member. A clamp is provided capable of clamping the harness wire in fixed relation to the elongate support member, and capable of being released to allow extension and retraction of the harness wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Van Mill, Philip J. Kenkel
  • Patent number: 6276502
    Abstract: A flat extension cord that provides electrical power and/or digital data interconnectivity to a device. Preferably, the flat, retractable extension cord is rewindable into a housing much like a tape measure. The flat extension cord has a first end attached to a spool mechanism, a second end extending from the housing. The extension cord includes an elongate dielectric strip having a substantially concave cross-section which house a plurality of flexible electric conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Inventors: Martin Leyba, Esther S. Lee
  • Patent number: 6252168
    Abstract: The invention relates to a modular cable guide system for use in an injection moulding apparatus including at least one first cable guide conduit, at least one connector having a sleeve for fitting around a first end of the first cable guide conduit, clamping means for tightening the sleeve around the first cable guide conduit for forming a clamping connection with the conduit and a coupling member for connecting the connector to a machine part or to another cable guide conduit, and a second cable guide conduit having a number of regularly spaced connecting holes for receiving coupling elements for connecting the second guide conduit to the machine part. The system according to the invention can be easily installed and can be made to the right size and placed into the right configurations upon installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Dynisco HotRunners B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Antonius Josef Van Boekel
  • Patent number: 6252764
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing temporary electrical service. The apparatus includes a support structure having at least one service line, a meter base, and a breaker box secured thereto. One or more electrical receptacles can also be secured to the support structure. The support structure can be a trailer so as to facilitate the ready transport of the apparatus. The apparatus can also include a temporary service pole securable to the support structure, with a first service line for connecting to an overhead power supply extending through the service pole to a transfer switch. A second service line that can be connected to an underground power supply also connects to the transfer switch. The transfer switch can be positioned to permit electricity to flow from one of the service lines into the meter base, then into the breaker box. From the breaker box, electricity can flow into the electrical receptacles to facilitate the use of electrical equipment. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Inventor: Robert Karl Benson
  • Patent number: 6239362
    Abstract: A device for compensating length variations of tensioned cables, with a substantially constant tension, including a contrast element, which is meant to be interposed between one end of the tensioned cable and an anchoring element and is adapted to generate an elastic reaction which can vary as a function of the length variation of the cable. The device includes elements for connecting the contrast element to the cable which are suitable to convert the elastic reaction of the contrast element into a substantially constant tension applied to the cable, regardless of its length, over a preset length variation range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Pfisterer S.r.l.
    Inventor: Osvaldo Nannini
  • Patent number: 6235990
    Abstract: A convenient compact telephone cord with a special coil diameter and a much smaller relaxed retracted length reduces sagging, occupies less space, and is much more attractive than conventional saggy telephone cords. The user-friendly high performance telephone cord has a core of electrical conductors which are insulated by primary insulation and are encased within an insulating jacket to meet or exceed national and international telephone standards and requirements. In the preferred form, the primary insulation comprises polypropylene and the insulating jacket comprises polyurethane and most preferably a blend of polyurethane and ethylene vinyl acetate. Desirably, the telephone cord comprises a modular retractile telephone cord with at least one modular plug. The attractive space-saving telephone cord can be used with handsets, headsets, vehicle phones, modems, and computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Telephone Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Morris, Yong R. Chu
  • Patent number: 6175081
    Abstract: An improved structure of a signal transmission line is formed by a plurality of cables, and the material of the cables is polyamide or nylon. The cables are tightly wound with copper wires with good conductivity. Furthermore, an insulator covers the outer surfaces of the cables and copper wires. The material of the insulator is a nylon elastomer. The signal transmission line has a flat and bendable configuration. Since the material of the cables is polyamide or nylon with high tension-resistance, good flexibility and high heat-tolerance is obtained. Therefore, the signal transmission line is able to serve as a telephone wire or serves to transfer signals between computers or other communication devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Wen Lung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6156974
    Abstract: A chainlink raceway (1) for cables and hoses is disclosed having an upper portion with non-inverted chain links which overlies a lower portion with inverted chain links and having a turnaround portion of more than 180.degree. and which joins the upper and lower portions and inverts the links as they move from the upper portion to the lower portion. The raceway has chain links provided with links. Plural webs side-by side form a comb-like structure on the bottom of the chain links. The webs on the links in the upper portion interleave with the webs on the links in the lower portion so that the engaged chain links (2) are secured against transverse displacement relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Igus Spritzgussteile fur die Industrie GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Blase
  • Patent number: 6143985
    Abstract: In a reproduction machine with modular components movable relative to the mainframe of the machine, a cable controlling system for maintaining a protected electrical cable interconnection when the modular component is moved relative to the mainframe, with a constant force spring system connecting a pulley cable guide to the mainframe to retract the pulley cable guide towards the mainframe when the modular component is moved towards the mainframe, and to allow the pulley cable guide to move away from the mainframe with the substantially constant force when the modular component is moved away from the mainframe, a single bight in the cable of a defined minimum relatively large wrap angle, and a linear cable guide channel member internally confining a substantial portion of the extendable and retractable single bight portion of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lowell W. Knapp, Sam E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 6107570
    Abstract: There is provided a guide frame 10 having a small width and a triangular or other shape. An insertion opening 10e and a withdrawal opening 10g for a wiring harness D.multidot.W/H are formed in spaced-apart positions of the guide frame 10. The wiring harness D.multidot.W/H is fixedly inserted through the insertion opening 10e of the guide frame 10 and withdrawn through the withdrawal opening 10g after being arranged in a roundabout manner inside the guide frame 10. The guide frame 10 is fixed to either one of a door D and a body C, and the leading end of the wiring harness D.multidot.W/H withdrawn from the guide frame 10 through the withdrawal opening 10g is extended to the other of the door D and the body C, so that the wiring harness D.multidot.W/H comes from and returns into the guide frame 10 according to opening and closing movements of the door D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahisa Suzuki, Tetsuya Takimoto, Yasuhiro Ando, Tetuya Funaki, Shinichi Suehiro
  • Patent number: 6096976
    Abstract: A relay apparatus between relative rotary members has a first rotator (a rotator) having an inner cylindrical portion, a second rotator (a fixed body) having an outer cylindrical portion for surrounding the inner cylindrical portion at a predetermined interval, and for rotating relative to the inner cylindrical portion, a flexible flat cable coiled along the inside of the circular space between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion, wherein the terminal portion of the inner circumference and the terminal portion of the outer circumference of the flexible flat cable are held in the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion, respectively, and a C-shaped mobile body is disposed in a freely movable manner for reversing the flexible flat cable in the aperture, wherein the mobile body is defined so that an inner circumferential side is polygon-shaped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Nagaoka, Nobuhiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6051789
    Abstract: In an automotive vehicle, a wire harness includes a wire bundle which is housed in and protected by a corrugated tube. The tube has two end regions circular in cross-section and a central region elliptical or race-track shaped in cross-section. Between the end regions and central region are transition regions of varying cross-sectional shape. When installed in a vehicle, the central region of the wire harness tube is installed along the vehicle floor such that the projection perpendicular to the floor by the central region of the tube is reduced. This results in the wire harness requiring less space in the vehicle. The tube includes a resilient expansion slit which allows a wire bundle to be inserted in or removed from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 5994645
    Abstract: There is provided a guide frame 10 having a small width and a triangular or other shape. An insertion opening 10e and a withdrawal opening 10g for a wiring harness DW/H are formed in spaced-apart positions of the guide frame 10. The wiring harness DW/H is fixedly inserted through the insertion opening 10e of the guide frame 10 and withdrawn through the withdrawal opening 10g after being arranged in a roundabout manner inside the guide frame 10. The guide frame 10 is fixed to either one of a door D and a body C, and the leading end of the wiring harness DW/H withdrawn from the guide frame 10 through the withdrawal opening 10g is extended to the other of the door D and the body C, so that the wiring harness D.multidot.W/H comes from and returns into the guide frame 10 according to opening and closing movements of the door D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahisa Suzuki, Tetsuya Takimoto, Yasuhiro Ando, Tetuya Funaki, Shinichi Suehiro
  • Patent number: 5973264
    Abstract: A modular electrical service riser includes an elongated conduit that is extended into a raised operating position and retracted into a transport position. The elongated conduit is substantially linear so as to avoid bending the cables in the conduit. The riser includes a novel meter fitting/disconnect that allows the riser to be used with overhead or underground utility company power lines or an overhead or underground customer subfeed. When the riser is used with a utility company power line, the meter is used. When the riser is used with a customer subfeed, the meter is bypassed. The riser can be moved from site to site without incurring extensive hardware and labor costs at each site because it can be used with four different types of power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: North American Technologies Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John M. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5909359
    Abstract: An apparatus to extend printed circuit board length allows for secure mounting of the printed circuit boards. More particularly, the extender bracket apparatus (30) is for stabilizing small or short, commercial off the shelf (COTS) circuit boards (20) for personal computers (PC). The apparatus will aid in operation of small circuit boards for rugged applications such as high vibration conditions in vehicles. The extender bracket apparatus (30) is first fastened to an adjustable clamp (60), which is then fastened to a COTS circuit board. The adjustable clamp has holes that facilitate attaching to slots in the extender bracket apparatus. The clamp and extender board may have a dielectric surface to prevent electrical conduction. The dielectric can be an adhesive to hold the printed circuit board. The apparatus can then be fastened to a computer chassis (40) for rigidly mounting the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark David Summers, Ronald Newell Hamilton, Craig Bayman McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5877936
    Abstract: A circuit body (4) is received in an S-shaped configuration in a receiver (3) in a door. A protector (5) with a connector (6) is outwardly slidably provided inside the receiver (3). A circuit body fixing member (12) is provided at a front portion of the receiver (3), and a guide roller (15) is provided at a rear portion of the protector. The circuit body is wired from the fixing member (12) via the guide roller (15) into the protector and to the connector (6).Alternatively, a circuit body fixing member (12) and a guide roller (23) may be provided at a front portion of a receiver (10), the latter in such a manner as to be positioned inside the protector 27. The circuit body is held down by the guide roller (23) inside the protector.The circuit body is smoothly expanded and contracted with the opening and closing of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Keizo Nishitani, Yasuyoshi Serizawa, Satoru Unno
  • Patent number: 5841069
    Abstract: A relay apparatus between relative rotary members has a first rotator (a rotator) having an inner cylindrical portion, a second rotator (a fixed body) having an outer cylindrical portion for surrounding the inner cylindrical portion at a predetermined interval, and for rotating relative rotating to the inner cylindrical portion, a flexible flat cable coiled along the inside of the circular space between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion, wherein the terminal portion of the inner circumference and the terminal portion of the outer circumference of the flexible flat cable are held in the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion, respectively, and a C-shaped mobile body is disposed in a freely movable manner for reversing the flexible flat cable in the aperture, wherein the mobile body is defined so that an inner circumferential side is polygon-shape, and its end portions are convex and concave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutaka Nagaoka, Nobuhiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5828003
    Abstract: Products and methods relating to composite materials and their use in coiled tubing is disclosed. The composite tubing is a pressurized structure for conveying fluids downhole in a wellbore. It has a multilayered laminate that resists buckling within the wellbore and is fabricated into a hollow tube. The fibers are oriented in angular relationship to the longitudinal direction of the coiled tubing such as to provide appropriate strength and buckling characteristics to the coiled tubing. Further, the coiled tubing layered laminate may transmit signals representing data from downhole to the surface. In some embodiments, a composite disconnecting structure having a blend of fibers of different types or orientations is shown. The disconnecting structure shows a failure load range corresponding to the failure characteristics of the fiber blend, the fiber blend having a predetermined failure limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Dowell -- A Division of Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bart Thomeer, Robert Sorem
  • Patent number: 5816848
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided for relocating a wall-mounted electrical outlet. A flexible electrical cord is mounted in a resilient, extensible housing between male and female connectors. The cord is gathered into an appropriate configuration to be extensible upon application of an axial tension force. A two-piece restrictor is slidable along and surrounds the cord in its open position or configuration. In its closed configuration, the restrictor pinches or crimps the cord to prevent transmission of remote tension force to a fixed electrical outlet. A slot in the female connector is arranged to engage an elongated member, such as a screw, protruding from the wall to hold the female connector at a predetermined position along a wall remote from a fixed outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: Harry Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5763836
    Abstract: A helical resiliently extensible and retractable multiconductor coil cord including a plurality of conductor components enclosed within an outer jacket. One of the conductor components includes a metallic conductor centrally disposed within and surrounded by a first dielectric material which in turn is centrally disposed within and surrounded by a metallic shield covered by an inner jacket. The other conductor components each include a metallic conductor covered by a second dielectric material. In one embodiment the metallic shield includes a plurality of sets of wires helically wrapped around the dielectric material in mutually opposing directions, at least one of the sets of wires being wrapped around the dielectric material at an angle of less than about 20 degrees with respect to the axis of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: C & M Corporation of Connecticut
    Inventors: James J. Anastasi, David O. Fundin
  • Patent number: 5746389
    Abstract: A cable retractor comprising interconnected restrainer segments attached end-to-end by pivot pins, such that the entire structure is foldable into a small space. A fiber optic cable is attached to restrainer segments in a manner such that the total path length of the fiber optic cable does not substantially change as the retractor is unfolded to an extended position from a folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: E-Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald F. Willmann
  • Patent number: 5744218
    Abstract: A method of making a laminated panel with an embedded wiring harness begins with the steps of providing at least two separate layers of material and a length of wire. A portion of the wire is deformed into a circuitous pattern that results in a deformed wire with a length significantly shorter than the original undeformed length of wire. The wire is then positioned between the layers of material, which are then laminated together into a laminate. The laminate is then cut into a shaped laminated panel with the deformed wire being adjacent the cut edge of the panel. Finally, the deformed wire is pulled away from the cut edge of the laminated panel and used as an electrical lead for attachment to a power source, antenna or some electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Inventor: Jim Barnes
  • Patent number: 5661263
    Abstract: A telescopic assembly (1) has a first resilient tube (2) and a second resilient tube (3) that have end-to-end openings between opening edges (4, 5, 7, 8) at circumferential overlaps (6, 9) or alternatively at gaps (24, 25). The resilient tubes can be cylindrical (22, 23), rectangular (26, 27) triangular (28, 29) or otherwise polygonal. The end-to-end openings provide design snugness of telescopic fit for telescopic length adjustment without the need for precise measurement or cutting. The telescopic assemblies are aftermarket-attached with a wall screw (32) or surface covering (42) to surfaces (31, 34, 41) of desired structures and adjusted telescopically for distances between an electrical item, such as a fan (37), and a controller such as a control switch or electrical outlet (36). Cord (38) such as an electrical line or mechanical actuators are inserted in the telescopic assemblies and in any tube elbow (35) or other joint en route from the control switch to the electrical item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Phaeton, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald J. Salvaggio
  • Patent number: 5560108
    Abstract: An electrically powered tool, in particular an electrically powered tool of the type which includes a shaft assembly of adjustable length, also includes: a handle assembly; a cable entry mounted in the handle assembly; a shaft assembly, one end of which is mounted in the handle assembly; a head mounted at the end of the shaft assembly remote from the handle assembly; an electric motor mounted within the head, and a cable which extends within the shaft assembly from the cable entry to the motor. The shaft assembly is adjustable to allow relative movement between the head and the handle assembly in the radial and/or the axial direction, and the cable follows a path within the shaft assembly which path is defined and which is variable depending on the extent of extension and/or rotation of the head relative to the handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 5556059
    Abstract: A device for guiding a wire harness connected to a steering column, includes a protector for accomodating a slacken part of the wire harness therein and two half cylindrical ribs elastically formed in the protector. In operation, when the slacken part is expanded, the ribs serve to urge the slacken part to recover the original configuration before being expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Maeda, Seiji Ito, Chiaki Chida
  • Patent number: 5466036
    Abstract: A wire routing harness apparatus for use between a vehicle body and a liftgate pivotally mounted thereon. The apparatus includes a sheet-like body secured to the vehicle body, covering a portion of a wire from a remote location, and a hollow body secured to the liftgate, slidably mounted on the sheet-like body and adapted to having the wire extended therethrough. The hollow body may include two side-by-side slots formed therethrough for receiving a plurality of wires in each slot. The sheet-like body conforms to the shape of a portion of the vehicle body, and is mounted to be spaced apart therefrom to receive the portion of a wire therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Chrylser Corporation
    Inventors: Kurt H. Stroeters, Dean B. Clark, Glen A. DeGrendel
  • Patent number: 5446240
    Abstract: End faces of the opposite ends of an FPC for connecting a movable magnetic head and a stationary electric circuit to each other are supported parallel to the plane of a recording medium and in the substantially same plane. The height of the FPC when it is flexed and twisted can be further reduced by forming a slot or slots longitudinally in the FPC and/or by forming a repeat or repeats of an S shape on the FPC. The height of the FPC upon flexing and twisting can be further reduced by bending the opposite side portions of an intermediate portion of the FPC between the end faces longitudinally. If the vertical spacing of the FPC which is flexed by movement of the magnetic head is reduced in this manner, a device of miniaturized thickness and volume can be constructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Hayakawa, Yoshimasa Hoshino, Makoto Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5416273
    Abstract: In a towed array breakout of the type deployed from or retrieved by naval ssels a junction is defined between a fixed portion of an electrically conductive wire and a movable portion of the wire portion. A relatively hard potting material is provided around and defines the fixed portion of the wire. A coiled helically shaped portion of the same wire or a second wire is integrally joined to the first portion and defines the movable portion. This movable second portion is encased in a relatively soft urethane material so as to provide freedom in both a bending and tension mode. A third portion of the wire is connected to the opposite end of the coiled second portion. This structure affords strain relief at the junction between the fixed portion of the flexible conductor and the movable second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Wendell C. Maciejewski
  • Patent number: 5243136
    Abstract: An electric power cord with double-output terminal, comprising a casing formed of two symmetrical shells connected by bolts and retaining holes thereof, said symmetrical shells each having two arch-shaped vertical side walls symmetrically curving outwards at two opposite locations with a power input port therebetween and fastened with a first cable for connecting to a socket power and a straight vertical side wall at a right angle relative to said two arch-shaped vertical side walls and defined therewith two output ports fastened with a second cable and a third cable respectively for connecting said socket power to two separate electric appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: King-Cord Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Y. C. Chen
  • Patent number: 5118907
    Abstract: A system for interconnecting two medical devices with a flexible elongated interconnection member, such as a cord, a wire, or a tube, includes two separates lengths of the elongated member and a selectively releasable electric coupling therebetween. One or both lengths of the elongated member contain a cord dispenser which comprises a portion of that length of the cord wound into a tubular coil and a tubular casing coaxially encircling the coil and having openings at opposite ends thereof. Preferably, the inner surface of the casing is in gripping engagement with the outer surface of the coil. Depending on the manner in which the coil is wound, the cord and the coil can be controllably unwound from the coil in the casing by withdrawing an end of the cord from one or both exit openings in the casing. Preferably, however, one end of the cord passes longitudinally through the center of the coil from a winding at one end to an exit opening in the casing at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventors: Thomas D. Stout, Ralph C. McElvain
  • Patent number: 5117346
    Abstract: When dimensioning electrical plants for high voltages for regions exposed to earthquakes, it is necessary to design the current paths between the different apparatuses in such a way that the apparatuses in case of great oscillations are not subjected to abnormally great forces at the points of connection. The problem arises particularly in connection with convertor plants for high-voltage direct current designed with suspended valves, since the oscillating amplitudes there may become considerable. The invention relates to a current path intended for such plants, which is flexible its longitudinal direction and comprises at least two parallel, non-insulated straight conductors which are each connected to a respective end of the current path and electrically interconnectd via roller contact elements, the contact force of which is individually resilient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB
    Inventor: Inge Gard
  • Patent number: 5054944
    Abstract: A serial printer includes a print head movable along a print line of a recording sheet. A flexible carrier cable is attached to the print head for supplying a drive signal thereto. One end of the carrier cable is fixed to the movable print head, but its longitudinally intermediate portion is free, and bent to form a C-shape which follows the movement of the print head. The carrier cable includes a magnetic material, and a magnetic plate is provided at a position opposing the lower part of the C-shaped carrier cable to attract and hold the lower part of the carrier cable, whereby the vibration caused in the carrier cable by the movement of the print head is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yukio Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 5003129
    Abstract: A protecting structure for a harness arranged over stationary and movable sides of a telescopic steering column comprises a flat, wide harness protector for protecting the harness. The harness protector includes a pair of openings opposing each other in its longitudinal direction to introduce the harness thereinto or to extract the harness therefrom. The harness protector is in itself constructed to telescopically move according to telescopic motion of the steering column when the harness protector is arranged over both of the stationary and movable sides of the steering column. The harness protector includes a harness guide provided midway therebetween for defining two branch harness passageways converged towards the openings to arrange the harness in such a manner as to branch the harness into two harness sections in its transverse direction, thereby allowing the two branched harness sections to move inwardly or outwardly in a transverse direction according to the telescopic motion of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunichi Toyomasu, Kazuyuki Mori
  • Patent number: 4992629
    Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate three-part housing with end portions separable from a main housing portion. A cable extends through the housing and has a looped portion within the housing. Within the housing is a coil return spring attached at its ends to clamp members affixed to the cable, whereupon a tensioning or stretching of the cable effects separation of the housing portions with subsequent return of the cable to an initial position subsequent to removal of tensioning of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Inventor: Fortunato R. Morais
  • Patent number: 4988833
    Abstract: A retractable coiled cable having a retractable member imbedded in the jacket of the coiled cable so as to utilize space between adjacent coil turns of the coiled cable, allowing the adjacent coil turns of the coiled cable to fit together with no increase in diameter over that of a coiled cable having no retractable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Vu A. Lai
  • Patent number: 4987442
    Abstract: A wiring device between a movable member and an immovable member includes an elongated wiring having one of its ends fixed to the movable member and the other of its ends fixed to the immovable member. The wiring has an intermediate generally C-shaped portion and two end portions extending from the C-shaped portion, the C-shaped portion progressively changing its position as one of the end portions elongates and the other end portion shortens as the movable member moves relative to the immovable member. An elongate support has one of its ends fixed to the movable member and the other of its ends fixed to the immovable member, the support having an intermediate generally C-shaped part and two ends parts extending from the C-shaped part, the C-shaped part progressively changing its position as one of the end parts elongates and the other end part shortens as the movable part moves relative to the immovable part. One of the end portions of the wire is generally horizontally disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoshi Uemori
  • Patent number: 4975543
    Abstract: An energy-absorbing towline (14) comprises an elastomeric core (16) having a set of internal polymeric strands (18) helically wound around the outer surface (20) of the core in a first direction and a set of external polymeric strands (22) helically wound around the outer surface (24) of the internal strands in a direction opposite to the first direction. There may be more internal strands than external strands in order to maintain torque balance as the cable elongates. Each of the internal and external strands consists of a plurality of filaments (30), and each external strand (22) may have fewer strand filaments than each internal strand (18) so as to aid in torque balancing. Electrical conductors (26) may be helically disposed between turns of the external or the internal strands. When the towline experiences tension, the elastomeric core elongates, as do the helixes. But the diameters of the helixes contract, so the strands themselves do not elongate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: Sanders Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger I. Saunders