Wire Distribution (e.g., Harness, Rack, Etc.) Patents (Class 361/826)
  • Patent number: 5912511
    Abstract: The harness system adapts to a first type of vehicle having a tail ledge with right- or left-had drive and a second type of vehicle having no tail ledge with right- or left-hand drive. The harness wiring is so arranged that a front harness and a combined harness integrating floor harness and rear harness can be commonly used for these four types of vehicles. Only a combined harness integrating cowl harness and instrument harness is differently wired for the right- or left-hand drive vehicle. The front harness and the two sets of combined harnesses are connected to one another through a connecting means located on the same side, either on the right or left side of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Hidaka
  • Patent number: 5903438
    Abstract: Enclosure for electrical switching equipment including electrical control or display devices (21) supported on a wall (23) of the enclosure, being accessible from the outside, a processing or control unit (20) for these devices which is housed inside the enclosure, and an electrical interface device (1) between the devices (21) and the unit (20), the interface device (1) being composed of a housing (10) comprising a body (11) that houses a printed circuit board and encloses a row of connection terminals (30) and a connector (61) to connect the printed circuit board to the devices (21) and to unit (20) respectively, characterized in that the interface device (1) comprises an attachment part (12a) installed on the inside of the enclosure wall (23) close to the devices (21), and the terminals (30) on the device (1) are of the quick fit type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Schneider Electric SA
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Deschamps, Francis Schmit
  • Patent number: 5877944
    Abstract: An internal circuit, which is constituted by one of a printed circuit board and an FPC, and has small-current conductive paths arranged at a small pitch, is provided within a casing and of the electric connection box, and a small integrated fuse is mounted on the printed circuit board or the FPC, and fuses of the small integrated fuse are connected respectively to the small-current conductive paths, and electronic devices are mounted on the printed circuit board or the FPC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignees: Harness System Technologies Research, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahiro Onizuka
  • Patent number: 5869907
    Abstract: A modular wiring harness is provided for a vehicle including a frame and an electrical system with electrical source devices, operating devices and switching. The wiring harness includes a wiring network connected to the electrical system devices and switching and to system and power module thereof. The system module connects electrical control components at a compact, direct-connection circuit board within the enclosure. The power relay also includes electrical control components, including a circuit breaker and a starter relay, which are connected to the wiring network. A mounting system is provided for mounting the wiring harness on various types of vehicles, including different models of motorcycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Rick A. Marler
  • Patent number: 5867372
    Abstract: A frame structure for mounting telecommunications equipment including a frame, a plurality of sealing covers, a plurality of fasteners, and a plurality of wire protective sleeve. The frame having a base, two support frames, and an upper frame. A receiving recess is provided to accommodate transmission conductors (optic cables, electric cables or lead wires) of telecommunications equipment. A positioning recess formed between the plate bodies at the upper and lower covers of the inner side of the sealing covers and the fastening plates allows the sealing covers to be mounted over the edge of the inner lateral plates of the opening of the receiving recess on the support frames. A fastener is then passed into a hollowed hole of the outer lateral plate on the sealing cover and further into a fastening hole, with the plate body of the sealing cover being pressed downwardly. A press element is then pressed into a fastener body to secure the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Optronics Corp.
    Inventor: Wu-Ming Shie
  • Patent number: 5862040
    Abstract: A transport pallet is provided for automating pre-shipment testing or "burn-in" of personal computers. The transport pallet is adapted to receive and transport the computer from an assembly line to a test storage location or bin. The pallet also provides on-board connections by which both operating power and computer signals are furnished to the personal computer at the test storage location. The pallet is adapted to engage external power supply terminals and external computer signal inputs at the test location. The pallet furnishes both power and test signals to the personal computer and return responses of the computer through the on-board connections, permitting "burn-in" testing of the computer while it is located in the test storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: A.I.M., Inc.
    Inventor: Sarmad Adnan
  • Patent number: 5856908
    Abstract: A plurality of electrical equipment units have a harness connecting connector, and an instrument panel has a plurality of mounting openings for the equipment units. An assembly housing is arranged in the instrument panel. A wiring harness for the instrument panel has a plurality of self-mating connectors for the equipment units, the self-mating connectors being respectively connected to a flexible flat circuit sheet. The assembly housing has a side wall with a harness receiving recess and has a plurality of connector holders. The harness receiving recess is fixedly mounted with the circuit sheet for the wiring harness, each of the connector holders supporting one of the self-mating connectors. Thus, the insertion of the electrical equipment unit into the mounting opening of the instrument panel causes the connection of the harness connecting connector and the self-mating connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Takiguchi, Keizo Nishitani, Satoru Unno
  • Patent number: 5844783
    Abstract: A first electrical connector 30 and a second electrical connector 40 are installed on opposed ends of a two-sided flexible printed circuit 50, and the connectors are connected by two layers of conductive patterns. In the intermediate parts 22a and 22b, the conductors 20a of the upper-side circuit pattern and the conductors 20b of the lower-side circuit pattern are arranged so that they extend substantially parallel to each other and are shifted in a pitch direction. Accordingly, electrical connections can be realized in which crosstalk is prevented while a relatively high impedance is maintained; furthermore, the resistance of the FPC 50 to bending is also strengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kojima
  • Patent number: 5835353
    Abstract: A modular electronic assembly comprises an electronic circuit module package having electrical contacts and a carrier having a socket for receiving the package. Lever arms pivotally mounted on the carrier retain the module in the socket in their closed position and eject the module from the socket in their open position. The lever arms also carry electrical contacts for engaging corresponding contacts on the module so as to provide electrical connection thereto. The assembly may be mounted in a housing comprising first and slidably engaging portions such that the size of the housing is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Dalby
  • Patent number: 5831814
    Abstract: An electrical distribution center comprises a main bus plate assembly that is sandwiched between upper and lower auxiliary bus plate assemblies of a known type. The main bus plate assembly comprises stamped metal circuit components having bus strips sandwiched between upper and lower insulation plates that are permanently secured together. The stamped metal circuit components have male blade terminals that protrude through slots of the upper and lower insulation plates. The slots have laterally flexible side wall portions that are spread apart by embossments of the stamped metal circuit components to retain these components during the assembly process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Brian David Hamill
  • Patent number: 5832073
    Abstract: A configurable I/O panel assembly includes an upper and a lower I/O panel (connector plate), and a cover plate. A plurality of upper I/O panels is provided, from which the upper I/O panel is selected. Similarly, a plurality of lower I/O panels is provided, from which the lower I/O panel is selected. The cover plate is selected from a plurality of cover plates. Openings are formed in the upper and lower I/O panels for receiving cable connectors. Typical connectors include, but are not limited to, 50-pin connectors, RS-232 connectors, 9-pin D-sub connectors, RJ-45 jacks and BNC connectors. Grounding and other signal conditioning circuitry for the connectors are provided to protect against EMI radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T. Hannigan, Paul Bonomo, Ronald R. Carleton
  • Patent number: 5831216
    Abstract: A profile strip of insulating material is proposed for holding many electrical cables (27)-(30) in switching and control boards and panels, which consists of a mounting section (13) for fastening on a mounting track and a comb-like cable holding section (15) formed thereon. This cable holding section (15) consists of many parallel teeth (14), between which insertion slits (26) for insertion or installation of electrical cables are formed. The insertion slits (26) are limited at the sides by elastic tabs (21) formed on the teeth (14). Between every two teeth (14) a shorter intermediate tooth (20) is positioned such that it divides a portion of the insertion slit (26) into two narrower partial slits. This permits the elastic tabs (21) to hold, in variable fashion, not only cables of smaller diameter (29) in the portion with the intermediate tooth, but also cables of larger diameter (27), (28) in the remaining portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Friedrich Lutze Elektro GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 5825635
    Abstract: A warp prevention structure for a printed circuit board, capable of serving also to perform the slack handling of cables. The warp prevention structure includes a first warp prevention fitting mounted on the printed circuit board in the vicinity of an upper edge thereof so as to extend along the upper edge, and a second warp prevention fitting mounted on the printed circuit board in the vicinity of a lower edge thereof so as to extend along the lower edge. Each of the first and second warp prevention fittings is integrally formed with a plurality of cable holders arranged at equal intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takahide Mukoyama, Fujio Ozawa, Takashi Inoue, Katsunori Suzuki, Yasutaka Tsuruoka, Mieko Hirao, Kozo Mori
  • Patent number: 5811732
    Abstract: A wiring system for a vehicle instrument panel, which includes a plurality of electronic subassembly components electrically connected to at least one wire, is encapsulated in a plurality of troughs located to the rear of the instrument panel. The troughs extend between the subassembly components, Each trough has a finite length in at least one axial direction with an open side extending substantially along the length, so that the at least one wire may be received within the trough. The at least one wire is connected to at least one of the subassembly components. Wire restraints restrain the wire within at least one trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Beam
  • Patent number: 5805402
    Abstract: An integrated interior trim and electrical assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes an integrated electrical junction box and an interior trim panel. The interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. The junction box includes a flexible printed circuit board, a rigid printed circuit board, a busbar and insulator assembly, and a conductive deposited trace. The integrated interior trim and electrical assembly employs a sheet-like electrically conductive circuit layer which distributes electricity between a switch and an electricity activated device. A sheet-like electrically conductive layer is partially external from and partially disposed inside of an electrical junction box wherein it is electrically connected to one or more of the other circuit layers also contained within the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, George A. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 5790383
    Abstract: In a printed circuit board on which a plurality of electronic components are mounted, a first electronic component having the largest number of input and output pins among the electronic components is arranged at or near the center of the printed circuit board. Wiring patterns including a signal line pattern, a first power supply pattern, and a first ground pattern almost radially arranged from the first electronic component, thereby mounting the electronic components at a high density with a high wiring efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideho Inagawa
  • Patent number: 5773763
    Abstract: A mounting device for communication voice/data RJ connection elements (patch panel). A simple, quick, reliable and flexible placement of RJ connection elements and the wiring thereof is achieved with a mounting panel with receiving portions and with recesses, in which the RJ connection elements are immediately placed. A rear-side cable guiding portion spatially corresponding to the respective receiving portions.The rear-side cable guiding portion rotates between a swung-in and a swung-out position to allow access to the cables. The mounting device also has a cable guiding ring attached to the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Krone Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Stachulla
  • Patent number: 5770928
    Abstract: A dimming control system includes dimmer modules which receive dimming level information from a control module. Each dimmer modules includes a microprocessor which provides internal intelligence for controlling power to a load in response to the dimming level information. The control module receives industry standard protocol dimming information from various sources, converts it to dimming level information, and communicates the dimming level information to the dimmer modules through serial communication lines. The dimmer modules and control module are mounted in a rack which includes a backplane having nonvolatile memory device that retains configuration data even if the control module is removed from the rack. The dimmer modules implement a zero cross prediction method which includes detecting an actual zero cross, calculating an error, and adding the error to the period of a line power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: NSI Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard Chansky, Ken Vannice, Wiley Gilreath, Craig LeVasseur
  • Patent number: 5765698
    Abstract: A panel assembly has a bracket with support elements for mounting the bracket on a wall. First and second panels are attached to the bracket by a bracket hinge for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis relative to the bracket between a closed position and an open position. A panel hinge couples the first panel to the second panel for pivotal movement of the first panel relative to the second panel about a second pivot axis between open and closed positions. The pivot axes are angularly oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventor: Todd J. Bullivant
  • Patent number: 5768092
    Abstract: On a rear surface of a cluster bezel, a module circuit body is formed with, for example, an FPC (flexible printed circuit). Thereafter, on the rear surface of the cluster bezel, an instrument board, a right-side switch section, and a left-side switch section are mounted. In this operation, connecting terminals on a base board provided for the instrument board, the right-side switch section, and the left-side switch section are brought into contact with the contact portions of the FPC, so that the meters on the instrument board are electrically connected to the right-side switch section and the left-side switch section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Keizo Nishitani
  • Patent number: 5761052
    Abstract: An interconnection system is for interconnecting sensors, such as temperature gauges for controlling industrial processes, to a bus cable that interconnects the sensors to a central computation unit. The connection assembly comprises edge card connectors for connection to electronic modules having printed circuit boards. The plurality of modules are interconnected to the ribbon cable bus by a printed circuit board, and a connector mounted on the PCB and pluggable with a bus connector terminated to the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation
    Inventors: Frank Michael Reginald Wheeler-King, Sally Elizabeth Warren, Robert William Baker
  • Patent number: 5761046
    Abstract: A housing for an electrical component which protects the electrical component sealed therein and reduces mechanical stress on the electrical component includes two housing sections which are connected to each other, a support for the electrical component located within the housing, and attachment connections for mounting the housing on a mounting point, e.g., of a motor vehicle chassis. To reduce the mechanical stress imposed upon the electrical component, and to obtain a good seal of the housing interior against dirt, etc., the two housing sections are connected to each other directly or via an intermediate piece. The housing interior is sealed by one or two seals, made from elastically or plastically deformable material, which are located between the faces of the support and the housing sections associated with them. The attachment connections are located on one of the two housing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: WABCO Vermogensverwaltungs-GmbH
    Inventors: Dierk Hein, Andreas Teichmann, Jens Groger
  • Patent number: 5745337
    Abstract: Wire barriers for separating the load wiring from the hot components of an electrical distribution panel board are integrally molded from an elastically deformable resin with a tapered elongated member projecting axially from a base member. Attachments for securing the barriers to the backpan of the panel board include at least two hook members having hook fingers projecting laterally outward in divergent directions. In one embodiment, the hook members are formed in opposite sides of the elongated member and spaced from the base so that as the elongated member is inserted through an opening in the backpan from behind, the fingers grip the backpan and hold the barrier in place until the base is clamped between the backpan and back wall of the panel board as the backpan is installed. In another embodiment of the invention, a pair of opposing facing hook members and a third laterally facing hook member project axially from the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Reiner
  • Patent number: 5742484
    Abstract: A surface mountable flexible interconnect (10) for connecting two circuit board (30, 32) consists of a flex circuit (12) with solderable runners (14) on one side, the runners traversing the flex circuit from one end to the other. There is a solderable pad (16) at the end of each runner, and each solderable pad has a solder bump (18) fused to it. A rigid carrier ring (20) is used to hold the flex circuit in position prior to placement on the PCB. The flex circuit is formed into a U-shaped loop (26), and the loop is aligned to the carrier so that the loop is situated in an aperture (24) in the carrier. The solder pads lie directly under the carrier ring and face away from it. An adhesive (22) bonds the flex circuit to the carrier ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Gillette, Scott G. Potter, Pradeep Lall
  • Patent number: 5741157
    Abstract: A raceway system with a conduit, a device box and a transition adapter connects two different multi-conductor cables. The adapter includes a board holder, a printed circuit board mounted on the board holder, and input and output connectors mounted on the circuit board. The board holder has a base member and wall members extending from opposite edges of the base member. The printed circuit board has input contact areas, output contact areas and conductor traces connecting the respective contact areas. Each connector has a plurality of contacts, with each contact having a wire receiving portion and a terminal portion. The terminal portions engage and are connected to the contact areas on the circuit board. By connecting the conductors of the cables to the contact wire receiving portions, the two cables are properly connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael R. O'Connor, Robert A. Aekins
  • Patent number: 5739469
    Abstract: A wire harness for a holding a plurality of wires in a cabinet having a front section and a rear section is disclosed, wherein the front section includes a first inner wall and the rear section includes a second inner wall. The harness includes a first vertical flange extending downward from the first inner wall, wherein the flange includes a slit extending through a first end of the flange and terminating before a second end of the flange to form upper and lower rib elements. Further, the slit forms an opening in the first end for receiving the wires into the slit. The harness further includes a shoulder element having a second vertical flange and a horizontal flange, wherein the second vertical flange extends downward from the second inner wall and is separated from the first vertical flange by an offset distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Lopez, Satoshi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 5731546
    Abstract: A cable management apparatus includes a tray having a pair of arms for connections to a communications assembly and a body having a plurality of cable channels defined by arcuate guide walls. The channels have a relatively narrow exit and a relatively wide entrance and the curvature of the walls is chosen not to exceed a predetermined maximum cable bend radius. Further guides are arranged in the channel entrances as extensions of adjacent channel side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott B. Miles, Steven J. Starsja
  • Patent number: 5720632
    Abstract: A wire manager for use with a wiring block assembly. The wire manager has a base portion connected to a retaining portion which together provide an area for wire management. The base portion includes a latching portion which has a lip for affixing the wire manager to the wiring block assembly. The wire manager is preferably made from plastic and is easily mounted to and removed from the wiring block assembly by compressing the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: The Siemon Company
    Inventor: Mark Viklund
  • Patent number: 5717564
    Abstract: A fuel dispenser includes a housing, a compartment in the housing, electrical controls and a terminal device in the compartment and a fixture extending into the compartment. The fuel dispenser is field-installed by connecting an external conduit to the housing and running unbroken electrical leads through the external conduit and the fixture. The electrical leads are terminated at the terminal device and the fixture is sealed against vapor transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bennett Pump Company
    Inventor: Adam J. Lindale
  • Patent number: 5693908
    Abstract: A housing (1) which gently holds at least one pressure sensitive connecting cable (4) and provides strain relief for the at least one pressure sensitive connecting cable has a housing wall portion (2) which has an opening (3) through which the at least one connecting cable (4) can be passed into the housing (1). The housing (1) has a holding comb (22) therein, which include an angle member (5) having tangs or projections (7). The tangs or projections (7) are loosely fitted into additional openings (8) formed in the housing wall portion (2). The holding comb (22) also has tines (10) for respectively securing one of the connecting cables (4) using a heat shrinkable tube (11) to a respective one of the tines (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel, N.V.
    Inventor: Reinhard Amberger
  • Patent number: 5691881
    Abstract: An electronic device has a chassis configured to hold multiple electronic components in a predefined three-dimensional arrangement whereby some of the electronic components are positioned elevationally above, and overlapping, other electronic components. Each electronic component has an external dimension which falls within a tolerance range between a lower acceptable tolerance limit and an upper acceptable tolerance limit. The chassis has form fitting recesses to receive and hold the electronic components. Each chassis recess is undersized relative to the lower acceptable tolerance limit for the external dimension of an associated electronic component, but the chassis has effective compliant qualities to receive and hold an electronic component even if it has an external dimension at the upper acceptable tolerance limit. The electronic components are interconnected by conductive cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: William J. McDonough
  • Patent number: 5682301
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Inventor: James L. Kraft
  • Patent number: 5682298
    Abstract: Within a power supply, the draw of power between redundant power sources are passively balanced. Within a power plane of the printed circuit board a first current distribution plane section is placed. First connector pins are used to electrically connect the first current distribution plane to the first power source. Second connector pins are used to electrically connect the first current distribution plane to the second power source. Moats are placed within the power plane of the printed circuit board so that within the first current distribution plane section a first current path from the first connector pins to a first central power distribution area is substantially symmetrical to a second current path from the second connector pins to the first central power distribution area. Output power current passes through the first central power distribution area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Michael B. Raynham
  • Patent number: 5668910
    Abstract: A wire guide and optical fiber storage spool assembly for use with a patch panel has at least one substantially C-shaped wire guide which has first and second angled members, at least one of which can be flexed toward the other for mounting the guide to the panel. A flexible locking member extends between the angled members and can be flexed in a direction transverse to the flex direction of the angled member to permit flexing thereof. The unflexed locking member prevents flexing of the angled member when mounted to the panel and thereby prevents accidental dis-engagement of the wire guide from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Jaime Ray Arnett
  • Patent number: 5635881
    Abstract: A conducting housing for use in a coaxial cable distribution system is of larger length than width and defines an RF signal path therein. A part of the RF signal path is the inner conductor of inner and outer approximately coextensive conductors. The inner conductor except near its ends has only air separating it from the outer conductor. The outer conductor will usually be of a U-shape lying, in section, on three sides of the central conductor. The outer conductor may be structally combined with an insulating plate supporting the remainder of the RF circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: J.E. Thomas Specialties Limited
    Inventors: Robert L. Romerein, David B. Crowhurst
  • Patent number: 5610454
    Abstract: In the production of a wire harness for an appliance whose circuit differs depending on a combination of selectable electrical systems, the wire harness is divided beforehand into the common circuit which is always provided independently of the presence or absence of the selectable electrical systems and the dedicated circuits one for each of the selectable electrical systems, the wire harness for the appliance is separated into a common circuit and dedicated circuits one for each of the associated electrical systems when an order of an appliance is made, a number of common circuits and a number of each of the dedicated circuits for the electrical systems are added up, the added up number of an common circuits and the dedicated circuits are manufactured and the common circuit and the dedicated circuits of the associated electric systems are combined to produce wire harnesses of the ordered appliances, whereby simple production control and high production efficiency are assured and changes is production or des
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishikawa, Hiroyuki Nakajima, Hitoshi Iwata, Yoshihiro Kumazawa, Naohito Sawamura, Hiroshi Nakamura, Ichiro Suzuki, Shigeru Kobayashi, Ryuichi Nabeshima, Takao Sakashita, Kazuhiko Okino, Kiyoshi Taira, Koukichi Takamura, Mitsuyoshi Omaki
  • Patent number: 5610447
    Abstract: A wire harness for an appliance containing a combination of selectable electrical systems is separated into a common circuit which is always provided independently of presence or absence of the selectable electrical systems, and dedicated circuits one for each of the selectable electrical systems, the common circuit and the dedicated circuits of the selected electrical systems are detachably joined to each other via a branch connector to form the wire harness whereby simple production control and high production efficiency are assured and changes in production or design can be readily dealt with in the production of a wire harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Nishikawa, Hiroyuki Nakajima, Hitoshi Iwata, Yoshihiro Kumazawa, Naohito Sawamura, Hiroshi Nakamura, Ichiro Suzuki, Shigeru Kobayashi, Ryuichi Nabeshima, Takao Sakashita, Kazuhiko Okino, Kiyoshi Taira, Koukichi Takamura, Mitsuyoshi Omaki
  • Patent number: 5608609
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cabinet for housing electronic equipment. The cabinet includes a sealed first portion enclosing circuit packs such as those used for broadband and narrowband telecommunications transmission. The second portion is ventilated and encloses electrical components such as coaxial cable hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward A. Morrell
  • Patent number: 5596479
    Abstract: A power director enables a user to apply power through one or more power outlets via one or more switches to a cluster of electrical devices, for example, the components of a desk top computer system. A typical computer system may have a CPU chassis, monitor, printer, CD-ROM and a document scanner each of which may have its own power line cord. The housing of the current power director has internal storage spaces or bays for coiling the excess portions of the power cords of the various computer components to eliminate the tangled mess associated with such systems. The electrical outlets are located in a component bay within the housing separate from but adjacent to the line cord storage bay to be accessible to the plugs of the line cords of the electrical devices sought to be controlled. The component bay contains a first printed circuit board (PCB) which carries the electrical outlets and a second PCB that contains an electrical surge protection circuit, a fault isolation circuit and the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Colin D. Campbell, James H. Bleck
  • Patent number: 5587890
    Abstract: A vehicle electric power distribution system having a plurality of conductive plates, wherein each conductive plate includes an arrangement of contact pads that are electrically connected to other contact pads via integrally formed conductive traces. These conductive plates can be vertically stacked, with electrical contact between selected contact pads on different conductive plates being provided by conductive pins. Each conductive plate is selectively coated with an insulating layer to obviate unwanted electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Happ, Jacek Korczynski, William R. Bailey, Alan Lesesky
  • Patent number: 5586012
    Abstract: A vertical organizer is mounted between a pair of telecommunication relay racks. Each rack has a backside which is in substantially the same plane as the backside of the other rack. Each rack has an upright defining a side positioned adjacent to and spaced from an upright of the other rack which upright of the other rack defines an adjacent side of the other rack. The vertical organizer includes a vertical trough having opposed sides fixed to adjacent uprights. The trough has a open side on the same side as the backside of the relay racks to provide a channel for positioning a plurality of telecommunication cables between the racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Homaco, Inc.
    Inventor: Zev Z. Lerman
  • Patent number: 5552962
    Abstract: Disclosed are interconnect and cross-connect equipment which permit easy cutover and restoration of telecommunications services. Coupled to plug-receiving jacks is a series of relays which are not activated until a button is depressed after the plugs are inserted to effect the cutover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp
    Inventors: Clay A. Feustel, John M. Scaglione
  • Patent number: 5548522
    Abstract: A modular wiring system using a plurality of field interface devices modularly selectively interconnected by wire bundles with redundant capacity to form a network of field interface devices each connected to a reference circuit, maintained at near-zero ground through a fluid electrolyte flowing through a grounded electrically-conducting pipe to which each field interface device is connected, is continually controlled by a central microprocessor that monitors electrical load and modifies connections of wires between bundles through switches within each field interface device to optimize load distribution within the system. Electrolyte flowing in conductive pipes is charged as it neutralizes potential differences between the field interface devices. The electrolyte is deposited in a grounded reservoir in which the electrolyte discharges its charge to anodes and cathodes therein in the manner of a battery, thereby extracting energy of the electrolyte before the electrolyte is pumped back into the ground pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Inventor: Indru J. Primlani
  • Patent number: 5548489
    Abstract: A wiring patch panel cabinet accommodates plural termination devices. A cabinet support structure includes spaced apart top and bottom walls and opposed sidewalls. The cabinet support structure secures a plurality of individual patch panels. Each patch panel accommodates termination devices of a given type. The termination devices of one patch panel may be different from the termination devices of another patch panel supported by the cabinet structure. The patch panels are supported by the cabinet in side-by-side vertical orientation to facilitate removal and repair of an individual patch panel without disturbing adjacent patch panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Reed, Robert L. Wallgren, Scott T. Davies, George R. Wojtan, Paul Gazzara
  • Patent number: 5530625
    Abstract: An interface board for use, for example, in a motor vehicle to provide electrical interconnection between a plurality of electrical circuit control elements and a wiring harness. The board comprises a box structure including a plurality of circuit outlets on the upper face of the structure for plug in receipt of the electrical circuit control elements, a plurality of power outlets on a lower face of the structure for plug in receipt of electrical power input and output elements, and a series of electrical paths extending between the power outlets and a circuit control outlets. Each electrical path includes a first conductor extending generally parallel to the first and second faces and second conductors extending generally perpendicular to the first and second faces. The first conductors comprise flat ribbon elements and the second conductors comprise flat ribbon elements connected to the flat sides of the first conductors utilizing clinch joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Electro-Wire Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen VanDerStuyf, Dewey Mobley, James P. Burgess
  • Patent number: 5521973
    Abstract: A transport apparatus for large network telecommunication equipment, includes a central switch frame for holding electronic equipment, and having first and second switch bays and a main controller bay sandwiched between the first and second switch bays in an in-line, rigidly fixed manner; first and second end cable storage frames, each for holding cables; first and second junction panels; a first hinge assembly for hingedly connecting one end of the first junction panel to the first end cable storage frame and an opposite end of the first junction panel to the first switch bay to pivotally move the first end cable storage frame between an in-line configuration in-line with the first switch bay and a folded configuration positioned in front of the first switch bay; a second hinge assembly for hingedly connecting one end of the second junction panel to the second end cable storage frame and an opposite end of the second junction panel to an opposite end of the second switch bay to pivotally move the second end
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Peter Peng
  • Patent number: 5513077
    Abstract: An arrangement for a motor vehicle for central connection of electrical components, the arrangement comprises a housing, a plurality of supply circuits and control circuits, a plurality of circuit straps punched out of metal sheets and printed circuit boards, the supply circuits and the control circuits being formed so that the supply circuits are formed exclusively from the punched circuit straps and the control circuits are formed exclusively from the printed circuit boards, the printed circuit boards with the punched circuit straps and their intermediate insulations being assembled in a plurality of layers in a substantially identical surface configuration to form a printed circuit pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Stribe GmbH
    Inventor: Hans P. Stribel
  • Patent number: 5508891
    Abstract: An enclosure for drawout circuit interrupters having instrumentation and control wiring includes a housing having circuit interrupter recesses; wiring tray recesses; wiring trays each of which hold the wiring for one of the circuit interrupters; drawout mechanisms for removing the trays from the tray recesses; and brackets for hanging the trays from the enclosure. The trays may have a molded plastic front panel. The trays may also have internal lances or holes for securing the wiring thereto, two rear holes for routing the wiring therethrough, and a bottom side having holes for mounting rails for securing terminal blocks or fuse blocks thereto. The rear holes may hold peripheral plastic conduits for protecting the wiring. The front panel may have recess pockets for holding a descriptive nameplate, and center punches to facilitate mounting instrumentation or control devices. The drawout mechanisms may have a rectangular guide bar beneath the trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Neal E. Rowe, Richard M. Larson, William E. Wilkie, II
  • Patent number: 5459644
    Abstract: A self-closing main distributing frame of any shape, (e.g. rectangular) which increases its capacity by growth in the vertical direction. The frame includes a stack of self-closing horizontal planes, or shelves, open to the outer face, and supported by brackets attached to vertical members on the interior face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Warburton
  • Patent number: 5457600
    Abstract: A power director enables a user to apply power through one or more power outlets via one or more switches to a cluster of electrical devices, for example, the components of a desk top computer system. A typical computer system may have a CPU chassis, monitor, printer, CD-ROM and a document scanner each of which may have its own power line cord. The housing of the current power director has internal storage spaces or bays for coiling the excess portions of the power cords of the various computer components to eliminate the tangled mess associated with such systems. The electrical outlets are located in a component bay within the housing separate from but adjacent to the line cord storage bay to be accessible to the plugs of the line cords of the electrical devices sought to be controlled. The component bay contains a first printed circuit board (PCB) which carries the electrical outlets and a second PCB that contains an electrical surge protection circuit, a fault isolation circuit and the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Colin D. Campbell, James H. Bleck