Wire Distribution (e.g., Harness, Rack, Etc.) Patents (Class 361/826)
  • Patent number: 6359789
    Abstract: A heterogeneous functions-integrated communication device which is improved in the efficiency of optical connector connection/disconnection work and which enables non-redundant arrangement without the need to increase the size of the device. Those DS3 interface connectors of a customer interface section which are required only in the non-redundant arrangement are mounted on an expansion shelf, whereby the size of a shelf body is reduced and, in the case of redundant arrangement, the expansion shelf may be detached. Optical fibers can be introduced at a front side of the device from obliquely below to plug-in units, so that the optical fibers can be connected/disconnected without the need to pull out the plug-in units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hirofumi Imabayashi, Kenji Joko, Takashi Shirakami
  • Patent number: 6356826
    Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent current distribution system for vehicles and a method for manufacturing the system. In the system, the current is distributed to loads through intelligent connecting sockets (1). The sockets are mounted in desired locations on a cable (2), whose message communication bus (11) or a socket input-connector (7) is used to deliver control commands to control electronics (14-17) controlling operation of the socket. The control electronics include a basic program memory (16), in which are stored operating instruction programs for all necessary functions of several sockets in the system. Thus, any socket can be randomly located at least within a limited portion of the current distribution system. The socket is modified for individual operation during or after installation of the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: IWS International Inc.
    Inventor: Jorma Pohjola
  • Patent number: 6354868
    Abstract: A power distribution apparatus includes a conductive plate (100), the conductive plate (100) including plurality of contact pads (101) that are interconnected by removable connecting links (102), each of the contact pads (101) including opening (106) for receiving a connector pin, a housing (811), for the conductive plate, the housing including plurality of connector receptacles (820), and plurality of connector pins selectively mounted on a portion of the receiving opening (106) on the conductive plate so as to align with the connector receptacles (820), wherein a portion of the connecting links (102) are removed to create a circuit on the conductive plate (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies
    Inventors: Jacek Korczynski, Ronald Lee Spencer
  • Patent number: 6356460
    Abstract: An elevated neutral base for switches forming an open space for positioning of insulated electric wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Sepelak, Tod T. Lament, Dan A. Fisher, Steve E. Pever
  • Patent number: 6347714
    Abstract: A cable management assembly for managing wires having a rack with a plurality of mounted channel members. The channel members each comprise a left, right, and middle member which form a Z-shaped cross section and define first and second receiving areas for holding a plurality of wires. The middle member further includes apertures such that a wire can be received concurrently in both receiving areas. The channel members are mounted on the rack by integrals clips that extend from each channel member and engage mating holes located on the rack. A second embodiment channel member includes a first member and an opposing second member each having integral clips extending therefrom for mounting the channel members on the rack. The channel member further has a middle member connecting the first and second members which form a C-shaped cross-section and define a receiving area for holding a plurality of wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven O. Fournier, William G. Sobieski, Robert C. Baxter
  • Publication number: 20020012242
    Abstract: A cable management apparatus includes a bracket member and a cable guide member fastened to the bracket member. The bracket member includes a stem portion and a body portion for fastening to a cabinet for housing a plurality of electronic modules. The cable guide member includes a flange portion and a shelf portion having a surface. The flange portion is angled with respect to the surface of the shelf portion to allow a plurality of cables to contact the surface of the shelf portion to route the plurality of cables within the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: DANIEL J. LECINSKI, KENNETH S. LAUGHLIN
  • Publication number: 20010052424
    Abstract: Lead wires 10 are soldered at their one ends respectively to lands 120 on a wiring board 100 while the other ends of the lead wires are connected to an electrical part mounted on a movable member 200. A portion of each of the lead wires 10 is passed through a U-shaped notch 130 in the wiring board 100 , and a loop portion 16, formed at another portion of each lead wire 10, is loosely fitted on a projected piece portion 140 of the wiring board 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventors: Hideki Kume, Teruaki Sogawa, Takayuki Murakami
  • Patent number: 6330168
    Abstract: A card shelf includes a backplane and a plurality of slots each configured to receive an electronic card. An electronic card disposed in one of the slots has a back including a connector adapted to engage the backplane and a front including an angled receptor adapted to engage a cable with a reduced projection from the electronic card. A cable holder is aligned with the slot containing the electronic card. The cable holder is operable to receive the cable from the angled receptor. A cable trough is operable to receive the cable from the cable holder and route the cable away from the card shelf. The cable holder may include a plurality of cable receivers aligned with each slot for an electronic card in the card shelf. Each cable receiver may include a portion for receiving one or more cables from each electronic card and a portion for retaining the cables within the cable receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Networks Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert Pedoeem, Laurence D. Fox, Kan S. Liu
  • Patent number: 6327159
    Abstract: A wireform bracket provides a simple, elegant, low-cost solution for managing a large number of cables, while also allowing ample airflow at the back of a computer system. A wireform bracket in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of bends, with each bend proximate a connector on the backplane of a computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the back of the computer system. As cables are connected to the back of the computer system, each cable is fastened to the nearest bend using a tie-wrap, or some other cable fastening method known in the art. The present invention minimizes potential strain at the connectors by shifting any strain to the point at which the cable is attached to the wireform bracket, while also minimizing the disruption of airflow in the area immediately behind a computer system. In one embodiment, a wireform cable is formed from a ⅛ inch thick piece of steel wire, though other materials and thicknesses may be Mused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Douglas Davies, Michael Wortman
  • 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: 6316889
    Abstract: A dimming control system includes a non-volatile memory mounted to a backplane in a rack having a control module slot for receiving a control module, and a plurality of dimmer module slots for receiving dimmer modules. The non-volatile memory stores operational information for the rack, and the control module can be removed from the rack without affecting the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The non-volatile memory is adapted to store looks which can be invoked by the rack without external control. The rack includes a pull-out tray for receiving the control module, and the pull-out tray includes a back wall which functions as the backplane. The non-volatile memory can be programmed through the control module by a computer or a hand-held controller coupled to the control module. The hand-held controller includes a display and can provide local control of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Chansky, Ken Vannice, Wiley Gilreath, Craig LeVasseur
  • Patent number: 6314001
    Abstract: A desktop computer includes a main computer module, a power supply module and a connecting unit. The main computer module includes a housing and a plurality of electronic devices mounted in the housing. Each of the electronic devices has a power supply input. The housing is formed with a cable opening. The power supply module is disposed outside the housing of the main computer module, and has a plurality of power supplying outputs. The power supply module is operable so as to provide a plurality of dc operating voltages at the power supply outputs. The connecting unit includes a first cable portion, a second cable portion and a male-and-female electrical connector set. The first cable portion is disposed in the housing, and has a plurality of wires connected respectively to the power supply inputs of the electronic devices. The first cable portion extends outside the housing via the cable opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Meridian Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Ping-Chun Chu
  • Patent number: 6305556
    Abstract: A hinging cable management arm is disposed inside a rack behind a slidingly mounted computer. The arm folds and unfolds as the computer slides into and out of the rack. Cables from the computer are secured to the arm with cable ties. The arm includes two elongate members hingingly coupled to one another at one end. At the other end, one member is hingingly coupled to the rack and one member is hingingly coupled to a sliding computer mount. Each elongate member has a u-shaped profile. The hinged couplings are implemented using swaged pins. The cable ties are straps made with hook-and-loop fabric. The straps are made captive to the elongate members by anchoring them at a first slot and threading them through a second slot. They are wrapped over the computer cables and around the profile of the elongate members until the hook-and-loop material secures to itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: David W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 6301126
    Abstract: A housing for electrical equipment has first and second halves. An electrical connecting plug between the housing halves is arranged to require halves of the plug to be separated before the housing halves can be separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6291770
    Abstract: A wiring harness for use in a networked wiring system wherein one or more multiplexed electronic circuits are contained within the wiring harness. Provision of such electronics within the wiring harness reduces the number of wires used in a networked wiring system without requiring their provision within sensor or actuator devices, or in external electronic boxes. Inclusion of such electronics within the wiring harness also eliminates the need for extra interconnections, and provides protection of the electronics from environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Leoni Wiring Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul G. Casperson
  • Publication number: 20010019478
    Abstract: A subassembly M is produced on a board 201 of a subassembly line SL in a compressed mode of its layout mode on a wire laying board 11 of a main line ML. The subassembly M in the compressed mode is temporarily held on the board 201. The temporarily held subassembly M is arranged on the wire laying board 11 while being extended to its final mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: September 6, 2001
    Inventors: Taka Izumi, Hidetaka Yuri, Kiyokazu Kurihara, Hiroaki Yurikusa, Brendan Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6285565
    Abstract: A cable support is used in a structure for accommodating electronic equipment, for example printed circuit boards in a subrack. The support includes an elongated rail with cable guiding surfaces for guiding a cable rail with cable guiding surfaces for guiding a cable along the structure. At least one pair of curved fingers are arranged with mutual intervals at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said rail. A tongue is located in the interval between tow adjacent fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Göran Åberg, Thomas Ivarsson
  • Patent number: 6262880
    Abstract: A circuit breaker mounting assembly comprises an enclosure for holding at least one circuit breaker, with the circuit breaker being mounted within said enclosure; a terminal block mounted within the enclosure at a location remote from the circuit breaker, the terminal block including a plurality of input connections and a plurality of output connections; a plurality of control wires extending from the circuit breaker to the terminal block; and a mounting bracket for positioning the terminal block in a first position within the enclosure and for permitting the terminal block to be moved to a second location outside of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Martin Fischer, Kelly Julia McCarthy, Joseph Bell Humbert
  • Patent number: 6259027
    Abstract: The wire harness can be fabricated in a simple assembling process, has a compact shape, and is capable of reducing the number of times the wire harness is fitted to connectors. In such a wire harness for distributing a power source and a signal in a unit of electrical equipment or a unit of an electrical equipment system, a substrate having at least one electronic component and configuring an internal circuit is interposed midway in a route of a trunk line of the wire harness, and the substrate has a terminal for causing an electric wire of the trunk line to be electrically connected to the internal circuit, the electric wire being made to branch off from the trunk line by means of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6246591
    Abstract: A structure is provided for arranging power cables in an electronic apparatus. The cable arrangement structure includes a first control board, a transformer mounted on the first control board, a second control board spaced from the first control board, a connector mounted on the second control board in facing relation to the transformer, and a plurality of power cables extending from the connector, the plurality of power cables including at least one power supply cable and at least one power return cable. The plurality of power cables are bundled together at an intermediate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Ikeda, Keiichi Matsunaga
  • Patent number: 6223909
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rack for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules. The rack includes a frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls. The bay is sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis. The rack also includes a cable management structure connected to the frame. The cable management structure defines first and second separate vertical channels. The first vertical channel defines a first passage area sized for receiving a plurality of cross-connect cables from the telecommunication chassis. The second vertical channel defines a second passage area sized for receiving power and ground wires from the telecommunication chassis. L-shaped tie brackets are positioned in vertical channels defined by the vertical end walls. The tie brackets assist an installer in installing and tying the input and output cables to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose-Filonel Tawag Mendoza
  • Patent number: 6215064
    Abstract: A jumper management assembly for managing the routing of fiber optic cable jumpers is disclosed. The assembly fits within a conventional equipment rack. The assembly has a panel with two fiber support trays attached on its back side. The assembly also has ports located in the panel near the support trays. An excess length of a fiber optic cable jumper may be routed from the rear of electronics or other components in the equipment rack using the support trays, portals, and panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Siecor Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Jennifer D. Noble, Carrie Lynn Gordon
  • Patent number: 6191364
    Abstract: A clamping construction is provided to hold an automotive wiring harness more securely. One end 1a of a connector holder 1 on which an automotive wiring harness 2 is placed and one end 3a of a clamp 3 are rotatably coupled by a hinge 7. A projecting guide 4 and a lock claw 5 are provided at the other end of the connector holder 1, and a projected portion 3d is formed at an other end 3b of the clamp 3. At the leading end of the projected portion 3d is formed a lock hole 6. The projected portion 3d is formed such that a contact portion of the outer surface of the projected portion 3d and the inner surface of the projecting guide 4 extends to the projecting end of the projecting guide 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert Byrne
  • Patent number: 6185098
    Abstract: A co-location server cabinet includes: an external frame having an interior; a plurality of vertically arrayed sub-cabinets, each having an internal frame mounted to the external frame and a plurality of panels mounted on the external frame, wherein at least one of the panels is a separation panel mounted between a first sub-cabinet and a second sub-cabinet; a plurality of vertically arrayed compartments, each corresponding to at least one sub-cabinet; at least one raceway mounted substantially within the interior of the external frame; and wherein each of the at least one raceway routes external cables of only one electronic component to the cabling system; and at least one fan assembly mounted within at least one of the compartments adjacent to the electronic component installed there. Each compartment, which is defined by at least some of the panels, is located in the interior of the external frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Chatsworth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Benavides
  • Patent number: 6173543
    Abstract: A partition system includes having a [covered] face and a horizontal frame member. A C-shaped structured channel is attached to the horizontal frame member outboard of the [covered] face. The channel extends horizontally and includes top and bottom parallel flanges that attach to the horizontal frame member and that define a horizontal wireway adjacent to the horizontal frame member. Apertures are formed in the top and bottom flanges for routing utilities into the wireway from above or below. Wiring routed through the apertures can be protected by sleeves. A shelf or worksurface is supported in cantilevers on the channel. A flexible is attached over the channel. Vertical blade supports for shelves can also be supported on the partition with vertically spaced rear brackets attached to the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Steelcase Development Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Gortsema, Jonathan J. King, Frank Friedman, Thomas B. Eich, Charles A. Seiber, Douglas G. Lyon, David P. Churchill
  • Patent number: 6172876
    Abstract: A unique cabinet mounted I/O assembly adapted for integration into a control system which allows a block I/O assembly to be mounted in both sides of the cabinet allowing a blind fit of power and signal connections insuring that power will be provided to the block I/O assembly before any application of signals thereto and preventing any mismatching of I/O units to wrong processor blocks in the cabinet by a color matching scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Elsag International N.V.
    Inventors: Richard E. Benson, Jr., Thomas H. Burchard, Youngminh Kim, Donald L. Oros, David S. Priscak, Arthur Rousmaniere
  • Patent number: 6162989
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing EMI/RFI shielding to cables connected between electrical circuitry contained within an enclosure and the exterior environment. A fixed supporting flange is secured to the enclosure adjacent to a gap in the enclosure. An adjustable compression flange is secured to the enclosure adjacent to the gap. Cables extending from inside of the enclosure to the exterior environment pass through the gap. A compliant, resilient gasket is positioned over the gap, between the supporting flange and the compression flange. The compression flange bearing against the cables compresses the cables into the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc
    Inventor: Robin E. Garner
  • Patent number: 6163465
    Abstract: A computer tower has a variety of electronic components mounted within an enclosure. Power and communication-type cables extend from the enclosure for connection to a power source and peripheral components such as a monitor or operator interface. A pedestal is mounted to the lower end of the enclosure to increase the stability of the computer tower when it is placed on a level surface. The bottom of the pedestal has a recess or channel which extends all the way around the pedestal near its outer edge. The unused length of the cables may be coiled into the channel of the pedestal for temporary and aesthetically appealing storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Howard Carl Tanner, Brian Michael Kerrigan, Stephen Sung, Michael Edward Criscolo
  • Patent number: 6127631
    Abstract: A chassis (200) having cable management features includes a frame (210) for holding communication modules (105) that have cables (305) coupled to front surfaces thereof. The chassis also includes cable tunnels (225) formed beneath the frame (210). The cable tunnels (225) are each defined by sidewalls and upper and lower surfaces that form an aperture through the tunnel (225), and the module cables (305) from a particular module (105) can be routed through its associated cable tunnel (225) beneath the frame (210). The chassis (200) also includes cable guides (230), each defining an opening associated with a particular communication module (105), wherein cables (305) coupled to that communication module (105) can be routed through its associated cable tunnel (225) and then through its associated cable guide (230).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Scott Green, Richard John Gulley, Tony Mark, Alan J. Schlenz, Patrick A. Wolfer
  • Patent number: 6118075
    Abstract: A universal panel for receiving cabling components is disclosed. The panel includes a plurality of panel segments that are interconnected to form panel modules. The panel modules are interconnected to provide a panel of any desired length, extending from the floor to the ceiling if desired. A panel segment includes a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first and second alignment features are disposed to engage a second alignment feature and a first alignment feature, respectively, on a second panel segment to form a panel module. Each panel module includes a coupler and a receiver. The coupler of one panel segment is disposed to engage the receiver of the other panel segment. Each of the panel segments further includes a first alignment feature and a second alignment feature. The first alignment feature of one panel segment is disposed to engage the second alignment feature of the other panel segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Phillips Baker, Golam Mabud Choudhury, Theodore Alan Conorich, Wayne Scott Filus
  • Patent number: 6116916
    Abstract: A busbar 24 and a printed circuit board 23 having electronic devices mounted thereon are provided as internal circuits in a casing of an electrical connection box. Terminals 24a provided in the busbar 24 are inserted through the printed circuit board 23 to be secured to a conductive portion by solder 30 for a direct electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Kasai
  • Patent number: 6102214
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rack for mounting telecommunication chassis each adapted for receiving cross-connect modules. The rack includes a frame defining a bay formed between two spaced-apart, vertical end walls. The bay is sized for receiving the telecommunication chassis. The rack also includes a cable management structure connected to the frame. The cable management structure defines first and second separate vertical channels. The first vertical channel defines a first passage area sized for receiving a plurality of cross-connect cables from the telecommunication chassis. The second vertical channel defines a second passage area sized for receiving power and ground wires from the telecommunication chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose-Filonel Tawag Mendoza
  • Patent number: 6088241
    Abstract: A connector for interconnecting a plurality of spaced electrical subassemblies in a motor-vehicle door has a basically rectangular flexible foil having a core part and formed with a plurality of strips extending from the part and carrying conductive paths. The strips are separable from one another and foldable to extend to the different subassemblies. The conductive strips and the core part are formed of a flexible and conductive material or of an insulating synthetic resin provided with the conductive paths. This core part has a plurality of different fields each provided with electronic circuit components, for instance a key-pad field, a decoding field, a processing field, an H-bridge field, and a transfer field. The circuit components can be passive or active, for instance whole integrated circuits can be mounted on the core part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Kiekert AG
    Inventors: Thomas Hulsmann, Damien Labonde, Lothar Patzelt
  • Patent number: 6078507
    Abstract: A patch panel and distribution amplifier system within a single housing, including an input module and a plurality of output modules within the housing interconnected to a rear panel for input and output connectors and a front panel for the interconnection of jacks to the input and output modules of adjacent patch panel and distribution amplifier housings all connections being configurable to conform to all signal formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: James Tronolone, Virginia Tronolone
  • Patent number: 6072981
    Abstract: There is provided a multi-drop distribution apparatus capable of installed in small space and of allowing transmission of large currents, the distribution apparatus having the same characteristics of a coaxial cylinder. A housing (1) has on its inner wall a groove (6a) interposed between a cable connecting portion (3) and a main line connection terminal (5b). The cable connecting portion (3) and the terminal (5b) are interconnected by a conductive rod (6) disposed in the groove (6a) without being in contact with the inner wall of the groove (6a). A dielectric block (7) is penetrated by the conductive rod (6a) so as to be slidable in the groove (6a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Maspro Denkoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobutaka Inoue
  • Patent number: 6070742
    Abstract: A foldable cable management apparatus for holding cables in a rack mounted system. The apparatus includes a plurality of segments pivotally attached to one another. One or more of the plurality of segments include cable trays for holding the cables and include cable fasteners. One or more of the plurality of segments is adapted to nest with other segments so that the combined depth of the apparatus is less than the sum of the depths of the individual segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2000
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew L. McAnally, Christopher S. Beall
  • Patent number: 6069319
    Abstract: A wire harness for use on contoured, mounting surface includes individual wires bundled together. In an effort to protect these wires from mechanical wear, vibration, and water the wire harness is encased in foam. The foam is molded about the wire harness so that is surrounds the harness in the shape of the mounting surface. The foamed-in wire harness may have an elastic memory, so that it can be bent and resiliently recover to its molded shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Davis, Jr., David C. Pudduck, Timothy F. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6049470
    Abstract: A component package includes a case with a bond shelf and a conductive layer formed on the bond shelf. The bond shelf is characterized by an inward edge and an outward edge and at least one reticulation, each reticulation being characterized by an outward edge and an inward edge. The reticulation inward edge is co-linear with the bond shelf inward edge. The conductive layer includes a mounting pad for each reticulation and a serpentine conductor connecting the mounting pads, the mounting pad being disposed between the inward edge of the reticulation and the outward edge of the reticulation. The component package further includes a chip transistor mounted on a first mounting pad and a chip resistor mounted in a first reticulation. A semiconductor circuit mounted in the component package includes a bonding pad connected to a pad on the chip transistor and one end of the chip resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Dalsa, Inc.
    Inventor: Gareth P. Weale
  • Patent number: 6016252
    Abstract: A data server having a plurality of hot replaceable processing unit modules. Each module includes a motherboard having plugged therein: a CPU; a main memory; an I/O adapter card, and an interconnect printed board, electrically connected to the motherboard. A backplane has a first connector adapted for coupling to a DC power supply. The interconnect printed circuit board has a DC to DC converter connected to a second connector adapted to mate with the first connector to enable the processing unit module to be hot plugged into, or removed from, the backplane. The backplane has formed thereon a strip transmission line adapted to provide an Ethernet bus for interconnecting a plurality of the modules. A cable management system for a cabinet used to house the module includes at least one vertically extending channel disposed in the cabinet and a fastener adapted to open and enable the a cable to be inserted into the channel and close to retain such cable within the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence G. Pignolet, Jeffrey Teachout
  • Patent number: 6011318
    Abstract: A wire harness for electrically connecting a vehicle seat generally comprises a plurality of wires encased in a continuous sheath. The sheath preferably has a serpentine or other shape of reduced length in its undeformed state. In this manner, when the vehicle seat is moved between a first position and a second position excess slack in the wire harness is taken up by the shape memory characteristic of the wire harness, thereby preventing damage to the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Mayoras, Jeffrey A. Branch
  • Patent number: 6002595
    Abstract: A cable-to-board assembly configured to nondetachably couple wires of a cable to surface-mounted pads on a circuit board. The cable-to-board assembly includes a first nonconductive housing and a flexible board having thereon a plurality of conductive traces. The conductive traces have first ends and second ends opposite the first ends with the first ends being electrically coupled to the wires. The first nonconductive housing encapsulates a first portion of the flexible board including the first ends. The cable-to-board assembly further includes a plurality of conductive legs configured for coupling with the surface-mounted pads on the board. The plurality of conductive legs are electrically coupled to the second ends of the conductive traces. There is also included a second nonconductive housing encapsulating a second portion of the flexible board including the second ends of the conductive traces and a portion of the conductive legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignees: DiCon Connectors, Inc., DiCon (S) PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven Paul Gasparovic, Lee Hock Eng, Ng Lea Swee
  • Patent number: 5995380
    Abstract: An electrical junction box has a first insulating polymeric portion and a second polymeric portion defining multiple electrically conductive circuits. The circuits are at least partially separated by the first insulating polymeric portion and at least some of the circuits electrically connect together wire harness connector portions. A further aspect of the present invention junction box causes a section of the first insulating polymeric portion to concurrently act as a segment of an outer protective cover for the junction box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, Bert W. Eakins
  • Patent number: 5969292
    Abstract: An overhead cabling system for a telecommunications switching center including one or more cable chute assemblies, a plurality of cable tray assemblies, and one or more cable ladder assemblies. The cable chute assemblies are mounted to the floor adjacent the ends of the cabinet suites. The cable ladder assemblies are supported by the cable chute assemblies and extend cross aisle between two or more cabinet suites. The cable tray assemblies are mounted to the tops of the cabinets which provide the sole support for the cable tray assemblies. The cable tray assemblies are modular and designed to fit on top of a single cabinet. The overhead cabling system does not require support from the walls or ceiling of the telecommunications center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Ericsson, Inc.
    Inventors: Randle P. Snider, Jr., Stephen L. Wester, Richard L. Thorne
  • Patent number: 5959844
    Abstract: An instrument cluster having a housing, a system support (21) to receive indicating instruments, and a circuit board (6) which is connected by fastening elements (35) to the system support (21) and mounted in floating fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: VDO Adolf Schindling AG
    Inventors: Ernst-Ulrich Simon, Stephan Zech, Norbert May
  • Patent number: 5936850
    Abstract: A circuit board connection structure is formed by a first substrate having a first electrode pattern, a second substrate having a second electrode pattern, and a film circuit member electrically connecting the first and second electrode patterns. The film circuit member includes lead electrodes having an exposed portion partly connected to the first electrode pattern at a part of the exposed portion closer to an edge of the film circuit member. The film circuit member may further includes lead electrodes having an exposed portion partly connected to the second electrode pattern at a part of the exposed portion closer to an edge of the film circuit member. The circuit board connection structure may be incorporated in various electronic devices, including a liquid crystal display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanori Takahashi, Riichi Saito, Toshimichi Ouchi
  • Patent number: 5936818
    Abstract: The preferred embodiment apparatus employs an interior trim panel and an electrical harness for use in an automotive vehicle. In one aspect of the present invention, the interior trim panel has a generally rigid substrate covered by an aesthetically pleasing covering material. In another aspect of the present invention, an electrical harness is provided with integrally created switch contacts and integrally created connector terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: UT Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Winston Maue, Ronald K. Reich, Robert G. Morgan, Timothy S. Roddy
  • Patent number: 5929381
    Abstract: An arrangement for routing filamentary signal transmission elements terminated at an output wire connector field enclosed within a housing. The housing has a base wall for mounting to a support surface and a plurality of substantially planar surrounding walls each substantially perpendicular to the base wall so as to define an open enclosure. The routing arrangement has a trough frame adapted for surrounding a plurality of filamentary signal transmission elements and support structure associated with at least one of the surrounding walls for supporting the trough frame within the plane of that wall so that a plurality of filamentary signal transmission elements terminated at the connector field can be guided by the trough frame to exit the housing through that surrounding wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Bassel Hage Daoud
  • Patent number: 5921402
    Abstract: A cable and wire management track for accommodating large cable runs. The computer system has a plurality of peripheral components, such as a monitor, keyboard, printer, mouse, speakers, routers, bridges, switches, modems, etc. The cable and wire management track mounts to a wall, rack or enclosure, and has a plurality of hangers for receiving the wires issuing from the components. The hangers are mounted for sliding and rotative indexing upon the track, and are easily positioned behind each peripheral unit in order to receive and store its cables and wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Systems Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Edward F. Magenheimer
  • Patent number: 5917152
    Abstract: A door wiring harness connecting structure for easily and surely connecting wiring harnesses of a doorframe and of a trim cover is disclosed. A receiving member is provided on the doorframe and a holdings member relative to the receiving member is provided on the trim cover, and a terminal-accommodating portion which accommodates a terminal portion of a flexible flat wiring harness installed on the doorframe is formed on the receiving member, and a contacting spring-portion of the terminal portion projects into a receiving groove on the doorframe, and an end connecting-portion of another flexible flat wiring harness installed on the trim cover is fixed to an inside of the hooking member. The terminal portion has projections on both sides, and the terminal-accommodating portion has a terminal-inserting groove and an exposing opening relative to the projections and to the contacting spring-portion, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Kameyama
  • 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