With Storage Means For Flaccid Conductor Patents (Class 439/4)
  • Patent number: 11742627
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-adapter. A multi-adapter according to various embodiments comprises: a housing including an interior space; a first connector which can be stored in the interior space and can be withdrawn through an outlet formed in the housing; a lever which is detachable from a part of the first connector, disposed to be reciprocable in the interior space, and at least partially exposed through an opening formed in a side surface of the housing; at least one second connector which is connectable to an external electronic device or an external power source, and is exposed through the side surface of the housing; and a cable which extends from the first connector and electrically connects the first connector and the at least one second connector, wherein the lever moves in one direction such that the first connector can be withdrawn from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sunmi Lee
  • Patent number: 11742642
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable fixing device for a container handling system and to a method for setting a minimum bending radius for a connecting cable of a container handling system. The cable fixing device comprises a main body, a cable guide which is arranged around a part of the main body, and a cover for covering an end of the cable guide in such a way that a connecting cable, which is pre-assembled with plug-in devices at both ends, can be introduced between the cover and the cable guide. The cable guide is configured at its other end for fixing of the connecting cable in such a way that a looping angle of the cable fixing device and connecting cable can be set variably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Joerg Triebel, Reinhard Ortner, Robert Scheibenpflug
  • Patent number: 11239608
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a recess formed on a bottom surface of a housing of the information processing apparatus; a connector provided in the recess; a hook being a pair of protrusions for winding and fixing the cable and provided in the recess; and an open space opening from the recess to a side surface of the housing. The protrusion has a winding portion protruding from a bottom surface of the recess, and a holding portion formed by bending and extending the winding portion. One protrusion in a first hook is arranged within a predetermined distance from the open space, and one protrusion in a second hook is arranged adjacent to the protrusion of the first hook. The protrusions of the first and second hooks are arranged so that the holding portions in the first and second hooks are alternately opposed to each other, and are partially overlapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yasuzi Wakiyama
  • Patent number: 10950991
    Abstract: A multiple unit charge cord assembly includes a housing coupled to a back side of an electronic device. A button movably coupled to the housing is urgeable into a releasing position. A first spool rotatably positioned within the housing is biased to rotate when the button is urged into the releasing position and the first spool is rotatable in a second direction. A second spool rotatably positioned within the housing is biased to rotate when the button is urged into the releasing position and the second spool is rotatable in a secondary direction. A first cord is wrapped around the first spool. The first cord is urgeable to rotate the first spool. A first plug is electrically coupled to the first cord. A second cord is wrapped around the second spool and is urgeable to rotate the second spool. A second plug is electrically coupled to the second cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Pasquale Di Palma
  • Patent number: 10483699
    Abstract: A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: HARMAN PROFESSIONAL, INC
    Inventors: Douglas N. Laube, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Patent number: 9917453
    Abstract: A unitary wall outlet charging station for charging portable electronic devices including a unitary unitary wall outlet plug body operably configured to be removeably plugged into a wall outlet disposed on a building wall, the unitary unitary wall outlet plug body having an inner surface of each of a front face, a rear face, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall defining a cavity; a set of wall outlet plugs extending outwardly from the rear face; and a wall outlet disposed on the front face. The unitary wall outlet charging station further includes a pair of retractable cables each having a connector coupled to an end thereof and each disposed within the cavity in a retracted configuration and outside of the cavity in an extended configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Perle Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephanie Esther Banon
  • Patent number: 9680262
    Abstract: A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Douglas N. Laube, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Patent number: 9664722
    Abstract: A system to perform tests quickly and accurately to wiring harnesses. The system comprises a workstation equipped with an electrical test machine with test terminals disposed on the end of extendable hoses, a connection interface between harness connectors and terminals tests, a working board to perform on it the tests to a wiring harness, one or more projection devices arranged to project images onto the working board and a computer system to supply such projection devices with images to assist the operators performing the tests. The connection interface is formed by adapter modules connectable by one side to the wiring harness connectors and by the other to the test terminals. Test terminals and adapter modules comprise electronic circuits and external identification labels holding identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: EADS Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
    Inventors: Josef Ignacio Hötz Ordoño, Alfonso Marcial Herrera, César Álvarez Arroyo, Elisa Jiménez Luengo
  • Patent number: 9553413
    Abstract: A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Douglas N. Laube, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Patent number: 9425563
    Abstract: A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Douglas N. Laube, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Patent number: 9309087
    Abstract: A spool apparatus is described to include in one particular example a cable spool with a first cylindrical lip and a second cylindrical lip on an opposite side of the cable spool. A center of the spool includes a clutch bearing in the center of both the first cylindrical lip and the second cylindrical lip that provides a rotational axis for the cable spool to rotate around. The apparatus may also include a feed slot near the first cylindrical lip that provides a passage for cable to pass from the second cylindrical lip to the first cylindrical lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: AMX LLC
    Inventors: Douglas N. Laube, Michael Woodford Freitas
  • Patent number: 9270047
    Abstract: A liquid spill resistant electrical receptacle includes a main body and a front portion. The front portion includes a front surface and rear surface. Terminals are recessed rearwardly from openings formed in the front surface, and are connected to wires extending rearwardly from the main body. The front surface includes a first surface portion, in the vicinity of the openings, which is positioned forwardly from a second surface portion that is located generally outboard of the first surface portion. Optionally, the first surface portion may be in the form of outwardly-extending ridges around the terminal openings, and configured to direct water or other liquids away from the terminal openings associated with the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Timothy J. Warwick, Joseph D. Ward
  • Patent number: 8606068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cable housing (1) for receiving optical fibers and fibers (28b) of a fiber optic cable (28a), comprising at least one locking element (15a, 15b) and at least one passage (16a, 16b) for the fibers (28b), wherein the locking element (15a, 15b) can be moved into at least one open and one closed state, wherein the fibers (28b) are held in the passage (16a, 16b) in the closed state, and a method for receiving optical fibers and fibers (28b) of a fiber optic cable (28a) in a cable housing (1), comprising the following process steps: a) disposing the locking element or elements (15a, 15b) in the open state; b) winding the fibers (28b) about the passage (16a, 16b); and c) disposing the locking element or elements (15a, 15b) in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: ADC GmbH
    Inventor: Scott David Lee
  • Patent number: 8550823
    Abstract: An electrical connection assembly (70, FIGS. 4-7) connects a cable conductor (82) of stiff material such as a copper wire, to a deformable electrode (34, FIG. 5) that lies at the surface of a sheet of elastomeric material (74). The connector assembly includes deflectable elastomeric walls that form a cavity (76) that holds an electrically conductive fluid (84) such as an electrolyte that surrounds and engages the stiff conductor (82) and that engages the elastic electrode (34) as it deflects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Philippe Menardo, Arnaud Fourmon, Philippe F. Jean, Ambroise A. Wattez
  • Patent number: 8262550
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided for forming a rod for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements. A continuous supply of a filter material is formed into a continuous filter rod by a rod-forming unit. An object insertion unit is configured to insert a plurality of first objects and a plurality of second objects into the continuous filter rod. A rod-dividing unit is configured to subdivide the continuous filter rod, at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal axis thereof, into a plurality of filter rod portions such that each filter rod portion includes at least one first object and at least one second object disposed therein, with the first objects being different from the second objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Vernon Brent Barnes, Robert William Benford, Timothy Frederick Thomas, Stephen Thomas Matthews, John Larkin Nelson, Travis Eugene Howard
  • Patent number: 8203077
    Abstract: A cord organizer includes a cover plate and a cord retaining member. The cover plate includes a central portion having a plurality of openings defined therethrough. The openings include a fastener opening, and a receptacle opening. The cover plate further includes a curved, end portion curved inwardly away from a back side of the cover plate, having a slit defined therethrough, and at least one male fastening member extending from the back side of the cover plate. The cord retaining member includes a female fastening opening, and a strap portion. The strap portion of the cord retaining member is capable of passing through the slit of the curved, end portion, and the cord organizer is configured to allow the strap portion to be secured after an end of the strap has passed through the slit of the curved, end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Honeycutt, Ian Kovacevich, Joseph William Simmons, Randall Wade Hatfield
  • Patent number: 7959444
    Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable adapter for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle. The retractable adapter may include a lower housing, an upper housing and a retractable mechanism to store the wiring harness when not in use with the towed vehicle. The lower housing may be attached to the towing vehicle. The adapter may include a rotating disc assembly, a wire guide assembly and an electrical connector or wiring harness that may be coiled around the wire guide assembly. The adapter may also include a circuit tester with light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a backup alarm. In addition, the adapter may mate a seven-way blade connector to a four-flat connecter harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Cequent Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Corless, Gregory Rotenberg
  • Publication number: 20100072013
    Abstract: A retractable electrical cord reel for an appliance wherein the cord reel is not internally-housed within the appliance. The retractable cord reel comprises reel housing, electrical plug, electrical cord, a spool assembly, which includes a spring, for winding and unwinding the electrical cord, a latching system, and contact rings or shafts to electrically connect the plug to the electrical cord. The contact rings are connected to floating contacts, which are in turn connected to the electrical plug. The contact rings are further connected to the electrical cord, thus connecting the electrical plug to the electrical cord.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: CONAIR CORPORATION
    Inventor: VITO JAMES CARLUCCI
  • Patent number: 7682186
    Abstract: A computer housing is provided. The computer housing includes a front panel with an opening formed thereon. A cable winding assembly is disposed within the computer housing and includes a stop member, a cable winding member, two support members, and an elastic rope. The cable winding member includes a jack receiving hole and at least one stop member receiving means formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof for accommodating a headphone jack and the stop member respectively. The stop member can be inserted through the opening. The two support members are attached to a bottom panel of the computer housing and include bearing holes formed threreon for supporting the cable winding member and allowing a rotation of the cable winding member. The elastic rope includes two ends fastened respectively to the cable winding member and one of the support members and is capable of being wound when the cable winding member rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-He Tang, Wen-Haw Tseng, Shih-Fang Wong, Hui-Ting Guo
  • Patent number: 7425132
    Abstract: A power adaptor of the present invention has a single power cable connecting between an adaptor body and an electric device. The power cable can be conveniently retrieved or dispensed by a cable winder for easy management. The plug for plugging into a power source is directly installed on the adaptor body. The prongs of the plug is mounted on a sliding rail inside the adaptor body so that the prongs can be stuck out for plugging or completely retracted inside the adaptor body for transportation or storage. Conducting plates are provided along the sliding rail so that the prongs are always in reliable contact with the conducting plates for the conduction of electricity to the electric member inside the adaptor body. When the prongs are fully exposed or when the prongs are completely concealed, the prongs are securely locked to the adaptor body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventors: Hsien-Lin Yang, Ming-Yi Tsai
  • Publication number: 20070293059
    Abstract: A power adaptor of the present invention has a single power cable connecting between an adaptor body and an electric device. The power cable can be conveniently retrieved or dispensed by a cable winder for easy management. The plug for plugging into a power source is directly installed on the adaptor body. The prongs of the plug is mounted on a sliding rail inside the adaptor body so that the prongs can be stuck out for plugging or completely retracted inside the adaptor body for transportation or storage. Conducting plates are provided along the sliding rail so that the prongs are always in reliable contact with the conducting plates for the conduction of electricity to the electric member inside the adaptor body. When the prongs are securely locked to the adaptor body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Hsien-Lin Yang, Ming-Yi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7297001
    Abstract: A wire winding device with transmission line is pulled at one end. The retaining end module and the telescopic end module are fixed together. The transmission line of the transmission line can be received in the spacing layer. In use only one end of the transmission line is pulled out. The transmission line will can be arranged orderly. The wire winding device has the function of adjusting the length of the earphone at any time without affecting the data reading or playing. Thereby the transmission line can be connected to various devices, such as earphones, USB connectors or signal connectors, to be connected to various electronic devices, such as computers, and mobile phones, etc. Thereby structure is simple and can be operated easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Inventor: Sung Chiang Wu
  • Patent number: 7264478
    Abstract: A retractable wiring harness device attaches to the trailer frame near the trailer hitch and contains a length of retractable wiring harness which extends from a housing member to install within the wiring connection on a towing vehicle, the trailer wiring harness wired into the lighting and braking wiring harness of the trailer. When the trailer is disconnected from the towing vehicle and the retractable wiring harness is disconnected from the wiring connection of the vehicle, the wire cable is withdrawn into the housing member to retain the retractable wiring harness, keeping it off the ground and out of the way of the trailer hitch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: John D. Downing
  • Patent number: 7255595
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical connection device, which includes a position holding bar, a switching device sleeved outside of the position holding bar, and a wire twining device with position limiting button. The wire twining device comprises an active turnplate, an electrical connection wire enlaced on one surface of the turnplate, an activation point fixed on the other surface of the turnplate, and a reset spring fixed on the annular groove of the bottom of the turnplate; the outer end of the enlaced wire is electrically connected with an active wire port, the inner end of the enlaced wire is connected with the active touching point of the turnplate; a fixed touch point that corresponding to the active touching point is set on the connection device, so that the active touching point keeps the electrical connection with the fixed touching point of the connecting device while the electrical connection wire is twined with the turnplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: AirConnect Solutions (Asia) Limited
    Inventor: Barry Lo
  • Patent number: 7241146
    Abstract: A wire harness for a truck, truck and trailer, a recreational vehicle or bus includes a rear removable connector positioned adjacent to the rear of the vehicle, a first cable attached to the bottom of the vehicle having one end attached to the rear removable connector and the other end attached to the vehicle's electrical load. The vehicle's electrical load is enabled when the rear removable connector is connected to an external power source, which is generally known as shore power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Shurepower, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Kim, Michael T. Panich, Vincent Mangano
  • Patent number: 7232312
    Abstract: A rotary connector including a first part, a second part rotationally coupled to the first part to form an interior of the rotary connector, and an electrical cable housed within the interior of the rotary connector. An over current protection device is housed within an integral space of the rotary connector and configured to provide over current protection for the electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignees: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Furukawa Electric North America, APD, Inc.
    Inventors: Jere Wade, Tomoyuki Yamai, Kosuke Yamawaki
  • Patent number: 7230181
    Abstract: A cord holding device and method of use. An embodiment of the device includes a sheet of material having a turned end. The turned end is selectively positionable between a closed orientation and an open orientation. In the open orientation, an opening is formed between the turned end and the sheet to allow for the cord to be inserted within an interior section. In the closed orientation, the turned end wraps around the cord to retain it within the device. A method of using the device comprises mounting the device to a position to receive the cord. A holding section is unturned an amount to allow for the cord to be inserted within the interior section of the holding section. After cord insertion, the holding section re-turns and wraps around the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph William Simmons, Randall Wade Hatfield
  • Patent number: 7189106
    Abstract: An organizer for organizing and storing one or more of adapters provided with rechargeable devices includes an AC power supply to provide access to electricity for the adapters to permit one or more of the adapters to operate simultaneously; a mechanism for storing excess adapter wiring; and a mechanism adapted to permit selectively extension or retraction of the wire of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventor: Eric D. Young
  • Patent number: 7172456
    Abstract: An electric cable organizing device is comprised of at least one, preferably a pair, of brackets to which is attached an electric outlet strip, such as a power strip which receives the plug ends of electric cords. An outlet strip is attached to two spaced apart brackets which are attached to a vertical surface and which extend transversely from at least one side of the strip. Each bracket has an associated strap, such as an elastomer o-ring, that runs across the bracket surface, from proximity of the outlet strip to a spaced apart fastener on the bracket surface. The excess lengths of cords which run from outlets of the outlet strip run zigzag in the space between the brackets and are held neatly in place against the surface of each bracket by the straps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Jeffery Nagy
  • Patent number: 7052281
    Abstract: Cable winding devices and mechanisms for providing direct cable to electrical component connections without brush contacts are disclosed. Electronic controls may be provided directly on the cable winding device. The cable winding device generally includes two cable segments physically disconnected from each other, a spool configured for winding the cable segments thereon, and a circuit component such as a printed circuit board assembly that rotates with the spool. The circuit component may include electrical contacts to electronically connect corresponding pairs of wires of the cable segments and a user-adjustable or user-actuatable electronic control in communication with the electrical contacts. The circuit component may provide a pair of electrical contacts for each corresponding pair of wires in the cable segments and the electronic control is in communication with at least one pair of the electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob T. Meyberg, Edward O. Sanderson, Gary T. Brint, Alan W. Grattan, Eric R. Bradford
  • Patent number: 7000746
    Abstract: An electrical cord reel includes a metal housing of rectangular shape which is adapted to be mounted set in a wall or on the surface of the wall. The electric cord is mounted on a retractable reel mounted within the housing and may be connected to a source of electricity. An outlet receptacle is mounted to the cord for supplying power to remote locations in the room or work area as the cord is unwound from the reel. A series of guide rollers permit the cord to be paid out in a direction generally perpendicular to the wall, but over a large space for flexible application. The receptacle may be reeled in for storage and used as a wall outlet in the storage position. The receptacle is secured in a recess in the front wall of the housing; and the receptacle may be moved from the storage position to a release position where it is readily removed from the housing for remote use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Woodhead Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Mackin, Scott A. Hagen, Timothy A. Hill, Don Zito, Gregory J. Maley
  • Patent number: 7001210
    Abstract: A wire winding device for receiving network wires or telephone wires is disclosed. The round post of the lower cover passes through the via hole of the circuit board, the central hole of the conducting plate, the via hole of the insulating plate; the buckling hole of the spring; the via hole of the spring seat, and the via hole of the upper cover, sequentially. The buckle sheet is engaged to the upper cover. The buckling post of the buckle sheet is movable fixed to the buckling groove. The upper cover and lower cover are combined. The electric wire of the circuit board and the electric wire of the conducting plate are placed in the slot of the upper cover and the slot of the lower cover. A screw serves to lock the upper cover to the lower cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Inventor: Wu Sung Chiang
  • Patent number: 6960727
    Abstract: An AC adapter has a deformable cover located on an outer surface of the housing and defines an interior cavity between the inner surface of the cover and the housing surface for manual retraction and housing of the electrical cable when the electrical apparatus is not in use. The electrical cable may be manually retracted and wound around an internal tower for storage or may be manually withdrawn for connection to the electrical device with which the adapter is used. Alternately, the cover is flipped up to manually retract the electrical cable after which the cover is flipped down to house the retracted electrical cable when the apparatus is not in use. The cover may be flipped up to manually pay off a desired length of the electrical cable as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Hering
  • Patent number: 6623294
    Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Man Keung Tse, John M. Groves, Wing Ling Cheng, Neal G. Stewart, Steven Lee Willing
  • Patent number: 6532653
    Abstract: A PCMCIA card includes a support, circuit components for providing faxmodem functions with respect to the support, a housing containing at least part of the support, a retractable cord mechanism at least partly contained in the housing for connecting the electronic component with an external device for communications therewith, the retractable cord mechanism including a cord and a storage mechanism for storing at least part of the cord in the housing, and a foldable connector coupled to the cord for storage in the card and for pulling from the card for connecting to the external device. The foldable connector includes a main body portion and a supplemental body portion which releasably and pivotably attach to one another. Alternate embodiments use optical or radio signal coupling from the PCMCIA card and all embodiments do not require a separate telephone connector to a telephone wall jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Martin Alpert
  • Patent number: 6527581
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a network converter and its base applied in USB. The USB network converter of the present invention comprises a converting body and a base. The converting body includes a PCB whose one end has a network port and the other end connects to a USB cable. The base has a socket hole, the positive side of the base is for containing the converting body, and the reverse side is used to fasten the USB cable and fix the USB plug in the socket hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Accton Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 6503097
    Abstract: A spool support for supporting an elongated electrical cord around an electrical outlet. The spool support defines: a planar open main frame having a central window, for through engagement by the electrical outlet, and a peripheral edge wall, surrounding the central window, this peripheral edge wall including an upper end section and a lower end section; a first arcuate channel member, integral to the main frame upper end section and projecting forwardly from the plane formed by the main frame; a second arcuate channel member, integral to the main frame lower end section and projecting forwardly from the plane formed by the main frame, the first and second channel members extending upwardly and downwardly respectively and forming together a loop for winding thereinto the electrical cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Inventor: Francis Archambault
  • Patent number: 6358073
    Abstract: A vehicle wiring assembly for supplying power to a sliding door even when the door is open. The assembly includes a cable having a first end attached to the vehicle and a second end attached to a predetermined position on the sliding door. The assembly also includes a winding device disposed along the cable and attached to either the vehicle or the sliding door. The assembly also includes a cable guide at a point spaced away from the winding device for guiding the cable when the sliding door opens and closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Lloyd Jhanson, Robert W. Hurd
  • Patent number: 6287141
    Abstract: An uninterrupted communication rotary shaft device comprises a housing, a rotary shaft set, a rotary disk, two communication wires, and a spiral spring. The rotary shaft set is engaged with the rotary disk and is formed by insulating disks of an odd number and conductive disks of even numbers. Each conductive disk is connected to a communication wire. A connecting seat with a receptacle is disposed at the place that the first ring adjacent to the pivotal connecting hole. A plurality of conductive elements are arranged in the connecting seat. One end of each conductive element is in contact with respective conductive disk, while another end is connected to each conductive wire of another communication wire. Two communication wire may retain uninterruptedly ad the rotary disk rotates. Besides, the edge of the rotary disk has a ratchet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Pi Yun Hsieh Huang
  • Patent number: 6077108
    Abstract: A patch panel is provided comprising a patch panel housing, a first electrical connector a second electrical connector connected to the patch panel housing and an electrical interconnect for connecting the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector and for maintaining electrical connection between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector while allowing the first connector to be moved both away from and toward the housing, for adjusting a position of the first electrical connector with respect to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Krone GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Lorscheider, Dean R. Zalesky, Peter J. Lotinsky
  • Patent number: 6048211
    Abstract: A reversible cable reel which includes two cover shells having a respective center shaft axially connected to each other, two cable wheels respectively mounted around the center shafts inside the cover shells, two spiral springs respectively mounted around the center shafts inside the cover shells, each spiral spring having an inner end connected to the respective cover shell and an outer end connected to the respective cable wheel, two cables respectively wound round the cable wheels, each cable having a fixed end fastened to the respective cable wheel and a free end extended out of the respective cover shell and mounted with a module plug, a first terminal unit mounted in one cable wheel and connected to conductors in one cable, a second terminal unit mounted in the other cable wheel and connected to conductors in the other cable and separated from the first terminal unit by a cover plate, the second terminal unit having contact means projecting into respective through holes on the cover plate into contact
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsin Liaom
  • Patent number: 6036499
    Abstract: A coupling system suitable for use with a transmission cable is described. The system includes a contact unit operably connected to a reel assembly having a base and a reel rotatably mounted to the base for winding the transmission cable. The contact unit provides for the transmission of electrical signals and power between the cable and a vessel as the cable is wound onto the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Walker Downriggers, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ford
  • Patent number: 5980107
    Abstract: An apparatus has an arrangement for the transmission, via conductors, of electrical energy and/or signals from an apparatus part to electrical devices which are displaceable relative to the apparatus part. The arrangement has a rotatable reel onto which another conductor is wound when one conductor is unwound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochen Kusch
  • Patent number: 5738548
    Abstract: A wall mounted receptacle with retractable extension cord including a housing with a primary mounting plug unit having a pair of prongs fixed to and extending perpendicularly from the housing for inserting within a conventional electrical receptacle. Further provided is a manual spool reel assembly and an associated extension cord wrapped thereabout thus being capable of being distributed and retracted manually. Also included is a spring-biased automatic spool retraction assembly with an unbiased orientation with the extension cord fully wrapped about the spool cylinder and a biased orientation with the extension cord fully extended exterior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Inventor: Philip M. Rutulante
  • Patent number: 5733141
    Abstract: A travel home cable television antenna connector assembly having a take-up reel that is activated to spring bias a first length of coaxial cable to be coiled within a housing of the take-up reel and that allows the first length of cable to be pulled from the housing and out of the travel home for connection to a cable television antenna fixed source, and a second length of coaxial cable having one end connected to a television set within the travel home and another end electrically connected to said first length of coaxial cable within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Gary D. Penrod
  • Patent number: 5700150
    Abstract: The apparatus is a stackable electrical outlet connector type extension cord reel comprising a body, means extending from the back of said body to secure it onto a duplex electrical wall outlet receptacle by contact with each one of the electrical contacts thereof, means to allow electrical connection of appliances or to carry additional reels on the frontal face of said body, a pulley revolvably positioned on said body and carrying a length of extension cord and provided with means to manually rotate said pulley to rewind said extension cord, a circular cover revolvably assembled on said pulley, the periphery of said cover being provided with an opening through which the extension cord exits the housing of the reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Aurele Morin
  • Patent number: 5641067
    Abstract: A housing device for the retractable storage of a wire, cord or cable which is capable of operationally interconnecting electronic equipment, such as portable speakers and radios, while the interiorly coiled end of the wire, cord or cable remains coiled around a rotatable spool during connection. In its preferred embodiment, the housing device has a cover with connection ports therethrough. A radio connected to the connection ports becomes operationally connected with the interiorly coiled end of the wire, cord or cable through electrically conductive means integral with the spring-driven spool. The outer end of the coiled wire is then extended through an opening in the housing cover and connected to a portable speaker. The opening in the housing would be just large enough to accommodate the wire. A device larger in diameter than the wire would be attached at the near end of the exposed wire to prevent it from retracting all the way back inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: David A. Ellis
  • 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: 5518417
    Abstract: A multiple electrical socket comprises a housing, a base, two reels, two fastening blocks, a shaft, and two extension cords provided respectively with an electrical socket fastened thereto. The reels and the fastening blocks are mounted on the shaft which is located by the base. The extension cords are wound respectively on the reels such that the extension cords can be pulled out of the housing, and that the extension cords can be retracted respectively by a winding spring mounted on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Yun-Tsai Liu
  • Patent number: 5494446
    Abstract: An extension cord device is disclosed which has an extension cord electrically connected to an electrically conductive axle assembly. The axle assembly is attached to current taps which plug into an existing electrical outlet. The device is readily mounted into and/or removed from an existing electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventors: Eugene DeLucia, Pat Marino