Pivotal Patents (Class 439/446)
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Publication number: 20020076973Abstract: The connector system enables forming electrical contact between an electrical component and a support that is formed with a base body on which a flexible printed circuit board is attached. A contact spring is provided on the electrical component. A stop element which is provided above the flexible printed circuit board at a distance from the base body is shaped in such a way that it presses the contact spring against the flexible printed circuit board as it is moved closer to it. However, the build-up of a contact pressure force does not start until the contact zone of the contact spring is already located above the flexible printed circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventors: Karl Smirra, Michael Thorum
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Patent number: 6406314Abstract: A power cable assembly (20) is provided with a pivotal male connector (220). The power cable assembly (20) includes a flexible conduit (114) attached to the pivotal male connector (220). The male connector (220) includes a male connector module (240) for housing male connector terminals (122A) connected to electrical wires (142) and supporting flanges (125). The male connector module (240) can pivot through a desired angle with respect to the flexible conduit (114). This pivoting arrangement is advantageous for fitting around tight corners in wall panel raceways.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
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Publication number: 20020042220Abstract: A cable modern termination system (CMTS) having front and rear sides is disclosed. A rear panel receives a plurality of connector cards. At least one first connector card wherein each first connector card has a row of connectors. At least one second connector cards, wherein each second connector card has a row of connectors, wherein connectors on the first connector cards are staggered from connectors on the second connector cards when the connector cards are inserted into the rear panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2001Publication date: April 11, 2002Inventors: Thomas J. Cloonan, Daniel W. Hickey, Thomas J. Mack, David R. Johnson
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Patent number: 6338645Abstract: The invention includes a cable assembly housing. The cable assembly housing may include a main shell that defines a first cavity. The main shell may have a collar. The cable assembly may also include a cable shell that defines a second cavity. The cable shell may have a neck disposed between a mating surface and a flange. The flange of the cable shell may be disposed through the collar and inside the first cavity. The cable shell may be located in different positions relative to the main shell and locked against relative motion by detents and slots.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: Apple Computer, Inc.Inventors: Tang Yew Tan, Richard P. Howarth, Lawrence A. Barham, Gregory L. Tice, Steven G. Siefert, Donald J. Novotney
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Patent number: 6220889Abstract: An adjustable cable egress mechanism for cable connectors. The mechanism includes a protective hood, and a hub mounted inside the hood for rotation about a hub axis. The hub has a cable passage, and the hood has an outside wall with an elongated cable egress slot. The egress slot opens into the cable passage in the hub over a predetermined range of angular positions of the hub. Thus, a cable whose conductors terminate in an associated connector can be routed through the egress slot in the hood and the cable passage in the hub, and the cable rotated with the hub to a desired egress angle within the predetermined range. In the illustrated embodiment, the finger hub is engaged by latch formed on part of the hood to hold the cable at the desired egress angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.Inventors: Steven Barry Ely, Jerry Lee Glenn, Paul John Straub, Cherie L. Wolfe
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Patent number: 6196864Abstract: The invention relates to a shell for an electrical or an optical connector comprising two half-shells that can be secured to each other and that define an internal chamber, a first end through which an electrical or an optical cable can pass, and a second end for fixing to the electrical or optical connector. Close to its first end, the inside face of the half-shell has a portion in the form of a concave spherical cap, the two spherical caps, when the half-shells are assembled together, substantially facing each other and being disposed on substantially the same sphere, and the shell further comprises a moving member having an axial passage for the cable, said moving member having a first portion in the form of a portion of a sphere and a second portion of elongate shape, and when the two half-shells are assembled together, said portion of spherical shape co-operates with the spherical caps while the portion of elongate shape is disposed inside said chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2000Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Amphenol SocapexInventor: Jean-Pierre Huguenet
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Patent number: 6152639Abstract: The disclosure defined by this invention describes a structure which allows free movement of a cable of an electric tool. The structure is installed at the end of the handle of the electric tool and generally includes a seat cover, a cable clamping tube, and a cable tail stop. The seat cover includes a connecting chamber connected to the cable clamping tube. The cable is passed through the cable tail stop which passes through the inner and outer spaces of the handle. Hence, the cable may turn relative to the electric tool at any bending angle and the relative position between the cable and the electric tool may be easily arranged. Furthermore, the cable will not be easily damaged.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 1998Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Mobiletron Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hung-Ming Hsu
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Patent number: 6123568Abstract: A cable connector assembly having a cable terminating in a molded end and a cable-orienting device shaped and configured to bend the cable with respect to the molded end. Preferably, the cable-orienting device is in the form of a tubular body formed to maintain the cable at any desired angle and orientation with respect to the molded end. The cable-orienting device preferably is easily removable and insertable over the cable such that the cable-orienting device may be removed, or its position along the cable or orientation with respect to the cable may be adjusted. Moreover, the cable-orienting device may be rotatable once positioned over the cable to vary the orientation of the cable with respect to the molded end.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Curtis Computer Products, Inc.Inventors: Bradford Royce Bullough, Richard Dare McCloskey, Jr.
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Patent number: 6105687Abstract: A portable power tool comprises a housing (10), a motor, a handle (11), and a connection device for fixed connection of a terminal end of a flexible power supply line (16), wherein a support device (17) is mounted on the housing (10) for supporting the power supply line (16) at a support point (A) located at a certain distance from the terminal end (15) of the line (16), which support device (17) is swivelled relative to the housing (10) about a first axis (x--x) substantially coinciding with the longitudinal direction of the power supply line (16) at the terminal end (15) of the latter and about a second axis (y--y) extending perpendicularly to the first axis (x--x) as well as to the longitudinal direction of the power supply line (16) in the support point (A). Between its terminal end (15) and its support point (A), the power support line (16) is routed in a free loop (19) large enough to avoid a detrimental sharp bending thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools ABInventor: Gunnar Christer Hansson
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Patent number: 6036529Abstract: A connector assembly for releasably interconnecting at least one cable connector connected to a respective cable to at least one module connector attached to a module. The connector assembly comprises a hollow body portion, a cable guide portion and a connector sub-assembly for mating with the cable connector and the module connector. The majority of the connector sub-assembly is placed inside the body portion. The cable guide portion is pivotally connected to the body portion of the connector assembly to permit movement of the cable guide portion between an open position in which access to manually mate or unmate the cable connector with the connector sub-assembly is provided and a closed position in which the cable guide portion prevents such access. The cable guide guides the respective cable and prevents breakage of the respective cable due to excessive bending.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Nortel Networks CorporationInventors: Michael Brown, Ernest R. Dynie, Steven Rhodes
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Patent number: 6030237Abstract: A plug connector includes a housing being made of insulating material and having a lower surface for the passage of plug pins, an upper surface opposite the lower surface, and an open end between the lower and upper surfaces. Contact elements are disposed between the lower and upper surfaces and form plug elements being directed toward the lower surface for connection to leads in the direction of the upper surface. A lead exit duct is disposed in the vicinity of the upper surface and the open end, for routing the leads out of the housing. A closure plate covers the open end of the housing, except for the lead exit duct. The upper surface of the housing has a recess formed therein being open in the direction of the open end of the housing, to permit a lead to exit. As a result, a variable outgoing lead connection is made possible through an angular range of approximately 90.degree. due to a shortened lead exit duct integrated into the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Michael Roth
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Patent number: 6027352Abstract: An electrical interconnection assembly (19) is disclosed for use in a wall system having a four-panel configuration (10). Each of the panels includes a raceway with an interconnection assembly (19) disposed therein. Each interconnection assembly (19) includes a junction block (22) capable of receiving an electrical receptacle block (100). Female connector block pairs (34, 34A) associated with an end of the junction block (22) are each provided with a pair of side flanges (90) for engagement with flanges (125) of a pivotable male connector (120). A power cable assembly (20) includes a conduit (114) attached to the pivotable male connector (120). The conduit (114) is pivotable relative to the pivotable male connector (120) through a pivot assembly (160, 161).Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1996Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
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Patent number: 5997339Abstract: A method and apparatus for a cable connection system is provided. The connection system includes a cable termination coupled to the end of a cable. The cable termination includes a body and two substantially circular pivots, and a cable input in the body of the cable termination for receiving the cable. The cable termination is designed to fit rotatable into a device having a mating housing. The device includes a groove on both sides of the mating housing, for fitting the cable in either direction, such that the cable termination may be rotated into the mating housing in either direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignees: Digital Persona, Inc., Omron CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fuji, Hajimu Iwai, Fabio Righi
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Patent number: 5735707Abstract: An electrical connector having a housing and a swivel member. The housing defines an opening and the swivel member defines a cable passageway. The swivel member is configured so that an electrical cable may be disposed through the cable passageway and the opening. The swivel member is pivotally mounted to the housing such that, when an electrical cable is disposed in the passageway, the cable may pivotally move with respect to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Rolland Dean O'Groske, Glenn Ray Oldenburg, Sandra Jeanne Shirk/Heath, Keith Franklin Tharp, Scott Marvin Thorvilson, Randall Vincent Tointon
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Patent number: 5595503Abstract: A rotatable electrical plug and power cord for mating with a conventional electrical outlet comprises a housing first portion and a housing second portion rotatably coupled to the housing first portion. The housing first portion carries first and second electrically conductive outlet prongs extend from the housing first portion a sufficient distance to permit the prongs to engage into an electrical outlet. The housing second portion is connected to the proximal end of a power cord such that the power cord can rotate relative to the prongs. The power has a pair of electrical conductors extending between its proximal and distal ends. A flexible conductor means electrically interconnects the power cord conductors with the respective prongs and permits the housing first portion to rotate relative to the housing second portion without imparting forces on the power cord conductors.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Woods Industries, Inc.Inventors: Carl R. Pittman, Wendell Ison
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Patent number: 5551882Abstract: An electrical connector (1) constructed to mate with a connector (1) of duplicate construction comprising: a front mating ring (3), multiple contacts (4) brushing respective concentric circuits (10) on a rotatable circuit board (9), said contacts (4) being connected to respective wires (16) of an electrical cable (17), a rear facing socket (28) receiving a front mating ring (3) of another, duplicate connector (1), and the front mating ring (3) and the rear facing socket (28) being connected electrically together.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1995Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: The Whitaker CorporationInventors: Robert N. Whiteman, Jr., Robert W. Walker, James P. Moser
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Patent number: 5499932Abstract: A connector assembly for an photoelectric sensor comprises a casing accommodating the photoelectric sensor, an angled sensor joint provided on the casing, an electric cable connecting the photoelectric sensor to an external circuit; and a cable connector provided at an end of said electric cable and detachably coupled to said sensor joint. The sensor joint is configured to have a rotation axis and is coupled to the casing in such a manner as to swivel about the rotation axis relative to the casing, thus enabling to select a suitable angular orientation of the sensor joint along which the cable is routed for neat wiring arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1994Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Tanaka, Masaharu Miyazaki, Yasunori Kasho, Toshiaki Yoshiyasu
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Patent number: 5380219Abstract: Cable plug connectors and cable bushings with freely selectable cable outlet directions comprising a housing which includes a cable outlet area and/or a reinforced opening area and a contact area wherein the cable outlet area is provided with a ball joint through which a cable which is connected with the contact area can be guided.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Inventor: Jurgen Klier
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Patent number: 5366187Abstract: A device for use in appliances wherein a power cord can be easily moved from a position on one side of the appliance to a position on the other side thereof. In one embodiment, a wheel like assembly is used to hold the cord from the outside and has a stopper which can be held by a detent means in a desire one side position and another stopper which can be held by another detent means; in a desired position on the other side so that the cord can be held one one side or the other, and wherein the one stopper can be readily moved out from the one detent means and the other stopper moved to the other detent means by simply moving the cord from one side to the other. The wheel like assembly has walls that suitably align the assembly within a holder arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1993Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Inventor: Naoki Ishihara
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Patent number: 5092793Abstract: A swivel apparatus couples an electrical conductor connected to an electrical device, such as a hand held, bar code scanner. The swivel apparatus includes a housing with a first end portion fixedly connectable to an electrical device and a freely movable second end portion. The second end portion rotates about the first end portion to convert bending forces exerted on the electrical conductor supported by the second end portion into movement of the second end portion with respect to the first end portion and twisting of the electrical conductor in a direction to relieve such bending forces on the electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the housing includes a base fixedly attached to the bar code scanner. The base includes an outwardly extending annular flange spaced from the main body of the base by a recess. A two-part clamp having first and second end portions is rotatingly mounted on the base.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1990Date of Patent: March 3, 1992Inventor: John Stephan
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Patent number: 4912942Abstract: A rigid crossover tube is provided to bridge from a refrigerator door to a refrigerator cabinet and to serve as a guide and protective cover for a water and/or electrical conductors connected to a door mounted ice and water dispensing apparatus. A fitting is provided in the bottom surface of the door. The tube is held in the fitting and is permitted to pivot relative thereto. The tube enters the cabinet through an opening in the base of the cabinet and is slidable therein responsive to pivotal movement of the tube when the door is opened or closed.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: April 3, 1990Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Glenn E. Katterhenry, Raymond G. Simons, John P. Keil
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Patent number: 4902150Abstract: A printing apparatus comprises a movable carriage mounted with a printing mechanism that reciprocates along a printing line on a platen, and a control unit, which is provided on a printer body in a stationary manner and sends control signals to the printing mechanism for its various operations. A flexible member connected to the carriage and the control unit for transmission of the control signals. For this purpose, the flexible member is connected at one end to the printing mechanism. The flexible member has a first end portion at a proximity of that end, which is clamped by a connecting member pivotally supported on the carriage. This connecting member can swing to permit free deformation of the flexible member which is caused by the movement of the carriage.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1989Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tatsuji Imai, Masaya Funamoto