Means To Clamp Patents (Class 439/574)
  • Patent number: 6581791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rail car mounting block assembly for electrical interconnections between railway cars. The assembly comprises a housing having a threaded opening therethrough adapted to receive an electrical plug and electrical cable. The assembly has a securing mechanism for attaching the housing to a rail car and the housing has a receiving member for receiving a connector of a lanyard. The invention further provides for a lanyard having a plurality of loops for encompassing an electrical cable having electrical connectors at both ends. The lanyard also has connectors at both ends with one of the connectors attaching to one of the cable's electrical connectors and the other connector attaching to the receiving member of the housing. The invention further provides for a combination of the lanyard and the electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: New York Air Brake
    Inventors: Kip P. Flint, Johnny L. Burch, Gene A. Timourou
  • Patent number: 6540554
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle unit is formed from a housing having a top section, a bottom section, and a recessed portion separating the top and bottom sections. The top section includes receptacles for removably receiving electrical plugs and other communication lines and cords. The housing is connectable to sources of electrical line power and existing communication lines for activating the receptacles in the upper section of the housing. The recessed portion of the housing receives the edge of a supporting structure, as for example, a table top, for removably mounting the housing to the supporting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: David G. McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20020168894
    Abstract: An electrical conduit receptacle is especially useful with a tree, such as a Christmas tree. Tree limbs at various heights above the ground support the receptacle. A plurality of female receivers are configured about its generally circular orientation so that male plugs from associated strands of lights such as Christmas lights can be easily inserted into the female receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventor: Chris Goebel
  • Publication number: 20020119698
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle unit is formed from a housing having a top section, a bottom section, and a recessed portion separating the top and bottom sections. The top section includes receptacles for removably receiving electrical plugs and other communication lines and cords. The housing is connectable to sources of electrical line power and existing communication lines for activating the receptacles in the upper section of the housing. The recessed portion of the housing receives the edge of a supporting structure, as for example, a table top, for removably mounting the housing to the supporting structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: David G. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 6428184
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inner-type connecting structure of a bulb assembly which includes a bulb holder having a pair of side connecting slices with inner hook at the end. A pair of solts are provided on the supporting object for engaging with the slices. So the bulb assembly is fixed and positioned, meanwhile the engagement between the bulb holder and the supporting object is firm and secure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Ming Hsien Huang
  • Patent number: 6379182
    Abstract: An energy center (100) is disclosed which is mountable to furniture assemblies comprising elements such as planar work surfaces and vertical side surfaces. In one embodiment, the energy center (100) is mountable to a work surface (102) having a planar surface (104). A slot (106) extends through the work surface (102). The energy center (100) includes an upper housing (120) having an interior spacial area (124) for housing wires and portions of electrical receptacles (112) and data ports (114). The receptacles (112) and data ports (114) are utilized to provide energy through power cords (110) and data lines (108). The upper housing (120) is interchangeably mountable to a first base support (130). The base support (130) is securable to the planar surface (140). In a second embodiment, an energy center (300) is adapted to be mounted to an edge or end of the work surface (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 6358085
    Abstract: A connector assembly is disclosed. In an embodiment for the connector assembly, the assembly includes a shorting plate, a shorting connector, and a connector holder. The connector holder includes a clamp arm and a base. The base is attached to the shorting plate and the shorting connector is disposed between the base and the clamp arm. In an embodiment for the connector, the connector includes a cap block and a socket support dispose on a first side of the cap block. First and second sockets, having a first end and a second end, are disposed on the socket support. The first end of the first socket extends beyond the first end of the second socket. A support block is connected to the cap block wherein the first and second sockets and the socket support are disposed between the support block and the cap block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TyCom (US) Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Wislinski, Wali Shah, John Rako
  • Patent number: 6341881
    Abstract: A single-conductor positioning device on each or either lateral side of a bulb holder, wherein, a receiving seat is integrally formed on the side of the bulb holder and is comprised of two hook-like sidewalls opposite to each other and forming an inner slot and a central slit. The wall portions of the sidewalls on both sides of the central slit are further folded to form respectively hooks. A recessed surface is formed centrally on an inner wall of the inner slot. A plug with a base can be fitted in the receiving seat, and has vertical grooves for connecting with the hooks on the receiving seat. The plug has a clamping recess provided in opposition to the recessed surface to form together with the latter a conductor clamping-slot. Inserting of the plug into the receiving seat can firmly position the conductor at a central position on the lateral side of the bulb holder; engagement of the plug with the vertical grooves can prevent the central slit from pulling outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Shining Blick Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Peter K. H. Huang
  • Patent number: 6280249
    Abstract: A connecting assembly for a decorative lighting net employing intercrossed electrical wires to connect a plurality of bulb units is provided. The connecting assembly includes a bulb holder having at least one L-shaped beam formed at a side thereof. The connecting assembly also includes a bulb connector coupled to the bulb holder having at least one L-shaped beam oriented in a direction opposing the direction in which the bulb holder's beam is oriented. The bulb connector's beam engages the bulb holder's beam in longitudinally offset manner to block the escape of electrical wire retained within the bulb holder's beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Wun Fang Pan
  • Patent number: 6264502
    Abstract: A connection assembly for a decorative lighting net employing intercrossed electrical wires to connect a plurality of bulb units (for complete net or curtain-type decorative effect, for instance) is provided. The connection assembly includes a bulb holder having an arched hook formed at a side thereof. The connection assembly also includes a bulb connector coupled to the bulb holder having a stick formed at a side thereof. The stick blocks wires retained within the arched hook from escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Wun Fang Pan
  • Patent number: 6162092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety fixing structure for an extension cord of artificial Christmas tree, which mainly includes a fixing seat, a socket capable of clip-assembling the extension cord, and let every open holes of the socket be outwardly exposes. One side of the fixing seat is mounted with a connecting portion and mounted with connecting holes, such that the fixing seat along with the socket are simply and easily to be attached to the trunk of the artificial Christmas tree and hard to be fallen off. Each inserting hole of the socket can be under inclined status to benefit the clip-assembling and electric conducting of a plug of the lamp string. Thus, It is full with practical values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventor: Fong Shi Lin
  • Patent number: 6149282
    Abstract: An attachable Christmas light is provided. The light includes a receptacle of tubular body, having an upper opening, a pair contact plate in the bottom respestively conneoted to a pair of electrical wires, and a pair of positioning arms laterally extended from an outer periphery abutting the opening and each including a retaining hole abutting a vertical slot at front end, and a lamp including a bulb embedded itno a base which is engageable itno the receptacle with a pair of contact wire engaged with the contact plates and a pair of binding rods paralled extended laterally from an upper periphery and positioned in alignment with the positioning arms, when a linear object is disposed in place between the binding rods and the positioning arms, the binding rods are bent downward about 90.degree. to have front ends retained into the retaining holes of the positioning arms. So that the light is stably attached to the linear object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Shun-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 6116951
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clip wire structure of the lamp string, which mainly mounts a connecting seat in the exterior of a lamp socket to provide simple and easy sleeve-fit with an engaged block. It can simultaneously clamp the electrical wires tightly between the connecting seat and engaged block, such that the lamp socket can be attached to the electrical wires to achieve the clip-fixing effect of the lamp string and electrical wires. And it can form a lamp string structure which provides for the decorative usage, thus becomes the one With the advantages of practical effects and raising value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Kuo Fen Shu
  • Patent number: 6080014
    Abstract: A trailer connector mount includes a main bracket having a pair of clamp flanges for placement against one surface of a tow vehicle support member; a rear wall having a first connector opening for receiving a first connector socket to be mounted thereto in spaced relation to the support member; a first side wall intersecting one of the clamp flanges at an included angle behind the support member being approximately 80.degree.; a second side wall extending between the rear wall and the other clamp flange; and a fastener wall being coplanar with the main clamp flanges and having respective fastener openings therein. A connector socket is fastened to one of the rear wall and the first side wall and projects toward the main clamping surface in spaced relation thereto. A pair of band clamps secure respective ones of the clamp flange portions to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Richard W. Steiler
  • Patent number: 6036538
    Abstract: A securing mechanism used in Christmas light bulb series mainly comprises a light bulb socket having a pair of longitudinal guide rails formed on two side wall surface thereof and a plurality of transverse ribs disposed between two guide rails. The transverse ribs have a triangular cross section with an inclined top side and a horizontal bottom side. The securing mechanism also includes a U-shaped fastener that has horizontal locking ribs disposed on the inner wall surfaces on two ends thereof. The locking ribs have a cross section with a horizontal top side and an inclined bottom side. The fastener mounts on a support frame and holds on two sides of the socket to secure and locate a socket at arbitrary position along the support frame with a desired inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Fong Shi Lin
  • Patent number: 6019634
    Abstract: A socket for an ornamental bulb has at least one pair of parallel extensions each respectively having a key and a keyslot formed on distal ends thereof. The key is formed to be detachable received in the keyslot, such that the socket can hold objects received between the extensions which are engaged with each other. The key has a neck and a head, with the head having a width larger than that of the neck. The keyslot is defined by two parallel clamping pieces perpendicular to the extensions and has a width the same as the head, such that when the head is received in the keyslot, the extensions are securely engaged with each other and the objects are securely clamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Jeou-Nan Tseng
  • Patent number: 6004157
    Abstract: A compact, simple-to-use and readily adjustable connector module which can be easily affixed to a work platform such as a desk or worktable for use in interconnecting various types of electrically operated machines and communication devices, which are positioned on the work platform, with power and communication lines. The connector module includes a housing having a work platform receiving channel which closely receives a portion of the edge of the work platform so that the module can be conveniently interconnected with the work platform by means of a simple, easy-to-use clamping mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Virco Mfg. Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Glass
  • Patent number: 5964618
    Abstract: An electrical receptable unit includes a mounting element extending from a housing for removably mounting the unit to a working surface, as for example, a desktop. A tensioning adjustment element associated with the mounting element removably secures the housing to the working surface to provide access to a plurality of electrical receptacles, each of which is electrically connected to line power. The unit includes a surge suppressor within the housing and disposed between the line power entering the housing and the electrical receptacles provided within the housing. The unit may also include an isolated compartment for accommodating lines connected to sensitive equipment, such as computers, for isolating these lines from electrical interference generated in other portions of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Inventor: David G. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 5941628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamp-holder for decorative network light, in which a main body of lamp-holder with two pairs of T-shaped slots opposite for both T-shaped pegs of a U-shaped lug sliding in and locating to fasten the cords in. In practicing, sliding out the U-shaped lugs, then inserting the cord into the slot, final sliding back in the original position to fix the cord on the main body integrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: Chih-Chen Chang
  • Patent number: 5501614
    Abstract: A device for raising aquarium fish is a combination of a water tank and a receptacle assembly (4). The water tank has an upper opening, a lid for closing the upper opening and provided with an illumination mechanism and a filtration mechanism (3), and a fastening portion at notch (3c). The receptacle assembly is for supplying electricity to the illumination and filtration mechanisms and has a fastened portion for engagement with the fastening portion of the water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Nisso Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 5472157
    Abstract: An apparatus mounts on an ironing board for guiding a cord of an iron and providing a holder for an article. The article has a clamp section for releasably securing the apparatus to the ironing board. A cord support is pivotably attached to the clamp for supporting the electrical cord of the electrical appliance above the ironing board. An article holder is mounted to the clamp for holding an article. An electrical receptacle is carried by the clamp for receiving a plug of the electrical cord of the iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: David Lehrman
  • Patent number: 5337211
    Abstract: A plastic panel has a central row of openings, each having a forwardly facing shelf at one end, a plurality of rearwardly directed posts having forwardly facing shoulders, a plurality of projections proximate the respective openings, each projection having a forward facing shoulder a plurality of resilient latches integrally molded in the panel, and lateral sidewalls extending rearwardly well beyond a main body portion of the panel, the sidewalls being parallel to the row of openings. A bus bar selected from two different width bus bars has a plurality of holes to be disposed over the posts and a plurality of branch circuit fingers extending transversely to the bus bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Reiner, David L. Vogel
  • Patent number: 5057039
    Abstract: An electrical or communications monument for selective mounting along an edge of a work surface which may have a predetermined minimum spacing between the edge and an adjacent obstruction. The monument includes a one-piece bracket having a back portion from which a base and first and second spaced support arms extend. The base joins the back portion with a curved section which has a predetermined relative large radius. The back portion extends above the support arms to provide a flange upon which a receptacle is mounted. The curved section enables the bracket to be mounted along an edge of a work surface, notwithstanding a closely spaced wall, with the support arms resting upon the work surface. A screw is threadedly engaged with the base. Engagement of the screw with the lower side of the work surface provides a firm three-point support for the monument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Brian J. Persing, Philip C. Banas, Timothy J. Wiersma, John P. Connor, James R. Bouse