Abstract: An electrical cable includes a cable jacket defining a central longitudinal axis and a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors oriented longitudinally within the cable jacket. Each of the twisted pairs of insulated conductors has a width. A filler element is disposed in the cable jacket and is located adjacent to at least one of the twisted pairs of insulated conductors. The filler element defines a width that is substantially larger than the width of each the twisted pairs of insulated conductors. The filler element has a central axis laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis of the cable jacket. The filler element reduces alien crosstalk from an adjacent cable. A separator is disposed in said cable jacket between the twisted pairs of insulated conductors to reduce crosstalk between the twisted pairs of insulated conductors.

Abstract: A modular communications connector includes a housing defining a plug receiving opening, a conductor carrying sled including a printed circuit board designed in conjunction with the conductors to improve crosstalk performance. The connector includes a wire containment fixture arrangement allows for simplified field termination of the modular connector. The connector is assembled by loading the contacts and printed circuit board onto the sled, which is snap fit into the housing. Then, wires are positioned through the wire containment fixture and the fixture is slidably engaged with the sled at a first position and slid along the sled to a second position where the wires are terminated with IDCs mounted on the sled. The connector preferably includes first and second pluralities of conductors, with the second plurality each having IDC portions arranged in first and second rows of four IDCs.

Abstract: The invention is a modular cable termination plug having a conductor divider having an entrant barb and a plurality of divider channels, a load bar having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of slots, and a plurality of contact terminals. Additionally, the invention may include a housing, a strain relief collar and a strain relief boot.

Abstract: A cable includes a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated conductors, and an insulating cable jacket that has a central longitudinal axis encloses the twisted pairs of insulated conductors. The cable jacket defines an inner perimeter that surrounds the twisted pairs of insulated conductors that is substantially circular in section transverse to the central longitudinal axis and an outer perimeter that is substantially non-circular in section transverse to the central longitudinal axis. The outer perimeter includes at least one raised area for maintaining spacing from an adjacent cable, thereby reducing alien crosstalk.

Abstract: An network management system (NMS) architecture is disclosed that takes advantage of intelligence capable network devices for network monitoring and control. NMS functions may be distributed where possible to intelligent devices where local storage and processing may be performed. Local collection and processing of monitoring information may reduce NMS-related network traffic, permit continuing local control and operation during times of network communication disruption with the central NMS, and permit greater reliability in data collection and execution of network functions such as the enforcement of security policy at the respective intelligent devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for directing and facilitating the installation and revision of communications connections use indicators on active jacks to inform installers and revisors of installation and revision instructions forwarded by a network installation, monitoring, and/or revising system. Cross-connect and interconnect systems utilize patch panels populated with active jacks having indicators for facilitating installation and revision of cabling.

Abstract: A printing system includes a printing machine and media cartridge. The printing machine has a housing, a printing mechanism and a processing unit connected to the housing, a media cartridge interface connecting the media cartridge to the printing machine, and a look-up table for storing media cartridge parameters. The media cartridge has a media support for a media source, and a printed circuit board. The printed circuit has a plurality of conductive traces with fusible links connected together in a circuit pattern on at least one of its sides. The circuit pattern includes an encoding of at least one media cartridge parameter that may be stored in the look-up table of the printing machine.

Abstract: The invention is a modular cable termination plug having a conductor divider having an entrant barb and a plurality of divider channels, a load bar having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of slots, and a plurality of contact terminals. Additionally, the invention may include a housing, a strain relief collar and a strain relief boot.

Abstract: The invention is a modular cable termination plug having a conductor divider having an entrant barb and a plurality of divider channels, a load bar having a plurality of through holes and a plurality of slots, and a plurality of contact terminals. Additionally, the invention may include a housing, a strain relief collar and a strain relief boot.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal printhead mechanism having a stationary spring channel, a top bracket supported by the spring channel, and a printhead mounted to the top bracket. Additionally, the invention may include a cam, a bottom bracket, and a front mounting plate.

Abstract: A computer system according to the present invention comprises in a preferred embodiment a memory, a processor, an input and an output. The computer system receives part data and forecast data for each part in an inventory, including the number of units in the inventory, the cost, and the forecast unit demand. The computer system uses the part data and forecast data for each part to optimize the number of units of each part in the inventory for a selected inventory investment or service level constraint. The computer system optimizes the number of units of each part in the inventory by determining the number of units for each part for which the marginal increase in the number of orders for the part filled from the inventory for each additional order stocked is equal to the marginal increase for every other part and for which either the inventory service level equals the service level constraint or the inventory investment equals the inventory investment constraint.

Abstract: A self-stripping connector is disclosed wherein a pair of channels are disposed in a unitary insulating body having a base portion and cover portion hingedly secured together. The walls of the insulating body define an aperture extending transversely of and intersecting each of the channels and provide a guide surface for a contact element positioned in the aperture for making positive electrical connection to a pair of wires disposed in the channels. The contact element has a first surface defining an outer boundary that is in contact with the guide surface at points spaced on the boundary lying in more than a single plane and is configured so as to be substantially supported against tipping by the insulating body prior to, and during, engagement with the wires.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a plurality of elongate objects such as wires into a bundle of circular cross section. The apparatus comprises a base adapted to be securely affixed to a mount such as a panelboard and a frame for mounting on the base. The frame comprises a pair of arms extending upwardly from adjacent the base with each arm terminating in an end portion. The end portions are movable relative to one another between a retaining position wherein the spacing between the end portions is less than the diameter of one of the objects and a release position wherein the spacing is at least as great as the object diameter. In their release portion, the end portions define an object-receiving opening. The arms are biased toward their retaining position. The apparatus further comprises a length of elastomeric material removably carried by the frame and free of the base. The length includes a portion bridging the arms adjacent the free ends.

Abstract: Harness assembly apparatus for maintaining close grouping of a plurality of flexible elongate objects such as wires as the objects make a turn and are formed into a bundle. The apparatus includes retaining means for releasably holding the objects and further includes support means to be mounted on a panelboard or the like and supporting the retaining means. The retaining means includes generally rigid abutment means which engages the bundle and defines the turn therein, and an arm captively held by the support means. The arm is movable relative to the support means between a retaining position wherein it is disposed above the abutment means and extends at least partially outside the turn and a release position wherein the arm is disposed substantially inside the turn of the bundle. At least a portion of the abutment means is responsive to movement of the arm towards its release position to move away from the turn of the bundle as defined by the abutment means when the arm is in its retaining position.

Abstract: An improvement in a cable tie installation tool. The tool includes a tool member for fastening a cable tie about a bundle of wires or the like, conveyor means connected to the tool member, and propulsion means for propelling a cable tie through the conveyor means to the tool member. The tool member includes a positioning means for placing the tie about the bundle, a tube receiving the cable tie from the conveyor means and transmitting the tie toward the positioning means, and stop means engagable with the head of the tie for limiting movement of the head toward the positioning means. The improvement comprises braking means for decelerating the tie as it passes through the tube and before the tie head reaches the stop means whereby the likelihood of damage to the tie head upon engagement with the stop means is reduced and the service life of the stop means is extended.

Abstract: A self-locking cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects into a bundle. The cable tie comprises an elongate strap including a pair of spaced longitudinally extending side rails joined by a plurality of spaced transverse rungs; and a head extending from adjacent one end of the strap and including a strap entry face, a strap exit face and a strap-receiving aperture extending between the faces. The cable tie further comprises a locking dog including a flexible neck pivotally joining the dog to the head. The dog is formed of a material having greater strength in compressive loading than in shear loading per unit cross-sectional area. Furthermore, the dog extends into the aperture and toward the strap exit face. The dog is sequentially engageable with the rungs and is resiliently biased to extend between adjacent rungs of the strap. The dog further includes a free end portion comprising positioning means for holding the rung to be held.

Abstract: A self-locking cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects such as wires into a bundle. The cable tie comprises an elongate flexible strap positionable about the objects and including a plurality of spaced transversely extending abutments; and a head extending from adjacent one end of the strap having a strap entrance face, a strap exit face, and a transverse aperture extending between the faces for receiving the distal end of the strap. The cable tie further comprises non-pivotal locking means carried by the head and extending into the aperture for securely engaging a preselected one of the abutments and pusher means carried by the head and extending into the aperture.

Abstract: A self-locking cable tie for forming a plurality of wires or the like into a bundle. The tie comprises a stretched elongate flexible strap portion for positioning about the wires. The strap portion is made of a plastic material comprising stretch-oriented molecules. An integral head portion extends from one end of the strap portion and has a strap entrance face, a strap exit face, and a generally transverse aperture extending from the strap entrance face to the strap exit face for receiving the distal end of the strap portion. The aperture has a predetermined strap path therethrough. The tie also includes a locking means non-integral with the head portion and which has a free end portion extending into the strap path and toward the strap exit face. The free end portion and the strap portion each have an engageable component for causing a localized stress concentration in the strap portion.

Abstract: A releasable cable tie for forming a plurality of elongate objects such as wires into a bundle. The tie includes an elongate strap and a locking head which has strap entry and exit faces, a strap-receiving aperture extending between the faces and having a predetermined strap pass path therethrough, and a locking pawl extending into the aperture and toward the strap exit face for holding the strap. The pawl is movable between a release position wherein it is adjacent the strap exit face and disposed outside the strap pass path and an engagement position wherein the pawl is disposed adjacent the strap entry face and securely holds the strap. The cable tie further includes a fulcrum extending toward the strap exit face and a release arm extending from the pawl comprising a generally rigid lever and a generally flexible hinge joining the lever to the pawl.

Abstract: A holder for forming a plurality of strands of wire into a bundle for assembling a cable harness. The holder includes a frame having relatively movable arms .[.of which the ends are in spaced relationship.]. .Iadd.terminating in opposing separate ends.Iaddend.. An elastic band is fastened on the frame to .[.yieldably hold the ends spaced and.]. provide a cradle for the wires .Iadd.and to coact with the ends to releasably retain the strands..Iaddend. .Iadd.