Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a top portion and a base portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess are provided therebetween for securely holding a container. At least one gear is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that has a directional component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the recess.

Abstract: An automatic discharge device comprises a housing adapted to receive a container therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator arm includes a dispensing bore therein. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The actuator arm is adapted to engage and actuate a nozzle of the container in the first position and allow a fluid disposed in an interior of the container to be dispensed through the nozzle and the dispensing bore of the actuator arm.

Abstract: A surface-mount touch panel cradle is disclosed for use in electrically controlling remote components. The surface-mount touch panel cradle comprises a surface mounted receptacle. A cradle frame can be coupled to the receptacle. A frame biasing mechanism can be configured to move the cradle frame away from the information mount to enable the touch panel to be inserted and removed from the receptacle. An electrical connection can be located within the receptacle. The electrical connection can be configured to be electrically coupled to the touch panel.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mounting a faceplate. The system includes a sub-plate configured to be coupled to a junction box. The sub-plate can have an interference-fit socket extending through the sub-plate. The interference-fit socket comprises one or more interference fingers located adjacent to a post opening. A post extending from the faceplate can be positioned and sized such that, as the faceplate is coupled to the sub-plate, the post will be received into the post opening in the interference-fit socket and engaged by the one or more interference fingers, enabling the faceplate to be securely mounted to the sub-plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: A fastening system suitable for use in attaching a first component, having upper and lower surfaces, to a second component. The fastening system includes a mounting structure having a contact portion configured to be joined about a through hole defined by either the first or the second component and to receive the fastener after the fastener has passed through the through hole. Additionally, the mounting structure includes a standoff portion joined to the contact portion. The standoff portion is configured to receive the fastener so that the fastener resides in the mounting structure in a predetermined position with respect to the first and second components when the first and second components are joined together by the fastener.

Abstract: The present invention is a retractable/extendable diversity antenna that provides the appropriate polarization in a horizontal orientation. The antenna structure is placed within a Type II PCMCIA PC card package and may be extended or retracted with one touch. The antenna structure is large enough to provide for the diversity antenna design and may optionally be housed within a PCMCIA Type II PC Card. At least one spring-loaded mechanism is used to extend the antenna structure beyond the PCMCIA PC Card package and to provide stability while the antenna structure is in the extended position. The diversity antenna configuration may consist of either two miniature, planar antenna modules or two etched printed circuit board contours that are spaced as far apart as possible with a minimum separation of a quarter wave length distance in order to provide mitigation to radio multipath fading effects.

Abstract: A modular jack, for coupling with a physical/electrical media plug, comprises a frame, a rocker arm, electrical contacts, and a retractable cover guard for protecting the electrical contacts during nonuse. The retractable cover guard moves from a protective position to a retracted position when a physical/electrical media plug is inserted into the modular jack and returns to the protective position when the physical/electrical media plug is removed. While only a shallow insertion depth of the physical/electrical media plug is permitted, the rocker arm aligns and mechanically secures the physical/electrical media plug within the modular jack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable and/or retractable extension for an electronic apparatus which is connected to the apparatus with a physically independent electrical connector which enables the extension to be retracted, extended, removed and replaced without connection or disconnection of wires, cables, plugs, jacks, flex connectors and similar devices which physically restrain the extension. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include longitudinally extensible conductors or leaf-spring conductors to provide a physically independent electrical connection between the retractable and/or removable extension and its host electronic apparatus. The extensions of some embodiments of the present invention include antennas, physical/electrical media connectors and similar electrical and electronic devices.

Abstract: A computer card assembly for removeable insertion into a receiving/expansion slot of a host computer is presented. The computer card assembly facilitates the removal and recombination of at least one electronic card in an electronic card interface tray that includes a shared interface. An electronic card interface tray includes an external shared interface that can facilitate larger jacks and opposing sidewalls which together form bays or slots within the computer card assembly. The electronic card is sized to be received within a bay of the card tray to facilitate insertion of the computer card assembly into the host expansion slot. The electronic card supports the standard host interface while sharing and external interface, such as a network interface, with other cards within the computer card assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable and/or retractable extension for an electronic apparatus which is connected to the apparatus with a physically independent electrical connector which enables the extension to be retracted, extended, removed and replaced without connection or disconnection of wires, cables, plugs, jacks, flex connectors and similar devices which physically restrain the extension. Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise longitudinally extensible conductors or leaf-spring conductors to provide a physically independent electrical connection between the retractable and/or removable extension and its host electronic apparatus. The extensions of some embodiments of the present invention comprise antennas, physical/electrical media connectors and similar electrical and electronic devices.

Abstract: A communications card, which preferably conforms to the PCMCIA requirements for a Type III PC card, includes a housing formed by a top cover and a bottom cover. An opening is formed in the housing of the communications card sized and the opening is sized and configured to receive a RJ series connector plug such that no portion of the plug extends through either the top surface or the bottom surface of the communications card. In particular, a portion of the top cover defines an upper portion of the opening and a portion of the bottom cover defines a lower portion of the opening. Preferably, the distance from the top surface to the bottom surface of the communications card is generally equal to or less than about 10.5 mm. Additionally, a distance that is generally equal to or less than about 10.1 mm separates the inner upper surface of the opening from the lower inner surface of the opening.

Abstract: A communications card includes a housing formed by a top cover and a lower cover panel. The top cover is constructed from a generally non-conductive material and the lower cover panel is constructed from a conductive material. A substrate is disposed within the housing and a conductive panel is positioned between the substrate and the top cover. The conductive panel overlies at least a portion of the substrate, and the conductive panel and lower cover panel are electrically connected to ground when the communications card is inserted into a host device in order to decrease the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the communications card. Preferably, the communications card conforms to the standards established for a PCMCIA Type III card. Additionally, the communications card may include a modular jack with a main body portion having a top surface, a bottom outer surface and a front surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a guide and positioning mechanism for dictating retraction motion of a retractable member such as a retractable media jack. The apparatus is comprised of a “J-shaped” cam follower having a short end press-fit into a cam pushing with the longer end of the cam follower tracing out the path boundaries as dictated by a groove within a cam track. The cam bushing is comprised of a generally cylindrical cam axle through with the short end of the cam follower passes and an extended wedge-shaped extension for providing support to the extended longer portion of the cam follower. The longer portion of the cam follower is rotationally bounded by stops on each end of the wedge-shaped extension on the cam axle which keeps the long end of the cam follower radially bounded as the cam follower traces a catch and release path of the cam track during extension and retraction of the retractable member.

Abstract: The present invention is a shield which protects the electrical connections between a media interface and a physical/electrical media connector. The shield is made of a material which meets the electrical and safety specifications found in the IEEE 950 standard and the UL 1950 standard When a media connector is inserted in a media interface used in Type I and Type II PCMCIA cards, the shield covers and isolates the electrical connections between the media interface and the media connector and prevents current from flowing to an external object.

Abstract: A connector includes a modular housing having a jack slidably disposed thereto. The housing includes a substantially U-shaped frame having a cover mounted thereon. A printed circuit board (PCB) is secured to the frame and has an elongated center finger extending between the opposing side walls of the frame. A plurality of partially exposed contact lines are formed on the center finger of the PCB. The jack includes a slide plate having an aperture extending therethrough and a channel communicating with the aperture. The aperture is configured to receive a media plug. Mounted on the slide plate so as to be positioned over the channel is a pin block. The pin block has a plurality of elongated slots formed therein. The slots face the channel and are separated by insulating walls. Disposed within each of the elongated slots is a substantially S-shaped pin.

Abstract: A light matrix display system and a lamp socket for use therein. The lamp socket receives a single lamp which may be easily replaced by another lamp. The lamp socket is also designed so that it may be readily replaced if necessary. A solid state switching circuit is replaceably mounted on each lamp socket. Thus, if a switching circuit fails, it may be quickly replaced without disturbing the operation of other lamps. The light matrix display system includes a plurality of lamps arranged in rows and columns. A plurality of row control conductors and column control conductors are provided which are connected to a matrix system controller. Hot and neutral AC current supplying conductors and one row control conductor and one column control conductor are directly connected to each lamp socket and the switching circuit associated with the lamp socket.