Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies that can be substantially flush with the external surfaces of the housings of the devices, despite variations in their manufacture. The ejectable component assemblies may include connectors coupled to circuit boards of the devices, and trays that can be loaded with removable modules, inserted through openings in the housings of the devices, and into the connectors for functionally aligning the removable modules with the circuit boards. The ejectable component assemblies may also include ejectors coupled to the housings of the devices for ejecting the trays from the connectors and, thus, from the devices themselves.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a cord retraction mechanism for an input device. A subassembly having an input device, a cable, and a retraction mechanism is provided. The cable has first and second opposing ends, with the first end being operable to be coupled to a computing device, and the second end being operable to be coupled to the input device. The cable provides an electrical communication between the computing device and the input device. The cable has an extended configuration and a storage configuration. In the extended configuration, the cable extends outwardly from the computing device. In the storage configuration, the majority of the cable is in a substantially linear orientation. The retraction mechanism has at least one pulley member for displacing the pulley member between first and second positions to allow the cable to move from the storage configuration to the extended configuration.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies that can be substantially flush with the external surfaces of the housings of the devices, despite variations in their manufacture. The ejectable component assemblies may include connectors coupled to circuit boards of the devices, and trays that can be loaded with removable modules, inserted through openings in the housings of the devices, and into the connectors for functionally aligning the removable modules with the circuit boards. The ejectable component assemblies may also include ejectors coupled to the housings of the devices for ejecting the trays from the connectors and, thus, from the devices themselves.

Abstract: Electrical power adapters comprising retractable prongs and/or retractable electrical outputs are disclosed. In one example, an electrical travel adapter includes a power unit having a retractable electrical output and a plug unit coupled to the power unit, the plug unit having a plurality of retractable prongs.

Abstract: A system and method are described for a variable mount arm assembly for installing support structures within different types of rack systems. Embodiments of the invention disclose a rack system support member comprising a rotatable bracket having first and second mounting interfaces on first and second mounting faces of the bracket. The rotatable bracket can be secured in a first position to mount the support member in a rack system that uses the first mounting interface. The bracket can be released from the first position and rotated to a second position to mount the support member in a rack system that employs the second mounting interface.

Abstract: Electronic devices are provided with ejectable component assemblies that can be substantially flush with the external surfaces of the housings of the devices, despite variations in their manufacture. The ejectable component assemblies may include connectors coupled to circuit boards of the devices, and trays that can be loaded with removable modules, inserted through openings in the housings of the devices, and into the connectors for functionally aligning the removable modules with the circuit boards. The ejectable component assemblies may also include ejectors coupled to the housings of the devices for ejecting the trays from the connectors and, thus, from the devices themselves.

Abstract: An ejector assembly for securing a blade in a rack and for ejecting the blade from the rack. The ejector assembly includes an ejector handle movable between a first position wherein the blade is secured in the rack and a second position wherein the blade can be removed from the rack. The ejector assembly also includes a release mechanism to hold the ejector handle in the first position. Upon actuation of the release mechanism, the ejector handle may be moved toward the second position. The ejector assembly may further include a lock mechanism to prevent actuation of the release mechanism.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing a cord retraction mechanism for an input device. A subassembly having an input device, a cable, and a retraction mechanism is provided. The cable has first and second opposing ends, with the first end being operable to be coupled to a computing device, and the second end being operable to be coupled to the input device. The cable provides an electrical communication between the computing device and the input device. The cable has an extended configuration and a storage configuration. In the extended configuration, the cable extends outwardly from the computing device. In the storage configuration, the majority of the cable is in a substantially linear orientation. The retraction mechanism has at least one pulley member for displacing the pulley member between first and second positions to allow the cable to move from the storage configuration to the extended configuration.

Abstract: Fiber optic conduits are received around a central axis with their axes extending in the same direction as the central axis and with each fiber optic conduit tangent to two other fiber optic conduits. The fiber optic conduits define a first interstitial space therebetween and a plurality of second interstitial spaces between each pair of fiber optic conduits on a side thereof opposite the first interstitial space. An interstitial member is received tangent to each pair of fiber optic conduits defining each second interstitial space. Grounding members surround the interstitial members and the fiber optic conduits with their longitudinal axes extending in the same direction as the central axis. Each grounding member is tangent to two other grounding members and an imaginary tube which surrounds and is tangent to the interstitial members and the fiber optic conduits and which has a longitudinal axis coaxial with the central axis.

Abstract: A system and method for providing one or more detachable components for a computer system are disclosed. The system and method allow for simplified customization of a user's computer system. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a housing component at least partially defining an exterior surface of the computer system. The housing component may have at least one mounting finger, which may be a pin like protrusion or an elongated and flat extension. The mounting finger may extend from the housing component and be formed to define a locking shoulder. The system may also include a detachable component having a mounting tab. The mounting tab may interact with the locking shoulder to releasably couple the detachable component to the housing component.

Abstract: Fiber optic conduits are received around a central axis with their axes extending in the same direction as the central axis and with each fiber optic conduit tangent to two other fiber optic conduits. The fiber optic conduits define a first interstitial space therebetween and a plurality of second interstitial spaces between each pair of fiber optic conduits on a side thereof opposite the first interstitial space. An interstitial member is received tangent to each pair of fiber optic conduits defining each second interstitial space. Grounding members surround the interstitial members and the fiber optic conduits with their longitudinal axes extending in the same direction as the central axis. Each grounding member is tangent to two other grounding members and an imaginary tube which surrounds and is tangent to the interstitial members and the fiber optic conduits and which has a longitudinal axis coaxial with the central axis.

Abstract: A system and method for providing one or more detachable components for a computer system are disclosed. The system and method allow for simplified customization of a user's computer system. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a housing component at least partially defining an exterior surface of the computer system. The housing component may have at least one mounting finger, which may be a pin like protrusion or an elongated and flat extension. The mounting finger may extend from the housing component and be formed to define a locking shoulder. The system may also include a detachable component having a mounting tab. The mounting tab may interact with the locking shoulder to releasably couple the detachable component to the housing component.

Abstract: A multi-pole switch assembly (100, 400) includes a housing (102, 402) having an opening (122) and includes a supporting substrate (116) positioned opposite the opening (122). A first switch (112), a second switch (112), and an elastomeric support (104) are positioned on the supporting substrate (116). An actuator (108) is supported by the elastomeric support (104) and includes a first latching element (126) and a second latching element (126) which secure the actuator (108) to the supporting substrate (116) within the opening (122). The first latching element (126) and the second latching element (126) enable motion of the actuator (108) in a direction substantially normal to the supporting substrate (116) for actuating the first switch (112) and the second switch (112), respectively.

Abstract: A cable having a thixotropic filling compound therein, the filling compound being a gel composition including a water absorbent hydrocarbon polymer with pendent anionic groups. The composition eliminates shorts caused by moisture contact with such wires. The cable including the composition is stabilized against thermally induced capacitance changes and shows improved oxidation induction times.

Abstract: A wiring harness is provided which, among other uses, allows quick and convenient installation of lights on a Christmas tree. Preferably, the wiring harness includes a flexible, resilient, C-shaped ring body having a channel-shaped cross section with an interior surface; a plurality of electrical receptacles received within a corresponding plurality of cavities defined in the interior surface of the ring member; and a conductor pair electrically intercoupling the receptacles with an electrical plug. In advantageous use, the harness, with a plurality of strands of tree lights already plugged into the receptacles, is spread apart, placed about the upper boughs of the tree and released whereupon the essential labor is completed for placing the lights on the tree.

Abstract: Disclosed are telephone cable filling materials and telephone cables comprised of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors twisted together to form a core in which there are a multiplicity of interstices between the insulated electrical conductors filled with the cable filler materials. The filling materials are composed of a petrolatum base material and inorganic microspheres and can be divided into two groups: (1) a first group to fill cables used at temperatures below the melting point of the petrolatum and (2) a second group to fill cables that may be used above that temperature. The first group is composed of mixtures of 40 to 90 weight percent petrolatum and 1 to 60 weight percent inorganic hollow (air filled) microspheres. When mixtures from this group are used as a filler in a telephone cable, the filler has a drip point nearly equal to the average melting point of the petrolatum, normally 57.2.degree. C. The second group is composed of two embodiments.

Abstract: Disclosed are telephone cable filling materials and telephone cables comprised of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors twisted together to form a core in which there are a multiplicity of interstices between the insulated electrical conductors filled with the cable filler materials. The filling materials are composed of a petrolatum base material and inorganic microspheres and can be divided into two groups: (1) a first group to fill cables used at temperatures below the melting point of the petrolatum and (2) a second group to fill cables that may be used above that temperature. The first group is composed of mixtures of 40 to 90 weight percent petrolatum and 1 to 60 weight percent inorganic hollow (air filled) microspheres. When mixtures from this group are used as a filler in a telephone cable, the filler has a drip point nearly equal to the average melting point of the petrolatum, normally 57.2.degree. C. The second group is composed of two embodiments.