Patents by Inventor Randall L. Bixler

Randall L. Bixler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6805567
    Abstract: A power distribution system has a plurality of interlockable elongated power distribution modules each including an insulative housing formed from two matable insulative housing portions enclosing a plurality of elongated conductors. Each housing portions includes an elongated rib and groove structure along an edge thereof for engaging a corresponding rib and groove structure of an adjacent power distribution module thereby allowing modules to be joined together. Each module includes a plurality of electrical connection stations disposed along the housing and electrically connected to insulation-free regions of at least some of the conductors by the spanning prongs of electrical connector terminals. Certain stations receive electrical receptacles and other stations receive power jumpers to supply electrical energy to and from the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon F. Chapman, Frank Roe, Randall L. Bixler, Phil Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6784364
    Abstract: A portable storage unit has a body; a cavity in the body; an access opening in the body for providing access to the cavity, and a door which is hingedly fixed to the body for selectively opening and closing the cavity access opening. An extensible member is slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as a floor and underside of a desk. A spring urges the extensible member resiliently toward the extended positions. The extensible member may be latched in the retracted position and the body has a handle for transporting the unit between sites. Electrical connectors such as communication ports or electrical receptacles may be mounted to the unit along with one or more cords for supplying current to the electrical connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Pent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Patent number: 6767060
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a support having a support surface. A plurality of air bladders are mounted relative to the support surface, each air bladder having expandable foam therein. At least one fluid line fluidly couples the air bladders together. A single valve is fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Craft, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20040029445
    Abstract: A power distribution system has a plurality of interlockable elongated power distribution modules each including an insulative housing formed from two matable insulative housing portions enclosing a plurality of elongated conductors. Each housing portions includes an elongated rib and groove structure along an edge thereof for engaging a corresponding rib and groove structure of an adjacent power distribution module thereby allowing modules to be joined together. Each module includes a plurality of electrical connection stations disposed along the housing and electrically connected to insulation-free regions of at least some of the conductors by the spanning prongs of electrical connector terminals. Certain stations receive electrical receptacles and other stations receive power jumpers to supply electrical energy to and from the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Gordon F. Chapman, Frank Roe, Randall L. Bixler, Phil Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6679557
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a support having a support surface. A plurality of air bladders are positioned relative to the support surface, each air bladder having expandable foam therein. At least one fluid line fluidly couples the air bladders together. A single valve is fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid line. A contoured cushion has an inner contoured portion generally conforming to said plurality of air bladders. The plurality of air bladders are mounted between the support surface and the contoured cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Craft, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20040008517
    Abstract: A light assembly including a housing, a light, a magnet and a magnetic field sensing switch positioned within the housing. The magnetic field sensing switch having at least two electrical conductors including at least one electrical conductor connected to the light. The magnet being moveably disposed in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Randall L. Bixler, Frank Roe
  • Publication number: 20030217857
    Abstract: A portable storage unit has a body; a cavity in the body; an access opening in the body for providing access to the cavity, and a door which is hingedly fixed to the body for selectively opening and closing the cavity access opening. An extensible member is slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as a floor and underside of a desk. A spring urges the extensible member resiliently toward the extended positions. The extensible member may be latched in the retracted position and the body has a handle for transporting the unit between sites. Electrical connectors such as communication ports or electrical receptacles may be mounted to the unit along with one or more cords for supplying current to the electrical connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roe, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Patent number: 6653562
    Abstract: A portable electrical unit including a body, a cavity in the body, a cavity access opening in the body, a door attached to the body for selectively opening and closing said cavity access opening, at least one extensible member slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the portable electrical unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces, all of the extensible members being resiliently biased in substantially the same direction and a distribution unit mounted in the body including at least one receptacle. The portable electrical unit may be secured in position intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as the floor and underside of a desk, or an upper desk or shelf surface and a higher shelf under-surface by one or more extensible members which are slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20030137178
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a support having a support surface. A plurality of air bladders are positioned relative to the support surface, each air bladder having expandable foam therein. At least one fluid line fluidly couples the air bladders together. A single valve is fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid line. A contoured cushion has an inner contoured portion generally conforming to said plurality of air bladders. The plurality of air bladders are mounted between the support surface and the contoured cushion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Raymond E. Craft, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20030075350
    Abstract: A portable electrical unit including a body, a cavity in the body, a cavity access opening in the body, a door attached to the body for selectively opening and closing said cavity access opening, at least one extensible member slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions for securing the portable electrical unit intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces, all of the extensible members being resiliently biased in substantially the same direction and a distribution unit mounted in the body including at least one receptacle. The portable electrical unit may be secured in position intermediate a pair of spaced apart surfaces such as the floor and underside of a desk, or an upper desk or shelf surface and a higher shelf under-surface by one or more extensible members which are slidably received in the body and movable between a retracted position and a range of extended positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Walter T. Kochanski, Frank Roc, Curtis G. Berndt, Randall L. Bixler
  • Publication number: 20020163233
    Abstract: An article of furniture includes a support having a support surface. A plurality of air bladders are mounted relative to the support surface, each air bladder having expandable foam therein. At least one fluid line fluidly couples the air bladders together. A single valve is fluidly coupled with the at least one fluid line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Raymond E. Craft, Randall L. Bixler
  • Patent number: 6248663
    Abstract: An electrical data distribution system includes a housing with two end surfaces and at least six low profile side surfaces. The two end surfaces have an absence of connector cut-outs, and each of the side surfaces has at least one connector cut-out. At least one multi-pin electrical feed connector is disposed within a corresponding one of the cut-outs in a corresponding one of the side surfaces. Each feed connector is configured for connection with a multi-conductor data feed cable. A plurality of multi-pin electrical break-out connectors are associated with a plurality of the side surfaces. Each pin in each break-out connector is electrically connected with one of the pins in a corresponding feed connector. Each break-out connector is disposed within a corresponding one of the cut-outs. The break-out connectors are disposed on different side surfaces than each feed connector. Each break-out connectors is configured for connection with a workstation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Pent Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall L. Bixler, Robert Einhaus, Rick Nowels, Donald E. DeWitt, Walter T. Kochanski
  • Patent number: 4767097
    Abstract: A valve-proportional solenoid arrangement is provided in a unitary housing. The spring elements of the solenoid are mounted within this housing in the nature of a clamped cartridge. Fluid movement through the valve is adjustable by either movement of the valve seat or the solenoid polepiece within the housing. The solenoid elements are secured into the housing by a threaded cap at one end. The valve elements are secured into the housing by a threaded cap at another end. In alternative embodiments, to assist in threaded securing of the armature to the retainer, portions of the circumference are flattened, although without altering the working area of the magnetic field with respect to the polepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignees: William F. Everett, Richard L. Dalton, Jr., Randall L. Bixler
    Inventors: William F. Everett, Richard L. Dalton, Jr., Randall L. Bixler