Patents by Inventor Robert L. Knapp

Robert L. Knapp 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: 10381808
    Abstract: An electrical power or data system for height-adjustable furniture includes a self-retracting cord section that extends and retracts in response to an upper furniture portion raising and lowering with respect to a lower furniture portion, such as to limit or avoid entanglement of the cord with other objects in the vicinity of the furniture. The system includes an electrical power or data cord having an input end portion and an output end portion, with the retracting cord section disposed between the input and output end portions, and with an electrical power or data connector at the output end portion and configured for mounting along the upper furniture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp
  • Patent number: 10050473
    Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Patent number: 10027059
    Abstract: A twist-lock electrical connector includes first and second connector portions each having a respective interface end portion and longitudinal axes. The first connector has a projection and the second connector has a corresponding bore along the connectors' respective longitudinal axes. Two electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the projection at the first interface end portion, and two other electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the bore at the second interface end portion. The interface end portions are configured to engage one another at a first rotational orientation in which the bore receives the projection when the first and second longitudinal axes are made substantially coaxial and the connector portions are brought together along their axes. The interface end portions further engage one another at a second rotational orientation in which the first pair of electrical contacts electrically engage the second pair of electrical contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Robert L. Knapp, Nickolas J. Morrow
  • Publication number: 20180090915
    Abstract: An electrical power or data system for height-adjustable furniture includes a self-retracting cord section that extends and retracts in response to an upper furniture portion raising and lowering with respect to a lower furniture portion, such as to limit or avoid entanglement of the cord with other objects in the vicinity of the furniture. The system includes an electrical power or data cord having an input end portion and an output end portion, with the retracting cord section disposed between the input and output end portions, and with an electrical power or data connector at the output end portion and configured for mounting along the upper furniture portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20170317446
    Abstract: A twist-lock electrical connector includes first and second connector portions each having a respective interface end portion and longitudinal axes. The first connector has a projection and the second connector has a corresponding bore along the connectors' respective longitudinal axes. Two electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the projection at the first interface end portion, and two other electrical contacts are located at opposite sides of the bore at the second interface end portion. The interface end portions are configured to engage one another at a first rotational orientation in which the bore receives the projection when the first and second longitudinal axes are made substantially coaxial and the connector portions are brought together along their axes. The interface end portions further engage one another at a second rotational orientation in which the first pair of electrical contacts electrically engage the second pair of electrical contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Marc A. Mitchell, Robert L. Knapp, Nickolas J. Morrow
  • Patent number: 9711921
    Abstract: An electrical contact receptacle includes a base with opposed contact portions extending from one surface thereof. Each contact portion has three arms in spaced arrangement, and optionally a bridge portion extending across outboard arms. Each of arms has an inner contact surface for conductively engaging a blade terminal or a bus bar. Optionally, the base defines an opening through which a tip portion of a blade terminal can be received, thereby permitting insertion of the blade terminal from above or below the contact receptacle, and allowing for additional contact surfaces with the blade terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree, David J. Battey
  • Patent number: 9698550
    Abstract: An electrical power outlet housing assembly is provided for mounting electrical and/or data outlets in a work area or the like. The housing assembly includes at least one outlet housing portion having an interior surface that is configured to support the electrical components of an electrical and/or data outlet. The outlet housing portion cooperates with a housing enclosure portion by filling an opening of the housing enclosure, where the housing enclosure and outlet housing portions cooperate with a housing base to define an interior cavity that receives the electrical or electronic components associated with the electrical or data outlets. The electrical components may be installed without any separate mechanical fasteners, and the housing components may be assembled with minimal use of separate fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: 9608455
    Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Patent number: 9595777
    Abstract: An electrical terminal assembly is provided for use in a low-profile electrical raceway or the like. The terminal assembly includes first and second conductive bodies and an insulator disposed between them. The first body has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in a terminal plane. The second body also has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in the same terminal plane as the terminals of the first body. The terminals of the second body are positioned next to respective terminals of the first body. The central portions of the first and second bodies are stacked atop one another and therefore lie in different planes, at least one of which is different from the terminal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Publication number: 20170047780
    Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Publication number: 20160372962
    Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Patent number: 9484751
    Abstract: A wireless electrical power system provides access to high voltage and/or low voltage electrical power at portable articles that are positionable at different locations within a work area, and substantially without the use of exposed cabling. The power system includes a portable article that is positionable at two or more locations within a work area. The work area is defined by a plurality of surfaces, at least one of which incorporates a wireless electrical power transmitter. The portable article incorporates a wireless electrical power receiver that is configured to receive electrical power from the wireless power transmitter when the wireless power receiver is sufficiently close to the wireless power transmitter. The portable article further includes an electrical power outlet that provides users in the work area with access to the electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Publication number: 20160301169
    Abstract: An electrical terminal assembly is provided for use in a low-profile electrical raceway or the like. The terminal assembly includes first and second conductive bodies and an insulator disposed between them. The first body has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in a terminal plane. The second body also has at least two branches including respective electrical terminals extending outwardly from a main or central portion, with the terminals positioned in the same terminal plane as the terminals of the first body. The terminals of the second body are positioned next to respective terminals of the first body. The central portions of the first and second bodies are stacked atop one another and therefore lie in different planes, at least one of which is different from the terminal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Publication number: 20160294137
    Abstract: An electrical power outlet housing assembly is provided for mounting electrical and/or data outlets in a work area or the like. The housing assembly includes at least one outlet housing portion having an interior surface that is configured to support the electrical components of an electrical and/or data outlet. The outlet housing portion cooperates with a housing enclosure portion by filling an opening of the housing enclosure, where the housing enclosure and outlet housing portions cooperate with a housing base to define an interior cavity that receives the electrical or electronic components associated with the electrical or data outlets. The electrical components may be installed without any separate mechanical fasteners, and the housing components may be assembled with minimal use of separate fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: 9438070
    Abstract: An electrical article with cord-free charging zone provides users in a work area with access to low-voltage charging for portable electronic devices, in which electrical current is conveyed upon placement of an electronic device within the charging zone. The electrical article is configured for use in a work area, and includes a housing, a low voltage charging zone with power unit, and an electrical power input. The charging zone is defined along at least a portion of an upper surface of the housing. The low voltage power unit is operable to cordlessly convey electrical power to a portable electrical or electronic device that is positioned at the low voltage charging zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Timothy J. Warwick, Roger D. Burdi
  • Publication number: 20160254627
    Abstract: An electrical contact receptacle includes a base with opposed contact portions extending from one surface thereof. Each contact portion has three arms in spaced arrangement, and optionally a bridge portion extending across outboard arms. Each of arms has an inner contact surface for conductively engaging a blade terminal or a bus bar. Optionally, the base defines an opening through which a tip portion of a blade terminal can be received, thereby permitting insertion of the blade terminal from above or below the contact receptacle, and allowing for additional contact surfaces with the blade terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: D758319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: D758321
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: D767500
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree
  • Patent number: D775088
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Robert L. Knapp, Steven K. Meek, Matthew R. Andree