Abstract: A method for operating a termination device of an access communication network includes (a) performing, at the termination device, a first start-up procedure, (b) after performing the first start-up procedure, detecting, at the termination device, presence of a communication signal meeting one or more predetermined criteria, and (c) in response to detecting presence of the communication signal meeting the one or more predetermined criteria, performing, at the termination device, a second start-up procedure that is different from the first start-up procedure.

Abstract: A beverage container holder includes a holder body presenting a container well, an adjusting wall, a support strap and a spacer element. The adjusting wall is adjustably coupled with the holder body in spanning relationship with the well for selectively altering the span of the well in order to support and retain differently sized containers. In preferred forms, adjustment notches are defined in the top wall of the holder body on opposed sides of the well for receiving respective pins extending from the adjustable wall adjacent the opposed ends thereof. The spacer element is eccentrically and rotatable coupled with the bottom wall for selective adjustment of the spacing between the holder body and an upright support surface.

Abstract: A cup holding assembly for use in vehicles includes a strap having upper and lower ends, a cup holder, a support means for supporting the cup holder on the strap, at least one mounting means for mounting the assembly to any of a number of interior vehicle structures, and a leveling means for adjusting the orientation of the cup holder with respect to the vehicle. A first mounting means is provided adjacent the upper end of the strap, and includes a tongue protruding downward from the upper end, the strap and the tongue defining a hook, a suction cup, and a clip means for clipping the suction cup to the upper end. The first mounting means allows the assembly to be mounted to a door of the vehicle having a shiftable window and space for receiving the shiftable window. A second mounting means may be provided adjacent the lower end, and includes a mounting clip which engages a headrest support for mounting the assembly on the headrest support.

Abstract: A fastener is formed with an elongated threaded portion defined by a central shank and a thread formed on the shank, a neck collinear with the shank, and a head provided with a recess adapted to receive a tool for rotating the fastener. The shank of the threaded portion includes a cylindrical body and a tapered penetrating point extending longitudinally from the body. The thread is provided with a constant diameter section along the cylindrical body and a tapered section along the tapered penetrating point. The constant diameter section defines a major diameter that is more than about double the minor diameter defined by the body of the shank. The thread defines a pitch greater than the cross-sectional thickness of the thread along the shank so that the cylindrical shank is exposed within each pitch of the thread.

Abstract: A universal cup holder (10) for use in vehicles comprising a base (12) having a pair of fixed upright arms (14,16); an adjustable unit (18) shiftably carried by the base (12), the adjustable unit (18) including a pair of upright arms (20,22) which are shiftable toward and away from the fixed arms (14,16) whereby to permit the creation of a cup receiving area (24) of differing sizes within the confines of the arms (14,16,20,22) with open spaces (26,28,30,32) being between all of the arms for receiving the handle, if present, on the container positioned within the cup receiving area (24). Incremental shifting of the unit (18) is permitted by a ratcheting pawl assembly (56) which, once the cup receiving area (24) has been defined may be locked by means (64) to retain the area (24) in its desired dimension.