Abstract: An electrical device (800, 1100, 1700, 1800) includes: a housing (810, 1110) having a top portion (811, 1111); a bottom portion (816, 1316) opposite the top portion; and a first side portion (917, 1217) between the top portion and the bottom portion; and a first cable management element (850) located at the first side portion, and having a first flexible tube (851) with a first opening (852) along a length of the first flexible tube.

Abstract: A connector hub apparatus is provided that has a carabiner clip connected to one or more portions of the apparatus. The apparatus can utilize a locking or non-locking type carabiner clip to secure the hub to a bag, belt loop, etc. for quick and easy transport of the apparatus. The hub apparatus can also be clipped around a group of wires or cables to securely fasten the hub in a position off the user's desktop, thus freeing up desk space. In one embodiment, the hub apparatus has an integrated upstream cable and plug that folds out from the apparatus, thereby eliminating the need to carry an upstream cable with the hub apparatus when traveling.

Abstract: A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base.

Abstract: Embodiments of electrical grommet devices, and methods of use and manufacture are generally described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an electrical device comprises a casing comprising: a grommet comprising one or more first apertures and an insertion portion; and a connection mechanism capable of being coupled to the grommet. The electrical device further comprises one or more electrical components located at least partially within the casing, and one or more electrical connectors located at least partially within the casing and coupled to the one or more electrical components. The insertion portion of the grommet can be removably placed in a grommet hole from a first side of the grommet hole, and the grommet can be removably coupled to the connection mechanism at a second side of the grommet hole opposite the first side.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cord management device. The method includes: (a) providing a power strip; (b) physically and electrically coupling a power cord to the power strip; (c) providing a stationary portion, providing the stationary portion includes: (1) providing a first wall; (2) providing two or more slots in the first wall configured to contain a first portion of a single electrical cord; and (3) providing a second wall spaced part from the first wall, the first wall and second wall defining a first space there between; (d) providing a cover; (e) hingedly attaching the cover to the stationary portion, thereby defining a second space; (f) integrating the power strip into the second space; and (g) locating a portion of the power cord in the first space.

Abstract: A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base.

Abstract: A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a surge protector includes: (a) an electrical connector configured to receive electrical power; (b) one or more receivers configured to receive input via wireless signals; (c) at least one first switch electrically coupled to the electrical connector; (d) one or more first electrical outlets; and (e) one or more second electrical outlets electrically coupled to the electrical connector. In these embodiments, each switch of the at least one first switch is electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more first electrical outlets and at least one of the one or more receivers. The at least one first switch is configured to turn on or turn off the electrical power to the one or more first electrical outlets based on the input received by the one or more receivers.

Abstract: A computer management apparatus is provided for interconnecting a single user console including user interface devices, such as a console keyboard, a console video display unit, a console mouse, and speakers for connecting to a plurality of host computers, thereby allowing the user to access one or more of the host computers from the user console. In one embodiment, the user may easily switch between the host computers by use of an RF wireless remote control device that activates a switching circuit contained within the body of the computer management apparatus. The cables utilized with the apparatus and the device indicator on the remote control device are color coded for easy hook-up and identification of the host computer selected with the remote control device to activate the switching circuit.

Abstract: A cord management device (100) includes: a receptacle (110) defining an interior space (120) and including: (a) a stationary portion (111); and (c) a cord management feature (113) coupled to the stationary portion, the cord management feature includes: (1) a first finger (171); and (2) a second finger (172), the stationary portion and the cord management feature define a first space (173) there between; and (b) a cover (115) hingedly coupled to the stationary portion. The cover is configured to move between a first position, in which the cover substantially encloses the interior space, and a second position, in which the interior space is exposed. The first space between the first finger and the second finger allows a cord to enter the receptacle when the cover is in the first position.

Abstract: A connector hub apparatus is provided that has a carabiner clip connected to one or more portions of the apparatus. The apparatus can utilize a locking or non-locking type carabiner clip to secure the hub to a bag, belt loop, etc. for quick and easy transport of the apparatus. The hub apparatus can also be clipped around a group of wires or cables to securely fasten the hub in a position off the user's desktop, thus freeing up desk space. In one embodiment, the hub apparatus has an integrated upstream cable and plug that folds out from the apparatus, thereby eliminating the need to carry an upstream cable with the hub apparatus when traveling.

Abstract: Embodiments of electrical grommet devices, and methods of use and manufacture are generally described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, an electrical device comprises a casing comprising: a grommet comprising one or more first apertures and an insertion portion; and a connection mechanism capable of being coupled to the grommet. The electrical device further comprises one or more electrical components located at least partially within the casing, and one or more electrical connectors located at least partially within the casing and coupled to the one or more electrical components. The insertion portion of the grommet can be removably placed in a grommet hole from a first side of the grommet hole, and the grommet can be removably coupled to the connection mechanism at a second side of the grommet hole opposite the first side.

Abstract: A computer management apparatus is provided for interconnecting a single user console including user interface devices, such as a console keyboard, a console video display unit, a console mouse, and speakers for connecting to a plurality of host computers, thereby allowing the user to access one or more of the host computers from the user console. In one embodiment, the user may easily switch between the host computers by use of an RF wireless remote control device that activates a switching circuit contained within the body of the computer management apparatus. The cables utilized with the apparatus and the device indicator on the remote control device are color coded for easy hook-up and identification of the host computer selected with the remote control device to activate the switching circuit.

Abstract: A cart including (a) a base (110) configured to hold a central processing unit; (b) an uninterruptible power supply (160) configured to provide power to the central processing unit; (c) a compartment (190) adjacent the base and configured to enclose at least a portion of the uninterruptible power supply; and (d) at least one wheel (180) coupled to the base.

Abstract: A computer management apparatus is provided for interconnecting a user console including peripheral devices such as a keyboard, a video display unit, a mouse, and speakers for connecting to a plurality of host computers, selectively accessed via the user console (“KVMA cartridge”). The host computers interface with the KVMA cartridge via a removable edge connector with a first set of cables that attach to the plurality of host computers. The KVMA cartridge connects to the edge connector via a leading edge of a circuit board having a plurality of traces on the leading edge with electrical leads connected to a switching circuit within the KVMA cartridge. In one embodiment, the user may increase the length of the first set of cables by inserting an extension cartridge with a second set of cables between the KVMA cartridge and the edge connector with the first set of cables.