Abstract: For stepless capacity control of a reciprocating piston compressor, an unloader (2) arranged on a suction valve (1) keeps open said suction valve (1) over a thereby controllable portion of the working cycle of the compressor by means of an unloading piston (4) biased by gas pressure via a control valve (3). The gas pressure biasing the unloading piston (4) is always above the gas pressure required to overcome the maximum possible reverse flow force, whereby a controllable partial discharge of the unloading cylinder (6) is performed in each phase of the working cycle up to the closing of the suction valve (1) by means of the control valve (3), which is designed to switch rapidly. The theoretical discharge time of the entire discharging volume for the partial discharge is preferably maximal nearly equal or even less than twice the duration of the working cycle.

Abstract: A pump includes a base, a pumping set, a first joint, a gauge set, a second joint and a nozzle. The base includes a socket. The gauge set includes a gauge, a housing for receiving the gauge and a tube extending from the housing. The pumping set includes a cylinder inserted in the socket and a piston put in the cylinder. The first joint is put in the cylinder and includes a transverse channel and an axial channel communicated with the transverse channel. The second joint is inserted in the socket, the cylinder, the transverse channel of the first joint and the tube. The second joint includes an axial channel, a first transverse channel for communicating the axial channel hereof with the axial channel of the first joint and a second transverse channel for communicating the axial channel thereof with the tube. The nozzle is communicated with the second joint.

Abstract: A pumping system including a fluid inlet line and a primary pump for the fluid. The primary pump includes an impeller in an impeller chamber, with the impeller chamber adapted to receive fluid from the inlet line. A suction chamber is above the impeller chamber, with a throttle opening between the impeller chamber and the suction chamber. A priming pump is adapted to draw fluid through the throttle opening into the suction chamber. A fluid path is provided around the impeller chamber and between the inlet line and the suction chamber, with the fluid path having a larger area than the throttle opening and including a float restrictor.

Abstract: A disposable device for transfer of at least one predetermined medium into a device for treatment and promotion of healing of damaged body tissue. The device is comprised of a housing and a first pump stage disposed within the housing for pumping a first predetermined medium. A second pump stage engageable with such housing is included for pumping a second predetermined medium. Also included is a drive mechanism for driving the first and second pump stages. A coupling device engageable with the drive mechanism for connecting the drive mechanism to a power source is further included.

Abstract: A filter and pump include complementary engagement features such that the filter is inserted into the pump and thereafter rotated approximately 90 degrees to engage a twistlock feature. In this manner, filter attachment is maintained without additional fasteners, spring clips, clamping plates, etc.

Abstract: A compressor comprises a reciprocating motor disposed within a casing, for generating a driving force; a compressing unit for sucking, compressing and discharging gas by a linearly reciprocating motion of a piston connected to the reciprocating motor; a plurality of resonant springs connected to the piston, for inducing a resonant motion to the linearly reciprocating motion of the piston, wherein centers of the resonant springs are positioned at the same radius on the basis of a central axis of the piston.

Abstract: A diaphragm is provided in a pump case so as to define a pump chamber communicated with an external member having an air chamber. A motor actuates the diaphragm to introduce air into the pump chamber and to supply the introduced air to the air chamber. An exhaust valve exhausts air in the pump chamber to lower a pressure in the air chamber. The exhaust valve is provided with a valve body and an actuator which is driven by the motor to actuate the valve body so as to open or close an exhaust port communicated with the pump chamber.

Abstract: There is provided, at a low cost, a small-size and lightweight scroll compressor capable of preventing a decrease in compression efficiency by utilizing a medium pressure between a suction pressure and a discharge pressure as a back pressure. An independent minute gap in the axial direction is provided between a main frame 3 and a thrust ring 8. This minute gap is used as a second back pressure chamber C2, and the medium pressure between the suction pressure and the discharge pressure is introduced into the second back pressure chamber C2.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump is provided that reduces or eliminates unwanted noise, local pressure waves, pressure pulsations or cavitation and the like through use of pressure and suction chambers that are in substantial fluid isolation except for a backflow connection with a predetermined flow cross section to the suction chamber.

Abstract: An impression device for food items. More particularly, the present invention is a stamping device designed to create images upon a variety of foods for decoration and/or marketing purposes. The stamper device of the present invention has the general appearance of a traditional rubber stamp, with large knob at the top to quickly adjust the depth of embossings. Small wings beside the knob provide an instant feature for orientation and comfortable ergonomic grip. The device provides both an emboss-only mode, and emboss-and-cut simultaneously mode, much in the manner of a cookie cutter. A simple snap means located at the bottom of the device functions to change such modes. Under the base of the device is a “socket set” style snap-in stamping die. As is the case with the roller device, the stamper device may be utilized for: 1) standard messages and images; 2) snap-in letters, which allows the user to assemble his or her own custom message; or 3) custom logos, messages, and images.

Abstract: A compression molding machine includes a wheel mounted for rotation around a horizontal axis and a plurality of angularly spaced molds disposed around the wheel. Each of the molds includes a first mold segment and a second mold segment disposed radially outwardly of the first mold segment. Each of the second mold segments is movable radially with respect to the associated first mold segment between a radially inner closed position with the first mold segment for compression molding a plastic article, and a radially outer open position spaced from the associated first mold segment for removing a molded article from the mold and placing a mold charge into the mold.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an arrangement for the production of blow-molded hollow bodies from plastic with a blow molding machine, wherein a cooling medium can be blown via a conduit into a blow mold respectively into the hollow body for blowing up and cooling of the blow-molded hollow body. For improvement of cooling the interior of the hollow body within the blow mold, a closed conduit system is provided, in which the cooling medium circulates and is kept at an elevated pressure level and is cooled by means of a heat exchanger. Thereby, a higher yield of piece per time is realized at lower production cost. The closed cooling medium circulation system can be essentially retrofitted to all blow molding machine in order to raise efficiency.

Abstract: This is an apparatus and method of reducing the cycle time needed to produce molded parts. The cycle time is reduced by moving the molded part while still encapsulated within the mold cavity and core away from the injection position to one or more cooling positions and an ejection position. This enables the cooling and ejection portion of the molding cycle to be performed concurrently with the injection portion of the cycle for proceeding parts.

Abstract: A heat treatment jig by the invention comprising: the diameter of a disk-type structure being 60% or more of that of loaded semiconductor wafers; the thickness being 1.0 mm or more but 10 mm or less; the surface roughness Ra of 0.1 ?m or more but 100 ?m or less at a contacting surface with the wafers; and the surface planarity being specifically controlled in the concentric direction as well as in the diametrical direction, otherwise in place of above planarity, comprising a controlled maximum height in such a way that the maximum height is obtained by the flatness measurement at the multiple positions and the difference between said maximum height and the hypothetical-average-height-plane thus set is 50 ?m or less, can reduce the slip generation due to the close adhesion of the wafers and the jig.

Abstract: An orthodontic expander with opposing bodies interconnected by a shaft threaded on opposing ends in opposing directions so that rotation of the shaft by engagement of a rotation body with a tool moves the bodies together or apart on guide pins extending between the bodies, and a jam nut threadably received on the shaft and selectively movable against one of the bodies to fix the bodies in a selected spaced-apart relation, with connectors extending between the bodies and the palate to apply lateral force to the palate. At least one of the guide pins includes demarcations for tracking expansion progress during treatment. A slot in a guide bore for the guide pin defines an interior stop wall that contacts a fin extending from the one guide pin to prevent separation. A method of locking expander bodies from slippage is disclosed.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth with adhesive is provided that resists debonding due to impact. The appliance is provided with a compliant interface between the adhesive and the point of impact. An appliance may be provided with an orthodontic bracket suspended from a mechanical bonding base that is to be secured with adhesive to a tooth. The suspension provides compliant movement between the appliance and the mechanical bond. The movement is preferably resilient or elastic movement, but may be plastic. The movement resists fracture of the adhesive by more slowly decelerating an impacting mass, reducing forces on the adhesive. A pad attached at its outer periphery to a mesh which leaves the inner central portion of the pad free may provide the compliance, so the pad exhibits flex, suspending the bracket to move with impacting masses, absorbing energy and reducing forces transmitted to the adhesive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus fit a set of upper and lower teeth in a masticatory system by generating a computer representation of the masticatory system and computing an occlusion based on interactions in the computer representation of the masticatory system.

Abstract: A mouthpiece of the present invention includes a light irradiation section for irradiating the front surfaces of teeth with light having a predetermined wavelength, and the light irradiation section has a blue light emitting diode or an ultraviolet light emitting diode. The mouthpiece is to be attached to the teeth, and the front teeth are irradiated with a blue light or ultraviolet light emitted by the light emitting diode, thereby performing teeth whitening processing.

Abstract: A self cleaning dental mirror having air orifices and water orifices integrated into the handle to clean the reflective surface. An air valve and a water valve are positioned within the handle and are operated by depressing appropriately positioned pushbuttons. The reflective surface itself is removable from the handle and replaceable. Alignment provisions between the reflective surface and handle insure that the reflective surface is properly positioned relative to the handle so that the air orifice and water orifice are directed at the reflective surface. A quick disconnect allows the self cleaning dental mirror to be readily connected and disconnected to air and water supply lines. The self cleaning dental mirror and all of its components are autoclavible.

Abstract: Dental implant drill holes and the shape of a dental implant superstructure are chosen by creating a computer model giving jawbone structural details, gum surface shape information and proposed teeth or dental prosthesis shape information. The computer model shows the bone structure, gum surface and teeth images properly referenced to one another so that implant drill hole positions can be selected taking into consideration proper positioning within the bone as well as proper positioning with respect to the dental prosthesis. Similarly, manufacture of the dental implant superstructure used for fixed dental prosthesis or overdentures can be designed based on knowledge of the actual implant positions referenced to an image of the gum surface and proposed dental prosthesis.

Abstract: Endodontic fibers comprising a biocompatible polymer vehicle permeable to medicaments, or combinations of medicaments are described. Such fibers can be used, for example, in a method for the local delivery and sustained release of medicaments to periodontal or intracanal treatment sites. Endodontic fibers described include modified periodontal fibers and intracanal fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the affixation of dental dams and Class III matrixes utilized in conservative dentistry and oral surgery. In particular, the present invention relates to a device and method for retaining and stabilizing a dental dam or Class III matrix, or other device, in the mouth of the patient, which can be clamped between 2 adjacent teeth.

Abstract: Dental posts and obturators are manufactured herein having a filling material applied to the apical end of the post and obturator such that the adherence strength between the filling material and the post or obturator is very high. The filling material is adhered to the post and obturator by applying one or more corona or plasma treatments to the surface of the post and obturator and thereafter applying the filling material to the surface-treated post and obturator. The surfaces of the post and obturator are modified by the corona or plasma treatments to create a highly adherent surface for the application of the filling material thereto. Dental restorations are manufactured herein wherein a veneer is applied to a dental substructure and the adherence strength of the veneer to the dental substructure is very high.

Abstract: World maps for the earth's continents are formed from the continental hemisphere as a main body by attaching several sections of the oceanic hemispheres. Folding the hemispheres in half repeatedly makes near-flat disk maps of the both hemispheres. Other methods of producing world maps with less distortion are provided. These maps show that the earth's continents originated concurrently and did not change their shapes much since then. This also supports the inventor's hypothesis that a gigantic meteor-like body broke up in the air and fell as chunks of lava onto a proto-earth covered solely by the ocean.

Abstract: An IT skills evaluation system and method for evaluating an individual's IT skills. According to one aspect of the invention, the individual is required to perform one or more practical exercises. A practical exercise is an evaluation device for evaluating not only an individual's knowledge, but also the individual's ability to apply their knowledge. One or more virtual machines are associated with each practical exercise, and the test taker must use these virtual machines to complete the exercise. In one aspect, a skills evaluation system according to one embodiment includes a testing computer on which the following software is installed: a virtual machine platform for allowing multiple virtual machines to run simultaneously on the testing computer and a practical skills evaluator for presenting exams to a test taker and scoring the exam. An exam is made up of one or more practical exercise.

Abstract: An electrical connector including a first connector portion and a second connector portion. Each of the first and second connector interfaces includes several terminals. At least a portion of the terminals of the first connector interface are electrically coupled to associated ones of the terminals of the second connector interface via a multi-level arrangement.

Abstract: A connector (30) can include a housing (32), a plurality of magnets (14) within the housing used for data transfer and at least one alignment magnet (16 or 18) within the housing used for proper alignment and polarity. The connector can also include at least one magnetic induction circuit (52) coupled to at least one of the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets can include a plurality of inductor elements or micro-metric inductor elements. The magnetic induction circuit can be a magnetic induction circuit using Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying modulation. A connector (64) can further include an inductive coil (67) operating at a lower frequency than the at least one magnetic induction circuit. The inductive coil can enable contact less energy transfer from the connector to an energy storage device (69) operatively coupled to an electronic product (62).

Abstract: A device (20) for interconnecting electrical bundles, includes a plurality of pluggable connection and cross-connect cards (34 to 38) for the electrical bundles. The device further includes a “main” printed circuit (28, 28b) fitted with connectors or slots (29 to 33) designed and arranged to receive the pluggable cards, the printed circuit having a plurality of parallel tracks (46), each enabling two tracks (61 to 63, 68) or tracks starters (70 to 72) provided respectively on two distinct pluggable cards plugged in the connectors of the main printed circuit to be put to the same potential, each of the parallel tracks (46) being in contact with a respective pin (50, 150) of a plurality of connectors of the main printed circuit.

Abstract: Provided is an electrical connector for interconnecting electrical components such as a printed wiring assembly to one or more additional printed wiring assemblies. The connector includes a housing containing one or more compliant pins, one or more spring probes, and an interconnect for mechanically and electrically interfacing the pins with the probes. An alignment pin mounted in the housing helps to ensure alignment between one end of the connector and a corresponding PWA. In use, the compliant pins are inserted through a conformal coating and into vias in a first PWA, while the spring probes contact connector pads on a second PWA. Multiple connectors may be used to interconnect the two PWA, depending on PWA design.

Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane. Provided is also a method of producing the land grid array interposer structure.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for an electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector includes a main portion and a plurality of supporting members that are connected with the main portion. The supporting members are applied with a plurality of metal layers thereon, respectively, which are formed by the following manufacturing steps. In the first step, a first metal layer is coated on the supporting members by a physical coating manner. In the second step, a second metal layer with high electric conductivity is applied on an outermost surface of the supporting members. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has a simple structure and is manufactured easily to reduce production costs, which enhances the effective contact of the electrical connector and the mating electronic elements.

Abstract: A connecting element includes a support member, a flexible substrate wrapped around the support member, and elastic contacts provided on the flexible substrate. A positioning hole is formed in the support member. A first positioning component is positioned and soldered on a metal layer formed on a motherboard, and a second positioning component is positioned and soldered on a metal layer formed on an electronic component. The first positioning component is inserted into the positioning hole in the connecting element, and the second positioning member is fitted to the first positioning component. Accordingly, the connecting element is positioned with respect to both the motherboard and the electronic component.

Abstract: A stacked electronic component includes multiple energy storage units and a fastening device. Each energy storage unit has a first electrode and a second electrode. The fastening device includes first and second fastening member disposed on opposite sides of the energy storage units. Each of the first and second fastening members includes a body plate, at least a clamping structure extending from two edges of the body plate and at least a connecting part electrically connected to the body plate and the circuit board. The energy storage units are clamped by the clamping structures of the first and second fastening members and the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the body plates of the first and second fastening members, so that the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the circuit board through the body plates and the connecting parts of the first and second fastening members.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes first and second linear arrays of electrical contacts is disclosed. The first linear array includes a first differential signal pair, a first ground contact lead adjacent to the first differential signal pair, and a second ground contact lead adjacent to the first ground contact lead. The second linear array is positioned adjacent to the first linear array, and includes a second differential signal pair, a third ground contact lead adjacent to the second differential signal pair, and a fourth ground contact lead adjacent to the third ground contact lead. The electrical connector is devoid of electrical shields between the first linear array and the second linear array.

Abstract: An electrical connection header for an electrical device and a method for assembling the same are disclosed herein. A connection header may include a plurality of electrical pins, each of which has a first portion and a second portion oriented generally orthogonal to each other. The pins may be inserted to a connector shroud which defines a plurality of apertures for receiving the first portions of the pins. A hood may be secured to the connector shroud such that the hood extends beyond a bend point of at least one of the pins.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a housing having a mating face and a mounting face. The housing holds signal contacts and ground contacts arranged in rows. Each of the signal contacts and ground contacts include a mating end extending from the mating face of the housing and a mounting end extending from the mounting face of the housing. For each row, the mating ends of the signal contacts and ground contacts are aligned in a common plane. The mounting ends of the ground contacts are aligned in the common plane, and the mounting ends of the signal contacts are offset from the common plane.

Abstract: A power system includes an energy harvesting device, a battery coupled to the energy harvesting device, and a circuit coupled to the energy harvesting device and the battery. The circuit is adapted to deliver power to a load by providing power generated by the energy harvesting device to the load without delivering excess power to the battery and to supplement the power generated by the energy harvesting device with power from the battery if the power generated by the energy harvesting device is insufficient to fully power the load. A method of operating the power system is also provided.

Abstract: Wobbling of a coil portion of a torsion spring for urging a rotor/cover to a “usage position” is prevented. An outlet cover of an outlet main body has plugholes for insertion of the plug-in terminals of an outlet plug. A rotor/cover is pivotally provided so that its position can be switched between a “non-usage position,” where the plugholes are closed off, and a “usage position,” where a plug can be connected to the outlet. A supporting axle portion is provided between the outlet cover and the rotor/cover that can support the coil portion of a torsion spring for urging the rotor/cover to the “nonusage position”. The torsional arms of the torsion spring are respectively engaged with the outlet main body and the rotor/cover by utilizing the relative pivoting of the rotor/cover with respect to the outlet main body.

Abstract: A detect switch (100) includes an insulative housing (2), a first, a second and a third fixed terminals (11, 12, 13), a moveable contact (3) contactable to the third fixed terminal, an operator (4) capable of depressing the moveable contact, an operator (8) and an actuator (9). An LED (6) has a pair of cantilevered arms (62) contacting with the second fixed terminal and is fixed in the insulative housing for immovably fastening the LED to the insulative housing. When the operator is downwardly pushed by the actuator to thereby depress the moveable contact, the moveable contact has a central contact portion thereof being downwardly depressed for contacting with the first fixed terminal to thereby establish an electrical connection between the first and the third fixed terminals.

Abstract: Cable terminations, junctions, or connectors having a cable affixed therein are provided, which include an internal cavity that is capable of (1) holding a selected volume of remediation fluid and (2) supplying it to the cable. Several embodiments of the cavity are capable of holding the remediation fluid under pressure for prolonged periods of time and through various environmental conditions such as temperature, moisture and sun exposure. Several embodiments of the internal cavity are divided into two or more chambers that are in physical communication through the opposition of pressure but which are chemically isolated. In several embodiments, an actuation device, such as a spring or compressed gas, pressurizes the fluid. Throughout the embodiments, individual access port(s) provide controlled access to the various internal chambers.

Abstract: Electrical plug-in connection (1), having a plug part (2) and a mating plug part (3), which can be plugged together and produce a large number of electrical plug-in connections, at least the plug part (2) or the mating plug part (3) bearing, on its body (19, 24), a union nut (4), which can be screwed to the mating plug part (3) or the plug part (2) and secures the plug-in connection (1) against becoming disconnected in an undesirable manner. The union nut (4) has, at both of its ends, an internal thread (28, 7) for simultaneously screwing it to the plug part (2) and the mating plug part (3), the internal threads (7, 28) being formed in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A connector housing for receiving a memory card, the housing comprising at least a bottom part and a cover part which is arranged to be movable in relation to the bottom part and which, in turn, comprises at least a shield part and first contact means which are arranged to connect the shield part to the ground level of the device, at least when the cover part is closed. The connector housing also comprises at least second contact means which are arranged to be coupled via the shield part, when the cover part is in the open position. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device comprising a connector housing for a memory card, as well as a method for anticipating the removal of a memory card in the connector housing.

Abstract: A computer system with a fixing module for riser card thereof is provided. By allowing the bottom side of the supporting pillar and the bottom parts of the two opposite sides of the supporting pillar engaging with each other, the riser card is supported by stress from all directions around it. Therefore, enough supporting strength is efficiently provided within a limited space and the riser card is prevented from being bended and having deformation because of the heavy weight.

Abstract: A locking structure fixes an interface card having a lateral portion and an end portion to a main board. The locking structure includes a sliding member having a sliding groove for the lateral portion of the interface card to slide along and a containing groove for placement of an elastic member; and the elastic member having a bending rod rotatably installed in the containing groove and a rotating portion protruding to a region outside of the containing groove when the bending rod is disposed in the containing groove. The rotation portion props against the end portion of the interface card when the interface card is in the sliding groove.

Abstract: A chip recorder is disposed on a circuit board for writing a chip, wherein the chip comprises a contact and the circuit board comprises a contact. The chip recorder comprises a chip housing, a base, a bracket, a push finger and an elastic member. The chip housing is detachably secured on the circuit board for accommodating the chip. The base is detachably mounted to the chip housing and disposed between the chip housing and the circuit board wherein the base comprises at least one probe and a first end of the probe is electrically connected to the contact of the circuit board. The bracket is moveably connected to the chip housing and the push finger is pivotally connected to the bracket and moveably connected to the chip housing.

Abstract: An electronic-component connector forms a secure detachable connection and is packaged in a small space even when the electronic component is a module that is linked to an optical waveguide, and transmits and receives a signal such as an optical signal via the transfer member. An optical waveguide extends from a first side of a module connected to the connector. The connector body of the electronic-component connector has an open portion for accommodating a module inserted from the open side. A socket contact portion for contacting a connection terminal of the module is provided to the open portion. A lead-out path is formed in the shape of a groove in the connector body communicated with the open portion, and leads out the optical waveguide from the connector body. A cover member is attached to the connector body so as to open, close, and secure the module inside the open portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a plug/socket assembly in which the plug will never pull out of the socket even if an excessive pull-out force is applied to the plug. A plug/socket assembly (10) comprises a plug (20) and a socket (30) for receiving and fixing the plug (20) therein. The socket (30) includes a socket main body (31) having a plug insertion hole (311), balls (32) which are provided with the socket main body (31) in a radially displaceable manner with respect to the plug insertion hole (311), a sleeve (33) which is mounted over the outer surface of the socket main body (31) and is displaceable along the axial direction of the plug insertion hole (311), and a compression spring (34) for urging the sleeve (33) along the axial direction toward the inlet port (313) of the plug insertion hole. The inner surface of the sleeve is provided with a slide surface (332). The slide surface has first to fourth regions (P1-P4).

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to releasably attach to an access cover of an insulation displacement connector block. The apparatus is adapted to engage with the insulation displacement connector block to form at least a part of a securing mechanism for securing the access cover in a first closed position. The apparatus may be disengaged from the insulation displacement connector block to move the access cover from the first closed position to a second open position.

Abstract: A connector that is capable of reducing defects in display apparatuses is presented. The connector includes a body, a plurality of terminals and a cover. The body has a base and a sidewall. The terminals are disposed on the body and arranged to make an electrical connection with the electrical circuit when the electrical circuit is received by the body. The cover includes a rotation axis, a fixing portion extending from the rotation axis such that the fixing portion is substantially parallel to the base of the body, and a protrusion portion protruding from the rotation axis substantially perpendicularly to the base of the body. The connector prevents electrical discharge from the flexible printed circuit board to the electrical circuit and prevents physical damage to the electrical circuit. Therefore, defect rate decreases and a yield of a display apparatus increases.

Abstract: An interface adapted for high speed data transmission between network elements that decreases signal interference and cross-talk between the wires of a cable used for connecting the network elements. Various connection schemes are used for shielded pairs of wires within a cable used for the interface. The connection schemes may use pins having same or different pin numbers at the two network elements being connected. Shielded pairs carrying data in a common direction may be connected to adjacent sets of pins or to non-adjacent sets of pins. Certain pins at each element may remain unused. Pairs of the shielded pairs within the cable may be cross-connected between the two elements. Shielded pairs may be cross-connected while leaving sets of pins unused.