Included In Prefabricated Building Panel (e.g., Floor, Ceiling, Wall) Patents (Class 439/215)
  • Patent number: 11867952
    Abstract: An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, CommScope Connectivity UK Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Marcouiller, Christopher Charles Taylor, John T. Pfarr, Kristofer Bolster, Oscar Fernando Bran de Leon, Loren J. Mattson
  • Patent number: 11257650
    Abstract: A three phase surge protection device is disclosed. In an embodiment a device include a stack comprising a first varistor, a second varistor and a third varistor, wherein the varistors are electrically connected to form a circuit and a first thermal disconnect configured to interrupt the circuit when a temperature of the first thermal disconnect exceeds a predefined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TDK ELECTRONICS AG
    Inventors: Hua Qiu, Xiaojia Tian, Zhouquan He, Wen Yang
  • Patent number: 11220229
    Abstract: A modular power distribution device for vehicles that couples to adjacent devices mechanically and electrically without a common housing or mounting plate. The devices share user selectable electrical connections internally to change the function of the devices and reduce the complexity of adding additional devices. The electrical contacts on the device are protected by a weather-resistant seal created when the device engages with wiring, adjacent devices or the provided covers. Covers may also house a communications receiver/transceiver and a microcontroller to control the device using wired or wireless communications. A mounting bracket is removably attached to each device and may be separated from the device without removing the mounting bracket from the vehicle. Each device can couple to a preceding device while the preceding device remains mounted to a substrate and connected to wiring. The devices may house semiconductor relays or electromechanical relays for use in direct current electrical systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Inventor: Reid Lunde
  • Patent number: 11063411
    Abstract: A floor power distribution system that includes a power distribution junction assembly including a first housing configured to abut a floor surface, a pair of receptacle junction assemblies each including a second housing configured to abut the floor surface, and a pair of raceway assemblies each including an elongated raceway including a longitudinally extending channel, a pair of ramps each coextending with the elongated raceway on opposite sides thereof, each ramp including a proximate edge that engages the elongated raceway and having a first thickness, and a distal edge having a second thickness that is less than the first thickness, wherein the elongated raceway and the elongate ramp are configured to be located between the floor surface and a floor covering in an area frequented by foot traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Schneider, David K. Jones, Jamie Payne, Cody Jay Holstege
  • Patent number: 11028579
    Abstract: A demountable wall system includes a frame component that has a base. The demountable wall system also includes a biasing element and a cover that is removably coupled to the frame component. The cover includes a cover body and an engagement projection extending outwards from the cover body, and the biasing element is configured to bias the cover such that the engagement projection engages the frame component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: OLDCASTLE BUILDINGENVELOPE, INC.
    Inventors: Conor McDonald, Joseph Schiavone, Jeffrey James Phillips, Nathan Creech, Gavin Brin, Kelley Douglass, William Lang, Jarett Gibson, James P. Clark
  • Patent number: 10666003
    Abstract: A contact and busbar assembly forms a bus system on electronics housings arranged in an array direction. Each housing includes a circuit board. The contact and busbar assembly includes multiple bus plugs having first connecting contacts for electrically contacting the circuit boards and second connecting contacts in the form of socket contacts for electrically contacting power rail strips. A plurality of power rail strips electrically connects the second connecting contacts of adjacent electronics housings. A first power rail strip electrically connects the bus plugs of two directly adjacent electronics housings and a second power rail strip of greater length electrically connects two spaced electronics housings. An electronics housing assembly is provided having multiple electronics housings arranged against one another in the array direction and a contact and busbar assembly as set forth above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Till Schmitz, René Arntzen, Volker Schröder, Peter Stuckmann
  • Patent number: 10631425
    Abstract: A server apparatus has a server unit disposed inside a casing via an uninterruptible sliding mechanism. The uninterruptible sliding mechanism includes a discharging track disposed on the casing and an electrically-conducting plate disposed on the server unit. The electrically-conducting plate is slidably assembled with the discharging track. The electrically-conducting plate includes abase, a buckling portion and an elastic piece set. The base is electrically connected to the server unit. The buckling portion is disposed on the base to engage with the discharging track. The elastic piece set is disposed on middle of the base and has at least one elastic unit. The elastic unit is an arc structure. An end of the arc structure is fixed to the base, and the other end of the arc structure abuts against the discharging track to continuously transmit energy output from the discharging track to the server unit via the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Wiwynn Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Sen Kao
  • Patent number: 10622768
    Abstract: A modular plug-in bus wiring system for electrical connections. The system includes an adapter module, the adapter module including at least a housing wherein the housing includes a front side containing at least an electrical connector, a back side, an upper end, a lower end, and at least a receptacle. The system includes at least a plug configured to insert in the at least a receptacle wherein the at least a plug is connected to at least a cable that includes at least an electrically conductive wire. The at least a plug includes a ventral surface, a dorsal surface, a first side and a second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventors: Walter Morgan Cowham, Jeremy Charles Cowham
  • Patent number: 10609782
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) fixture is provided. The fixture includes a housing that supports an LED array. A power supply can be coupled to the housing via a connector. A controller with a constant current driver can be configured to actuate the LED array. In an embodiment the controller can be configured to control operation of the LED array based on a sensed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventors: Victor Zaderej, Christopher Blount, Megan E. Serwacki, Daniel B. McGowan
  • Patent number: 10601192
    Abstract: A three-dimensional convertor includes a housing and a socket interior arranged inside the housing. The socket interior includes clapboards, a live wire plug bush conductive sheet, a naught wire plug bush conductive sheet and an earth wire plug bush conductive sheet. The clapboards include a first clapboard, a second clapboard, a third clapboard and a fourth clapboard which are sequentially stacked. The naught wire plug bush conductive sheet is located between the first clapboard and the second clapboard, the earth wire plug bush conductive sheet is located between the second clapboard and the third clapboard, the live wire plug bush conductive sheet is located between the third clapboard and the fourth clapboard. The housing includes at least two jack surfaces each of which is provided with a jack. The jack is corresponding to the live wire plug bush conductive sheet, the naught wire plug bush conductive sheet and the earth wire plug bush conductive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GONGNIU GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jialu Zhang, Huijiu Wang, Lei Yan, Hao Deng
  • Patent number: 10454230
    Abstract: Electrical coupling member, including electrical conductors extending in a casing which has end segments that are generally parallelepipedal in cross-section and each have at least one main face. The conductors have ends coupled to two external connectors which both project from one of the main faces and are both guided out of the casing on the same side of said casing. The casing including at least one flexible intermediate segment freely receiving an overlength of the electrical conductors. Set of superposed electronic devices coupled by a coupling member of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
    Inventor: Stephane Kohn
  • Patent number: 10396514
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a PDU retention device comprising a rectangular frame having a central cutout portion, a first protrusion extending from the frame into the cutout portion, a guidance fixture permitting the frame to move along a path, and a second protrusion extending from the frame away from the central cutout portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Josiah Daniel Smith, Joseph B. Skorjanec
  • Patent number: 10367319
    Abstract: It is aimed to build a trunk line of an in-vehicle network having low connection resistance. The in-vehicle network is composed of a trunk line (1) and branch lines (2) branched from branch points (3) arranged at a plurality of intermediate positions of the trunk line (19 via connectors (CO) and to be connected to electronic control units (U). A bypass bypassed toward the connector (CO) from the trunk line (1) is formed at each branch point (3) of the branch line (1), and an exposed part of a core (7) is formed in this bypass and connected to a trunk line terminal (6). A branch line terminal (8) connected to an end of the branch line (2) and the trunk line terminal (6) are connected inside the connector (CO).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Matsui, Yasuo Omori
  • Patent number: 9752763
    Abstract: A weatherproof light string employing a T-shaped inner frame with grooves to direct the placement of a plurality of conductors and apertures to secure conductive pins connecting conductors. The light string has secondary cables connected to the primary cables at one end and lamp holders at the other end. The insulation core wires at the first end of the secondary cable are positioned on the insulation core wires of the first cable by a T-shaped inner frame in a clamping and overlapping manner. Conductive pins extend through a side wall of the T-shaped inner frame and pierce the overlapped insulation core wires to from a mechanical and electrical connection between the wires. Light strings employing the T-shaped inner frame and conductive pins provide a more robust and reliable product, and are better suited to automation. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the light string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: American Lighting, Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Kuang Lin, James Chih-Hsin Lee
  • Patent number: 9533583
    Abstract: A charging apparatus (10) for charging a vehicle battery has a charging socket arrangement (12, 112) with a charging socket (15, 115) designed to receive a charging plug connected to a charging cable, and an adapter device (18, 118) for receiving the charging socket (15, 115). The charging apparatus 10 also has a charging cradle (22) for sealing off the charging socket (15, 115) from a body of the motor vehicle, and a reinforcing element (25) designed to receive the charging socket arrangement (12, 112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilfried Eberle
  • Patent number: 9430013
    Abstract: An electrically operated installation and method has a plurality of electrical loads, in which the event of a failure of a basic supply voltage the electrical loads are supplied by a backup voltage, wherein a power supply unit exchanges data with several loads via a field bus, the loads each have a software module for communication via the field bus, a software module of a load is configured as a master and the software modules of the other loads are configured as slaves, the power supply unit as a communication partner of the master controls a regulated shutdown procedure of the loads, in the event of a failure of the basic supply voltage the power supply unit reports this to the master via the field bus, and the master and the software modules of the loads perform the shutdown procedure in configurable synchronization stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Allahut, Hans-Klaus Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9270061
    Abstract: A power device including a power circuit assembly, a first plug assembly, and a second plug assembly is described herein. The first plug assembly is coupled to the power circuit assembly for transmitting power from a power source to the power circuit assembly at a first voltage. The second plug assembly is coupled to the power circuit assembly for controllably transmitting power from the power source to the power circuit assembly at a second voltage and at a third voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ADVANCED CHARGING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: W. J. Jim Weaver, Jr., Michael H. Freeman, Mitchael C. Freeman, Robert Dieter, Brian Santee
  • Patent number: 9257823
    Abstract: A low voltage power receptacle assembly is provided for use in a modular electrical system. The receptacle assembly includes a housing that defines an internal cavity for receiving a circuit board assembly that transforms a line voltage input to a lower voltage output. The housing may define a plurality of contact-receiving portions in spaced arrangement, and has at least two electrical contacts disposed in respective contact-receiving portions. A low voltage power receptacle is in communication with the circuit assembly and provides user-access to the low voltage output. Optionally, the size of the housing may be varied to suit a particular application, and a spacer may be used inside the cavity to ensure proper positioning of the low voltage power receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate, Roger D. Burdi, Patrick E. Young
  • Patent number: 9209622
    Abstract: A system includes a rack, computing devices coupled to the rack, a rack PDU, and one or more input power cables. The rack PDU includes an enclosure, two or more power input receptacles on the enclosure, and two or more power output receptacles on the enclosure. The output power receptacles supply power to the computing devices. The input power cables are coupled in one or more of the power input receptacles. The input power cables supply electrical power from an electrical power system to the rack PDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Max J. Wishman, Darin Lee Frink, Peter George Ross, Chao Chen, Christopher Nathan Watson
  • Patent number: 9118155
    Abstract: Disclosed are a three-way connector and a light string using the connector. The three-way connector includes first and second three-branched casing members that have joint surfaces respectively comprising mateable recesses and projections and receiving three electrical wires embedded therebetween to form a three-branched connection having a connection point where soldering is applied. Ultrasonic is then applied to fuse and bond the two casing members together as a electrical-wire-included three-branched block thereby constituting a three-way connector. The three-way connector can be used in combination with two-way sockets, electrical wires, and LED luminous elements, in series connection or in parallel connection, to form various configurations of the LED light string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventor: Chang-Fu Tsai
  • Patent number: 9088117
    Abstract: Pursuant to some embodiments, an electrical extension system including a telescoping extension having at least a lower section and an upper section and being manually extendable and contracted; a base to receive and support the telescoping extension, at least at two different locations on the base; a power strip mountable on a first end of the upper section, the power strip being mountable to the first end of the upper section at least at one terminal end of the power strip and a non-terminal end of the power strip; and a power cable, the power cable being in electrical communication with the power strip and extending into the telescoping extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: Dean Rosenblum
  • Patent number: 8951054
    Abstract: A power tap apparatus is positioned within a desk top or work surface. The apparatus includes a housing (708) and a high voltage power and/or data carriage. A cover is positioned above the stationary housing. A low voltage charging pad is mounted to the cover and includes a surface of insulating material with a series of conductive charging lanes mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell Ernest Pate, Timothy John Warwick, Victor Alexander Sultana
  • Patent number: 8935847
    Abstract: A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8920182
    Abstract: A connector having a coupler-body continuity member is provided, wherein the coupler-body continuity member electrically couples a coupler and a body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the coupler and the body. Furthermore, the coupler-body continuity member facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 8911251
    Abstract: A chassis includes floating bus bars providing power and a sliding tray included in the chassis includes a power terminal and connecting fingers contacting the floating bus bars. As the sliding tray moves in a direction of motion, the connecting fingers remain in contact with the floating bus bars, providing power to components included on the sliding tray while it is repositioned. The floating bus bars are mounted inside the chassis in a direction parallel to the sliding direction of the sliding tray, and may be positioned within the chassis in a location that does not significantly impede airflow within the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon Brian Ehlen
  • Patent number: 8901416
    Abstract: A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Bornhorst, John Covington
  • Patent number: 8882523
    Abstract: A one in four out connector assembly is disclosed having an internal wiring assembly with a series of wires. Connected to one end of each of the wires is an H-type wire. Connected to the opposing end of each of the wires is a single blade male terminal. The single blade male terminals form a power terminal group connectable to terminals of a junction block. The terminals of the H-type connectors form connector cable terminals which are connectable to at least four connector cable assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8808032
    Abstract: A power or signal cable connector for allowing two or more electric devices to be connected to a single socket, the connector comprising: a shell having a first mounting block and a second mounting block; a nose piece assembly fastened to one end of the shell; a handle assembly fastened to an opposite end of the shell; a stud extending from the handle assembly through the nose piece assembly; and one of a cable adaptor and a socket/plug housing fastened to each of the first and second mounting blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Charles Pitman Fischer, Brian Faucher Miller
  • Patent number: 8801445
    Abstract: A vertical junction block assembly (200) is disclosed having a receptacle block region (214) extending through a lateral or front surface (212) of the assembly (200). An internal wiring assembly (226) connects a horizontal terminal group (229) to a vertical male terminal set (262) which extends upwardly through a vertical junction block terminal housing (244). A vertical cable assembly (280) having a vertical cable connector (284) is connectable to the vertical male terminal set (262).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8790126
    Abstract: A DC receptacle block includes a DC receptacle for interconnecting to a DC plug. The DC receptacle is electrically engageable with a junction block having buses or wires carrying DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8747135
    Abstract: A method for selecting power from two or more circuits made from a multiple circuit duplex module comprising a chassis having an electrical chassis receptacle providing a plurality of connection points for the selection of power from two or more different circuits; a duplex element having at least one electrical duplex receptacle thereon to deliver power from one of the two or more different circuits to an external device in electrical contact with the at least one duplex receptacle; first conductor means for electrically connecting the at least one duplex receptacle to selected connection points in the chassis receptacle; wherein the duplex element is connectable to the chassis in different orientations, the orientation of the duplex element determining which one of the two or more different circuits is electrically connected to the at least one duplex receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens Smed, Steven Van Beveren
  • Patent number: 8740636
    Abstract: The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Worthington Armstrong Venture
    Inventors: Jere W. Myers, Brian T. Patterson, Jae A. Eisenhower, Randy M. Manning, Charles E. Reynolds, William J. Garver, Jon A. Fortuna, Ronald P. Locati
  • Patent number: 8736106
    Abstract: A mechanical outlet system is connected to an incoming power source through power entry cables. The cables connect to cable connectors which, in turn, connect to junction blocks. The junction blocks receive outlet receptacle blocks. The receptacle blocks can be of varying types of sockets, without requiring electrical modifications to the junction blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate, Timothy J. Warwick
  • Patent number: 8696371
    Abstract: A wireless raceway (100) employs bus bars (121), instead of cabling or other types of wires. The raceway (100) includes a pair of junction blocks (102). A bus bar assembly (116) holds the individual bus bars (121). The raceway (100) also includes a pair of modified H-terminals (122) having a central bus bar terminal (124) connected to each of a pair of receptacle terminals (126). The modified H-terminals (122) connect the individual bus bars (121) to external electrical assemblies through the junction blocks (102) without the need of wires or cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8662695
    Abstract: An adapter structure which cooperates between a modular electrical distribution unit and a light fixture to facilitate electrical connection therebetween. The adapter structure includes an adapter module having an insulative housing containing electrical conductors extending therethrough and defining connectors at input and output ends thereof. The housing mounts directly to the light fixture, preferably within and extending through a knock-out port in a wall of the light fixture, and a plug-type connector at the output end of the adapter structure can be plug engaged with a compatible connector associated with a electrical power distribution unit. The output end of the adapter has a gripping conductive socket structure which enables pigtail conductors associated with the light fixture to be directly plugged therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Haworth, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130323950
    Abstract: A connector assembly for installing a device to a ceiling grid, the ceiling grid having conductors provided therein. The connector assembly includes a housing with contact arms mounted in the housing. Contact portions of the contact arms extend from the housing and are placed in electrical engagement with the conductors when the connector assembly is mated with the ceiling grid. Mounting members extend from the housing. Mounting sections of the mounting members are placed in mechanical engagement with the ceiling grid to provide a mechanical connection between the ceiling grid and the connector assembly. A polarity protection/correction member is provided in the housing. The polarity protection/correction member protects the device from failure or damage when the polarity orientation of the device does not match the polarity orientation of the conductors of the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles Raymond GINGRICH, III, Raymond Howard KOHLER, Marek T. LUKSIC
  • Patent number: 8585422
    Abstract: A system for connecting motor drives to each other is disclosed that does not require the use of wire or tools. The system includes an adapter plug and bus bar modules that connect to each other at a conductive receptacle of the adapter plug to define a splice joint at the point of connect of the bus bar modules. The bus bar modules may include insulating covers and insulating clips may overlie the splice joints so that the system is substantially devoid of exposed surfaces of its conductive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Balcerak, Thomas H. Van Groll, Craig R. Winterhalter
  • Patent number: 8549804
    Abstract: An electrical service assembly is secured to a framework of a panel of an office partition system and includes at least one bracket to which at least one electrical outlet module is mounted, the module having at least a pair of electrical outlets such that electrical outlets may be positioned in a back-to-back configuration. In this manner, the electrical service assembly provides service to opposite sides of a panel that face opposite work spaces. Also, the electrical outlet modules may be associated with separate circuits to prevent overload of the electrical service assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith E. Metcalf, Bart J. Cooper, Jay M. Henriott
  • Patent number: 8552853
    Abstract: A power connector has a plate member that has a central opening therethrough, and a front side and rear side. An electrical connector member is attached to the plate member and positioned within the central opening. The electrical connector member has a base that is attached to the plate member and a plurality of power pole electrical conductors. The plurality of power pole electrical conductors comprises four power pole electrical conductors arranged in two columns wherein each column has two power pole electrical conductors. Two brackets are attached to the front side of the plate member. Each bracket is substantially perpendicular to the front side of the plate member and the electrical connector member is located between the pair of brackets. The plate member has through holes sized for receiving fasteners, so as to allow the plate member to be attached to a wall, article of furniture or other structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Premier Manufacturing Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Dave Black
  • Patent number: 8496492
    Abstract: A modular power distribution system (110) comprises an incoming power cable (118) adapted to connect to jumper cable assemblies (140) having female end connectors (142) and jumper cables (148) connecting together the female end connectors. Junction blocks (150) are connectible to the jumper cable assemblies (140) and are adapted to provide for multiple circuits. Electrical receptacle blocks (152) are adapted to electrically connect to the junction blocks (150), and are configured so as to electrically connect to one of the multiple circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20130171851
    Abstract: A housing for a computer system which can be opened at at least one first housing wall for access into the housing and an opening for an external connecting plug is disposed at a second housing wall and where 1) the housing has a locking device to lock the first housing wall and prevent opening of the housing, the locking device is disposed at the opening for an external connecting plug and is actuatable via an external connecting plug so that the first housing wall is locked when an external connecting plug is inserted into the opening and the first housing wall is unlocked if no external connecting plug is inserted into the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
    Inventor: Fujitsu Technology Solutions Intellectual Property GmbH
  • Patent number: 8475188
    Abstract: A multiple circuit duplex module comprising a chassis having an electrical chassis receptacle providing a plurality of connection points for the selection of power from two or more different circuits; a duplex element having at least one electrical duplex receptacle thereon to deliver power from one of the two or more different circuits to an external device in electrical contact with the at least one duplex receptacle; first conductor means for electrically connecting the at least one duplex receptacle to selected connection points in the chassis receptacle; wherein the duplex element is connectable to the chassis in different orientations, the orientation of the duplex element determining which one of the two or more different circuits is electrically connected to the at least one duplex receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dirtt Environmental Solutions Ltd.
    Inventors: Geoff Gosling, Mogens Smed, Steven Van Beveren
  • Patent number: 8444425
    Abstract: A modular electrical system (230) comprises a number of separate components forming a four-wire system (110). The component set (230) includes receptacle junction blocks (130), two-way connectors (232), four-way connectors (236), two-way jumper cable assemblies (234), and three-way jumper cable assemblies (238). The components of the component set (230) include various configurations of male blade terminals (150) and female terminals (200) located on the individual components so that a number of differing system configurations can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8341837
    Abstract: The invention describes apparatus for designing and installing power distribution systems for: residential, commercial and industrial applications, as well as for power distribution within electro-mechanical devices. The invention transforms existing labor-intense installations into practically plug-and-power type modular systems. For a specific project, pre-designed, fabricated and tested kit, including factory assembled and tested: power and control enclosures, power outlets and junction boxes, interface cables, as specified by the invention, will be delivered directly to the installation site. No labor intense operations: wire crimping, outlet/switch wiring, junction box wiring, load wiring. No exposed hot wires or leads at any point outside enclosure. The invention will: significantly lower labor costs, reduce installation time, improve safety, reliability and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Zachary L. Braunstein, Frederick Y. Mah
  • Patent number: 8317547
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle includes a first portion having a face with a plurality of openings and including a first set of protrusions and a first set of receptors, the first portion being configured to receive a plurality of electrical conductors, and a second mating portion including a second set of protrusions and a second set of receptors. The first set of receptors is configured to interact with the second set of protrusions and the first set of protrusions is configured to interact with the second set of receptors to snap lock the second mating portion to the first portion and form the electrical receptacle. Further, a method is provided for assembling and disassembling an electrical receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond H. Riner, Bradley Plattner
  • Publication number: 20120252244
    Abstract: An adapter plate assembly includes an adapter for mating two connectors and an adapter plate. The adapter includes a first end and a second end and a passage therethrough. The adapter further includes an adapter footprint and an adapter flange. The first end has an external threaded portion and the second end has an external threaded portion. The adapter is adapted to receive a ruggedized connector in the first and a multi-fiber connector in the second end. The adapter plate includes an aperture for receiving at least a portion of the adapter, a footprint receiving portion for receiving at least a portion of the adapter footprint, a flange receiving portion for receiving the adapter flange, and an attachment feature. A method of assembling the adapter plate and mounting the adapter plate to a non-standard wall is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Elkins, II, Barton Pierce Filipiak, Thomas Theuerkorn
  • Publication number: 20120231645
    Abstract: A wireless raceway (100) employs bus bars (121), instead of cabling or other types of wires. The raceway (100) includes a pair of junction blocks (102). A bus bar assembly (116) holds the individual bus bars (121). The raceway (100) also includes a pair of modified H-terminals (122) having a central bus bar terminal (124) connected to each of a pair of receptacle terminals (126). The modified H-terminals (122) connect the individual bus bars (121) to external electrical assemblies through the junction blocks (102) without the need of wires or cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8262401
    Abstract: A raceway connector (300) includes a first vertical terminal set (302) and a second vertical terminal set (310). Each vertical terminal set (302, 310) includes double end terminals (304) with first and second female connectors (306, 308). The vertical terminal sets (302, 310) are held in position by a left-outside housing (314), a center connector (328) and a right-side housing (324). The raceway connector (300) is adapted to be interconnected to four junction blocks (344).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Norman R. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8258412
    Abstract: A furniture system including at least one furniture element having at least one raceway and a modular electrical wiring system at least partially located in the raceway. The electrical wiring system includes a plurality of wire distribution assemblies, an electrical assembly and an electrical switch. The plurality of wire distribution assemblies includes a first wire distribution assembly and a second wire distribution assembly. The electrical assembly partially electrically connects the first wire distribution assembly and the second wire distribution assembly. The first wire distribution assembly has a first number of electrical conductors. The electrical assembly is electrically connected to a second number of electrical conductors of the first wire distribution assembly, the second number being smaller than the first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hayes, Sean M. Kirkwood
  • Patent number: 8223479
    Abstract: A server enclosure includes a power input terminal to receive power signals, a number of connection elements, a number of lead terminals, and a number of power output terminals. Each connection element includes a connection portion and two fixing arms extending from opposite ends of the connection portion. The connection portion is engaged with the power input terminal to receive the power signals and output the power signals to the two fixing arms. Each lead terminal includes a first connection portion fixed to one fixing arm along an extending direction of the fixing arm to receive the power signals and a second connection portion to receive the power signals. Each power output terminal is connected to one of the second connection portions to receive the power signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yang-Yuan Chen, Heng-Chen Kuo, Tsung-Hsi Li