With Storage Means For Flaccid Conductor Patents (Class 439/4)
  • Patent number: 5494446
    Abstract: An extension cord device is disclosed which has an extension cord electrically connected to an electrically conductive axle assembly. The axle assembly is attached to current taps which plug into an existing electrical outlet. The device is readily mounted into and/or removed from an existing electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Inventors: Eugene DeLucia, Pat Marino
  • Patent number: 5457600
    Abstract: A power director enables a user to apply power through one or more power outlets via one or more switches to a cluster of electrical devices, for example, the components of a desk top computer system. A typical computer system may have a CPU chassis, monitor, printer, CD-ROM and a document scanner each of which may have its own power line cord. The housing of the current power director has internal storage spaces or bays for coiling the excess portions of the power cords of the various computer components to eliminate the tangled mess associated with such systems. The electrical outlets are located in a component bay within the housing separate from but adjacent to the line cord storage bay to be accessible to the plugs of the line cords of the electrical devices sought to be controlled. The component bay contains a first printed circuit board (PCB) which carries the electrical outlets and a second PCB that contains an electrical surge protection circuit, a fault isolation circuit and the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Colin D. Campbell, James H. Bleck
  • Patent number: 5403197
    Abstract: An adjustable rugged antenna coupler assembly for primary use in portable radios. Connector means in combination with a pair of gasket means, signal carrying means and encasement means combine to provide an improved adjustable antenna coupler assembly. The connector means is mated with complementary threadings in the radio casing thereby providing an antenna coupler readily adjustable such that the antenna is always pointed in a desired direction, such as skyward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Ernst, Daniel K. Kaspari, Scott R. Murphy
  • Patent number: 5339461
    Abstract: A compact, radio frequency receiver apparatus having left and right channel conductors windably disposed within a housing of the apparatus. The left and right channel electrical conductors each further have earphone transducers electrically coupled thereto. The earphone transducers may be manually, removably stored in a plurality of recesses formed in an external surface of the housing. The conductors are windably disposed on a spool within the housing of the apparatus, with the spool being rotatable freely therewithin. A spring operatively associated with the spool exerts a constant biasing force in a rewind direction to tend to constantly urge the spool in the rewind direction. A latching member, manually movable by a user via a pushbutton release member, holds the spool stationary after the conductors have been unwound from the spool an approximate, desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Inventor: Harley M. Luplow
  • Patent number: 5183420
    Abstract: A simple and effective means for improving mechanical resistance to stress at the coupling between a conductor and the connector is provided in a thermocouple connector which includes an integrally attached spool for storing in neat, compact and readily accessible form, the excess length of electrical conductor which is attached to the connector while providing the resistance to the stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Omega Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Milton B. Hollander, David R. Jacobs, William E. McKinley
  • Patent number: 4731029
    Abstract: A wire and cable manager consisting of a low profile partitioned tray surrounded by an enclosure and containing an integral series of powered receptacles, capable of organizing, shortening and containing excess length, and supplying power to a number of power cords, cables or wiring, especially where a group of small appliances or electronic components are used in combination. The top of the device is suitable for stacking one or more components, such as a computer monitor or stereo amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: MEGA/ERG Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Lerner, Stephen P. Diskin
  • Patent number: 4722494
    Abstract: A cable retractor assembly which utilizes a rotatable spool assembly for taking up slack in a cable connected between a mobile member and a stationary base member. The present invention makes use of a cable assembly which has first and second portions which are wound onto or unwound from the spool assembly at the same time to maintain a continuous cable connection between the members while avoiding loose cable in the open. A retraction assembly provide the retraction force to rotate the spool assembly to wind the slack cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1988
    Assignee: Odetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Fairchild
  • Patent number: 4721469
    Abstract: An assembly to eliminate slack in a length of cord (20, 120) extending between axially spaced first (12, 112) and second (14, 114) cylindrical members. The cord (20) is wrapped in coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) on the interior side walls (18, 19, 118, 119) of each member (12, 14, 112, 114). A control means (34, 134) acts between the members (12, 14, 112, 114) and coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) to coil the cord (20, 120) onto one coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while uncoiling the cord (20, 120) from the other coiled length (24, 22, 124, 122). A guide means (36, 136) guides the cord (20, 120) onto and off of one of the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) while rolling means (38, 138) hold the coiled lengths (22, 24, 122, 124) in position to eliminate slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: John A. Carlson