Amp LLC

The Whitaker Corporation

Other

James H Wise

John L Himes, Jr

Ronald Martin Weber

Charles H Weidler

Jay L French

James S Hower

Robert C Kaley

Robert C Swengel, Jr

Douglas J Pirc

Andrew William Hill

Clair W Snyder, Jr

James R Fetterolf, Sr

Donald L Metzger

William Crusey Van Scyoc

Michael Scott Feher

Robert C Swengel Jr

Thomas J Longo

Eugene Lee

A convertible hassock has a base whose walls enclose a storage area, a flat lid which covers the storage area, and at least one seat which is hinged to one of the walls. The seat can be pivoted from an outboard position resting on top of the lid, to an outboard position substantially coplanar with the lid. The seat is supported, in its open position, either by a cantilever construction or by a prop which engages the floor. The seat has a cushioned side and a flat panel side. The cushion is uppermost when the seat is folded inward, to provide a hassock function, and the panel side is uppermost when the seat is folded outward, providing an extended table surface. While the seats are folded outward, the lid can be raised to permit access to the storage area beneath.

Convertible hassock

A footrest-table convertible article of furniture includes a pair of vertical supports, at least one brace rigidly interconnecting the vertical supports, a rotatable element disposed between the vertical supports, and a pivot connection supporting the rotatable element on the vertical supports for rotation about a horizontal axis. The rotatable element has two opposed major surfaces, one being a flat unupholstered table top, and another being a cushioned footrest. The rotatable element can be flipped 180.degree. between a position in which the table top is uppermost and horizontal, and a position in which the cushioned footrest is uppermost and horizontal. A locking mechanism secures the rotatable element in either of the positions, at a consistent height above the ground.

Footrest-table convertible article of furniture

A communications network wherein the individual communication lines extend to peripheral user devices from a central hub. A test switch is interposed in the communication lines in the vicinity of the hub. The test switch functions to selectively disconnect one of the communication lines from the hub and instead connect that line to a tester. A remote active termination device connected in the line provides the proper line termination for the test being performed.

In-line test switch for communications network

A cable management system which provides routing of wired services between service lines (16) and user lines (18). Each service line enters the cable management system at a service termination unit circuit card (22) which also holds a portion of a crosspoint switch matrix (126). Each user line enters the system at a line termination unit circuit card (20). The service termination unit circuit cards are all mounted to connectors (36) on a first side of a centerplane board (24) and the line termination unit circuit cards are mounted to connectors (36) on the other side of the centerplane board. Pins (37) extending through the centerplane board interconnect the connectors so that any service line can be connected to any user line. A system controller card (26) mounted to the centerplane board communicates with the circuit cards via a bus (38) on the centerplane board. An operator controlled management station (14) provides commands to the controller to control the operation of the cable management system. Each user line includes a subset of the wires of a multi-wire cable (162) extending from a line termination unit circuit card to a remote outlet (200). At the outlet, there is provided a visible indicator (230). A selector (232) is coupled to the indicator and to wires of the multi-wire cable which do not form a part of the user line. The selector responds to commands from the management station for energizing the indicator.

Visual outlet identification in a cable management system

A cable management system which provides routing of wired services between service lines (16) and user lines (18). Each service line enters the cable system at a service termination unit circuit card (22) which also holds a portion of a crosspoint switch matrix (126). Each user line enters the system at a line termination unit circuit card (20). The service termination unit circuit cards are all mounted to connectors (36) on a first side of a centerplane board (24) and the line termination unit circuit cards are mounted to connectors (36) on the other side of the centerplane board. Pins (37) extending through the centerplane board interconnect the connectors so that any service line can be connected to any user line. A system controller card (26) mounted to the centerplane board communicates with the circuit cards via a bus (38) on the centerplane board. Each of the peripheral devices connected to the user lines is provided with an identification device (208) which stores a unique identification code and information characterizing the device. The identification devices are connected to otherwise redundant wires within the cable containing the associated user line. The controller card polls all the identification devices to generate a 'map' of all the 'assets' of the system.

Asset management in a cable management system

A cable management system which provides routing of wired services between service lines (16) and user lines (18). Each service line enters the cable management system at a service termination unit circuit card (22) which also holds a portion of a crosspoint switch matrix (126). Each user line enters the system at a line termination unit circuit card (20). The service termination unit circuit cards are all mounted to connectors (36) on a first side of a centerplane board (24) and the line termination unit circuit cards are mounted to connectors (36) on the other side of the centerplane board. Pins (37) extending through the centerplane board interconnect the connectors so that any service line can be connected to any user line. A system controller card (26) mounted to the centerplane board communicates with the circuit cards via a bus (38) on the centerplane board. Each user line comprises a subset of the wires of a multi-wire cable (162) extending from a line termination unit circuit card to a remote outlet (200). Switching matrices (222,164) connected to the cable wires at the outlet and at the line termination unit circuit card are utilized to effect selection and ordering of the wires making up the user line.

Wire selection in a cable management system

A cable management system which provides routing of wired services between service lines (16) and user lines (18). Each service line enters the cable system at a service termination unit circuit card (22) which also holds a portion of a crosspoint switch matrix (126). Each user line enters the system at a line termination unit circuit card (20). The service termination unit circuit cards are all mounted to connectors (36) on a first side of a centerplane board (24) and the line termination unit circuit cards are mounted to connectors (36) on the other side of the centerplane board. Pins (37) extending through the centerplane board interconnect the connectors so that any service line can be connected to any user line. A system controller card (26) mounted to the centerplane board communicates with the circuit cards via a bus (38) on the centerplane board. Each of the service and line termination unit circuit cards is provided with a unique identification code corresponding to the connector in which it is installed, in addition to 'as built' information characterizing the card. The controller card polls all the service and line termination unit circuit cards to generate a 'map' of all the 'assets' of the system. Further, each line termination unit circuit card provides a predetermined voltage to all of the service termination unit circuit cards. The service termination unit circuit cards respond to the absence of that predetermined voltage from a connector on the second side of the centerplane board by opening all connections to that connector.

Cable management system with automatic mapping

Golf clock

Clock

A power distribution system includes a power outlet for connection to different power supply circuits in a power block when assembled thereto. The system includes a power block having arrays of openings on the front and back faces which are vertically staggered.

Power distribution system for modular furniture unit

A power distribution system for prewiring a modular wall panel unit with electrical conductors. The system is installed in the wiring channel that extends along the bottom edge of the panel unit. The system includes a power block located at each of the opposite ends of the panel wiring channel. Each power block comprises a housing containing ten flat, vertically aligned bus bars that are each connected to a separate one of four line, four neutral, a safety ground and an isolated ground conductors of the power supply of the site at which the panel unit is installed. Each power block is capable of receiving, at the end thereof adjacent the end of the wiring channel, on either or both faces thereof, a connector for a jumper cable for connecting two similar power distribution systems in adjoining panel units. Each power block is also capable of receiving, on either or both faces thereof, a duplex outlet unit or a power-in connector for connecting the bus bars of the power block to the separate conductors of the site power supply. The duplex outlet units are of two types which may each be installed in a power block in two different orientations to connect the outlet unit to a selected pair of the four different pairs of line and neutral conductors of the system.

Power distribution for modular furniture units

A self-supporting contact for engaging a conductor combined with guard means for protecting both the contact and the conductor against accidental touch by a human hand. The contact is stamped from a flat strip of resilient, conductive material and has a rectangular body with a plurality, preferably four, spaced along and extending in parallel from one edge of the contact body. Each of the contact fingers is formed with a spring arch located near the end of the finger attached to the contact body. The apices of arches of the fingers are alternately directed above and below the plane of the contact body and the spring arches tension each of the contact fingers so as to bias the free ends of the fingers toward the plane of the contact body. The guard means for the contact comprises an insulating housing enclosing the contact body with portions of each of the contact fingers projecting to the exterior of the housing. The projecting portions of the fingers are enclosed by an insulating silo formed by two opposed shells. Each of the shells are of a corrugated form. One of the shells encloses those ones of the contact fingers having the spring arches directed above the plane of the contact body. The other of the shells encloses those ones of the contact fingers having the spring arches directed below the plane of the contact body. The guard means for the conductor to be engaged by the contact comprises an insulating housing enclosing the conductor. An opening in the conductor housing aligned with the conductor provides access to the conductor by the contact fingers. The opening has an outline which is complimentary to the outline of the periphery of the silo. The contact fingers and the silo are so dimensioned that no gap in the space enclosed by the opening is of sufficient width to permit entry by a human finger and contact of the conductor underlying the opening.

Low profile spring contact with protective guard means

An electrical terminal member 10 adapted to reduce resistance at a contact interface between two electrical articles comprises first and second connecting portions 12,48 respectively. First portion 12 has an annular section 14 having a fastener receiving aperture 16 extending therethrough, an inner edge 22 adjacent the fastener receiving aperture 16 and an outer edge 28 extending circumferentially around the annular section 14. Annular section 14 further includes a plurality of slots 26 spaced therearound, the slots 26 defining therebetween respective spring sections 32 in an annular array. Each spring section includes respective protrusion 34 extending from a major surface thereof, each protrusion 34 having a crest portion 36. Crest portions 36 are disposed substantially in a common plane and define a contact interface for electrical engagement with a common conductive surface 38 of the first electrical article 60. An opposed major surface as an array of surface portions engageable by means securing first portion 12 of terminal member 10 to a said first electrical article 60. A plurality of electrical paths in parallel are established between the first and second electrical articles upon terminal 10 being connected to first and second electrical articles thereby minimizing the electrical resistance at the contact interface.

Electrical terminal with annular section

A latch and combined latch locking means and handle for securing in place a plug-in electrical connector mated to a second connector. The latch comprises a latch plate pivotally joined to one end of the connector to permit deflection of the plate. A post is mounted on the receptacle at a position opposite the latch plate on the connector. Cooperating shoulders on the post and the latch plate restrain the connector from being withdrawn from the receptacle when the latch plate is in a first position. When the latch plate is deflected to a second position, the shoulders disengage to permit withdrawal of the connector from the receptacle. The latch locking means and handle comprises a bail pivotally mounted in the connector to permit the bail to be folded flush with the connector. In the flush position, the bail extends over the latch plate and prevents the plate from being deflected to a position disengaging the shoulders. When the bail is swung outward from the connector, the latch plate may be deflected to the release position and the bail serves as a handle to assist in withdrawing the connector from the receptacle.

Latch and locking handle for an electrical connector

A method is disclosed for making a wire-receiving barrel terminal having a barrel with a desired inner diameter comprising the steps of: selecting a metal stock having the desired properties; stamping a terminal blank 12 having a forward portion 14 adapted to be formed into at least one contact section, an intermediate portion 16 extending rearwardly from said forward portion 14 and a rearward portion 18 adapted to be formed into first and second barrel sections 20, 32. The second barrel section 32 of said rearward portion is joined integrally with and extends rearwardly from said intermediate portion 16 and the first barrel section 20 is joined integrally with and extends from the second barrel section 32. The first and second barrel sections 20, 32 are generally rectangular and each has at least one lateral edge, and a lateral dimension equal to the circumference of a circle of desired wire receiving barrel inner diameter. In one embodiment first barrel section 20 is laterally offset from second barrel section 32 by bight section 42. A seamed barrel shaped member 44 is formed from first barrel section 20. Seamed outer barrel member 50 from second contact section 32 is formed around barrel-shaped member 44 after disposition thereof along a major surface of second barrel section 5 by bending at bight section 42. The seams 46, 52 of barrel terminal member 58 are essentially diametrically opposed and a continuous portion of the outer barrel member 50 overlies the inner slam 46. In another embodiment, a spiral double walled barrel 158 is formed by rolling, rearward portion 118 into barrel 158 having lateral edges 60, 62 thereof along a continuous wall portion.

Growing community of inventors

Palmyra, PA, United States of America

James H Wise