Amp LLC

The Whitaker Corporation

Onq Technologies, Inc.

Lawrence A Hall

Daniel E Stahl

William B Long

Suel G Shannon

William John Schnoor

Linn Stephen Lightner

Bryce W Blair

Keith James McKechnie

Richard P Hepner

The invention provides a wire and component management system in an enclosure having a plurality of rack mounted drawers each having an integral component board. Each component board is configured to have a plurality of mounting openings strategically positioned to allow components to be mounted thereto in various orientations. The component mounting board and drawer are movable within the rack so that they can be easily serviced. The component mounting board and drawer are hingably mounted to the rack by a hinged wire manager. The hinged wire manager is formed of two arms joined by a hinge pin. Each of the arms has wire management features and the wire managed therein is routed around the hinge pin in a loop to allow movement of the component mounting board and drawer in and out of the rack while managing a bundle of wires connected to components on the board.

Wire and system component management system

A distribution device (1) for distributed wiring is constructed with multiple modules (3) that have, respective disconnect hinges (14) mounted disconnectedly to a first rail (4) on a distribution backbone (2), and quick disconnect fasteners (11) disconnectedly secured to a corresponding other rail (4) on the distribution backbone (2).

Distribution device for wiring

Modules (3) for distributing a local area network have, a network hub module (3a) containing network hub circuitry, multiple communication ports (17) on the network hub module (3a), a network interface module (3a) having output connectors (20) electrically terminating cables (26) extending to outlets (27) in various rooms of a building, the network interface module (3b) having input connectors (17) connected to respective output connectors (20), said input connectors (17) being connected by jumper cables (26) to respective ports (17) on the network hub module (3a).

Lan distribution module

A dimmer switch 2 for use in a lighting or electrical power control system includes an air gap switch 20 for open circuiting the load from the source of electrical power. Normal load control is provided by power control circuitry on a printed circuit board 24 in the dimmer switch 2. The air gap switch 20 includes two opposed contact springs 30 mounted on the same printed circuit board. These contact springs 30 include contact tabs 32 normally held in contact. An air gap actuator post 50 molded on one end of a dimmer switch rocker 4 can be moved between the contact tabs 32 to open the air gap switch 20. Convex latching surfaces or ridges 38 on each contact spring 30 engage channels 52 on the air gap actuator post 50 to disengagably hold the post 50 in place. The rocker 4 is rotated from a neutral position to a normal actuation position to activate push button switches 26 on the printed circuit board 24, and the rocker 4 can be rotated further to bring the air gap actuator between contact tabs 32. Opposite rotation of the rocker releases the air gap actuator 52 and closes the air gap switch.

Normally closed dimmer switch contact assembly separated by rocker

A high durability drawer connector is capable of blind mating and has a receptacle connector half having a plurality of spring arm contact terminals extending forwardly of a mating face, and a plug connector half having a like plurality of contact terminals having planar contact portions to engage the spring arm contacts upon mating. Guide pins forwardly of the plug housing enter alignment recesses of the receptacle housing and align the plug connector which is floatingly mounted to a drawer end panel. At a first unmated position the spring arms enter plug housing passageways and just engage the plug's contacts under low insertion force. A camming bearing surface on one of the plug's guide pins bears against a cooperating surface of the receptacle housing and cams the plug connector in a selected axially normal direction. The plug's contacts then firmly engage the spring arms from laterally thereof biasing them to achieve contact force, and the connectors are fully mated. An improved plug connector floating mounting means is also provided which centers the plug prior to mating, and can be used on standard drawer connectors requiring alignment.

High durability drawer connector

Mounting means for high durability drawer connector

A DIN-type plug connector for shielded cable has a one-piece metal shell member in which a housing member has first been inserted and secured. An inwardly-directed projection is stamped into the side surface of the shell member to secure the housing member therein, after which contact-terminated conductors of the cable are inserted through a rear section of the shell member and into housing passageways. The braid of the cable is placed around the rear shell section and a crimping ferrule is crimped therearound, terminating the braid. A rear section of the ferrule is crimped to the outer jacket cable, and an insulating cable guard placed around the assembly. A polarizing U-shaped channel can be stamped into the shell member forwardly of the housing member therewithin for polarized mating with a receptacle. The housing member can have a U-shaped recess therealong to serve as a polarizing indicator and the shell's U-shaped channel can be formed in alignment therewith becoming a polarizing means. A method is provided for assembling the plug connector.

Electrical plug connector and method of terminating a cable therewith

An electrical connector of the plug type comprises a dielectric housing member in which electrical terminals are secured, contact sections of the electrical terminals extend outwardly from a front surface of the dielectric housing member, and conductor-securing sections of the electrical terminals are to be connected to electrical conductors of a shielded cable. Metal clamshell members are mounted on the dielectric housing member forming an outer contact surrounding the dielectric housing member so that a front section covers the contact sections of the electrical terminals and a rear section is to be connected to a shield of the shielded cable. An insulating sleeve is disposed on the clamshell members and the cable. The conductor-securing sections are electrically connected to the electrical conductors and the electrical terminals are latchably secured in terminal passageways of the dielectric housing member, the rear section of the outer conductor has the shield positioned thereon so that a ferrule member can be crimped onto the rear section crimping the shield between the rear section and the ferrule member and, securing the clamshell members in position on the dielectric housing, the ferrule member is also to be crimped onto an insulating jacket of the cable. The forward section of the outer contact has an axial indentation aligned with a peripheral recess at the front of the housing member which polarizes the plug connector when mated with a receptacle connector having a corresponding peripheral recess at the front of its housing.

Electrical plug connector

In an electrical connector of the plug type and a corresponding receptacle therefor, said plug connector comprises a dielectric housing member having terminal-receiving passageways therein in which electrical terminals are latchably secured, and said terminals have contact sections extending forward from said housing member and are electrically connected to electrical conductors of a shielded cable. Metal clamshell members are mounted on said housing member forming an outer contact which extends forward to cover said contact sections of said terminals. The conductive shield of said cable surrounds a rear section of said outer contact and is surrounded by a ferrule member which is crimped to secure said shield to said outer contact, and said clamshell members to said housing; said ferrule is also crimped to an insulating jacket of said cable, and an insulating sleeve is disposed around said outer contact and said cable. A receptacle is provided which has a dielectric housing having a terminal-receiving section surrounded by a channel for receiving a front section of said outer contact of said plug connector, and a hood section surrounding said channel, both said sections having opposed U-shaped recesses communicating with said channel forming a means for polarizing said plug connector in said receptacle. Said receptacle has terminals secured therein which have forked contact sections to electrically receive sections extending outwardly from said receptacle housing for electrical contact sections of said plug terminals and which also have other contact connection to a printed circuit board. A ground terminal is secured to said receptacle and has ground contact means exterior of said housing.

Growing community of inventors

Harrisburg, PA, United States of America

Lawrence A Hall