Did You Know...
...that Thomas Edison's patent application on his phonograph was approved by the Patent Office in just seven weeks? In contrast, it took Gordon Gould, the inventor of the laser, 30 years to obtain his patent -- finally awarded in 1988!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7985083 | Interface between connectable electrical devices A system for engaging devices having connectable electrical connectors includes a first device and a second device. The first device has a first electrical connector exposed at a first surface that is contoured to define one or more recesses, each of which has a lip... | 07/26/2011 |
| 7722369 | Lock for serial bus connector plugs Lock devices for installation on a serial bus male connector plug that prevent access to, and connection of the plug to other devices, such as memory storage devices, have a housing with a receptacle which is installed onto the serial bus male connector plug to cove... | 05/25/2010 |
| 7429180 | Method and apparatus for restricting electrical connection to a contact in an electrical connector A method and apparatus are disclosed for restricting electrical connection to an electrical contact in a hard disk drive. A hard disk drive is provided which includes an electrical interface having a plurality of electrical contacts, and a restricting member. Access... | 09/30/2008 |
| 7336210 | Multichannel time encoding and decoding of a signal Analog signals can be fully encoded as an asynchronous time sequence generated by a time encoding machine. With knowledge of the parameters of the time encoding machine, the asynchronous time sequence can be decoded using a non-linear time decoding machine. Such a s... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7275941 | Lockable portable memory storage devices with serial bus connectors and locking system therefor Lockable portable memory storage devices equipped with male connector plugs have a locking system that prevents access to, and connection of the connector to external devices, and thereby prevents unauthorized use of the device and access to data and/or media stored... | 10/02/2007 |
| 7229322 | Outlet extension unit and designer outlet cover An outlet extension unit adapted to plug into a conventional electrical wall outlet with wall plate comprising: a member having an upper end and a lower end, on one side at least one pair of outwardly projecting electrically conductive prongs adapted to plug ... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7220137 | Cover for multiplex receptacle set A cover for a multiplex and multi-directional receptacle set in which each of a plurality of receptacles is provided on a lateral side thereof with an insertion socket formed integrally therewith and having a through hole; a plurality of covers same as the said cove... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7189084 | Connector cover for portable terminal To provide a connector cover for a portable terminal, capable of securely closing an opening in a casing so as to prevent dust from entering, without being influenced by deformation and dimensional changes due to secular change, etc. Protruding portions are formed o... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7178228 | Method for deterring snooping of data in digital data processing systems A physical latching mechanism prevents access to or tampering with an I/O port of a computer system. In the preferred embodiment, a display monitor cable of an unattended workstation being operated remotely is disconnected and latched to prevent re-connection and di... | 02/20/2007 |
| 7165992 | Ceiling electrical connector assembly A connector assembly for interconnecting an overhead electric junction box and electric fixture, the connector assembly including a socket housing having first and second apertures, each aperture having a hook engaging end and a hook disengaging end, the socket hous... | 01/23/2007 |
| 7147494 | Physical security system for wireless access points that prevents removal of the access point and associated connectors This invention is directed to a security system for wireless access points which includes a mounting bracket, an enclosure frame, a lock plate and a locking device. The mounting bracket couples the access point to a stationary surface. The enclosure frame is adapted... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7140889 | System for physically securing an access point and preventing the removal of associated connectors This invention is directed to a security system for wireless access points which includes a clamp assembly and a locking device. The clamp assembly is clamped around I/O panel connectors, and then secured to the access point enclosure frame via a metal capture plate... | 11/28/2006 |
| 7125269 | Connector provided with cover An insulative connector body is accommodated in a conductive shield case. A conductive contact is provided on the connector body. An insulative cover is accommodated in the shield case so as to be slidable between a first position for concealing the contact and a se... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7121853 | Locking device for electrical plugs and electrical outlets The locking device for electrical plugs includes a housing for receiving the prongs of at least one electrical plug therein. The distal end of a rod is pivotally secured to the inner face of a rear wall of the housing, with the rod being received by holes formed in ... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7097473 | Cable clip A cable clip includes a housing defining an open space and outer grooves about the housing for mounting the cable clip into a mounting opening, the inner edge of the housing including trumpet flares around the edges of the ends and side to provide bend radius protec... | 08/29/2006 |
| 7086870 | Electrical connector (receptacle) with easily removable bottom A structure of an array of connectors fastened to a planar insulator, usually formed of a high temperature thermoplastic. The planar insulator has a pattern of substantially cylindrical openings formed therein into which is inserted a machined copper alloy sleeve wh... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7083438 | Locking covers for cable connectors and data ports for use in deterring snooping of data in digital data processing systems A physical latching mechanism prevents access to or tampering with an I/O port of a computer system. In the preferred embodiment, a display monitor cable of an unattended workstation being operated remotely is disconnected and latched to prevent re-connection and di... | 08/01/2006 |
| 7005802 | Retrofit kit for modular lamp controller Kits and methods and apparatus are provided for retrofitting a lamp for use with a modular lamp controller. In a representative embodiment, a kit includes a port connector, a first portion of a port adapter, a second portion of a port adapter, and a lock nut. The po... | 02/28/2006 |
| 6997724 | Aircraft battery lockout device An aircraft battery lockout device is used to isolate the connector assembly for the aircraft's wiring harness from the battery power receptacle. In one embodiment the device comprises a cover, lock, and insulative material. The cover is locked onto the battery powe... | 02/14/2006 |
| 6979220 | Plug locking mechanism This invention secures an electrical plug by inserting a locking pin through a hole in the prong(s) of a male plug or through a hole in a female plug and through a corresponding hole in the male or female receptacle that secures the device plugged into the receptacl... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6971255 | Combination power cord and computer security system A combination power cord and security system for a portable computing device. A security cable is provided which is constructed of a sheath of braided steel or other secure material. A lockable connector is mounted to one end of the security cable for connection to ... | 12/06/2005 |
| 6940230 | Modular lamp controller Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided concerning modular lamp controllers. In one embodiment, a modular lamp controller dims a high intensity discharge lamp based upon occupancy. The lamp has a port within its fixture, and the port is coupled to a lamp capaci... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6926131 | Hydrokinetic coupling appliance, in particular for motor vehicle A hydrokinetic coupling appliance, in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (30) provided with a transverse wall (3), designed to be coupled in rotation to an input shaft, a turbine wheel (12) housed inside the housing (30)... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6921288 | Semiconductor test and burn-in apparatus provided with a high current power connector for combining power planes A semi-conductor module burn-in test apparatus having a plurality burn-in boards each of which is provided a plurality of module test sockets thereon and each test socket is coupled to an adjacent test socket by with a high current, open/short split power connector ... | 07/26/2005 |
| 6902423 | Two wire folder line plugs and connectors An electrical connector assembly receives exposed ends of an electrical wire, and includes a foldable body with complementary first and second body portions and components for securely mounting a third body portion in the assembly using a single fastening screw, and... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6863550 | Self ejecting cover The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing a self-ejecting cover for externally accessible electronic components. The system of the present invention includes a panel with an aperture for accepting an externally accessible component such ... | 03/08/2005 |
| 6832921 | Electrical safety outlet and power cord A removable cap that has two safety prongs. A replacement outlet cover is also provided that has corresponding side slots to receive the safety clips. When the cap is inserted into the outlet, the safety prongs engage the side slots, which then hold the cap in place... | 12/21/2004 |
| 6802724 | Fiber optic interface device A connectorized inside fiber optic drop that facilitates the deployment of fiber to the home by connecting a fiber optic interface device to an optical network terminal, the inside fiber optic drop including a sheath, transition fittings, pigtails, fiber optic conne... | 10/12/2004 |
| 6767228 | Internal safety cover and method to prevent electrical shock This invention is an internal safety cover for use in electrical outlets that provides increased protection against electrical shock. The internal safety cover is designed to be slidably positioned inside the conductive members of an electrical outlet. One embodimen... | 07/27/2004 |
| 6764322 | Power plug receptacle having safety cover A power plug receptacle having a safety cover comprises a plurality of sockets each provided with a rotary safety cover. A socket and a safety cover are coupled through inserting a pivot post into a pivot hole and engaging a guiding pin into a guiding slot. A torsio... | 07/20/2004 |
| 6676421 | Electrical plug locking assembly An electrical plug locking assembly for preventing plugging a male electrical plug into an electrical outlet includes a block member of a first material and having a plurality of openings for receiving prongs of a male electrical plug. Arm portions of a s... | 01/13/2004 |
| 6652307 | Multiple electrical plug locking apparatus The invention is a compact locking device for locking one or more standard male electrical plugs therein in order to prevent their removal and unwanted use. Each plug includes prongs with openings thereon. The device comprises one or more prong-receiving ... | 11/25/2003 |
| 6508654 | Male electrical plug locking device The invention is a compact locking device with minimal moving parts for securing an electrical power cord with male prongs having holes without damaging the prongs of the plug. The device comprises a rigid body, inside of which is a lock assembly, an elon... | 01/21/2003 |
| 6454579 | Computerized plug lock A locking device for an electrical plug. The device has a housing and a cover which can be opened only with a coded key pad. The housing has internal contacts which allow the plug to be connected to a standard receptacle, or which allow the plug to be dis... | 09/24/2002 |
| 6379166 | Fiber optic cable outlet box A cable outlet box for in-wall installation is disclosed that is particularly well suited for optical fiber cable network applications. The outlet box is larger than conventional outlet boxes in the transverse direction, to allow optical fibers to be main... | 04/30/2002 |
| 6309246 | Protective RF terminator cap A terminator cap is provided for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector, which is made from a composite material so as to provide an electrical impedance between an outer case and a center conductor of the output connector. A method is also p... | 10/30/2001 |
| 6159025 | Electric cord plug lock A locking device for preventing an end plug on an equipment from being connected to a source of current or preventing equipment theft. The device is a small, rigid plastic body that includes a receptacle to plug in either a three-pronged or two pronged pl... | 12/12/2000 |
| 6149445 | Control pod A control pod for a plug and cord assembly secures the electrical appliance to which the cord is attached and prevents insertion of the plug into a power outlet by having an upper section connected to a lower section by a hinge on one side and a lock oppo... | 11/21/2000 |
| 6142797 | Electrical plug locking device An electrical plug locking device that prevents the unauthorized use of electrical devices. The locking device employs an innovative key actuated cam and cam slide locking mechanism to securely engage the prongs of an electrical plug. The locking device i... | 11/07/2000 |
| 6056563 | Electrical cord lock An electrical-cord lock has a plug container (1) that is sized and shaped to receive an electrical-cord plug (2) laterally. The plug container has first and second ends (3, 4) that are closed and a closure wall (5) that is operable and closeable with a wa... | 05/02/2000 |
