Cord management apparatus and method

• US 6,386,906 B1
• Filed: 03/16/1998
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konnectronix Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Telefonix Incorporated (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Burke, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): DONOVAN, LINCOLN D
• Application Number:
  US09/039,825
• Time in Patent Office: 1,520 Days
• Field of Search: 439/501, 439/502, 439/505, 439/506, 439/507, 439/508, 174/68.1, 174/69, 174/72.A, 174/DIG.9, 191/12.2 R, 191/12.R, 191/12.4, 191/12.2 A, 345/68, 345/72, 345/40
• US Class Current: 439/501
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1445 with detection of interference with a cable tethering an article, e.g. alarm activated by detecting detachment of article, breaking or stretching of cable furniture, e.g. shelves for displaying merchandise, incorporating tethers to prevent theft A47F7/024, A47F5/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 11/00 Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts

Abstract

A cord management apparatus that provides for the convenient management of cords associated with the retail display of small electronic devices such as video cameras. The apparatus comprises a multi-conductor cable, a retractable reel for dispensing and retracting the cable, a mounting member for mounting the electronic device, an adapter for connecting the cable to the electronic device, and a base member for removably holding the mounting member. The base member is fastened to a display rack or counter. A plurality of adapters are provided so that the apparatus may be used with a wide variety of devices that may have different connection requirements.

Claims

1. A cable management apparatus for connecting a select one of plural electronic devices, the electronic devices having differing electrical requirements, to a display rack and to a stationary module, the apparatus comprising;

a) a base member;

b) a mounting member on which the select electronic device may be mounted, said mounting member being movable relative to said base member;

c) an electrical cable carried by said base and having a first end adapted for connection to the stationary module, and a second end of said cable carried by said mounting member, said cable carrying plural electrical signals for a plurality of the electronic devices;

d) a reel for retractably storing a portion of said cable; and

e) a modular electrical adapter, a first end of said adapter electrically connected to said second end of said cable, and a second end of said adapter having one or more electrical connectors adapted for connection to the select electronic device, said adapter carrying electrical signals required for operation of the select electronic device.

2. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said base member has a fastener for removably attaching said base member to the display rack.

3. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each of the base member and the mounting member are equipped with a respective one of a mating pair of support couplings for removably attaching said mounting member to said base member.

4. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein one of said base member and said mounting member has an arm and the other of said base member and said mounting member has an opening for receiving said arm whereby said mounting member is held by said base member.

5. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said base member has an arm, and said mounting member has a generally tubular portion;

whereby said tubular portion is removably held on said base member arm.

6. A cable management apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said base member arm has an inner passage, and said cable passes through said inner passage.

7. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cable comprises a plurality of conductors, at least two of said conductors carrying first and second power voltages, respectively, and said adapter is selectively electrically connected to one of said power conductors.

8. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cable member carries a video signal, plural power signals, and an anti-theft circuit.

9. A cable management apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a video camera.

10. A cable management apparatus for connecting a select one of plural cameras to a display, said display having a stationary module, the apparatus comprising:

a) a base member removably attached to the display;

b) a mounting member on which the select camera may be mounted, said mounting member removably held by said base member;

c) a cable, a first end of said cable having a first electrical connector for connection to the stationary module, and a second end of said cable attached to said mounting member and having a second electrical connector, said cable having plural conductors carrying a plurality of signals for a plurality of cameras;

d) a reel for the retractably storing a portion of said cable; and

e) a modular adapter, a first end of said adapter having a first connector mating with said cable second connector, and a second end of said modular adapter having one or more electrical connectors adapted for connection to the select camera, said adapter selectively connecting said cable conductors required for the select camera.

11. A cable management apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said base member has an arm, and said mounting member has a generally tubular portion, whereby said tubular portion is removably held on said base member arm.

12. A cable management apparatus as in claim 11;

wherein said arm has an inner passage, and said cable passes through said inner passage.

13. A cable management apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said plural conductors carry plural power voltages, respectively, and said adapter is selectively electrically connected to one of said conductors carrying one said voltage.

14. A cable management apparatus as in claim 10;

wherein said plurality of signals comprises a video circuit, plural power circuits, and an anti-theft circuit.

15. A method of connecting a moveable camera to a stationary camera display unit, the display unit having a signal source, comprising the steps of;

a) providing a generic cable management unit having a mounting member, a base member, a cable, and a retractable cable reel, the cable carrying plural signals;

b) fastening the base member to the display unit;

c) attaching the camera to the mounting member;

d) selecting a modular adapter for the camera, the modular adapter for selectively connecting the signals from the cable required for the camera;

e) connecting said cable first end to the signal source, connecting said cable second end to said modular adapter; and

f) connecting said modular adapter to the camera.

16. A cable management apparatus for connecting plural electronic devices having different inputs to an electronic module, the apparatus comprising:

a) a plurality of generic cable assemblies each having an electric cable having a first end adapted for connection to the electronic module and a second end, said cable carrying electrical signals for each of the plural electronic devices; and

b) a plurality of modular adapters, one for each electronic device, a first end of each said adapter connected to the second end of said cable on any one of the generic cable assemblies and a second end of each said adapter having one or more connectors adapted for connection to the inputs of a respective one of the plural electronic devices, each said adapter selectively carrying signals between said cable and the respective one of said electronic devices.

17. A cable management apparatus for supplying power to a plurality of electronic devices, one of the devices having a first power input connector and another of the devices having a second power input connector that is different from the first power input connector, the apparatus comprising:

a) a plurality of generic cable management units, each unit having a multi-conductor cable, said cable having a first end for connection to a power source and a second end carrying a second end conductor;

b) a plurality of adaptors, each said adapter having a first end with a connector mating with the second end connector of a respective one of said generic cable management units, and a second end for connection to a respective one of the electronic devices, at least one of said adapters having a second end with a first power input mating connector, and another of said adapters having a second end with a second power input mating connector.

18. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein each said generic cable management unit further comprises a cord reel for retractably storing a portion of said cable.

19. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein said cable of each said generic cable management unit carries a security system circuit.

20. An apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the electronic devices are cameras and wherein each said generic cable management unit further comprises a mounting member,

the second end of the cable for each generic unit being attached to the mounting member of that unit, and each camera being mounted to the mounting member of a respective one of said generic units.

21. A cable management apparatus for connecting a select one of plural cameras to a display, said display having a power source and a security system, the apparatus comprising:

a) a mounting member on which the select camera may be mounted, said mounting member being moveable relative to the display;

b) a cable, a first end of said cable having at least one electrical connector for connection to the power source and the security system, and a second end of said cable attached to said mounting member and having at least one second electrical connector, said cable having plural conductors carrying a plurality of signals;

c) a reel carried by the display for retractably storing a portion of said cable; and

d) an adapter, a first end of said adapter having a first connector mating with said cable second connector, and a second end of said modular adapter having one or more electrical connectors adapted for the connection to the select camera.

22. A cable management apparatus for making power and security circuit connections to a plurality of video cameras, one camera having a first type of power input jack, and another camera having a second type of input jack that is different from the first power input jack, the apparatus comprising:

a) a plurality of generic cable management units, each unit having a multi-conductor cable carrying power and a security circuit, said cable having a first end for connection to a power source and a security system, and a second end carrying a second end connector;

b) a first adapter having a first end with a connector mating with the second end connector of one of said generic cable management units, and a second end with a first type of plug of mating with the first type of power input jack, whereby a camera having the first type of power input jack may be connected to a generic cable management unit;

c) a second adapter having a first end with a connector mating with the second end connector of one of said generic cable management units, and a second end with a second type of plug mating with the second type of power input jack, whereby a camera having the second type of power input jack may be connected to a generic cable management unit; and

d) means for connecting each camera to the security circuit of a respective one of said cable management units whereby disconnection of the camera from the cable management unit will open the security circuit.

23. A method of connecting plural moveable cameras to a stationary camera display unit, the display unit having a power source, the cameras having different types of power jacks comprising the steps of:

a) providing plural generic cable management units, each unit having a mounting member, a cable, and a retractable cable reel, the cablr carrying plural signals and having first and second ends;

b) attaching each camera to each respective mounting member;

c) selecting an adapter for each camera, each adapter having a connector on a first end that will mate with any one of the cable second ends of the plural generic cable management units, and each adapter having a plug on a second end that will mate with the respective camera power jack for which it was selected;

d) connecting the first cable end of each unit to the power source;

e) connecting the first end of each modular adapter to the second cable end of each respective generic cable management unit; and

f) plugging each plug on the adapter second end into each respective camera.