IP Library Granted Patent US 7,001,211
Granted Patent B2
US 7,001,211 · App. 11/152,868 · Granted Feb 21, 2006

Utility connection station

Assignee: Fiskars Brands, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,001,211
App. No.
11/152,868
Granted
Feb 21, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

A utility connection station includes a body portion having a top, a bottom, opposite sides and a plurality of receptacles. A stand is coupled to the body portion and has a first arm and a second arm movable in opposite directions for activation of the stand between a stowed position and a deployed position. A first line management device is integrated with the stand and a second line management device is coupled to the body portion and are configured to hold one or more utility lines coupled to the receptacles.

Claims (30)

1. A utility connection station, comprising:

a body portion having a top, a bottom, opposite sides and a plurality of receptacles;

a stand coupled to the body portion and having a first arm and a second arm movable in opposite directions for activation of the stand between a stowed position and a deployed position;

a first line management device integrated with the stand and a second line management device coupled to the body portion and configured to hold one or more utility lines when coupled to the receptacles;

an extension member having a plurality of receptacles and movable between a deployed position for use and a stowed position for storage;

wherein the body portion is supportable in an tower orientation when the stand is in the deployed position and the body portion is positionable in a low-profile orientation when the stand is in the stowed position.

2. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein the second line management device is selectively extendable and retractable from the top of the body portion.

3. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein at least one of the line management devices further comprises activation assistance.

4. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm are activation assisted.

5. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein the second line management device further comprises a handle.

6. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein the second line management device further comprises a hook member configured to suspend the body portion in a work area.

7. The utility connection station of claim 1 wherein the first arm and the second arm further comprise a frictional interface with the body portion configured for positioning the first arm and the second arm in a desired location.

8. A connection device for utilities, comprising:

a body having a base and a plurality of receptacles for utilities;

a bracket selectively extendable and retractable from the base and configured to guide one or more cords;

a stand proximate the base and having a first portion and a second portion movable between an extended position and a retracted position; and

an extension member having a plurality of receptacles and movable between a deployed position for use and a stowed position for storage.

9. The connection device for utilities of claim 8 wherein the utilities are at least one of electrical power, telecommunication signals, voice signals and data signals.

10. The connection device for utilities of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion further comprise a cord management device configured to guide cords that interface with the receptacles.

11. The connection device for utilities of claim 8 wherein the first position is a tower position and the stand is configured to support the base on a worksurface.

12. The connection device for utilities of claim 8 wherein the second position is a flat position where a side of the body is configured for placement on a worksurface.

13. In a connection device for utilities having a plurality of receptacles configured to interconnect with a plurality of utility lines, the improvement comprising:

a body for housing the receptacles;

a line management device configured to guide the utility lines connected to the receptacles comprising a member that is extendable and retractable in relation to the body and;

a stand movable in relation to the body between a deployed position to support the body in a first orientation and a stowed position to permit the body to be placed in a second orientation.

14. The connection device for utilities of claim 13 wherein the line management device further comprises a first line management device and a second line management device.

15. The connection device for utilities of claim 14 wherein the first line management device comprises an opening in the stand.

16. The connection device for utilities of claim 13 wherein the stand further comprises a first arm and a second arm that are selectively extendable and retractable from an end of the body.

17. The connection device for utilities of claim 13 wherein the utilities are at least one of electrical power, a telecommunication signal, a voice signal, a data signal, a fiber-optic signal and an infrared signal.

18. The connection device for utilities of claim 13 , wherein the member is U-shaped.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2007
From: FISKARS BRANDS INC.
To: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N V; PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NORTH AMERICA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 019171/0886 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2005
From: LICHTSCHEIDL, KRISTINE E.; SCHAFFNER, MARK A.
To: FISKARS BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016850/0966 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2005
From: KRAMER, THOMAS E.; THAO, FUSU
To: KABLOOE DESIGN, INC.
Reel/Frame 016852/0244 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2005
From: KABLOOE DESIGN, INC.
To: FISKARS BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 016852/0248 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 1077356700 · Feb 6, 2004
Related Publication 20050233622A1 · Oct 20, 2005