James Michael Kraft

US Patent:

6336826, Jan 8, 2002

Filed:

Dec 17, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/213570

Inventors:

James L. Kraft - York PA

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Caledonia MI

International Classification:

H01R 1224

US Classification:

439498, 439502, 439941

Abstract:

A modular communications cable assembly comprises first and second connectors, each having an elongated array of electrical contacts, and high-speed (e. g. , data) and low-speed (e. g. , voice) twisted wire pairs extending between the first and second connectors and terminated to the electrical contacts. Electrical contacts are skipped (or left empty) between the high-speed wire pairs to reduce cross-talk. , but no electrical contacts are skipped between the low-speed wire pairs. An electrically conductive member with pins may be used to electrically couple the skipped contacts together to further reduce cross-talk. In another aspect, a modular communications cable assembly provides a plurality of communication circuits to a cluster of workstations. The cable assembly comprises an upstream connector and at least one downstream connector, with a plurality of high-speed cable segments and at least one low-speed cable segment extending between the upstream and downstream connectors. Each high-speed cable segment contains a set of twisted wire pairs for high-speed communication, and the at least one low-speed cable segment provides a plurality of sets of twisted wire pairs for low-speed communication.

US Patent:

6358083, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Oct 24, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/695653

Inventors:

James L. Kraft - York PA

Assignee:

Steelcase Development Corporation - Caledonia MI

International Classification:

H01R 300

US Classification:

439488, 439502

Abstract:

A communications cabling system adapted for being installed adjacent a first side of a structure having a port communicating with a second side of the structure includes a plurality of unique cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a plurality of wires having first and second ends, a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to each of the plurality of wires at the first end, a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a first unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end and a third connector having a third plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a second unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end. At least one of the first, second and third connectors is configured for being supported proximate the port. At least one of the first, second and third connectors includes a portion accessible from the second side.

US Patent:

56823010, Oct 28, 1997

Filed:

May 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/645728

Inventors:

James L. Kraft - Hellam PA

International Classification:

H02B 101

US Classification:

361826

Abstract:

A cabling system for an enterprise having multiple, remotely located work sites or branch offices is described. Each work site has a plurality of workstations that are interconnected in a computer and/or communication network and the cabling system includes a plurality of cabling kits that are prefabricated for installation. Each cabling kit includes a prefabricated equipment rack, at least one cable interconnection device mounted on the equipment rack for providing an interconnection to a centralized network or communication system device, a plurality of distribution outlets, each located at one of the workstations, and a plurality of multiconductor distribution cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of a work site for interconnecting the cable interconnection device and the distribution outlets. Except for the number and lengths of the multiconductor distribution cables, the cabling kits are configured identically for each of the work sites.

US Patent:

57749795, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Jul 10, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/676671

Inventors:

James L. Kraft - Hellam PA

International Classification:

H04Q 106

US Classification:

29857

Abstract:

A method of installing a cabling system for interconnecting a plurality of devices at an installation site to a network is disclosed. The process includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of identical equipment racks and equipping each of the equipment racks identically with at least one cable interconnection means. The method also includes the steps of prefabricating a plurality of multiconductor cables formed in lengths dimensioned according to the physical layout of an installation site, providing a plurality of multiconductor connectors, each connector being adapted for terminating one of said plurality of multiconductor cables and for facilitating the connection of one or more devices to one of said multiconductor cables, and grouping one of the equipment racks with said plurality of multiconductor cables and with a set of the multiconductor connectors to form a complete cabling system for an installation site.

US Patent:

61684589, Jan 2, 2001

Filed:

Sep 30, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/163886

Inventors:

James L. Kraft - York PA

Assignee:

Steelcase Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

H01R 300

US Classification:

439488

Abstract:

A communications cabling system adapted for being installed adjacent a first side of a structure having a port communicating with a second side of the structure includes a plurality of unique cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a plurality of wires having first and second ends, a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to each of the plurality of wires at the first end, a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a first unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end and a third connector having a third plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to a second unique subset of the plurality of wires at the second end. At least one of the first, second and third connectors is configured for being supported proximate the port. At least one of the first, second and third connectors includes a portion accessible from the second side.