US5864467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cascadable modem apparatus
Assignee: Paradyne Corp
•
Filing: 1997-02-12
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2017-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A cascadable modem apparatus includes a modem housing having a top and a bottom. A plurality of angled feet are attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot. The feet serve both to support the modem on an platform as well as to attach the modem to a similarly configured, adjacent modem assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of receiving slots are defined in the housing top and are correspondingly disposed to receive the distal portions of a plurality of angled feet from an adjacent modem housing. In this way, insertion of the distal portions of the feet snugly into the receiving slots of an adjacent modem effectively attaches the two adjacent modem assemblies. Preferably, a resilient locking tab is attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion directed away from the housing bottom. As a result, the tab is responsive to force applied to the distal portion to flex inwardly toward the housing bottom. A raised portion on the housing top is configured to engage a locking tab from an adjacent modem housing, flex the tab inwardly as the two adjacent modem housings are interconnected, and captively engage the locking tab when the two modem housings are aligned, to effectively interlock the two adjacent modem housings.
Inventors
- 👤 Giovanni Recchia
- 👤 Thomas Georgopulos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:46
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A cascadable data communication equipment (DCE) apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of angled feet attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot; a plurality of receiving slots defined in the housing top and disposed to receive the distal portions of a plurality of angled feet from an adjacent housing; a resilient locking tab attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion directed away from the housing bottom, the tab being responsive to force applied to the distal portion to flex inwardly toward the housing bottom; a raised portion on the housing top configured to engage a locking tab from an adjacent housing and interlock the two adjacent housings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A cascadable data communication equipment (DCE) apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of angled feet attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot; a plurality of receiving slots defined in the housing top and disposed to receive the distal portions of a plurality of angled feet from an adjacent housing; a resilient locking tab attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion directed away from the housing bottom, the tab being responsive to force applied to the distal portion to flex inwardly toward the housing bottom; a raised portion on the housing top configured to engage a locking tab from an adjacent housing and interlock the two adjacent housings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the raised portion is configured to operatively engage and flex the locking tab as the two adjacent housings are slid relatively to each other while juxtaposed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiving slots are configured to releasably engage the distal portions of the angled feet as the feet are slid into the receiving slots while the housing are juxtaposed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including at least one guide for facilitating sliding engagement between the two adjacent housings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the at least one guide includes cooperatively disposed portions on the housing top and housing bottom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the portions include a channel portion disposed on the housing bottom and a raised rib portion disposed on the housing top, wherein the raised rib portion is slidably engaged by a channel portion of an adjacently disposed housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including two channel portions on the housing bottom and two correspondingly disposed raised rib portions disposed on the housing top.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the DCE apparatus includes at least one apparatus from the group consisting of: a modem; a digital service unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cascadable data communication equipment (DCE) apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of feet attached to the housing bottom, each foot defining a freestanding distal portion; feet engaging means disposed in the housing top for releasably engaging the distal portion of the plurality of feet of an adjacent housing; and locking means associated with the housing for releasably interlocking two aligned and adjacently disposed housings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A cascadable data communication equipment (DCE) apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of feet attached to the housing bottom, each foot defining a freestanding distal portion; feet engaging means disposed in the housing top for releasably engaging the distal portion of the plurality of feet of an adjacent housing; and locking means associated with the housing for releasably interlocking two aligned and adjacently disposed housings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the feet engaging means includes a plurality of receiving slots defined in the housing top.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the locking means includes a resilient locking tab attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion directed away from the housing bottom, the tab being responsive to force applied to the distal portion to flex inwardly toward the housing bottom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the locking means further includes a raised portion on the housing top configured to engage a locking tab from an adjacent housing and to form an interference fit when the adjacent housings are brought into aligned, adjacent engagement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cascadable apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the locking means includes a press-fit engagement formed between the feet and feet engaging means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cascadable apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the distal portion of the plurality of feet are offset from the housing bottom.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cascadable apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the feet engaging means includes a plurality of receiving slots defined in the housing top.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cascadable apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the receiving slots align with the offset distal portions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cascadable apparatus according to claim 9, further including at least one guide for facilitating sliding engagement between the two adjacent housings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the at least one guide includes cooperatively disposed portions on the housing top and housing bottom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein the portions include a channel portion disposed on the housing bottom and a raised rib portion disposed on the housing top, wherein the raised rib portion is slidably engaged by a channel portion of an adjacently disposed housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 6, further including two channel portions on the housing bottom and two correspondingly disposed raised rib portions disposed on the housing top.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
66 words
A cascadable apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of angled feet attached to the housing in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot, wherein the distal portion projects below the housing bottom; and means attached to the housing for releasably engaging the distal portion of the feet; whereby two adjacent housings are releasably held in fixed relation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
A cascadable apparatus comprising: a housing having a top and a bottom; a plurality of angled feet attached to the housing in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot, wherein the distal portion projects below the housing bottom; and means attached to the housing for releasably engaging the distal portion of the feet; whereby two adjacent housings are releasably held in fixed relation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the feet are attached to the housing bottom.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the feet are attached attached to sides of the housing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cascadable apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein the DCE apparatus include at least one apparatus selected from the group consisting of: a modem; and
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |