1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a device for securing a cable, and in particular a cable plug within a receiving port of an apparatus. Even more particularly, the invention relates to such a device which secures a USB plug into a USB port of an electrical appliance or apparatus such as a computer, preventing the USB plug from being prematurely detached or unplugged from the apparatus, and in addition can be used to prevent unauthorized theft of the apparatus.
2. Background Information
Various types of electrical wires and cables are connected to numerous types of electronic equipment, appliances and apparatus, for supplying power and communications to and from the apparatus to and from a remote location. These cables terminate in a connector or plug which is plugged into a port or socket formed in the apparatus such as a computer, printer, camcorder or numerous other types of electronic appliances. Occasionally, these plugs will become partially or fully detached from the equipment during movement of the equipment or cable preventing loss of power or transmission between the equipment and a remote location causing aggravation to the user and possible damage to the cable or connected equipment.
In retail businesses, many types of electronic equipment such as computers, camcorders, gaming systems etc. are displayed on a shelf for inspection and use by a perspective customer. In order to enable the customer to fully appreciate the equipment, it is connected to a remote source such as the internet or electrical power supply, enabling the perspective customer to see and test the equipment for its intended use. One problem that occurs is that it exposes the equipment to possible theft from the retail establishment. Various devices have been used such as separate sensors attached to the equipment which will sound an alarm if the equipment is removed from the sensor or the equipment is removed from the store. Other types of security controls can be incorporated into the equipment by means of the USB port found on many such types of equipment.
Thus, a merchant can supply electric power, internet connection, security controls etc. to the various types of equipment via a USB plug and receiving socket or port provided on the equipment. Again, when used in such a fashion, it is desirable to firmly secure the plug in the USB port of the protected equipment in a manner preventing its accidental dislodgement from the equipment resulting in a premature alarm sounding in the store with the resultant problems, that such a premature alarm could cause. Several known types of devices have been developed for securing a USB cable or security cord or cable in a product such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,855 and 6,491,541. Although these prior art devices for securement have proven satisfactory for certain installations, it is desirable that the means of securement or cable attachment device be of a simple, inexpensive construction, easily adaptable for use with various plug constructions, and which can be reused on various products. The cable attachment devices of the present invention achieve these results.
One aspect of the present invention is to provide a cable attachment device formed of inexpensive plastic material which is adapted to entrap the plug end of the cable within a hollow interior of a housing which surrounds the plug and which is connected to the associated electrical equipment by pressure sensitive adhesive to reduce the possibility of a premature dislodgement of the plug from the receiving socket or port of the equipment.
Another feature is to form the housing of the attachment device with an elongated slot for slidably receiving the cord of the supply cable therethrough, after which the housing is slid over the plug and secured thereto by a retaining clip which is slid over the housing and connected to the equipment by attachment means, such as a pair of pressure sensitive adhesive pads.
Another aspect of the invention is to enable the attachment device to be used with a cable plug whether it be a usual USB cable, a power supply cable, a security cable etc. which is attached to a remote alarm, power source, internet server etc.
Still another feature of the present invention is to mount a pair of adhesive attachment pads on the ends of flexible arms which extend outwardly from the plug housing retaining clip, which arms may have sufficient flexibility to adapt to various contours of the equipment adjacent the receiving port of the equipment.
These features and objectives are obtained by the attachment device of the present invention which is used for securing a conductor plug in a receiving socket of an apparatus, in which the general nature of the device comprises a housing having an interior chamber and formed with first and second ends with an opening formed in each end, and a slot extending along the housing between the end openings, and wherein the housing is adapted to receive and trap the plug within the interior chamber; a clip having an opening receives the first end of the housing therethrough; surfaces formed on the clip and housing cooperatively engage with each other to prevent movement of the clip beyond the second end of the housing; and an attachment member on the clip secures the clip and housing on the apparatus adjacent the socket for securing the conductor plug in the receiving socket.
A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated of the best mode in which Applicant contemplates applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
The improved cable attachment device of the present invention is indicated generally at 1, and is shown in
Device 1 is shown in an exploded perspective condition in
Retaining clip 19 includes a generally rectangular-shaped collar or body 41 and a pair of outwardly extending arms 43. Collar 41 includes a pair of spaced end walls 45 and a pair of spaced side walls 47, with arms 43 extending outwardly from side walls 47. Walls 45 and 47 form an opening 49 through which housing 17 is slidably inserted when attaching retaining clip 19 on housing 17 as described below. End walls 45 and side walls 47 are generally U-shaped forming a continuous channel 67 extending about the inside periphery of collar 41. Clip arms 43 terminate in disc-shaped ends 51 having a pressure sensitive adhesive pad 53 mounted on the inner sides thereof.
The operation and assembly of cable attachment device 1 is best shown in
Protective sheets (not shown) usually are provided over adhesive pads 53, are removed enabling the adhesive pads to be pressed against wall 7 to secure device 1 on the computer as shown in
It is readily understood that device 1 can be used with computer 9 as shown in the drawings or with other types of electrical appliances and equipment to retain a power cable or other type of cable to the appliance, whether the appliance is used in a home or other non-retail location, without affecting the concept of the invention. Again, the important feature is that device 1 provides a relatively simple and inexpensive device which is readily attached to a piece of equipment or apparatus for securing a plug into a socket without requiring any modification to the socket or plug, and which can be removed easily from the apparatus to permit the plug to be removed from the socket and subsequently reapplied to the same or different plug. Furthermore, housing 17 can accommodate various sizes and configurations of the plug so long as the plug has at least one dimension which does not permit the plug from passing through outer end opening 31, since housing 17 need not fit tightly about the plug in order to prevent the plug from being removed from the socket. Furthermore, the axial length of housing 17 is chosen with respect to the axial length L of plug 3 to prevent the plug from moving outwardly from socket 5 a sufficient distance to disconnect from the internal wiring of computer 9 before contacting outer end 25 of housing 17. Thus, this enables the housing to be sized for accommodating different sized plugs. Likewise, cable 11 can have other configurations, such as square, round etc. so long as it will pass through slot 35, which due to the molding of housing 17 of plastic, provides some flexibility thereto enabling the size of slot 35 to be slightly increased by pulling outwardly on the adjacent walls which form slot 35, enabling a cord to be inserted into interior 29 through the slot prior to securing clip 19 about housing 17 by the mutual engagement of clip flange 65 with housing flange 38 as shown in
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.