Patent Application
20100200273
Subject matter described herein relates to electronic device accessories, and more particularly to the management of cables associated with electronic devices.
Electronic devices of all types have become more and more common in everyday life. Electronic devices include non-portable devices as well as portable devices. Examples of non-portable electronic devices include wired telephones, routers (wired and wireless), wireless access points (WAPs) and the like. Examples of portable electronic devices include cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), combination cellular phone and PDAs (e.g., a Blackberry® device available from Research in Motion (RIM®) of Ontario, Canada), cellular phone accessories (e.g., a Bluetooth® enabled wireless headset), MP3 players (e.g., an iPod® device by Apple Inc. (Apple®) of Cupertino, Calif.), compact disc (CD) players, and digital video disk (DVD) players. Along with the positive benefits of use of such devices comes the requirement to power the devices and/or communicate with them. Managing the power cables and data cables for such devices can prove difficult.
To facilitate further description of the embodiments, the following drawings are provided in which:
The phrase “subject matter described herein” refers to subject matter described in the Detailed Description unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “aspects” is to be read as “at least one aspect.” Identifying aspects of the subject matter described in the Detailed Description is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. The aspects described above and other aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate substantially similar elements.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the subject matter described herein. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the subject matter described herein.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the Detailed Description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the subject matter described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “under,” and the like in the Detailed Description and in the claims, if any, are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the aspects of the subject matter described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. The term “on,” as used herein, is defined as on, at, or otherwise substantially adjacent to or next to or over.
The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically and/or mechanically, either directly or indirectly through intervening circuitry and/or elements. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, either direct or indirectly, but not be mechanically coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, either direct or indirectly, but not be electrically coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, directly or indirectly, but not be electrically coupled. Coupling (whether only mechanical, only electrical, or both) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.
“Electrical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include coupling involving any electrical signal, whether a power signal, a data signal, and/or other types or combinations of electrical signals. “Mechanical coupling” and the like should be broadly understood and include mechanical coupling of all types.
The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near the word “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. in question is or is not removable. For example, the recitation of a clip being coupled to an outer casing does not mean that the clip cannot be removed (readily or otherwise) from, or that it is permanently connected to, the outer casing.
In a number of embodiments, a device includes: a base having an upper surface and a lower surface defining a substantially solid object; a first channel having a depth along a first axis, the first channel being disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base; and a second channel having a width along a second axis, the second channel being disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base. The second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and the second channel intersects the first channel. In these embodiments, the base can be trapezoidal and may further include: a front surface, the front surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface; a back surface, the back surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface; a first end surface, the first end surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface; and a second end surface, the second end surface disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. The first channel and the second channel intersect the front surface, and the first channel and the second channel intersect the back surface. Furthermore, the base may additionally include a third channel having a depth along the first axis or an axis parallel to the first axis, the third channel being disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface of the base. The third channel intersects the first channel and the second channel; the third channel is sized to receive a head portion of a USB cable; and the first channel and the second channel are each sized to receive a cord portion of a USB cable, but not the head portion of a USB cable. Additionally, the base may also include a friction pad, the friction pad including a first friction pad surface and a second friction pad surface defining the friction pad, the first friction pad surface affixed to the lower surface of the base, the second friction pad surface having a coefficient of friction sufficient to reduce the movement of the base across a surface plane.
In another aspect of the subject matter described herein, a device includes: a base; a first slot through the base to pass the cord portion of a cable with the base restraining the head end of the cable from passing through the first slot; and a second slot through the base to pass a cord portion of a cable with the base permitting the head end of the cable to pass through the second slot. In these embodiments, axes along which the widths of the second slot and the first slot are disposed can be substantially parallel to one another. In other embodiments, the second slot intersects the first slot, and the widths of the first and second slots may be substantially perpendicular to one another.
In yet another aspect of the subject matter described herein, a device includes a base having: an upper surface portion, the upper surface portion having an external upper surface and an inside upper surface opposite the external upper surface; a side portion coupled to the upper surface portion; and a lower surface portion coupled to the side portion, the lower surface portion having an external lower surface and an inside lower surface opposite the inside upper surface, where the inside upper surface of the upper surface portion, the inside lower surface of the lower surface portion and the side portion of the base define a cavity. The device also includes at least one divider plane coupled to the inside lower surface of the lower surface portion. The divider plane and the inside upper surface of the upper surface portion define a cable access channel having a length and a width disposed along first and second axes, respectively, and the cable access channel is sized to receive a cord portion of a USB cable. The divider plane, the inside upper surface of the upper surface portion, and the inside lower surface of the lower surface portion define a cable management channel having a length and a width disposed along the first and second axes, respectively, or along other axes substantially parallel to the first and second axes, and the cable management channel is sized to receive a cord portion of a USB cable.
Turning to the drawings,
Telephone jack 102 is a communication gateway allowing wired telephone 103 to communicate with a public switched telephone network (PTSN) via telephone cable 104. In another embodiment, wired telephone 103 represents the wired base portion of a cordless telephone system operating by utilizing a frequency pair. In this embodiment, the wired base portion is in communication with a PTSN via telephone cable 104. Communication using wired telephones, as well as the wired base portion of a cordless telephone system, and PTSNs are know in the art and will not be discussed further. Electrical outlet 105 includes a plurality of alternating current (AC) outlets and is electrically coupled to a public electrical distribution system and provides power to mobile communication device 107 and mobile communication device accessory 109 via mobile communication device power cable 108 and mobile communication device accessory power cable 106, respectively. Mobile communication device power cable 108 includes a cord portion, a mobile device adaptor portion 111 sized to couple with mobile communication device 107 and an AC adapter portion 113 sized to couple with an AC outlet that is part of electric outlet 105. Mobile communication device accessory power cable 106 includes a cord portion, a mobile device accessory adaptor portion 112 sized to couple with mobile communication device accessory 109 and an AC adapter portion 114 sized to couple with an AC outlet that is part of electric outlet 105. Similarly, telephone cable 104 includes telephone device adapter portion (not shown) and a telephone jack adapter portion 115 sized to couple with telephone jack 102.
Telephone cable 104, mobile communication device accessory power cable 106, and mobile communication device power cable 108 are each sized so as to be managed by cable management device 110. Similarly, the device adapter portions and the AC adapter portions of power cables 106 and 108 as well as the device adapter portion and the telephone jack adapter portion 115 of telephone cable 104 are sized as to be neither managed by nor insertable into cable management device 110.
Cable management device 110 manages each of the cables by providing an area to store or locate the corded portion of each cable within cable management channel 160 via access channel 150. In operation, a user may manage her cables using cable management device 110 by passing the corded portion of a cable through access channel 150 and sliding the cable into cable management channel 160. Access channel 150 is located in upper surface 120 of cable management device 110.
Turning to
Base 210 additionally includes cable management channel 260 located between upper surface 220 and a lower surface 230, and intersects access channel 250. In the illustrated embodiment of cable management device 200, the length, height, and width of cable management channel 260 extend in similar directions as the length, height, and width, respectively, of access channel 250. As an example, a width of cable management channel 260 is disposed along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis along which the depth of access channel 250 is disposed, and the second axis also can be substantially parallel to upper surface 220. In other embodiments, a width of cable management channel 260 is disposed along a second axis that is not substantially perpendicular to the first axis along which the depth of access channel 250 is disposed. Cable management channel 260 may be sized having any suitable height or depth for receiving suitable cables. In an example, cable management channel 260 has a channel height/depth larger than the channel width of access channel 250. In this example, the channel height of cable management channel 260 can be 7 mm. In the same or different example, the channel height or depth of cable management channel 260 is at least twice as large as the diameter of a cord portion of a suitable cable. In this example, any cable within cable management channel 260 can be removed from cable management channel (and access channel 250) without having to first remove any cord portions of any other cables being simultaneously managed by cable management device 200.
Cable management device 200 may additionally include an optional friction pad 235 coupled to lower surface 230 and having at least one friction surface 236. In some embodiments, friction surface 236 reduces the movement of base 210 on a surface where it is located.
In operation, a user may manage her cables using cable management device 210 by passing the corded portion of a cable through access channel 250 and sliding the corded portion of cable into cable management channel 260. Base 210 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as one or more polymers, plastics, metals, and alloys. In an example, base 210 can be manufactured from a polycarbonate. In another example, base 210 can be manufactured using any suitable injection molding process. Furthermore, base 210 can be molded or cast as a single piece, or manufactured in numerous pieces taking one or more forms and then assembled as base 210.
Friction pad 235 can be coupled to lower surface 230 using any suitable process or material. In an example, friction pad 235 is affixed to lower surface 230 using a suitable bonding substance, such as, an adhesive. In another example, friction pad 235 is mounted to lower surface 230 using mechanical techniques, such as staples, nails, and the like. In yet another example, friction pad 235 is thermally coupled to lower surface 230 using any suitable thermal bonding methodology.
In other embodiments, friction pad 235 and friction surface 236 can be manufactured as part of cable management device 200, for example in a portion of the same mold using a substantially similar or different material. In an example, manufacturing friction pad 235 using substantially similar material as base 210 and mechanically applying a texture to friction surface 236 produces a suitable coefficient of friction.
Turning to
Access channel 250 is located between upper surface 220 and detachable lower portion 540. Cable management channel 260 is located between upper surface 220 and detachable lower portion 540.
Base 210 further includes cavities 544 and 545 located within base 210. Cavities 544 and 545 are also located within detachable lower portion 540 and the upper portion of base 210, respectively. Cavities 544 and 545 are sized to receive a weight 546, and weight 546 is sized fit within cavities 544 and 545. In some embodiments, cavity 544 includes ridges 547 along the internal circumference of cavity 544 sized and positioned to securely contain weight 546. Weight 546 can be manufactured in any suitable shape sized to fit within cavities 544 and 545, for example a rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, and the like. Weight 546 provides increased stability to cable management device 200. In some embodiments, weight 546 and friction surface 236 provide an increased coefficient of friction to reduce the movement of cable management device 200 across a surface. Weight 546 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as one or more polymers, plastics, metals, and alloys. In an example, weight 546 is manufactured using zinc plated with stainless steel.
Turning to
Base 710 additionally includes access channel 750 located between upper surface 720 and lower surface 730 and intersecting cable management channel 760. In the illustrated embodiment of cable management device 700, the length, width, and depth of access channel 750 extend in similar directions as the length, width, and depth, respectively, of cable management channel 760. The depth of access channel 750 is disposed along a second axis substantially perpendicular to upper surface 720. In other embodiments, the depth of access channel 750 is disposed along a second axis that is not substantially perpendicular to upper surface 720. In some embodiments, access channel 750 may be sized having any suitable width for receiving device adapter portions as well as corded portions of suitable cables. In other embodiments, access channel 750 may be sized such that the combination of access channel 750 and cable management channel 760 is sized for receiving device adapter portions as well as corded portions of suitable cables, but where each of access channel 750 and cable management channel 760, alone, are not large enough to receive device adapter portions of the cables. In the same or different embodiments, cable management channel 760 can have features similar to those features described previously for cable management channel 260 with respect to
In operation, a user may manage her cables using cable management device 700 by passing the device adapter portion of a cable through base 710 via access channel 750 or at the intersection of access channel 750 and cable management channel 760, and sliding the corded portion of the cable into cable management channel 760. Base 710 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as one or more polymers, plastics, metals, and alloys. In an example, base 710 can be manufactured from a polycarbonate. In another example, base 710 can be manufactured using any suitable injection molding process. Furthermore, base 710 can be manufactured in numerous pieces taking one or more forms and then assembled as base 710. In other embodiments, base 710 can be modified as described in
In other embodiments, friction pad 835 can be manufactured as part of cable management device 700, for example in a portion of the same mold using a substantially similar or different material. In an example, manufacturing friction pad 835 using substantially similar material as base 710 and mechanically applying a texture to friction surface 836 of friction pad 835 produces a suitable coefficient of friction. Except as otherwise indicated, the elements of cable management device 700 in
Turning to
In some embodiments, base 910 may be manufactured as a single piece from any suitable material, such as one or more polymers, plastics, metals, and alloys. In an example, base 910 can be manufactured from a polycarbonate. In another example, base 910 can be manufactured using any suitable injection molding process. In some embodiments, upper plane 920 is coupled to base 910 and first channel 950 and second channel 960 are sized having any suitable width for receiving device adapter portions as well as corded portions of suitable cables.
In other embodiments, base 910 can be manufactured in numerous pieces taking one or more forms and then assembled as base 910. In an example and illustrated in
Turning to
Base 1010 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as one or more polymers, plastics, metals, and alloys. In an example, base 1010 can be manufactured from a polycarbonate. In another example, base 1010 can be manufactured using any suitable injection molding process. Furthermore and as described above, base 1010 can be manufactured in numerous pieces taking one or more forms and then assembled as base 1010. In some embodiments, cavity 1012 is filled with the same material used to manufacture base 1010 thereby removing its functionality. In other embodiments, divider planes 1071-1073 can be manufactured as part of base 1010. In still other embodiments, divider planes 1071-1073 can be manufactured together as a single piece and affixed to inside lower surface 1031 of base 1010. In other embodiments, divider planes 1071-1073 can be manufactured separately and each affixed to inside lower surface 1031 of base 1010.
In operation, a user may manage her cables using cable management device 1010 by passing the corded portion of a cable, such as, for example, cable 1001 or cable 1002, through cable access channel 1040 and sliding the corded portion of the cable over divider planes 1072 and/or 1073 and into first cable management channel 1050 or second cable management channel 1060. In another embodiment, a user may manage her cables using cable management device 1010 by passing the device adapter portion of a cable into and through access cavity 1012 between divider plane 1071 and base 1010, and further sliding the corded portion of the cable over divider planes 1071 and/or 1072 from access cavity 1012 into first cable management channel 1050 or second cable management channel 1060. In an additional embodiment, the height of divider planes 1071-1073 can be substantially the same as the distance between inside upper surface 1021 and inside lower surface 1031. In this additional embodiment, upper surface 1030 of base 1010 and/or or the curved end portion of base 1010 can comprise a flexible material such that a user can manually separate or lift inside upper surface 1021 away from the top surfaces of divider planes 1071-1073 to permit sliding the corded portion of a cable into first cable management channel 1050 or second cable management channel 1060 from cable access channel 1040.
Next, method 1100 continues with a procedure 1120 of providing a lower surface. As an example, the lower surface can be lower surface 230 (
After procedure 1120, method 1100 continues with a procedure 1130 of providing at least one side surface and an optional procedure 1140 of coupling the at least one side surface to the upper surface and the lower surface. After the at least one side surface has been coupled to the lower surface and the upper surface, a base is formed. As an example, the base can be base 201 (
In addition, a first channel and a second channel can be formed in the base after the at least one side surface is coupled to the upper surface and the lower surface. As an example, the first and second channel can be channels 260 and 250 (
After procedure 1140, method 1100 is complete. It should be noted that method 1100 can have additional procedures, such as, for example, providing a friction pad and/or a weight. In addition, the order of the procedures of method 1100 can be rearranged. For example, procedures 1110 through 1130 can be in any order.
Although aspects of the subject matter described herein have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the subject matter described herein and is not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the scope of the subject matter described herein shall be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims. To one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the devices and method discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of embodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings, and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment, and may disclose alternative embodiments.
All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to the subject matter described herein and claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.
Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/088,474, filed on Aug. 13, 2008 and entitled Cable Organizer, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61088474 | Aug 2008 | US |
