Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6210211
-
Patent Number
6,210,211
-
Date Filed
Friday, September 3, 199925 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 3, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Paumen; Gary F.
- Nguyen; Phuongchi
Agents
- William, Morgan & Amerson
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 501
- 174 69
- 361 686
- 361 826
- 361 827
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining an electrical connector is provided. The apparatus includes a tray adapted to receive an electrical device having a flexible connector coupled thereto. The tray is moveable between first and second positions. A spring extends between the tray and the flexible connector. The spring urges the flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in the first tray position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to flexible electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for storing an electrical connector between moveable parts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices are commonly formed from a plurality of parts that may be moveable relative to one another, but need to be electrically joined together. For example, a telephone normally consists of a base unit and a handset joined together by an electrical connector, such as a cable. Ordinarily, the telephone cable is formed in a helical coil so that it is at least somewhat self-storing. That is, telephone cables as long as several feet may be useful to provide a limited range of mobility to the telephone user; however, storing several feet of cable may be inconvenient and cumbersome. The helical construction of the cable is expandable/compressible so that when not in use, a large quantity of cable can be stored in a relatively small area, and when in use, the cable can be dramatically expanded to extend the range of use of the telephone.
Other electronic devices are constructed from multiple moveable parts that have benefited from an expandable/compressible connection, such as that used in a telephone. For example, personal computers are routinely constructed with a moveable keyboard that is electrically connected to a tower. Often, the electrical connection between the keyboard and tower is formed in a helical coil to be at least partially self-storing. Personal computers are routinely located on furniture and/or racks where the keyboard is stored in a sliding tray. The helical coil connector for the keyboard is usually sufficiently flexible that it cannot support its own weight, and tends to sag. The sliding mechanism associated with the tray can capture and pinch the connector, damaging the connector, particularly where the sliding motion is repetitive.
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that solves or reduces some or all of the aforementioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining an electrical connector is provided. The apparatus includes a tray adapted to receive an electrical device having a flexible connector coupled thereto. The tray is moveable between first and second positions. A spring extends between the tray and the flexible connector. The spring urges the flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in the first tray position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1
is a top view of a keyboard and electrical connector retainer assembly in a first operational position;
FIG. 2
is a front view of the keyboard within a unit;
FIG. 3
is a top view of a keyboard and electrical connector retainer assembly in a second operational position; and
FIG. 4
is a side view of a connection between assembly and the electrical connector.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIG. 1
, a top view of a keyboard
12
and a retainer assembly
14
for an electrical connector
16
is shown in a first operational position within a tray or drawer
18
. The keyboard
12
is of a conventional configuration, and may take on any of a wide variety of styles, including, but not limited to, standard and enhanced keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, and the like. Further, the instant invention may also find application to a wide variety of other computer peripheral devices, such as mice, trackballs, and the like.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the keyboard
12
is positioned in the tray
18
of a unit or housing
20
, such as a computer stand or rack. The tray
18
is coupled to the unit
20
through a pair of conventional slides
22
disposed along opposite sides
24
,
26
of the tray
18
. The slides
22
generally include a moveable and fixed portion
28
,
30
. The fixed portions
30
are attached to sidewalls
32
of the unit
20
, while the moveable portions
28
are attached to the opposite sides
24
,
26
of the tray
18
. The moveable and fixed portions
28
,
30
engage one another such that a sliding movement therebetween is provided. The slides
22
allow the tray
18
to translate linearly out of the unit
20
for easy access by a computer user, and into the unit
20
for storage. Movement of the tray
18
necessarily produces similar movement of the keyboard
12
, extending the connector
16
therewith.
Referring again to
FIG. 1
, the connector
16
is electrically and physically coupled to another component (not shown), such as a tower or the like, located adjacent or in the unit
20
(See FIG.
2
). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector
16
takes the form of a conventional flexible cable having a plurality of electrically conductive wires (not shown) housed in a flexible insulated sheath (not shown). The sheath assists in protecting the smaller conductive wires from being crimped, pinched, or otherwise damaged during normal operation and movement of the keyboard
12
. Ordinarily, the connector
16
exits the keyboard
12
adjacent a first end portion
40
thereof and extends to the rear or side of the unit
20
where it is electrically and physically connected to the other component (not shown)
In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer assembly
14
is coupled to the sidewall
24
of the tray
18
opposite the end portion
40
of the keyboard
12
. That is, the retainer assembly
14
is spaced a substantial distance from the exit point of the connector
16
from the keyboard
12
. This spacing allows the retainer assembly
14
to store a substantial length of the connector
16
free from entanglement with the tray
18
and slides
22
to allow for substantial free sliding movement of the tray
18
and keyboard
12
.
The retainer assembly
14
includes a spring
44
, such as a coil spring, coupled between the sidewall
24
of the tray
18
and the connector
16
. The connector
16
is fixedly held at a first end portion
46
by the keyboard
12
, and at a second end portion
48
by the retainer assembly
14
. The length of the connector
16
between the first and second end portions
46
,
48
is at least as long as the range of motion of the tray
18
. That is, when the tray
18
is stored in the unit
20
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, substantial slack exists in the connector
16
, which would sag if not restrained by the spring
44
. The spring
44
urges the connector
16
into a serpentine configuration extending laterally across the unit
20
behind the tray
18
. Thus, the connector
16
is stored in the serpentine configuration, spaced from the slides
22
and free from pinching by the tray
18
, the slides
22
, and/or any equipment (not shown) located below the tray
18
.
When the tray
18
is extended from the unit
20
, such as is show in
FIG. 3
, the connector
16
is urged into a more linear configuration, stretching the spring
44
. Thus, whether the tray
18
is stored or extended, the connector
16
remains substantially disposed in the plane of the tray
18
and free from interference with the moving slides
22
and/or any equipment (not shown) located below the tray
18
.
In the illustrated embodiment, the spring
44
is coupled to the connector
16
via a sliding connection
50
, such as is show in FIG.
4
. The sliding connection
50
consists of a generally rectangular tab
52
folded back upon itself to form a generally loose loop configuration. The generally rectangular tab
52
is held in this loose loop configuration by a connector
54
extending through both end portions of the generally rectangular tab
52
. The connector
54
can take on a variety of conventional configurations, such as rivets, screws, brads, and the like. Additionally, the connector
54
also engages an end portion of the spring
44
to capture the generally rectangular tab
52
in its loop configuration to an end portion of the spring
44
. The loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab
52
has a sufficient diameter to receive the connector
16
therein with a sufficiently loose fit to allow sliding movement of the connector
16
within the generally loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab
52
. Thus, as the keyboard
12
and tray
18
are translated between the position shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, the connector
16
is pulled into its more linear configuration, as shown in
FIG. 3
, urging the spring
44
to its extended position. During this movement, the connector
16
freely slides through the open loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab
52
.
As can be seen in
FIGS. 1 and 3
, a pair of guides
60
,
62
are attached to or integrally formed with the tray
18
adjacent the exit point of the connector
16
from the keyboard
12
. The guides
60
,
62
are curvilinear in configuration so as to provide a relatively smooth, curved surface against which the spring
44
holds the connector
16
. The smooth, curved surface of the guides
60
,
62
reduces the possibility of damage to the connector
16
during its movement between the relatively linear configuration FIG.
3
and the serpentine configuration of FIG.
1
. Additionally, the relatively smooth, curved surface of the guides
60
,
62
reduces friction, which decreases binding between the tray
18
and connector
16
.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.
Claims
- 1. An apparatus for retaining a flexible connector, comprising:a tray adapted to receive an electrical device having the flexible connector coupled thereto, said tray being moveable in a first direction between first and second positions; and a spring adapted to extend between said tray and said flexible connector in a direction generally transverse to the first direction, said spring urging said flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in said first tray position; and a sliding connection positioned between said flexible connector and said spring wherein said flexible connector is relatively free for movement therethrough.
- 2. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sliding connection includes a generally rectangular tab having first and second end portions coupled together and to said spring, forming a loop configuration.
- 3. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said spring is coupled to a first end portion of said tray and said flexible connector is connected to said electrical device at a distance spaced from said tray first end portion.
- 4. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including first and second guides mounted to said tray, said guides having surfaces disposed to engage said connector to reduce friction during movement of said tray between said first and second positions.
- 5. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said guide surfaces are generally curvilinear.
- 6. An apparatus, comprising:a housing; a tray coupled to said housing and being moveable in a first direction between first and second positions; an electrical device having a flexible connector coupled thereto, said electrical device being positioned in said tray; a spring adapted to extend between said tray and said flexible connector in a direction generally transverse to the first direction, said spring urging said flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in said first tray position; and a sliding connection positioned between said flexible connector and said spring wherein said flexible connector is relatively free for movement therethrough.
- 7. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said sliding connection includes a generally rectangular tab having first and second end portions coupled together and to said spring, forming a loop configuration.
- 8. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, wherein said spring is coupled to a first end portion of said tray and said flexible connector is connected to said electrical device at a distance spaced from said tray first end portion.
- 9. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, including first and second guides mounted to said tray, said guides having surfaces disposed to engage said connector to reduce friction during movement of said tray between said first and second positions.
- 10. An apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said guide surfaces are generally curvilinear.
US Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5769514 |
Brown et al. |
Jun 1998 |
|
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0282389 |
Feb 1988 |
DE |