Releasable fastening device, such as for an electrical computer connector, and methods for releasable fastening an electrical computer connector to a computer component

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6663410
  • Patent Number
    6,663,410
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, December 18, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, December 16, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A fastener for fastening and releasing a first electrical contact on a cable with a second electrical contact on a computer component, and a method for fastening and releasing the first and second electrical contacts, are shown and described. The computer component generally has an attachment orifice defining a fastening axis. In one embodiment, the fastener has a body, an elongated casing, an engagement element and an actuator. The elongated casing can project from the body along the fastening axis when the first and second electrical contacts are aligned for engagement. The engagement element can be positioned along the casing at a location spaced apart from the body. The casing and/or the engagement element is movable between release and fasten positions. In the release position, the engagement element is generally near the fastening axis and the casing and/or the engagement element is generally configured to be received in the attachment orifice. In the fasten position, the engagement element is generally spaced laterally apart from the fastening axis. The actuator can have a first end accessible to a user, a second end adjacent to the casing and a drive surface at the second end that can contact the engagement element and/or the casing. The actuator can be slidably coupled to the body to move only axially between a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the engagement element is in the release position and can be received in the attachment orifice. When the actuator is in the second position, the drive surface on the actuator moves the engagement element and/or the casing to the fasten position and retain the cable in electrical contact with the computer component.
Description




TECHNICAL FIELD




The invention is directed to electrical connectors for computer components and, more particularly, to a fastener for releasably retaining the electrical connector in engagement with the computer component, and to methods for releasably retaining electrical connectors in engagement with computer components.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




A typical computer system includes a central processing unit (“CPU”), a plurality of input devices, (e.g., a keyboard and a mouse) and a plurality of output devices (e.g., a display and a printer). Each input/output device is generally connected by a cable to a particular input or output port on the CPU. The cable has an electrical contact configured to engage the port on the CPU. Various sizes and shapes of electrical contacts and ports have been created to accommodate the different types of input or output devices and to prevent the cables from being connected to the wrong port on the CPU.




Once the connector is engaged with the CPU, the connector is often locked into place to prevent the electrical contact from separating from the port. Traditionally, a threaded bolt has been used to lock the connector to the CPU. The threaded bolt has a head at a first end and a threaded rod at an opposing second end. The threaded rod is inserted through a hole in the connector and threadedly engaged with a complementary, threaded opening in the CPU. The head is often textured to help grip and rotate the bolt in the threaded opening. By tightening the threaded bolts on either side of the connector, the connector is locked in place with the electrical contact engaged with the port.




Such threaded bolt connectors can be difficult to manipulate. The input/output ports are typically positioned on the back panel of the CPU and are therefore often located adjacent a wall or beneath a desk. In such situations, the individual must reach behind the CPU and/or under the desk and rotate the threaded bolt to lock or unlock the connector from the port. Rotating the threaded bolt under these circumstances can be difficult.




One existing connector directed to solving this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,975 issued to Grant (“Grant”), which is herein incorporated by reference. Grant discloses a connector including an elongated, hollow connector housing having a distal end that projects from the connector to engage the threaded opening in the computer component. The connector housing has an interior volume and one or more egress openings at its distal end. A pressure-extrudable material (e.g., polyurethane) is positioned in the interior volume at the distal end of the connector housing. An occlusion element is positioned within the interior volume proximal of the pressure-extrudable material. When the occlusion element is moved toward the distal end of the connector housing, the pressure-extrudable material is compressed and partially extruded through the egress openings. The extruded material is received within the threaded opening in the computer component and retains the connector to the computer component.




The end of the occlusion element opposite the pressure-extrudable material has an enlarged head facilitating manual manipulation of the occlusion element. The external surface of the head is similar to the traditional threaded locking member. Two opposing latches project axially in a distal direction from a distal end of the head. Each of the latches is spaced apart from the occlusion element and has a first tooth directed inward toward the occlusion element. The connector housing has two complementary rows of second teeth located to engage the first teeth on the head.




Between the two rows of second teeth on the connector housing are two opposing smooth surfaces without teeth. To move and lock the occlusion element in the distal position, the head is first moved distally with the first teeth aligned with the portion of the housing without teeth, then rotated until the first teeth engage the second teeth. Similarly, to remove the head from the connector housing and draw the occlusion element away from the pressure-extrudable material, the user rotates the head roughly 90 degrees to move the first teeth from the portion of the connector housing having the second teeth to the portion of the housing without teeth. The head is then free to move axially away from the connector housing. As the head is moved away from the connector housing, the occlusion element is likewise moved away from the pressure-extrudable material. This releases the pressure on the pressure-extrudable material and causes it to be retracted back into the tip of the housing. The connector can then be removed from the CPU.




Although Grant provides a different type of fastener for computer components, it may be difficult to operate and it may quickly wear out. Similar to the traditional threaded bolt-locking member, the Grant device must be rotated by the individual to lock and unlock the connector from the computer component. The individual removing the connector from the computer component is therefore forced to reach behind the computer component and both rotate the locking member and axially extract it from the computer. As described above, when the computer component is under a desk or against a wall, this operation can be difficult or uncomfortable. In addition, the pressure-extrudable material of the Grant device may fail after repeated use. For example, repeated extrusion of the pressure-extrudable material through the egress openings may cause this material to disintegrate or otherwise break down. Once the pressure-extrudable material breaks down to a point at which it no longer retains the connector to the computer component, the Grant device may need to be replaced.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The present invention is directed toward fasteners and methods for releasably connecting cables with computers, input devices, output devices or other computer components. Several embodiments of fasteners in accordance with the invention are used to connect a cable from a peripheral device to a computer having an attachment orifice defining a fastening axis.




In one embodiment, the fastener has a body, an elongated casing, an engagement element and an actuator. The body can have an aperture through which a first electrical contact projects and a grip configured to be manipulated by the human hand. The first electrical contact is configured to engage a complementary second electrical contact on the computer component. The elongated casing can project from the body along the fastening axis when the first and second electrical contacts are aligned for engagement. The engagement element can be positioned along the casing at a location spaced apart from the body. The casing and/or the engagement element is movable between release and fasten positions. In the release position, the engagement element is generally near the fastening axis and the casing and/or the engagement element is generally configured to be received in the attachment orifice. In the fasten position, the engagement element is generally spaced laterally apart from the fastening axis. The actuator can have a first end accessible to a user, a second end adjacent to the casing, and a drive surface at the second end that can contact the engagement element and/or the casing. The actuator can be slidably coupled to the body to move axially between a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the engagement element is in the release position and can be received in the attachment orifice. When the actuator is in the second position, the drive surface on the actuator moves the engagement element and/or the casing to the fasten position. The fastener can be coupled to and de-coupled from a CPU solely by moving the actuator axially between the first and second positions.




In operation, at least a portion of the casing is received in the orifice and then the actuator is moved to the second position to engage the engagement element with the orifice and/or the computer component. The fastener can thus hold the connector to the computer component to retain the cable in electrical contact with the computer component without having to rotate the actuator.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an isometric view of a portion of a computer component and an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.





FIG. 2

is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of

FIG. 1

, viewed along Section


2





2


.





FIG. 3

is an exploded side elevation view of the electrical connector of FIG.


1


.





FIG. 4

is an end elevation view of a portion of a body of the electrical connector of FIG.


3


.





FIG. 5

is an end elevation view of a locking member of the electrical connector of

FIG. 3

, viewed along Section


5





5


.





FIG. 6

is an end elevation view of a coupling of the electrical connector of

FIG. 3

, viewed along Section


6





6


.





FIG. 7

is an end elevation view of a casing of the electrical connector of

FIG. 3

, viewed along Section


7





7


.





FIGS. 8-10

are enlarged cross-sectional views of a portion of the electrical connector of

FIG. 2

engaged with an orifice on a computer component, shown in varying configurations.





FIG. 11

is a side elevation view of the locking member and the coupling of the electrical connector as configured in FIG.


8


.





FIG. 12

is a side elevation view of the locking member and the coupling of the electrical connector as configured in FIG.


9


.





FIG. 13

is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component.





FIG. 14

is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of

FIG. 13

in a fasten position engaged with the computer component.





FIG. 15

is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component.





FIG. 16

is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of

FIG. 15

in a fasten position engaged with the computer component.





FIG. 17

is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component.





FIG. 18

is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of

FIG. 17

in a fasten position engaged with the computer component.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




The present detailed description is generally directed toward fasteners for retaining electrical connectors in contact with computer components, and for methods for connecting and fastening electrical connectors to computer components. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in

FIGS. 1-18

to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the invention may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description.





FIG. 1

illustrates an electrical connector


20


in accordance with an embodiment of the invention oriented to be engaged with a computer component


22


. The electrical connector


20


of this particular embodiment connects a first electrical contact


26


of a cable


24


with a second electrical contact


28


on the computer component


22


. The electrical connector


20


can have a pair of fasteners


30


for releasably retaining the first electrical contact


26


in engagement with the second electrical contact


28


. Each fastener


30


generally has a first actuator


32


, a casing


34


and an engagement element


36


. The fasteners


30


can be located on opposite sides of a body


38


of the electrical connector


20


, and can be configured to engage an opening


40


on either side of the second electrical contact


28


on the computer component


22


. When the electrical connector


20


is oriented so that the first electrical contact


26


is aligned with the second electrical contact


28


, each of the fasteners


30


is generally aligned along a fastening axis F—F with the respective opening


40


. Consequently, when the electrical connector


20


is engaged with the computer component


22


, a portion of each fastener


30


can engage the respective opening


40


.




As described in more detail below in connection with the operation of the fastener


30


, as the first actuator


32


is depressed and released, the first actuator


32


moves between first and second positions. Movement of the first actuator


32


between the first and second positions results in movement of the casing


34


and the fastener


30


between a release position and a fasten position, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator


32


is in the first position and the casing


34


and fastener


30


are in the release position. In the release position, the electrical connector


20


can be engaged with or disengaged from the computer component


22


. When the first actuator


32


is axially depressed and released, the first actuator can move to the second position and the casing


34


can move to the fasten position. In the fasten position, the engagement element


36


or the casing


34


can engage the opening


40


to prevent the electrical connector


20


from being disengaged from the computer component


22


. When the first actuator


32


is again axially depressed and released, the first actuator returns to the first position and the casing


34


returns to the release position.





FIG. 2

illustrates several components of the fastener


30


and the body


38


of the electrical connector


20


in greater detail. The illustrated fastener


30


extends through an elongated aperture


42


in the body


38


of the electrical connector


20


. The first actuator


32


of the fastener


30


can slidably engage a bushing


44


in the aperture


42


. A proximal end


46


(generally, the end closest to the cable


24


) of the first actuator


32


generally projects outward from the body


38


to be accessible to the user. A distal end


48


of the first actuator


32


can be positioned on the opposite side of the bushing


44


from the proximal end


46


. The first actuator


32


can slide axially along the fastening axis F—F within the bushing


44


between the distal and the proximal ends


46


,


48


.




A locking assembly including a coupling


50


and a locking member


56


can be positioned within the elongated aperture


42


adjacent the distal end


48


of the first actuator


32


. The locking assembly can be similar to an axial clicktype lock/release mechanism in pens. As described below, the coupling


50


can moveably engage the locking member


56


to alternatingly retain the fastener


30


in the release and fasten positions. The coupling


50


can abut the distal end


48


of the first actuator


32


. The coupling


50


can be slidably engaged with a plurality of internal teeth


52


projecting radially inward from an internal surface


54


of the aperture


42


. The coupling


50


is generally movable along the fastening axis F—F axis with respect to the body


38


. The locking member


56


can be slidably engaged with the coupling


50


and the body


38


. A shaft


58


on the locking member


56


can be received in a complementary bore


60


in the coupling


50


. The locking member


56


can accordingly slide along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the coupling


50


and also with respect to the body


38


.




A second actuator


62


can abut the locking member


56


. The illustrated second actuator


62


has a proximal end


64


that contacts the locking member


56


and an opposing distal end


66


that terminates at a point near the engagement element


36


. The second actuator


62


can be slidably engaged with the casing


34


and the body


38


to move axially along the fastening axis F—F. A spring


68


can be positioned between an annular shoulder


70


at the proximal end


64


of the second actuator


62


and a proximal end


72


of the casing


34


. The spring


68


generally urges the second actuator


62


against the locking member


56


. The spring


68


consequently urges the locking member


56


against the coupling


50


and, in turn, the coupling


50


against the first actuator


32


.





FIGS. 3-7

still further illustrate several components of the fastener


30


in more detail. Referring to

FIGS. 3 and 4

, the internal teeth


52


of the body


38


are spaced around the perimeter of the internal surface


54


of the aperture


42


. In the illustrated embodiment, six internal teeth


52


are evenly spaced about the internal surface


54


of the aperture


42


. There may, however, be more or fewer internal teeth


52


. Between each pair of internal teeth


52


can be an elongated channel


74


extending along the internal surface


54


of the aperture


42


in a direction roughly parallel to the fastening axis F—F. A locking stop


76


can be alternatingly positioned in every other channel


74


around the perimeter of the aperture


42


. As best illustrated in

FIG. 4

, the internal teeth


52


project inwardly from the internal surface


54


by a distance greater than the locking stops


76


. During operation, as discussed below, the locking member


56


can alternatingly engage the empty channels


74


and the locking stops


76


, respectively, to alternatingly move the casing


34


between the release and fasten positions.




The locking member


56


is best illustrated in

FIGS. 3 and 5

. The shaft


58


can be oriented at a proximal end


57


of the locking member


56


, and a distal end


59


of the locking member


56


can have a diameter larger than the shaft


58


(FIG.


3


). A plurality of first external teeth


78


(

FIG. 5

) can project radially outward from the distal end


59


of the locking member


56


. In the illustrated embodiment, three evenly spaced first external teeth


78


project from the locking member


56


. There may, however, be more or fewer first external teeth


78


depending on the application. The first external teeth


78


are generally spaced to complement the spacing of the empty channels


74


or the locking stops


76


. When the three first external teeth


78


are aligned with the three empty channels


74


, the locking member


56


can slide axially in the proximal direction within the aperture


42


until a flange


82


impinges against the internal teeth


52


on the body


38


(FIG.


4


). When the three first external teeth


78


are instead aligned with the three locking stops


76


, the locking member


56


can be prevented from sliding axially in the proximal direction along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the body


38


beyond a point where the first external teeth


78


impinge upon the locking stops


76


. A shoulder


79


(

FIG. 3

) can be created by the differing diameters between the proximal end


57


and the distal end


59


of the locking member


56


. A plurality of first radial teeth


80


are cut into the shoulder


79


.





FIGS. 3 and 6

best illustrate the coupling


50


. A plurality of second external teeth


84


are generally oriented about the perimeter of the coupling


50


. The second external teeth


84


can be positioned to align with the channels


74


and the locking stops


76


(FIG.


4


). In the illustrated embodiment, six second external teeth


84


are evenly spaced about the perimeter of the coupling. The coupling


50


, however, may have more or fewer second external teeth


84


depending on the application. The size of the coupling


50


and the second external teeth


84


can be small enough to slide axially within both the channels


74


and the locking stops


76


. As a result, the locking stops


76


generally do not prevent the coupling


50


from sliding along the entire length of the internal teeth


52


. The coupling


50


can have a plurality of second radial teeth


86


configured to mate with the first radial teeth


80


on the locking member


56


.





FIGS. 3 and 7

best illustrate the casing


34


. A distal end


73


of the casing


34


(

FIG. 3

) can be tapered radially inward to form a substantially conical portion connected at its apex to the elongated members


36


. The distal portion


73


of the casing


34


can have a number of elongated cuts


75


extending in a proximal direction from the extreme distal tip of the casing


34


. The embodiment illustrated in

FIG. 7

has two cuts


75


, dividing the distal end


73


of the casing


34


into four independent sections. The cuts


75


can completely sever the distal end


75


of the casing


34


to allow the casing to be expanded radially outward.





FIGS. 8-12

illustrate the operation of the fastener


30


. In

FIG. 8

, the first actuator


32


is in the first position and the casing


34


is in the release position. In this configuration, the first external teeth


78


on the locking member


56


are aligned with the empty channels


74


, allowing the locking member


56


to fully engage the internal teeth


52


of the aperture


42


. The first external teeth


78


are also aligned with the second external teeth


84


within the channels


74


(FIG.


11


). The angular displacement between the first and second radial teeth


80


,


86


can create an axial gap


88


between the locking member


56


and the coupling


50


(FIG.


11


). The spring


68


generally urges the second actuator


62


against the locking member


56


(

FIG. 8

) and, in turn, the flange


82


(

FIG. 3

) of the locking member


56


against the internal teeth


52


. In the release position shown in

FIG. 8

, the distal end


66


of the second actuator


62


is separated from the distal end


73


of the casing


34


. The distal end


73


of the casing


34


is generally shaped such that the engagement members


36


are near the fastening axis F—F when the casing


34


is in the release position. In this configuration, the engagement elements


36


can be passed through the opening


40


in the computer component


22


.




Referring to

FIG. 9

, the fastener


30


is in an intermediate position between the release position and the fasten position. In the intermediate position, the first actuator


32


is displaced distally until the first external teeth


78


of the locking member


56


are disengaged from the internal teeth


52


. Once the first external teeth


78


on the locking member


56


(

FIG. 5

) disengage from the internal teeth


52


, the pressure of the spring


68


on the locking member


56


can cause the first radial teeth


80


on the locking member


56


to rotate and fully mesh with the second radial teeth


86


on the coupling


50


(FIGS.


11


and


12


). The second external teeth


84


on the coupling


50


can engage with the internal teeth


52


, preventing the coupling


50


from rotating about the fastening axis F—F with respect to the body


38


. Rotation of the locking member


56


with respect to the coupling


50


consequently results in the locking member


56


rotating with respect to the body


38


and the internal teeth


52


. The first external teeth


78


therefore are caused to subsequently align with the locking stops


76


(FIG.


4


).





FIG. 10

illustrates the second actuator


32


after it has been released from the configuration of

FIG. 9

, leaving the second actuator in the second position and the casing


34


in the fasten position. The first external teeth


78


can engage with the locking stops


76


(

FIG. 4

) to prevent the locking member


56


from moving along the fastening axis F—F in the proximal direction with respect to the casing


34


. The locking member


56


can axially displace the second actuator


62


in the distal direction to cause a driving surface


39


on the second actuator to expand the distal end


73


of the casing


34


radially outward. When the distal end


73


of the casing


34


is expanded, the engagement elements


36


generally move away from the fastening axis F—F and hold the fastener to the computer component


22


.




To move the first actuator


32


back to the first position and the casing


34


back to the release position, the first actuator


32


can be depressed and released one additional time. When the first actuator


32


is depressed, the locking member


56


is generally separated from the internal teeth


52


and, as described above in connection with

FIG. 9

, the locking member


56


can rotate to align the first external teeth


78


with the channels


74


. When the first actuator


32


is released, a restoring force in the spring


68


can move the second actuator


62


and the locking member


56


proximally until the flange


82


(

FIG. 5

) contacts the internal teeth. The fastener


30


is at this point in the release position.




This embodiment of the fastener


30


can be manipulated between the release and fasten positions with only axial movement of the first actuator. Because this embodiment of the fastener can be alternatingly manipulated to move between the release position and the fasten position by merely axially depressing and releasing the first actuator, the electrical connector can be locked to and unlocked from the computer component without rotating a portion of the fastener. The fastener of the present invention, therefore, is expected to be easily manipulated by an individual even when the computer component is positioned adjacent a wall and/or beneath a desk.




This embodiment of the fastener


30


is also expected to be more durable than existing quick-release type fasteners. The casing and the engagement members in this particular embodiment can be fabricated from metal, plastic or other durable materials. As such, the casing and engagement members should last considerably longer than pressure-extrudable elastomeric materials. These materials may also provide a positive, long-lasting connection between the electrical connector and the computer component.





FIG. 13

illustrates a portion of an electrical connector


120


and a fastener


130


according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the connector


120


has a body


138


similar to that described above, and the fastener


130


includes a casing


134


engaged with the body


138


and an actuator


132


. The casing


134


has a distal end


173


that projects beyond the body along a fastening axis F—F, and the extreme portion of the distal end


173


has a number of engagement elements


136


. The engagement elements


136


are shaped to closely conform to a threaded opening


140


on a computer component


122


.

FIG. 13

illustrates the fastener


130


in a release position in which the casing


134


and the engagement elements


136


are configured to be received within the threaded opening


140


when the electrical connector


120


is engaged with the computer component


122


.




The actuator


132


is slidably engaged within the casing


134


. The actuator


132


can have a proximal end


146


configured to be manipulated by an individual and a distal end


166


having a tapered surface. The illustrated actuator


132


is shown in a first position in which the casing


134


and engagement elements


136


are in the release position.





FIG. 14

illustrates the electrical connector


120


and the fastener


130


in a fasten position. In the fasten position, the actuator


132


is displaced distally with respect to the release position until the tapered surface at the distal end


166


of the actuator


132


deflects the distal end


173


of the casing


134


to engage the engagement elements


136


with the threaded opening


140


in the computer component


122


. The displacement of the distal end


173


of the casing


134


exerts a residual force on the actuator


132


that prevents the actuator from returning automatically from the second position to the first position. The interior wall of the casing


134


and the distal end


166


of the actuator


132


can be configured with a Morse taper to enhance the frictional contact between the actuator


132


and the casing


134


.




To move the casing


134


and the engagement elements


136


back to the release position, the user merely moves the actuator


132


proximally until the residual forces in the casing


134


return the engagement elements


136


to the release position. The fastener


130


is now in the release position and the electrical connector


120


can be removed from the computer component


122


.





FIG. 15

illustrates a portion of an electrical connector


220


and a fastener


230


according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in a release position. In this embodiment, the fastener


230


includes a casing


234


that extends through a body


238


and projects distally along a fastening axis F—F from the body


238


. The casing


234


is configured to engage an opening


240


in a computer component


222


when the electrical connector


220


is engaged with the computer component


222


. The fastener


230


can also have an actuator


232


slidably received within a bore


235


in the casing


234


. The actuator


232


can be manipulated at its proximal end (not shown) to move between a first position and a second position, and the actuator


232


can be retained in both the first and second positions as described above with reference to the actuator


32


shown in

FIGS. 1-12

. The casing


234


has a number of openings


237


near its distal end


273


that are positioned within the computer component


222


when the electrical connector


220


is engaged with a computer component


222


. The fastener


230


can also have a number of engagement elements


236


within the bore


235


in alignment with the engagement openings


237


. In the release position, the connector


220


is configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the computer component


222


.





FIG. 16

illustrates the electrical connector


220


and the fastener


230


in a fasten position. In the fasten position, the actuator


232


is displaced distally along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the release position until a displacement surface


239


at the distal end


266


of the actuator


232


radially displaces the engagement elements


236


outward. The engagement openings


237


(

FIG. 15

) are sized to allow the engagement elements


236


to project partially from the casing


234


, but are too small for the engagement elements


236


to pass completely through the casing


234


. In the fasten position, the engagement elements


236


prevent the electrical connector


220


from being removed from the computer component


222


.





FIG. 17

illustrates a portion of still another embodiment of an electrical connector


320


and a fastener


330


of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the fastener


330


has a casing


334


engaged with a body


338


of the electrical connector


320


and an actuator


332


slidably received within the casing


334


. The casing


334


is shown in a release position in which it is configured to be inserted into and removed from an opening


340


in a computer component


322


. A distal end


366


of the actuator


332


is attached by an engagement coupling


341


to a distal end


373


of the casing


334


. The distal end


373


of the casing


334


is a flexible material that can be manually distorted. A washer


343


is positioned external to the distal end


373


of the casing


334


and is connected to the engagement coupling


341


. The actuator


332


can be manipulated by a user at a proximal end (not shown) to move between and releasably remain in a first position and a second position.





FIG. 18

illustrates the electrical connector


320


and the fastener


330


in a fasten position. The user moves the fastener


330


into the fasten position by moving the actuator


332


proximally from the first position to the second position. The distal end


373


of the casing


334


deforms radially outwardly from the fastening axis F—F as the actuator


332


moves in a proximal direction along the fastening axis F—F from the first position to the second position. The washer


343


displaces the distal end of the casing generally radially with respect to the fastening axis F—F when the actuator


332


is in the fasten position. The distal end


373


of the casing


334


can similarly be a hinged coupling, such as a toggle, that moves between the release and fasten positions when the actuator


332


is moved between the first and second positions, respectively. When the fastener


330


is engaged with the computer component


322


and the casing


334


is in the fasten position, the radially displaced portion of the casing


334


holds the fastener


330


to the computer component


322


. This consequently prevents the electrical connector


320


from disengaging from the computer component


322


. To move the fastener


330


back to the release position, the user moves the actuator


332


axially from the second position to the first position and the resilient material of the distal end


373


of the casing


334


returns generally to the release position allowing the fastener


330


to be removed from the computer component


322


.




From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. A method for connecting a cable having a first electrical contact to a computer component having a complementary second electrical contact and an adjacent attachment orifice defining a fastening axis, the method comprising:inserting at least a distal portion of an elongated casing into the attachment orifice, the elongated casing being coupled to a body of an electrical connector of the cable, and an engagement element being coupled to the distal portion of the elongated casing; and driving the engagement element radially away from the fastening axis and locking the engagement element in a fasten position in which the engagement element contacts the computer component solely by axially moving an actuator coupled to the casing from a first position to a second position.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising moving the engagement element toward the fastening axis and the engagement element from the fasten position to a release position in which the engagement element is configured to be received in the attachment orifice solely by axially moving the actuator from the second position to the first position.
  • 3. The method of claim 1, wherein axially moving the actuator from the first position to the second position comprises moving the actuator in a distal direction toward the computer component.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, wherein axially moving the actuator from the first position to the second position comprises moving the actuator in a distal direction toward the computer component and then releasing the actuator.
  • 5. The method of claim 2, wherein axially moving the actuator from the second position to the first position comprises moving the actuator in a distal direction toward the computer component.
  • 6. The method of claim 2, wherein axially moving the actuator from the second position to the first position comprises moving the actuator in a distal direction toward the computer component and then releasing the actuator.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a first end accessible to a user, a second end adjacent to the engagement member, and a drive surface at the second end coupleable with the engagement element, and wherein moving the actuator comprises sliding the actuator toward the computer component until the drive surface on the actuator moves the engagement element from the release position to the fasten position.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising a second actuator aligned along the fastening axis with the first actuator, the first actuator being accessible to the user and the second actuator having a drive surface adjacent the engagement element, the second actuator being movable with the first actuator between the first and second positions, and wherein moving the first actuator comprises sliding the first actuator toward the computer component until the drive surface on the second actuator moves the engagement element from the release position to the fasten position.
  • 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising an elongated casing projecting from the body substantially along the fastening axis toward the computer component, the casing being substantially cylindrical and hollow to define an elongated bore, the casing having at least a first engagement opening extending between the bore and a point external to the casing, and wherein the first engagement element is sized and shaped to pass partially through the engagement opening and project beyond an external surface of the casing, and wherein moving the first actuator comprises sliding the first actuator until a drive surface on the first actuator moves the engagement element partially through the engagement opening.
  • 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising an elongated casing projecting from the body substantially along the fastening axis toward the computer component, the engagement element being coupled to a distal portion of the casing, the engagement element being manually bendable between the release position in which the casing is elongated to be received within the attachment orifice and the fasten position in which the distal portion of the casing is bent to contact the attachment orifice or the computer component, the first actuator being coupled to the engagement element, and wherein moving the first actuator comprises sliding the first actuator along the fastening axis away from the computer component to bend the engagement element from the release position to the fasten position.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/339,398, filed on Jun. 23, 1999.

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