Patent ID: 6056598
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A collapsible parallel port adapter for movement through a relatively small opening in an object such as a desk, the collapsible parallel port adapter comprising, in combination:an adapter head constructed from a rigid plastic and including a pair of halves each with a planar top face, a planar bottom face, a rear face, a front face and a pair of side faces, the top face and bottom face of each half having a length which is less than twice a width of each side face, each front face of each half having a connector protrusion with a planar top surface, a planar bottom surface, a planar inner surface in coplanar relationship with a first one of the side faces of the corresponding half and a tapering arcuate outer surface, the connector protrusion having an array of connectors mounted thereon, a second one of the side faces of each half having an ear coupled thereto and extending therefrom in perpendicular relationship with the second side face with a bore formed therein for receiving a threaded fastener, the top Face of a first one of the halves having a U-shaped latch coupled thereto and extending from the first side face thereof, the top face of a second one of the halves having a triangular tab coupled thereto adjacent the first side face thereof, wherein the halves of the adapter head are hingably coupled along a bottom edge of the first side faces thereof such that the halves may be pivoted between a first orientation with the bottom faces of the halves in abutment for allowing the adapter head to pass through the small opening, and a second orientation with the first side faces locked together via the latch and tab such that the inner surfaces of the connector protrusion remain in abutment so that the connector protrusion may be releasably connected to a parallel port; anda grommet constructed from a flexible elastomeric material including a front tapering portion connected to the rear faces of the halves of the adapter head and a rear rectilinear portion integrally coupled to the front tapering portion and extending rearwardly therefrom for receiving a sleeved cable, the front tapering portion having a slit formed in a top face thereof which extends adjacent to a bottom face of the front tapering portion of the grommet and further terminates at the rear rectilinear portion for defining a pair of side extents, wherein two bunches of electrical wires are covered by the grommet and each of the bunches of electrical wires is connected between the connectors of one of the halves of the adapter head and the cable and extend through one of the side extents of the front tapering portion of the grommet, wherein the side extents may be resiliently contorted when the halves of the adapter head are in the first orientation thereof.