Multidirection connector housing

A multidirection connector housing for an electronic plug assembly comprises a body portion, a strain relief portion and a locking mechanism for locking the body portion and the strain relief portion together in at least seven orientations with respect to a connector plug. The plane formed at the intersection of the body portion and the strain relief portion is aligned at substantially 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the body portion. The strain relief portion includes an internal cable passageway providing substantially 45.degree. of turn. The profiles of the strain relief portion and body portion locking members are preferably square. Preferred embodiments provide ready interchange of cable orientations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention pertains to electronic connector plugs. More particularly, 
the invention pertains to a housing unit shielding the junction between an 
electronic connector plug and an associated cable. 
With the advent of the electronics industry, there have come to be known a 
variety of electronic plug connectors and housing units which provide an 
interface between a signal carrying cable and an electronic plug 
connector. One such type of known electronic plug connector is the "D" 
type series connector 101, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. 
The prior known connectors generally include a rearwards facing cable 
receiving portion 103 including a plurality of inputs 119 for receiving 
cable wires or strands. There are typically also provided in known 
connectors, about the rear portions thereof, fastening means 105 for 
securing a cable brace or plug assembly 115 (FIG. 2) having holes 117 
adapted for receiving a screw to the connector 101. 
Once the cable and plug assembly 113/115 is secured to the plug connector 
101, the connector unit may be plugged in to an electronic device (not 
shown) by inserting the forward portion comprising male connector pins 107 
in to the plug receiving portion of the electronic device. Grippers 109 
(FIG. 1), which may be releasable via mechanical linkage associated with 
side push buttons 111, may serve to retain the plug connector in place 
when the plug is coupled to the electronic device. 
As FIG. 2 illstrates, in the known plug connectors of the prior art, when 
the electrical or electronic cable 113 is coupled to the plug connector 
unit, the path of the cable 113 is predominately straight back from the 
plug connector in the longitudinal direction. Since electronic cable is 
quite often semi-rigid and of a thick density (e.g. 3/8 inches and above 
in diameter), little cable bend is afforded in the area immediately behind 
the connector. Thus, with the prior art connectors, considerable cable 
strain often results from trying to bend the cable in tight spaces. 
In addition, the plug connector unit itself requires some vertical space. 
This, quite often when using plug connectors of the prior art, 
considerable space is required to be reserved about the rear of the 
electronic device to accommodate the vertical lengths of the plug 
connector and the cable. The aforementioned plug connectors of the prior 
art thus place unwanted restrictions on electronic equipment space and 
design features. 
Furthermore, since it is generally expected that plug connectors such as 
the type illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 are quite often used in electronic 
devices such as computers, the electronic connector must be safe, 
preventing the user from experiencing electric shock, and must be 
reliable, providing securable fastenings between the cable and the plug 
components. 
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electronic plug 
connector housing which eliminates the space and design restrictions 
associated with rigid rear exiting plug connectors of the prior art. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic plug 
connector housing which is easily user adjustable and manipulatable and 
satisfies the design needs of the user. 
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic plug 
connector which meets high standards of strength, safety and reliability 
while being fully user manipulatable. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
These and other objects of the invention are met by providing a 
multidirection plug connector housing comprising a body portion, a strain 
relief portion, and means for locking the body portion and the strain 
relief portion together in a plurality of orientation. The plane formed at 
the intersection of the body portion and the strain relief portion is 
aligned at substantially 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the body 
portion. A cable passageway within the strain relief portion provides 
substantially 45.degree. of turn. Locking means provided between the 
strain relief portion and the body portion comprise square profiles 
whereby the strain relief portion may be positioned in any of four 
orientations with respect to the body portion. In preferred embodiments, 
the body portion and the strain relief portion are divided horizontally in 
half, the half portions being secured by releasable fasteners. In 
preferred embodiments, at least seven orientations of cable exit are 
provided.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a multidirection 
connector according to the invention for adjustably and securely 
connecting or housing the connection between a cable 18 and an electronic 
plug 13. The embodiment illustrated includes a first body portion 
hemisphere 2 and a second body portion hemisphere 4. First and second body 
portions 2, 4 may be structurally similar, in this embodiment being mirror 
images of one another. The body portion hemispheres 2, 4 define, in part, 
cut-out portions 16, 17 which provide fanning or resting areas for the 
cable end wires or strands 19. At the extreme forward end of the body 
hemisphere portions 2, 4 there are provided retaining grooves 12, 14 for 
receiving the connector flange 10 of a plug 13. 
As will be seen further below, first body hemisphere portions 2 and second 
body hemisphere portion 4 may be provided with fastening holes 25, 25' 
which may be aligned to receive user adjustable and removable fastening 
means, such as screws 26, for securing together the two hemisphere 
portions. 
Assuming that the orientation of plug 13 is stationary, it will be 
understood that the body portion 3 (see FIG. 5) comprising first and 
second body hemisphere portions 2, 4 may retain electronic plug 13 within 
grooves 12, 14 such that first body portion 2 is above second body portion 
4. Further, it will also be readily understood that the body portion 3 may 
be arranged with respect to fixed plug 13 such that second hemisphere 
portion 4 is above first hemisphere portion 2. In other words, the body 
portion 3 may assume two orientations respective the plug 13. 
It will be seen that the profiles of the first and second body hemisphere 
portions 2, 4 are substantially rectangular in the horizontal plane with 
substantially prism-shaped cut-outs 42, 42' taken therefrom at 
corresponding, mating corners as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
First and second body hemisphere portions 2, 4 further comprise semi-square 
female receiving portions 29, 31 at the midpoint of the respective 
substantially prism-shaped cut-out portions 42, 42'. In preferred 
embodiments, the horizontal component X of the semi-square cut-out 29 will 
be twice the length of the vertical component Y. 
First and second body hemisphere portions 2, 4 further provide retaining 
grooves 31A, 31B substantially between cable resting or fanning areas 16, 
17 and receiving portions 29, 31 for receiving and retaining male flange 
portions 30, 32 of first and second strain relief hemisphere portions 6, 8 
which are also illustrated in FIG. 3. 
First and second strain relief portion hemispheres 6, 8 define 
semi-cylindrical cable passageways 20, 22 which preferably include 
45.degree. of bend along the length thereof. Cable grips 24, 24' provided 
within cable passageways 20, 22 prevent slippage of cable 18 when the 
strain relief hemispheres 6, 8 are secured about the cable 18 (See FIG. 
4). 
To secure the cable 18 within the strain relief portion hemisphere 6, 8, 
the cable is placed within passageway 20, 22. Respective fastener holes 
23, 23', provided within the strain relief hemispheres 6, 8, are then 
aligned for receiving preferrably user adjustable and removable fastening 
means such as screws 28. Fasteners 28 may then be inserted within holes 
23, 23'. 
It will be readily understood that, when the strain relief hemisphere 
portions 6, 8 secured about the cable 18, the strain relief portion 1 will 
absorb and relieve the physical strain associated with bending the cable 
18 through the 45.degree. turn of passageway 20, 22. 
First and second strain relief portions 6, 8 further include locking and 
connecting male portions 30, 32 having semi-square perimeter profiles 
which, when joined, define the square perimeter of strain relief portion 
locking member 37. 
The male locking and connecting portions 30, 32 (FIG. 3) are extended from 
the main of the strain relief hemispheres 6, 8 such that circumferential 
grooves 33, 34 are defined therebetween. When the hemispheres 6, 8 of 
strain relief portion 1 (FIG. 4) are joined, a square circumferential 
groove 35 is thus formed between locking members 37 and the main of strain 
relief portion 1. 
FIG. 4 illustrates strain relief portion 1 comprising strain relief 
hemispheres 6, 8 secured together via fasteners 28 (FIG. 3). A cable 18, 
including individual cable wires or strands 19 is shown in FIG. 4 
illustratively passing through cable passageway 20, 22 of strain relief 
portion 1. 
FIG. 5 illustrates connector body portion 3 comprising body portion 
hemispheres 2, 4. Fasteners 26 are illustrated securing together body 
portion hemispheres 2, 4. Plug 13 is illustrated retained within retaining 
grooves 12, 14. 
With the body portion fasteners 26 removed, first body portion hemisphere 2 
may be spaced apart from second body portion hemisphere 4 whereby the 
forward male locking member 37 (FIG. 4) of strain relief portion 1 may be 
inserted through the substantially square female receiving window 40 of 
the body portion 3 (FIG. 5) in any of the four orientations illustrated in 
FIGS. 6-9. 
As stated above, in preferred embodiments, the profile of the locking and 
retaining male member 37 of strain relief portion 1 (FIG. 4) is 
substantially square and spaced apart from the main of the strain relief 
portion 1 such that a circumferential square groove 35 is defined 
therebetween. The outer perimeter of the forward mating and locking 
portion or flange 37 will preferably be of a greater dimension than the 
perimeter 36 defining the body portion female receiving window 40, such 
that the locking portion (flange) 37 will be retained behind body portion 
cut-out wall 38. Further, the length e (FIG. 4) of any side of the 
preferably square locking flange 37 of strain relief portion 1 will 
preferably be less than the height d of the body portion 3 (FIG. 5) to 
allow for the flange 37 to be retained within body portion 3. When secured 
within the body portion 3, the flange 37 of the strain relief portion 1 
will rest in seating grooves 31A, 31B shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5. As 
illustrated in FIG. 5, back corner walls 39 of body portion 3 partially 
define the prism-shaped cut-outs 42, 42' discussed above with regards to 
FIG. 3. 
It should be appreciated that due to the substantially square profiles of 
the body and strain relief mating portions 40, 37 illustrated in FIGS. 4 
and 5, that any of the four cable orientations illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 
may be readily achievable with an apparatus according to the invention. 
Thus, as the strain relief male mating portion 37 is rotated from 
0.degree. (FIG. 6) to 90.degree. (FIG. 8) to 180.degree. (FIG. 7) to 
270.degree. (FIG. 9) within female body receiving portion 40, the cable 18 
will exit from the strain relief portion 1 in four orientations, to the 
right (FIG. 6), straight back (FIG. 7), upwards to the right 45.degree. 
(FIG. 8) and lower to the right 45.degree. (FIG. 9). Likewise, since the 
body portion 3 may be oriented in any of two positions with respect to the 
plug 13, i.e. with the cut out portion 42, 42' (FIG. 3) to the right or to 
the left, the orientations of FIGS. 6A-9A may also be readily achievable. 
Thus, in FIG. 6A the cable exits to the left; in FIG. 7A the cable exits 
staight back; in FIG. 8A the cable exits down to the left 45.degree.; and 
in FIG. 9A the cable exits up to the left 45.degree.. 
With an embodiment according to the invention, it will thus be readily 
understood that a cable 18 may assume at least seven different 
orientations as it exits from the connector assembly: right, left, 
straight through, upper left (45.degree.), upper right (45.degree.), lower 
left (45.degree.), and lower right (45.degree.). Fewer or greater numbers 
of cable orientations may be provided by changing the profile or the 
number of sides on the strain relief locking member 37 and the body 
portion receiving window 40. 
FIG. 10 is a partial cut-away illustration taken along the line 10--10 of 
FIG. 6. FIG. 10 illustrates a cable 18 passing through strain relief 
portion 1 and being secured therewithin by grippers 24. At the end of 
cable 18 there are illustrated cable wires 19 welded or otherwise secured 
to respective receiving pins or connectors 11. The strain relief locking 
member (flange) 37 of strain relief portion 1 is illustrated resting in 
body portion retaining groove 32B. As may be seen in the embodiments of 
FIGS. 6 and 10, the strain relief portion 1 may be oriented with respect 
to the body portion 3 such that the cable 18 existing from the strain 
relief portion 1 exits to the right side of the connector assembly 5 with 
respect to the plug 13. 
Likewise, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, which illustrates a 
partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 8, the 
strain relief portion may be oriented with respect to the body portion 3 
such that the cable 18 exits at a substantially 45.degree. angle from the 
upper right of the plug connector 5 with respect to the plug 13. 
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 12--12 of FIG. 10 
and illustrates the cable 18 bending within strain relief portion 
passageway 20, 22. Note that the forward locking portion 37 of strain 
relief portion 1 is locked in place within connector body portion 3. Cable 
strain caused by the 45.degree. bend of cable 18 is absorbed primarily 
within strain relief portion 1 and may be further transferred to body 
portion 3 through locking portion 37. 
FIG. 13, which is taken along the line 13--13 of FIG. 11, illustrates that 
with an embodiment according to the invention, although the strain relief 
portion 1 may be oriented in plurality of ways with respect to the body 
portion 3, the mating of the strain relief portion 1 within the body 
portion 3, and the 45.degree. bend of the cable 18, are maintained. 
It will readily be understood that with a multidirection plug connector 
according to the invention, a user, after orienting cable exit in 
accordance with his or her space and/or design requirements, can fasten 
the electrical plug 13 to an electronic device (not shown) such as a 
computer terminal or a telephone switching system, etc. The plug 13 may, 
for example, include pin connectors (not shown) which may be then coupled 
to corresponding receiving portions of an electronic device. A bracket 10 
(FIG. 3) including a fastener opening 9 may be provided for the plug 13 to 
be associated with a matching element on the electronic device so that a 
fastener can secure the plug to the electronic device. Alternatively, a 
pair of claws, such as were illustrated at 109 in the prior art device of 
FIG. 1 can be provided on connector body portion 3 to allow secure but 
easily releasable coupling of the plug 13 to the electronic device. 
It will of course be understood that the invention has wide applicability 
not only to electronic or electrical pulse systems in general but also to 
a wide variety of particular electronic systems including computer 
systems, A/C systems, D/C systems, fiber optic systems, etc. 
In preferred embodiments of the invention, loosening of tool activated 
fasteners 26, such as screws, allow the screen relief portion 1 and the 
body portion 3 to be easily realigned. A further benefit thus achievable 
in apparatuses according to preferred embodiments of the invention is that 
alternating between the various cable exit orientations (see FIGS. 6-9, 
6A-9A) is easily user adjustable. 
Likewise, in preferred embodiments, the strain relief portion hemispheres 
6, 8 (FIG. 3) will be secured with removable fasteners to allow easy and 
user adjustable movement of the cable 18 therewithin. Furthermore, because 
the strain relief portion 1 is clamped together in preferred embodiments 
using adjustable fasteners 28 (See FIG. 3), by loosening the fasteners, 
the user may readjust the cables' rotational orientation within the strain 
relief portion itself. 
It will thus be readily understood that the apparatus according to the 
invention, which provides multi-axial cable exit, will allow close 
connector spacings and high connector densities on electronic backplanes 
and other electronic devices eliminating, to a large degree, the space and 
design concerns previously associated with D-type electronic connectors. 
Cable routing is simplified and is less space-consumptive because it exits 
the connector housing in a user or designer determined direction. 
It is fully contemplated as well that the invention will allow for both 
shielded and unshielded varieties of cables, cable connectors, and plugs. 
It is, of course, further fully contemplated that the invention can be made 
more or less adjustable or permanent with an attendant increase or 
decrease in user flexiblity. For example, permanent fasteners could 
replace adjustable and removable fasteners 26, 28 (FIG. 3) without 
departing from the invention. 
Likewise, although in the embodiment disclosed, the body portion is adapted 
to receive the male strain relief portion, it is possible to provide, 
within the invention, an emobodiment wherein the strain relief portion is 
adapted to receive a male mating portion of the connector body. The 
profiles of the mating portions can be varied to provide a variety of 
orientations. 
Furthermore, although the embodiments herein discussed comprise body and 
strain relief portions divided in hemispheres, a wide variety of connector 
constructions may be provided within the spirit of the invention. 
Thus, although the invention has been clearly and fully described above by 
way of reference to the embodiments of the drawings, the specific 
embodiments disclosed herein should in no way be construed to limit the 
spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims which follow.