Abstract:
A cable, including first and second lengthwise portions that are coupled by an axially engageable safety breakaway connector, is used to connect first and second components. If someone trips on the cable, a region of the cable adjacent to the breakaway connector is pulled taut. Therefore, a substantially linear tensile force is applied to the cable at the breakaway connector. This tensile force is preferably sufficient to cause the respective parts of the breakaway connector to decouple instead of, for example, jerking one or both of the first and second components in a potentially damaging manner. For example, the cable may be used to connect an electronic game console with a game controller unit. Thus, if a person or pet trips over the cable, the cable becomes decoupled at the breakaway connector before the game console (which is commonly heavy and/or expensive) is jerked to the ground.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a cable for connecting electronic components that includes first and second lengthwise portions connected by a breakaway or otherwise selectively releasable connector.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    It is generally known to electrically connect electronic components with an electrical cable, such as a signal-carrying cable. For example, an audio speaker is connected to a stereo receiver by a speaker cable. Also, a computer mouse and a printer are connected to a computer by respective cables. Furthermore, an electronic game console is connected to one or more game controller units by respective cables.  
           [0003]    For example, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic system  100  including a main console  102 , an input/control device  104 , and a cable  106  electronically connecting main console  102  and input/control device  104 . FIG. 1 illustrates main console  102  resting on a support surface, such as a table or shelf or the like  108 .  
           [0004]    Cable  106  is frequently quite long in order, for example, to offer more freedom of movement and placement between the main console  102  and input/control device  104 . For example, in an electronic game system such as a video game system, the input/control device  104  may be a game controller unit, and main console  102  may be a video game console connected to the game controller unit by a long length of cable  106  so that a game player can, for example, sit comfortably several feet away from the game display.  
           [0005]    However, a problem occurs because an individual, a dog, a cat, or other pets can trip over cable  106 . Also, a pet may chew on and pull at cable  106 . In addition, from time to time, an individual may, without thinking carefully, try to tug on cable  106  to disengage it from, for example, main console  102 . In each of these cases, there is a danger that one or both of the main console  102  and input/control device  104  may be pulled by the force of, for example, tripping on, pulling on, or otherwise yanking on the cable  106 . This can cause main console  102  (which is commonly heavy, fragile, and/or expensive) to fall from its location onto the floor and become damaged or cause damage or injury.  
           [0006]    For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the system  100  as in FIG. 1 in a situation where a generally transverse (with respect to a direction between input/control device  104  and main console  102 ) force F is exerted on cable  106 , as when someone trips over cable  106 . In this case, cable  106  impulsively is bowed out to one side (as shown in phantom at  106 ′ in FIG. 2). Cable  106  is conventionally fixedly connected to main console  102  at attachment location  110 . In other instances, cable  106  is detachably connected to main console  102  where attachment location  110  is a plug received in a socket (not shown) provided in main console  102 . A conventional plug may simply be axially insertable into a receptacle along an insertion direction. The plug may additionally snap into permanent or temporary engagement with main console  102 , or it may be selectively locked in engagement by, for example, a spring clip, a locking pawl, screw or other fasteners, or by a threaded engagement between the plug and main console  102 .  
           [0007]    In any event, the manner in which cable  106  is conventionally connected to main console  102  causes a problem because the conventional connections resist or even prevent disengagement when cable  106  experiences a force F as shown. Even if cable  106  is simply axially inserted as a plug at location  110 , the deflection of cable  106 ′ causes an off-axis (i.e., oblique to the plug insertion direction) force component on the plug, which may, for example, cause respective surfaces of the plug and receptacle to press harder against each other, thereby increasing frictional resistance to disengagement in a known manner.  
           [0008]    As a result, the tension in cable  106  caused by force F may pull on main console  102  strongly enough to pull it out of its place on table  108 , as seen in FIG. 3. If main console  102  is pulled out of place far enough, main console  102  can even fall off of table  108 , thereby causing damage and/or injury. On the other hand, if the console  102  is restrained, the force F may result in damage to the console  102  and/or the plug at location  110  where they are connected.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    The present invention is therefore generally directed to a cable including a first lengthwise portion connected to a second lengthwise portion by a breakaway connector located closer to one end of the cable than the other end of the cable. That is, the first and second lengthwise portions are different lengths with respect to each other. The first and second lengthwise portions of the cable are characteristically separable from each other by applying a linear pulling force to one or both of the first and second lengthwise portions so as to separate the breakaway connector. The breakaway connector allows the cable to separate at the breakaway connector if, for example, an individual trips over the cable and avoids jerking a component connected to the cable out of place (which can cause the component to fall to the ground or cause damage to the connection between the cable and the component).  
           [0010]    The connecting force at the breakaway connector is preferably only a function of cooperative frictional effects. One example of a breakaway connector according to the present invention is a male-female connector including one or more male parts cooperating with a corresponding number of female parts.  
           [0011]    An end of the cable (i.e., an end of one of the lengthwise portions opposite the breakaway connector) may be connected to the component by more rigid methods, such as, without limitation, clip locks, threaded connectors, screw fasteners, resiliently mounted pawls, etc. which generally resist disengagement between the component and the cable.  
           [0012]    Most generally, the present invention relates to an arrangement wherein a component is connected by a signal-carrying cable and/or a power-carrying cable to another location, where the cable is susceptible to being tripped over or otherwise unintentionally pulled on in a way that may cause the component to move out of place in a manner that could cause damage to the component or cause injury or damage.  
           [0013]    More particularly, the present invention relates to an arrangement in which two components are connected to each other by a cable, again, where the cable is susceptible to being tripped over or otherwise unintentionally pulled on. In one example of the present invention, a cable as described above is used to connect an electronic game system console with a game controller unit. In another example of the present invention, a cable as described above is used to connect a main processor console in an electronic information processing system and a user input unit. For example, the electronic information processing system is a computer, and the input unit is a computer pointing device, such as, without limitation, a computer mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a yoke controller, a touch-sensitive tablet, or a digital camera. Another example is a video camera connected to a video recorder. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The present invention will be even better understood with respect to the appended drawings, in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conventional electronic system including a main console and a peripheral input device connected to the main console by a cable;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the conventional system illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrating the application of a sudden transverse force on the conventional cable, such as that which would occur if a person tripped on the cable;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a plan view of the conventional system illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating how the main console can be jerked out of place by the sudden force applied to the cable; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the use of a cable including a breakaway male-female connector in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of cable including the male-female connector according to the present invention, including the local tension forces applied to the male-female connector;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 schematically illustrates one example of the parts of the male-female connector according to the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 illustrates another example of the parts of the male-female connector according to the present invention; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 illustrates one example of a cable according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]    As mentioned above, the present invention is most generally related to a component connected by a cable to another location, including, without limitation, to another component. Strictly for the purpose of illustration, an example of main console and an input/control device connected by a cable will be discussed hereinbelow, without in anyway intending to limit the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0024]    Thus, an electronic system  100  is illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0025]    System  100  includes a main console  102  and an input/control device  104  connected to main console  102  by a flexible cable  106   a . In operation, the input/control device  104  preferably can send at least a control signal to main console  102  by way of cable  106   a . FIG. 1 is a plan view of system  100 , wherein main console  102  is resting on a work surface  108 , such as, without limitation, a bookshelf, a table, a desk, or a support stand. A user may operate or otherwise manipulate the input/control device  104  at a location remote from main console  102 , depending on a length of cable  106   a.    
         [0026]    Cable  106   a  includes a first lengthwise portion  112  and a second lengthwise portion  114 , connected together by a breakaway connector  116 . An example of a breakaway connector according to the present invention is a male-female connector. A male-female connector is expressly meant to refer to any connector that relies on axial insertion of a male part into a female part to establish a connector, including, without limitation, male-female pin connectors, male-female plugs and receptacles, and male-female flat connectors and receptacles. The characteristic feature of a male-female connector of this type is that the respective male and female parts of the connector are engageable by pressing the respective parts together axially and are disengageable by only pulling on the respective parts, relative to each other. This feature will be discussed further hereinbelow.  
         [0027]    While the first lengthwise portion  112  and the second lengthwise portion  114  are joined at respective ends thereof at the breakaway connector  116 , the first lengthwise portion is coupled at its end opposite the breakaway coupling  112  to main console  102  (or to another electrical housing). The coupling between first lengthwise portion  112  and main console  102  is preferably a connector coupling. The connector coupling is preferably an “on-axis” connector in an exemplary embodiment. In an “on-axis” connector, a sufficient pulling force (on the cable or on the connector) along the direction of the connector axis will cause the connector to separate from the console. On the other hand, a pulling force (on the cable or on the connector) that deviates or is skewed from the connector axis by an angle of more than a few degrees (i.e., an “off-axis” force) will not separate the connector from the console. Accordingly, an off-axis force on the cable will be transferred to the console itself.  
         [0028]    The end  119  of the second lengthwise portion  114  may, for example, by fixedly attached to input/control device  104 .  
         [0029]    Cable  106   a  contains any known electrical conductors necessary for the connection between main console  102  and input/control device  104 , including, for example and without limitation, one or more conductors for carrying power, unidirectional signal traffic, and/or bi-directional signal traffic.  
         [0030]    Main console  102  can be a variety of known or novel electronic components, including, without limitation, an electronic processor console such as a computing device, an electronic video game console, or other electronic component such as, without limitation, a camcorder, a stereo component, or a video display. Input/control device  104  can also be a variety of known or novel electronic components including, without limitation, a video game system controller, a computer input device such as a keyboard, a joystick, a game yoke, a computer mouse, a trackball, or a touch-sensitive tablet, or a video camera.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is somewhat similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the application of a generally transverse (i.e., with respect to a direction extending between input/control unit  104  and main console  102 ) force F on cable  106   a . Such a force is imparted, for example, when a person trips on cable  106   a.    
         [0032]    Cable  106   a  is pulled in the direction of force F, as seen in phantom at  106   a ′. As can be seen in FIG. 4, this deflection of cable  106   a ′ causes at least a portion of cable  106   a ′ adjacent to connector  116 ′ to become substantially taut because the respective ends of cable  106   a ′ are generally stationary. Therefore, connector  116 ′ (i.e., connector  116  under tension caused by force F) experiences oppositely directed tension forces T along cable  106   a ′ as seen in FIG. 5.  
         [0033]    The constituent parts  118  and  120  of connector  116 ( 116 ′) preferably disengage or break away from each other under an axially applied tension T so as to release the tension in cable  106   a ( 106   a ′), and prevent main console  102  from being pulled out of place or off of work surface  108 , as was illustrated in FIG. 3 with respect to the conventional art.  
         [0034]    In one example of the present invention, the connector  116 ( 116 ′) is located within about 30 cm of the end of cable  106   a ( 106   a ′) connected to the main console  102 . In a particular example of the present invention, the connector  116 ( 116 ′) is located within about 5 cm to about 18 cm of the end of the cable connected to the main console  102 .  
         [0035]    Furthermore, in one example of the present invention, the connector  116 ( 116 ′) is located less than about 10% of the total length of cable  106   a  away from a respective end of cable  106   a ( 106   a ′). Therefore, if cable  106   a ( 106   a ′) is about 3 m long, the connector  116 ( 116 ′) may be located, for example, within about 30 cm from an end of the cable  106   a ( 106   a ′). Locating the connector  116 ( 116 ′) along the cable  106   a ( 106   a ′) in this manner helps to ensure that the cable  106   a ( 106   a ′) will be assuredly pulled taut in a manner that will cause a local region of the cable adjacent to connector  116 ( 116 ′) to become taut and apply tension T thereto, thereby separating the parts of connector  116 .  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 illustrates a general example of the parts  118  and  120  of connector  116 . For example, first lengthwise portion  112  of cable  106  may include a first or female part  118  including a receiving bore  124  formed therein in a known manner. The second lengthwise portion  114  of cable  106  includes a second or male part  120  including a protruding portion  122  that is received in bore  124  to establish an electrical connection between first and second lengthwise portions  112  and  114 . As mentioned above, the structure and orientation illustrated in FIG. 6 is strictly by way of example, and the present invention contemplates male-female parts and other mating parts having a variety of known structures, including those mentioned above. Furthermore, the male part  120  could alternatively be provided on first lengthwise portion  112  while the female part  118  could be provided on the second lengthwise portion  114  in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0037]    Generally, connector  116  is preferably an “on-axis” connector in accordance with the explanation of the term “on-axis” set forth above.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of male and female parts of a connector  116 ′ usable in accordance with the present invention. For example, female part  118 ′ includes a slot  124 ′ formed therein, whereas male part  120 ′ includes a flat protruding portion  122 ′ formed therein. Slot  124 ′ is sized and shaped to frictionally receive protruding portion  122 ′ when female part  118 ′ and male part  120 ′ are connected. Protruding portion  122 ′ and slot  124 ′ each include a predetermined arrangement of conductive portions thereon and therein, respectively, that cooperate during engagement to form one or more electrical connections as may be required. The arrangement of the respective conductive portions may vary widely in accordance with given operational requirements. Female part  118 ′ and male part  120 ′ may, if desired or if necessary, by “keyed” to each other, or otherwise include additional alignment structures. For example, female part  118  may include a solid ridge  126 ′ shaped to cooperate with a groove  128 ′ located in male part  120 ′ in order to ensure that protruding portion  122 ′ is not inserted into slot  124 ′ “upside-down.” 
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 illustrates a cable  200  in accordance with the present invention. Cable  200  includes a first lengthwise portion  202  and a second lengthwise portion  204 . First and second lengthwise portions  202 ,  204  are connected to each other by a breakaway connector  208  having mating parts  220  and  222  formed in accordance with the foregoing description. At a first end of cable  200 , a first device connector  210  is provided, and at a second end of cable  200  a second device connector  212  is provided. Cable  200  may, for example, be a cable connecting a game controller unit  214  (partially and schematically shown in phantom in FIG. 8) and a game console  215  (partially and schematically shown in FIG. 8). FIG. 8 illustrates a cable  200  as a coiled bundle tied by a retainer (such as a twist tie  217 ), and this representation should be interpreted as indicating that any desired length of cable  200  can be used in accordance with the present invention. First device connector  210  may therefore be a plug that is receivable in an appropriate socket of the game console. Second device connector  212  may be, for example, a pin connector receivable in a connector located on a circuit board (not shown) in game controller unit  214  in a known manner. A conventionally known cable strain relief structure  216  can be located at the point at which cable  200  exits game controller unit  214 , in order to protect the cable against bending and flexing strain.  
         [0040]    It is emphasized that the first and second device connectors shown here are strictly examples in accordance with the present invention, and that other known device connectors may be also used instead of those shown here.  
         [0041]    In one example of the present invention, the tension force T (see FIG. 5) necessary to separate the connector  116  according to the present invention is less than the axial tension necessary to pull first device connector  210  out from engagement with a socket on console  102 . This helps to ensure that the connector separates at a force below that which could, for example, damage the first device connector.  
         [0042]    However, in an alternative arrangement, the axial separation force of the breakaway safety connector  116  is less than that between the first device connector  210  and console  102 . For example, in the situation illustrated in FIG. 4, cable  106   a ′ is pulled at an angle relative to the axial direction of engagement between the connector  116  and the console  102  (i.e., “off-axis”). This off-axis force causes oblique loading on the cable/console connection, which increases the force needed to disconnect the cable  106   a ′ and console  102 . If the angle of the applied force is more than a few degrees, it may be effectively impossible to disconnect the cable  106   a ′ from the console  102  because of the oblique loading. The connector  116  therefore binds, and the axial force required to separate the safety connector  116  can be higher than the axial force needed to disconnect the cable from the console. As an added benefit, one can intentionally apply an axial force (i.e., an on-axis force) between the safety breakaway connector  116  and the input/control unit  104  to disconnect cable  106   a  from console  102 .  
         [0043]    Additionally, the axial separation force needed to separate the parts of connector  116 ′ is preferably less than the force needed to slide the console  102  across surface  108  on which console  102  rests. This reduces the chance of console  102  moving across (and possibly off of) surface  108 . The frictional effects between console  102  and surface  108  can be determined in a known manner in view of the weight of console  102  and the static coefficient of friction between console  102  and surface  108 .  
         [0044]    In one example of the present invention, the axial separation or “unmating” force required to separate the breakaway connector  116  is preferably between 2 and 5 lbs. Such a setting is desirable to prevent an unintended separation during common video game controller movements during game play while preventing damage from unintended external forces. However, it is recognized that the connector  116  may be designed to separate or “unmate” at any desired force beneficial for the application.  
         [0045]    It is noted that an input/controller device  104  may be provided with its own cable and connector for direct connection with console  102 . Accordingly, a cable  106   a ( 106   a ′) can be separately purchased and later used to provide an intermediate connection between input/controller device  104  and console  102  having the safety functionality provided by connector  116 ( 116 ′). Conversely, console  102 , cable  106   a ( 106   a ′), and input/controller device  104  can be sold together as a group.  
         [0046]    Thus, while there have been shown and described features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, and in the method illustrated and described, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as broadly disclosed herein.