Abstract:
Connector retainers and methods of securing a connector such as a universal serial bus (USB) connector or a video and audio switcher (VAS) connector in a receptacle are disclosed. A disclosed example retainer to retain a connector in a receptacle includes a projection to engage the housing of an electronic device to secure the retainer to a housing; and a mount adjacent the projection to secure the connector to the projection.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/941,885, filed Jun. 4, 2007, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure pertains to optical and electrical connectors and, more particularly, to connector retainers and methods of securing an optical and/or electrical connector in a receptacle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many types of cables, such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables, or VAS (Video and Audio Switcher) cables, are used to electrically and/or optically connect components. For example, USB cables and/or PS2 cables are commonly used to connect peripheral devices to computers. Cables are commonly terminated in connectors that are specifically designed for connection to receptacles, also referred to as jacks or ports. The ports may be constructed in many different ways. For example, a port may be mounted behind a housing panel, mounted within a housing, or be an integral part of a housing. Irrespective of its precise structure and location, these ports are typically intended to receive a connector of a specific type via a male-female type connection. If, after a connector is seated in a port, the connector and/or cable is bumped and/or otherwise subjected to force and/or vibration, the connector may be accidentally disconnected from the corresponding jack. Such inadvertent disconnection of a connector from a port can result in inconvenience, power loss, and/or loss of data. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a first example retainer to secure a first example connector in a first example port. 
         FIG. 1A  is a top view of the first example retainer and the first example connector secured to the first example port. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a second example retainer to secure a second example connector in a second example port. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of the second example retainer and the second example connector secured to the second example port. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a third example retainer to secure a third example connector in a third example port. 
         FIG. 3A  is a top view of the third example retainer and the third example connector secured to the third example port. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a fourth example retainer to secure a fourth example connector in a fourth example port. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of the fourth example retainer and the fourth example connector secured to the fourth example port. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a fifth example retainer to secure a fifth example connector in a fifth example port. 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the fifth example retainer and the fifth example connector secured to the fifth example port. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of a sixth example retainer to secure a sixth example connector in a sixth example port. 
         FIG. 6A  is a top view of the sixth example retainer and the sixth example connector secured to the sixth example port. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the following discloses example retainers for retaining a USB type A or B connector in a corresponding jack or port, or retaining a VAS type connector in a corresponding jack or port, with either type of port mounted within and/or accessible through an opening in a housing of an electronic device, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are in no way limited to such connectors, jacks, and/or ports, and that the teachings of this disclosure are in no way limited to use with any particular type of housing or electronic device. On the contrary, it is contemplated that the teachings of this disclosure may be implemented in alternative environments of use such as for use with other types of connectors and/or ports (e.g., IEEE 1394 ports, etc.). For example, although the example retainers described herein are described in conjunction with connectors having cords or cables connected thereto, those having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the example retainers may be used with devices that do not have cables or cords (e.g., a USB flash drive, etc.). Similarly the disclosed examples may be used with any type of optical and/or electronic device. For instance, a disclosed example retainer may be used to secure a connector (e.g., a USB connector) to a laptop computer, to a desktop computer, to a server and/or to a portable electronic device such as a cellular telephone, an MP3 player (e.g., an iPod), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a camera and/or to any other type of device to establish and/or maintain an electrical and/or optical connection with another device. Thus, the methods, apparatus, and/or articles of manufacture disclosed herein may be advantageously adapted to enhance or improve the retention of any type of electrical and/or optical connector in any type of electrical and/or optical receptacle (e.g., a jack or port) associated with any type of device. Accordingly, while the following describes example retainers and methods, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the disclosed examples are not the only way to implement such retainers and/or methods. 
     In general, the example retainers and/or methods described herein assist in retaining a connector in a receptacle (e.g., a jack or port) even when the connector and/or a cable or device associated with the connector is subjected to a force tending to remove the connector from the port. In some examples, the port is accessible through an opening in a housing of an electronic device. An advantage of the examples disclosed herein is that a retainer may be employed on a retrofit basis, without requiring a housing modification, by utilizing the housing opening through which a receptacle is accessed. 
     A first example retainer  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . The illustrated example retainer  10  includes a body  12  and a fastener  30 . The body  12  of the retainer  10  comprises a projection  14  to engage a housing  54  to secure the retainer  10  to the housing  54 ; and a mount  20  adjacent the projection  14  to secure a connector  40  to the projection  14 . In the illustrated example, the projection  14  comprises a port engaging portion that, in the example of  FIG. 1 , includes extension arms  16  that project outwardly from the mount  20 . The arms  16  are located in substantial alignment with the edges of the mount  20 . The extension arms  16  terminate in flanges  18  that are oriented substantially perpendicularly with respect to their respective arms  16 . 
     As mentioned above, the body  12  also has a mount  20  to secure a connector  40  to the projection  14 . In the illustrated example, the mount  20  is implemented as a connector engaging portion extending opposite the projection  14 . The mount  20  includes notches  22  dimensioned to receive the fastener  30 , which, in the example of  FIG. 1 , is implemented as a flexible member such as a continuous elastic band. Although the illustrated example employs a pair of notches  22 , persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that other numbers of notches  22  (e.g., 0, 1, 3, etc.) may be employed. 
     The retainer  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 1A  is shown in use with a USB type A connector  40 . The connector  40  of the illustrated example includes an interconnect portion  42  and a housing or grasping portion  44  coupled to a cable  46  extending opposite the interconnect portion  42 . In the example of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the connector  40  is shown engaging a corresponding USB type A port  50  (also referred to herein as a jack or receptacle). In this example, the port  50  is mounted behind a housing panel  52  of the housing  54  of an electronic device (not shown). The housing panel  52  includes an opening  56  to allow access to the port  50  from outside the housing  54 . To couple the connector  40  to the port  50 , the interconnect portion  42  of the connector  40  is passed through the opening  56  in the housing panel  52 , and into the port  50  to make electrical connection therewith. In other words, the port  50  is mounted within housing  54 , behind the housing panel  52 , and is accessible through the housing opening  56 . 
     In use, the retainer  10  of the illustrated example is connected to both the housing  54  and the connector  40 , thereby retaining the interconnect portion  42  of the connector  40  in engagement with the port  50 . In the illustrated example, the connection of the retainer  10  to the connector  40  is affected either via the grasping portion  44  or the cable  46 . To connect the retainer  10  to the housing  54 , the extension arms  16  are manually deflected inwardly toward one another to enable the flanges  18  to be inserted through the housing opening  56  in the housing panel  52 . The extension arms  16  are then released, which allows the extension arms  16  to spring outwardly away from one another so that the extension arms  16  engage sides  58  of the housing opening  56  in the housing panel  52 , and the flanges  18  engage a rear face  60  of the housing panel  52 . 
     That is, during installation of the retainer  10 , one or both of the extension arms  16  are manually squeezed by a user to enable the flanges  18  to fit through the housing opening  56 . After the flanges  18  are fit through the housing opening  56 , the user releases the extension arms  16  to thereby allow the flanges  18  to move outwardly and seat against the sides  58  of the opening  56  and inside the housing panel  52 . Removal of the retainer  10  is affected by squeezing the extension arms  16  until the flanges  18  are sufficiently close enough to one another to fit at least one through the housing opening  56  and then withdrawing the extension arms  16  and the attendant flanges  18  from the housing opening  56 . Depending on the particular structure of the extension arms  16  and the connector  40 , the installation and removal of the retainer  10  may be carried out with or without the connector  40  being coupled or fastened to the retainer  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that in many electronic devices, the port  50  is located a distance behind the housing panel  52 , which results in the flanges  18  being received between the port  50  and the rear face  60  of the housing panel  52 . As described above, depending on the structure of the extension arms  16  and the flanges  18 , insertion of the flanges  18  through the housing opening  56  to engage the housing  54 , the housing panel  52  and/or some other portion of the port/jack  50  involves at least temporary bending or deflection of at least one of the extension arms  16 . In the example retainer  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , both extension arms  16  are inwardly deflected during insertion of the flanges  18  and may remain in a deflected position while the retainer  10  is located in the housing  54  through the housing opening  56 . To this end, the extension arms  16  are preferably resilient to permit bending for insertion of the flanges  18  and expansion upon installation to maintain a snug fit when the retainer  10  is installed in a port. The body  12  of the example retainer  10  may be constructed of any type of material, such as stamped 0.010″-0.020″ stainless steel half hard sheet or coil, molded plastic, or the like. 
     As described above, to maintain engagement between the interconnect portion  42  of the connector  40  and the port  50 , the connector  40  is coupled to the mount  20  of the retainer  10 . In some examples, after the retainer  10  has been installed within the housing  54 , this connection is achieved by moving the connector  40  to a position adjacent the mount  20  of the body  12  of the connector retainer  10  such that the interconnect portion  42  is inserted into the port  50 . Then, the fastener  30  is connected to the connector  40  via (1) the grasping portion  44  and/or the cable portion  46 , and (2) the mount  20  by, for example, locating the fastener  30  within at least one of the notches  22  in the mount  20 . However, in other examples, the retainer  10  may be coupled to the connector  40  before the retainer  10  is engaged to the port  50 , and the retainer  10  and the connector  40  may be subsequently installed into the port  50  at substantially the same time. In the illustrated example of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the interconnect portion  42  of the connector  40  prevents the flanges  18  from deflecting inwardly sufficient to enter or exit the opening  56 , thereby suggesting that the retainer  10  should be coupled to the port  50  prior to the connector  40  being inserted into the opening  56 . 
     In some examples, a fastener  30  need not be used. For example, a portion of the body  12  on the opposite side of the mount  20  from the projection  14  may include a stop or other projection to engage the housing portion  44  or the cable  46  of the connector  40 . In another alternative example, a portion of the body  12  on the opposite side of the mount  20  from the projection  14  may be bent upwardly substantially perpendicularly to engage behind the housing portion  44  of the connector  40  to create a friction fit or interference fit with the housing  44  of the connector  40  to thereby obviate the need for an additional fastener such as a band, tie or the like. 
     With the retainer  10  installed, the connector  40  is prevented from being inadvertently disconnected or removed from the port  50 , thereby maintaining electrical or optical connectivity between the interconnect portion  42  of the connector  40  and the port  50 , even when the connector  40  is subjected to jostling or other removal force. Assembly of the example retainer  10  to the housing  54  and to the connector  40  readily permits intentional removal of the connector  40  from the port  50  by disconnecting the connector  40  from the retainer  10 , and/or by disconnecting the retainer  10  from the housing  54 . In the example of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , it is preferable to remove the connector  40  from the retainer  10  prior to removing the retainer  10  from the port  50  because the removal of the retainer  10  from the housing  54  prior to removing the connector  40  from the retainer  10  may result in damage to the retainer  10  and/or the housing  54 . It also will be appreciated that the strength of the pull out force required to overcome the retention capability of the retainer  10  is implementation dependent (e.g., it depends on features such as material strength, etc.) The material of the retainer  10  may be selected to yield when subjected to a fairly substantial removal force so as to avoid damage to the housing  54  of the electrical device while still performing the retention function in response to the application of most inadvertent removal forces. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , an example retainer  110  is provided. In this example, the retainer  110  includes a body  112  and a fastener  130 . As with the example retainer  10  of  FIG. 1 , the body  112  of the example retainer  110  has a projection  114  to engage a housing  154  of an electrical device. In the illustrated example, the projection  114  is implemented by extension arms  116  that run longitudinally with respect to the body  112 , and that terminate in flanges  118 . The body  112  also has a mount or connector engaging portion  120  extending opposite the housing engaging portion  114 . The  120  includes one or more notches  122  dimensioned to receive the fastener  130 . In this example, the fastener  130  is implemented as a twist tie having a wire encased in a plastic ribbon. Also, the mount  120  may engage a connector  140  directly or indirectly via the fastener  130 . Thus, the fastener  130  (e.g. twist tie) may have one end twisted around the other end to connect the connector  140  to the mount  120 , and, in this sense, includes at least one securing portion. The components of the retainer  110  may be connected as described herein and as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A . The connector  140  may be removed after releasing the fastener  130 . 
     The example retainer  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 2A  is shown generally, for example, as being dimensioned for use with a USB type B connector  140  that includes an interconnect portion  142 , a grasping portion  144  and a cable portion  146  extending opposite the interconnect portion  142 . The connector  140  is generally representative of the structure at the distal end of a USB type B cable of a peripheral device (not shown). In this example, a corresponding USB type B jack  150  is constructed integrally with the housing  154  of an electronic device (not shown) having a housing panel  152 . To connect the connector  140  to the jack  150 , the interconnect portion  142  of the connector  140  passes through a housing opening  156  in the housing panel  152 , and into the jack  150 . Thus, the jack  150  is integrally formed with the housing panel  152 , and is accessible through the housing opening  156 . Of course, a jack may be formed so as to stand alone and may be set back from the housing panel  152 . 
     To utilize the example retainer  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the retainer  110  is connected to both the housing  154  and the connector  140 . Connection to the connector  140  may be affected either via the grasping portion  144  or the cable portion  146 . To connect the retainer  110  to the housing  154 , the flanges  118  are deflected inwardly and inserted through the housing opening  156  in the housing panel  152 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the flanges  118  engage slots  162  in the inner side walls of the jack  150 . 
     The retainer  110  is connected to the connector  140  by moving the connector  140  to a position adjacent the body  112  of the retainer  110 , and inserting the interconnect portion  142  of the connector  140  into the jack  150 . Then, the fastener  130  is connected to the connector  140  and to the connector engaging portion  120  by locating the fastener  130  within at least one of the notches  122  in the connector engaging portion  120  and encircling the connector  140 . Thus, in the example of  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the twist tie  130  is looped through the notches  122  of the mount  120 , up and around the cable portion  146 , and then the two loose ends of the twist tie are twisted together to retain the connector  140 . In some examples, the retainer  110  and the connector  140  may be fastened together before the retainer  110  is installed into the jack  150 . 
     Although a twist tie is shown as being used as the fastener  130 , it should be noted that the fastener  130  may be implemented as a flexible member such as an elastic band. Furthermore, as described above in conjunction with the example retainer  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , a stop or other projection may be used in addition to or in place of the flexible member  130  to secure the connector  140  to the retainer  110  via an interference and/or friction fit. 
     As with the example retainer  10  of  FIG. 1  and FIG  1 A, when the example retainer  110  of  FIG. 2  is installed, the connector  140  is secured against inadvertent disconnection or removal from the jack  150 . The retainer  110  may be readily removed if desired, and/or may be designed to yield under a particular level of removal force. Materials similar to those mentioned with respect to the example retainer  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 1A  may be used for the body  112  of the retainer  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 2A . 
     Another example retainer  210  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . The example retainer  210  includes a body  212  and a fastener  230 . The body  212  of retainer  210  includes a housing engaging portion  214  that terminates in an upwardly turned projection or flange  218 . The flange  218  is positioned substantially perpendicular to the housing engaging portion  214 . The body  212  also has a mount or connector engaging portion  220  extending opposite the housing engaging portion  214 . 
     The example mount  220  of  FIG. 3  includes one or more notches  222  (two are shown) which are dimensioned to receive the fastener  230 . In the example of  FIG. 3 , the fastener  230  is implemented as a plastic cable tie having a toothed band  232  insertable through a securing portion (e.g. a locking ring)  234 . Of course, any other fastener (including, for example, the elastic band and/or the twist tie described herein) may be used in place of, or in addition to, the fastener  230 . As with the prior examples, the mount  220  may engage the connector  240  directly or indirectly via the fastener  230 . For example, the toothed band  232  of the cable tie  230  may be wrapped around the connector  240  and the mount  220 , and the end of the band  232  may be pulled through the locking ring  234  such that the cable tie secures the connector  240  and the retainer  210 . The retainer  210  may be connected to a port  250  as shown in  FIG. 3A  (e.g., with the flange  218  inserted behind a front panel of  252  of a housing  254 ). The connector  240  may be removed by cutting the fastener  230 , or if the fastener  230  is of a releasable type, by releasing, for example, the toothed band  232  from the locking ring  234 . 
     The example retainer  210  shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A  is illustrated as being for use with a USB type A connector  240  that includes an interconnect portion  242 , a grasping or housing portion  244 , and a cable portion  246  extending opposite the interconnect portion  242 . The connector  240  is generally representative of the structure at the distal end of a USB type A cable of a peripheral device (not shown). However, in alternative implementations, the connector  240  may form part of a device, such as a USB flash drive, or the like. An example USB type A jack  250  is shown in  FIG. 3A . The example jack  250  is similar to the jack  50  discussed above in connections with  FIGS. 1 and 1A . The jack  250  is accessible through a housing opening  256  in a housing panel  252  of a housing  254 . To connect the connector  240  to the jack  250 , the interconnect portion  242  of the connector  240  is passed through the housing opening  256  in the housing panel  252 , and into the jack  250 . 
     To utilize the example retainer  210  of  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the retainer  210  is connected both to the housing  254  and to the connector  240 . The connection to the connector  240  may be affected either via the grasping portion  244  or the cable portion  246 . In the example of  FIGS. 3 and 3A , the housing opening  256  is larger than is necessary to receive the interconnect portion  242 . In fact, the opening  250  is sufficiently large to permit the upstanding flange  218  on the housing engaging portion  214  to be inserted through the housing opening  256  and moved upward so that the upstanding flange  218  is disposed behind the housing panel  252 . With the retainer  210  in this position, the connector  240  is moved into place by inserting the interconnect portion  242  of the connector  240  through the housing opening  256  and into the jack  250 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the body  212  of the example retainer  210  is held upward by the installed connector  240 . As a result, the flange  218  is held adjacent (and possibly in engagement with) a rear face  260  of the housing panel  252 . 
     The retainer  210  is also connected to the connector  240  by installing the fastener  230  around the mount  220  and around the connector  240 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the connector  240  is disposed beneath the retainer  210 . However, the locations can be reversed such that the retainer  210  is located beneath the connector  240 . In the example of  FIGS. 3 and 3A , the fastener  230  engages the notches  222  of the mount  220  to connect the connector  240  to the retainer  210  and, thus, retain the connector  240  in an installed position. Of course, any other fastener(s) (e.g., an elastic band, a twist tie, an interfering structure to create an interference fit, etc.) may be used to secure the mount  220  to the connector  240 . 
     As with the prior examples, when the example retainer  210  of  FIGS. 3 and 3A  is installed, the connector  240 , and, in particular, the interconnect portion  242 , is prevented from being inadvertently disconnected or removed from the jack  250 . The retainer  210  may be intentionally removed when desired, and/or may be designed to yield when subjected to a particular level of removal force. The materials for the body  212  of the retainer  210  may be similar to those mentioned above with respect to other examples, however, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that a thicker and/or more rigid material is desirable for this example which is intended to resist bending. 
     Another example retainer  310  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A . In the example of  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the retainer  310  includes a body  312  and a fastener  330 . The body  312  of the retainer  310  includes a housing engaging portion  314  that includes a first portion  324  bent substantially perpendicular to and downward from the body  312 , a second portion  326  substantially parallel to the body  312 , and a third portion, flange, or projection  318  that is substantially perpendicular to the body  312  and directed upward from the second portion  326 . The body  312  also has a mount or connector engaging portion  320  extending opposite the housing engaging portion  314 . The mount  320  of the illustrated example includes one or more notches  322  to receive the fastener  330 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , the fastener  330  is implemented as a resilient band. However, any other fastener or retention structure may be used to secure the connector  340  to the mount  320 . In the illustrated example, the fastener  330  is wrapped around the connector  340  and the mount  320  of the retainer  310 . The retainer  310  may be connected to a port  350  shown in  FIG. 4A  (e.g., with the flange  318  inserted behind the front panel  352  of the housing). The connector  340  may be removed by stretching and moving the fastener  330  out of a connector holding position, or by being cut. 
     The retainer  310  in  FIGS. 4 and 4A  is shown generally, for example, as being for use with a USB type A connector  340  that includes an interconnect portion  342 , am grasping or housing portion  344  and a cable portion  346  extending opposite the interconnect portion  342 . However, the cable portion  346  need not be provided (for example, the USB type A connector  340  may be a portion of a device that does not need a cable such as a flash drive). The connector  340  of the illustrated example is generally representative of the structure at the distal end of a USB type A cable of a peripheral device (not shown). An example USB type A jack  350  is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A . The example jack  350  is similar to the jack  50  discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 1 and 1A . The jack  350  is accessible through a housing opening  356  in a housing panel  352  of a housing  354  of an electronic device. To connect the connector  340  to the jack  350 , the interconnect portion  342  of the connector  340  is passed through the housing opening  356  in the housing panel  352 , and into the jack  350 . 
     To utilize the example retainer  310  of  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the retainer  310  is connected to both the housing  354  and the connector  340 . The connection to the connector  340  may be affected either via the grasping portion  344  or the cable portion  346 . In this example, the housing opening  356  is like that shown in  FIG. 1 , and is not significantly larger than the jack  350 . Thus, the housing opening  356  is large enough to receive the interconnect portion  342 , but is not sufficiently large to permit the body  312  of the example retainer  310  of  FIG. 4  to lie atop the connector  340  while being connected to the housing  354 . To accommodate this spacing, the housing engaging portion  314  of the example retainer  310  of  FIG. 4  includes the first, second and third portions  324 ,  326  and  318 , which create a jog to permit the upstanding flange  318  on the housing engaging portion  314  to be inserted through the housing opening  356  and moved upward into engagement with the housing  354 . The connector  340  is then moved into place by inserting the interconnect portion  342  of the connector  340  through the housing opening  356  and into the jack  350 . The body  312  of the retainer  310  is held upward by the installed connector  340 . As a result, the flange  318  is held behind (and possibly in engagement with) a rear face  360  of the housing panel  352 . 
     In the illustrated example, the retainer  310  is connected to the connector  340  disposed immediately adjacent the mount  320  by looping the resilient band (or any other fastener)  330  around the mount  320 , through at least one of the notices  322 , and around the connector  340 . In alternative examples, the fastener  330  may be eliminated and one or more portions of the body  312  may be bent upward and/or the body  312  may be provided with one or more projections to retain the connector  340  to the mount  320 . However, in the example of  FIGS. 4 and 4A , the continuous resilient band  330  secures the mount  320  to the connector  340  so that the retainer  310  retains the connector  340  in an installed position when subjected to inadvertent removal forces. 
     When the example retainer  310  of  FIG. 4  is installed, the connector  340  is prevented from being inadvertently disconnected or removed from the jack  350 . The retainer  310  may be removed if desired, and/or may be designed to yield under a particular level of removal force. Also, the body  312  of the retainer  310  may be constructed of materials similar to those mentioned with respect to the prior example in  FIGS. 3 and 3A . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5 and 5A , an example retainer  410  is provided. In this example, the retainer  410  includes a body  412  and a fastener  430 . As with the example retainer  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , the body  412  of the example retainer  410  has a projection  414  to engage a housing  454  of an electrical device. In the illustrated example, the projection  414  is implemented by extension arms  416  that run longitudinally with respect to the body  412 , and that terminate in hemmed flanges  418 , which are bent back against the extension arms  416 . The body  412  may benefit from increased stiffness by locating an embossment  414 A in the region of the projection  414 . The body  412  also has a mount or connector engaging portion  420  extending opposite the projection  414 . The mount  420  includes one or more notches  422  (two are shown) which are dimensioned to receive the fastener  430 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the fastener  430  is implemented as a plastic cable tie having a toothed band  432  insertable through a securing portion (e.g. a locking ring)  434 . Of course, any other fastener (including, for example, the elastic band and/or the twist tie described herein) may be used in place of, or in addition to, the fastener  430 . As with the prior examples, the mount  420  may engage a connector  440  directly or indirectly via the fastener  430 . For example, the toothed band  432  of the cable tie  430  may be wrapped around the connector  440  and the connector engaging portion  420 , and the end of the band  432  may be pulled through the locking ring  434  such that the cable tie secures the connector  440  and the retainer  410 . The connector  440  may be removed by cutting the fastener  430 , or if the fastener  430  is of a releasable type, by releasing, for example, the toothed band  432  from the locking ring  434 . 
     The retainer  410  of  FIGS. 5 and 5A  is shown generally, for example, as being dimensioned for use with a USB type B connector  440  that includes an interconnect portion  442  with a side detent  442 A on respective sides thereof, a grasping portion  444  and a cable portion  446  extending opposite the interconnect portion  442 . The connector  440  is generally representative of the structure at the distal end of a USB type B cable of a peripheral device (not shown). In this example, a corresponding USB type B jack  450  is mounted generally flush with a housing panel  452  of the housing  454  of an electronic device (not shown). The housing panel  452  includes an opening  456  to allow access to the jack  450  from outside the housing  454 . To couple the connector  440  to the jack  450 , the interconnect portion  442  of the connector  440  is passed through the opening  456  in the housing panel  452 , and into the jack  450  to make electrical connection therewith. In other words, the body of the jack  450  is mounted within the housing  454 , generally extends behind the housing panel  452 , and is accessible through the housing opening  456 . Of course, the jack  450  may be in alternative configurations, such as integrally formed with the housing panel  452 , and accessible through the housing opening  456 , or formed and located so as to be set back from the housing panel  452 . 
     To utilize the example retainer  410  of  FIGS. 5 and 5A , the retainer  410  is connected to both the housing  454 , via the jack  450 , and the connector  440 . Connection to the connector  440  may be affected either via the grasping portion  444  or the cable portion  446 . To connect the retainer  410  to the housing  454  and the jack  450 , the extension arms  416  having hemmed flanges  418  at their distal ends are inserted directly into the jack  450  until the body  412  abuts the housing front panel  452 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the hemmed flanges  418  on the extension arms  416  engage side leaves  462  disposed along the respective inner side walls of the jack  450 . The extension arms  416  are configured to have a length sufficient to place the hemmed flanges  418  just behind the side leaves  462  within the jack  450  when the retainer  410  is inserted to an operative position. 
     With the retainer  410  inserted into the jack  450 , when the interconnect portion  442  of the connector  440  is inserted through the housing opening  456  in the housing panel  452  and into the jack  450 , the sides of the interconnect portion  442 , with their detents  442 A, force the extension arms  416  outward against the side leaves  462  of jack  450 . This causes the hemmed flanges  418  to be disposed behind the side leaves  462 , thereby blocking withdrawal of the flanges  418 . 
     The retainer  410  is connected to the connector  440  by moving the connector  440  to a position adjacent the body  412  of the retainer  410 , and inserting the interconnect portion  442  of the connector  440  through the housing opening  456  and into the jack  450 . In this example, the fastener  430  is connected to the connector  440  and to the mount  420  by locating the fastener  430  within at least one of the notches  422  in the mount  420  and encircling the cable portion  446  of connector  440 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , the connector  440  is disposed beneath the retainer  410 . However, the locations can be reversed such that the retainer  410  is located beneath the connector  440 . In the example of  FIGS. 5 and 5A , the fastener  430  engages the notches  422  of the mount  420  to connect the connector  440  to the retainer  410  and, thus, retain the connector  440  in an installed position. Of course, any other fastener(s) (e.g., an elastic band, a twist tie, an interfering structure to create an interference fit, etc.) may be used to secure the mount  420  to the connector  440 . As with the prior examples, it should be noted that the fastener  430  may be implemented in another form of a flexible member, such as an elastic band. Furthermore, as previously described in conjunction with the example retainer  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 1A , a stop or other projection may be used in addition to or in place of the flexible member  430  to secure the connector  440  to the retainer  410  via an interference and/or friction fit. 
     As with the example retainer  10  of  FIG. 1 , when the example retainer  410  of  FIG. 5  is installed, the connector  440  is secured against inadvertent disconnection or removal from the jack or receptacle  450 . The retainer  410  may be readily removed if desired by reversing the installation procedure, and/or may be designed to yield under a particular level of removal force. Materials similar to those mentioned with respect to the example retainer  10  may be used for the body  412  of the retainer  410 . 
     Another example retainer  510  is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . The example retainer  510  includes a body  512  and a fastener  530 . The body  512  of the retainer  510  includes a housing engaging portion  514  having an upwardly extending extension arm  516  that terminates in a forwardly bent projection or flange  518 . The body  512  may benefit from increased stiffness by locating an embossment  514 A in the region of the housing engaging portion  514 , and the embossment  514 A may extend upward into the extension arm  516  as well. The body  512  also has a mount or connector engaging portion  520  extending opposite the housing engaging portion  514 . 
     The example mount  520  of  FIG. 6  includes one or more notches  522  (two are shown) which are dimensioned to receive the fastener  530 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the fastener  530  is implemented as a plastic cable tie having a toothed band  532  insertable through a securing portion (e.g. a locking ring)  534 . Of course, any other fastener (including, for example, the elastic band and/or the twist tie described herein) may be used in place of, or in addition to, the fastener  530 . As with the prior examples, the mount  520  may engage the connector  540  directly or indirectly via the fastener  530 . For example, the toothed band  532  of the cable tie  530  may be wrapped around the connector  540  and the mount  520 , and the end of the band  532  may be pulled through the locking ring  534  such that the cable tie secures the connector  540  and the retainer  510 . The retainer  510  may be connected to the housing  554  as shown in  FIG. 6A  (e.g., with the flange  518  inserted behind the front panel of  552  of the housing). The connector  540  may be removed by cutting the fastener  530 , or if the fastener  530  is of a releasable type, by releasing, for example, the toothed band  532  from the locking ring  534 . 
     The example retainer  510  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A  is illustrated as being for use with a VAS type connector  540  that includes an interconnect portion  542  with a detent portion  542 A on its upper side, a grasping or housing portion  544 , and a cable portion  546  extending opposite the interconnect portion  542 . The connector  540  is generally representative of the structure at the distal end of a VAS type cable of a peripheral device (not shown). However, in alternative implementations, the connector  540  may form part of a device not having a cable. 
     An example VAS type jack or receptacle  550  is shown in  FIG. 6A . The example jack  550  is accessible through a housing opening  556  in a housing panel  552  of a housing  554 . To connect the connector  540  to the jack  550 , the interconnect portion  542  of the connector  540  is passed through the housing opening  556  in the housing panel  552 , and into the jack  550 , with the detent portion  542 A contacting the underside of an upper band  562  in the jack  550 . 
     To utilize the example retainer  510 , the retainer  510  is connected both to the housing  554  and to the connector  540 . The connection to the connector  540  may be affected either via the grasping portion  544  or the cable portion  546 . In the example of  FIGS. 6  and  6 A, the housing opening  556  is larger than is necessary to receive the interconnect portion  542 . In fact, the opening  550  is sufficiently large to permit the upstanding portion of the extension arm  516  and the flange  518  on the housing engaging portion  514  to be inserted through the housing opening  556  and moved upward so that the upstanding flange  518  is disposed behind the housing panel  552 , and the embossment  514 A engages the upper side of the upper band  562  of the receptacle  550 . With the flange  518  located behind the housing panel  552 , the body  512  may be rotated downward toward a level position while the embossment  514 A acts as a pivot to move the flange  518  adjacent to and possibly into engagement with the rear face  560  of the housing panel  552 . With the retainer  510  in this installed position, the connector  540  is moved into place by inserting the interconnect portion  542  of the connector  540  through the housing opening  556  and into the jack  550 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the body  512  of the example retainer  510  is held upward by the installed connector  540 . As a result, the flange  518  is held adjacent (and possibly in engagement with) the rear face  560  of the housing panel  552 . 
     The retainer  510  is also connected to the connector  540  by installing the fastener  530  around the mount  520  and around the connector  540 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the connector  540  is disposed beneath the retainer  510 . However, the locations can be reversed such that the retainer  510  is located beneath the connector  540 . In the example of  FIGS. 6 and 6A , the fastener  530  engages the notches  522  of the mount  520  to connect the connector  540  to the retainer  510  and, thus, retain the connector  540  in an installed position. Of course, any other fastener(s) (e.g., an elastic band, a twist tie, an interfering structure to create an interference fit, etc.) may be used to secure the mount  520  to the connector  540 . 
     As with the prior examples, when the example retainer  510  of  FIGS. 6 and 6A  is installed, the connector  540 , and, in particular, the interconnect portion  542 , is prevented from being inadvertently disconnected or removed from the jack  550 . The retainer  510  may be intentionally removed by reversing the installation procedure when desired, and/or may be designed to yield when subjected to a particular level of removal force. The materials for the body  512  of the retainer  510  may be similar to those mentioned above with respect to the examples in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , as well as in  FIGS. 4 and 4A . 
     Although the above examples utilize a projection behind or within a wall of a housing to secure a retainer to an electronic device, other arrangements are possible. For example, the projection may be implemented as a flange that is fastened to an outer surface of the housing adjacent a receptacle by a fastener (e.g., a screw, glue, etc.) and/or may be integrally formed with the housing of an electronic device. 
     Although certain examples of apparatus, methods and/or articles of manufacture have been described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.