Abstract:
The present invention provides a cable connector cover having an access door hingedly mounted to a base. The base enables alignment and connection to a computer adjacent to a PCMCIA port. A top mounting plate overlaps a portion of the computer frame to secure the cable connector cover in place. When the access door is in the open position, a cable can be inserted therein to establish a connection at such PCMCIA port. The access door can then be closed to hold the connector in place. A cable clamp also provides stress relief for the computer cable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a computer connector cover mechanism, and more particularly, to a connector cover mechanism for supporting and holding a computer cable connected to a supporting body.  
         [0003]     2. Background of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     There are a variety of locking or latching designs or systems in the electrical connector art for connecting a cable to an electrical instrument, such as a computer chassis. In some latching systems, the connector utilizes a claw-like securing structure. Many connectors use a pair of thumbscrews that attach to a female receptacle on the computer chassis. This type of latching system has its disadvantages, however. Because of the receptacles being generally loosely attached to a card internal to the computer, the thumbscrews are apt to become disengaged. If sufficient tensile stress is put on the connector, it can become disengaged, or worse, it can unseat the card from the computer. Therefore, an additional latch is often used to provide integrity to the latching structure.  
         [0005]     However, given the propensity of users to attempt to hastily remove the cable assembly from the computer, and given the fact that various computers currently used are portable and therefore operate in unconventional environments, it also is desirable to have a connector latching structure that holds the cable securely to the computer.  
         [0006]     Consequently, there exists an unfulfilled need for an apparatus to simply and securely hold a computer cable to a computer. Such apparatus should be easy to operate and sturdy enough to prevent a cable from release until desired.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a computer cable protector cover that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.  
         [0008]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable connector cover that can be quickly and efficiently engaged and disengaged to a computer. A related object is to provide a cable connector cover that can securely align and hold a computer cable.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cable connector cover that is rugged and durable.  
         [0010]     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0011]     According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cable connector cover having an access door hingedly mounted to a base. The base enables alignment and connection to a computer adjacent to a PCMCIA port. A top mounting plate overlaps a portion of the computer frame to secure the cable connector cover in place. When the access door is in the open position, a cable can be inserted therein to establish a connection at such PCMCIA port. The access door can then be closed to hold the connector in place. A cable clamp also provides stress relief for the computer cable. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The above and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention are considered in more detail, in relation to the following description of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a view of an embodiment of the present invention installed on a computer input device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged portion of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an assembly of the apparatus according to the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the inner components of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 , with the cover open;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the present invention with a computer cable connector;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an assembly according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view, with the cover open, of an assembly according to a further alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     The invention summarized above and defined by the enumerated claims may be better understood by referring to the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This detailed description of an embodiment, set out below to enable one to build and use an implementation of the invention, is not intended to limit the invention, but to serve as a particular example thereof. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other methods and systems for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent assemblies do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show an assembly according to the present invention, indicated generally as  10 , attached to a computer input device. As shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the apparatus includes an access door  13  hingedly mounted to a base  15  by hinge pin  18 . Assembly  10  further comprises an upper mount plate  21  and a lower plate  24 . A cable aperture  27  in the front of access door  13  enables a computer connector cable to pass out of assembly  10 . A pair of thumbscrews  30 ,  31  permits adjustable tightening of upper mount plate  21  in a mounted position. Thumbscrews  30 ,  31  can be replaced by or augmented with flathead screws. In ether case, such screws should have retainer clips to prevent loss during cleaning or insertion. Thumbscrew  34  holds access door  13  in a closed position, such as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A portion  38  of base  15  may extend out of the front of access door  13 . Such portion  38  of base  15  provides vertical support for a computer cable connector when such cable is attached to a computer. Such portion  38  provides the bottom portion of a cable fastener, the top portion comprising cable clamp element  41  (best seen in  FIG. 7 ) and clamp knob  43 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , at least a portion of upper mount plate  21  defines a generally curved hook segment  48 . The hook segment  48  is preferably curved slightly and hooked downwardly, to form an attachment when mounted to a computer. An alignment plate  51  attached to lower plate  24  assists in connecting assembly  10  to a computer such that a computer cable can be easily aligned for connection to the computer PCMCIA port or other type of connector port.  
         [0028]     Assembly  10  is sized and configured to enable a pair of computer cables to be attached to a pair of ports, vertically oriented on such computer. In such a case, said pair of cables should be stacked with one cable connector on top of another cable connector.  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIG. 7 , lower plate  24  presents three screw sockets  54 ,  55 ,  56  having internal threaded portion for receiving thumbscrews  30 ,  31 ,  34 . Each such thumbscrew may preferably include a thumbscrew retainer, such as  59 . In some embodiments, an eject button  62  may be provided to assist in removal of a computer cable. When only one cable is attached to the computer within the protector assembly  10 , cable clamp  41  is pivoted in a position substantially parallel to the front of access door  13 . Clamp knob  43  is threadably engaged in cable clamp  41 , such that rotation of clamp knob  43  about its longitudinal axis will cause cable clamp  41  to pivot into the clamping position and rotation of clamp knob  43  in the opposite direction will position cable clamp  41  substantially perpendicular to the front of access door  13  to enable a pair of cables to pass through cable aperture  27 .  
         [0030]     In  FIG. 8 , assembly  10  is shown with access door  13  in an open position. Using thumbscrew  34  on access door  13 , a user can rotate the access door  13  out of the way, providing access to enable a computer cable to be attached to a computer PCMCIA port or other type of connector port. A computer cable connector would rest on the base  15 , at an appropriate height determined by front portion  38 . Once the cable is attached to the computer, the clamp knob  43  is rotated to pivot cable clamp  41  into the clamping position and access door  13  is rotated to a closed position and thumbscrew  34  is tightened to hold the access door  13  in such closed position and to push cable clamp  41  against a portion of the cable to hold the cable in place.  
         [0031]     Lower plate  24 , shown in  FIG. 9 , has the bottom portion of screw sockets  54 ,  55 ,  56  disposed therein. Mounting screws  65  permit attachment of the assembly  10  to a computer. Alignment screws  67  are used in conjunction with alignment plate  51  ( FIG. 4 ) to align the assembly  10  to the computer.  
         [0032]      FIG. 10  shows an assembly  10  according to the present invention with a single computer cable connector C in position for attachment to a computer. Using thumbscrew  34  on access door  13 , a user can rotate the access door  13  out of the way, providing access to enable computer cable C to be attached to a computer PCMCIA port or other type of connector port. Computer cable connector C rests on the base  15 , at an appropriate height determined by front portion  38 . Once the cable is attached to the computer, the access door is rotated to a closed position and thumbscrew  34  is tightened to hold the access door  13  in such closed position. In this embodiment, a pad may be provided in the access door  13  to hold the cable connector C to the base  15 . The radius of the portion of access door  13  wherein thumbscrew  34  penetrates can rest against cable connector C to keep it in place. Base plate  72  can be screwed into the bottom of the computer using existing hardware.  
         [0033]     When two cables are attached to the computer within the protector assembly  10 , cable clamp  41  is positioned out of the way of cable aperture  27 ; that is, substantially parallel to the computer cable. The access door  13  provides sufficient clamping force to hold both cables in place.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 11 , assembly  10  can be modified to enable attachment to various size computers. Base shim  75  can be inserted to raise the height of base  15  to ensure that the cable connector can align vertically with a port on the computer. Upper shim  78  can be used to vertically adjust the height of upper mount plate  21  in order to enable the assembly to be attached to the computer. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 12 , base  15  may be thicker to enable a larger vertical height of the front portion  38 .  
         [0035]     The invention has been described with references to a preferred embodiment. While specific values, relationships, and materials have been set forth for purposes of describing concepts of the invention, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the basic concepts and operating principles of the invention as broadly described. It should be recognized that, in the light of the above teachings, those skilled in the art could modify those specifics without departing from the invention taught herein. Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is intended to include all such modifications, alternatives and other embodiments insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof. It should be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. Consequently, the present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.