Patent Publication Number: US-2011058325-A1

Title: Quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus for computer peripherals

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This patent application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application 60/892,811 entitled “QUICK CONNECT/DISCONNECT CABLE SYSTEM FOR COMPUTER PERIPHERALS” and filed on Mar. 2, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a cable management apparatus, and more particularly, to a cable management apparatus for computer peripherals having an interface for connecting and disconnecting the computer peripherals. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Cable manager apparatuses are generally known in the art, For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,180, which is herein incorporated by reference, provides a cable manager apparatus unifying ports of peripheral equipment. Such cable manager apparatuses do not provide an ability to easily connect/disconnect a computer from the computer peripheral devices. In such prior art apparatuses, each of the respective cables for each of the peripheral devices must at least be disconnected from the back of the computer or from the cable manager apparatus itself. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a cable manager apparatus that provides an ability to easily connect a computer to and easily disconnect a computer from peripheral devices. Such a cable manager apparatus with an easy connect/disconnect would be useful for computer owners who are unfamiliar with cable port types and who have to disconnect the cables to their computer in order to bring their computer in for service, to clean around or underneath the computer, or for some other reason. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus is provided having a housing with a first housing component and a second housing component. The first housing component is separable from the second housing component at an interface. The first housing component has first connecting parts at the interface. The second housing component has corresponding mating second connecting parts at the interface. The first housing component further includes a plurality of ports located on at least one first housing component surface. The plurality of ports are adapted to allow a plurality of peripheral computer devices to connect to the plurality of ports. The second housing component further includes means for allowing one or more cables to connect between the second housing component and a computer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting parts include at least one of male metal leads or female metal lead holes, and the second connecting parts include corresponding mating male metal leads and/or female metal lead holes, with the male metal leads being adapted to insert into the female metal lead holes. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting parts include at least one of a card connector or a card connector slot, and the second connecting parts include a corresponding mating card connector or card connector slot, with the card connector adapted to insert into the card connector slot. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of ports include at least one of a mini audio jack, a large audio jack, a type A Universal Serial Bus port, a PS/2 keyboard port, a Registered Jack-11, an Ethernet port, a type B Universal Serial Bus port, a 4-pin FireWire, a 6-pin FireWire, a VGA connector port, an S-Video port, a Digital Video Interface port, a serial port, or a parallel port. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component or the second housing component includes a wireless receiver and transmitter for communicating with at least one wireless periphery device. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component further includes a receiver/transmitter window. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component further includes internal housing ports locating within the housing adjacent the receiver/transmitter window. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component or second housing component includes a latching means for securing the first housing component and the second housing component together. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component includes a power connection port. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second housing component includes a power connection port. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second housing component is adapted to be mounted to a table, a floor, or a wall. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the one or more cables are housed in a single shielded cable. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a computer peripheral connector is attached to the one or more cables and to the shielded cable. The computer peripheral connector is adapted to connect to a peripheral computer port of the computer. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the computer peripheral connector includes a plurality of male leads, female port holes, or both, for connecting to the peripheral computer port, and further includes an indentation or protrusion for aiding in aligning the computer peripheral connector for attachment to the peripheral computer port, the peripheral computer port having a corresponding indentation or protrusion. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the computer peripheral connector is securable to the peripheral computer port. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the computer peripheral connector includes a card connector or a card connector slot for connecting to the peripheral computer port. 
     A quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus is provided having a housing with a first housing component and a second housing component. The first housing component is separable from the second housing component at an interface. The first housing component has first connecting parts on a first housing component surface of the interface. The second housing component has corresponding mating second connecting parts on a second housing component surface of the interface. The first housing component further includes a plurality of ports located on at least one first housing component surface. The plurality of ports are adapted to allow a plurality of peripheral computer devices to connect to the plurality of ports. The second housing component is a computer system. The computer system has a peripheral computer port for allowing the first housing component to attach. The peripheral computer port is said second housing component surface. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first housing component is securable to the peripheral computer port. 
     A peripheral port connector device is providing having a body, a plurality of ports on a first side of the body, and a computer port connector on a second side of the body. The computer port connector has a plurality of male leads and/or female port holes, or a card connector and/or card connector slot. The computer port connector is adapted to connect to a peripheral computer port of a computer. The peripheral computer port has a corresponding plurality of male leads and/or female port holes or a corresponding card connector and/or card connector slot for allowing the computer port connector to attach. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral computer port provides data connections for all peripheral devices to connect to the computer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing how the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus connects with a computer and computer peripherals according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing wireless peripheral devices used in conjunction with the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an additional shielding member of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a computer peripheral connector for connecting between a rear end of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus and a computer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing connection leads and corresponding connection port of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus described with respect to  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus of  FIG. 14  disconnected from the computer peripherals. 
         FIG. 16  is a second perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus of  FIG. 14  disconnected from the computer peripherals according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a close-up perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  is another close-up perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus of  FIG. 14  mounted to an underside of a table. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the computer depicted in  FIG. 18  without the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus connected. 
         FIG. 21  is a second perspective view of the computer depicted in  FIG. 18  without the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus connected according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a close-up perspective view of the card connector and card connector slot of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing how a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  connects with a computer  10  and computer peripherals  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  allows a plurality of computer peripherals  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  to connect to a front end  110  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  and allows corresponding port connector cables  11  connected to a computer  10  to connect to a rear end  111  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  also includes connect/disconnect interface  112  in a center portion for allowing the computer  10  to be easily disconnected from or connected to the computer peripherals  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 . That is, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  provides an interface  112  that allows the computer  10  to be easily disconnected from and easily reconnected to the computer peripherals  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24 . 
     Although  FIG. 1  shows only a keyboard  20 , a mouse  21 , a monitor  22 , speakers  23 , and a printer  24  as computer peripherals, all computer peripherals that can connect directly to a computer may connect to the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  includes a plurality of computer peripheral ports for allowing a plurality of computer peripherals to connect to a front end  110  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . Such plurality of computer peripheral ports may include any type of computer peripheral ports, including mini audio jacks  113 , larger audio jacks  114 , type A Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) ports  115 , PS/2 keyboard port  116 , PS/2 mouse port  117 , Registered Jack-11 (RJ-11)  118  for connecting telephone equipment, Ethernet port  119  (such as RJ45 Ethernet port), type B USB port  120 , 4-pin FireWire  121 , 6-pin FireWire  122 , VGA connector port  123 , S-Video ports  124 , Digital Video Interface (“DVI”) port  125 , serial ports  126 , and parallel port  127 . FireWire is proprietary name of Apple Computer for the IEEE 1394 interface. 
     The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  may further include receiver/transmitter window  128  for allowing wireless peripherals to be used. In such an embodiment, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  may include receiver/transmitter hardware for communicating with wireless devices, or alternatively, may include connection ports, such as USB ports, for allowing wireless transmitter/receiver devices paired with particular computer peripheral devices to be connected internally to the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . 
     The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  further includes buttons  129  located on the sides of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . The buttons  129  when pressed may release a latching mechanism internal to the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 , thus allowing a front half  131  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  to be disconnected from a rear half  130  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  at connect/disconnect interface  112 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101  may further include power connection port  132  and corresponding circuit breaker reset  133  that trips when excessive power is consumed. The power connection port  132  allows for a power cord to be connected to a front end of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101 . The power supplied to power connection port  132  provides power to computer  10  and to any hardware included in the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101  to handle wireless peripherals. Because the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101  may disconnect at connect/disconnect interface  112 , and may thus expose power leads to a user of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus may be adapted such that only hot female metal lead holes are exposed (as opposed to male metal leads) when the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  101  is separated at connect/disconnect interface  112 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  102  according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. If the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  102  does not provide dedicated hardware for handling wireless devices, but instead provides ports for connecting corresponding communication devices for the wireless peripherals, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  102  may alternatively provide the power connection port  132  and corresponding circuit breaker reset  133  in a rear portion  130  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  102 , thus eliminating the need to feed the power provided to the power connection port  132  through the connect/disconnect interface  112 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing wireless peripheral devices used in conjunction with a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  103  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  103  may receive wireless signals from one or more wireless peripheral devices at receiver/transmitter window  127  for allowing wireless devices  20 ′,  21 ′,  24 ′ to communicate with corresponding receiver/transmitter devices to which the wireless peripheral devices are paired. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an additional shielding member  134  of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  104  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  104  may further include a shielding member  134  enclosing the connection ports located on a rear end  111  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  104 . Such a shielding member  134  prevents the port connector cables  11  from being accidentally pulled out of a respective port. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a computer peripheral connector  135  for connecting between a rear end  111  of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  105  and a computer  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  105  may further include a computer peripheral connector  135  having a plurality of male leads for connecting to a female connection port of the computer  10 . Alternatively, the computer peripheral connector  135  may contain a female connection port for connecting to a set of male leads of the computer  10 . The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  105  may further include a shielded cable  136  with internal shielding between signal paths such that crosstalk between the signals transmitted through the shielded cable  136  is minimized. In such an embodiment, the computer peripheral connector  135  contains a plurality of male leads equal in number to a corresponding number of signal paths provided by the plurality of computer peripheral ports located on the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  105 . The computer peripheral connector  135  may further include an indentation or protrusion  137  for lining up with a corresponding female connection port of the computer  10 . Such an embodiment allows the computer  10  to be quickly connected/disconnected from peripheral devices  20 - 24  without having to determine to which port particular cables should be connected. 
     In such an embodiment, computer  10  includes a female connection port connected to an internal printed circuit board (“PCB”) (not shown) for distributing the various cable input signals to the appropriate circuit boards, such as the sound card, video card, mother board, etc. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  106  may further include a connect/disconnect interface  112  for allowing the user the option of disconnecting the computer from the peripherals at computer peripheral connector  135  or at connect/disconnect interface  112 . 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As discussed in relation to  FIG. 2 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  includes means to latch a rear half  130  to a front half  131  of the quick connection/disconnect cable apparatus and a means to allow the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  to be unlatched. As depicted in  FIG. 9 , latching and unlatching means includes a button  129  and latch, but the latching and unlatching means may include any means known to those skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing connection leads  138  and corresponding connection port  139  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  includes connect/disconnect interface  112 , with a front half  131  including a female port  139  and a rear half  130  including a set of male leads  138  for connecting with the female port  139 . Although depicted in  FIG. 10  with a female port  139  located on a front half  131  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 , the male leads  138  may be located on the front half  131  and the female port  139  on the rear half  130 . Alternatively, the front half may contain both male leads and female lead holes, and the rear half may contain corresponding mating male leads and female lead holes for allowing attachment with the first half. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  may further include buttons  129  for unlatching protruding arms or latches  140  that slide into corresponding latch holes  141  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100 . The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  may further include an indentation or protrusion  142  for allowing a connection in proper alignment only. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  100  may further include protective flange  143  having a length and width slightly greater than corresponding female port  139 , thus providing protection to the male leads  138  and allowing the male leads  138  to slide into the female port  139  securely. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  107  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  107  described with respect to  FIG. 11 . The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  107  may further include a lid  144  for accessing an inner portion of the front half  131  of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  107  behind the receiver/transmitter window  128 . The internal portion of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  107  may have internal ports  145 , such as USB ports, to which paired wireless receiver/transmitter devices  146  may connect. The paired wireless receiver/transmitter devices  146  may receive and send signals through the receiver/transmitter window  128 . 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The computer peripheral connector  135  may include holes for screwing the computer peripheral connector  135  to computer  10  with screws  147  in a locked position, or latches and a locking mechanism in order to securely attach the computer peripheral connector  135  to the computer  10 . 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  has a plurality of ports  201  and latches  202  for allowing a top half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  to disconnect from a bottom half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200 . In the exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIG. 14 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  is connected to a computer  10  by port connector cables  11 , which are individually exposed at an end of cable  203 . 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  of  FIG. 14  disconnected from the computer peripherals. As depicted in  FIG. 15 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  includes a plurality of male leads  204  and female ports  205 . In one exemplary embodiment, the male leads  204  are on the bottom half and the female ports  205  are on the top half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200 . In another exemplary embodiment, the male leads  204  are on the top half and the female ports  205  are on the bottom half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200 . Because male leads  204  are more likely to be damaged than female ports  205 , including the female ports  205  on the bottom half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  will allow the computer system and the bottom half of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  to be brought into a computer shop without worry about damaging the male leads  204  in transit. 
       FIG. 16  is a second perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  of  FIG. 14  disconnected from the computer peripherals according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 16 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  may include a card slot  206  for connecting the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus parts rather than male leads and female lead holes. 
       FIG. 17  is a close-up perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  of  FIG. 14 . As depicted in  FIG. 17 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  may rest on the floor. Alternatively, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  may be placed on top of a desk or on an underside of a table, or may be placed in various other configurations, such as connected to a wall. 
       FIG. 18  is another close-up perspective view of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  200  of  FIG. 14  mounted to an underside of a table  250 . 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the computer  10  without the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  connected. The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  connects directly to a computer  10 . In such an exemplary embodiment, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  includes peripheral ports on one side and male leads, female port holes, or both on another side for connecting with a port  301  on the computer  10 . The computer  10  includes the port  301  having male leads, female port holes, or both for pairing with the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300 . The computer  10  may further include latches, locks, or other connection/disconnection means  302  for securing the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  to the port  301  and for allowing quick disconnection of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  from the port  301  of the computer  10 . 
     As described in relation to  FIG. 19  and  FIG. 20 , the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  includes one side with a peripheral port and another side with leads, port holes, or both for connecting with a port  301  of a computer  10 . Alternatively, the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  300  may further include the port  301  and a hardware peripheral card having the port  301 . Such a hardware peripheral card would plug into the mother board of the computer  10 . 
       FIG. 21  is a second perspective view of the computer  10  depicted in  FIG. 18  without the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  400  connected according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The computer  10  has a port  401  with a card slot  402  for pairing with the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  400 . The card connector interface is secured into the card slot  402  with card slot latches  403 . 
       FIG. 22  is a close-up perspective view of the card connector and card connector slot of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  500 . The quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus  500  separates into first and second connecting parts  501 ,  502 . As depicted in  FIG. 22 , the first connecting part  501  includes a card connector  503  and the second connecting part  502  includes a card connector slot  504  for mating with the card connector  503 . The card connector  503  provides peripheral device signal lines to the card connector slot  504 , which is provided to an attached computer. The second connecting part  502  may further include latches  505  for locking the card connector  503  to the card connector slot  504 . 
     The embodiments of the quick connect/disconnect cable apparatus provide an ability to easily connect a computer to and easily disconnect a computer from peripheral devices. Such a cable apparatus with an easy connect/disconnect would be useful for computer owners who are unfamiliar with cable port types and who have to disconnect the cables to their computer in order to bring their computer in for service, to clean around or underneath the computer, or for some other reason. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. As is understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, a variety of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the following claims, which should be given their fullest, fair scope.