Patent Publication Number: US-6663410-B2

Title: Releasable fastening device, such as for an electrical computer connector, and methods for releasable fastening an electrical computer connector to a computer component

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/339,398, filed on Jun. 23, 1999. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention is directed to electrical connectors for computer components and, more particularly, to a fastener for releasably retaining the electrical connector in engagement with the computer component, and to methods for releasably retaining electrical connectors in engagement with computer components. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical computer system includes a central processing unit (“CPU”), a plurality of input devices, (e.g., a keyboard and a mouse) and a plurality of output devices (e.g., a display and a printer). Each input/output device is generally connected by a cable to a particular input or output port on the CPU. The cable has an electrical contact configured to engage the port on the CPU. Various sizes and shapes of electrical contacts and ports have been created to accommodate the different types of input or output devices and to prevent the cables from being connected to the wrong port on the CPU. 
     Once the connector is engaged with the CPU, the connector is often locked into place to prevent the electrical contact from separating from the port. Traditionally, a threaded bolt has been used to lock the connector to the CPU. The threaded bolt has a head at a first end and a threaded rod at an opposing second end. The threaded rod is inserted through a hole in the connector and threadedly engaged with a complementary, threaded opening in the CPU. The head is often textured to help grip and rotate the bolt in the threaded opening. By tightening the threaded bolts on either side of the connector, the connector is locked in place with the electrical contact engaged with the port. 
     Such threaded bolt connectors can be difficult to manipulate. The input/output ports are typically positioned on the back panel of the CPU and are therefore often located adjacent a wall or beneath a desk. In such situations, the individual must reach behind the CPU and/or under the desk and rotate the threaded bolt to lock or unlock the connector from the port. Rotating the threaded bolt under these circumstances can be difficult. 
     One existing connector directed to solving this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,975 issued to Grant (“Grant”), which is herein incorporated by reference. Grant discloses a connector including an elongated, hollow connector housing having a distal end that projects from the connector to engage the threaded opening in the computer component. The connector housing has an interior volume and one or more egress openings at its distal end. A pressure-extrudable material (e.g., polyurethane) is positioned in the interior volume at the distal end of the connector housing. An occlusion element is positioned within the interior volume proximal of the pressure-extrudable material. When the occlusion element is moved toward the distal end of the connector housing, the pressure-extrudable material is compressed and partially extruded through the egress openings. The extruded material is received within the threaded opening in the computer component and retains the connector to the computer component. 
     The end of the occlusion element opposite the pressure-extrudable material has an enlarged head facilitating manual manipulation of the occlusion element. The external surface of the head is similar to the traditional threaded locking member. Two opposing latches project axially in a distal direction from a distal end of the head. Each of the latches is spaced apart from the occlusion element and has a first tooth directed inward toward the occlusion element. The connector housing has two complementary rows of second teeth located to engage the first teeth on the head. 
     Between the two rows of second teeth on the connector housing are two opposing smooth surfaces without teeth. To move and lock the occlusion element in the distal position, the head is first moved distally with the first teeth aligned with the portion of the housing without teeth, then rotated until the first teeth engage the second teeth. Similarly, to remove the head from the connector housing and draw the occlusion element away from the pressure-extrudable material, the user rotates the head roughly 90 degrees to move the first teeth from the portion of the connector housing having the second teeth to the portion of the housing without teeth. The head is then free to move axially away from the connector housing. As the head is moved away from the connector housing, the occlusion element is likewise moved away from the pressure-extrudable material. This releases the pressure on the pressure-extrudable material and causes it to be retracted back into the tip of the housing. The connector can then be removed from the CPU. 
     Although Grant provides a different type of fastener for computer components, it may be difficult to operate and it may quickly wear out. Similar to the traditional threaded bolt-locking member, the Grant device must be rotated by the individual to lock and unlock the connector from the computer component. The individual removing the connector from the computer component is therefore forced to reach behind the computer component and both rotate the locking member and axially extract it from the computer. As described above, when the computer component is under a desk or against a wall, this operation can be difficult or uncomfortable. In addition, the pressure-extrudable material of the Grant device may fail after repeated use. For example, repeated extrusion of the pressure-extrudable material through the egress openings may cause this material to disintegrate or otherwise break down. Once the pressure-extrudable material breaks down to a point at which it no longer retains the connector to the computer component, the Grant device may need to be replaced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed toward fasteners and methods for releasably connecting cables with computers, input devices, output devices or other computer components. Several embodiments of fasteners in accordance with the invention are used to connect a cable from a peripheral device to a computer having an attachment orifice defining a fastening axis. 
     In one embodiment, the fastener has a body, an elongated casing, an engagement element and an actuator. The body can have an aperture through which a first electrical contact projects and a grip configured to be manipulated by the human hand. The first electrical contact is configured to engage a complementary second electrical contact on the computer component. The elongated casing can project from the body along the fastening axis when the first and second electrical contacts are aligned for engagement. The engagement element can be positioned along the casing at a location spaced apart from the body. The casing and/or the engagement element is movable between release and fasten positions. In the release position, the engagement element is generally near the fastening axis and the casing and/or the engagement element is generally configured to be received in the attachment orifice. In the fasten position, the engagement element is generally spaced laterally apart from the fastening axis. The actuator can have a first end accessible to a user, a second end adjacent to the casing, and a drive surface at the second end that can contact the engagement element and/or the casing. The actuator can be slidably coupled to the body to move axially between a first position and a second position. When the actuator is in the first position, the engagement element is in the release position and can be received in the attachment orifice. When the actuator is in the second position, the drive surface on the actuator moves the engagement element and/or the casing to the fasten position. The fastener can be coupled to and de-coupled from a CPU solely by moving the actuator axially between the first and second positions. 
     In operation, at least a portion of the casing is received in the orifice and then the actuator is moved to the second position to engage the engagement element with the orifice and/or the computer component. The fastener can thus hold the connector to the computer component to retain the cable in electrical contact with the computer component without having to rotate the actuator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portion of a computer component and an electrical connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1, viewed along Section  2 — 2 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation view of the electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of a portion of a body of the electrical connector of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of a locking member of the electrical connector of FIG. 3, viewed along Section  5 — 5 . 
     FIG. 6 is an end elevation view of a coupling of the electrical connector of FIG. 3, viewed along Section  6 — 6 . 
     FIG. 7 is an end elevation view of a casing of the electrical connector of FIG. 3, viewed along Section  7 — 7 . 
     FIGS. 8-10 are enlarged cross-sectional views of a portion of the electrical connector of FIG. 2 engaged with an orifice on a computer component, shown in varying configurations. 
     FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the locking member and the coupling of the electrical connector as configured in FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the locking member and the coupling of the electrical connector as configured in FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component. 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 13 in a fasten position engaged with the computer component. 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 15 in a fasten position engaged with the computer component. 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an electrical connector according to still another embodiment of the present invention in a release position engaged with a computer component. 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of FIG. 17 in a fasten position engaged with the computer component. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present detailed description is generally directed toward fasteners for retaining electrical connectors in contact with computer components, and for methods for connecting and fastening electrical connectors to computer components. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-18 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the invention may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical connector  20  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention oriented to be engaged with a computer component  22 . The electrical connector  20  of this particular embodiment connects a first electrical contact  26  of a cable  24  with a second electrical contact  28  on the computer component  22 . The electrical connector  20  can have a pair of fasteners  30  for releasably retaining the first electrical contact  26  in engagement with the second electrical contact  28 . Each fastener  30  generally has a first actuator  32 , a casing  34  and an engagement element  36 . The fasteners  30  can be located on opposite sides of a body  38  of the electrical connector  20 , and can be configured to engage an opening  40  on either side of the second electrical contact  28  on the computer component  22 . When the electrical connector  20  is oriented so that the first electrical contact  26  is aligned with the second electrical contact  28 , each of the fasteners  30  is generally aligned along a fastening axis F—F with the respective opening  40 . Consequently, when the electrical connector  20  is engaged with the computer component  22 , a portion of each fastener  30  can engage the respective opening  40 . 
     As described in more detail below in connection with the operation of the fastener  30 , as the first actuator  32  is depressed and released, the first actuator  32  moves between first and second positions. Movement of the first actuator  32  between the first and second positions results in movement of the casing  34  and the fastener  30  between a release position and a fasten position, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first actuator  32  is in the first position and the casing  34  and fastener  30  are in the release position. In the release position, the electrical connector  20  can be engaged with or disengaged from the computer component  22 . When the first actuator  32  is axially depressed and released, the first actuator can move to the second position and the casing  34  can move to the fasten position. In the fasten position, the engagement element  36  or the casing  34  can engage the opening  40  to prevent the electrical connector  20  from being disengaged from the computer component  22 . When the first actuator  32  is again axially depressed and released, the first actuator returns to the first position and the casing  34  returns to the release position. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates several components of the fastener  30  and the body  38  of the electrical connector  20  in greater detail. The illustrated fastener  30  extends through an elongated aperture  42  in the body  38  of the electrical connector  20 . The first actuator  32  of the fastener  30  can slidably engage a bushing  44  in the aperture  42 . A proximal end  46  (generally, the end closest to the cable  24 ) of the first actuator  32  generally projects outward from the body  38  to be accessible to the user. A distal end  48  of the first actuator  32  can be positioned on the opposite side of the bushing  44  from the proximal end  46 . The first actuator  32  can slide axially along the fastening axis F—F within the bushing  44  between the distal and the proximal ends  46 ,  48 . 
     A locking assembly including a coupling  50  and a locking member  56  can be positioned within the elongated aperture  42  adjacent the distal end  48  of the first actuator  32 . The locking assembly can be similar to an axial clicktype lock/release mechanism in pens. As described below, the coupling  50  can moveably engage the locking member  56  to alternatingly retain the fastener  30  in the release and fasten positions. The coupling  50  can abut the distal end  48  of the first actuator  32 . The coupling  50  can be slidably engaged with a plurality of internal teeth  52  projecting radially inward from an internal surface  54  of the aperture  42 . The coupling  50  is generally movable along the fastening axis F—F axis with respect to the body  38 . The locking member  56  can be slidably engaged with the coupling  50  and the body  38 . A shaft  58  on the locking member  56  can be received in a complementary bore  60  in the coupling  50 . The locking member  56  can accordingly slide along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the coupling  50  and also with respect to the body  38 . 
     A second actuator  62  can abut the locking member  56 . The illustrated second actuator  62  has a proximal end  64  that contacts the locking member  56  and an opposing distal end  66  that terminates at a point near the engagement element  36 . The second actuator  62  can be slidably engaged with the casing  34  and the body  38  to move axially along the fastening axis F—F. A spring  68  can be positioned between an annular shoulder  70  at the proximal end  64  of the second actuator  62  and a proximal end  72  of the casing  34 . The spring  68  generally urges the second actuator  62  against the locking member  56 . The spring  68  consequently urges the locking member  56  against the coupling  50  and, in turn, the coupling  50  against the first actuator  32 . 
     FIGS. 3-7 still further illustrate several components of the fastener  30  in more detail. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the internal teeth  52  of the body  38  are spaced around the perimeter of the internal surface  54  of the aperture  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, six internal teeth  52  are evenly spaced about the internal surface  54  of the aperture  42 . There may, however, be more or fewer internal teeth  52 . Between each pair of internal teeth  52  can be an elongated channel  74  extending along the internal surface  54  of the aperture  42  in a direction roughly parallel to the fastening axis F—F. A locking stop  76  can be alternatingly positioned in every other channel  74  around the perimeter of the aperture  42 . As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the internal teeth  52  project inwardly from the internal surface  54  by a distance greater than the locking stops  76 . During operation, as discussed below, the locking member  56  can alternatingly engage the empty channels  74  and the locking stops  76 , respectively, to alternatingly move the casing  34  between the release and fasten positions. 
     The locking member  56  is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5. The shaft  58  can be oriented at a proximal end  57  of the locking member  56 , and a distal end  59  of the locking member  56  can have a diameter larger than the shaft  58  (FIG.  3 ). A plurality of first external teeth  78  (FIG. 5) can project radially outward from the distal end  59  of the locking member  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, three evenly spaced first external teeth  78  project from the locking member  56 . There may, however, be more or fewer first external teeth  78  depending on the application. The first external teeth  78  are generally spaced to complement the spacing of the empty channels  74  or the locking stops  76 . When the three first external teeth  78  are aligned with the three empty channels  74 , the locking member  56  can slide axially in the proximal direction within the aperture  42  until a flange  82  impinges against the internal teeth  52  on the body  38  (FIG.  4 ). When the three first external teeth  78  are instead aligned with the three locking stops  76 , the locking member  56  can be prevented from sliding axially in the proximal direction along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the body  38  beyond a point where the first external teeth  78  impinge upon the locking stops  76 . A shoulder  79  (FIG. 3) can be created by the differing diameters between the proximal end  57  and the distal end  59  of the locking member  56 . A plurality of first radial teeth  80  are cut into the shoulder  79 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 6 best illustrate the coupling  50 . A plurality of second external teeth  84  are generally oriented about the perimeter of the coupling  50 . The second external teeth  84  can be positioned to align with the channels  74  and the locking stops  76  (FIG.  4 ). In the illustrated embodiment, six second external teeth  84  are evenly spaced about the perimeter of the coupling. The coupling  50 , however, may have more or fewer second external teeth  84  depending on the application. The size of the coupling  50  and the second external teeth  84  can be small enough to slide axially within both the channels  74  and the locking stops  76 . As a result, the locking stops  76  generally do not prevent the coupling  50  from sliding along the entire length of the internal teeth  52 . The coupling  50  can have a plurality of second radial teeth  86  configured to mate with the first radial teeth  80  on the locking member  56 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 7 best illustrate the casing  34 . A distal end  73  of the casing  34  (FIG. 3) can be tapered radially inward to form a substantially conical portion connected at its apex to the elongated members  36 . The distal portion  73  of the casing  34  can have a number of elongated cuts  75  extending in a proximal direction from the extreme distal tip of the casing  34 . The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 has two cuts  75 , dividing the distal end  73  of the casing  34  into four independent sections. The cuts  75  can completely sever the distal end  75  of the casing  34  to allow the casing to be expanded radially outward. 
     FIGS. 8-12 illustrate the operation of the fastener  30 . In FIG. 8, the first actuator  32  is in the first position and the casing  34  is in the release position. In this configuration, the first external teeth  78  on the locking member  56  are aligned with the empty channels  74 , allowing the locking member  56  to fully engage the internal teeth  52  of the aperture  42 . The first external teeth  78  are also aligned with the second external teeth  84  within the channels  74  (FIG.  11 ). The angular displacement between the first and second radial teeth  80 , 86  can create an axial gap  88  between the locking member  56  and the coupling  50  (FIG.  11 ). The spring  68  generally urges the second actuator  62  against the locking member  56  (FIG. 8) and, in turn, the flange  82  (FIG. 3) of the locking member  56  against the internal teeth  52 . In the release position shown in FIG. 8, the distal end  66  of the second actuator  62  is separated from the distal end  73  of the casing  34 . The distal end  73  of the casing  34  is generally shaped such that the engagement members  36  are near the fastening axis F—F when the casing  34  is in the release position. In this configuration, the engagement elements  36  can be passed through the opening  40  in the computer component  22 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, the fastener  30  is in an intermediate position between the release position and the fasten position. In the intermediate position, the first actuator  32  is displaced distally until the first external teeth  78  of the locking member  56  are disengaged from the internal teeth  52 . Once the first external teeth  78  on the locking member  56  (FIG. 5) disengage from the internal teeth  52 , the pressure of the spring  68  on the locking member  56  can cause the first radial teeth  80  on the locking member  56  to rotate and fully mesh with the second radial teeth  86  on the coupling  50  (FIGS.  11  and  12 ). The second external teeth  84  on the coupling  50  can engage with the internal teeth  52 , preventing the coupling  50  from rotating about the fastening axis F—F with respect to the body  38 . Rotation of the locking member  56  with respect to the coupling  50  consequently results in the locking member  56  rotating with respect to the body  38  and the internal teeth  52 . The first external teeth  78  therefore are caused to subsequently align with the locking stops  76  (FIG.  4 ). 
     FIG. 10 illustrates the second actuator  32  after it has been released from the configuration of FIG. 9, leaving the second actuator in the second position and the casing  34  in the fasten position. The first external teeth  78  can engage with the locking stops  76  (FIG. 4) to prevent the locking member  56  from moving along the fastening axis F—F in the proximal direction with respect to the casing  34 . The locking member  56  can axially displace the second actuator  62  in the distal direction to cause a driving surface  39  on the second actuator to expand the distal end  73  of the casing  34  radially outward. When the distal end  73  of the casing  34  is expanded, the engagement elements  36  generally move away from the fastening axis F—F and hold the fastener to the computer component  22 . 
     To move the first actuator  32  back to the first position and the casing  34  back to the release position, the first actuator  32  can be depressed and released one additional time. When the first actuator  32  is depressed, the locking member  56  is generally separated from the internal teeth  52  and, as described above in connection with FIG. 9, the locking member  56  can rotate to align the first external teeth  78  with the channels  74 . When the first actuator  32  is released, a restoring force in the spring  68  can move the second actuator  62  and the locking member  56  proximally until the flange  82  (FIG. 5) contacts the internal teeth. The fastener  30  is at this point in the release position. 
     This embodiment of the fastener  30  can be manipulated between the release and fasten positions with only axial movement of the first actuator. Because this embodiment of the fastener can be alternatingly manipulated to move between the release position and the fasten position by merely axially depressing and releasing the first actuator, the electrical connector can be locked to and unlocked from the computer component without rotating a portion of the fastener. The fastener of the present invention, therefore, is expected to be easily manipulated by an individual even when the computer component is positioned adjacent a wall and/or beneath a desk. 
     This embodiment of the fastener  30  is also expected to be more durable than existing quick-release type fasteners. The casing and the engagement members in this particular embodiment can be fabricated from metal, plastic or other durable materials. As such, the casing and engagement members should last considerably longer than pressure-extrudable elastomeric materials. These materials may also provide a positive, long-lasting connection between the electrical connector and the computer component. 
     FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of an electrical connector  120  and a fastener  130  according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the connector  120  has a body  138  similar to that described above, and the fastener  130  includes a casing  134  engaged with the body  138  and an actuator  132 . The casing  134  has a distal end  173  that projects beyond the body along a fastening axis F—F, and the extreme portion of the distal end  173  has a number of engagement elements  136 . The engagement elements  136  are shaped to closely conform to a threaded opening  140  on a computer component  122 . FIG. 13 illustrates the fastener  130  in a release position in which the casing  134  and the engagement elements  136  are configured to be received within the threaded opening  140  when the electrical connector  120  is engaged with the computer component  122 . 
     The actuator  132  is slidably engaged within the casing  134 . The actuator  132  can have a proximal end  146  configured to be manipulated by an individual and a distal end  166  having a tapered surface. The illustrated actuator  132  is shown in a first position in which the casing  134  and engagement elements  136  are in the release position. 
     FIG. 14 illustrates the electrical connector  120  and the fastener  130  in a fasten position. In the fasten position, the actuator  132  is displaced distally with respect to the release position until the tapered surface at the distal end  166  of the actuator  132  deflects the distal end  173  of the casing  134  to engage the engagement elements  136  with the threaded opening  140  in the computer component  122 . The displacement of the distal end  173  of the casing  134  exerts a residual force on the actuator  132  that prevents the actuator from returning automatically from the second position to the first position. The interior wall of the casing  134  and the distal end  166  of the actuator  132  can be configured with a Morse taper to enhance the frictional contact between the actuator  132  and the casing  134 . 
     To move the casing  134  and the engagement elements  136  back to the release position, the user merely moves the actuator  132  proximally until the residual forces in the casing  134  return the engagement elements  136  to the release position. The fastener  130  is now in the release position and the electrical connector  120  can be removed from the computer component  122 . 
     FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of an electrical connector  220  and a fastener  230  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention in a release position. In this embodiment, the fastener  230  includes a casing  234  that extends through a body  238  and projects distally along a fastening axis F—F from the body  238 . The casing  234  is configured to engage an opening  240  in a computer component  222  when the electrical connector  220  is engaged with the computer component  222 . The fastener  230  can also have an actuator  232  slidably received within a bore  235  in the casing  234 . The actuator  232  can be manipulated at its proximal end (not shown) to move between a first position and a second position, and the actuator  232  can be retained in both the first and second positions as described above with reference to the actuator  32  shown in FIGS. 1-12. The casing  234  has a number of openings  237  near its distal end  273  that are positioned within the computer component  222  when the electrical connector  220  is engaged with a computer component  222 . The fastener  230  can also have a number of engagement elements  236  within the bore  235  in alignment with the engagement openings  237 . In the release position, the connector  220  is configured to be engaged with and disengaged from the computer component  222 . 
     FIG. 16 illustrates the electrical connector  220  and the fastener  230  in a fasten position. In the fasten position, the actuator  232  is displaced distally along the fastening axis F—F with respect to the release position until a displacement surface  239  at the distal end  266  of the actuator  232  radially displaces the engagement elements  236  outward. The engagement openings  237  (FIG. 15) are sized to allow the engagement elements  236  to project partially from the casing  234 , but are too small for the engagement elements  236  to pass completely through the casing  234 . In the fasten position, the engagement elements  236  prevent the electrical connector  220  from being removed from the computer component  222 . 
     FIG. 17 illustrates a portion of still another embodiment of an electrical connector  320  and a fastener  330  of the present invention. In this particular embodiment, the fastener  330  has a casing  334  engaged with a body  338  of the electrical connector  320  and an actuator  332  slidably received within the casing  334 . The casing  334  is shown in a release position in which it is configured to be inserted into and removed from an opening  340  in a computer component  322 . A distal end  366  of the actuator  332  is attached by an engagement coupling  341  to a distal end  373  of the casing  334 . The distal end  373  of the casing  334  is a flexible material that can be manually distorted. A washer  343  is positioned external to the distal end  373  of the casing  334  and is connected to the engagement coupling  341 . The actuator  332  can be manipulated by a user at a proximal end (not shown) to move between and releasably remain in a first position and a second position. 
     FIG. 18 illustrates the electrical connector  320  and the fastener  330  in a fasten position. The user moves the fastener  330  into the fasten position by moving the actuator  332  proximally from the first position to the second position. The distal end  373  of the casing  334  deforms radially outwardly from the fastening axis F—F as the actuator  332  moves in a proximal direction along the fastening axis F—F from the first position to the second position. The washer  343  displaces the distal end of the casing generally radially with respect to the fastening axis F—F when the actuator  332  is in the fasten position. The distal end  373  of the casing  334  can similarly be a hinged coupling, such as a toggle, that moves between the release and fasten positions when the actuator  332  is moved between the first and second positions, respectively. When the fastener  330  is engaged with the computer component  322  and the casing  334  is in the fasten position, the radially displaced portion of the casing  334  holds the fastener  330  to the computer component  322 . This consequently prevents the electrical connector  320  from disengaging from the computer component  322 . To move the fastener  330  back to the release position, the user moves the actuator  332  axially from the second position to the first position and the resilient material of the distal end  373  of the casing  334  returns generally to the release position allowing the fastener  330  to be removed from the computer component  322 . 
     From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.