Patent Publication Number: US-6909050-B1

Title: Electrical cable

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates to the general field of electrical cables. More specifically the invention relates to electrical cables which divide into more than one cable. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Y-junction electrical cables are commonly used when it is required to split an electrical cable into separate components and route one component cable to one location and route the other component cable to a different location. Managing such a cable is problematic as the independently routed cables may become entangled. 
   Headsets often utilize a format such that signals can be provided to both a user&#39;s right and left ear. In the prior art, headsets use a Y electrical cable that is joined together and then splits into two cables at a Y junction, with one cable diverging to a left ear speaker and one cable diverging to the right ear speaker. The other end of the cable is coupled to a connector which is utilized to transfer the stereo electrical signal. 
   Such headset cables present difficult cable management issues. The two cables diverging from the Y junction become tangled with each other as well as with the single co-joined cable opposite the Y junction. 
   One prior art cable utilizes two speakers in earbud form that are inline on a single cable. The cable does not utilize a Y-junction, but rather in use the length of cable disposed between the two earbuds is draped behind the neck or under the chin. However, location of the in-line earbuds presents additional cable management problems. 
   As a result, improved electrical cables for headsets are needed. In particular, electrical cables offering increased ease in cable management are needed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through an inventive electrical cable. 
   The present invention provides an electrical cable system including a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable. The first electrical cable includes a strip shaped insulation material with one or more electrical conductors disposed within the strip shaped insulation material. The second electrical cable includes a groove shaped insulation material for receiving the strip shaped insulation material and one or more electrical conductors disposed within the groove shaped insulation material. The first electrical cable and second electrical cable may be releasably joined to form a co-joined cable by mating the strip shaped insulation material with the groove shaped insulation material. 
   The present invention further provides a headset including a first speaker coupled to a first electrical cable and a second speaker coupled to a second electrical cable. The first electrical cable includes one or more electrical conductors disposed within a first insulation material. The first insulation material is shaped to form a first component of a releasable press-and-fit seal. The second electrical cable includes one or more electrical conductors disposed within a second insulation material. The second insulation material is shaped to form a second component of the releasable press-and-fit seal. 
   The present invention further provides a method for managing an electrical cable. The method includes providing a first electrical cable comprising a strip shaped insulation material with one or more electrical conductors disposed within the strip shaped insulation material. A second electrical cable is provided including a groove shaped insulation material for receiving the strip shaped insulation material. One or more electrical conductors are disposed within the groove shaped insulation material. The method further includes mating the strip shaped insulation material with the groove shaped insulation material to releasably join the first electrical cable and second electrical cable. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The features and advantages of the apparatus and method of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical cable of the present invention illustrating the releasable sealing process. 
       FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of an embodiment of the electrical cable of the present invention illustrating the releasable sealing process. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an embodiment of two cables of the electrical cable system of the present invention prior to joining. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the electrical cable illustrating two cables in a sealed state. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention provides a solution to the needs described above through an inventive electrical cable system. 
   Other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is shown and described only the embodiments of the invention by way of illustration of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
   The present disclosure describes an electrical cable system. Although reference is made to use of the electrical cable system with a headset, the electrical cable system may also be utilized with any application where it is useful to split an electrical cable at a Y junction into separate electrical cables. The electrical cable may be used to transmit an audio signal, electrical power, or other electrical signal. The present invention allows separate electrical cables to be releasably joined together and separated when desired. In particular, the electrical cable system provides for a press-and-fit releasable seal system with each individual cable serving as a component in the releasable seal system. Furthermore, the cable system includes a slider for initiating the joining and releasing of the cables. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of an embodiment of the electrical cable of the present invention illustrating the releasable sealing process are shown. 
   The electrical cable system  100  (also referred to herein as “electrical cable”) comprises a cable  10 , cable  12 , slider  14 , and co-joined cable  16  formed from cable  10  and cable  12 . In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, cable  10  may include one or more electrical conductors  18 ,  20  disposed within an insulation material  22 . Cable  12  may include one or more electrical conductors  24 ,  26  disposed within an insulation material  28 . Slider  14  is capable of bi-directional movement along the length of electrical cable  100 . Slider  14  includes a seal end  30  and separator end  32 . 
   Seal end  30  of slider  14  contains an aperture  34  through which the co-joined cable  16  passes through. Separator end  32  of slider  14  contains an aperture  36  and an aperture  38  separated by a divider  40 . Cable  10  passes through aperture  36  and cable  12  passes through aperture  38 . In an embodiment of the invention, slider  14  is made of plastic, but metal or other materials may be used. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of cable  12  and cable  10  is shown prior to joining. Electrical conductors  26 ,  24  are disposed within insulation material  28 . The insulation material  28  of cable  12  is molded to form grooves  50 ,  52  running the length of cable  12 . The insulation material is further molded to form strips  54 ,  56  running the length of cable  12 . Strips  54 ,  56  may include protruding edges  55 ,  57  to interlock with corresponding edges  65 ,  67  on strips  64 ,  66 . The insulation material  22  of cable  10  is molded to form grooves  68 ,  70  running the length of cable  10 . The insulation material  22  is further molded to form strips  64 ,  66  running the length of cable  10 . Insulation material is made of a typical insulation material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
   Cable  10  and cable  12  may be releasably joined to form co-joined cable  16  by mating the corresponding press-and-fit seal components. Groove  50  and a corresponding strip  64  of cable  10  form a press-and-fit seal when mated together. One example of such a seal is often referred to as a “ziplock” seal. Similarly, groove  52  and corresponding strip  66  of cable  10  form a press-and-fit seal when mated together. Groove  68  and a corresponding strip  54  of cable  12  form a press-and-fit seal when mated together. Similarly, groove  70  and a corresponding strip  56  of cable  12  form a press-and-fit seal when mated together. 
   In operation, slider  14  is capable of bi-directional movement along cable  100 . Slider  14  serves as an actuator to either join or release cable  10  and  12 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , slider  14  is moved in a seal direction  60  to extend the length of co-joined cable  16  by joining cable  10  and cable  12  with a press-and-fit seal. Slider  14  is moved in a release direction  62  to separate the co-joined cable  16  and extend the length of cable  10  and cable  12 . 
   As slider  14  is moved in a seal direction  60 , the inner surface of slider aperture  34  at seal end  30  exerts an inward force on the exterior surfaces of cable  10  and cable  12  at the intersection of aperture  34  and cable  10  and cable  12 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the inward force  72  and  74 , presses strips  64 ,  66  and grooves  50 ,  52  together to form a press-and-fit seal. Simultaneously, strips  54 ,  56  and grooves  68 ,  70  are pressed together, forming co-joined cable  16  comprising cable  10  and cable  12 . As slider  14  is moved in seal direction  60  along cable  100 , the length of co-joined cable  16  is extended by joining cable  10  and cable  12  at slider end  30 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , a side view of co-joined cable  16  is shown after slider  14  has co-joined cable  10  and cable  12 . 
   As slider  14  is moved in a release direction  62 , divider  40  of slider  14  exerts an outward force on the interior surface of cable  10  and cable  12 . The outward force is transferred to co-joined cable  16 , releasing the press-and-fit seal to form cable  10  and cable  12  from co-joined cable  16 . Strips  64 ,  66  and grooves  50 ,  52  are separated and strips  64 ,  66  and grooves  50 ,  52  are separated at the slider  14 . As slider  14  is moved in the release direction  62  along cable  100 , the length of cable  10  and cable  12  is extended as the length of co-joined cable  16  is shortened. 
   Electrical cable  100  may be utilized to deliver signals or electrical power such as charging current. By utilizing the cable  10  and cable  12  themselves as components in a press-and-fit seal system, cable  10  and cable  12  may be joined to form co-joined cable  16  for easier cable management. Co-joined cable  16  may be easily released when it is desired to have independent routing of cable  10  and cable  12 . Co-joined cable  16  may easily be stored in a conventional cable winder device. The electrical cable  100  provides a solution that offers easy and convenient use. 
   The invention further presents a headset that utilizes the electrical cable  100 . The headset includes a left earbud speaker, right earbud speaker, electrical cable  100 , and a male connector. When used as a telephone headset, the headset further includes a microphone for receiving an audio signal. Electrical conductors  18 ,  20  of cable  10  are coupled to the left earbud speaker. Electrical conductors  24 ,  26  of cable  12  are coupled to the right earbud speaker. In an embodiment of the invention, the opposite end of electrical cable  100  is coupled to a conventional joined cable that cannot be separated. A male connector is coupled to the end of the conventional joined cable for insertion into a signal source. In an embodiment of the invention, the microphone is located at the end of the conventional joined cable near the coupling with electrical cable  100 . 
   In operation, during headset use the slider  14  is moved in the release direction  62  until the conventional joined cable is reached. As a result, cable  10  and cable  12  are of sufficient length so that left ear bud speaker and right earbud speaker may be inserted into the user&#39;s left and right ear respectively. When the headset use is completed, slider  14  is moved in a seal direction  60  to extend the length of co-joined cable  16  and minimize the length of independent cable  10  and cable  12 . The co-joined cable  16  may then be easily managed for storage. 
   One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other architectures for electrical cable  100  may be employed. Furthermore, other architectures may be employed for the headset utilizing electrical cable  100 . For example, the specific shape or components of slider  14  may vary. In addition, other actuators for initiating the seal or release process may be used. The shape of the strips and grooves forming the press-and-fit seal may be varied, as well as the use of any interlocking devices. 
   Furthermore, although two pairs of press-and-fit seals are shown, in other embodiments a cable system utilizing only one strip and one groove may be constructed. For example, the number of electrical conductors disposed within the strip and groove may vary. 
   Having described the invention in terms of a preferred embodiment, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various types of components may be substituted for the configuration described above to achieve an equivalent result. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations of the describe embodiments are possible, and that other elements or methods may be used to perform equivalent functions, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention as measured by the following claims.