Patent Publication Number: US-7585182-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for connecting a cable

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for connecting a cable to an information handling system. 
   As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
   Information handling systems typically include a variety of cables for connecting various components to the information handling system and for connecting the information handling system to other information handlings systems, power supplies, and various data sources. The connecting of these cables to the information handling systems, power sources, and data sources can raise a number of issues. 
   For example, some information handling systems connect to power sources through an adapter. The adapter typically includes a cable which connects to the information handling system and a plug channel. An AC cable is then plugged into the plug channel and a power outlet in order to supply the information handling system with power through the adapter. 
   Problems can arise when the AC cable is longer than is needed or the adapter is put in storage, and the user wraps the AC cable around the adapter. Wrapping the AC cable around the adapter places the AC cable under stress by bending the cable in a tight radius which can result in damage to the cable and in an inability to supply power to the information handling system. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for connecting a cable to an information handling system absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one embodiment, a cable connecting apparatus is provided that includes a base, a plug member extending in a first direction from the base, and a cable extending from the base in the first direction. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a cable connecting apparatus. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a socket member used with the cable connecting apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system used with the cable connecting apparatus of  FIG. 2  and the socket member of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for connecting a cable. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cable connecting apparatus of  FIG. 2  coupled to the socket member of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5   c  is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the cable connecting apparatus and the socket member of  FIG. 5   b.    
       FIG. 5   d  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the cable connecting apparatus and the socket member of  FIG. 5   a  coupled to the information handling system of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a cable connecting apparatus. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an alternative embodiment of a socket member used with the cable connecting apparatus of  FIG. 6 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
   In one embodiment, information handling system  100 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor  102 , which is connected to a bus  104 . Bus  104  serves as a connection between microprocessor  102  and other components of computer system  100 . An input device  106  is coupled to microprocessor  102  to provide input to microprocessor  102 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  108 , which is coupled to microprocessor  102 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Information handling system  100  further includes a display  110 , which is coupled to microprocessor  102  by a video controller  112 . A system memory  114  is coupled to microprocessor  102  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  102 . In an embodiment, a chassis  116  houses some or all of the components of information handling system  100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  102  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a cable connecting apparatus  200  is illustrated. Cable connecting apparatus  200  includes a base  202  having a front surface  202   a , a rear surface  202   b  located opposite the front surface  202   a , a top surface  202   c  extending between the front surface  202   a  and the rear surface  202   b , and a bottom surface  202   d  located opposite the top surface  202   c  and extending between the front surface  202   a  and the rear surface  202   b . A plug member  204  extends from the front surface  202   a  of the base  202  in a first direction A which, in an embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the front surface  202   a  of the base  202 . In an embodiment, the plug member  204  includes a 3-pin AC connector defining three pin passageways  204   a ,  204   b , and  204   c . A cable  206  includes an initial section  206   a  which extends from the front surface  202   a  of the base  202  adjacent the bottom surface  202   d  in the first direction A such that the initial section  206   a  of the cable  206  is in a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship to the plug member  204 . In an embodiment, the initial section  206   a  of the cable  206  is reinforced, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The plug member  204 , the base  202 , and the initial section  206   a  of the cable  206  each house electrical wiring (not shown) which runs from the passageways  204   a ,  204   b , and  204   c  in the plug member  204 , through the base  202 , and to the cable  206  through the initial section  206 , providing an electrical coupling with a strain relieved 180 degree bend. The cable  206  includes a distal end  206   b  located opposite the initial section  206   a . A connector  208  is coupled to the distal end  206   b  of the cable  206  and includes a plurality of electrical coupling pins  208   a ,  208   b , and  208   c . In an embodiment, the connector  208  includes a conventional 3-pin AC power connector. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a socket member  300  is illustrated. The socket member  300  includes a base  302  having a front surface  302   a , a rear surface  302   b  located opposite the front surface  302   a , a top surface  302   c  extending between the front surface  302   a  and the rear surface  302   b , and a bottom surface  302   d  located opposite the top surface  302   c  and extending between the front surface  302   a  and the rear surface  302   b . A plug socket  304  is defined by the base  302  and substantially centrally located on the front surface  302   a  of the base  302 . The plug socket  304  includes a plurality of coupling pins  304   a ,  304   b , and  304   c  located in the plug socket  304  in a spaced apart relationship. In an embodiment, the plug socket  304  is designed to accept a 3-pin AC connector. A cable channel  306  is defined by the base  302  and is located about the base  302  on the front surface  302   a , the top surface  302   c , the rear surface  302   b , and the bottom surface  302   d . An information handling system cable  308  extends from the rear surface  302   b  of the base  302  and includes an information handling system connector  308   a  on its distal end. In an embodiment, the socket member  300  is an AC power adapter. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an information handling system  400  is illustrated. The information handling system  400  includes a chassis  402  having a rear surface  402   a  including a cable connector  402   b . In an embodiment, the information handling system  400  may be the information handling system  100 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , and the chassis  402  may be the chassis  116 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . A wall  404  includes a power outlet  406  which is coupled to a conventional power source (not shown). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5   a ,  5   b , and  5   c , a method  500  for connecting a cable is illustrated. The method  500  begins at step  502  where the cable connecting apparatus  200 , described above with reference to  FIG. 2 , is provided. The method  500  then proceeds to step  504  where the cable connecting apparatus  200  is coupled to the socket member  300 . The base  202  on the cable connecting apparatus  200  is positioned adjacent the socket member  300  such that the front surface  202   a  of the base  202  is adjacent the front surface  302   a  of the base  302  on the socket member  300 . The plug member  204  on cable connecting apparatus  200  is aligned with the plug socket  304  and the plug member  204  is then engaged with the plug socket  304  such that the coupling pins  304   a ,  304   b , and  304   c  enter the pin passageways  204   a ,  204   b , and  204   c , respectively. With the plug member  204  engaging the plug socket  304 , the initial section  206   a  of the cable  206  extends from the front surface  202   a  of the base  202  in a substantially parallel orientation to the bottom surface  302   d  of the base  302  on socket member  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5   c.    
   The method  500  then proceeds to step  506  where the cable  206  is wrapped around the socket member  300 . With the initial section  206   a  of the cable  206  extending in a substantially parallel orientation to the bottom surface  302   d  of the base  302  on socket member  300 , the cable  206  may be positioned in the cable channel  206  defined by the base  302  of the socket member  300  and wrapped around the socket member  300  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c . Due to the cable connecting apparatus providing a strain relieved 180 degree bend, the wrapping of the cable  206  around the socket member  300  puts relatively little stress on the cable  206  as compared to conventional methods. In an embodiment, the cable channel  306  is rounded along the transitions between the front surface  302   a  of the base  302 , the top surface  302   c  of the base  302 , the rear surface  302   b  of the base  302 , and the bottom surface  302   d  of the base, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in order to further reduce stress in the cable  206  due to the wrapping of the cable  206  around the socket member  300 . While the cable connecting apparatus  200  has been described connecting the cable  206  to the socket member  300 , it should be understood that the cable connecting apparatus  200  may be used with any device that might benefit from a strain relieved 180 degree bend between the plug member  204  and the cable  206 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5   a , and  5   d , the method  500  proceeds to step  508  where the socket member  300  is coupled to the information handling system  400 . The information handling system connector  308   a  on the distal end of information handling system cable  308  is engaged with cable connector  402   b  on the rear surface  402   a  of information handling system  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5   d . The method  500  then proceeds to step  510  where the cable  206  is coupled to a power source. The connector  208  on the distal end  206   b  of the cable  206  is coupled to the power outlet  406  on wall  404  by engaging the plurality of electrical coupling pins  208   a ,  208   b , and  208   c  with the power outlet  406 . Thus, a method and apparatus are provided for connecting a cable which reduces the stresses experienced by the cable relative to conventional methods. In an embodiment, the information handling system cable  308  may also include a strain relieved 180 degree bend which allows the information handling system cable  308  to be wrapped around the socket member  300  in the cable channel  306  in a substantially similar manner to the cable  206 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in an alternative embodiment, a cable connecting apparatus  600  is substantially similar in design and operation to the cable connecting apparatus  200 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d , with the provision of a modified plug member  602  and a modified connector  604 . The plug member  602  extends from the front surface  202   a  of the base  202  in the first direction A which, in an embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the front surface  202   a  of the base  202 . In an embodiment, the plug member  204  includes a 2-pin AC connector defining two pin passageways  602   a  and  602   b . The connector  604  is coupled to the distal end  206   b  of the cable  206 , includes a plurality of electrical coupling pins  604   a ,  604   b ,  604   c , and provides a strain relieved 90 degree bend between the cable  206  and the electrical coupling pins  604   a ,  604   b ,  604   c . In an embodiment, the connector  604  includes a conventional 2-pin AC power connector. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , in an alternative embodiment, a socket member  700  is substantially similar in design and operation to the socket member  300 , described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  5   c , and  5   d , with the provision of a modified plug socket  702 . The plug socket  702  is defined by the base  302  and substantially centrally located on the front surface  302   a  of the base  302 . The plug socket  702  includes a plurality of coupling pins  702   a  and  702   b  located in the plug socket  702  in a spaced apart relationship. In an embodiment, the plug socket  702  is operable to accept a 2-pin AC connector. In operation, the cable connecting apparatus  600  and the socket member  700  may be used with the information handling system  400  in the method  500  in place of the cable connecting apparatus  200  and the socket member  300 . 
   Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.