Patent Abstract:
A cable restraint system including a device base. The device base includes a base plate, and at least one mounting post disposed thereon, and a cable restraint device. The cable restraint device includes a base portion having at least one mounting column structured to receive the at least one mounting post, a pair of opposed sidewalls defining a trough structured to receive at least one cable, a flexible insert received in the base portion and disposed between the sidewalls, and a top portion spanning the sidewalls to retain the flexible insert within the base portion and structured to engage the at least one mounting post.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    High frequency cables are required to sample signals in the gigahertz range while testing equipment and devices. These high frequency cables are fragile and easily damaged, which results in the sampled signal being degraded or disrupted. Therefore, the cables are treated with the utmost care to ensure that the cable is not kinked or damaged. As the cost of these cables can be in the hundreds of dollars, it is not economically viable to be constantly replacing damaged cables. 
         [0002]    The high frequency cables may be affixed to test probes and connected to test equipment, but the transmitted signal must also be routed through the device itself using the same kind of high frequency cable. There exists a delicate balance between protecting the internal cable(s) and packaging the test equipment within a housing. The cable(s) may snake between the various internal components to reach a termination point that may be located a circuitous path away from the probe connection. The cables are routed carefully through the housing to avoid kinking and damaging the cable on its path through the device. 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the disclosed technology address these needs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the cable restraint device. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base plate used in conjunction with the cable restraint device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of multiple cable restraint devices installed on a base plate. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the base piece of the cable restraint device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the flexible pad of the cable restraint device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top piece of the cable restraint device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an example cable restraint device attached to a device base integrated into a substrate. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an example cable restraint device having a single top portion. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate an example cable restraint device and device base mounted in a housing. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The high frequency cable restraint device  100 , shown in  FIG. 1 , comprises a base portion  102 , a top portion  104  and a flexible insert  106 . The device  100  is mounted on a device base  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . The device base  200  features one or more mounting posts  202 , to mount the device  100  to the device base  200 . The one or more mounting posts  202  are secured to the base plate  204 . The base portion  102  of the device  100  fits over the mounting post  202  and the top portion  104  mounts to the mounting post  202 , restraining the cable restraint device  100  to the device base  200 . 
         [0015]    The mounting posts  202  may be a stud featuring a flared end  203  that engages with and retains the restraint device  100 . Disposed in a pattern, multiple mounting posts positioned along the base plate  204  lay out a trace for the cables to follow. The pre-laid trace pattern assists in ensuring that the curve radii are sufficient to prevent damage to the cable while routed it is over a substrate, such as being routed through the housing of test equipment. 
         [0016]    In the embodiment of the device base  200  shown in  FIG. 2 , the base plate  204  and the mounting posts  202  are preferably made of metal. The mounting posts  202  are individual components that are affixed to the base plate  204  to form the device base  200 . In the example shown, the mounting posts  202  are riveted to the base plate  204 . Alternatively, the mounting posts  202  can be affixed to the base plate  204  using other fasteners, such as nut and bolt, adhesive, welding or soldering. The device base  200 , including the mounting posts  202  and the base plate  204 , can be formed as a single unit by casting, machining or other methods. 
         [0017]    Both the base plate  204  and mounting post  202  may be made of any other suitable materials. Such materials include plastics, composites or ceramics. The use of other materials can be considered when taking into consideration the environment in which the cables will be placed. Insulative materials, such as plastic, can be used to electrically isolate the cables. Additional considerations such as cost and manufacturability can also be considered when selecting the material. 
         [0018]    Locating holes  206  are disposed near the mounting posts  202  positions on the base plate  204 . The locating holes  206  receive and engage the protrusions  308  on the base portions  102 , as seen in  FIG. 4  and discussed in more detail below. The engagement of the protrusions  308  and locating holes  206  assist in maintaining the orientation of the restraint devices  100  along the length of the device base  200 . 
         [0019]    The base plate  204  further features holes  208  disposed along its length through which the device base  200  may be mounted to supports or a substrate  210 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Alternatively, the device base  200  may be affixed in place using an adhesive or any other suitable attachment means. 
         [0020]    The base portion  102  of the device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , is preferably constructed of plastic using an injection moulding process. Alternatively, the base  102  can be made of other suitable materials, such as a ceramic, metallic, rubber or other plastic material. 
         [0021]    A central mounting column  304 , having a central mounting hole  306 , is disposed approximately in the center of the base portion  102 . The mounting column  304  receives and slides over the mounting post  202  through the mounting hole  306 . The mounting column  304  is structured to engage with a flared portion  203  of the mounting post  202 . The flared portion lightly restrains the base  102  to the device base  200 . Alternatively, the mounting column  304  may have a friction fit with the mounting post  202  to restrain the base  102 . In another embodiment, the mounting column  304  may slide loosely over the mounting post  202  and not actively engage with the one or more mounting posts  202 . In a further embodiment, the mounting column  304  can feature internal fins that engage with the mounting post  202 . These fins can be deformed, elastically or plastically, such that they exert a pressure on the mounting post  202 , restraining the base  102  to the mounting post  202 . 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment, the base  102  may be retained in a position by an adhesive. The adhesive, such as glue, can be placed in the location, with the base  102  then being affixed. Alternatively, the base  102  may have an adhesive layer disposed on the underside of the bottom portion  204 . A protective sheet covers the adhesive and when removed the adhesive is exposed and the base  102  can be pressed into the desired position. 
         [0023]    In a further embodiment, the base  102  may be mounted using a screw or nail. The screw or nail may be driven through the mounting column  304  into a substrate, such as the device base  200  or directly into a housing. The screw or nail can affix the base  102  only or can be driven through the top portion  104 , as well, thus securing the entire restraint device  100  to the desired position. 
         [0024]    The high frequency cables run through the base  102  in channels  310  and  312 . These channels provide guides for the cables as they are run through the base  102 . The channels  310  and  312  do not exert any force on the cables and do not engage the cables to restrain them. This prevents undue pressure being exerted on the cables, which can damage them. 
         [0025]    The channels  310  and  312  may be lined with cushioning material, such as a rubber or foam, to further protect the cables. The addition of such protection can also help isolate the cables from vibrations which can wear the cables should they rub against the base  102 . 
         [0026]    Alternatively, the base  102  can feature a flat base, lacking the mounting column  304  and the channels  310  and  312 , but featuring the mounting hole  306 . The base  102  slides over the mounting post  202  through the mounting hole  306 . An insert can then be slid over the mounting post  202 . The insert can feature a mounting column to space the base  102  and the top portion  104  and a central portion that creates channels by dividing the base  102 . 
         [0027]    The base  102  features a protrusion  308  located on a bottom surface. The protrusion  308  engages with a hole  206  in the base plate  204  of the device base  200 , as mentioned above. The hole  206  locates and orients the base  102  on the device base  200 . With the protrusion  308  engaged with the hole  206 , the base  102  is prevented from rotating about the mounting post  202 . 
         [0028]    In an embodiment, ridges or protrusions formed on the upper portion of the sidewalls of the base  102  engage with the top portion  104 . When the top portion  104  is pressed into the base  102 , the two pieces engage and lock together forming the restraint device  100 . 
         [0029]    A flexible insert  106 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , is disposed atop the cables running through the base  102 . The flexible insert  106  is sized to fit within the base  102  and features a slit  402  that allows the pad to slide over and around the mounting column  304 . The flexible insert  106  is space-filling between the cables, base  102  and top portion  104 . While the flexible insert  106  is compressed by the top portion  104 , the pressure exerted on the wires through the flexible insert  106  is minimal and below the damage threshold. The slight pressure exerted by the flexible insert  106  on the wires prevents them from slipping or sliding through the restraint device  100 . In preventing this, undue damage to the cable wrapping and/or the cable itself can be prevented. Additionally, the slight pressure assists in ensuring that a steady or constant tension can be maintained on the cables as desired or necessary to ensure proper cable performance. 
         [0030]    The flexible insert  106  may be composed of a number of suitable materials, such as rubber, latex, high and low density foam, or any other polymer. The flexible insert  106  material is selected to evenly distribute and minimize the force exerted on the cables from the closure of the top portion  104  to the base  102 . 
         [0031]    The flexible insert  106  may be sculpted to further contour to the cables. Contouring the flexible insert  106  lessens the amount of pressure exerted on the cables and further distribute the exerted force evenly. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment of the top portion  104  of the device  100 . The top portion  104  covers the base  102 , the flexible insert  106  and features a central hole  502 . When locked to the base  102 , by the mounting column  202  engagement with the central hole  502 , the top portion  104  lightly compresses the flexible insert  106 , exerting a pressure on the cables. The pressure is low enough to not damage the cables but is sufficient to slightly restrain the cables from sliding through the restraint device  100 . 
         [0033]    To retain the top portion  104  to the base  102 , the mounting column  202  of the device base  200  has a flared end  203  that engages the central hole  502  of the top portion  104 . The engagement between the central hole  502  and the mounting column  202  is a friction fit sufficient to lock the top portion  104  to the mounting column  202 . The friction fit can be overcome by a user so that access can be gained to the cables running internal through the restrain device  100 . Additionally, a “click” type friction fit allows the device  100  to be opened and closed repeatedly and reused if so desired. 
         [0034]    In an alternate embodiment, as discussed above, a screw or other fastener can be used to affix the device  100 . The fastener is driven through the central hole  502  of the top portion  104 , through the central column  304  of the base  102  and into a substrate to affix the device in a desired location. Alternatively, the base  102  can be affixed in a position using an attachment means, with the top portion  104  attached to the base  102  by a fastener. 
         [0035]    In another embodiment, the flexible insert  106  may be integrated with the top portion  104 . This eliminates placing the flexible insert  106  in the device  100  before placing the top portion  104 . 
         [0036]    Further means of attaching the top portion  104  on the base  102  may include using an adhesive. The top portion  104  may be glued or sealed onto the base  102  to prevent access to the cables, which may be desirable in some situations. The top portion  104  may also be taped to the base  102 . Laying tape across the top portion  104  additionally provides a tamper indication whereby a person attempting to access the cables within the restraint device  100  would have to break the tape seal. The broken tape provides an indication to service technicians or users that a person may have interacted with the restrained cables, thereby potentially damaging them. In an alternative embodiment of the restraint device, the entire device may be integrated with the substrate, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . A channel  600  through which the cables are routed is disposed on or within the substrate  610 . The channel features mounting posts  602  disposed along the length. Top pieces  606  engage with the mounting posts  602 , as in the previous embodiments, to restrain the cables within the channel  600 . A flexible insert  604  is disposed between the cables and each of the top pieces. 
         [0037]    Alternatively, a single top piece may be disposed across the whole length of the channel. The full-length top piece also has a flexible insert disposed between it and the cables to restrain them. An entire cable restraint device  700  can also be disposed across the device base  702 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show the cable restraint device  100  and the device base  200  mounted within a housing  800 . 
         [0039]    To use the cable restraint device  100 , the base  102  is first placed over the mounting post  202  disposed on a base plate  204  of the device base  200 . The protrusion  308  of the base  102  engages the locating hole  206  on the base plate  204 . The engagement of the locating hole  206  and protrusion  308  combined with the engagement between the mounting post  202  and mounting column  304  moderately restrain the base  102  to the device base  200 . The cables are placed in the channels,  310  and  312 , and then the flexible insert  106  is placed over them. With the flexible insert  106  in place, the top portion  104  is secured to the mounting post  202  thereby completing the restraint device  100  and locking the device  100  firmly to the device base  200 . 
         [0040]    Having described and illustrated the principles of the disclosed technology in a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed technology can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. We claim all modifications and variations coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5