Abstract:
In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining an electrical connector is provided. The apparatus includes a tray adapted to receive an electrical device having a flexible connector coupled thereto. The tray is moveable between first and second positions. A spring extends between the tray and the flexible connector. The spring urges the flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in the first tray position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally related to flexible electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for storing an electrical connector between moveable parts. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Electronic devices are commonly formed from a plurality of parts that may be moveable relative to one another, but need to be electrically joined together. For example, a telephone normally consists of a base unit and a handset joined together by an electrical connector, such as a cable. Ordinarily, the telephone cable is formed in a helical coil so that it is at least somewhat self-storing. That is, telephone cables as long as several feet may be useful to provide a limited range of mobility to the telephone user; however, storing several feet of cable may be inconvenient and cumbersome. The helical construction of the cable is expandable/compressible so that when not in use, a large quantity of cable can be stored in a relatively small area, and when in use, the cable can be dramatically expanded to extend the range of use of the telephone. 
     Other electronic devices are constructed from multiple moveable parts that have benefited from an expandable/compressible connection, such as that used in a telephone. For example, personal computers are routinely constructed with a moveable keyboard that is electrically connected to a tower. Often, the electrical connection between the keyboard and tower is formed in a helical coil to be at least partially self-storing. Personal computers are routinely located on furniture and/or racks where the keyboard is stored in a sliding tray. The helical coil connector for the keyboard is usually sufficiently flexible that it cannot support its own weight, and tends to sag. The sliding mechanism associated with the tray can capture and pinch the connector, damaging the connector, particularly where the sliding motion is repetitive. 
     The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus that solves or reduces some or all of the aforementioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining an electrical connector is provided. The apparatus includes a tray adapted to receive an electrical device having a flexible connector coupled thereto. The tray is moveable between first and second positions. A spring extends between the tray and the flexible connector. The spring urges the flexible connector into a serpentine configuration in the first tray position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top view of a keyboard and electrical connector retainer assembly in a first operational position; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the keyboard within a unit; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of a keyboard and electrical connector retainer assembly in a second operational position; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a connection between assembly and the electrical connector. 
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     Turning now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, a top view of a keyboard  12  and a retainer assembly  14  for an electrical connector  16  is shown in a first operational position within a tray or drawer  18 . The keyboard  12  is of a conventional configuration, and may take on any of a wide variety of styles, including, but not limited to, standard and enhanced keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, and the like. Further, the instant invention may also find application to a wide variety of other computer peripheral devices, such as mice, trackballs, and the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the keyboard  12  is positioned in the tray  18  of a unit or housing  20 , such as a computer stand or rack. The tray  18  is coupled to the unit  20  through a pair of conventional slides  22  disposed along opposite sides  24 ,  26  of the tray  18 . The slides  22  generally include a moveable and fixed portion  28 ,  30 . The fixed portions  30  are attached to sidewalls  32  of the unit  20 , while the moveable portions  28  are attached to the opposite sides  24 ,  26  of the tray  18 . The moveable and fixed portions  28 ,  30  engage one another such that a sliding movement therebetween is provided. The slides  22  allow the tray  18  to translate linearly out of the unit  20  for easy access by a computer user, and into the unit  20  for storage. Movement of the tray  18  necessarily produces similar movement of the keyboard  12 , extending the connector  16  therewith. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, the connector  16  is electrically and physically coupled to another component (not shown), such as a tower or the like, located adjacent or in the unit  20  (See FIG.  2 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the connector  16  takes the form of a conventional flexible cable having a plurality of electrically conductive wires (not shown) housed in a flexible insulated sheath (not shown). The sheath assists in protecting the smaller conductive wires from being crimped, pinched, or otherwise damaged during normal operation and movement of the keyboard  12 . Ordinarily, the connector  16  exits the keyboard  12  adjacent a first end portion  40  thereof and extends to the rear or side of the unit  20  where it is electrically and physically connected to the other component (not shown) 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer assembly  14  is coupled to the sidewall  24  of the tray  18  opposite the end portion  40  of the keyboard  12 . That is, the retainer assembly  14  is spaced a substantial distance from the exit point of the connector  16  from the keyboard  12 . This spacing allows the retainer assembly  14  to store a substantial length of the connector  16  free from entanglement with the tray  18  and slides  22  to allow for substantial free sliding movement of the tray  18  and keyboard  12 . 
     The retainer assembly  14  includes a spring  44 , such as a coil spring, coupled between the sidewall  24  of the tray  18  and the connector  16 . The connector  16  is fixedly held at a first end portion  46  by the keyboard  12 , and at a second end portion  48  by the retainer assembly  14 . The length of the connector  16  between the first and second end portions  46 ,  48  is at least as long as the range of motion of the tray  18 . That is, when the tray  18  is stored in the unit  20 , as shown in FIG. 1, substantial slack exists in the connector  16 , which would sag if not restrained by the spring  44 . The spring  44  urges the connector  16  into a serpentine configuration extending laterally across the unit  20  behind the tray  18 . Thus, the connector  16  is stored in the serpentine configuration, spaced from the slides  22  and free from pinching by the tray  18 , the slides  22 , and/or any equipment (not shown) located below the tray  18 . 
     When the tray  18  is extended from the unit  20 , such as is show in FIG. 3, the connector  16  is urged into a more linear configuration, stretching the spring  44 . Thus, whether the tray  18  is stored or extended, the connector  16  remains substantially disposed in the plane of the tray  18  and free from interference with the moving slides  22  and/or any equipment (not shown) located below the tray  18 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the spring  44  is coupled to the connector  16  via a sliding connection  50 , such as is show in FIG.  4 . The sliding connection  50  consists of a generally rectangular tab  52  folded back upon itself to form a generally loose loop configuration. The generally rectangular tab  52  is held in this loose loop configuration by a connector  54  extending through both end portions of the generally rectangular tab  52 . The connector  54  can take on a variety of conventional configurations, such as rivets, screws, brads, and the like. Additionally, the connector  54  also engages an end portion of the spring  44  to capture the generally rectangular tab  52  in its loop configuration to an end portion of the spring  44 . The loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab  52  has a sufficient diameter to receive the connector  16  therein with a sufficiently loose fit to allow sliding movement of the connector  16  within the generally loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab  52 . Thus, as the keyboard  12  and tray  18  are translated between the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the connector  16  is pulled into its more linear configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, urging the spring  44  to its extended position. During this movement, the connector  16  freely slides through the open loop configuration of the generally rectangular tab  52 . 
     As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, a pair of guides  60 ,  62  are attached to or integrally formed with the tray  18  adjacent the exit point of the connector  16  from the keyboard  12 . The guides  60 ,  62  are curvilinear in configuration so as to provide a relatively smooth, curved surface against which the spring  44  holds the connector  16 . The smooth, curved surface of the guides  60 ,  62  reduces the possibility of damage to the connector  16  during its movement between the relatively linear configuration FIG.  3  and the serpentine configuration of FIG.  1 . Additionally, the relatively smooth, curved surface of the guides  60 ,  62  reduces friction, which decreases binding between the tray  18  and connector  16 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.