Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a plug-falloff stopping tool for preventing the plug plugged into a jack from falling off is provided with a frame member to cover the jack so as to be fixed in a pull-off direction of the plug, and the frame member is equipped with a pair of arm plates extended toward a plug side from a jack-wrapping part, for pinching the plug and fixing it in a plug-falloff direction.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus having an upper half with at least one upper clasp and a lower half hingedly connected to the upper half. The upper half and the lower half has a connector cavity and a cable channel, configured to receive a cord and a cord plug. The upper half and the lower half further has two opposed two holes for allowing cable access to the cable channel. Outer edges of the upper half and the lower half has a perimeter having sealant running continuous across an entire perimeter of all edges. Upon closing the upper half and the lower half, the apparatus becomes totally sealed.

The present invention is set forth in the appended set of claims.

An initial overview of the inventive concepts are provided below and then specific examples are described in further detail later. This initial summary is intended to aid readers in understanding the examples more quickly, but is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the examples, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Although adhesives may be functional to maintain connection of plug and receptacle connectors, use of adhesives does have drawbacks. Chemical adhesives are messy and may be hazardous to equipment and personnel. In addition, removing old adhesive and applying new adhesive is difficult and time-consuming, which increases downtime and expense for service and maintenance.

Accordingly, a connector retention clip is disclosed that can be quickly and easily secured about a plug and receptacle connector and that prevents disconnection during high acceleration loading conditions. The connector retention clip can include a connector housing having a plurality of connector walls defining a connector opening operable to receive a coupled receptacle and plug connector therein. The plurality of connector walls can include a receptacle end wall and a plug end wall operable to extend about ends of the receptacle and plug, respectively, to provide a mechanical barrier preventing uncoupling of the coupled receptacle and plug connector. In addition, the connector retention clip can include a cable housing extending from the connector housing. The cable housing can have at least one cable wall defining a cable opening operable to receive a cable therein that extends from the coupled receptacle and plug connector.

A connector retention clip system is disclosed that can include a receptacle and a plug coupled to one another to form a coupled receptacle and plug connector having a cable extending therefrom. The connector retention clip system can also include a connector retention clip operably associated with the coupled receptacle and plug connector to prevent the receptacle and the plug from uncoupling. The connector retention clip can comprise a connector housing having a plurality of connector walls defining a connector opening. The coupled receptacle and plug connector can be received within the connector opening. The plurality of connector walls can include a receptacle end wall and a plug end wall extending about ends of the receptacle and plug, respectively, to provide a mechanical barrier preventing uncoupling of the coupled receptacle and plug connector. Additionally, the connector retention clip can comprise a cable housing extending from the connector housing. The cable housing can have at least one cable wall defining a cable opening. The cable can be received within the cable opening.

To further describe the present technology, examples are now provided with reference to the figures. With reference to <FIG>, one example of a connector retention clip system <NUM> is illustrated. In general, the connector retention clip system <NUM> can comprise a connector retention clip <NUM> and a receptacle <NUM> and a plug <NUM> coupled to one another to form a coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> having a cable <NUM> extending from the plug <NUM> (as in the illustrated example) or the receptacle <NUM>. The connector retention clip <NUM> is shown isolated in <FIG>. The connector retention clip <NUM> can be operably associated with the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> to prevent the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM> from uncoupling or disconnecting during use. The receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM> can be of any suitable type or configuration known in the art (e.g., a mating wire harness and multi-pin connector). In one aspect, the system <NUM> can include a circuit board <NUM>, and the receptacle <NUM> or the plug <NUM> can be operably attached to the circuit board <NUM>. In some examples, the receptacle <NUM> (as in the illustrated example) or the plug <NUM> can be surface mounted to the circuit board <NUM>.

In some examples, the receptacle <NUM> and/or the plug <NUM> can include a locking mechanism <NUM> designed to maintain engagement or connection of the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM>. However, operating conditions (e.g., high acceleration loading) may be such that the locking mechanism <NUM> is inadequate to maintain engagement or connection of the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the connector retention clip <NUM> can provide a secure and robust device for maintaining engagement or connection of the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM> under even extreme operating and loading conditions.

The connector retention clip <NUM> can include a connector housing <NUM> having connector walls 111a-e that define a connector opening <NUM> (<FIG>and <FIG>). The coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> can be received within the connector opening <NUM>. The connector housing <NUM> can have any suitable shape or configuration to accommodate the shape or geometry of the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. The connectors walls 111a-e can have any suitable shape or configuration (e.g., planar, curved, curvilinear, etc.) to define a desired connector opening <NUM> shape or volume. In addition, any suitable number of connector walls 111a-e can be utilized. In the illustrated example, the connector housing <NUM> has a cuboid configuration formed by five connector walls 111a-e. In one aspect, the connector walls 111a-e can include a receptacle end wall 111c and a plug end wall 111d that extend about ends of the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM>, respectively, to provide a mechanical barrier preventing uncoupling of the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. In addition, side walls 111a, 111b and a top wall 111e can couple the end walls 111b, 111c to one another and provide structural support for the end walls 111b, 111c. In one aspect, the side walls 111a, 111b can be configured to provide a mechanical barrier to a releasing (e.g., outward) movement by the locking mechanism <NUM> (<FIG>) to maintain engagement of the built-in locking features and add another layer of security to the locking mechanism <NUM>. Thus, the connector housing <NUM> can be configured to surround and captivate the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> to ensure that the receptacle <NUM> and the plug <NUM> remain connected under high loading conditions.

In one aspect, the connector housing <NUM> can include at least one protrusion 113a, 113b (<FIG> and <FIG>) extending inward from at least one of the connector walls 111a-e over a portion of the connector opening <NUM>. In other words, the at least one protrusion 113a, 113b can at least partially extend under or "undercut" structures of the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> to maintain the clip <NUM> properly in place about the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the protrusions 113a, 113b extend inward from side walls 111a, 111b, respectively. The connector walls 111a-e (individually or collectively in any combination) can be formed so as to comprise a degree of compliance sufficient to enable the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> to move past the protrusions 113a, 113b and be received within the connector opening <NUM>. In other words, the protrusions 113a, 113b can provide a "snap-fit" for the clip <NUM> over the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. The protrusions 113a, 113b can be operable to provide a mechanical barrier to movement of the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> out of the connector opening <NUM>. Thus, the protrusions 113a, 113b can serve to maintain the clip <NUM> properly in place about the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>.

The at least one protrusion 113a, 113b can have any suitable shape, geometry, or configuration in accordance with the principles disclosed herein. For example, the protrusions 113a, 113b can have a rounded tip to facilitate fitting the clip <NUM> over the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. In addition, as shown in the illustrated example, the protrusions 113a, 113b can extend at least partially along a length of the side walls 111a, 111b. In other examples, the at least one protrusion 113a, 113b can be configured as a pin, a lip, a shoulder, a flange, or any other suitable configuration. In a particular aspect, the at least one protrusion 113a, 113b can be configured to fit between a given structure of the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> and the circuit board <NUM>, as applicable, to enable securing the clip <NUM> over the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>.

The connector retention clip <NUM> can also include a cable housing <NUM> extending from the connector housing <NUM>. The cable housing <NUM> can have at least one cable wall 121a-c (<FIG>, <FIG>) that defines a cable opening <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The cable <NUM> can be received within the cable opening <NUM>. In one aspect, the system <NUM> can include a cable tie <NUM> (<FIG>), which can maintain the cable <NUM> in the cable opening <NUM> and therefore serve to maintain the clip <NUM> properly in place about the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>. An outer surface <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) of the cable wall 121a-c can be operable to interface with the cable tie <NUM> to secure the cable <NUM> within the cable opening <NUM>. in some examples, the cable housing <NUM> can include a flange <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) extending outward from the cable wall 121a-c. The flange <NUM> can be operable to maintain the cable tie <NUM> in a given position on or relative to the outer surface <NUM>. The cable wall 121a-c can have any suitable configuration. In some examples, at least a portion of the cable housing (e.g., as defined by the outer surface <NUM> and/or an inner surface <NUM>) can have a semi-circular cross-section, or any other cross-sectional shape or geometry to complement the cable <NUM>. In some examples, the cable wall 121a-c (e.g., the inner surface <NUM>) can comprise a cable opening <NUM> smaller than the diameter of the cable <NUM>, such that the cable housing <NUM> can be configured to provide a snap-fit around the cable <NUM> as an alternative or in addition to the function provided by the cable tie <NUM> in maintaining the cable <NUM> in the cable opening <NUM>. In one aspect, the cable housing <NUM> and optional cable tie <NUM> can also serve to provide strain relief for the cable <NUM> by providing additional support about the cable <NUM>, which restricts its motion relative to the either the receptacle <NUM> or the plug <NUM>, whichever it is connected to. In addition, the clip <NUM> can reduce strain on the mechanical and/or electrical coupling features (e.g. interconnects <NUM>, such as contacts or pins) that couple the receptacle <NUM> or the plug <NUM> to the circuit board <NUM> by reducing cable movement in relation to the plug <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM>. Thus, in some examples, the protrusions 113a, 113b and cable tie <NUM> can keep the clip <NUM> secure about the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM>, and the cable housing <NUM> and the cable tie <NUM> can protect the cable <NUM> by providing strain relief for the cable <NUM> and interconnects <NUM>. The clip <NUM> can therefore serve as a connection retention device for the coupled receptacle and plug connector <NUM> as well as provide protection for the cable <NUM>.

In some examples, the connector retention clip <NUM> can include an interconnect opening <NUM> in at least one of the connector walls 111a-e operable to accommodate an interconnect <NUM> that electrically couples the receptacle <NUM> or the plug <NUM> to the circuit board <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the interconnect opening <NUM> is located in the receptacle end wall 111c, although one or more interconnect openings can be formed or located in any suitable connector wall, such as in the plug end wall 111d or the side walls 111a, 111b, as applicable.

In some examples, the clip <NUM> (e.g., the connector housing <NUM> and the cable housing <NUM>) can form a single, monolithic structure, although multiple, separate individual components can be combined or otherwise coupled to one another to form the clip <NUM>. The clip <NUM> can be made of any suitable material (e.g., polymer, metal, composite, etc.) and can be constructed utilizing any suitable process (e.g., molding, machining, etc.). In one aspect, the clip <NUM> can be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process (e.g., 3D printing), which can provide a low cost, user friendly, and highly customizable retention clip that can be designed and produced quickly when needed. In another aspect, the clip <NUM> can be manufactured using an injection molding process for mass production and reduced costs.

The clip <NUM> can further comprise markings or other indicia (see optional indicia <NUM> in <FIG>) supported on or formed in the connector housing <NUM>, such as one or more of the connector walls 111a-e, or on the cable housing <NUM>. The markings or indicia can be operable to provide identifying or other information related to the clip <NUM> itself, the receptacle <NUM>, the plug <NUM>, to a location on the circuit board <NUM>, or any combination of these. The indicia can be caused to be supported on one or more of the connector walls 111a-e using any known means or method. In one example, the indicia can be printed onto the one or more of the connector walls 111a-e. In another example, the indicia can be formed via a cut-out or other material reduction of a portion of one or more of the connector walls 111a-e (e.g., a recessed portion, a through-hole, etc.) made during manufacturing. In still another example, the indicia can be supported on a medium that can be applied to one or more of the connector walls 111a-e (e.g., an adhesive sticker or other stick on medium). <FIG> illustrates the clip <NUM> comprising indicia indicating "J13" on the connector wall 111e, which represents, or is indicative of, the type of connector, size of connector, etc. This is not intended to be limiting in any way as those skilled in the art will recognize other types of markings or indicia that can be supported on the clip <NUM>.

Reference was made to the examples illustrated in the drawings and specific language was used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein and additional applications of the examples as illustrated herein are to be considered within the scope of the description.

Although the disclosure may not expressly disclose that some embodiments or features described herein may be combined with other embodiments or features described herein, this disclosure should be read to describe any such combinations that would be practicable by one of ordinary skill in the art. The user of "or" in this disclosure should be understood to mean non-exclusive or, i.e., "and/or," unless otherwise indicated herein.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the preceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such as examples of various configurations to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the described technology. It will be recognized, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology.

Claim 1:
A connector retention clip (<NUM>) comprising:
a connector housing (<NUM>) having a plurality of connector walls (111a-e) defining a connector opening (<NUM>) operable to receive a coupled receptacle (<NUM>) and plug connector (<NUM>) therein, the plurality of connector walls (111a-e) including a receptacle end wall (111c) and a plug end wall (111d) operable to extend about ends of the receptacle (<NUM>) and plug (<NUM>), respectively, to provide a mechanical barrier preventing uncoupling of the coupled receptacle (<NUM>) and plug connector (<NUM>); and
a cable housing (<NUM>) extending from the connector housing (<NUM>), the cable housing (<NUM>) having at least one cable wall defining a cable opening (<NUM>) operable to receive a cable therein that extends from the coupled receptacle (<NUM>) and plug connector (<NUM>),
characterized in that the connector housing (<NUM>) further comprises at least one protrusion (113a, 113b) extending inward from at least one of the plurality of connector walls (111a-e) over a portion of the connector opening (<NUM>), the at least one of the plurality of connector walls (111a-e) being compliant sufficient to enable the coupled receptacle (<NUM>) and plug connector (<NUM>) to move past the at least one protrusion (113a, 113b) and be received within the connector opening (<NUM>), and the at least one protrusion (113a, 113b) being operable to provide a mechanical barrier to movement of the coupled receptacle (<NUM>) and plug connector (<NUM>) out of the connector opening (<NUM>).