Patent ID: 12261425

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have several exemplary embodiments. Specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this does not limit the invention within specific embodiments and it should be understood that the invention covers all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the invention.

If it is determined that the detailed explanation on the well-known technology related to the present invention makes the scope of the present invention not clear, the explanation will be avoided for the brevity of the description. Terms, ordinal numbers such as the first, the second, and the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be restricted by the terms. The terms are used to only distinguish one element from the other element.

In the description, when it is said that one element is described as being “connected” or “coupled” to the other element, one element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but it should be understood that another element may be present between the two elements.

In the description, further, the term “part” described in the specification indicates two or more parts that are combined to one part or one part that is divided into two or more parts according to more specified functions. Moreover, the respective parts as will be discussed in the specification can additionally perform some or all of functions performed by other parts as well as their main functions, and of course, also, some of the main functions of the respective parts can be performed only by other parts.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view showing a cable holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention,FIG.2is an exploded perspective view showing the cable holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.3is an exemplary view showing a state in which the cable holder according to the first embodiment of the present invention is mounted onto a monitor.

As shown inFIGS.1to3, a cable holder100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a base101, a connector102, a body103, and an installation part104, and the cable holder100may be attached to a computer body or monitor10, so that it may be coupled to a cable20of a computer peripheral device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or the like connected to the computer body and thus located on a desk or table.

Further, the cable holder100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be desirably coupled to the cable20of a mouse requiring a relatively large number of motions, and accordingly, the cable holder100may be used to allow the cable20to be spaced apart from top of the desk or table where the monitor10is located.

The base101may have the shape of a flat plate with a flat top and may be attached to the computer body or monitor10in such a way that it may be spaced apart from top of the desk or table. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, top of the base101may be located to come into contact with the monitor10, particularly the underside of the monitor10.

Further, the base101may include a base body111, base auxiliary bodies113, and a base cover115.

The base body111may be cylindrical and may include a connection space portion110, a connection opening111′, and a cover space portion111″.

The connection space portion110may have the shape of a cylinder corresponding to the base body111and may be concavely formed on top of the base body111.

The connection opening111′ may be circular and formed on the underside of the base body111to open the underside of the base body111. In this case, an inner diameter of the connection opening111′ may be smaller than an inner diameter of the connection space portion110.

The cover space portion111″ may have the shape of a disc and may be formed on top of the connection space portion110of the base body111. In this case, an inner diameter of the cover space portion111″ may be larger than the inner diameter of the connection space portion110.

The base auxiliary bodies113may be provided in pair and may have the shapes of rods. Further, the pair of base auxiliary bodies113may extend from the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the base body111so that they may be located on the same line. That is, the base auxiliary bodies113may be symmetrically located with respect to the base body111. In this case, top of the base body111and tops of the base auxiliary bodies113may be located on the same plane.

Further, the base auxiliary bodies113may have auxiliary space portions113aconcavely formed on tops thereof. The auxiliary space portions113′ may have the shapes of plates corresponding to the base auxiliary bodies113in such a way as to be connected to the cover space portion111″. Further, the undersides of the auxiliary space portions113′ may be located higher than the underside of the cover space portion111″.

The base cover115may have the shape of a disc and may be located on the base body111to block the connection space portion110. In this case, the base cover115may be inserted into the cover space portion111″ and thus located on the bottom of the cover space portion111″. Further, top of the base cover115may be located lower than top of the base body111, while being placed on the same plane with the undersides of the auxiliary space portions113′.

Further, a fixing space portion101′, which is formed by combining the cover space portion111″ and the auxiliary space portions113′, may be formed on top of the base101, and the underside of the fixing space portion101′ may be defined by the base cover115and the undersides of the auxiliary space portions113′.

The connector102may be rotatably connected to the underside of the base101that is opposite to top of the base101. In specific, the connector102may be located on the underside of the base body111of the base101and rotatable around the base body111. Further, the connector102may include a rotation inducing body121and a connection body123.

The rotation inducing body121may have the shape of a ball bearing with a hollow portion121′ and may be accommodated in the connection space portion110. In this case, the rotation inducing body121may be located on the bottom of the connection space portion110, and the hollow portion121′ may be located to correspond to the connection opening111′.

When the base cover115is located on the cover space portion111″ to block the connection space portion110, the rotation inducing body121may be accommodated in the connection space portion110and thus located under the base cover115.

Further, the rotation inducing body121, which has the shape of the ball bearing, may include an outer ring, an inner ring, and balls. In this case, the inner and outer rings of the rotation inducing body121may have the same shape and different inner diameters from each other. The inner ring of the rotation inducing body121may be located at the same center as the outer ring at the inside of the outer ring of the rotation inducing body121and have the hollow portion121′ formed therein. Further, the balls of the rotation inducing body121may be located between the inner ring and the outer ring and thus come into contact therewith.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, in a state where the rotation inducing body121is accommodated in the connection space portion110, the outer ring of the rotation inducing body121may be fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the connection space portion110, and the inner ring of the rotation inducing body121may rotate in the connection space portion110.

The connection body123may have the shape of a cylinder corresponding to the base body111and may be connected to the rotation inducing body121and thus located on the underside of the base body111. In this case, the connection body123may be combined with the rotation inducing body121and thus rotate around the base body111. In specific, the body103as will be discussed later may be separably coupled to the connection body123.

Further, the connection body123may include a coupling space portion123′, a coupling opening123″, and connection inducing bodies123a.

The coupling space portion123′ may be formed to pass through the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the connection body123. In this case, the cable20may pass through the coupling space portion123′.

The coupling opening123″ may be formed on the underside of the connection body123along a diameter of the underside of the connection body123corresponding to the coupling space portion123′ and thus connected to the coupling space portion123′. In specific, the coupling opening123″ may be connected to both ends of the coupling space portion123′. Further, the cable20may pass through the coupling space portion123′ along the coupling opening123″, and when the cable20passes through the coupling opening123″, it may not come into contact with the connection body123.

The connection inducing bodies123amay be provided in pair and may protrude from top of the connection body123. In this case, the connection inducing bodies123amay be symmetrically spaced apart from each other and have the shapes of plates with the curvatures corresponding to the hollow portion121′ of the rotation inducing body121.

In a state where the rotation inducing body121is accommodated in the connection space portion110of the base body111, further, the connection inducing bodies123amay pass through the connection opening111′ and may be inserted into the hollow portion121′ of the rotation inducing body121and thus coupled to the rotation inducing body121. When the connection inducing bodies123aare coupled to the rotation inducing body121, top of the connection body121may come into contact with the underside of the base body111. Further, the connection body123may rotate together with the connection inducing bodies123ain a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the connection inducing bodies123a.In this case, the inner ring of the rotation inducing body121also may rotate.

The body103may be inserted into the connector102and separably coupled to the connector102. In specific, the body103may be inserted into the coupling space portion123′ and the coupling opening123″ of the connection body123of the connector102and coupled to the connection body123. Further, the cable20may be inserted into the body103and thus pass through the body103. In a state where the cable20passes through the body103, the body103may be inserted into the coupling space portion123′ in such a way that it can be separably coupled to the connector102. According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the body103may be made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone, or the like.

Further, the body103may include a mounting body131, a coupling inducing body133, and coupling auxiliary bodies135.

The mounting body131may have the shape of a tube passing through the coupling space portion123′. A first end portion of the mounting body131may be inserted into the coupling space portion123′. In this case, the mounting body131may be located in a direction along the coupling space portion123′. Further, the mounting body131may include a mounting space portion131′ and a mounting opening131″.

The mounting space portion131′ may be formed on the mounting body131in a longitudinal direction of the mounting body131to pass through both ends of the mounting body131. The cable20may pass through the mounting space portion131′ and thus come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the mounting space portion131′.

The mounting opening131″ may be formed along the mounting space portion131′ on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131and thus connected to the mounting space portion131′. In specific, the mounting opening131″ may be connected to both ends of the mounting space portion131′. The cable20may enter the mounting opening131″ and then pass through the mounting space portion131′.

The coupling inducing body133may protrud from the outer peripheral surface of the first end portion of the mounting body131in such a way as to be located on the opposite side to the mounting opening131″. In this case, the coupling inducing body133may be located on the mounting body131in the longitudinal direction of the mounting body131.

When the first end portion of the mounting body131is inserted into the coupling space portion123′, the coupling inducing body133may be fixedly inserted into the coupling opening123″. In this case, both sides of the coupling inducing body133may come into contact with the inner sides of the coupling opening123″, and a portion of the mounting opening131″ may face the inner peripheral surface of the coupling space portion123′ and be thus closed. Further, a width of the coupling inducing body133may be larger than that of the coupling opening123″ so that the coupling inducing body133may be compressedly inserted into the coupling opening123″. As a result, the mounting body131may not rotate in the state of being inserted into the coupling space portion123′.

The coupling auxiliary bodies135may protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131in a circumferential direction of the mounting body131to connect both sides of the coupling inducing body133. In this case, the coupling inducing body133may protrude outward from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131more than the coupling auxiliary bodies135.

When the first end portion of the mounting body131is inserted into the coupling space portion123′, the coupling auxiliary bodies135may come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the coupling space portion123′. As a result, the first end portion of the mounting body131may be kept stably inserted into the coupling space portion123′, and the coupling inducing body133may be kept stably inserted into the coupling opening123″.

Further, the coupling auxiliary bodies135may be provided in pair. When the first end portion of the mounting body131is inserted into the coupling space portion123′, the coupling auxiliary bodies135may be located spaced apart from each other in the coupling space portion123′ to close the end surface of the coupling space portion123′, while being located on the same surface with the outer peripheral surface of the connection body123.

Further, a coupling protrusion123bmay protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling space portion123′. In this case, the coupling protrusion123bmay be located between both ends of the coupling space portion123′. When the pair of coupling auxiliary bodies135spaced apart from each other are located in the coupling space portion123′, the coupling protrusion123bmay be located between the pair of coupling auxiliary bodies135and come into contact with the pair of coupling auxiliary bodies135. As a result, the first end portion of the mounting body131may be stably located in the state of being inserted into the coupling space portion123′.

The installation part104may have the shape of a sheet, be adhesive and be fixedly located on top of the base101. When the installation part104is located on the underside of the monitor10, it can be attached to the underside of the monitor10because of its adhesion. In this case, the base101may be fixed to the underside of the monitor10by means of the installation part104, and the body103may be located under the monitor10in the state of being coupled to the connector102. As a result, the cable20may pass through the body103, be located under the monitor10, and be thus spaced apart from the desk or table on which the monitor10is placed.

Further, the installation part104may be inserted into the fixing space portion101′ formed by combining the cover space portion111″ and the auxiliary space portions113′ and thus fixedly located over tops of the base cover115and the auxiliary space portions113′.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the cable holder100may allow the cable20to be spaced apart from the desk or table on which the monitor10is placed. In this case, the cable20may not come into contact with any object such as the desk or table by means of the cable holder100, thereby minimizing the contact with another object. As a result, the cable holder100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may prevent the friction of the cable20with another object such as the desk or table from occurring when the computer peripheral device, especially the mouse connected to the cable20moves.

Further, in the state where the cable holder100is installed on the underside of the monitor10, the cable20may pass through the body103and move along the body103. Furthermore, the connector102, which is disposed on the underside of the base101, may rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction around the base101, and the cable20may pass through the body103coupled to the connector102and rotate to the left and right sides around the base101along the body103. When the mouse moves, in this case, the tension applied to the cable20may be reduced, and further, the force applied to the base101may be decreased. As a result, the cable holder100according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be kept stably mounted on the underside of the monitor10and may extend the motion range of the mouse to permit the mouse to move gently.

FIG.4is a perspective view showing a cable holder according to a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS.5A and5Bare side views showing the operations of a guide part of the cable holder according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS.4to5B, the cable holder100according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a guide part105.

The guide part105may extend from the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the connection body123of the connector102and may be thus located parallel with the body103. In a state where the cable20passes through the body103and the body103is separably coupled to the connector102, the guide part105may be located along the circumferential directions of the cable20and the body103to support the cable20and the body103. Further, the guide part105may include a guide base151, a guide wire153, and a support guide155.

The guide base151may have the shape of a bar and may extend from the outer peripheral surface of the connection body123above the coupling space portion123′ in the same direction as the coupling opening123″. A first end surface of the guide base151may fixedly come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the connection body123. In a state where the first end portion of the mounting body131of the body103is inserted into the coupling space portion123′, the second end portion of the mounting body131, which is opposite to the first end portion of the mounting body131, may be located under the guide base151. That is, a length of the guide base151may longer than that of the mounting body131protruding from the coupling space portion123′.

The guide wire153may have a given length, and a portion of the guide wire153may be located over the guide base151. Further, a first end portion of the guide wire153may be located on the underside of the guide base151to move along the circumferential direction of the middle portion of the mounting body131, and a second end portion of the guide wire153, which is opposite to the first end portion of the guide wire153, may be movable along the interior of the guide base151and may protrude from a second end surface of the guide base151. In this case, a first end of the guide wire153may be fixed to the underside of the first end portion of the guide base151, and a second end of the guide wire153, which is opposite to the first end of the guide wire153, may be located under the second end surface of the guide base151.

Further, the guide base151may have a pair of guide rolls150alocated at the inside thereof, and the guide rolls150amay be spaced apart from each other to support the guide wire153located inside the guide base151, while being rotated by the movement of the guide wire153.

The support guide155may have the shape of a circular band and be made of an elastic material such as rubber, silicone, or the like. The second end of the guide wire153may be fixedly connected to the outer peripheral surface of the support guide155. In this case, the support guide155may be located under the second end surface of the guide base151.

Under the above-mentioned configuration, the guide part105may operate as follows.

In a state where the base101is attached to the underside of the monitor10, the first end portion of the mounting body131of the body103may be inserted into the coupling space portion123′ (SeeFIG.5A), and the first end portion of the guide wire153may be located along the circumferential direction of the mounting body131in a state of being spaced apart from the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131. Further, the support guide155may face the second end surface of the mounting body131, while being spaced apart therefrom.

In the state where the base101is attached to the underside of the monitor10, further, the cable20may pass through the support guide155and the mounting body131through the mounting space131′, and the first end portion of the mounting body131may be inserted into the coupling space portion123′ (SeeFIG.5B). In this case, the cable20protruding from the second end surface of the mounting body131may sag down. At this time, the support guide155may move down by means of the cable20to pull down the second end portion of the guide wire153so that the second end portion of the guide wire153may protrude longer from the second end surface of the guide base151. Further, the first end portion of the guide wire153may be more inserted into the guide base151by means of the second end portion of the guide wire153and may move close to the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131. In a state where the first end portion of the guide wire153comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the mounting body131, it may located along the circumferential direction of the mounting body131. As a result, the guide part105may support the mounting body131to prevent the mounting body131from moving down owing to the cable20sagging down. According to the second embodiment of the present invention, the cable holder100may have the guide part105for preventing the mounting body131from being damaged due to the load of the cable20on the coupled portion between the mounting body131of the body103and the connection body123of the connector102or preventing the mounting body131from escaping from the connection body123.

As described above, the cable holder according to the present invention has the following advantages.

Firstly, the cable holder can minimize the contact of the cable of the mouse with another object.

Secondly, the cable holder can reduce the tension applied to the cable when the mouse moves, thereby enabling the cable to be kept stably at the mounted state thereonto.

Lastly, the cable holder can allow the mouse to freely move in an extended motion range.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.