Patent ID: 12196351

Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1-4illustrate an example cable management device100according to the principles of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.5, the cable management device100can be attached to the handguard102of a firearm and is configured to organize, control, and route an electrical cable104(or wire) connecting a remote switch190to a firearm accessory, such as a flashlight192.

As shown best inFIGS.1-4, an example cable management device100comprises a body portion110, an elongated threaded fastener112(e.g., a screw), and a pivot fastener114(e.g., a T-nut).

As shown best inFIG.6, the body portion110of the cable management device100includes a through-hole116and a cable guide channel118. The through-hole116includes a tapered inlet120configured to receive the countersunk head122of the elongated threaded fastener112. The tapered inlet120of the through-hole116has a countersink angle of ˜100 degrees, though in some implementation it could be 82 degrees, 90 degrees, or another countersink angle suitable for receiving the countersunk head of an elongated threaded fastener. The cable guide channel118is positioned adjacent the through-hole116and configured to receive therein a portion of the electrical cable104. The cable guide channel118is a groove that defines an arc-shaped recess126having a width greater than or equal to the diameter of the electrical cable104. The first end128and the second end130of the cable guide channel118are rounded, thereby providing a suitable surface over which the electrical cable104can be bent while routed to another cable management device100or a firearm accessory, such as a flashlight or laser aiming module. The body portion110also includes a gap132in the surface of the tapered inlet120adjacent the cable guide channel118. In this way, when the countersunk head122of the elongated threaded fastener112is seated within the tapered inlet120, the countersunk head122captures the portion of the electrical cable104positioned within the cable guide channel118(see, e.g.,FIG.5).

The body portion110of the cable management device100can be 3D printed or injection molded. The body portion110is made of nylon, though other suitable plastics could be used. The use of a resilient material, such as nylon, allows the arm134of the cable guide channel118to flex and thereby resiliently engage the electrical cable104positioned within the cable guide channel118.

As shown best inFIGS.7and8, the elongated threaded fastener112of the cable management device100is a screw having a countersunk head122. The countersunk head122has an angle of ˜100 degrees, the major diameter MD of the countersunk head122captures the portion of an electrical cable104positioned within the cable guide channel118. However, in some implementations, the countersunk head122may have a countersink angle of 82 degrees, 90 degrees, or another countersink angle that results in a flat outer face124having a major diameter MD sufficient to capture an electrical cable104positioned within the cable guide channel118of the cable management device100.

The pivot fastener114of the cable management device100is a M-Lok compatible T-nut, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Together, the elongated threaded fastener112and pivot fastener114are used to secure the cable management device100to an M-Lok engagement interface106. The elongated threaded fastener112is inserted through the through-hole116of the body portion110and threaded through at least a portion of the pivot fastener114.

The following steps can be used to attach a cable management device100to an M-Lok engagement interface106and to route an electrical cable104using the cable management device100.

Initially, position the cable management device100on an M-Lok engagement interface106so the pivot fastener114extends through an elongated slot108of the M-Lok engagement interface106. Then, prior to securing the body portion110to the M-Lok engagement interface106, rotate the body portion110about the elongated threaded fastener112to an orientation that positions the cable guide channel118in a desired orientation. Next, place a portion of the electrical cable104within the cable guide channel118. Then, tighten the elongated threaded fastener112, thereby capturing the electrical cable104within the cable guide channel118and causing the pivot fastener114to rotate and secure the cable management device100to the M-Lok engagement interface106. One of ordinary skill in the art would know how to use a screw112and an M-Lok compatible T-nut114to secure the body portion110to an M-Lok engagement interface106.

It should be noted that, while captured by the countersunk head122of the elongated threaded fastener112within the cable guide channel118, a sufficient force applied to the electrical cable104will cause the arm134of the cable guide channel118to flex outwardly, thereby freeing the electrical cable104from the cable guide channel118. In this way, the electrical cable104is released by the cable management device100without damage.

FIGS.9-12illustrate another example cable management device200in accordance with the present disclosure. The cable management device200is similar to the cable management device100discussed above, but the body portion210of the cable management device200includes two cable guide channels218a,218b.

As shown best inFIG.13, the body portion210of the cable management device includes a through-hole116and two cable guide channels218a,218b. The cable guide channels218,218bare positioned adjacent to, and on opposite sides of, the through-hole116. Each cable guide channel218a,218bis a groove that defines an arc-shaped recess226having a width greater than or equal to the diameter of the electrical cable104. The first end228and the second end230of each cable guide channel218a,218bare rounded, thereby providing a suitable surface over which the electrical cable104can be bent while routed to another cable management device (100,200) or a firearm accessory, such as a flashlight or laser aiming module. The body portion210also includes a gap232in the surface of the tapered inlet220adjacent each cable guide channel218a,218b. In this way, when the countersunk head122of the elongated threaded fastener112is seated within the tapered inlet220, the countersunk head122captures the portion of the electrical cable104positioned within each cable guide channel218a,218b.

The body portion210of the cable management device200can be 3D printed or injection molded. The body portion210is made of nylon, though other suitable plastics could be used. The use of a resilient material, such as nylon, allows the arm234of each cable guide channel218a,218bto flex and thereby resiliently engage the electrical cable104positioned therein.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.