Patent ID: 12249785

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments, examples, and aspects, and features.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding various embodiments, examples, aspects, and features so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As noted above, it is important that retainers withstand high forces imparted by pulling or tugging of the accessory plug and cable, and maintain retention of the accessory plug and cable to the portable communication device. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved retainer for retaining an accessory plug and cable to a portable communication device.

Briefly, therefore, there is provided herein an improved retainer for retaining an accessory plug and cable to a portable communication device. The retainer, in accordance with one example, includes a main body having a top wall, a first side wall, a second side wall spaced opposite the first side wall, a front wall, and a rear wall spaced opposite the front wall along a longitudinal axis. The top wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall define an interior cavity sized and shaped to receive the accessory plug. The front wall defines a front opening that extends into the interior cavity and is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the cable. The front wall includes a first hook and a second hook each positioned below the front opening. The rear wall includes a third hook extending forward into the interior cavity. The retainer is configured to be moved forward linearly, and parallel to the longitudinal axis, to secure the first hook, the second hook, and the third hook to the portable communications device.

FIGS.1-14illustrate a retainer10for retaining an accessory plug14and a cable18to a portable communication device22. In the illustrated example, the portable communication device22is a portable handheld radio, and the accessory plug14and the cable18are integrally formed together as a single piece to be coupled to a headphone (not shown). In other examples, the portable communication device22is a phone, a tablet, or other portable communication device. Additionally, in other examples, the accessory plug14and the cable18are coupled to devices other than a headphone (e.g., other audio accessory devices). A system includes the retainer10and the portable communication device22.

With reference toFIGS.1-3, in the illustrated example, the retainer10includes a main body26having a top wall30, a first side wall34, and a second side wall38spaced opposite the first side wall34. The main body26also includes a front wall42, and a rear wall46spaced opposite the front wall42along a longitudinal axis A1(FIG.1). The top wall30, the first side wall34, the second side wall38, the front wall42, and the rear wall46define an interior cavity50(FIGS.2and3) sized and shaped to receive the accessory plug14.

In the illustrated example, the first side wall34extends parallel to the second side wall38, and the front wall42extends parallel to the rear wall46. The main body26has a generally rectangular shape when viewed from above or from the side. The top wall30transitions into the first side wall34with a beveled or filleted edge. Similarly, the top wall30transitions into the second side wall38with a beveled or filleted edge. Other examples include different shapes and/or sizes for the retainer10than that illustrated, such as shapes that are more elongated, or square, or shapes where the front wall42is not parallel to the rear wall46, and/or the first side wall34is not parallel to the second side wall38.

With continued reference toFIGS.1-3, the first side wall34and the second side wall38each include a set of ribs54that extend parallel to the longitudinal axis. The ribs54facilitate gripping of the retainer10. In other examples, the retainer10includes no ribs54, or other numbers and arrangements of ribs54than that illustrated.

With reference toFIGS.2and3, the front wall42defines a front opening58that extends into the interior cavity50and is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the cable18. As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the front wall42has an omega shape (as viewed for example along the longitudinal axis A1inFIG.3) that defines the front opening58. In the illustrated example, at least a portion of the front opening58has a circular shape.

With continued reference toFIGS.2and3, the front wall42includes a first hook62positioned below the front opening58, and a second hook66positioned below the front opening58. The rear wall46includes a third hook70extending forward into the interior cavity50, and a fourth hook74extending forward into the interior cavity50. In the illustrated example, the third hook70and the fourth hook74are coupled to one another with a bridge78. The first hook62and the second hook66are front hooks, and the third hook70and the fourth hook74are rear hooks. In some examples, only a single rear hook (e.g., third hook70) is provided, rather than multiple rear hooks.

As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, each of the first hook62and the second hook66includes an L-shaped arm having a first segment82that extends down vertically, and a second segment86that extends perpendicularly away from the first segment82. As illustrated inFIGS.2and3, the second segment86of the first hook62and the second segment86of the second hook66extend laterally away from one another, and are separated from one another by a gap G1. The front opening58has a diameter D1, and the gap G1is smaller than the diameter D1. The first hook62and the second hook66are each flexible, and are able to flex laterally apart from one another.

With continued reference toFIGS.2and3, each of the third hook70and the fourth hook74also includes a first segment82that extends down vertically, and a second segment86that extends perpendicularly away from the first segment82. The second segments86of the third and fourth hooks70,74extend laterally toward one another. In some examples, the third hook70and/or the fourth hook74is flexible, and is able to flex forward for example about an axis A2(FIG.1) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. In some examples, the second segments86of the third and fourth hooks70,74extend laterally away from one another.

With reference toFIGS.1,2, and9-14, the retainer10also includes a latch90coupled to the main body26along the rear wall46, and is movable relative to the main body26along an axis A3(FIG.9) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1. The latch90may be moved vertically between an unlocked (e.g., raised) position, as seen inFIGS.1and9-13, and a locked (e.g., lowered) position, as seen inFIGS.2and14. In some examples, when the latch90is in the unlocked position, the latch90is spaced vertically from the third hook70and the fourth hook74, and when the latch90is in the locked position, the latch90is in contact with the third hook70an the fourth hook74. With referenceFIG.10, in the illustrated example the latch90includes a detent arm94having notches98corresponding to a locked (e.g., lowered) and unlocked (e.g., raised) state. The rear wall46of the main body26includes a stopper100, and a protrusion102positioned below the stopper100that engages and disengages the notches98to lock and unlock the latch90, respectively. In other examples, the rear wall46includes the detent arm94and the notches98, and the latch90includes the protrusion102. Other examples include other types of detent mechanisms (e.g., for snap-fit engagement between the latch90and the main body26) than that illustrated. In some examples, no detent mechanism is provided. Instead, the latch90is held for example in the locked position relative to the main body26via a frictional fit with the main body26, or with a fastener, or with other structures. With reference toFIG.1, in the illustrated example the latch90also includes latch lock arms104that slide into corresponding recesses106(e.g., notches) on the portable communication device22when the latch90is locked, to further inhibit or prevent the retainer10from sliding along the longitudinal axis A1.

With reference toFIGS.3-6, the retainer10is coupled to the accessory plug14and the cable18, such that the accessory plug14is positioned within the interior cavity50of the main body26, and the cable18extends out of the front opening58. As illustrated inFIG.4, the cable18includes a first portion108having a first diameter, and a strain relief portion110having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The strain relief portion110may have a tapering diameter that increases moving toward the accessory plug14. The diameter of the first portion108is larger than the gap G1, but smaller than the diameter D1of the front opening58.

With continued reference toFIG.4, the retainer10is coupled to the accessory plug14and the cable18by initially tilting the retainer10relative to the longitudinal axis A1. A lower portion of the omega-shaped front wall42is then clipped (e.g., snapped) over the first portion108of the cable18. During this initial attachment, the first and second hooks62,66flex laterally outwardly apart from one another, opening the gap G1further, and allowing the cable18to snap upwardly into the front opening58. In some examples, the diameter of the first portion108is the same or smaller than the gap G1.

With reference toFIG.5, the retainer10is then moved (e.g., slid) linearly along the cable18(e.g., along the longitudinal axis A1), until the main body26is generally positioned over the accessory plug14. The retainer10remains tilted during this movement.

With reference toFIG.6, the retainer10is then tilted down over the accessory plug14, such that the accessory plug14is at least substantially enclosed by the walls of the main body26, and the rear wall46and third and further hooks70,74extend down behind the accessory plug14. In this position, a section of the strain relief portion110extends through the front opening58.

As described above, the strain relief portion110has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the first portion108of the cable18. In some examples, the diameter of the strain relief portion110is large enough such that the first and second hooks62,66cannot flex far enough apart to accommodate the diameter of the strain relief portion110. The retainer10therefore cannot simply be lifted up vertically off of the accessory plug14once it has been coupled to the accessory plug14(FIG.6). Instead, the retainer10may remain on the accessory plug14and the cable18, and it is not necessary to remove or re-attach the retainer10to the accessory plug14and the cable18prior to every use of the accessory plug14and the cable18.

With reference toFIGS.7-14, once the retainer10has been coupled to the accessory plug14and the cable18, the retainer10may then be used to couple and secure the accessory plug14and the cable18to the portable communication device22. For example, and as illustrated inFIGS.7and8, at least one pin114(e.g., electrical contact pin) extends from the beneath the accessory plug14. In the illustrated example, two pins114extend from the accessory plug14. The pins114are sized and shaped to be received within corresponding plug openings118in an outer wall122of the portable communication device22. Insertion of the pins114into the plug openings118may create an electrical connection within the portable communication device22(e.g., with a printed circuit board).

With continued reference toFIGS.7and8, a seal126includes apertures130that receive the pins114. The seal126is sized and shaped to be coupled to the accessory plug14, and to be positioned at least partially between the accessory plug14and the outer wall122of the portable communication device22. The outer wall122defines a recess134along the portable communication device22, and the seal126is sized and shaped to be positioned within the recess134. The seal126may provide a seal between the accessory plug14and the portable communication device22, and may inhibit or prevent water from entering the portable communication device22.

With reference toFIGS.1and9, the outer wall122also defines a first slot138sized and shaped to receive a portion of the first hook62when the retainer10is moved forward linearly along the longitudinal axis A1, a second slot142sized and shaped to receive a portion of the second hook66when the retainer10is moved forward linearly along the longitudinal axis A1, a third slot146sized and shaped to receive a portion of the third hook70when the retainer10is moved forward linearly along the longitudinal axis A1, and a fourth slot150sized and shaped to receive a portion of the fourth hook74when the retainer10is moved forward linearly along the longitudinal axis A1. The plug openings118extend perpendicularly into the outer wall122, and are positioned between the first slot138and the third slot146along the outer wall122. As described above, the outer wall122also includes the recesses106that receive the latch lock arms104of the latch90. With reference toFIGS.2and8, in the illustrated example the retainer10also includes a detent notch150along a side of the retainer10. The detent notch150is sized and shaped to engage a detent bump154along the portable communication device22.

With reference toFIGS.9-14, in the illustrated example the retainer10is coupled to the portable communication device22in three steps. As illustrated inFIGS.9and10, in the first step the retainer10, the accessory plug14, and the pins114are moved (e.g., pressed down) toward the outer wall122of the portable communication device22along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A1, until the seal126is positioned within the recess134, and the pins114are extended into the plug openings118.

With reference toFIGS.11and12, in the second step the retainer10is then moved forward linearly, and parallel to the longitudinal axis A1, to engage the first hook62, the second hook66, the third hook70, and the fourth hook74into the respective first slot138, second slot142, third slot146, and fourth slot150of the portable communication device22. In the illustrated example, the first hook62, the second hook66, the third hook70, and the fourth hook74engage the first slot138, the second slot142, the third slot146, and the fourth slot150simultaneously when the retainer10is moved forward linearly along the longitudinal axis A1. In some examples, movement of the retainer10during this second step may emit a “click” sound (FIG.12). During this movement, and in the illustrated example, the detent notch150engages the detent bump154.

With reference toFIGS.13and14, in the third step the latch90is then moved (e.g., pressed down) from the unlocked (e.g., raised) position illustrated inFIG.13to the locked (e.g., lowered) position illustrated inFIG.14(e.g., along the axis A3). In some examples, movement of the latch90to the locked position may emit a “click” sound, for example as the protrusion102engages the notch98(FIG.14). During this step, the latch lock arms104extend into the recesses106.

Overall, and because of the arrangement of the hooks62,66,70, and74, the slots138,142,146, and150, and the latch90described above, the retainer10may be coupled quickly and securely to the portable communication device22, and provide a strong cable pull retention, such that it is difficult to simply pull or tug on the cable18and detach the accessory plug14from the portable communication device22. Additionally, and as described above, the retainer10may remain on the cable18when the accessory plug14has been detached from the portable communication device22, such that it is not necessary to re-attach the retainer10. Additionally, the arrangement of the seal126between the accessory plug14and the portable communication device22may inhibit or prevent water from entering the portable communication device22after the retainer10has been coupled to the portable communication device22.

In the foregoing specification, specific examples have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” “contains,” “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a,” “has . . . a,” “includes . . . a,” or “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially,” “essentially,” “approximately,” “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting example the term is defined to be within 10%, in another example within 5%, in another example within 1% and in another example within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.