Patent ID: 8348678

Claim:
A cable assembly, comprising: a first cable having a first end, a first electrical contact disposed proximate the first end, and a first connecting portion disposed proximate the first end; a second cable having a second end, a second electrical contact disposed proximate the second end, and a second connecting portion disposed proximate the second end, wherein engagement between the first and second connecting portions retains the first and second electrical contacts in electrical contact with each other; a first retainer disposed proximate the first end of the first cable and including a first plurality of magnetic elements arranged around the first cable; and a second retainer disposed proximate the second end of the second cable and including a second plurality of magnetic elements arranged around the second cable, wherein magnetic forces between respective ones of the first and second pluralities of magnetic elements tend to retain the first and second retainers proximate one another; and wherein one of the first and second retainers is configured for rotation relative to a respective one of the first and second cables, and the other one of the first and second retainers is fixed relative to the respective other one of the first and second cables.