Connection assemblies are disclosed herein for use with a computing device. In some examples, the connection assembly includes a collar that is rotatably disposed about a first connector and is transitionable between a first position and a second position. When the collar is in the first position, shoulders of a second connector coupled to the first connector interfere with corresponding shoulders within the collar to prevent withdrawal of the second connector from the first connector. When the collar is in the second position, the shoulders of the second connector are misaligned with the corresponding shoulders within the collar so that the second connector is freely removable from the first connector.

A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.

An article and method for securing electric and data connection plugs to an outlet are disclosed. The article includes an outlet cover with anchoring points and an encasing hood containing a plug with engagement mechanisms to engage with the anchoring points. In an alternate embodiment the article includes a flexible elastomeric device with open portions to secure a plug and cord and cross portions to secure to anchoring points on the outlet cover. The methods include releasably securing the articles to the outlet cover.

A charger extension device has a housing having a top side, a left side, a bottom side, a right side, a rear side, and a front side, an USB port on the front side of the housing, and a port on the rear side of the housing. Another charger extension device has a housing having a top side, a left side, a bottom side, a right side, a rear side, and a front side, an USB port on the front side of the housing, a cable retention assembly on the front side of the housing, and a port on the rear side of the housing.

A cable tether system includes a base member and at least one elongate member extending away from the base member. The elongate member is configured to surround at least a portion of a first cable. A second elongate member can be configured to surround at least a portion of a second cable. The base member can include one or more engagement portions that couple with one or more engagement portions on the first and second elongate members.

An illustrative cable connector hand tool and associated method are operable to permit cable connection sections to respectively pass through a side opening of hand tool members into a center aperture of the tool members. In one illustrative embodiment, the hand tool members are formed with a recessed portion adapted to receive an end of one of a pair of cable connectors such that mating edges of the cable connectors used to couple the cable connection sections are visible when the cable connectors are in a coupled configuration abutting each other. An illustrative embodiment includes the recessed portion formed with a plurality of keyway indentions or recesses spaced apart in the center aperture that are operable to engage keys, protrusions, or lugs on an outer wall of the cable connectors.

The present disclosure relates to a protection device for a component of a releasable plug-in connection between a plug and a socket, which is arranged on or in a housing of an electronics unit of a field device. The protection device includes a first half shell and a second half shell at least partially complementary to the first half shell, wherein the two half shells are embodied as to define an internal volume when assembled and at least partially surround at least the plug, at least a first passageway for passage of the plug, or the plug and a cable secured to the plug, into the internal volume of the protection device, at least one securement unit for releasably securing the protection device to the housing, and at least one assembling unit for releasably assembling the two half shells with one another.

A USB combination lock for an electronic device may include a lock rod, a shell body, a USB connector, a push button, and a lock piece. The USB connector can be directly inserted into the USB port of the electronic the electronic device, and the blocking portion of the USB connector can be engaged with the USB port. When the push button is in a released position, the lock piece will block a bottom portion of the hooking member of the USB connector, and the lock piece will not be pressed inwardly by the blocking portion. Thus, by shifting the numeral wheels, the connecting piece can be turned into the lock position, leading to the combination lock of present invention achieving the burglarproof effect.

In a particular implementation, an electric power device includes a body, a receptacle configured to receive a plug, and a source connector configured to be coupled to a power source. The electric power device further includes a casing coupled to the body and movable with respect to the body between a first position in which the casing defines an enclosed chamber and access to the receptacle is inhibited and a second position in which the casing is configurable to enable access to the receptacle for receipt of the plug. A transition from the first position to the second position is configured to cause the receptacle to be electrically decoupled from the source connector when the casing is at the second position, and a transition from the second position to the first position is configured to cause the receptacle to be electrically coupled to the source connector when the casing is at the first position.

An electrical receptacle unit with locking feature includes a receptacle adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electricity. The receptacle includes an electrical fitting having electrical contacts contained therein and/or extending therefrom, a socket surrounding the electrical fitting, and a plate disposed at a front of the socket. The electrical receptacle unit further includes a locking bracket that includes a central portion having first and second ends, a lock tab extending from a side of the central portion, and a pair of support arms, each extending forwardly from a respective one of the first and second ends. The locking bracket is pivotably secured to the plate, with at least a portion of each support arm positioned within a respective notched area of the plate. The locking bracket is pivotable relative to the plate between a first position, whereby a plug electrically seated within the socket is unobstructed, and a second position, whereby the plug electrically seated within the socket is obstructed from removal by the lock tab.