Jack caps

Abstract

An insert attachment for covering a jack of cable cord, the insert attachment including a housing with a rear and front portion wherein the front portion diameter is greater than the rear portion diameter. The insert attachment may include a protective sleeve. The insert attachment may further include inner and outer coating layers on the surface of the housing with various density or hardness.

Claims

1. A cap for covering a jack of a cable cord, the cap comprising: a hollow housing comprising: a base section having a first diameter configured for insertion of the jack, a tapered middle section, and a tip section having a second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; and a plurality of ribs extending longitudinally along a length of an outer surface of the tapered middle section and affixed thereto; wherein the housing includes an inner surface formed of a first material and an outer surface formed of a second material; wherein the inner surface and the outer surface form a dual density plastic; wherein the first material is softer than the second material, and the first material includes a plurality of rings configured to provide tightness for the jack; and wherein the base section includes a plurality of steps therein.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the tapered middle section further includes at least one non-tapered portion.

3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the tapered middle section further includes a tapered portion, a first non-tapered portion and a second non-tapered portion.

4. The cap of claim 3, wherein the first non-tapered portion is on one end of the tapered portion, and the second non-tapered portion is on an end opposite the first non-tapered portion.

5. The cap of claim 4, wherein a diameter of decreases from the base section to the tip section.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein the base section includes an 0-ring attachment.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the base portion section, the middle section and the tip section are integrally formed together.

8. The cap of claim 7, wherein a contour of the inner surface is substantially identical to a contour of the outer surface.

9. The cap of claim 8, wherein the material of the outer surface is more dense than the material of the inner surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an insert attachment cap for covering a jack of a cable cord in accordance with an example embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 shows an insert attachment cap illustrating a harder outer plastic coating as well as a softer inner coating in accordance with an example embodiment.

(4) FIGS. 3A and 3B show insert attachment cap for covering a jack of a cable cord with O-ring attachment in accordance with an example embodiment.

(5) FIGS. 3C and 3D show a different view of the insert attachment cap in accordance with an example embodiment.

(6) FIG. 3E shows a two step insert attachment cap in accordance with an example embodiment.

(7) FIG. 4 is an illustration of an insert attachment cap having a hard ribbed outer coating in accordance with another example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention maybe practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting defense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

(9) FIG. 1 shows an insert attachment or cap 100 for covering at least one jack of an audio cable. In one embodiment, at least one jack covering comprises a housing having a rear portion 105 and a front portion 110. In one embodiment, the at least one jack insert attachment includes an open space between the front portion 110 and the rear portion 105, such as a passageway. In one embodiment, at least one jack insert attachment includes an opening 115 that is formed in the front portion 110 of the housing for receiving an audio cable having a substantially planar contact terminal for the at least one jack. In one embodiment, the front portion 110 includes a first inner surface defining a first inner hole and the rear portion 105 includes a second inner surface defining a second inner hole. In one embodiment, the first inner hole diameter is greater than the second inner hole.

(10) In one embodiment, the insert attachment 100 is configured to provide an opening 115 which is formed in the front portion 110 of the housing for the at least one jack receiving cable cords having a substantially planar contact terminal. In one embodiment, the front portion 110 and rear portion 105 have a first and second inner surface which defines a first and second inner hole. In this embodiment, the first inner hole diameter may be greater than the second inner hole diameter. In one embodiment, the insert attachment 100 may be configured as a sleeve shape to protect a plurality of jacks of the audio cables. In one embodiment, the plurality of jacks is covered by in individual insert attachment 100. In one embodiment, a strap is configured for holding the plurality of insert attachments or caps together for at least one user to connect the insert attachments easily.

(11) The jack insert may not be limited to one step. In a further example embodiment, the jack inset may have three steps with the first inner hole having greater diameter than that second inner hole and the second inner hole having greater diameter than the third inner hole.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a bottom view and a front view of the insert attachment or cap 100 having an outer and inner surface that is covered with an outer and an inner coating respectively. In one embodiment, the outer coating may be selected from a dense and/or hard plastic coating material 21. In one embodiment, this inner coating may be selected from the group of light and softer plastic coated material. In choosing a coating for an inner and outer surface, the material is selected from dual density plastic. Further, the insert could be of appropriate size for any combination of the various types of jacks of the cable cord as per the requirement.

(13) In an example embodiment, the front portion 110 is 1¾ inch long, rear portion 105 is 1¼ inch long and the diameter of the front portion is ½ inch and the diameter of the rear portion is ¼ inch.

(14) In another example embodiment, the inner softer plastic layer 22 includes a plurality of circular rings for providing better tightness with the jacks.

(15) FIG. 3A-3E show caps for covering a jack of a cable cord with O-ring attachment 320. In an example embodiment, the O-ring is configured to tightly secure the area between the jack and the cap to further protect the jack from dust particles, corrosion, hazardous materials or a combination thereof.

(16) FIG. 4 is an illustration of a tapered insert attachment cap 200 having a hard-ribbed outer coating in accordance with another example embodiment. The insert attachment 200 includes a base 404, a middle section 406, and a tip section 408. In the cap 200, the middle section 406 may include a non-tapered portion 406a and a tapered portion 406b. The portion 406b is desirably tapered beginning at the non-tapered portion 406a to an area near the tip section 408. The middle section 406 includes a plurality of ribs 410 extending longitudinally along the outer surface of the middle section 406 and affixed thereto. The ribs 410 are tapered to match tapering of the tapered portion 406b. The tapering, along with the ribs 410, provides the cap 200 with additional strength and rigidity, without making the cap 200 overly large or bulky. In one embodiment, the tapering and ribs provide additional support the base 404 of the 200, reducing in diameter toward the tip 408.

(17) In a further example embodiment, the front portion of the cap may include a ridged ring 321 inside cap for providing further protection of the jack.

(18) It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

(19) The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and embodiments, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced, are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or all of the embodiments.

(20) While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within that scope of the invention.