Abstract
Herein are provided a series of embodiments of a cable management device for use with cables with end connector covers. The device provides a tapered surface between the cable and locking screws so as to eliminate right angles which catch during movement of the cord. The device facilitates easy retraction of cables with bulky terminals through constricted spaces, eliminates snagging on other cables, and simplifies cable routing and use. The device further provides a means of rotating the screws while the device is in place. The device can be affixed to existing or newly manufactured cables.
Claims
1. A device comprising: a cylindrical collar with a hollow center capable of accommodating a cable, and a pair of arms attached to and extending at an angle of 45 degrees from said collar and terminating in a socket, and a pair of connectors each comprising: a ball at one end, fitting to said socket to form an operable ball and socket joint between said arm and connector, and a cylindrical tube at the other end, having an internal diameter less than or equal to the external diameter of said locking screws, such that said tube affixes to and facilitates turning of said screws.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical collar has a mechanism for opening and closing around the cable to facilitate attachment and removal.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the length of the arm is calculated using the formula Ra=√{square root over ((Rs−Rc).sup.2+(Rs−Rc).sup.2)}.
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the ball and socket joint is eliminated such that the arm and connector are contiguous, and wherein i. said device is installed over locking screws after locking of said screws.
7. The device of claim 2, wherein the length of the arm is calculated using the formula Ra=√{square root over ((Rs−Rc).sup.2+(Rs−Rc).sup.2)}.
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. The device of claim 2, wherein the ball and socket joint is eliminated such that the arm and connector are contiguous, and wherein said device is installed over locking screws after locking of said screws.
11. The device of claim 6, as shown in FIG. 4.
12. The device of claim 6, wherein the device enhances cable management.
13. The device of claim 10, as shown in FIG. 4.
14. The device of claim 10, wherein the device enhances cable management.
15. A device comprising: a modified cable end connection cover having recesses, and a pair of hinged screws able to be folded into said recesses.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the device enhances cable management.
17. The device of claim 15, as shown in FIG. 5.
18. (canceled)
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A shows a first embodiment of the device prior to attachment to a cable, and a cross sectional view thereof as FIG. 1B.
[0018] FIG. 2A shows a first embodiment the device after attachment to a cable, but prior to attachment to the cable end connector cover. The figure includes an expanded view of a ball and socket joint as FIG. 2B.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment the device attached to a cable, and installed on to the cable end connector cover locking screws.
[0020] FIG. 4A shows views of an alternative embodiment the device, in which the arms and connectors are adjoined, while FIG. 4B shows an expanded view of a ball and socket joint. FIGS. 4C through 4F shows alternative views of the device as it is fitted into place on a cable.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows views of a further alternative embodiment the device comprising a cable end connection cover with hinged screws and a modified outer sheath. The hinged screws are shown being retracted into the sheath in FIGS. 5A through 5C.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a detailed view of one embodiment of the device, and includes a cross sectional view as FIG. 1B. The figures show a cylindrical collar (1) with a hollow center (2). In this embodiment the collar has an opening (3) in which a cable can be inserted, and a closing mechanism (4) to close the opening so as to permanently or temporarily affix the collar to a cable. Attached to opposite sides of the collar is a pair of arms (5) extending, for instance, at an angle of 45 degrees from the collar. In a further embodiment, the angle of the arms may be calculated using the formula provided in the Summary of the Invention. Variables R.sub.A , R.sub.C and R.sub.S are shown. Each arm terminates in a socket (6), which combines with a ball (7) on one end of the connector (8) to form a ball and socket joint (9). The ball in this illustration is integral to the connector, the other end of which is hollowed at its termination (10) so as to allow fitment over the locking screws.
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of one embodiment of the device when attached to a cable, but not yet fitted to the locking screws, and includes an expanded view of a ball and socket joint as FIG. 2B. The figures show a cable (11) with an attached electronic choke (12) to which an embodiment of the device has been attached. The device embodiment is as shown in FIG. 1 and includes a cylindrical collar (1), a closing mechanism (4), a pair of arms (5), a socket (6), a ball (7) and a connector (8). FIG. 2B shows an expanded view of the ball and socket joint in which the arm and connector separated for viewing simplicity. The cable terminates with a cable end connector cover (13) with locking screws (14).
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of one embodiment of the device attached to a cable and moved into the fitted position on the locking screws. The figure shows a cable (11) and electronic choke (12), an embodiment of the device as shown in FIG. 1 and including a cylindrical collar (1), a closing mechanism (4), a pair of arms (5), a ball and socket joint (9) and a connector (8). The cable terminates with a cable end connector cover (13), and locking screws (14). In this view the connectors (8) have been inserted over the locking screws (14) to affix the device to the cable cover.
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a variety of views of an alternative embodiment of the device, in which the arms and connectors are adjoined and contiguous, without the use of an intervening ball and socket joint. FIG. 4A shows a side view of the device, while FIG. 4B illustrates a cross sectional view. As with the prior embodiments the device has a cylindrical collar (1) with a hollow center (2). In this embodiment the collar has an opening (3) in which a cable can be inserted, and a closing mechanism (4) to close the opening so as to permanently or temporarily affix the collar to a cable. Attached to opposite sides of the collar is a pair of arms (5) extending, for instance, at an angle of 45 degrees from the collar. In a further embodiment, the angle of the arms may be calculated using the formula provided in the Summary of the Invention. In the illustrated embodiment the arms (5) are attached to and contiguous with the connectors (8), the combined piece now being angled (9) at the position of the excluded ball joint. The connectors (10) diagramed in this embodiment are open and accommodate the locking screws (14) via a ring at each end. FIGS. 4C thru 4F show a suggested use of the device. In detail, the device is aligned with the cable (11) (FIG. 4C), attached to the cable (FIG. 4D), moved into alignment with the locking screws (14) (FIG. 4E) and finally fitted into position (FIG. 4F).
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates three views of a further alternative embodiment the device comprising a modified cable end connection cover with hinged screws and a modified outer sheath having recesses. In FIG. 5A the device is seen with the screws in the open or linear position, ready to be screwed into the receptacle nuts of the system component. The cable (11) terminates in the embodiment of the device, a cable end connection cover (13) with hinged locking screws (14) and modified outer sheath (15). In FIG. 5B the hinged screws (14) are shown partially folded, while FIG. 5C shows the screws (14) folded and firmly fitted into the recesses (15) of the modified outer sheath.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0027] It is understood that the embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
