Safe-snap computer cable

• US 5,941,729 A
• Filed: 09/10/1997
• Issued: 08/24/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Sri-Jayantha, Sri M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/926,805
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/503, 439/505, 439/289, 439/923, 439/956, 439/39, 174/66, 174/67
• US Class Current: 439/505
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6392 for extension cord
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/923 Separation or disconnection aid

Abstract

An electrical cable for a portable computer includes a plurality of electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath. A first snap connector is joined to the leads. A second snap connector is complementary to the first snap connector and is connected thereto for establishing electrical connection with the computer, and allowing self-disconnection thereof upon yanking of the cable over a range of angles relative to the computer including a hemisphere.

Claims

1. An electrical cable for a portable computer having a receptacle and resting atop a surface above a floor, comprising:

first and second cable portions each having a plurality of electrical leads bound together in a flexible sheath;

a first snap connector joined to said leads at one end of said cable first portion, and a base connector joined to said leads at an opposite end of said cable first portion, and being complementary to said receptacle for being removably connected thereto;

a second snap connector joined to said leads at a first end of said cable second portion and being complementary to said first snap connector, and a remote connector fixedly joined to said leads at an opposite end of said cable second portion for electrically joining said cable to a remote receptacle; and

means for allowing self-disconnection of said first and second snap connectors upon yanking of said cable second portion over a range of angles relative to said computer including a hemisphere, and without yanking said computer off said surface to drop to said floor.

2. A cable according to claim 1 wherein said cable first portion is shorter than said cable second portion to locate said first and second snap connectors adjacent said computer to effect said hemispherical disconnection range.

3. A cable according to claim 2 wherein:

said second snap connector and said base connector are substantially identical; and

said first snap connector is configured like said computer receptacle so that said cable first portion defines an extension cord.

4. A cable according to claim 2 wherein said cable second portion includes:

a power supply at said distal end thereof for converting line voltage to DC voltage, with said second snap connector being formed directly in one side thereof; and

said remote connector is configured to engage a remote receptacle for providing said line voltage to said power supply.

5. A cable according to claim 4 wherein:

said first snap connector and said base connector are substantially identical; and

said second snap connector in said power supply is configured like said computer receptacle.

6. A method of self-disconnecting an electrical cable from a portable computer resting atop a surface above a floor, said method comprising:

providing a complementary pair of removably interconnected snap connectors between opposite ends of said cable adjacent said computer to form first and second cable portions, with said cable first portion being disposed adjacent said computer and said cable second portion extending therefrom and intended for self-disconnection of said snap connectors upon yanking of said cable second portion without yanking said computer off said surface to drop to said floor.

7. A method according to claim 6 further comprising positioning said snap connector pair more closely adjacent to said cable end at said computer than said opposite cable end.