Cable end connector with universal joint

• US 6,695,620 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 02/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yea Yen Huang
• Original Assignee: Yea Yen Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Yea Yen
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/358,215
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 439/11, 439/13, 439/17, 439/18, 439/19, 439/23, 439/31
• US Class Current: 439/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/562 Bending-relieving
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cable assembly having a universal joint so as to rotate the connector thereof through X and Y directions. Upper and lower housings of the connector is provided with traverse bearings. A front edge of a front rotating arm is provided with assembled traverse shafts. A rear portion of the front rotating arm is provided with a slot in which axial holes are defined. By this arrangement, the front rotating arm and the rear rotating arm can each can rotate freely on a plane thereby provide two dimensional rotations. Conductive wires of the cable routes through the front rotating arm and the rear rotating arm and finally electrically connected to the connector. As a result, a cable assembly with a universal rotational connector is provided.

Claims

1. A cable assembly, including a upper housing, a lower housing, a connector, a front rotating arm, a rear rotating arm, and a cable, the upper housing and lower housing provided with receiving slots for received the connector therein, rear portions of the upper and lower housings being provided with opening having semi-cicular bearings thereof, the front rotating arm being configured by a pair of arm elements and defining a central passage therethrough, the front rotating arm being provided with a pair of traverse shafts each having a through hole which is in communication with the central passage of the front rotating arm, the arm elements being provided with slots in rear end and each being provided with axial hole, respectively, the rear rotating arm being connected with the cable at a rear end thereof, a front portion of the rear rotating arm being provided with a shaft with respect to the axial hole of the rear rotating arm, the rear rotating arm having a through hole, and have shoulders thereof, the rear rotating arm further including a ball adjacent to the cable for retaining the cable thereof, characterized in that the rear rotating arm can be assembled to the front rotating arm by the arrangement between the through hole of the front rotating arm and the shaft located in the front of the rear rotating arm, then the traverse shafts of the front rotating arm can be assembled into the traverse bearings of the upper and lower housings, and the connector is disposed into the receiving slot, conductive wires of the cable route through the through hole of the rear rotating arm, and guided through the central passage of the front rotating arm, and finally electrically connected to the connector, by this arrangement of the front rotating arm and the rear rotating arm, the connector can be rotated and positioned at any desired angular position.

2. The cable assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector can be a USB connector, an IEEE 1394 connector, and a PS2 connector or any kind of connector.

3. The cable assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the ball arranged between the rear rotating arm and the cable can be inserted molded, or the merging portion between the rear portion of the rear rotating arm 15 and the cable 16 can be covered with packaging housing.