Cable connector

• US 7,329,128 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2007
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Awad, Ramy
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US11/698,361
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/39, 439/40
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

A cable connector is provided having a plug and a receptacle. Magnets are arranged on the plug and receptacle such that the magnets attract each other when the plug and receptacle are in a mated position and repel each other when the plug and receptacle are a predetermined distance away from the mated position. A cable connection system is provided that includes an adapter for connecting the plug and receptacle when only one of the plug and receptacle include magnets.

Claims

1. A cable connection system comprising:

a plug;

a receptacle;

an adapter having a first mating face that is arranged to receive and mate with the plug in a mated position and a second mating face arranged to mate with the receptacle, wherein the adapter effectively connects the plug to the receptacle;

a first magnet arranged on the plug and having a first pole directed towards the adapter when the plug and adapter are in the mated position;

a second magnet arranged on the plug and having a second pole directed towards the adapter when the plug and adapter are in the mated position, the second pole being different from the first pole;

a third magnet arranged on the first mating face of the adapter and having the first pole directed towards the second magnet when the plug and adapter are in the mated position; and

a fourth magnet arranged on the first mating face of the adapter and having the second pole directed towards the first magnet the when the plug and adapter are in the mated position;

wherein the first and second magnets on the plug are attracted to the third and fourth magnets on the adapter, respectively, when the plug and adapter are located in the mated position.

2. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein the plug comprises a mating face and the first magnet and second magnet are arranged on the plug mating face.

3. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a mating face and the third magnet and fourth magnet are arranged on the receptacle mating face.

4. The cable connector of claim 1, comprising an electrical cord attached to the cable connector and wherein the magnets generate an attractive force that is less than a force required to sever an electrical pathway of the electrical cord.

5. The cable connector of claim 1, wherein the attractive force is large enough to support physical connection between the plug and adapter, but small enough to prevent damage to the plug or adapter when the plug and adapter are physically separated.

6. A cable connection system comprising:

a plug;

a receptacle;

an adapter having a first mating face that is arranged to receive and mate with the plug in a mated position and a second mating face arranged to mate with the receptacle, wherein the adapter effectively connects the plug to the receptacle;

a first magnet arranged on the receptacle and having a first pole directed towards the adapter when the receptacle and adapter are in the mated position;

a second magnet arranged on the receptacle and having a second pole directed towards the adapter when the receptacle and adapter are in the mated position, the second pole being different from the first pole;

a third magnet arranged on the second mating face of the adapter and having the first pole directed towards the second magnet when the receptacle and adapter are in the mated position; and

a fourth magnet arranged on the second mating face of the adapter and having the second pole directed towards the first magnet the when the receptacle and adapter are in the mated position;

wherein the first and second magnets on the receptacle are attracted to the third and fourth magnets on the adapter, respectively, when the receptacle and adapter are located in the mated position.

7. The cable connector of claim 6, wherein the plug comprises a mating face and the first magnet and second magnet are arranged on the plug mating face.

8. The cable connector of claim 6, wherein the receptacle comprises a mating face and the third magnet and fourth magnet are arranged on the receptacle mating face.

9. The cable connector of claim 6, comprising an electrical cord attached to the cable connector and wherein the magnets generate an attractive force that is less than a force required to sever an electrical pathway of the electrical cord.

10. The cable connector of claim 6, wherein the attractive force is large enough to support physical connection between the receptacle and adapter, but small enough to prevent damage to the receptacle or adapter when the receptacle and adapter are physically attached.