Method and apparatus for connecting a cable

• US 7,585,182 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2005
• Issued: 09/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Kurugode, Anil, Asante, Kwabena, Bain, William O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne; Jean F
• Application Number:
  US11/227,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20070059977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,454 Days
• Field of Search: 439/502, 439/620, 439/362, 439/639, 439/650
• US Class Current: 439/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/562 Bending-relieving
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/567 Traverse cable outlet or wire connection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/72 Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/22 with additional earth or shield contacts

Abstract

A cable connecting apparatus includes a base. A plug member extends in a first direction from the base. A cable extends from the base in the first direction. The plug member may be connected to a socket, whereby the cable connecting apparatus provides the cable with a strain relieved 180 degree bend.

Claims

1. A cable connecting apparatus, comprising:

a base having a plug member extending from the base in a first direction, wherein the plug member comprises a length such that when the plug member is coupled to a power adapter, a majority of the plug member is housed in a socket defined by the power adapter and the power adapter is located immediately adjacent the base;

a cable extending from the base in the first direction, wherein the cable extends from a location on the base that is spaced apart from the plug member;

a power connector located on a distal end of the cable opposite the base; and

an electrical coupling coupled to the power connector, extending through the cable and the base, and coupled to the plug member, wherein the electrical coupling comprises a means for transmitting power from the power connector, through the cable, and to the plug member such that power may be supplied to the power adapter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug member and the cable extend from a surface of the base, whereby an initial section of the cable is located on the surface spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the plug member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug member is a 3-pin AC connector.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plug member is a 2-pin AC connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an initial section of the cable comprises a reinforced section of cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power connector on the distal end of the cable comprises a 3-pin AC power connector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base, the plug member, and an initial section of the cable provide the electrical coupling with a strain relieved 180 degree bend.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a power adapter comprising a socket, whereby with the plug member coupled to the socket, an initial section of the cable extends from the base in a substantially parallel orientation to a surface of the power adapter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power adapter defines a cable channel.

10. An information handling system, comprising:

a chassis comprising a cable connector,

a microprocessor mounted to the chassis;

a power adapter including a socket and that is coupled to the cable connector; and

a cable connecting apparatus coupled to the power adapter, the cable connecting apparatus comprising;

a base having a plug member located on the base, the plug member extending from a surface of the base and coupled to the socket such that a majority of the plug member is located in the socket and the power adapter is located immediately adjacent the surface of the base;

a cable extending from a location on the base that is spaced apart from the plug member, whereby an initial section of the cable extends from the surface of the base on the same side of the base as the power adapter;

a power connector located on a distal end of the cable opposite the base; and

an electrical coupling running through the cable and the base to the plug member, wherein the electrical coupling comprises means for transmitting power from the power connector, through the cable, and to the plug member such that power may be supplied to the power adapter.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the plug member and the cable extend from a surface of the base, whereby the initial section of the cable is located on the surface spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the plug member.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the plug member is a 3-pin AC connector.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the plug member is a 2-pin AC connector.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the initial section of the cable comprises a reinforced section of cable.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the power connector on the distal end of the cable comprises a 3-pin AC power connector.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the base, the plug member, and the initial section of the cable provide the electrical coupling with a strain relieved 180 degree bend.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein the initial section of the cable extends from the base in a substantially parallel orientation to and immediately adjacent a surface of the power adapter.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the power adapter defines a cable channel.

19. A method for connecting a cable, comprising:

providing a cable connecting apparatus comprising a base having a plug member located on the base and extending from the base in a first direction, an initial section of the cable extending from the base in the first direction at a location on the base that is spaced apart from the plug member, a power connector located on a distal end of the cable opposite the base, and an electrical coupling coupled to the power connector, extending through the cable and the base, and coupled to the plug member;

coupling the plug member to a power adapter by locating a majority of the plug member in a socket defined by the power adapter such that the power adapter is located immediately adjacent the base, whereby with the plug member coupled to the power adapter, the initial section of the cable extends from the base in a substantially parallel orientation to and immediately adjacent a surface of the power adapter;

transmitting power from the power connector, through the cable, and to the plug member using the electrical coupling; and

supplying power to the power adapter through the plug member.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

wrapping the cable around the power adapter, whereby the base, the plug member, and the initial section of the cable provide a strain relieved 180 degree bend for the electrical coupling.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

coupling the power adapter to an information handling system; and

coupling the power connector to a power source.

22. A cable coupling apparatus, comprising:

a power adapter comprising a power adapter base that defines a socket; and

a power cable operable to couple to the power adapter, the power cable comprising;

a power cable base having a plug member that is operable to engage the socket to couple the power cable to the power adapter such that a majority of the plug member is located in the socket and the power adapter base extends from a side of the power cable base;

an initial section of the power cable extending from the power cable base from a location on the power cable base that is spaced apart from the plug member, whereby with the power cable coupled to the power adapter, the initial section of the power cable extends from the power cable base on the same side of the power cable base as the power adapter base;

a power connector located on a distal end of the power cable opposite the power cable base; and

an electrical coupling coupled to the power connector, extending through the power cable and the power cable base, and coupled to the plug member such that power may be supplied through the electrical coupling to the power adapter.