Authors:
Hye Suk Makley, Michael Boomer, Garrick Oxendine
Abstract:
We sometimes have cables that connect underneath scanners or in customer cabinets that can be exposed to spills. This idea is a flexible connector cover that also will help retain the connection from being pulled apart.
The design consists of a flexible sheet of plastic material which is adhered to several narrow Velcro strips in parallel along it. One side of the sheet would have hooks and the other side of the sheet would have loops. The installer would wrap the Velcro strips around the connectors and hook in place, which would provide secure wrapped-up connectors. Depending on the size of the mated connectors, one or more Velcro strips can be engaged to give more security to the cable to help retain the connection.
Background:
We have a USB-A connection under a scanner scale that could be exposed to spills. All kinds of liquids pass over the scanner and spills happen all the time that can drip into the compartment below the scanner. The cable could also be inadvertently yanked apart by the customer when servicing the units, which could become dislodged.
Currently, there are no solutions available to solve the issue of keeping connectors secured together while also providing protection from liquid spills in areas where these cables may be used. Most of the existing parts consist of plastic clamshell containers that you place the connectors in and close like a box. This solution places a hard plastic case around the connection. It will only accept certain sized connectors and the size could be large enough to interfere with the installation process in tight spaces.
Our designs solution gives the flexibility to be used with any type/size of connectors, where existing solutions do not. And the flexibility of the overall material used for this concept allows more usage locations.
Description:
The design consists of a flexible sheet of plastic material which is adhered to several narrow Velcro strips in parallel along it. One side of the sheet would have hooks and the other side of the sheet would have loops. The installer would wrap the Velcro strips around the connectors and hook in place, which would provide secure wrapped-up connectors. Depending on the size of the mated connectors, one or more Velcro strips can be engaged to give more security to the cable to help retain the connection.
Usages:
The application can be used in any situations where two cables/connectors are plugged in with each other, requiring secure connection without coming apart or loose, as well as protection from liquid spills.
Claims:
Cable retention design of Velcro strips in a row with plastic sheet/shield, to allow securing different size connectors plugged into each other, to keep them plugged in without coming apart or loose, while also providing protection from liquid spills in environment where liquid use is high.
Enabling Technology:
Similar concept of current Velcro strips, but overall design for usage requirement is different.
TGCS Reference 4376
