US5098312A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Equipment connector
Assignee: Control ALT Design Ltd
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Filing: 1991-07-11
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2011-07-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus by which a connection between a plug and a socket of computer-related equipment can be secured by the reception of male elements in openings associated with the socket. The apparatus includes a continuous belt, wrapped around a housing in which the plug is fixed. By the manipulation the belt, the male elements can be rotated in synchronized fashion. Advantageously, the belt is structured and may be made of a material that prevents overtorquing and, thereby, damage to the connector during rotation of the male elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Raczynski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 02:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/631; H01R13/621
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for securely connecting a plug to a socket apparatus of computer-related equipment, said apparatus comprising: a housing in which the plug is fixed; a plurality of male elements, each of said male elements including a forward end and a rearward end, said forward ends projecting outward from a forward wall of said housing and sized and shaped to be received within openings associated with the socket, said rearward ends mated to a plurality of pulleys; a continuous belt wrapped around said housing, said belt including an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface positioned adjacent to a surface of a surrounding wall of said housing, said inner surface in engaging contact with said plurality of pulleys; and whereby application of manipulative force to said outer surface causes said belt and thereby said plurality of pulleys and said plurality of male elements mated to said pulleys to rotate in synchronized fashion, whereby said male elements are uniformly receivable within said openings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for securely connecting a plug to a socket apparatus of computer-related equipment, said apparatus comprising: a housing in which the plug is fixed; a plurality of male elements, each of said male elements including a forward end and a rearward end, said forward ends projecting outward from a forward wall of said housing and sized and shaped to be received within openings associated with the socket, said rearward ends mated to a plurality of pulleys; a continuous belt wrapped around said housing, said belt including an outer surface and an inner surface, said outer surface positioned adjacent to a surface of a surrounding wall of said housing, said inner surface in engaging contact with said plurality of pulleys; and whereby application of manipulative force to said outer surface causes said belt and thereby said plurality of pulleys and said plurality of male elements mated to said pulleys to rotate in synchronized fashion, whereby said male elements are uniformly receivable within said openings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said inner surface of said belt includes ribs sized and shaped to be received between teeth of said pulleys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said belt is comprised of a composite of materials.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said belt is textured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said pulleys include pulley openings sized and shaped to matingly receive rearward ends of said male elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said pulleys include springs contacting said rearward ends of said male elements and by which said male elements can be partially retracted into said pulley openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said belt is comprised of layers of material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said layers of material includes an inner layer of high durometer material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said layers of material includes an outer layer of low durometer material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
Connector for securing an interface plug to a socket of computer-related equipment, said connector comprising: a housing for the plug, said housing including a plurality of male elements rotatably carried such that forward ends of said male elements project from a front side wall of said housing for reception in openings associated with the socket; and synchronized power transmission means including a belt and pulleys, said belt wrapped around said housing and having an outer surface adjacent to a surrounding wall of said housing, said belt having an inner surface engagingly contacting said pulleys, each of said pulleys matingly contacting each of said male elements, whereby manipulative force applied to said outer surface of said belt is transmitted to said each of said pulleys, and thereby to said each of said male elements to rotate said male elements in synchronized fashion so that said male elements are uniformly receivable in the openings associated with the socket.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
Connector for securing an interface plug to a socket of computer-related equipment, said connector comprising: a housing for the plug, said housing including a plurality of male elements rotatably carried such that forward ends of said male elements project from a front side wall of said housing for reception in openings associated with the socket; and synchronized power transmission means including a belt and pulleys, said belt wrapped around said housing and having an outer surface adjacent to a surrounding wall of said housing, said belt having an inner surface engagingly contacting said pulleys, each of said pulleys matingly contacting each of said male elements, whereby manipulative force applied to said outer surface of said belt is transmitted to said each of said pulleys, and thereby to said each of said male elements to rotate said male elements in synchronized fashion so that said male elements are uniformly receivable in the openings associated with the socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said inner surface of said belt includes ribs sized and shaped to be received between teeth of said pulleys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said belt is comprised of a composite of materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said outer surface of said belt is textured.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said pulleys include pulley openings sized and shaped to matingly contact rearward ends of said male elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector as defined in claim 14, wherein said pulleys include springs within said pulley openings and contacting said rearward ends of said male elements, whereby said male elements can be partially retracted into said openings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector as defined in claim 10, wherein said belt is comprised of layers of material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector as defined in claim 16, wherein said layers of material include an inner layer of high durometer material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector as defined in claim 17, wherein said layers of material include an outer layer of low durometer material.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
89 words
A device for securing connection between a plug and a socket, said device comprising: a belt wrapped around a housing in which the plug is fixed, said belt in rotatable engagement with surfaces of pulleys within said housing, each of said pulleys matingly contacting male elements sized and shaped to be rotatably received within openings associated with the socket, whereby by the application of manipulative force to said belt said belt rotates said pulleys and thereby said male elements to effect secure connection between the plug and the socket.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
89 words
A device for securing connection between a plug and a socket, said device comprising: a belt wrapped around a housing in which the plug is fixed, said belt in rotatable engagement with surfaces of pulleys within said housing, each of said pulleys matingly contacting male elements sized and shaped to be rotatably received within openings associated with the socket, whereby by the application of manipulative force to said belt said belt rotates said pulleys and thereby said male elements to effect secure connection between the plug and the socket.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device as defined in claim 19, wherein said belt includes inner ribs sized and shaped to be rotatably engaged within teeth of said pulleys.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |