International Business Machines Corporation

Brian Joseph Stanczyk

Christopher Michael Marroquin

Ray Clement Laning

John Francis Fraley, Ii

Patrick Kevin Egan

Scott Alan Shurson

Matthew Allen Butterbaugh

Michael Scott Good

Raymond Floyd Babcock

Mark Garrison Clark

Gary Allen Thompson

Amanda Elisa Mikhail

Kevin R Qualters

William Michael Monson

Max John Christopher Koschmeder

Randall Vincent Tointon

Wesley H Bachman

Todd Douglas Green

Jill Marie Golat

A cable connector retaining system includes a cable connector retaining assembly having a connector block and a movable retention block with a connector retention fastener, e.g., a threaded fastener. The system also includes a plate having a connector mounted thereon and a connector retention feature, e.g., a threaded hole, positioned adjacent to the connector. The connector block has a connector housed in an overmold jacket and connectable to the plate's connector. The connectors may be USB-type connectors, for example. The retention block is movably mounted to the connector block's overmold jacket so that the retention block's connector retention fastener may be aligned with the plate's connector retention feature. Once aligned, the connector retention fastener may be engaged with the connection retention feature. Movement of the retention block allows a single cable connector retaining assembly to be used for multiple plate configurations (i.e., with the connector retention feature at different positions).

Cable connector retaining assembly, system, and method of assembling same

A connector coupling mechanism comprises a housing coupled to a first connector; and, a force applying device connected to the housing and being movable between docking and undocking positions; wherein in response to the force applying device moving to the docking position, a mechanical advantage is provided for facilitating a firm coupling of the first and second connector assemblies. In addition, the force applying device provides a mechanical advantage in response to the force applying device moving to undocking position for facilitating easy unplugging. The coupling mechanism provides a latching arrangement for releasable and positive retention of the force applying device in the docked position for preventing against inadvertent unplugging. A connector assembly coupling system is provided as well as a method of coupling connector assemblies.

Connector coupling mechanism, system and method

A right angle board-to-board connector is provided with generally balanced impedance. The right angle board-to-board connector includes a plurality of connector pins. Each of the connector pins has a generally right angle configuration. The connector pins are spaced apart by a substantially uniform spacing along respective connector mating pin faces. Selected connector pins have substantially equal length. For example, each of the connector pins has substantially equal length or selected pairs of the connector pins has substantially equal length. The connector pins of a preferred embodiment are laterally offset to provide a predefined separation between the connector pins at pin crossover locations.

Right angle board-to-board connector with balanced impedance

A cable tie includes a strap having first and second ends. A head is disposed on the first end. The head has a slot for receiving the second end so as to form the strap into a loop. The head further has an device for engaging the second end of the strap so as to retain the strap in the form of the loop. A hooking arrangement is connected to the head for engaging with a holding member when the hooking arrangement is pushed in a first direction. The hooking arrangement freely releases the holding member when the hooking arrangement is pulled in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The hooking arrangement allows the cable tie to be repeatedly attached to, and removed from, the holding member while the strap is retained in the form of the loop.

Removable cable tie

A retainer screw for maintaining a retained device such as a cable connector in a connected condition with a host device is provided with a torque disconnecting mechanism that responds to the axial movement of the retainer screw and disconnects the drive of the screw before the screw bottoms in the receiving nut. Disconnecting the drive not only prevents undue torque from being applied to the screw but also prevents seizure of the screw by the nut, preventing easy removal. Also, the disconnecting mechanism continues to provide connection of the drive torque in an unthreading direction notwithstanding the inability of the screw to be driven in the threading direction. The drive member of the retainer screw is allowed to ratchet relative to the screw to relieve the torque.

Thumbscrew with automatic torque-limiting feature

An enclosure arrangement includes a chassis, and a central electronics complex. The central electronics complex has a cage removably positioned within the chassis. The cage has an open top providing access into the interior of the cage. The central electronics complex also includes a backplane arranged in a horizontal position, and forming a floor of the cage. The backplane has at least one card slot on a surface thereof. The central electronics complex further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the interior of the cage and being removably received by the card slot. The circuit board is arranged in a vertical position so that a gravitational force helps retain the circuit board in the card slot. The cage is removably positioned within the chassis. At least one rail connects the cage to the chassis. The cage is disposed on the rail, and is guidable into the chassis using the rail.

Enhanced enclosure arrangement for a computer

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

Brian Joseph Stanczyk