TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed invention is generally directed to providing strain relief for a communication link that employs dissimilar connector sizes.

BACKGROUND

Communications links are frequently employed in industrial applications for the collection of data over varying time periods. Examples of such hardware interfaces include, but are not limited to, USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt and equivalent and complementary interfaces. Various data may be collected from a variety of device types that have different locations in relation to one another and to a power source to which the link is connected. When using a communication link for industrial data collection, the maximum length of the communications link is sometimes exceeded, thereby requiring use of one or more active extenders.

Active extenders are well known for increasing the length of a device cable without worry of signal loss and potential performance problems. For example, an active USB extender may utilize a Type A female connector on the "active" end that is placed on the field wiring side of an installation, and the size of this active end can vary with cable manufacturer. The USB connection is completed by connecting a complementary Type A male connector to the extender. The location of this connection varies with the location of a particular USB data collection device and each installation's particular wiring path.

A connection with proper strain relief is difficult to attain because of the dissimilar Type A connectors (i.e., the "active" or electronic side of the connector and a standard male Type A connector) and the variable location on a device or machine from which data is being collected. A strain relief is important to the electrical and mechanical integrity and overall performance of the connector assembly. A properly designed strain relief can prevent transfer of the mechanical force that is applied to the cable exterior from being transferred to the electrical terminations within the connector. Unfortunately, off-the-shelf strain relief solutions are not amenable to an active extender because of the variable and mismatched size of the connectors. Similar challenges arise in the use of other connector types.

Therefore, a reliable strain relief is demanded that reinforces the connection of the extender to the equipment. Such a strain relief can prevent twisting or pulling stresses that result in broken wires. Such a strain relief can also prevent inadvertent separation of the connectors (e.g., from each other or from their respective power sources or hardware) and thereby ensure uninterrupted data acquisition in a variety of production environments.

SUMMARY

A connector strain relief device is provided that includes a generally planar member having a pair of opposed planar surfaces defining a thickness therebetween. Each planar surface is defined by opposed longitudinal sides of predetermined length and opposed lateral sides of predetermined width. At least a portion of one planar surface has a plurality of hooks integral therewith and at least a portion of an opposed planar surface has a plurality of loops extending therefrom. A first guiding slot having a predetermined length extends between opposed slot extents. One slot extent of the first guiding slot is positioned at a predetermined distance relative to one lateral side, and an opposed slot extent of the first guiding slot is positioned proximate a first aperture having a predefined periphery. A second guiding slot having a predetermined length extends between opposed slot extents. One slot extent of the second guiding slot is positioned at a predetermined distance relative to an opposed lateral side, and an opposed slot extent of the second guiding slot is positioned proximate a second aperture having a predefined periphery different than the predefined periphery of the first aperture. Each aperture and each slot has an ingress along one planar surface and an egress along the opposed planar surface such that female and male connectors have unimpeded access through the strain relief thickness. Removable engagement of the hooks and loops upon at least a partial overlap of at least respective edges of the lateral sides effects releasable securement of a connection including the male and female connectors. In some embodiments, the connectors are Type A connectors of an active USB connector. A connector strain relief assembly is also provided that includes at least one connector strain relief device as disclosed herein. Such an assembly may also include at least one active extender having at least a female connector with a port for releasable engagement with a corresponding plug of a male connector. The extender may be selected from a plurality of extenders such that the female connectors and the male connectors have variable mismatched sizes. Two or more connector strain assemblies may be provided in a connector strain relief system.

A method of providing strain relief for at least one of a connector and a connector assembly is also provided. The method includes providing at least one connector strain relief as disclosed herein and providing at least one active extender having at least a female connector with a port for releasable engagement with a corresponding plug of a male connector. The extender may be selected from a plurality of extenders such that the female connectors and the male connectors have variable mismatched sizes.

Also, a kit for providing strain relief for connectors may be provided that includes at least one of a plurality of connector strain reliefs as disclosed herein. The kit may also include at least one active extender having at least a female connector with a port for releasable engagement with a corresponding plug of a male connector, and at least one cable.

Other aspects of the presently disclosed invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

The nature and various advantages of the presently disclosed invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector strain relief as presently disclosed.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the connector strain relief of FIG. 1 with a female connector supported thereby. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the connector strain relief and connector of FIG. 2 with a male connector engaging the female connector.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the connector strain relief and connectors of FIG. 3 in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The presently disclosed invention is directed to a strain relief that can be provided as a separate unit to be slipped onto a connector assembly. The presently disclosed strain relief captures the male-to-female connection regardless of the size disparity between connectors. An assembly may be provided that includes one or both connectors and at least one strain relief as presently disclosed herein. Such an assembly may include two or more strain reliefs not only to provide strain relief to the connection but also provide a transversely applied environmental shield thereto (e.g., to protect the connectors and the connection from environmental dust and/or moisture). The presently disclosed invention therefore presents an inexpensive, simple, reversible and reusable apparatus and method of providing strain relief for two dissimilar connector sizes.

The exemplary connections shown herein are made with reference to exemplary USB connectors. It is understood, however, that the presently disclosed invention is amenable for use with any non-captured connection employed in data communication among equipment and devices (e.g., Firewire, Thunderbolt, etc.). Connections may be established with respect to both hardware applications and implementation in connection with a computing device (including a mobile networking apparatus) that includes hardware, software, or, where appropriate, a combination of both. The computing device can include any type of computer, computer system or other programmable electronic device, including a client computer, a server computer, a portable computer (including a laptop and a tablet), a handheld computer, a mobile phone (including a smart phone), a gaming device, an embedded controller, a near-field communication device, a device with applications implemented at least partly using a cloud service, and any combination and/or equivalent thereof (including touchless devices). Moreover, the computing device may be implemented using one or more networked computers, e.g., in a cluster or other distributed computing system. The network may be a LAN, a WAN, a SAN, a wireless network, a cellular network, radio links, optical links and/or the Internet, although the network is not limited to these network selections.

Referring to the figures, wherein like numbers represent like elements, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary strain relief device 10 that is a generally planar member having a pair of opposed planar surfaces 10a, 10b defining a thickness therebetween (surface 10a is shown in FIG. 1 and surface 10b is further shown in FIG. 4). Each planar surface 10a, 10b is delineated by opposed longitudinal sides 12, 12' each having a predetermined length L and opposed lateral sides 14, 14' each having a predetermined width W. It is contemplated that strain relief device 10 is fabricated from a fastening material such as self-gripping hook and loop tape. It is understood, however, that device 10 may be fabricated from any amenable material, including but not limited to self-adhering textiles and any other complementary and equivalent materials.

In a preferred embodiment, strain relief device is fabricated from a swatch of self- gripping hook and loop tape with a plurality of hooks provided along at least a portion of a planar surface 10a or 10b. An opposed planar surface 10a or 10b not having hooks integral therewith is provided with a plurality of removably securable loops along at least a portion thereof. As further described herein, strain relief 10 can effect releasable securement of a connection by releasable securement of the hooks and loops upon at least partial overlap of lateral sides 14, 14' and at least along respective edges 14a, 14a' thereof.

With further reference to FIG. 1, strain relief 10 is configured to accommodate insertion and retention of female and male connectors of a USB extender (or comparable active exetender). Insertion and retention may be effected at least in part via a first guiding slot 16 having a predetermined length L ₁₆ extending between slot extents 16a, 16b. Slot extent 16a is positioned at a predetermined distance Di relative to lateral extent 14', and slot extent 16b is positioned proximate a first aperture 18 having a predefined periphery 18a. A second aperture 20 is also provided with a predefined periphery 20a that may differ from predefined periphery 18a of first aperture 18. A second guiding slot 22 is also provided having a predetermined length L ₂ 2 extending between slot extents 22a, 22b. Slot extent 22a is positioned at a predetermined distance D ₂ relative to opposed lateral extent 14', and slot extent 22b is positioned proximate second aperture periphery 20a. As shown in FIG. 1, apertures 18, 20 are generally aligned with guiding slots 16, 22 along a line positioned at a distance D ₃ intermediate longitudinal sides 12, 12' . Each of the apertures and slots has an ingress along one of planar surfaces 10a, 10b and an egress along an opposed planar surface such that female and male connectors have unimpeded access through strain relief 10 (as further described herein). It is understood that either surface 10a, 10b may provide ingress for female and male connectors and that the strain relief device may be inverted so that either surface may also provide egress for the connectors as appropriate.

Predefined parameters for effective strain relief are dependent upon the distance between the cable exit of female and male connectors when they are connected. Therefore, in preferred embodiments, each aperture 18, 20 has a generally circular geometry and peripheries 18a, 20a are delineated by respective circumferential extents. Circular apertures are amenable to retention of a variety of commercially available connector configurations, although it is understood that some embodiments may employ apertures having a different geometry to complement the geometry of the connector being retained.

In a preferred embodiment, first aperture 18 has a radius Ri of about 3/16" and a center disposed at a distance D ₄ at or about 2.75" from lateral extent 14. Second aperture 20 has a radius R ₂ of about 0.125" and a center disposed at a distance D ₅ of about 3.125" from opposed lateral extent 14. In such embodiments, first guiding slot 16 exhibits a predetermined length L ₁₆ of about 1.125" between slot extents 16a, 16b with Di at about 1.625". Second guiding slot 22 exhibits a predetermined length L ₂₂ of about 0.625" between slot extents 22a, 22b with D ₂ at about 2.5". Each longitudinal extent 12, 12' has a predefined length L of about 9.875", and each lateral extent 14, 14' has a predefined width W of about 2". The centers of apertures 18, 20 are aligned with guiding slots 16, 22 along a line that is positioned

Now referring to FIG. 2, a strain relief 10 is shown with an active extender having a female connector 24 for receiving a complementary male connector 26. Male connector 26 may be in communication with a communication link such as cable 27 that may be hardwired to equipment (including but not limited to one or more computers). Female connector 24 is similarly in communication with a communication link such as cable 29 that may be connected to one or more power sources (not shown). The extender may be selected from a plurality of commercially available extenders in which the female and male connectors have variable mismatched sizes. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the extender is an active USB extender having a female connector 24 that includes a large housing 24a with a port 24a' for removable engagement of a complementary plug 26a provided on male connector 26. Housing 24a includes known mounting structure that accommodates operational disposition of terminals therein (not shown), resulting in female connector 24 having a disparately large geometry relative to male connector 26. The presently disclosed invention contemplates connections between female connectors and male connectors that may be larger than, or smaller than, the relative sizes shown. With the presently disclosed strain relief device and method, connections between varieties of connector sizes can be effected to accommodate the disparate sizes yet still ensure an effective data connection.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, female connector 24 and male connector 26 may be Type A connectors as known with each connector having a strain relief 24b, 26b, respectively. Strain reliefs 24b, 26b are shown as integral with their respective connectors, yet it is understood that such strain reliefs may be separate elements. While segmented strain reliefs such as those shown generally provide an amount of bend relief, the presently disclosed invention augments such relief when the connectors form an extended connection (e.g., as realized with an active extender connection). Such extended connections may be in place for extended temporal durations and/or may be subject to transport among different machines in a facility, thereby placing the electrical terminations under varying degrees of strain. The presently disclosed invention attenuates such strain while remaining amenable to changes in the connector placement and the number of connectors in use.

Referring further to FIG. 2 and additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, exemplary methods of using strain relief device 10 may be employed for effective isolation and retention of connectors 24, 26. As used herein, the term "method" or "process" refers to one or more steps that may be performed in other ordering than shown without departing from the scope of the presently disclosed invention. Any sequence of steps is exemplary and is not intended to limit methods described herein to any particular sequence, nor is it intended to preclude adding steps, omitting steps, repeating steps or performing steps simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 2, at least one of female connector 24 and male connector 24 is positioned proximate a planar surface 10a having a plurality of hooks or loops positioned along at least a portion thereof and at least along later side edges 14a, 14a'. In this example, planar surface 10a will be described as having a plurality of hooks placed therealong, although it is understood that the surface may instead have a plurality of loops (in which embodiment, surface 10b would have a plurality of hooks incorporated therewith). As long as one planar surface has a plurality of hooks integral therewith, the opposing planar surface will have complementary locking loops for engagement with the hooks.

Female connector 24, and particularly housing 24a thereof, is inserted through an ingress of first guiding slot 16 facing planar surface 10b. Housing 24a protrudes through first guiding slot 16 until the housing and strain relief 24b emerge from an egress thereof along planar surface 10a. Due to the flexibility of the material being employed, a portion of aperture 18 may be employed to accommodate a female connector housing of larger geometry.

Male connector 26 is similarly inserted through second guiding slot 22 at an ingress thereof proximate planar surface 10b until the male connector emerges from an egress of second guiding slot 22 along planar surface 10a. It is understood that connectors 24, 26 are always inserted from, and always emerge from, a common planar surface (e.g., both connectors approach planar surface 10b to enter respective guiding slots and both connectors 24, 26 traverse the thickness of strain relief device 10 to emerge from the guiding slots at planar surface 10a, or vice versa).

Referring further to FIG. 3, connectors 24, 26 proceed unimpeded through respective guiding slots 16, 22 until respective strain reliefs 24b, 26b emerge therefrom. Aperture 18 may serve as an additional guide for positioning female connector 24 through first guiding slot 16 relative to planar surface 10b. Aperture 20 may similarly serve as an additional guide for positioning male connector 24 through second guiding slot 22 relative to planar surface 10b. The transition between each aperture periphery 18a, 20a and its respective proximate slot extent 16b, 22b permits easy insertion and repositioning of connectors 24, 26 relative to device 10 while ensuring retention of the connectors thereby. Plug 26a of male connector 26 is removably inserted into port 24a' of the female connector such that connection 30 is established thereby. As used herein, "connection" refers to removable engagement of plug 26a by port 24a' without regard to the current state of data communication. A connection may be present during periods of data communication and periods where data communication is absent, yet the connection is retained.

Referring to FIG. 4, lateral side edges 14a, 14a' are brought toward each other such that at least a portion of an edge 14a' overlaps at least a portion of an opposite edge 14a (or vice versa) to effect locking of the hooks on planar surface 12 with the loops on opposed planar surface 12' . As shown in FIG. 4, an overlap between edges 14a, 14a' may be realized that is readily adjustable as connection 30 incorporates connectors having different sizes and/or geometries while remaining captured. Strain relief 24b integral with female connector 24 may protrude through aperture 18 to ensure a strain-free retention of connection 30 while preserving the connection integrity with cable 29. Strain relief 26b of male connector 26 may similarly protrude through aperture 20.

In some embodiments, at least one additional strain relief device 10 may be provided that is applied transversely to connection 30 as shown in FIG. 4. Such transverse placement provides an environmental shield for connection 30 (e.g., as protection against dust and/or moisture in a data collection environment). One or more systems may be derived by employing multiple strain relief devices as disclosed herein with one or more active extenders (including, but not limited to, the active USB extenders shown herein). For example, one strain relief device may isolate a connection with the looped surface facing outwardly, thereby facilitating engagement with a complementary strain relief device having the hooked surface facing outwardly.

The presently disclosed invention contemplates pre-manufactured strain reliefs for a plurality of cable diameters and connector types. One or more of such pre-manufactured strain reliefs may be provided in a kit with one or more of at least one cable and at least one active extender to provide a fully operable communications link with readily applied extensions.

The presently disclosed invention also contemplates a kit having customized strain reliefs that fit non-standard cable and connector configurations. A kit of this type may include strain relief devices having dimensions different than those disclosed herein to accommodate a variety of connector types and sizes. Both pre-manufactured and customized embodiments offer enhanced flex life, tensile strength and environmental protection performance in view of off-the- shelf alternatives.

The presently disclosed strain relief device may be pre-manufactured in small or mass quantities as needed since the overall configuration requires little lead time and the materials are readily accessible through various commercial channels. Such advantages support the customizable benefits of the presently disclosed strain relief device and method while obviating the time and cost inherent in the design and fabrication of tooling (e.g., such as that employed in the fabrication of overmolded strain reliefs).

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm". Also, the dimensions and values disclosed herein are not limited to a specified unit of measurement. For example, dimensions expressed in English units are understood to include equivalent dimensions in metric and other units (e.g., a dimension disclosed as "1 inch" is intended to mean an equivalent dimension of "2.5 cm").

The terms "a," "an," and the singular forms of words shall be taken to include the plural form of the same words, such that the terms mean that one or more of something is provided. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Ranges that are described as being "between a and b" are inclusive of the values for "a" and "b."

Every document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. While particular embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes, additions and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, no limitation should be imposed on the scope of the presently disclosed invention, except as set forth in the accompanying claims.