Strain-relief members for cables and methods for making the same
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsJohn B. Ardisana, Edward Sihaan, Eric Jol
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aesthetically pleasing strain-relief members for cables and methods for making the same are disclosed. The strain-relief members are constructed to have one or more tuning members that provide selective strain relief for the cable. Each tuning member can vary the wall thickness of the strain relief member, and depending on several factors such as how many tuning members are present, their shape, and their positions within the strain-relief member, the strain-relief member can be specifically tailored to meet desired strain relief characteristics.
Claims23
A cable strain-relief member comprising:
- a housing engagement member;
- and
- a strain-relief part that extends away from the housing engagement member, the strain-relief part comprising:
- an outer surface that defines an outer dimension of the strain-relief part;
- a cable receiving passage extending from a first end of the strain-relief part to a second end of the strain-relief part;
- and
- an inner wall defining dimensions of the cable receiving passage, the inner wall having at least one tuning member that defines a flex characteristic of the strain relief part.
A cable assembly comprising:
- a plug;
- a connector housing coupled to the plug;
- a strain-relief member coupled to the connector housing, the strain-relief member comprising at least one tuning member that varies a wall thickness of the strain-relief member to provide selective strain relief;
- and
- a cable coupled to the connector housing, strain-relief member, and plug, wherein the strain-relief member provides selective strain relief to the cable.
A method for making a stress-relief member, the method comprising:
- providing a mold that forms external dimensions of a strain-relief member;
- securing a removable rod within the mold during a molding step, the rod shaped to ensure a cable receiving passage with one or more tuning members is formed;
- molding the stress-relief member using the mold and removable rod;
- and
- removing the removable rod to yield the strain-relief member having the one or more tuning members.
A method for making a cable assembly, the method comprising:
- providing a strain-relief member having a cable receiving passage that has at least one tuning member;
- coupling a cable to a plug;
- sliding the cable through the cable receiving passage;
- and
- inserting the plug, cable, and strain relief member into a connector housing and securing the plug, cable, and strain relief member in the connector housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.