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US 2019/0165517 A1Published application
Integrated force gauge cable mechanism
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSandra J. SHIRK/HEATH, Justin C. ROGERS, Mark G. CLARK, Lee N. HELGESON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to cables and back shells having integrated force gauges. The force gauge includes a sliding member that engages features such as grooves formed in one or more surfaces of the back shell. The grooves and/or sliding member are sized and shaped such that a different forces applied to the sliding member facilitates movement between respective grooves.
Claims20
A cable component, comprising:
- a back shell having one or more grooves formed in surfaces thereof;
- and
- a sliding member coupled to the back shell, wherein the one or more grooves and the sliding member form an integrated force gauge, wherein the sliding member is positioned adjacent to the one or more grooves, the sliding member having at least one engagement member formed on a surface thereof for engaging the one or more grooves, the sliding member configured to move in a first direction upon application of a first force, wherein the first force disengages the engagement member from a first groove of the one or more grooves in the first direction, and wherein the sliding member is configured to move in a second direction upon application of a second force, the first force being greater than the second force, and wherein the second force disengages the engagement member from at least one of:
- (i) a second groove of the one or more grooves, and
- (ii) the first groove of the one or more grooves in the second direction.
2 more elements
A cable, comprising:
- a bulk wire;
- a back shell coupled to the bulk wire, the back shell having one or more grooves formed in surfaces thereof;
- and
- a sliding member coupled to the back shell, wherein the one or more grooves and the sliding member form an integrated force gauge, wherein the sliding member is positioned adjacent to the one or more grooves, the sliding member having at least one engagement member formed on a surface thereof for engaging the one or more grooves, the sliding member configured to move in a first direction upon application of a first force, wherein the first force disengages the engagement member from a first groove of the one or more grooves in the first direction, and wherein the sliding member is configured to move in a second direction upon application of a second force, the first force being greater than the second force, and wherein the second force disengages the engagement member from at least one of:
- (i) a second groove of the one or more grooves, and
- (ii) the first groove of the one or more grooves in the second direction.
3 more elements
A method, comprising:
- positioning an electrical connector of a cable in a receptacle;
- applying a first force to a sliding member of a force gauge integrated into the electrical connector of the cable to move the sliding member from a first position to a second position relative to one or more grooves formed in a back shell of the cable, wherein the first force disengages the engagement member from a first groove of the one or more grooves in a first direction;
- applying a second force to the sliding member to move the sliding member from the second position to the first position relative to the back shell of the cable, the second force directed in an opposite direction than the first force and having a smaller magnitude than the second force, wherein the second force disengages the engagement member from at least one of:
- (i) a second groove of the one or more grooves, and
- (ii) the first groove of the one or more grooves in the second direction, and wherein the electrical connector remains positioned in the receptacle upon application of the second force.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.