Tool-less fastener for computer connections

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, and a second end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end comprising a first contact element having a central aperture and a mechanism that is rotatingly attached to the rod for axial movement with respect to said rod, and
• said first contact element is disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the rotating mechanism;
• c. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, and a second end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end comprising a first contact element having a central aperture and a cam mechanism,
• said cam mechanism is operatively attached to the rod, and
• said first contact element is disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the rotating mechanism;
• c. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, and a second end,
• said rod is cylindrical with a circumferential groove disposed proximate to the second end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end, comprising a second contact element having a central aperture,
• said central aperture has a plurality of inwardly directed radial fins,
• said plurality of fins being flexibly moveable between a static position in which the fins are inwardly directed radially and an dynamic position in which fins flex axially relative to the central axis of the rod to allow one of the first end and the second end of the rod to be inserted in to the central aperture, and
• said plurality of fins being sufficiently resilient to return to the static position when said central aperture is aligned with the circumferential groove of the rod;
• c. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the rod can be inserted in to the central aperture of the second contact element axially flexing the plurality of inwardly directed radial fins until the circumferential groove of the rod is aligned with the central aperture allowing the plurality of fins to elastically regain the static position thereby securing the second contact element axially, and
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a transverse opening proximate to the first end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end,
• said means for biasing comprises:
• (1) a camshaft and a cam mechanism including a parallel set of cam wheels,
• said cam wheels being operatively connected to the camshaft,
• said camshaft being operatively connected to the transverse opening in the rod, and attached to the rod, and
• (2) a first cupped washer having a central aperture and a concave surface disposed proximate to the sleeve,
• said first cupped washer being disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the cam mechanism;
• c. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener extending from a computer cable, for use in connecting the computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, a second end, and a transverse opening proximate to the first end;
• b. the connection holder of the computer cable having a hole for receiving a resilient sleeve;
• c. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end,
• said means for biasing comprises:
• (1) a camshaft and a cam mechanism including a parallel set of cam wheels,
• said cam wheels being operatively connected to the camshaft,
• said camshaft being operatively connected to the transverse opening in the rod, and attached to the rod, and
• (2) a first cupped washer having a central aperture and a concave surface disposed proximate to the sleeve,
• said first cupped washer being disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the cam mechanism;
• d. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end;
• and
• e. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension of the resilient sleeve is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the hole,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess, and the deformed maximum outer transverse dimension is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the hole,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position, and the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be introduced to the hole of the connection holder of the computer cable and the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection by the radial forces of the deformed sleeve when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, and a second end,
• said rod having an integral means for restricting axial movement disposed proximate to the second end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computer port connection and a peripheral port connection, said computer cable having a connection holder disposed on a terminal end thereof, and each of said computer port connection and said peripheral port connection having an elongated receiving recess, comprising:

• a. an elongated rod having a central axis, a first end, and a second end,
• said rod having an integral means for restricting axial movement disposed proximate to the second end;
• b. means for axially biasing the rod which is disposed proximate to the first end,
• said means for biasing comprises a first contact element having a central aperture and a mechanism that is rotatingly attached to the rod for axial movement with respect to said rod, and
• said first contact element is disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the rotating mechanism;
• and
• d. a resilient sleeve having an interior recess therethrough that is suitably sized to accommodate the rod and having a relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension that is less than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• said sleeve being disposed around said rod between the means for axially biasing and the means for restricting axial movement,
• said means for axially biasing being movable between a first position in which the sleeve is relaxed having a first pressure that does not substantially exceed a nominal compressive pressure applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing and a second position in which a deforming compressive pressure is applied to the sleeve by the means for axially biasing,
• said deforming compressive pressure compresses the sleeve axially and expands at least a portion of the sleeve radially relative to the central axis of the rod to a deformed maximum outer transverse dimension that is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess,
• whereby, the second end of the rod with the relaxed sleeve disposed around it can be projected from the connection holder of the computer cable to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the first position, and the connection holder of the computer cable can be releasably connected to the receiving recess of one of the computer port connection and the peripheral port connection when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.