Magnetic cable connector systems

A cable assembly, comprising:

• a first cable having a first end and a first electrical contact disposed proximate the first end;
• a second cable having a second end and a second electrical contact disposed proximate the second end, wherein one of the first and second electrical contacts is configured to resist separation therefrom of the other of the first and second electrical contacts when the first and second electrical contacts are in electrical contact with each other;
• a first plurality of magnetic elements disposed in a first arcuate arrangement around the first end of the first cable;
• and
• a second plurality of magnetic elements disposed in a second arcuate arrangement around the second end of the second cable, wherein the second arcuate arrangement corresponds to the first arcuate arrangement, and magnetic forces between respective ones of the first and second pluralities of magnetic elements tend to retain the first and second ends of the first and second cables proximate one another with the first and second electrical contacts in electrical contact with each other;
• and
• wherein one of the first and second retainers is configured for rotation relative to a respective one of the first and second cables, and the other one of the first and second retainers is fixed relative to the respective other one of the first and second cables.

A connector system for securing two cables, comprising:

• a retainer having a first cable receiving region that defines a first axis, wherein the retainer includes a first plurality of magnetic elements disposed around the first cable receiving region along a first arcuate path, and the retainer includes an asymmetric guiding element;
• a mating retainer having a second cable receiving region that defines a second axis, wherein the mating retainer includes a second plurality of magnetic elements disposed around the second cable receiving region along a second arcuate path that corresponds to the first arcuate path, and the mating retainer includes a complementary guiding element configured to engage the asymmetric guiding element and orient the retainer and mating retainer with the first and second axes substantially aligned;
• and
• wherein the retainer and the mating retainer are configured such that magnetic forces between respective ones of the first and second pluralities of magnetic elements tend to retain the first and second retainers proximate one another with the first and second cable receiving regions substantially aligned with one another;
• and
• wherein one of the retainer and mating retainer is configured for rotation relative to a respective one of the first and second cables, and the other one of the retainer and mating retainer is fixed relative to the respective other one of the first and second cables.