IP Library Granted Patent US 7,549,886
Granted Patent B2
US 7,549,886 · App. 11/834,225 · Granted Jun 23, 2009

Remote blind mate connector release system for a scalable deep plug cable

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,549,886
App. No.
11/834,225
Granted
Jun 23, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cable trough comprising a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug. The cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device. The trough secures the connector plug in axial alignment with the trough and includes a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough. An elongate wire extends within the trough and is coupled between the release lever and the pull tab. Accordingly, the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the connector plug to the blind mate connector. The release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

Claims (23)

1. A deep plug cable trough comprising:

a rigid trough securing a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug, wherein the cable connector plug has a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device, the trough having a distal end securing the cable connector plug in axial alignment with the trough, a proximal end, and an elongate trough section extending between the proximal and distal ends;

a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough; and

an elongate wire extending within the trough and having a first end coupled to the release lever and a second end coupled to the pull tab;

wherein the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the cable connector plug to the blind mate connector, and wherein the release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

2. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein the release lever forms a rocker arm.

3. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein the release lever extends beyond a proximal end of the guide passage for accessible operability when the cable connector plug is latched to the blind mate connector.

4. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein trough secures the cable along a first side of the elongate trough section and the elongate wire extends along a second side of the elongate trough section.

5. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein cable connector plug is releasably secured to the distal end of the trough using a fastener.

6. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein the trough is substantially open to receive the cable and couple the wire to the pull tab.

7. The cable trough of claim 1 , wherein the cable is a scalability cable.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a cable that terminates with a cable connector plug having a connector latch operable with a pull tab for selectively latching the cable connector plug to a blind mate connector inside an electronic device;

a rigid trough securing the cable, the trough having a distal end securing the cable connector plug in axial alignment with the trough, a proximal end, and an elongate trough section extending between the proximal and distal ends;

a release lever pivotally coupled to the proximal end of the trough; and

an elongate wire extending within the trough and having a first end coupled to the release lever and a second end coupled to the pull tab;

wherein the rigid trough may be directed into a guide passage aligned with the blind mate connector for coupling and latching of the cable connector plug to the blind mate connector, and wherein the release lever is pivotally operable to pull the wire and actuate the pull tab to release the connector latch.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the release lever forms a rocker arm.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the release lever extends beyond a proximal end of the guide passage for accessible operability when the cable connector plug is latched to the blind mate connector.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein trough secures the cable along a first side of the elongate trough section and the elongate wire extends along a second side of the elongate trough section.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein cable connector plug is releasably secured to the distal end of the trough using a fastener.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the trough is substantially open to receive the cable and couple the wire to the pull tab.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the cable is a scalability cable.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034194/0291 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2007
From: HERRING, DEAN FREDERICK, MR.; WORMSBECHER, PAUL ANDREW, MR.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 019652/0966 →