IP Library Granted Patent US 11,742,613
Granted Patent B2
US 11,742,613 · App. 17/197,489 · Granted Aug 29, 2023

Floating auto-centering cable connector assembly

Inventors: Jeffrey M. Lewis (Maynard, MA); Stephen Strickland (Foxborough, MA)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
H01R13/6315H01R13/748H05K7/1491H01R2201/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,742,613
App. No.
17/197,489
Granted
Aug 29, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A floating connector assembly for an information handling system includes a first float bracket and a connector. The first float includes a bar. The connector includes a first receptacle and a first compressible component. The first compressible component is placed in physical communication with the bar of the first float bracket. In response to a force exerted on the connector, a region of the first compressible component is compressed. The connector floats with respect to the first float bracket in a direction of the force exerted on the connector.

Claims (35)

1. A floating connector assembly for an information handling system, the floating connector assembly comprising:

a first float bracket including a first bar and a backing surface; and

a connector including a first receptacle lined with a first compressible component, the first compressible component to be placed in physical communication with the first bar of the first float bracket, a region of the first compressible component to compress in response to a force exerted on the connector, the connector to float with respect to the first float bracket in X and Y directions based on the force exerted on the connector and the backing surface prevents the connector to float in a Z direction.

2. The floating connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein:

a second float bracket including a second bar; and

the connector including a second receptacle and a second compressible component, the second compressible component to be placed in physical communication with the second bar of the second float bracket, a region of the second compressible component to compress in response to the force exerted on the connector, the connector to float with respect to the second float bracket in the direction of the force exerted on the connector.

3. The floating connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first receptacle includes a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the connector, and the second end is an open shape.

4. The floating connector assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first compressible component is the same open shape as the second end of the first receptacle.

5. The floating connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the region of the first compressible component is uncompressed in response to the force being removed.

6. The floating connector assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first compressible component reforms to an original shape in response to the force being removed.

7. The floating connector assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first compressible component holds the connector in an auto-centered position when the first compressible component is in the original shape.

8. The floating connector assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first bar forms one or more openings within the first float bracket, and the openings to receive the first receptacle when the first compressible component is placed in physical communication with the first bar of the first float bracket.

9. An information handling system comprising:

a server including a side cover; and

a floating connector assembly in physical communication with the side cover of the server, the floating connector assembly including:

a first float bracket including a first bar, the first float bracket secured to the side cover; and

a connector including a first receptacle lined with a first compressible component, the first compressible component to be placed in physical communication with the first bar of the first float bracket, a region of the first compressible component to compress in response to a force exerted on the connector, and the connector to float with respect to the first float bracket in a direction of the force exerted on the connector.

10. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the floating connector assembly further includes:

a second float bracket including a second bar; and

the connector including a second receptacle and a second compressible component, the second compressible component to be placed in physical communication with the second bar of the second float bracket, a region of the second compressible component to compress in response to the force exerted on the connector, the connector to float with respect to the second float bracket in the direction of the force exerted on the connector.

11. The information handling system of claim 10 , wherein the second float bracket is secured to the side cover when the connector is in physical communication with both the first and second float brackets.

12. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the first receptacle includes a first end and a second end, the first end is connected to the connector, and the second end is an open shape.

13. The information handling system of claim 12 , wherein the first compressible component is the same open shape as the second end of the first receptacle.

14. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the region of the first compressible component to is uncompressed in response to the force being removed.

15. The information handling system of claim 14 , wherein the first compressible component reforms to an original shape in response to the force being removed.

16. The information handling system of claim 15 , wherein the first compressible component holds the connector in an auto-centered position when the first compressible component is in the original shape.

17. The information handling system of claim 9 , wherein the first bar forms one or more openings within the first float bracket, and the openings to receive the first receptacle when the first compressible component is placed in physical communication with the first bar of the first float bracket.

18. An information handling system comprising:

a server including a side cover;

a midplane; and

a floating connector assembly in physical communication with the side cover of the server, the floating connector assembly including:

a first float bracket including a first bar, the first float bracket secured to the side cover; and

a connector including a first receptacle lined with a first compressible component, the connector in communication with the midplane, the first receptacle including a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the connector, and the second end being an open shape, the first compressible component to be placed in physical communication with the first bar of the first float bracket, a region of the first compressible component to compress in response to a force exerted on the connector, the connector to float with respect to the first float bracket in a direction of the force exerted on the connector, wherein the region of the first compressible component is uncompressed in response to the force being removed.

19. The information handling system of claim 18 , wherein the first compressible component reforms to an original shape in response to the force being removed.

20. The information handling system of claim 19 , wherein the first compressible component holds the connector in an auto-centered position when the first compressible component is in the original shape.

Assignments (10)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (056295/0280) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 062022/0255 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (056295/0124) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 062022/0012 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (056295/0001) Recorded Jun 10, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 062021/0844 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 058297/0332 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2021
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056295/0124 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2021
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056295/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2021
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056295/0280 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE MISSING PATENTS THAT WERE ON THE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED SUBMITTED BUT NOT ENTERED PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056250 FRAME: 0541. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 17, 2021
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 056311/0781 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 14, 2021
From: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
Reel/Frame 056250/0541 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2021
From: LEWIS, JEFFREY M.; STRICKLAND, STEPHEN
To: DELL PRODUCTS, LP
Reel/Frame 055551/0402 →