Tool-less fastener for computer connections

A tool-less fastener for use in connecting a computer cable to either a computer or peripheral equipment. An elongated rod with an external expandable sleeve fits into a standard threaded hole and then expanded to fasten the cable to the equipment without the need for a screwdriver or other tool. The tool-less fastener may be independent of or interconnected to the computer cable.

If you were to search for Tool-less fastener for computer connections using relaxed search criteria, these patents would come up:

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is a follows:

1. A tool-less fastener, for use in connecting a computer cable to one of a computerport 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;

c. means for restricting axial movement which is disposed proximate to the second end; and

d. a solid 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 elongatedreceiving 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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

2. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the rod is cylindrical with a circumferential groove disposed proximate to the second end.

3. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the means for restricting axial movement comprises a second contact element having a central aperture of predetermined radial dimension and wherein the rod is generally cylindrical with a shoulder ofincreased radial dimension disposed proximate to the second end,

said shoulder having an outer radial dimension greater than the predetermined radial dimension of the central aperture,

whereby, said second contact element can be disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the shoulder.

4. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the means for restricting axial movement comprises a second contact element having a central aperture of predetermined radial dimension and wherein the rod has a taper extending along at least onesegment of its length tapering toward the first end of the rod and disposed proximate to the second end of the rod,

said at least one segment of the rod having a section with an outer radial dimension greater than the predetermined radial dimension of the central aperture,

whereby, said second contact element can be disposed around the section of the rod with an outer radial dimension greater than the predetermined radial dimension of the central aperture where said second contact element is limited from furtheraxial movement in the direction of the second end of the rod.

5. The tool-less fastener of claim 4, wherein the contact element comprises a second washer.

6. The tool-less fastener of claim 4, wherein the contact element is a second cupped washer having a concave surface disposed proximate to the sleeve.

7. The tool-less fastener of claim 6, wherein the concave surface of the second cupped washer is in a face to face relationship with a distal end of the sleeve.

8. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the second end of the rod is rounded to facilitate insertion into the elongated recess.

9. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein:

a. the means for biasing comprises a camshaft and a cam mechanism,

said cam mechanism is operatively connected to the camshaft;

b. the rod is cylindrical with a first flattened end and a second flattened end,

said first flattened end has a transverse opening for receiving the camshaft; and

c. the means for biasing and the means for restricting axial movement comprise, respectively, a first contact element and a second contact element,

each of said first contact element and said second contact element has a notched central aperture with one maximum transverse dimension greater than a maximum transverse dimension of the flattened end of the rod,

said first contact element being disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the cam mechanism, and

said second contact element being disposed around the rod between the sleeve and the second flattened end.

10. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein

a. the rod has a transverse opening for receiving a camshaft; and

b. the means for biasing comprises a camshaft and a cam mechanism including a parallel set of cam wheels,

said cam wheels are operatively connected to the camshaft which is operatively connected to the transverse opening in the rod.

11. The tool-less fastener of claim 10, wherein each of said parallel set of cam wheels comprises:

a. a peripheral edge having a first segment with a constant radius of curvature and a second segment of varying radii of curvature,

the radial dimension of the first segment being at least as great as the largest radial dimension of the second segment; and

b. an exterior surface suitably sized to allow the cam wheels to be grasped between the finger tips of a user.

12. The tool-less fastener of claim 10, wherein the cam mechanism includes a parallel set of cam wheels and a lever arm extending from the parallel set of cam wheels to facilitate rotation of the cam wheels,

said lever arm having a first exterior surface that is parallel to a second exterior surface,

said first and second exterior surfaces being suitably size to allow the lever arm to be grasped between the finger tips of a user.

13. The tool-less fastener of claim 10, wherein the cam mechanism includes a parallel set of cam wheels and an extensible lever arm projecting from the parallel set of cam wheels to facilitate rotation of the cam wheels,

said extensible lever arm being movable between a first position in which the arm is retracted and a second position in which the arm is fully extended,

said second position of the extensible lever arm being suitably size to allow the lever arm to readily actuated.

14. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the elongated recess has an interior surface comprising one of a rough surface and a smooth surface.

15. The tool-less fastener of claim 14, wherein the rough surface is threaded.

16. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a textured exterior surface.

17. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the relaxed sleeve has a cylindrical outer shape and the elongated receiving recess has a generally cylindrical shape.

18. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the connection holder comprises a flange.

19. The tool-less fastener of claim 1, wherein the connection holder of the computer cable has a hole for receiving the resilient sleeve, the relaxed maximum outer transverse dimension of the resilient sleeve is less than the smallest transversedimension of the hole, and the deformed maximum outer transverse dimension is greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the hole,

whereby, 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 themeans 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 radialforces of the deformed sleeve when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

20. The tool-less fastener of claim 19, wherein the smallest transverse dimension of the hole corresponds generally to the smallest transverse dimension of the elongated receiving recess.

21. 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 computerport 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

22. 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 computerport 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

23. The tool-less fastener of claim 22, wherein the first contact element comprises a first washer.

24. The tool-less fastener of claim 23, wherein the first washer comprises a belleville washer with a concave surface disposed proximate to the sleeve.

25. The tool-less fastener of claim 22, wherein the first contact element is a first cupped washer having a concave surface disposed proximate to the sleeve.

26. The tool-less fastener of claim 25, wherein the concave surface of the first cupped washer is in a face to face relationship with a proximate end of the sleeve.

27. 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 computerport 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 andthe 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 theplurality 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

28. The tool-less fastener of claim 27, wherein the second contact element comprises a second washer.

29. 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 computerport 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

30. 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 endthereof, 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor 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 connectionand 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 theperipheral port connection by the radial forces of the deformed sleeve when the means for axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

31. The tool-less fastener of claim 30, wherein the means for restricting axial movement comprises 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 andthe 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,

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 theplurality of fins to elastically regain the static position thereby securing the second contact element axially.

32. The tool-less fastener of claim 30, wherein the second end of the rod is rounded to facilitate insertion into the elongated recess.

33. 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 computerport 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.

34. 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 computerport 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 receivingrecess,

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 biasingand 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 smallesttransverse 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 whenthe 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 meansfor axially biasing is disposed in the second position.