WO1999018580A2

WO1999018580A2 - A multiple connector interface cable

Info

Publication number: WO1999018580A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/020337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony A. Dekerf
Original assignee: Kvm Systems, Incorporated
Priority date: 1997-10-02
Filing date: 1998-09-30
Publication date: 1999-04-15
Also published as: AU1063499A; WO1999018580A3

Abstract

A multiple connector interface cable (600) wherein two connectors (P2, P6) of a first type are connected at opposing ends of a first electrical cable (408) so that the pins of each of the two connectors correspond. A connector (P1) of a second type is attached to one of the ends of the first electrical cable, using a second electrical cable (404), and is wired such that the pins of the two connectors of the first type functionally correspond to the pins of the connectors of the second type. This apparatus enables devices compatible with connectors of the first type to be electrically connected to devices compatible with either connectors of the first type or connectors of the second type.

Description

A MULTIPLE CONNECTOR INTERFACE CABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to apparatus for connecting computers and peripherals, and more particularly to connecting computers and peripherals having incompatible connectors.

2. Discussion of Background Art

When a user buys a new computer system, cables often come bundled with the computer systems components. These cables are specifically designed to connect specific computer system components. However, at a later time a user may add after-market components to the computer system, such as extension cables, video switches, junction boxes, new monitors, or a local area network server. These non-native components may have connectors which are incompatible with the connectors on the cables originally provided. In another scenario, a user may be aware that an interface standard is undergoing a transition and that the cabling he buys today will not be compatible with components designed to meet the new standard. One such example is the current transition within the personal computer industry from 5-pin DIN and 9-pin DB connectors to 6-pin mini-DIN connectors.

Current solutions to these problems are expensive, especially for users who support large distributed computer systems. The first solution is to simply purchase a new cable with compatible connectors and disregard the original cable. This solution is not only expensive, but it is also wasteful. A second solution is to purchase an adapter to couple the original cable to the new equipment. This second solution is also expensive.

What is needed is a less expensive and more flexible apparatus for connecting computers and peripherals having incompatible connectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cable assembly for transmitting signals. Within the cable assembly, two connectors of a first type are connected at opposing ends of a first electrical cable so that corresponding pins of each of the two connectors are connected. A second electrical cable attaches a connector of a second type to one of the ends of the first electrical cable, so that the pins of the two connectors of the first type functionally correspond to the pins of the connector of the second type. Thus, using the present invention, a first component compatible with a connector of the first type may be electrically interfaced with other components compatible with a connector of either the first type or the second type. This flexibility lets a user upgrade or test a computer system without having to purchase another cable or an adapter.

In another aspect of the invention, several cable assemblies may be bundled together. When the cable assemblies are bundled together, the individual cables are held together while the connectors at either end are left separate. Bundling cables together creates a single combined cable assembly and avoids the clutter of many separate cables.

Within the method of the present invention, the cable assembly is manufactured by connecting a set of pins on a first connector of a first type to a corresponding set of pins on a second connector of the first type via a first electrical cable. Next, a set of pins on a third connector of a second type are connected to a set of functionally corresponding pins on the first connector, using a second electrical cable.

The apparatus and method of the present invention are particularly advantageous over the prior art because a user may purchase a single cable assembly for less than the price of purchasing an original cable assembly at a first time, and then, at a later time, when adding devices which have connectors incompatible with the original cable assembly, purchasing either an expensive new cable assembly or adapter.

These and other aspects of the invention will be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the detailed description, drawings, and claims set forth below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a pictorial diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 2 is a pictorial diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 3 is a pictorial diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 4 is a pictorial diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly; Figure 5 is a pictorial diagram of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 6 is a pictorial diagram of a sixth exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 7 is a pictorial diagram of a cross-section of the sixth exemplary embodiment;

Figure 8 is a pictorial diagram of a seventh exemplary embodiment of the multiple connector interface cable assembly;

Figure 9 is a pictorial diagram of a cross-section of the seventh exemplary embodiment; Figure 10 is a pictorial diagram of part of an exemplary method for manufacturing the multiple connector interface cable assembly; and

Figure 1 1 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing the multiple connector interface cable assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 is a pictorial diagram of a first exemplary embodiment 100 of a multiple connector interface cable assembly. The first cable assembly 100 includes a first connector 102, a first cable 104, a second connector 106, a second cable 108, and a third connector 1 10. The first and second connectors 102, 106 are of a first type, such as a 6-pin mini-DIN connector. The third connector 110 is of a second type, such as a 5-pin DIN connector. Both types of connectors are well known in the art. All three connectors 102, 106, and 110 are of a male type. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the connectors 102, 106, and 1 10 may be either male or female connectors.

The first and second cables 104 and 108 carry voltages and currents such as those associated with computer interface standards. The first connector 102 is electrically coupled to the third connector 1 10 via the first cable. The second connector 106 is electrically coupled to the first connector 102 via the first and second cables 104 and 108.

The first and second cables 104 and 108 electrically couple the first and second connectors 102 and 106 together so that electrical signals present on each pin of the first connector 102 are also present on corresponding pins on the second connector 106. For instance, if pin #1 on the first connector 102 is a ground signal, then pin #1 on the second connector 106 will also be a ground signal. In alternate embodiments however, each connectors pins may for some reason be electrically coupled so as not to correspond.

The first cable 104 electrically couples the first and third connectors 102 and 110 together so that electrical signals present on predetermined pins of the first connector 102 are transmitted to predetermined pins on the third connector 110. Since the first and third connectors 102 and 1 10 are of different types, some of the pins on the first connector 102 may not have corresponding pins on the third 110 connector. Those skilled in the art however will know of the signaling requirements for computer components connected to the first and third connectors 102, 1 10 and be able to select the subsets of pins on both connectors which must be electrically coupled. For instance, pin #1 on the first connector 102 may be for carrying a ground signal while pin #4 on the third connector 1 10 may perform that function. Thus pin #1 on the first connector must be electrically coupled to pin #4 on the third connector 1 10. The first and second cables 104 and 108 are electrically coupled together by a process discussed with respect to Figure 10. The first and second cables 104 and 108 are mechanically coupled together with an extension piece 1 12. The extension piece 1 12 is a flexible material which securely holds the first and second cables together. A preferred pin connection diagram 114 is also shown.

In operation, the first connector 102 of the first cable assembly 100 may be used to connect a computer keyboard compatible with a mini-DIN connector to a computer circuit-board compatible with a DIN connector using the third connector 110. At a later time if the circuit-board is replaced with a new circuit-board compatible with a mini-DIN connector, the second connector 106 may be used to connect the keyboard to the new circuit-board, and no new cables or adapters need to be purchased. The first cable assembly has at least two alternate configurations from that shown in Figure 1. In the first alternate configuration, the second cable 108 is coupled to the first cable 104 at the first connector 102 instead of at the third connector 1 10. In a second alternate configuration, the second cable 108 is coupled to the first cable 104 at a point anywhere along the first cable 104, between the first connector 102 and the third connector 1 10. Also preferably, the cable assembly 100 contains shielding so as to prevent signal degradation on the wires within the assembly 100.

Figure 2 is a pictorial diagram of a second exemplary embodiment 200 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The second cable assembly 200 differs from the first cable assembly 100 only in that a fourth connector 202, of DIN type, has been added and coupled to the first cable 104. A third cable 204 couples the first connector 102 to the first cable 104. A preferred pin connection diagram 206 is also shown.

Figure 3 is a pictorial diagram of a third exemplary embodiment 300 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The third cable assembly 300 differs from the second cable assembly 200 only in that the second connector 106, of a male type, has been replaced with a fifth connector 302, of a female type, and the third connector 1 10, of a male type, has been replaced with a sixth connector 304, of a female type. A preferred pin connection diagram 306 is also shown.

Figure 4 is a pictorial diagram of a fourth exemplary embodiment 400 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The fourth cable assembly 400 includes a first connector 402, a first cable 404, a second connector 406, a second cable 408, a third connector 410, a third cable 412, and a fourth connector 414. The first and third connectors 402, 410 are of a first type, such as a 9-pin DB female connector. The second and fourth connectors 406 and 414 are of a second type, such as a 6-pin mini-DIN male connector. Both of these types of connectors are well known in the art. The first, second, and third cables 404, 408, and 412 carry voltages and currents such as those associated with computer interface standards. The first connector 402 is electrically coupled to the third connector 410 via the second cable 408. The first connector 402 is electrically coupled to the fourth connector 414 via the second and third cables 408 and 41 . The second connector 406 is electrically coupled to the third connector 410 via the first and second cables 404 and 408. The second connector 406 is electrically coupled to the fourth connector 414 via the first, second, and third cables 404, 408, and 412.

The second cable 408 electrically couples the first and third connectors 402 and 410 together so that electrical signals present on pins of the first connector 402 are transmitted to corresponding pins on the third connector 410. The first, second, and third cables 404, 408, and 412 electrically couple the second and fourth connectors 406 and 414 together so that electrical signals present on pins of the second connector 406 transmitted to corresponding pins on the fourth connector 414.

The first and second cables 404 and 408 electrically couple the second and third connectors 406 and 410 together so that electrical signals present on predetermined pins of the second connector 406 are also present on predetermined pins on the third connector 410. Since the second and third connectors 406 and 410 are of different types, some of the pins on the second connector may not have corresponding pins on the third connector.

The second and third cables 408 and 412 electrically couple the first and fourth connectors 402 and 414 together so that electrical signals present on predetermined pins of the first connector 402 are also present on predetermined pins on the fourth connector 414. Since the first and fourth connectors 402 and 414 are of different types, some of the pins on the first connector may not have corresponding pins on the fourth connector. A preferred pin connection diagram 416 is also shown.

The first, second, and third cables 404, 408, and 412 are electrically coupled together by a process discussed with respect to Figure 10. The first and second cables 404 and 408 are mechanically coupled together with a first extension piece 416. The second and third cables 408 and 412 are mechanically coupled together with a second extension piece 418.

Figure 5 is a pictorial diagram of a fifth exemplary embodiment 500 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The fifth cable assembly 500 differs from the fourth cable assembly 400 only in that the third connector 410, of a female type, has been replaced with a fifth connector 502, of a male type, and the fourth connector 414, of a male type, has been replaced with a sixth connector 504, of a female type. A preferred pin connection diagram 506 is also shown.

Figure 6 is a pictorial diagram of a sixth exemplary embodiment 600 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The sixth cable assembly 600 is a bundled combination of the first cable assembly 100, the fourth cable assembly 400, and an additional cable assembly 601.

The additional cable assembly 601 includes a first connector 602, a first cable 604, and a second connector 606. The first and second connectors 602 and 606 are the same type, such as a 15-pin DB male connector. The first cable 604 preferably carries voltages and currents such as those associated with video interface standards. The first connector 602 is electrically coupled to the second connector 606 via the first cable 604. The first cable 604 electrically couples the first and second connectors 602 and 604 together so that electrical signals present on pins of the first connector 602 are also present on corresponding pins on the second connector 606.

The first, fourth, and additional cable assemblies 100, 400, and 601 are bundled together by a bundling device 608 so as to form the sixth cable assembly 600, which is of a cleaner, neater, and easier to manage design than a group of unbundled cables. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the bundling device 608 may be a sheath, a series of ties, welded seams, glued seams, a wrapping, as well any other well known device for holding the cable assemblies together.

Figure 7 is a pictorial diagram of a cross-section 700 of the sixth exemplary embodiment 600. A preferred pin connection diagram 702 is also shown.

Figure 8 is a pictorial diagram of a seventh exemplary embodiment 800 of the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The seventh cable assembly 800 differs from the sixth cable assembly 600 only in that some of the male connectors are replaced with female connectors and some of the female connectors are replaced with male connectors as listed in Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a pictorial diagram of a cross-section 900 of the seventh exemplary embodiment 800. A preferred pin connection diagram 902 is also shown.

Figure 10 is a pictorial diagram 1000 of part of an exemplary method for manufacturing the multiple connector interface cable assembly. This figure shows how cables such as the first and second cables 104 and 108 of Figure 1 are preferably created and coupled to the third connector 1 10. The discussion that follows also preferably applies to how all the other cables discussed in this specification are manufactured.

To begin, a sheathed wire 1002 is separated from the first cable 104, as shown by A. in Figure 10. A portion 1004 of the sheath is removed to reveal the underlying wire 1006, as shown by B. in Figure 10. A first portion 1008 of the sheathed wire 1002 becomes part of the first cable 104 and a second portion 1010 of the sheathed wire 1002 becomes part of the second cable 108. C. in Figure 10 shows how the first and second portions 1008 and 1010 have been folded back and the underlying wire 1006 has been bent and twisted together. A pin 1012 from the third connector 1 10 is also shown in C. D. in Figure 10 shows how the twisted portion of the underlying wire 1006 is threaded through the pin 1012, after which the underlying wire 1006 and the pin 1012 are soldered together. Those skilled in the art will recognize other ways of forming the first and second cables 104 and 108 and attaching them to the third connector 110. For instance, alternatively, the first and second cables 104 and 108 can be manufactured from two separate cables which are then both individually soldered to pins on the third connector 110.

Figure 1 1 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing the multiple connector interface cable assembly. The method begins in step 1 102 where a first and second connector of a first type, and a third connector of a second type, are provided, each connector having a set of pins. Next, in step 1 104 the set of pins on the first connector are connected to a corresponding set of pins on the second connector via a first electrical cable. The set of pins on the third connector are connected to a functionally corresponding set of pins on the first connector via a second electrical cable in step 1106. In step 1108, a fourth connector of a third type having a set of pins is provided. Next, in step 1 110, the set of pins on the fourth connector is connected to a functionally corresponding set of pins on the first connector via a third electrical cable. A fifth and sixth connector of any type are provided in step 1112. In step 1114, the fifth connector is connected to the sixth connector with a fourth electrical cable. Next, in step 1116, the first electrical cable is secured to the fourth electrical cable. After step 1116, the method for manufacturing the multiple connector interface cable assembly is complete.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that various modifications may be made. Variations upon and modifications to the preferred embodiment are provided by the present invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A cable assembly apparatus for transmitting signals, the apparatus comprising: a first connector of a first type having a plurality of pins; a second connector of the first type; a first cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first connector and the second end coupled to the second connector, whereby pins of the first connector have a predetermined correspondence to the pins for the second connector; a third connector of a second type having a plurality of pins; and a second cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first cable and the second end coupled to the third connector, whereby pins of the third connector have a predetermined correspondence to the pins of the first connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a fourth connector of a third type having a plurality of pins; and a third cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the first cable and the second end coupled to the fourth connector, whereby pins of the fourth connector have a predetermined correspondence to the pins of the first connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first connector connects to a computer keyboard and the second and third connectors connect to a computer circuit- board.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein connectors of the first type are mini-DIN connectors.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein connectors of the second type are DIN connectors.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein connectors of the third type are DB connectors.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a fifth connector; a sixth connector; a fourth cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the fifth connector and the second end coupled to the sixth connector; and a means for fixedly positioning the fourth cable relative to the first cable.

8. A method for manufacturing a cable assembly apparatus for transmitting signals, comprising the steps of: connecting a plurality of pins on a first connector of a first type to a corresponding plurality of pins on a second connector of the first type via a first electrical cable; connecting a plurality of pins on a third connector of a second type to a functionally corresponding plurality of pins on the first connector via a second electrical cable.

9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of connecting a plurality of pins on a fourth connector of a third type to a functionally corresponding plurality of pins on the first connector via a third electrical cable.

10. The method of claim 9 further including the steps of: connecting a fifth connector to a sixth connector with a fourth electrical cable; and securing the first electrical cable to the fourth electrical cable.

11. A cable assembly, comprising: a first connector of a first type; a second connector of the first type; a first cable having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to the first connector and the second end electrically coupled to the second connector; a third connector of a second type; and a second cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second cable electrically coupled to the second end of the first cable, and the second end of the second cable electrically coupled to the third connector.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 further comprising: a fourth connector of a third type; and a third cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the third cable coupled to the first cable and the second end of the third cable coupled to the fourth connector.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein the first connector connects to a computer keyboard and the second and third connectors connect to a computer circuit-board.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein connectors of the first type are mini-DIN connectors.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 1 wherein connectors of the second type are DIN connectors.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein connectors of the third type are DB connectors.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a fifth connector; a sixth connector; a fourth cable having a first end and a second end, the first end of the fourth cable coupled to the fifth connector and the second end of the fourth cable coupled to the sixth connector; and a means for fixedly positioning the fourth cable relative to the first cable.