Connection systems and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9389648-B2
Application number	US-200913259925-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2009
Priority date	Dec 18, 2009
Publication date	Jul 12, 2016
Grant date	Jul 12, 2016

Abstract

A connector apparatus, system, and method are provided. The connector can include a first end ( 105 A) and a second end ( 105 B) operably connected by a flexible member ( 150 ). The first end and the second end can each comprise a backing member ( 110 ), comprising a plurality of fasteners ( 125 ) and an aperture ( 115 ) operably connected to the flexible member. The backing member can be at least partially encapsulated using a material ( 130 ) forming a surface ( 135 ). A compressible sealing member ( 145 ) can be disposed at least partially about the surface.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computing system, comprising:
a base portion including a user input device;
a display portion;
a hinge pivotably connecting the base portion to the display portion; and
a flexible connection mechanism that attaches to both the base portion and the display portion;
wherein the flexible connection mechanism comprises:
a first end including a first compressible sealing member, a first fastener to be attached to the base portion, and a first aperture, the first aperture to provide a passageway for a plurality of conductors electrically connecting the base portion and the display portion, wherein the first fastener being attached to the base portion causes the first compressible sealing member to be compressed thereby engaging the first sealing member to form a first seal;
a second end including a second compressible sealing member, a second fastener to be attached to the display portion, and a second aperture, the second aperture to provide a passageway for the plurality of conductors, wherein the second fastener being attached to the display portion causes the second compressible sealing member to be compressed thereby engaging the second sealing member to form a second seal; and
a flexible hollow conduit to extend between the first and second ends to circumscribe the plurality of conductors and provide a continuous interior space between the first and second apertures to route the plurality of conductors between the first and second ends.

2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein when each of the first and second fasteners are attached to the corresponding base portion and display portion, the respective compressible sealing member is compressed against the corresponding base portion or display portion to form the respective first and second seals.

3. The computing system of claim 2 wherein each of the first and second ends includes a flange that extends from a backing member and at least partially surrounds the respective aperture.

4. The computing system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second ends includes a flange that at least partially surrounds the respective aperture.

5. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the first and second fasteners are threaded.

6. The computing system of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second ends includes a pair of fasteners on opposing ends of the respective first and second apertures.

7. The computing system of claim 1 wherein the computing system is a laptop computer.

Assignees

• Senatori Mark David
• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Senatori Mark David

Classifications

• H04M1/0229

  The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means · CPC title

• G06F1/1681

  Details related solely to hinges (hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683) · CPC title

• H04M1/0218

  The hinge comprising input and/or output user interface means · CPC title

• G06F1/1683 Primary

  for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling · CPC title

• Y10T29/49171

  with encapsulating · CPC title