WO2021253157A1

WO2021253157A1 - Cable hubs

Info

Publication number: WO2021253157A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/096096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ming Wen; Wei Zhao
Original assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Priority date: 2020-06-15
Filing date: 2020-06-15
Publication date: 2021-12-23

Abstract

Example electronic devices are disclosed. In some examples, the electronic device includes a column having a longitudinal axis. A cable hub is disposed within the column. The cable hub includes a connection port to receive a connection plug. The cable hub is to translate along the longitudinal axis, within the column, between a first position and a second position.

Description

CABLE HUBS

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices include connection ports for engaging with corresponding connection plugs disposed on or coupled to other devices or accessories. In some instances, the connection ports may be hidden from view for a variety of reasons (e.g., to improve an aesthetic appearance of the electronic device, to prevent access to the connection ports, etc. ) .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples will be described below referring to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to some examples;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an electronic device according to some examples;

FIG. 3 is a side, cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing a cable hub of the electronic device in a first position according to some examples;

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of an electronic device showing the cable hub of the electronic device in a second position according to some examples;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a cable hub actuation assembly of an electronic device according to some examples;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a channel in a movement plate of the cable hub actuation assembly according to some examples; and

FIGS. 7-10 are sequential side views of a cable hub assembly of an electronic device as the cable hub is transitioned between a first position and a second position, according to some examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device may include a connection port (or a plurality of connection ports) that may be hidden from view. Such connection port (s) may be hidden for a variety of different reasons. In some instances, the connection port (s) may be hidden so as to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the electronic device, or to improve security (by limiting access to the connection port (s) ) . However, in some circumstances, the location of a hidden connection port may be difficult for a user to access, so that connection and disconnection of connection plugs from the connection ports may be difficult (e.g., such as during installation, assembly, movement, etc. of the electronic device) . In addition, in some circumstances, a location of a connection port may cause a cable extending from a connection plug to assume a relatively sharp bend (i.e., a relatively small bend radius) , which may cause damage to the connection plug.

Accordingly, examples disclosed here include cable hubs that are generally hidden within a support column of an electronic device, and that have one or a plurality of connection ports. In addition, the disclosed cable hubs may be transitioned between a plurality of positions along the support column, including a first position that allows easy access to the connection ports, and a second position that may reduce bending for the cables extending from a connection plug that is inserted within one of the connection ports.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an electronic device 10 according to some examples disclosed herein is shown. In some examples, electronic device 10 comprises a computer terminal, such as, for instance, a point-of-sale terminal for a retail location. However, generally speaking, an electronic device may comprise any device or system including components that may include a connection port (e.g., such as the connection ports 102 described in more detail below) . For instance, in some examples, electronic device 10 may comprise an all-in-one computer, a computer monitor, a docking station, etc.

In some examples (e.g., such as the example of FIG. 1) electronic device 10 includes a head unit 20 coupled to a support column 50 (or more simply “column 50” ) . Head unit 20 includes a display 18 which may comprise any suitable image producing device, such as, for instance a liquid crystal display (LCD) , an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display, etc. In some instances, display 18 may be touch sensitive such that display 18 may detect touches (e.g., by a user’s finger, a stylus, etc. ) thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 2, column 50 generally supports head unit 20 above a support surface 5. The support surface 5 may comprise any suitable surface, such as a desk, table, counter-top, floor, etc. In particular, column 50 includes a central or longitudinal axis 55, a first or upper end 50a, and a second or lower end 50b opposite upper end 50a. Head unit 20 is mounted to upper end 50a, and a base 52 that engages with support surface 5 during operations is mounted to lower end 50b.

Referring now to FIG. 3, column 50 incudes a cavity 56 extending axially from an opening 53 at lower end 50b. A cable hub 100 is movably disposed within cavity 56. Cable hub 100 includes a first or upper side 100a, and a second or lower side 100b opposite the upper side 100a. Lower side 100b includes a plurality of connection ports 102. Connection plugs 103 may be received within and engaged with connection ports 102, so as to route communication and/or power signals to and/or from electronic device 10 (e.g., head unit 20) and other devices (not shown, but may include, other electronic devices, printers, scanners, card readers, modems, routers, cameras, microphones, etc. ) coupled to connection plugs 103 during operations. One connection plug 103 is shown connected with one of the connection ports 102 in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes and to avoid overly complicating the drawing. A cable 105 extends from connection plug 103 that may extend through opening 53 of column 50 and out a channel or recess 51 in base 52. Referring briefly again to FIG. 1, in some examples, base 52 includes a plurality of channels 51 for routing cables (e.g., cable 105) therethrough.

Connection ports 102 may comprise any suitable electronic device connection port type, such as, for instance, a universal serial bus (USB) connection port (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, USB 2.0, etc. ) , a video and/or audio connection port (e.g., video graphics array (VGA) , digital video interface (DVI) high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) , etc. ) , a network connection port (e.g., Ethernet) , a power connection port (e.g., a Kettle plug) , etc. In some examples, all of the connection ports 102 are to engage with the same type of connection plugs (e.g., such as USB type connectors) . In some examples, the connection ports 102 (or some of the connection ports 102) may engage with different types of connection plugs.

Conductors 106 extend from connection ports 102, through upper side 100a. The conductors 106 may be coupled (e.g., directly or indirectly) to the head unit 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and previously described above. Thus, connection ports 102 (as well as connection plugs 103 inserted within connection ports 102) may be coupled (e.g., electrically coupled in some circumstances) to the head unit 20 during operations. Conductors 106 may comprise any suitable conductor of electrical, light or other power and/or informational signals. For instance, in some examples, conductors 106 may comprise metallic wires, fiber optic lines, conductive traces, leads, surfaces, or any combination thereof.

Cable hub 100 is also axially movable within the cavity 56 to a plurality of positions. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, cable hub 100 is disposed in a first position within cavity 56, wherein lower side 100b of cable hub 100 is generally spaced from lower end 50b of column 50 along axis 55. When cable hub 100 is in the first position of FIG. 3, the spacing between lower side 100b and lower end 50b of column 50 along axis 55 allows the cable 105 of a connection plug 103 inserted within one of the connection ports 102 to assume a more gradual bend (or larger bend radius) as it extends back out of opening 53 as previously described above. As a result, damage to the cable 105 or connection plug 103 due to bending or kinking of the cable 105 may be prevented.

Referring now to FIG. 4, cable hub 100 may also be disposed in a second position within cavity 56 in which the cable hub 100 is translated axially closer to lower end 50b of column 50 from the first position of FIG. 3. Thus, when cable hub 100 is in the second position of FIG. 4, lower side 100b and connection ports 102 may be closer to opening 53 at lower end 50b of column 50 (e.g., as compared to the first position of FIG. 3) so that a user may more easily access the connection ports 102 (e.g., to engage or disengage a connection plug 103 from the connection ports 102) .

Generally speaking, the cable hub 100 may be guided and transitioned between the first position (FIG. 3) and the second position (FIG. 4) with a pair of cable hub actuation assemblies 120 coupled to the column 50. Referring specifically again to FIG. 3, each cable hub actuation assembly 120 is disposed within a corresponding radially extending recess 110 within column 50. In some examples (e.g., such as the example of FIG. 3) , the recesses 110 and thus, cable hub actuation assemblies 120 are disposed radially opposite one another across axis 55 (e.g., so that cable hub actuation assemblies 120 are angularly disposed approximately 180° from one another about axis 55) .

Each cable hub actuation assembly 120 generally includes a movement plate 122 and a locking pin 126. Movement plate 122 includes a channel 124 that receives an end 126a of the locking pin 126 therein. A biasing member 129 is mounted to a door 128 covering recess 110 that engages with locking pin 126 so as to bias end 126a of locking pin 126 into channel 124 during operations. In some examples, biasing member 129 comprises a flat spring, such as a leaf spring; however, other types of biasing members or structures may be used in other examples.

Movement plates 122 are engaged with cable hub 100 through axially extending slots 59 extending through column 50 so that as cable hub 100 translates along axis 55 (e.g., between the first and second positions shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 as described above) , the movement plates 122 also move axially (e.g., with respect to axis 55) within the corresponding recesses 110. In addition, each cable hub actuation assembly 120 also includes a biasing member 130 that is coupled to movement plate 122 and column 50 so as to bias movement plate 122 (and thus also cable hub 100) toward lower end 50b of column 50. Accordingly, biasing members 130 may bias cable hub 100 toward the second position of FIG. 4. In some examples, biasing member 130 comprises a coiled spring; however, other types of biasing members or structures are contemplated in other examples.

The locking pin 126 of each cable hub actuation assembly 120 is fixed to column 50 within recess 110 so that as cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 are translated along axis 55, end 126a of locking pin 126 traverses through channel 124. As will be described in more detail below, the channel 124 is formed so that traversal of the end 126a of locking pin 126 within channel 124 is to guide movement plate 122 (and thus also cable hub 100) between the first position of FIG. 3 and the second position of FIG. 4.

Referring still to FIG. 3, when the cable hub 100 is in the first position, the end 126a of each locking pin 126 in the cable hub actuation assemblies 120 may be engaged with a suitable stop surface (not shown in FIG. 3, but see stop surface 168 in FIG. 6, which is described in more detail below) within the corresponding channel 124. As a result, the cable hub 100 may be maintained or held within the first position by the engagement of the end 126a of locking pins 126 and the stop surface (not shown) within the corresponding channels 124.

When it is desired to transition the cable hub 100 from the first position of FIG. 3 to the second position of FIG. 4, a user may apply a force 114 on the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 along (or parallel to) axis 55 away from lower end 50b (and thus toward upper end 50a depicted in FIG. 2) . The force 114 may be applied to the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 when a user (not shown) pushes against the lower side 100b with a finger or tool. The force 114 causes an initial axial movement of cable hub 100 and movement plates 122 along axis 55 away from lower end 50b that may disengage ends 126a of locking pins 126 from the stop surfaces (not shown) within the corresponding channels 124 and thereby allow cable hub 100 and movement plates 122 to translate axially toward lower end 50b until reaching the second position of FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, once the cable hub 100 reaches the second position (FIG. 4) , cable hub 100 is engaged with lower ends 59a of slots 59, thereby preventing further axial movement of cable hub 100 toward lower end 50b of column 50. Thereafter, when it is desired to transition the cable hub 100 from the second position of FIG. 4 back to the first position of FIG. 3, a user may again apply another force 115 on the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 along (or parallel to) axis 55, away from lower end 50b (and thus toward upper end 50a depicted in FIG. 2) . The resulting axial movement of cable hub 100 translates the cable hub 100 axially within cavity 56 away from lower end 50b of column 50 back toward the first position of FIG. 3. Upon reaching the first position of FIG. 3, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 may once again engage with the stop surfaces in the corresponding channels 124 so as to hold cable hub 100 in the first position of FIG. 3 as previously described.

Thus, transitioning the cable hub 100 between the first and second positions of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be accomplished by applying

forces

114, 115 to the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 in the same direction (i.e., along axis 55, toward upper end 50a and away from lower end 50b of column 50) . As a result, cable hub actuation assembles 120 may be so-called “push-push” mechanisms for transitioning the cable hub 100 between the first and second positions of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. Further details of the cable hub actuation assemblies 120 and the actuation of cable hub 100 between the first and second positions according to some examples will be described below.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an example of one of the cable hub actuation assemblies 120 is shown. In some examples (e.g., such as the example of FIG. 5) , cable hub actuation assembly 120 includes two locking pins 126 engaged within two corresponding channels 124 formed in movement plate 122. As a result, the door (e.g., door 128 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) of cable hub actuation assembly 120 may include a pair of biasing members (e.g., biasing member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) that are to engage with the locking pins 126 to bias ends 126a into channels 124 as previously described above. In some examples, the locking pins 126 themselves may act as biasing members that bias ends 126a into channels 124 during operations (e.g., such that biasing members 129 on door 128 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be omitted) .

In addition, a pair of channels or grooves 111 (one of which is visible in FIG. 5) is formed within the recess 110. During operations, edges of the movement plate 122 are received within grooves 111, so that grooves 111 may guide the axial movement of movement plate 122 during operations as previously described above.

Further, a first screw 132 extends through movement plate 122 that is to secure a first or upper end 130a of biasing member 130 to movement plate 122 and to secure movement plate122 to cable hub 100 (see e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) . A second screw 134 engages with a second or lower end 130b of biasing member 130 so as to fix lower end 130b to column 50 within recess 110.

Screws

132, 134 may comprise any suitable mounting member, such as, for instance, rivets, nails, screws, pegs, etc. Thus, use of the name “screws” should not be interpreted as limiting the other potential alternative mounting members that may be used in place of

screws

132, 134 in various examples.

Referring now to FIG. 6, one of the channels 124 extending within the movement plate 122 of FIG. 5 is shown enlarged so as to further illustrate the structure thereof. Generally speaking, channel 124 includes a plurality of portions or

sections

150, 152, 154, 156 linked end-to-end to form a continuous loop. Channel 124 includes a first portion 150, a second portion 152, a third portion 154, and a fourth portion 156. The first position 150 extends from the fourth portion 156 to the second portion 152, the second portion 152 extends from the first portion 150 to the third portion 154, the third portion 154 extends from the second portion 152 to the fourth portion 156, and the fourth portion 156 extends from the third portion 154 back to the first portion 150.

More particularly, each

portion

150, 152, 154, 156 includes a

first end

150a, 152a, 154a, 156a, and a

second end

150b, 152b, 154b, 156b, opposite the

first end

150a, 152a, 154a, 156a, respectively. In addition, the second end 150b of first portion 150 is linked to the first end 152a of second portion 152, the second end 152b of second portion 152 is linked to the first end 154a of third portion 154, the second end 154b of third portion 154 is linked to the first end 156a of fourth portion 156, and the second end 156b of fourth portion 156 is linked to the first end 150a of first portion 150.

The second end 156b of fourth portion 156 is generally higher (or more shallow) than the first end 150a of first portion 150 so that a ledge 162 is formed therebetween. In addition, the second end 150b of first portion 150 is generally higher (or more shallow) than the first end 152a of second portion 152 so that a ledge 160 is formed therebetween. Further, the second end 152b of second portion 152 is generally higher (or more shallow) than the first end 154a of third portion 154 so that a ledge 166 is formed therebetween. Still further, the second end 154b of third portion 154 is generally higher (or more shallow) than the first end 156a of fourth portion 156 so that a ledge 164 is formed therebetween. Also, the second portion 152 includes a ramp or inclined surface 153 between

ends

152a, 152b so that second end 152b is generally higher (or more shallow) than first end 152a. A stop surface 168 is defined within channel 124 at the first end 150a of first portion 150.

During operations, as will be described in more detail below, the end 126a of locking pin 126 (see e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) translates along the continuous loop of the channel 124 in a single direction. In particular, the end 126a of locking pin 126 may repeatedly translate from the first portion 150 to the second portion 152, to the third portion 154, to the fourth portion 156, and then back to the first portion 150 (so that the movement sequence may be repeated) as the cable hub 100 is translated between the first position of FIG. 3 and the second position of FIG. 4. The

ledges

160, 162, 164, 166 may prevent end 126a of locking pin 126 from traversing along the channel 124 in a reversed direction from that described above (e.g., such as from the first portion 150 to the fourth portion 156, from the second portion 152 to the first portion, or from the fourth portion 156 to the third portion 154) .

FIGS. 7-10 show the series of movements of one of the cable hub actuation assemblies 120 during transitioning the cable hub 100 between the first position (FIG. 3) and the second position (FIG. 4) . While not shown, the other cable hub actuation assembly 120 (see e.g., FIGS. 3 and 4) may also transition through the same series of movements depicted in FIGS. 7-10. In describing the sequence of movements shown in FIGS. 7-10, continuing reference will be made to FIG. 6 which shows various structural details of channels 124 as previously described above.

Referring first to FIG. 7, when the cable hub 100 (which is generally shown in broken line in FIG. 7) is in the first position of FIG. 3, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 are disposed within the first portions 150 of channels 124. In particular, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 are disposed at the first ends 150a of the first portions 150 of the corresponding channels 124 so that the ends 126a are abutted with the stop surfaces 168 (see e.g., FIG. 6) via the bias provided by biasing member 130, and the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 are therefore prevented from moving toward the second position of FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 8, when it is desired to transition the cable hub 100 from the first position (FIGS. 3 and 7) to the second position (FIGS. 4 and 9) , the user may apply the axially directed force 114 to the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 as previously described above, which thereby moves the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 toward upper end 50a of column 50 along axis 55 (see e.g., FIG. 2) . As the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 move upward along the direction of force 114, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 disengage from stop surfaces 168 and slide from the first ends 150a toward the second ends 150b of first portions 150 within the corresponding channels 124 (see e.g., FIG. 6) . Eventually the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide past ledges 160 and drop into second portions 152 (e.g., via the bias provided by the biasing members 129 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and/or the locking pins 126 themselves as previously described above) .

Referring now to FIG. 9, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 may be prevented from sliding back from the second portion 152 into the first portion 150 by the ledges 160 as previously described above (see e.g., FIG. 6) . As a result, after ends 126a of locking pins 126 have advanced past ledges 160 into second portions 152 of the corresponding channels 124 and the axial force 114 provided by the user is released, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide along second portions 152 toward the second ends 152b within the corresponding channels 124 via the bias provided by biasing member 130. As the ends 126a slide along second portions 152 toward second ends 152b, the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 travel axially toward lower end 50b of column 50 (see e.g., FIGS. 2-4) until the cable hub 100 reaches the second position of FIGS. 4 and 9 (and cable hub 100 is engaged with lower ends 59a of slots 59 as previously described above and shown in FIG. 4) . In addition, as the cable hub 100 approaches the second position (FIGS. 4 and 9) , the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide past ledges 166 and drop into third portion 154 (see e.g., FIG. 6) .

Referring now to FIG. 10, when it is desired to transition the cable hub 100 from the second position (FIGS. 4 and 9) to the first position (FIGS. 3 and 7) , the user may apply the axially directed force 115 to the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 as previously described above which again moves the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 toward upper end 50a of column 50 along axis 55 (see e.g., FIG. 2) . The ends 126a of locking pins 126 may be prevented from sliding back from the third portion 154 into the second portion 152 by the ledges 166 as previously described above so that as the cable hub 100 and movement plate 122 move upward along the direction of force 115, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide along third portions 154 toward the second ends 154b within the corresponding channels 124 (see e.g., FIG. 6) .

Eventually the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide past ledges 164 and drop into fourth portions 156 (e.g., via the bias provided by the biasing members 129 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and/or the locking pins 126 themselves as previously described above) . The ends 126a of locking pins 126 may be prevented from sliding back from the fourth portions 156 into the third portions 154 by the ledges 164 as previously described above. Thus, when the axial force 115 provided by the user is released, the ends 126a of locking pins 126 slide along fourth portions 156 toward second ends 156b and eventually slide past ledges 162 and drop back into the first portions 150 via the bias provided by the biasing member 130 (see e.g., FIG. 6) . Once the ends 126a of locking pins 126 are disposed within the first portions 150, the ends may again abut with stop surface 168 to secure in the cable hub 100 in first position of FIGS. 3 and 7 (see e.g., the progression from FIG. 10 to FIG. 7) . The ends 126a may be prevented from sliding back into the fourth portions 156 from the first portions 150 via the ledges 162 so that when the force 114 (see e.g., FIG. 8) is again applied to the lower side 100b of cable hub 100, the ends 126a again slide along first portions 150 toward second portions 152of the corresponding channels 124 as previously described (See e.g., FIG. 6) .

Accordingly, during transitioning of the cable hub 100 between the first position (FIG. 3) and second position (FIG. 4) , the ends 126a of locking pins 126 are sequentially progressed along

portions

150, 152, 154, 156 of channels 124 so as to guide the cable hub 100 between the first and second positions. In addition, backward or reversed travel of the ends 126a of locking pins 126 within channels 124 is prevented via the

ledges

160, 162, 164, 166 as previously described above.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, as previously described, during operations a user may transition the cable hub 100 from the first position (FIG. 3) to the second position (FIG. 4) by pushing (e.g., force 114) on the lower side 100b of cable hub 100 so as to bring the connection ports 102 closer to the opening 53 at lower end 50b of column 50. As a result, when the cable hub 100 is in the second position (FIG. 4) , a user may more easily access the lower side 100b so as to engage suitable connection plug (s) 103 with the connection port (s) 102. Thereafter, the user may transition the cable hub 100 from the second position (FIG. 4) to the first position (FIG. 3) again by pushing (e.g., force 115) on the lower side 100b of the cable hub 100 so as to move the connection ports 102 away from the opening 53 at lower end 50b of column 50. As a result, when the cable hub 100 is in the first position (FIG. 3) , cables 105 extending from the connection plug (s) 103 may assume a more gradual bend (i.e., a greater bend radius) as they extend out of opening 53 of column 50 so that damage to the cables 105 or connection plugs 103 may be prevented.

In the figures, certain features and components disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form, and some details of certain elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In some of the figures, in order to improve clarity and conciseness, a component or an aspect of a component may be omitted.

In the discussion above and in the claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to.... " Also, the term "couple" or "couples" is intended to be broad enough to encompass both indirect and direct connections. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices, components, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms "axial" and "axially" generally refer to positions along or parallel to a central or longitudinal axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port) , while the terms "lateral" and “laterally” generally refer to positions located or spaced to the side of the central or longitudinal axis.

As used herein, including in the claims, the word “or” is used in an inclusive manner. For example, “A or B” means any of the following: “A” alone, “B” alone, or both “A” and “B. ” In addition, when used herein including the claims, the word “generally” or “substantially” means within a range of plus or minus 10%of the stated value.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Claims

An electronic device, comprising:

a column including a longitudinal axis; and

a cable hub disposed within the column, wherein the cable hub includes a connection port to receive a connection plug;

wherein the cable hub is to translate along the longitudinal axis, within the column, between a first position and a second position.
The electronic device of claim 1, comprising:

a movement plate coupled to the cable hub and including a channel, wherein the movement plate is to translate with the cable hub as the cable hub is translated between the first position and the second position; and

a locking pin fixed to the column, wherein the locking pin is to traverse within the channel as the cable hub is transitioned between the first position and the second position.
The electronic device of claim 2, comprising a biasing member coupled to the movement plate, wherein the biasing member is to bias the cable hub toward the second position.
The electronic device of claim 3, wherein the channel comprises a continuous loop, and wherein the locking pin is traversed along the continuous loop as the cable hub is transitioned between the first position and the second position.
The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of portions that each include a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each portion is linked to the second end of an adjacent portion along the continuous loop, and wherein the first end of each portion is shallower within the movement plate than the second end of the adjacent portion.
The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the cable hub is to translate from the first position to the second position when a first force is applied to the cable hub, wherein the cable hub is to translate from the second position to the first position when a second force is applied to the cable hub, wherein the first force and the second force are directed in the same axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.
An electronic device, comprising:

a column including a longitudinal axis, an upper end, and a lower end;

a display coupled to the upper end of the column; and

a cable hub disposed within the column, wherein the cable hub includes a connection port to receive a connection plug, and wherein the cable hub is to translate along the longitudinal axis between the upper end and the lower end.
The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the cable hub is biased toward the lower end of the column.
The electronic device of claim 8, comprising:

a movement plate coupled to the cable hub and including a channel, wherein the movement plate is to translate with the cable hub along the longitudinal axis; and

a locking pin fixed to the column, wherein the locking pin is to traverse within the channel as the cable hub is translated along the longitudinal axis between the upper end and the lower end.
The electronic device of claim 9, wherein the channel comprises a continuous loop, and wherein translation of the cable hub along the axis toward the upper end is to traverse the locking pin through a first portion of the channel, and wherein translation of the cable hub along the axis toward the lower end is to traverse the locking pin along a second portion of the channel.
The electronic device of claim 10, comprising a biasing member coupled to the movement plate, wherein the biasing member is to bias the cable hub toward the lower end of the column.
A column of an electronic device, comprising:

a longitudinal axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end along the longitudinal axis, wherein the second end is coupled to a base of the column; and

a cable hub disposed within the column, wherein the cable hub includes a connection port to receive a connection plug, and wherein the cable hub is to translate along the longitudinal axis, within the column, between:

a first position wherein the cable hub is disposed at a first distance from the base along the longitudinal axis; and

a second position wherein the cable hub is disposed at a second distance from the base along the longitudinal axis that is shorter to the first distance.
The column of claim 12, comprising:

a movement plate coupled to the cable hub and including a channel, wherein the movement plate is to translate with the cable hub as the cable hub is translated between the first position and the second position; and

a locking pin that is to traverse within the channel as the cable hub is transitioned between the first position and the second position.
The column of claim 13, comprising a biasing member coupled to the movement plate, wherein the biasing member is to bias the cable hub toward the second position.
The column of claim 14, wherein the channel comprises a plurality of portions that each include a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each portion is linked to the second end of an adjacent portion along the continuous loop, and wherein the first end of each portion is shallower within the movement plate than the second end of the adjacent portion.