Headjerk

Yep. . . . I found that Leo LaPorte Uses a JerkStopper on his MagSafe endowed Mac. Uh oh, the Mac Fanboys aren't gonna like this. . . .

Short Update. . . . The cable lock version prototypes (for when a cable locks is in use) have been built and are out being field tested currently. The JerkStopper version for use directly with the "Kensington Port" have been designed and prototypes are scheduled to be built. Film at eleven as they say!

Coming soon. . . .

Not yelling. . . . .But we've never seen a broken USB or RJ11 or RJ45 using the JerkStopper. . . . .I guess it could happen but I suspect that would be the least of the damage if you hit it or threw it hard enough to actually break the port. In testing we yanked a couple of different (dead or dying) systems off a table and desk without damaging the data ports. The actual design (of the RJ series) includes a cavity where the normal electrical contacts would be to preclude any damage to these components.

I figure that just about anytime you pick up a laptop and forget that it has a USB or Modem or network wire connected to it you might subject it to the type of "trauma" you're talking about. I've checked with dozens and dozens of techs and repair guys and they tell me that they never see damage to those three ports. . . .It's always to the (poorly designed) power connector. YMMV! Considering a mouse, a usb drive, or anything else usually attached to a laptop is a hell of a lot lighter then a typical laptop power pack. Using data ports for cable retention doesn't make any sense. It makes about as much sense as using your CD slot of your car's radio to attach a extra cup holder. I think your comparing apples to oranges. . . . An external drive attached via USB or Firewire is pretty heavy...at least as heavy if not heavier than a power brick. Like I mentioned earlier in this thread. . . .In testing we lost ZERO data ports in a year plus worth of testing including dumb guys like me carrying around a Fujitsu and a Sony by the power cord (strung between two JerkStoppers). I think those (data) ports are stronger than a lot of people give them credit for. Certainly stronger than the sh1t attaching points for the power jack.

Mostly corporate guys but also some independent laptop specialists. . . .Most frequently damaged "part" is the screen.

I figure that just about anytime you pick up a laptop and forget that it has a USB or Modem or network wire connected to it you might subject it to the type of "trauma" you're talking about. I've checked with dozens and dozens of techs and repair guys and they tell me that they never see damage to those three ports. . . .It's always to the (poorly designed) power connector. YMMV!

It's not the point of whether it's in use or if it's ever used. The point is that the port was never designed for that kind of use and/or abuse. I'm not sure what type of "abuse" you are talking about???

The "average" user is always gonna have an available port to be used. In an informal poll amongst 100+ laptop users I couldn't find anyone that even remembered the last time they used the RJ11 port and more than half (because of wireless) never use the the RJ 45 port. Different Strokes for Different Folks.

Interesting stuff. . . .Some of which I have seen before. A few years back I almost bought a motorcycle clothing manufacturer that held a patent that had (and still is) been infringed on by Harley, Honda and a bunch of "big names". In talking to my attorney it turns out that since the owner of the patent hadn't raised a stink from day one he (or me if I bought the company) was basically SOL. In the opinion(s) of some litigation specialists I have talked to it boils down to how and when you go after infringer's. Also. . . .in litigating something like this the "device" is fairly unique and my documentation from day one has been pretty accurate. The bottom line (imho) is still "it costs money to fight scum".

You can use it on your desktop systems. . . . Since I have nothing plugged into the RJ11 port on the back of my desktop I use one as a cable guide...Problem is I need about 4 more RJ 11 jacks to route all the cables. And btw I appreciate all the comments. . . I keep on learning! Today I had a forum member from a motorcycle forum I frequent suggest another possible application for the basic design that isn't really computer oriented. So I've been tinkering with some prototypes today and maybe have some other possible applications in the near future.

Actually the unit in the picture is a RJ45 JerkStopper. The security port is a possibility, (my patent covers using it) but in researching usage I found that lots and lots of people already use that port and almost everyone has an available USB or RJ port. Go Figure. . . If I'd started with the security port I'd probably have people asking why I didn't use the (never used) modem port.

As promised. . . . My Fujitsu "hanging in there" And a closer look Back view Normal installation

They actually look exactly like the CAD drawing except they are (so far) being produced in black. I'll shoot some photos (as requested) today and post them later on.

DL that's funny because velcro is where this started. . . .I use velcro for everything I can. . . .Plane, boat, cars, bikes, etc. Way back I mounted a set of airhorns on my motorcycle with some "Industrial strength" velcro. Three years (and 30+k miles) later they are still mounted and functioning. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. My original prototypes were er aah how should I put it. . . "Butt Ugly" but they worked. Just not sale-able. Patents only worth something (beyond looking at it hanging on the wall) if you've got sales for the product (and thus the company) and enough resources to go after infringer's. Some patents are so poorly written that they are in fact "toilet paper". . . Others, if written properly are comparatively easy to enforce. In my case, time will tell. Sales are brisk so far. . . .but I haven't seen your order come thru yet?

The USB version is a "firm" fit, it's still a friction fit. And because it's plastic (ABS), not metal there is little chance it can cause damage. I've purposely pushed an old dead Vaio I used as a mule off the table a few times and had the USB Jerkstopper either disengage with no damage or stay in place with no damage. Not saying it can't happen but in a years worth of testing on a variety of different laptops we haven't had any port damage. There are some cases where you can't use the USB version as you noted. . . . That's why you get a choice (RJ11 / RJ45 / USB). I haven't used a RJ11 port on a desktop or laptop in more years than I can remember. The second generation JerkStopper will be adjustable so it doesn't create problems with adjacent ports.

When I "got the idea" it was to cure the day to day pulling and tugging on the cord. Not sure anything is gonna help if the laptop is thrown, kicked, pushed off a table or desk. Just too many things that can break as you noted. Nothing is gonna help situations like that. . . . Thanks, and thanks for a great idea (the universities). My wife loves her MagSafe!

You didn't....And I am! As have I (spent MANY hours repairing laptop power connectors, ethernet ports, and USB ports). . . . . I suspect there are a lot of 2nd life (hand me down) laptops, ebay laptops, etc that suffer from what some of the Sony and Fujitsu and HP systems I've seen suffer from. Sh1ty design and fragile components at the point of entry for the AC power. The response (orders that is) that I have gotten so far seem to indicate (at least to my "eccentric" way of thinking) that there is a market out there for a way to keep the AC cable "under control". Besides, you can always use one for a laptop flagpole stay or a laptop pencil holder or like I do on the back of my desktop, a cable guide (keeps stuff neat and tidy).

I repeat. . . . . First, it won't "rip a USB/Modem/Network port off the motherboard and/or cause the laptop to go crashing off the table" if used unless you're in the habit of drop kicking your laptop on a regular basis. What it does do is preclude the day to day jerks and tugs that most lap tops are subject to. I've fixed more than a couple of laptops that never got thrown on the floor or jerked across the room. As many already know the crappy little connector on most lap top AC ports is very very fragile. If it wasn't an "issue" with these connectors their wouldn't be a so many "computer repair shops" that "specialize in fixing the $ 4 part for $75-200 would there? In over a year of testing I haven't seen anyone damage a "USB/Modem/Network/Serial/Parallel/etc port" using my product. YMMV. . I guess all those people with damage to the power plugs "forgot" about "accidental damage protection".

Thanks I appreciate the consideration. . . .Yep, I'm serious. Spent a year testing prototypes and waiting for the patent. Spent a "large" amount of money to make the tooling and actually produce the product. Yep, I'm serious (all the way to the bank) First, it won't "rip a USB/Modem/Network port off the motherboard and/or cause the laptop to go crashing off the table" if used unless you're in the habit of drop kicking your laptop on a regular basis. What it does do is preclude the day to day jerks and tugs that most lap tops are subject to. I've fixed more than a couple of laptops that never got thrown on the floor or jerked across the room. As many already know the crappy little connector on most lap top AC ports is very very fragile. If it wasn't an "issue" with these connectors their wouldn't be a so many "computer repair shops" that "specialize in fixing the $ 4 part for $75-200 would there? Do a quick Google Search (laptop power plug problems) and look at some of the 1,580,000 results. . . . . Actually. . . I can carry either my Fujitsu or my Sony around by the power cord with a JerkStopper installed. No broken ports, no sparks flying, etc. Way too late. . . . My patent (pending) covers that plus much much more. . . As a side note my home grown "little" website has been up for almost 48 hours and I've just had to order another 1000 JerkStoppers from my Plastic company. Plastic. . .Yea Plastic, Engadget got it all wrong. But then you prolly didn't "visit the site" and/or think about the product. Anyway. . . .The product actually works and the name is great grist for jokesters don'tcha think?