Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a touch pad against wear, spills and abuse. An apparatus may include a cover for placement over a touch pad and adhesive, adhering to the cover, not adhering to the touch pad and for adhering to a surface surrounding the touch pad. The cover may have upper and lower surfaces. Then the adhesive adheres to the lower surface of the cover. An apparatus may include a touch pad with x and y orthogonal dimensions and at least one edge in each dimension, an overlay above the touch pad and with the touch pad forming a contour, and a plastic-film cover, above and adhering to the overlay, fitting the contour of the touch pad and overlay and covering two edges of the touch pad in each of the x and y dimensions. An edge of the touch pad may be the line at which the touch pad becomes accessible from under any overlying material.

Abstract: Inadvertent disconnection between a receptacle and a modular connector is achieved by fitting the connector with a new type of protective sleeve. The sleeve interior defines a first cavity sized to accept the connector and further defines a smaller cavity sized to admit the projecting connector tail. With the connector mated to the receptacle, the sleeve is slid forward. The exposed portion of the connector fits within the first sleeve cavity, and the connector tail fits within and is captured by the smaller cavity. The smaller cavity defines a connector tail capture region that constrains movement of the connector tail. More particularly, the capture region prevents unintended movement of the connector tail in a direction that would release the connector from the receptacle. This arrest feature prevents interruption of the connector-receptacle mechanical and electrical connection.