Patent Application
20140273644
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the mechanical and electrical arts. In particular, it relates to a connector cable assembly for a variety of connectors.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional connector cables require multiple separate connectors in order to be used with multiple different connectors. For example, a different adapter is generally required if a connector cable is to be used with a device having a USB connector or a 30 pin connector or a Lightning connector. It is a disadvantage of such cables that it is easy to lose, misplace or otherwise find unavailable a particular connector when it is needed. U.S. Pat. No. 7,473,141, to Liao, provides a solution to this problem by providing a single connector cable assembly to which multiple connectors remain physically attached, while they are electrically engaged and disengaged from one another There remains a definite need, however, for additional connector cable assemblies for multiple connectors that provide greater ease in electrically engaging the multiple connectors and provide greater stability both when the connectors are electrically engaged and when they are electrically disengaged.
An aspect of the invention is a connector cable assembly for multiple connectors comprising a base plug, an adapter plug and first and second pivot arms configured to move the base plug and the adapter plug between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions. The base plug has a first end, a second end, and first and second opposing sides with a first connector disposed in the first end of the base plug. The adapter plug has a first end, a second end, and first and second opposing sides. A first reciprocal connector disposed in the first end of the adapter plug is configured to mate with the first connector.
In some aspects, a second connector of a different style than the first connector is electrically connected to adapter plug. In some embodiments, the second connector is disposed on the first end of the adapter plug. In alternative embodiments, the second connector is flexibly connected to the adapter plug. For example, in some embodiments, the second connector is connected to the adapter plug with a flexible cable. And in some embodiments, the second connector is connected to the adapter plug with a flexible hinge, such as a flexible neck. The flexible neck can be comprised of any suitable material including, without limitation, thermoplastic elastomer plastics.
In one aspect, the first pivot arm is pivotally connected to the first side of the base plug and slidably connected to the first side of the adapter plug, while the second pivot arm is pivotally connected to the second side of the base plug and slidably connected to the first side of the adapter plug. In another aspect, the first pivot arm is pivotally connected to the first side of the adapter plug and slidably connected to the first side of the base plug, while the second pivot arm is pivotally connected to the second side of the adapter plug and slidably connected to the first side of the base plug.
In still another aspect, a connector cable assembly for multiple connectors comprises a base plug, a first adapter plug, a second adapter plug, a third adapter plug and first and second pairs of pivot arms, the pivot arms configured so that the base plug and the first adapter plug are movable between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions and the first adapter plug and the second adapter plug are movable between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions.
The base plug has a first end, a second end, and first and second opposing sides with a first connector disposed in the first end of the base plug. In some aspects, the first adapter plug has a first end, a second end, and first and second opposing sides with a first reciprocal connector configured to mate with the first connector disposed in the second end and a second connector of a different style than the first connector, disposed in first second end and electrically connected to the first reciprocal connector.
The second adapter plug has a first end, a second end, and first and second opposing sides, with a second reciprocal connector, configured to mate with the second connector, disposed in the second end of the second adapter plug. In some aspects, the second reciprocal connector and a third connector are both different than the first and second connectors.
And in some aspects, the third connector is electrically connected to the second reciprocal connector. In some embodiments, the third connector is disposed on the first end of the body portion of the adapter plug. In alternative embodiments, the second connector is flexibly connected to the adapter plug. For example, in some embodiments, the second connector is connected to the adapter plug with a flexible cable. And in some embodiments, the second connector is connected to the adapter plug with a flexible hinge, such as a flexible neck. The flexible neck can be comprised of any suitable material including, without limitation, thermoplastic elastomer plastics.
In some embodiments, the first pair of first and second pivot arms comprise a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first side of the base plug and slidably connected to the first side of the first adapter plug and a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second side of the base plug and slidably connected to the second side of the first adapter plug, whereby the base plug and the first adapter plug are movable between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions. The second pair of first and second pivot arms comprise a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first side of the first adapter plug and slidably connected to the first side of the second adapter plug and a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second side of the first adapter plug and slidably connected to the second side of the second adapter plug.
And in some embodiments, the first pair of first and second pivot arms comprise a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first side of the first adapter plug and slidably connected to the first side of the base plug and a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second side of the first adapter plug and slidably connected to the second side of the base plug, whereby the base plug and the first adapter plug are movable between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions. The second pair of first and second pivot arms comprise a first pivot arm pivotally connected to the first side of the second adapter plug and slidably connected to the first side of the first adapter plug and a second pivot arm pivotally connected to the second side of the first adapter plug and slidably connected to the second side of the first adapter plug, whereby the first adapter plug and the second adapter plug are movable between electrically engaged and electrically disengaged positions.
In some aspects, a second base plug connector, different than the first connector, is disposed in the second end of the base plug and electrically connected to the first connector. And in some aspects, the first connector, the second connector, the third connector, the second base plug connector are each a Lightning connector, a 30-pin connector, a USB connector, a DC plug, an audio terminal, a video terminal, an IEEE 1394 connector, HDMI connector or an RJ-45 connector.
In some aspects, the first opposing side of the adapter plug further comprises a first channel slidably receiving the first pivot arm and the second opposing side of the adapter plug further comprises a second channel slidably receiving the second pivot arm. And in some aspects, the first opposing side of the base plug further comprises a first channel slidably receiving the first pivot arm and the second opposing side of the base plug further comprises a second channel slidably receiving the second pivot arm.
In some aspects, the first opposing side of the base plug further comprises a first channel slidably receiving the first pivot arm and the second opposing side of the base plug further comprise a second channel slidably receiving the second pivot arm of the first pair of pivot arms and the first opposing side of the first adapter plug further comprises a first channel slidably receiving the first pivot arm and the second opposing side of the first adapter plug further comprise a second channel slidably receiving the second pivot arm of the second pair of pivot arms.
In some aspects, a first side arm extends axially from the first opposing side at the second end of the adapter plug, where the first slide channel extends along the first side arm, and a second side arm extends axially from the second opposing side of the adapter plug, where the second slide channel extends along the first second arm. And in some aspects, a first side arm extends axially from the first opposing side at the second end of the base plug, where the first slide channel extends along the first side arm, and a second side arm extending axially from the second opposing side of the adapter plug, where the second slide channel extends along the first second arm. And in some further aspects, the first side arm extends axially from the first opposing side at the second end of the first adapter plug, where the first slide channel extends along the first side arm, and the second side arm extends axially from the second opposing side of the first adapter plug, where the second slide channel extends along the second side arm, and the first side arm extends axially from the first opposing side at the second end of the second adapter plug, where the first slide channel extends along the first side arm, and the second side arm extending axially from the second opposing side of the second adapter plug, where the second slide channel extends along the second side arm.
The accompanying drawings, together with the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments;
Particular embodiments of the invention are described below in detail for the purpose of illustrating its principles and operation. However, various modifications may be made and the scope of the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described below.
Referring to
The base plug 10 is made of any suitable material, including insulating materials, such as plastic. In the representative embodiment shown in
A first connector 30 is disposed at the first end 20 of the base housing 18. It is a distinct advantage of the invention, that the first connector can be any of a wide variety of styles of connectors. Representative connectors include, without limitation, Lightning connectors, 30-pin connectors, USB connectors, such as USB type A connectors, USB type B connectors, Mini USB connectors, and Micro USB connectors, DC plugs, audio terminals, video terminals, IEEE 1394 connectors, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connectors, connectors for handheld electronic products (such as mobile phones or PDA's), RJ-45 connectors and the like. In the representative embodiment shown in
In some aspects, a pair of opposing pivot openings 34 (one shown), each having a circular cross section, is disposed in each of the opposing side walls 24 and 28. Aligned on the inner surface of each side wall with each pivot opening is a pivot head holder 36 also having a circular cross section, but with a diameter greater than the diameter of the pivot opening.
The adapter plug 14 is made of any suitable material, including insulating materials, such as plastic. In the representative embodiments shown in
A first reciprocal connector 50 is disposed in the second end 42 of the housing 38 of the adapter plug 14. The first reciprocal connector is configured to mate with the first connector 30 to achieve an electrical connection when the base plug and the adapter plug are in an electrically connected position (as shown in
A second connector 52, of a different style than the first connector 30, is electrically connected to adapter housing. In the representative embodiment shown in
The second connector 52 is electrically connected to the first reciprocal connector 50 by any suitable means, including, without limitation, by circuit boards or terminals (not shown), such that the second connector combines with the first reciprocal connector 50 to form an adapter for the first connector 30. It is another distinct advantage of the invention, that the second connector can be any of a wide variety of connectors. Representative connectors include, without limitation, Lightning connectors, 30-pin connectors, USB connectors, such as USB type A connectors, USB type B connectors, Mini USB connectors, and Micro USB connectors, DC plugs, audio terminals, video terminals, IEEE 1394 connectors, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) connectors, or connectors for handheld electronic products (such as mobile phones or PDA's), RJ-45 connectors and the like. In the representative embodiments shown in
In some aspects, extending axially from the opposing side walls 44 and 46 at the second end 42 of adapter housing 38 is a pair of opposing side arms 54. A pair of pivot arm channels 56 (one shown) extends axially along each side wall and each arm. The pivot channel can have any suitable cross section, such as a polygonal, oval or a circular cross section. In the representative embodiment shown in
And in some aspects, a pair of pivot arms 58, each having a first end 60 and second end 62, movably connect the base plug 10 to the adapter plug 14. In some aspects, extending inwardly from the first end 20 of the base 18 is a cylindrical pivot portion 64 (one shown). In a representative embodiment, the cylindrical pivot portion has a length that is substantially the same as the width of the side walls 44 and 46 and a diameter that is substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the pivot opening 34. And in some aspects, the distal end of the pivot portion contains a pivot head 66 (one shown) of enlarged diameter having a circular cross section with a diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the pivot arm holder 36. The pivot arms are pivotally connected to the base plug by positioning the pivot portion in the pivot opening and seating the pivot head in the pivot head holder 36.
In some aspects, the second end 62 of each pivot arm ends with a slide head 68. At least a portion of the slide head has a cross section with dimensions that are substantially the same as the dimensions of the pivot arm slide channels 56. In the representative embodiments shown in
Shown in
Shown in
The first adapter plug 70 is made of any suitable material, including insulating materials, such as plastic. In the representative embodiment shown in
A first reciprocal connector 82 is disposed in a second end 76 of the housing 71 of the first adapter plug 70. The first reciprocal connector is adapted to mate with the first connector 30 to achieve an electrical connection when the base plug and the first adapter plug are in an electrically connected position. In the embodiment shown in
A second connector 83, of a different style than the first connector 30, is disposed in the first end 74 of the first adapter housing 72. The second connector is electrically connected to the first reciprocal connector 50 by any suitable means, including, without limitation, by circuit boards or terminals (not shown), such that the second connector combines with the first reciprocal connector 50 to form an adapter for the first connector 30.
Extending axially from the opposing side walls 78 and 80 at the first end 74 of the first adapter is a pair of opposing side arms 84. A pair of pivot arm channels 85 extends axially along each opposing side wall at the second end 76.
The second adapter plug 72 is made of any suitable material, including insulating materials, such as plastic. In the representative embodiment shown in
A third connector 102, of a different style than the first connector 30 and the second connector 82, is disposed in the first end 94 of the second adapter plug housing 92. The third connector is electrically connected to the second reciprocal connector 100 by any suitable means, including without limitation, by circuit boards or terminals (not shown), such that the second connector, the second reciprocal connector and third connector combines with the first reciprocal connector 50 to form an adapter for the first connector 30.
Extending along the opposing side walls 98 and 100 of the second adapter plug 72 is a pair of opposing pivot arm channels 104. The pair of pivot arms 84 movably connects the first adapter plug 70 to the adapter plug 76. The pivot arms are pivotally connected to the second adapter plug by positioning the pivot portion (not shown) in the pivot opening 34 and seating the pivot head (not shown) in the pivot head holder (not shown).
In the foregoing specification, various aspects of the invention have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The specification and figures are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. With regard to particular embodiments described above, any benefit, advantage, solution to a problem, or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or components of any or all the claims.
As used herein, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” “having.” “including,” “includes” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials, or components used in the practice of the present invention, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters, or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
This invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/801,740, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, entitled CONNECTOR CABLE ASSEMBLY FOR MULTIPLE CONNECTORS, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61801740 | Mar 2013 | US |
