Patent Application
20080153350
The present invention relates generally to a device and more particularly to an extendable connector on such a device.
Many efforts have been made to improve the design of electronic devices, such as USB devices. However, many of these designs cause additional problems in the device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,400 discloses an USB device that utilizes a latch/clip on one side of a drive and uses spring tension to control the slide movement. Typically, due to metal fatigue, a spring's force diminishes, as the USB device is retracted for an extended length of time, which eventually shortens the productive life span of the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,780 discloses a new design for an USB device, but requires an user to apply a force to a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) to release a set of slide locks to enable the sliding motion. It has been observed that applying force to a PCBA results in damage to trace connections.
Accordingly, what is desired is a device that overcomes the aforementioned issues and provides improved performance.
An apparatus for use within electrical devices is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a casing having an upper body and a lower body, the casing including a tab disposed on a surface thereof and an adjustable base having a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to the tab. The tab engagingly couples to one of the plurality of tab cavities to secure the adjustable base. The device also includes a connector system coupled to the adjustable base.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus that includes a casing design that enables a connector system of the device to extend and retract utilizing multiple slide-locking mechanism.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:
The present invention relates generally to a device casing and more particularly to an extendable connector on such a device. The following description is presented to enable one having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and the generic principles and features described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
The device of the present invention may be directed to electronic devices such as a USB device as well as various computer peripheral devices that are connected by plug connectors to a host computer system to perform various functions. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to any and all pocket-sized computer peripheral device types that are readily transportable and which may be advantageously interconnected with various host computer systems (i.e. any electronic computer of any type or size including desktop computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, and personal digital assistant devices). For example, flash memory storage devices, communication devices, scanners, and cameras are all applicable pocket-sized computer peripheral devices to the present invention.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is applicable, in general, to electronic devices and is therefore not limited to USB devices. Therefore, one having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the USB device embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As shown, pin slots 314 are embedded horizontally along an inner surface 315 of Universal Serial Bus device 300. As stated, when the slide-mechanism is enabled a set of slot pins are forced out of their locking positions in the first set of locking cavities 313 and are guided along pin slots 314 to a second set of locking cavities 316. Once the slot pins reach the second set of locking cavities, they are locked in place. That is, when the slot pins are laterally forced from a first set of locking cavities 313 they travel along pin slots 314 until they are locked in a second set of locking cavities 316. The first set of locking cavities 313 may define the retract or extend position for an Universal Serial Bus connector system. Conversely, the second set of locking cavities 316 may define the retract or extend position for an Universal Serial Bus connector system, depending on the defined designation of the first set of locking cavities. For example, if the first set of locking cavities defines a retract position for an Universal Serial Bus connector system when a set of slot pins are locked therein, then the second set of locking cavities defines an extend position for an Universal Serial Bus connector system when a set of slot pins are locked therein.
It can be appreciated that the term “lock”, “locking”, and other verb tenses of the term refers to fastening, fixing, securing, or holding in place. Accordingly, the slot pins described above are locked, fastened, fixed, secured, or held in place within the locking cavities.
For an embodiment, the distance that the set of slot pins travel to and from the first and second set of cavities defines the length that the connector system can extend or protract beyond the casing (housing or frame) of the Universal Serial Bus device or the distance the connector system can retract or withdraw within. For example, the distance that the connector system can extend beyond the casing of the Universal Serial Bus device ranges from ______ to ______ cm (Please provide range of extension if possible) and for an embodiment, the connector system extends approximately ______ beyond the casing of the Universal Serial Bus device.
For an embodiment, the set of slot pins may feature tapered edges. For an embodiment, “tapered” may be defined as a gradual dimunition of thickness, diameter, or width in an elongated object. For embodiments, the set of slot pins may be tapered to assist the slot pins move within the Universal Serial Bus device once the sliding mechanism is enabled. Additionally, the set of locking cavities may be designed to effectively lock the slot pins in place in the event that the Universal Serial Bus connector system is positioned in a retract or extend state. For an embodiment when the set of slot pins feature tapered edges, the set of slot pins “snap” into place once the slot pins reach the set of locking cavities. Once the slot pins snap in place, the locking cavities provide a tight, flush fit for the slot pins therein.
For an embodiment, the aforementioned procedure defines a first locking mechanism such that an Universal Serial Bus device maintains a static position upon full retraction or extension. For the embodiment, the first locking mechanism is featured along the side of a USB casing.
The Universal Serial Bus device of the present invention also includes a second locking mechanism shown by
For an embodiment, tab 403 comprises a spring section. For the embodiment, the spring section enables the adjustable base to slide along a set of guides embedded along the inner surface of the Universal Serial Bus housing (casing) with minimal resistance. As such, a Universal Serial Bus connector system can extend and retract freely between the first and second locking positions. For the embodiment, tab 403 compresses slightly when the adjustable base slides thereto and therefrom.
For other embodiments, tab 403 also includes tapered edges as shown in
For an embodiment, the aforementioned procedure defines a secondary locking mechanism. For embodiments, the secondary locking mechanism works in tandem with the first locking mechanism described above. For example, when a USB connector system is fully extended both locking mechanisms are enabled. That is, a set of slot pins are locked within a set of locking cavities and a tab is locked within a tab recess cavity that defines an extended position for the USB connector system. Likewise, a set of slot pins are locked within a set of locking cavities and a tab is locked within a tab recess cavity that defines a retracted position for the USB connector system. Additionally, the secondary locking mechanism is featured along the bottom of the USB casing.
Additionally, the Universal Serial Bus device of the present invention may also feature a cable and a second connector system attached thereto such that the USB device can electrically couple to various electronic devices, according to an embodiment. Accordingly,
Additionally, it will be appreciated that the USB casing (housing or frame) is waterproof, according to an embodiment. A waterproof casing can protect a USB embedded within mobile products that are exposed to moisture.
It will also be appreciated that a double injection molding process is used to apply alphanumeric characters to an USB casing to ensure that the lettering remains legible.
It will also be appreciated that during assembly a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is first cleaned using a degreasing solution and subsequently coated with a membrane thereto in a vacuum environment to ensure the moisture-proof protective casing can be driven under low standoff components.
It will further be appreciated that an USB casing contains a recessed plate to allow co-branding with other products used in conjunction with an USB device.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is applicable in general to electronic devices and is therefore not limited to USB devices. Additionally, many modifications may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
