Claims
- 1. A connector adapter for interconnecting a peripheral device to a host device, the adapter comprising:a first connector, capable of interfacing with a connector on the host device; a second connector disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement with respect to the first connector, the second connector being capable of interfacing with a connector on the peripheral device, and the second connector being electrically connected to the first connector; a housing interconnecting the first connector and the second connector in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector; wherein at least a portion of the housing is formed from a compliant material that permits the housing to be deflected a predetermined distance; and means for returning the compliant portion of the housing to substantially an original position when a deflection force is removed from the connector adapter.
- 2. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the first connector is a USB-type connector.
- 3. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is an antenna.
- 4. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the degree of rotation between the second connector and the first connector.
- 5. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism that defines a plurality of rotational positions between the second connector and the first connector.
- 6. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the return means is comprised of an extension spring disposed within the housing.
- 7. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, further comprising a flex mechanism formed along at least a portion of the housing that is comprised of the compliant material, the flex mechanism having a physical geometry that provides a predetermined level of strain relief to the housing.
- 8. A connector adapter as defined in claim 7, wherein the flex mechanism is comprised of a plurality of serrations formed on the outer surface of the housing.
- 9. A connector adapter for interconnecting a peripheral device to a host device, the adapter comprising:a first connector, capable of interfacing with a connector on the host device; a second connector, capable of interfacing with a connector on the peripheral device, the second connector being electrically connected to the first connector via a plurality of electrical wires; a housing interconnecting the first connector and the second connector in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector; a flex mechanism formed along at least a portion of the housing, the flex mechanism having a physical geometry that provides a predetermined level of strain relief to the housing so as to permit a bending of the housing a predetermined distance; and an extension spring disposed within the housing, wherein the plurality of electrical wires pass through an inner diameter of the extension spring.
- 10. A connector adapter as defined in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the housing is formed from a compliant material that permits the housing to be deflected a predetermined distance.
- 11. A connector adapter as defined in claim 9, wherein the flex mechanism is comprised of a plurality of ridges and recessed portions formed along an outer surface of the housing.
- 12. A connector adapter as defined in claim 9, further comprising means for preventing rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector to a predetermined number of turns.
- 13. A connector adapter for interconnecting a peripheral device to a host device, the adapter comprising:a first connector, capable of interfacing with a connector on the host device; a second connector, capable of interfacing with a connector on the peripheral device, the second connector being electrically connected to the first connector via a plurality of electrical wires; a housing interconnecting the first connector and the second connector in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector to a predetermined fixed orientation, and wherein at least a portion of the housing is comprised of a substantially compliant material so as to permit deflection of the housing; a flex mechanism formed along at least a portion of the housing, the flex mechanism having a physical geometry that provides a predetermined level of strain relief to the housing so as to permit a bending of the housing a predetermined distance; and an extension spring disposed within an interior cavity of the housing and positioned so as to permit the plurality of electrical wires to pass through an inner diameter of the extension spring.
- 14. A connector adapter as defined in claim 13, further comprising a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the degree of rotation between the second connector and the first connector.
- 15. The connector adapter as recited in claim 13, wherein the first and second connectors are disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement with respect to each other.
- 16. The connector adapter as recited in claim 13, wherein the first and second connectors are disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement with respect to each other.
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application entitled “Rotating Connector Adapter,” filed on Sep. 8, 2000 and having U.S. Ser. No. 09/657,495. That application in incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
US Referenced Citations (21)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2031233 |
Aug 1978 |
GB |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09/657495 |
Sep 2000 |
US |
Child |
09/884543 |
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US |