Connection interfaces with coupling mechanisms
First Claim
1. A connection interface comprising:
- a receptacle configured to be positioned in a wall of an electrical device, the receptacle comprising;
a first set of electrical contacts; and
a channel comprising a first angled surface, the first angled surface being at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connection interface; and
a connector configured to be matingly engaged with the receptacle in an engaged state and to be separated from the receptacle in a disengaged state, the connector comprising;
a second set of electrical contacts; and
a boss comprising a second angled surface, the second angled surface being at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection interface, wherein the boss projects longitudinally beyond, and extends around to circumscribe, the second set of electrical contacts;
wherein the first and second angled surfaces are configured to interact as the connector is moved into engagement with the receptacle, thereby guiding the connector into the receptacle such that the first and second sets of electrical contacts are in electrical communication with each other; and
wherein the first and second angled surfaces are at an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis, of about 45°
to about 60°
.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various connection interfaces are disclosed. In some embodiments, the connection interface includes a receptacle and a connector. The receptacle can be configured to be positioned in the wall of an electrical device. The receptacle can comprise a first set of electrical contacts and a channel. The connector can be configured to be matingly engaged with the receptacle in an engaged state and to be separated from the receptacle in a disengaged state. The connector can comprise a second set of electrical contacts. Some embodiments are configured such that angled surfaces of the channel and boss interact as the connector is moved into engagement with the receptacle. This can guide the connector into the receptacle such that the first and second sets of electrical contacts are in electrical communication with each other.
52 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A connection interface comprising:
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a receptacle configured to be positioned in a wall of an electrical device, the receptacle comprising; a first set of electrical contacts; and a channel comprising a first angled surface, the first angled surface being at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connection interface; and a connector configured to be matingly engaged with the receptacle in an engaged state and to be separated from the receptacle in a disengaged state, the connector comprising; a second set of electrical contacts; and a boss comprising a second angled surface, the second angled surface being at a non-parallel and non-perpendicular angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection interface, wherein the boss projects longitudinally beyond, and extends around to circumscribe, the second set of electrical contacts; wherein the first and second angled surfaces are configured to interact as the connector is moved into engagement with the receptacle, thereby guiding the connector into the receptacle such that the first and second sets of electrical contacts are in electrical communication with each other; and wherein the first and second angled surfaces are at an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis, of about 45°
to about 60°
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A receptacle configured to be positioned in a wall of an electrical device, the receptacle comprising:
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a first set of electrical contacts; and a channel comprising a first angled surface, the first angled surface being at an acute angle with respect to a coupling axis of the receptacle, wherein the channel surrounds the first set of electrical contacts; the receptacle configured to removably engage with a connector along the coupling axis, the connector comprising a second set of electrical contacts and a boss having a second angled surface; and the first angled surface of the receptacle being configured to interface with the second angled surface of the connector as the connector is moved into engagement with the receptacle, thereby guiding the connector into the receptacle such that the first and second sets of electrical contacts are in electrical communication with each other, wherein a first exterior surface adjacent the first set of electrical contacts is generally flush with a second exterior surface adjacent the channel. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A connector comprising:
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a set of connector electrical contacts; and a boss comprising an angled surface, the angled surface being at an acute angle with respect to a coupling axis of the connector, wherein the boss projects longitudinally beyond, and extends around to circumscribe, the set of connector electrical contacts; the connector configured to be removably engaged with a receptacle along the coupling axis, the receptacle comprising a set of receptacle electrical contacts and a channel; and the angled surface of the boss being configured to interact with a corresponding angled surface of the channel of the receptacle when the connector is moved into engagement with the receptacle, thereby guiding the connector into the receptacle such that the connector and receptacle electrical contacts are in electrical communication with each other, wherein the angled surface is at an angle, relative to the coupling axis, of about 45°
to about 60°
. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification