CONNECTOR SYSTEM

• US 20080064238A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: LIGHTENBERG, Chris, REID, Gavin, ANDRE, Bartley
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/142
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/501 comprising an integral hinge or a frangible part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

An electronic device including a movable hatch with an integrated connector system that moves between an open and closed position. The connector system includes one or more connector receptacles that are hidden within the electronic device when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the closed position. The connector receptacles are exposed for use when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the open position.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a movable hatch with an integrated connector system that moves between an open and closed position, the connector system including one or more connector receptacles, the connection receptacles being hidden within the electronic device when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the closed position, the connector receptacles being exposed for use when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the open position.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the connector system includes a plurality of connector receptacles.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 wherein a portion of the plurality of connector receptacles are different.

4. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the connector receptacles are data ports.

5. The electronic device of claim 3 wherein the connector receptacles are selected from Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a FireWire port, an RJ-11 port, or a RJ-45 port.

6. A method of operating an electronic device, the method comprising:

in a first state, positioning a connector system within an electronic device such that it is hidden from view, the connector system including one or more connector receptacles; and

in a second state, positioning the connector system external to the electronic device such that the one or more connector receptacles are exposed for use.