INPUT/OUTPUT CONNECTOR AND HOUSING

• US 20090176391A1
• Filed: 08/29/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Thomas W. JR., Degner, Brett William, Ligtenberg, Chris, Brock, John, Mathew, Dinesh
• Granted Patent: US 7,845,953 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/136
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers

Abstract

A movable I/O port and housing therefore. The I/O port housing may be hinged to pivot between an open and closed position. The pivot point may be a low- or zero-friction pivot. The I/O port housing may include an opening mechanism to facilitate pivoting the port between the open and closed positions, and/or vice versa. For example, the opening mechanism may take the form of paired magnets of opposing polarities.

Claims

1. A housing for an interface of a computing device, comprising:

a plate defining a mounting surface for mating to the computing device;

a housing door proximate the plate and movable between an open and closed position;

at least one interface accessible via the housing;

a hinge coupling the housing door to the plate;

wherein the at least one interface is accessible from outside the computing device when the housing door is in an open position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one interface is inaccessible from outside the computing device when the housing door is in a closed position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first sidewall extending from the plate and having a first outer edge;

a second sidewall extending from the plate and having a second outer edge;

wherein

the first and second outer edges are flush with an exterior of the housing door when the housing door is in the closed position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first magnet placed within the housing door, the first magnet having a first polarity; and

a second magnet placed within the plate, the second magnet having a second polarity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

the first and second magnets are aligned along at least one axis during a motion of the housing door; and

the first and second magnets are not aligned along the at least one axis when the housing door is open.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second magnets are not aligned along the at least one axis when the housing door is closed.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second magnets are of a like polarity.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a low-friction hinge connecting the housing door to the plate.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a gap setter affixed to the hinge, the gap setter maintaining an axial position of the hinge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the gap setter further maintains a set distance between the housing door and the plate along at least one axis.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface is an input/output port.

12. A computing device shell, comprising:

a chassis defining a notch;

a housing for an interface with the computing device, the housing comprising;

a plate defining a mounting surface for mating to the chassis;

a housing door proximate the plate and movable between an open and closed position;

at least one interface accessible via the housing

a hinge coupling the housing door to the plate;

wherein the at least one interface is accessible from outside the computing device when the housing door is in an open position.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the interface is an input/output port.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plate is integral to the chassis.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

at least one first magnet mounted in the plate;

at least one second magnet mounted in the housing door;

wherein

the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet exert an opposing force against one another when aligned; and

the opposing force moves the housing door such that the at least one first magnet and at least one second magnet become misaligned.

16. A method for forming an interface housing, comprising:

providing a case;

providing a housing door;

placing a first magnet within the housing door;

providing a plate;

placing a second magnet within the plate;

pivotally attaching the housing door to the plate; and

affixing the plate to the case.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the operation of pivotally attaching the housing door to the plate comprises:

affixing the housing door to the plate with a hinge;

placing a gap setter on the hinge; and

aligning the housing door and the plate such that the first magnet and second magnet align along at least one axis during an opening motion of the housing door.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the operation of affixing the plate to the case comprises:

matching a first alignment feature formed on the plate with a second alignment feature formed on the case; and

once the first alignment feature is matched to the second alignment feature, attaching the plate to the case.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the first alignment feature is a groove; and

the second alignment feature is a guide pin.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the housing door comprises an aperture through which an interface may be accessed.