In-Desk USB HUB and Connectivity System
First Claim
1. A connectivity system to use with a desk having a surface containing an aperture to connect computer peripherals to a computer, the connectivity system comprising:
- a grommet that is configured to be inserted into the aperture to act as a liner for the aperture, the grommet comprising;
a collar having an interior surface, a first end having a first cross-sectional area, and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is approximately equal to the second cross-sectional area, anda lip extending outward from the collar wherein, the lip extends outward from the collar at the first end;
anda connection hub separate from the grommet that is configured to be inserted into the grommet, the connection hub comprising;
a connection port surface having multiple USB ports located on the connection port surface,a bottom surface, anda perimeter extending between the connection port surface and the bottom surface;
wherein;
when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, the perimeter does not extend outside of the collar on the first side; and
when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, at least part of the perimeter of the connection hub is spaced apart from the interior surface of the collar defining at least one passageway between the perimeter of the connection hub and the interior surface of the collar;
wherein the at least one passageway is configured to pass at least one cable of at least one device separate from the connectivity system through the aperture and through the desk surface.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A connectivity system capable of use with a desk having a surface containing an aperture includes a grommet and a connection hub. The grommet has an interior surface. The connection hub includes a connection port and a perimeter. The surface of the desk defines a first plane that forms a division between a first side of the first plane and a second side of the first plane. A portion of the perimeter of the connection hub is spaced apart from the interior surface of the grommet such that the perimeter and the interior surface define a passageway therebetween through which a cable may be passed from the first side to the second side of the surface of the desk.
96 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A connectivity system to use with a desk having a surface containing an aperture to connect computer peripherals to a computer, the connectivity system comprising:
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a grommet that is configured to be inserted into the aperture to act as a liner for the aperture, the grommet comprising; a collar having an interior surface, a first end having a first cross-sectional area, and a second end opposite the first end, the second end having a second cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is approximately equal to the second cross-sectional area, and a lip extending outward from the collar wherein, the lip extends outward from the collar at the first end; and a connection hub separate from the grommet that is configured to be inserted into the grommet, the connection hub comprising; a connection port surface having multiple USB ports located on the connection port surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter extending between the connection port surface and the bottom surface; wherein; when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, the perimeter does not extend outside of the collar on the first side; and when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, at least part of the perimeter of the connection hub is spaced apart from the interior surface of the collar defining at least one passageway between the perimeter of the connection hub and the interior surface of the collar;
wherein the at least one passageway is configured to pass at least one cable of at least one device separate from the connectivity system through the aperture and through the desk surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A connectivity system to use with a desk having a surface containing an aperture and to connect computer peripherals to a computer, the connectivity system comprising:
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a grommet that is configured to be inserted into the aperture to act as a liner for the aperture, the grommet comprising; a collar having an interior surface comprising a cross-section, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end wherein, the cross-section is approximately constant, and a lip extending outward from the collar wherein, the lip extends outward from the collar at the first end; and a connection hub that is configured to be inserted into the grommet, the connection hub comprising; a connection port surface having multiple USB ports located on the connection port surface wherein, when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet and the grommet is inserted into the aperture in the surface of the desk, the connection port surface is substantially flush with the lip and the lip is substantially flush with the surface of the desk, a bottom surface, and a perimeter extending between the connection port surface and the bottom surface; wherein; when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, the perimeter does not extend outside of the collar on the first side; and when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, at least part of the perimeter of the connection hub is spaced apart from the interior surface of the collar defining at least one passageway between the perimeter of the connection hub and the interior surface of the collar;
wherein the at least one passageway is configured to pass cables through the aperture and through the desk surface. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A connectivity system to use with a desk having a surface containing an aperture and to connect computer peripherals to a computer, the connectivity system comprising:
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a grommet capable of being inserted into the aperture to act as a liner for the aperture, the grommet comprising; a collar having an interior surface, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end, and a lip extending outward from the collar wherein, the lip extends outward from the collar at the first end; wherein the interior surface is configured to pass at least one cable of a device through the grommet and through the desk surface, the at least one cable comprising a first thickness and a second thickness; and a connection hub that is capable of being inserted into the grommet, the connection hub comprising; a connection port surface having multiple USB ports located on the connection port surface, a bottom surface, and a perimeter extending between the connection port surface and the bottom surface; wherein; when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet, at least part of the perimeter of the connection hub is spaced apart from the interior surface of the collar defining at least one passageway between the perimeter of the connection hub and the interior surface of the collar;
wherein the at least one passageway is configured to pass at least the first thickness of the at least one cable through the aperture and through the desk surface;when the connection hub is inserted into the grommet and the grommet is inserted into the desk, the connection hub is configured to be temporarily removable from the grommet to enable the passage of the first thickness of the at least one cable and the second thickness of the at least one cable through the grommet where the at least one passageway is too small to enable the passage of the second thickness of the at least one cable; and the device is not the connection hub. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification