REVERSIBLE USB CONNECTOR
First Claim
1. A reversible Universal Serial Bus plug connector comprising:
- a body;
a dielectric base;
a shell extending from the body and having an opening at a first end that communicates with a cavity defined by four inner surfaces of the shell and the dielectric base;
a deflectable tongue disposed within the cavity and extending from the dielectric base towards the opening, the tongue having a tip proximal the opening and first and second opposing surfaces that extend from the tip towards the base and including;
a first plurality of contacts exposed at the first surface of the tongue proximal the tip, the first plurality of contacts including first, second, third and fourth contacts;
a second plurality of contacts exposed at the second surface of the tongue, the second plurality of contacts including a fifth contact directly opposite the first contact, a sixth contact directly opposite the second contact, a seventh contact directly opposite the third contact, and an eighth contact directly opposite the fourth contact;
a dielectric spacer formed around and between the first and second plurality of contacts to electrically isolate each contact from adjacent contacts;
a first plurality of electrically conductive contact frames including a first contact frame coupled to the first contact, a second contact frame coupled to the second contact, a third contact frame coupled to the third contact, a fourth contact frame coupled to the fourth contact, a fifth contact frame coupled to the fifth contact, and an eighth contact frame coupled to the eighth contact, each of the first plurality of contact frames extending from its respective contact into the dielectric base; and
a second plurality of electrically conductive contact frames including a sixth contact frame coupled to the sixth contact and a seventh contact frame coupled to the seventh contact;
wherein the first and eighth contact frames are electrically coupled, the fourth and fifth contact frames are electrically coupled, the second and seventh contact frames are electrically coupled, and the third and sixth contact frames are electrically coupled; and
wherein an arm extends between the sixth and seventh contact frames.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments can provide reversible or dual orientation USB plug connectors for mating with standard USB receptacle connectors, e.g., a standard Type A USB receptacle connector. Accordingly, the present invention may be compatible with any current or future electronic device that includes a standard USB receptacle connector. USB plug connectors according to the present invention can have a 180 degree symmetrical, double orientation design, which enables the plug connector to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations. Some embodiments of the present invention may be used with or require a non-standard USB receptacle connector. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the potential for USB connector damage and user frustration during the incorrect insertion of a USB plug connector into a corresponding USB receptacle connector of an electronic device.
63 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A reversible Universal Serial Bus plug connector comprising:
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a body; a dielectric base; a shell extending from the body and having an opening at a first end that communicates with a cavity defined by four inner surfaces of the shell and the dielectric base; a deflectable tongue disposed within the cavity and extending from the dielectric base towards the opening, the tongue having a tip proximal the opening and first and second opposing surfaces that extend from the tip towards the base and including; a first plurality of contacts exposed at the first surface of the tongue proximal the tip, the first plurality of contacts including first, second, third and fourth contacts; a second plurality of contacts exposed at the second surface of the tongue, the second plurality of contacts including a fifth contact directly opposite the first contact, a sixth contact directly opposite the second contact, a seventh contact directly opposite the third contact, and an eighth contact directly opposite the fourth contact; a dielectric spacer formed around and between the first and second plurality of contacts to electrically isolate each contact from adjacent contacts; a first plurality of electrically conductive contact frames including a first contact frame coupled to the first contact, a second contact frame coupled to the second contact, a third contact frame coupled to the third contact, a fourth contact frame coupled to the fourth contact, a fifth contact frame coupled to the fifth contact, and an eighth contact frame coupled to the eighth contact, each of the first plurality of contact frames extending from its respective contact into the dielectric base; and a second plurality of electrically conductive contact frames including a sixth contact frame coupled to the sixth contact and a seventh contact frame coupled to the seventh contact; wherein the first and eighth contact frames are electrically coupled, the fourth and fifth contact frames are electrically coupled, the second and seventh contact frames are electrically coupled, and the third and sixth contact frames are electrically coupled; and
wherein an arm extends between the sixth and seventh contact frames. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A Universal Serial Bus plug connector comprising:
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a body; a base housed in the body; a cable coupled to the body and including a plurality of insulated wires, including a ground wire, a data+wire, a data−
wire and a power wire; anda tab extending longitudinally away from base in a direction parallel to the length of the plug connector, the tab including a plurality of contact frames, each contact frame including a first contact exposed at a top surface of the tab and a second contact exposed a bottom surface of the tab, wherein each contact frame is electrically coupled with a different wire of the plurality of insulated wires, wherein the plurality of contact frames are shaped and sized to provide the same Universal Serial Bus pinout on both the first and second sides of the tab, wherein the tab is shaped and the first and second plurality of contacts are positioned on the tab to have 180 degree symmetry such that the plug connector can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A Universal Serial Bus plug connector comprising:
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a body; a cable coupled to the body and including a plurality of insulated wires; a shell extending from the body and having an opening that communicates with a cavity defined by four inner surfaces of the shell and a support structure housed in the shell, the cavity having 180 degree symmetry; and a tongue disposed within the opening of the shell and extending from the support structure and toward the opening, the tongue further defining the cavity, the tongue including a printed circuit board having top and bottom surfaces, the top and bottoms surfaces each including four contacts arranged according to a Universal Serial Bus pinout, wherein the tongue is shaped and the contacts on the top and bottom surfaces are positioned on the tongue to have 180 degree symmetry such that the plug connector can be inserted and operatively coupled to a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two orientations. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification