Unitized connector arrangement for electrical apparatus
First Claim
1. A connector arrangement for an electronic apparatus having means for receiving an inserted electronic device, the arrangement comprising in combination:
- an arm member rotatably mounted and biased into a first position in the apparatus and including contact means, positioning means for positioning the inserted device relative to the contact means, and first and second shoulder portions, the first shoulder portion engaging a projecting portion of the inserted device, as the device is inserted, for causing rotation of the arm member into a second position, said rotation bringing the positioning means and, subsequently, the contact means into engagement with mating contact portions of the inserted device;
enabling means having a first position for preventing rotation of the arm member, and movable by insertion of the electronic device to a second position wherein the arm member is able to rotate, the enabling means being biased into said first position; and
latching means having a projecting portion for engaging the second shoulder portion of the arm member for releasably retaining the arm member in the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connecting and latching mechanism in an electronic apparatus is activated by a portion of the housing of a complementary electronic device as it is inserted for interconnection and charging. Varying sizes of devices can be accommodated. Three rotatable elements, two pawls and a connector arm, are mounted on a single base plate. One pawl keeps the connector arm from being damaged before device insertion and helps position the device upon insertion. A connector block on the connector arm is rotated into position for contacting the terminals of the device by a second portion of the device housing. When the connector block is in full contact with the terminals, the connector arm is latched by another pawl. A lock must be deactivated by key or manually operated button to release the latching pawl, the connector arm and the inserted device. Rotatable charging contacts provide scouring motion at the contact points and also accommodate devices of varying lengths.
36 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A connector arrangement for an electronic apparatus having means for receiving an inserted electronic device, the arrangement comprising in combination:
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an arm member rotatably mounted and biased into a first position in the apparatus and including contact means, positioning means for positioning the inserted device relative to the contact means, and first and second shoulder portions, the first shoulder portion engaging a projecting portion of the inserted device, as the device is inserted, for causing rotation of the arm member into a second position, said rotation bringing the positioning means and, subsequently, the contact means into engagement with mating contact portions of the inserted device; enabling means having a first position for preventing rotation of the arm member, and movable by insertion of the electronic device to a second position wherein the arm member is able to rotate, the enabling means being biased into said first position; and latching means having a projecting portion for engaging the second shoulder portion of the arm member for releasably retaining the arm member in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A connector arrangement for an electronic apparatus having means for receiving an inserted electronic device, the arrangement comprising in combination:
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first contact means for connecting operating circuitry of the inserted device to operating circuitry of the apparatus, the contact means providing a locking function for the device within the apparatus; second contact means for connecting charging circuitry of the inserted device to a corresponding charging current source in the apparatus; and means for biasing an inserted device against an inner portion of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A connector arrangement for an electronic apparatus having means for receiving an inserted electronic device, the arrangement comprising in combination:
contact means rotatably mounted within the apparatus in the path of the device for mating with contact means on the first inserted surface of the inserted device, the contact means of the apparatus being biased into a position substantially perpendicular to the contact means of the device, as the device is being inserted and the inward movement of the device contacts against the apparatus contacts causing rotation of the apparatus contact means for causing scraping motion by the apparatus contacts on the device contacts.
Specification