Rotating connector adaptor

• US 6,394,813 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 05/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Yeh, Joel J., Stout, Gary H., Tsai, Hui-Tze, Yeh, Ryan, Kunz, Ryan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, P. Austin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US09/657,495
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 439/11,13,14,638
• US Class Current: 439/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/00 Flexible or turnable line connectors , i.e. the rotation angle being limited rotary current collectors, distributors H01R39/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/02 Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members

Abstract

A connector adapter that can be used to directly connect a peripheral device to a host device. The connector adapter is adjustable so as to allow selective reorientation of the peripheral with respect to the host device. The connector adapter includes a limiting mechanism that restricts the degree to which the adapter can be selectively rotated. In addition, the adapter includes an indexing mechanism that allows the position of the adapter to be locked in predetermined positions.

Claims

1. A connector adapter comprising:

a first connector, capable of interfacing with a host connector disposed on a host computing device;

a second connector, capable of interfacing with a peripheral connector disposed on a peripheral device, the second connector being electrically connected to the first connector;

a rotating mechanism interconnecting the first connector and the second connector in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector, the rotating, mechanism including;

a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the degree of rotation of the second connector and the first connector between a first stop point and a second stop point;

a plurality of lock points that correspond to a plurality of predetermined rotational positions of the second connector, the plurality of lock points being disposed between the first stop point and the second stop point.

2. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the first connector is a USB-type connector.

3. A connector adapter as defined in claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is an antenna.

4. A connector adapter comprising:

a first connector having a housing, the first connector being capable of electrically and physically interfacing with a host connector on a host computer;

a second connector having a housing, the second connector being capable of electrically and physically interfacing with a peripheral connector on a peripheral device;

an adapter housing, operably interconnecting the first and the second connector and defining an interior portion, and wherein the first connector is electrically connected to the second connector; and

a rotating dial rotatably supported within the interior portion and configured to rotatably support an end of the housing of the second connector housing in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector.

5. A connector adapter as defined in claim 4 wherein the rotating dial includes a plurality of rotational position surfaces that each correspond to a predefined and locked rotational position of the dial and the second connector.

6. A connector adapter as defined in claim 4 wherein the rotating dial includes a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the degree of rotation of the dial and the second connector between a first stop point and a second stop point.

7. A connector adapter as defined in claim 5 wherein rotation of the rotating dial to one of said rotational positions causes an audible indication.

8. A connector adapter comprising:

a first connector capable of electrically and physically interfacing with a host connector on a host computing device;

a second connector capable of electrically and physically interfacing with a peripheral connector on a peripheral device;

at least one flexible electrical wire that electrically connects the first connector to the second connector; and

a rotating structure that accommodates the at least one flexible electrical wire, and that rotational interconnects the first connector with the second connector in a manner so as to permit rotation of the second connector with respect to the first connector and further including a rotation limiting mechanism that limits the degree of rotation of the second connector and the first connector between predefined stop points.

9. A connector adapter as defined in claim 8, wherein the rotating, structure includes a rotatable dial that is operably connected to the first and the second connectors so as to permit rotation between the two, the rotatable dial including a bore formed therein that that permits passage of the at least one electrical wire.