Universal serial bus module and system

• US 6,462,953 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Belkin Corporation (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin Components (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Van Harlingen, Brian Lee, Tong, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/799,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20010021101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 361/724-733, 361/735, 361/752, 361/754, 361/756, 361/790, 361/796-798, 361/801, 439/69, 439/74, 439/928
• US Class Current: 361/732
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

A Universal Serial Bus docking station is provided in which a USB hub includes a housing which may receive at least one additional USB module which is connected to the USB hub without the use of an additional cable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, up to three USB modules may be inserted into the housing in stacked arrangement. In addition, each USB module maybe used as a stand alone unit by snapping a sleeve onto the rear of the module. Still further, a USB connector is adapted for use standing vertically from a circuit board and being retained by spring clips extending through the circuit board in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector.

Claims

1. A universal serial bus system comprising:

a first universal serial bus module comprising;

a first stacking feature; and

a second stacking feature; and

a second universal serial bus module comprising;

a first stacking feature; and

a second stacking feature,

wherein;

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is configured to self-interlock with the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module;

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is configured to self-interlock with the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module;

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module and the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module are configured to self-align the first and second serial bus modules together;

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module and the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module are configured to self-align the first and second serial bus modules together;

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is located at a first side of the first universal serial bus module;

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is located at a second side of the first universal serial bus module, the first side of the first universal serial bus module opposite the second side of the first universal serial bus module;

the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module is located at a first side of the second universal serial bus module;

the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module is located at a second side of the second universal serial bus module, the first side of the second universal serial bus module opposite the second side of the second universal serial bus module;

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is identical to the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module; and

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is identical to the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module.

2. The universal serial bus system of claim 1 wherein:

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is a mechanical and non-electrical feature;

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is a mechanical and non-electrical feature;

the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module is a mechanical and non-electrical feature; and

the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module is a mechanical and non-electrical feature.

3. The universal serial bus system of claim 2 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the first universal serial bus module;

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the second universal serial bus module;

the third side of the first universal serial bus module couples together the first and second sides of the first universal serial bus module; and

the third side of the second universal serial bus module couples together the first and second sides of the second universal serial bus module.

4. The universal serial bus system of claim 3 further comprising:

a docking station having a plurality of electrical connections,

wherein;

the first electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is coupled to a first one of the plurality of electrical connections when the first universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station; and

the first electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is coupled to a second one of the plurality of electrical connections when the second universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station.

5. The universal serial bus system of claim 4 wherein:

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module self-interlocks with the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module when the first and second serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station.

6. The universal serial bus system of claim 5 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first and second universal serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station; and

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first and second universal serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station.

7. The universal serial bus system of claim 6 wherein:

the second electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the second universal serial bus module.

8. The universal serial bus system of claim 4 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first and second universal serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station; and

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first and second universal serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station.

9. The universal serial bus system of claim 8 wherein:

the second electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the second universal serial bus module.

10. The universal serial bus system of claim 1 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the second universal serial bus module.

11. The universal serial bus system of claim 10 further comprising:

a docking station having a plurality of electrical connections,

wherein;

the first electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is coupled to a first one of the plurality of electrical connections when the first universal serial bus module is coupled to the docking station; and

the first electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is coupled to a second one of the plurality of electrical connections when the second universal serial bus module is coupled to the docking station.

12. The universal serial bus system of claim 11 wherein:

the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module self-interlocks with the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module when the first and second serial bus modules are inserted into the docking station.

13. The universal serial bus system of claim 12 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station; and

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the second universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station.

14. The universal serial bus system of claim 13 wherein:

the second electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the second universal serial bus module.

15. The universal serial bus system of claim 11 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station; and

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the second serial bus module is inserted into the docking station.

16. The universal serial bus system of claim 15 wherein:

the second electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the second universal serial bus module.

17. The universal serial bus system of claim 1 wherein:

the first stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module is different from the second stacking feature of the first universal serial bus module; and

the first stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module is different from the second stacking feature of the second universal serial bus module.

18. A universal serial bus system comprising:

a first universal serial bus module comprising;

a first stacking means; and

a second stacking means; and

a second universal serial bus module comprising;

a first stacking means; and

a second stacking means,

wherein;

the first stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is configured to self-interlock with the second stacking means of the second universal serial bus module;

the second stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is configured to self-interlock with the first stacking means of the second universal serial bus module;

the first stacking means of the first universal serial bus module and the second stacking means of the second universal serial bus module are configured to self-align the first and second serial bus modules together;

the second stacking means of the first universal serial bus module and the first stacking means of the second universal serial bus module are configured to self-align the first and second serial bus modules together;

the first stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is located at a first side of the first universal serial bus module;

the second stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is located at a second side of the first universal serial bus module, the first side of the first universal serial bus module opposite the second side of the first universal serial bus module;

the first stacking means of the second universal serial bus module is located at a first side of the second universal serial bus module;

the second stacking means of the second universal serial bus module is located at a second side of the second universal serial bus module, the first side of the second universal serial bus module opposite the second side of the second universal serial bus module;

the first stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is identical to the first stacking means of the second universal serial bus module; and

the second stacking means of the first universal serial bus module is identical to the second stacking means of the second universal serial bus module.

19. The universal serial bus system of claim 18 further comprising:

a docking station having a plurality of electrical connections,

wherein;

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the first universal serial bus module;

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a first electrical connector at a third side of the second universal serial bus module;

the first electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is coupled to a first one of the plurality of electrical connections when the first universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station; and

the first electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is coupled to a second one of the plurality of electrical connections when the second universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station.

20. The universal serial bus system of claim 19 wherein:

the first universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the first universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station;

the second universal serial bus module further comprises a second electrical connector that is accessible when the second universal serial bus module is inserted into the docking station;

the second electrical connector of the first universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the first universal serial bus module; and

the second electrical connector of the second universal serial bus module is located at the third side of the second universal serial bus module.

21. A universal serial bus system comprising:

a first stackable universal serial bus module; and

a second stackable universal serial bus module,

wherein;

each of said first and second stackable universal serial bus modules comprises;

a first stacking feature;

a second stacking feature;

a housing having an interior and an exterior; and

an electronic circuit for use in a universal serial bus application and disposed within said interior of said housing and being electrically connectable between said interior of said housing and said exterior of said housing for said use in said universal serial bus application;

said first stackable universal serial bus module is configured to be used apart from said second stackable universal serials module also configured to be used as part of an integrated stack with said second stackable universal serial bus module;

said first stacking feature of said first stackable universal serial bus module is configured to self-interlock with said second stacking feature of said second stackable universal serial bus module; and

said exterior of said housing of said first stackable universal serial bus module comprises;

a removable housing cover configured to form a portion of said exterior of said housing of said first stackable universal serial bus module when said first stackable universal serial bus module is used apart from said second stackable universal serial bus module and configured to be removed from said first stackable universal serial bus module so as to be devoid of forming a portion of said exterior of said housing of said first stackable universal serial bus module when said first stackable universal serial bus module is stackably placed with said second stackable universal serial bus module in said integrated stack.

22. The universal serial bus system of claim 21 wherein:

said exterior of said housing of each of said first and second stackable universal serial bus module has opposite sides;

each of said first and second stackable universal serial bus modules comprises;

a first single, unitary stacking feature at a first one of said opposite sides of said exterior of said housing; and

a second single, unitary stacking feature at a second one of said opposite sides of said exterior of said housing;

wherein;

said first stacking feature is said first single, unitary stacking feature; and

said second stacking feature is said second single, unitary stacking feature.

23. A universal serial bus system comprising:

a first stackable universal serial but module; and

a second stackable universal serial bus module,

wherein;

each of said first and second stackable universal serial bus modules comprises;

a first stacking feature;

a second stacking feature;

a housing having an interior and an exterior with opposite sides, said first and second stacking features centrally disposed at said opposite sides of said exterior of said housing; and

an electronic circuit for use in a universal serial bus application and disposed within said interior of said housing and being electrically connectable between said interior of said housing and said exterior of said housing for said use in said universal serial bus application; and

said first stackable universal serial bus module is configured to be used apart from said second stackable, universal serial bus module and is also configured to be used as part of an integrated stack with said second stackable universal serial bus module; and

said first stacking feature of said first stackable universal serial bus module comprises a self-interlocking and self-aligning member to self-interlock and self-align with said second stacking feature of said second stackable universal serial bus module.

24. The universal serial bus system of claim 23 wherein each of said first and second stackable universal serial bus modules comprises:

a first single, unitary stacking feature at a first one of said opposite sides of said exterior of said housing; and

a second single, unitary stacking feature at a second one of said opposite sides of said exterior of said housing;

wherein;

said first stacking feature is said first single, unitary stacking feature; and

said second stacking feature is said second single, unitary stacking feature.