Connector system for use with handheld computers and accessory devices

• US 6,558,189 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2001
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Groebe, Daniel P., Fuhs, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US09/808,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20020132521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 439/529, 439/534, 439/929, 439/165, 439/141, 439/341, 439/357, 361/686, 361/683, 361/684, 361/685, 361/687
• US Class Current: 439/529
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/725 containing contact members presenting a contact carrying strip, e.g. edge-like strip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery

Abstract

A connector assembly is provided for use with a handheld computing system. The connector assembly includes a first connector including a plurality of contact elements. A second connector resides on a cradle and includes a plurality of contact elements that mate with the contact elements on the handheld computer. A coupling structure is configured to extend from the cradle and to couple to the handheld computer. The coupling structure causes a portion of the handheld computer to bias into the cradle so as to direct the first connector to remain in contact with the second connector.

Claims

1. An improved connector assembly for use with a handheld computer, the connector assembly comprising a first plurality of contact elements provided on the handheld computer, a second plurality of contact elements provided on a cradle that supports a bottom portion of the handheld computer, the second plurality of contact elements being configured to mate with the first plurality of contact elements, and a pair of latches positioned on opposite ends of the second plurality of connector elements to extend into a corresponding pair of apertures that are positioned on opposite ends of the first plurality of contact elements, wherein the cradle includes a platform, and the plurality of second contact elements extend along a vertical axis from the platform, and the cradle includes a back surface that extends from the platform along the vertical axis, and wherein the improvement comprises:

the pair of latch members being spaced apart from the second plurality of contact elements on the cradle so that a moment is created by (i) the first plurality of contact elements and the second plurality of contact elements being mated, and (ii) the pair of latch elements being extended into the pair of apertures, the moment causing the bottom portion of the handheld computer to bias into the cradle so as to bias the first plurality of contact elements into remaining in contact with the second plurality of contact elements;

and wherein the moment directs the bottom portion of the handheld computer towards at least one of the platform and the back surface of the cradle.

2. The collector assembly of claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises the latch members being positioned to extend from the platform a distance from the back surface that is closer than a distance that separates the second plurality of contact elements from the back surface of the cradle.