Slim USB connector with spring-engaging depressions, stabilizing dividers and wider end rails for flash-memory drive
First Claim
1. A slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector comprising:
- a connector substrate;
a plurality of metal contacts disposed on a contact surface of the connector substrate, the metal contacts for carrying USB signals;
locking depressions formed below the connector substrate on a second surface opposite to the contact surface;
wherein the locking depressions are for receiving metal springs from a female USB connector when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector; and
end rails, substantially parallel to the metal contacts, along side edges of the connector substrate, the side edges being smaller in area than the contact surface and the second surface of the connector substrate and disposed between the contact surface and the second surface;
a plurality of dividers, each divider disposed between an adjacent pair of the metal contacts, the plurality of dividers rising above the contact surface of the connector substrate;
wherein the plurality of dividers are for filling in a gap between the connector substrate and the female connector substrate when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector;
wherein the end rails are for sliding in gaps between sides of a female connector substrate of the female USB connector and a metal case surrounding the female connector substrate when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector fits on only one side of the connector substrate in a standard female USB connector. Wobble or vertical play is reduced by locking depressions in the slim USB connector that engage metal springs on a metal case that surrounds the female USB connector, locking the two connectors together. Between metal contacts on the slim USM connector are dividers that help fill in gaps when the two connectors are connected together, further reducing play. End rails on the slim USB connector fill in gaps on the sides. The connector substrate of the slim USB connector can be separate or can be integrated with a circuit board that holds a flash memory chip and a USB controller chip. The connector is wider than the standard width for a better fit. A slim female USB connector for use with the slim male USB connector is also disclosed.
203 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A slim Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector comprising:
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a connector substrate;
a plurality of metal contacts disposed on a contact surface of the connector substrate, the metal contacts for carrying USB signals;
locking depressions formed below the connector substrate on a second surface opposite to the contact surface;
wherein the locking depressions are for receiving metal springs from a female USB connector when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector; and
end rails, substantially parallel to the metal contacts, along side edges of the connector substrate, the side edges being smaller in area than the contact surface and the second surface of the connector substrate and disposed between the contact surface and the second surface;
a plurality of dividers, each divider disposed between an adjacent pair of the metal contacts, the plurality of dividers rising above the contact surface of the connector substrate;
wherein the plurality of dividers are for filling in a gap between the connector substrate and the female connector substrate when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector;
wherein the end rails are for sliding in gaps between sides of a female connector substrate of the female USB connector and a metal case surrounding the female connector substrate when the slim USB connector is inserted into the female USB connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector assembly comprising:
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connector assembly body without a surrounding metal case for insertion into a female USB connector;
end rails on side edges of the connector assembly body, the end rails causing the connector assembly body to have an enlarged width that is greater than a standard width of a standard connector substrate on a standard USB male connector when a metal case surrounding the standard connector substrate is removed;
metal contacts disposed along one or more upper surfaces between the side edges for making electrical contact with the female USB connector;
dividers, each between a pair of the metal contacts, the dividers protruding upward from the one or more upper surfaces; and
engaging depressions, on a bottom surface opposite the one or more upper surfaces, for engaging metal springs on the female USB connector, whereby the engaging depressions and end rails provide a secure fit into the female USB connector when the connector assembly body is inserted without a surrounding metal case. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18)
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17. A reduced-height Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) connector comprising:
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connector body means, without a surrounding wrap, for insertion into a female USB connector, metal contactor means, attached to the connector body means, for making electrical contact with a female USB connector, engaging means, formed on a lower surface of the connector body means, the lower surface opposite the metal contactor means, for receiving a portion of metal springs on the female USB connector;
end means, on the connector body means, for extending side edges of the connector body means to fill in gaps to sides of the female USB connector produced by lack of the surrounding wrap surrounding the connector body means; and
divider means, attached to the connector body means, for dividing gaps between the metal contactor means, whereby stability when inserted into the female USB connector is increased by the divider means, the end means, and the engaging means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification