Connector assembly for electrical signal transfer among multiple devices

• US 6,866,527 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2003
• Issued: 03/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick Potega
• Original Assignee: Patrick Potega
• Inventors: Potega, Patrick
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US10/403,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20030207603A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/218, 439221-224, 439668-669
• US Class Current: 439/218
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/58 Contacts spaced along longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A connector assembly for power and/or data connections, comprised of a connector apparatus (210 in FIGS. 2A and B) which has a configurable plug (102A) with conductors (123A and B, and 125A and B), and a multi-segmented pin-style assembly (127) that engages a receptacle (189) having conductors (193, 195, 197, and 199), and related elements (178) that redirect electrical signals upon insertion of the plug. Redirecting electrical signals enables host devices, power sources, and peripherals—such as a host device (168), its battery source (187), as well as one or more attachable peripherals (150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164 in FIG. 1)—to transfer signals in ways they could not without such an apparatus. By locating a receptacle (189) in replaceable modules, such as battery packs (187), users can upgrade and enhance the functionality of a multiplicity of existing (and future) electronic and electrical goods.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for transfer of electrical signals among at least one device and one peripheral device comprising:

a connector plug comprising a conductive pin having one or more conductive segments for transfer of one or more electrical signals;

a connector receptacle attached to at least a device and a peripheral, said receptacle comprising a conductive receiver having one or more conductive segments for mating with said one or more conductive segments of said connector plug; and

a processor for adjusting said one or more electrical signals transferred by said connector plug based on control signals received from said connector receptacle;

wherein the mating of said plug and said receptacle, causes a first electrical signal to be transferred to said device and a second electrical signal to be delivered to said peripheral device through the engagement of said one or more conductive segments of said plug and said receptacle as adjusted by said processor.

2. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a chargeable battery, said first electrical signal powers said device, and said second electrical signal recharges said battery based on said control signals.

3. The connector assembly of claim 2, wherein said processor is a voltage sensing device for determining the appropriate voltage to be delivered for recharging the battery.