Apparatus for a quick release safety connector assembly

• US 7,114,966 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Cecchi, Marino
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US10/477,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20050014404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,604 Days
• Field of Search: 439/282, 439/281, 439/289, 439/607, 439/936, 439/89, 439/88, 439/931
• US Class Current: 439/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 35/00 Antineoplastic agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 37/04 Immunostimulants
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6599 Dielectric material made conductive, e.g. plastic material coated with metal
• 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

Abstract

An electrical connector assembly for providing quick and easy release of a mated plug in the event of unintentional physical interference with the plug and/or connector. The quick release safety connector is made of a resilient material for providing a secure yet flexible grip on the plug sufficient to maintain an electrical connection, while at the same time facilitating immediate and reliable release between connected devices in the event of accidental interference with the connecting cord and/or either of the connected devices.

Claims

1. An electrical connector assembly comprising:

a connector having a socket end having a socket cavity for receiving a mating plug, wherein said socket end is comprised of a resilient material for providing a flexible securing of said mating plug sufficient to establish an electrical connection between said connector and said mating plug, wherein;

interior of said socket end comprises a plurality of electrical contacts to form said electric connection with said mating plug;

said socket end comprises a conductive resilient lining forming a chamber around the contacts and a non-conductive resilient exterior; and

said connector comprises a second end forming an external connector end capable of being inserted into and removed from a host device, wherein said socket end and said second end form a unitary unit.

2. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said resilient material comprises silicone rubber.

3. The electrical assembly of claim 1, wherein said mating plug comprises a head portion for insertion into said socket cavity forming said electrical connection.

4. The electrical connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said socket end flexibly secures said mating plug by resiliently pressing against the head portion of the mating plug.

5. The electrical connector assembly of claim 4, wherein said head portion comprises a plurality of plug contacts and a conductive shell.

6. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein an electrical connection is made when said plug contacts contact said connector contacts and said conductive shell contacts said conductive resilient lining.

7. The electrical connector assembly of claim 5, wherein said head portion further comprises a face having a perimeter, said conductive shell comprising a perimeter that is greater than said face perimeter.

8. The electrical connector assembly of claim 4, wherein said socket end provides for release of said head portion when a separation force is applied between said mating plug and said connector.

9. The electrical connector assembly of claim 8, wherein said socket end provides for easy release of said mating plug when pulled non-axially from said connector.

10. The electrical connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said external connector end comprises at least one of:

a USB connector, an IEEE 1394 connector, a DIN-9 compliant connector, a RJ-45 compliant connector, and a RJ-11 compliant connector.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a connecting member-having a resilient socket end, said resilient socket end comprising a plurality of first contacts, a socket cavity, a conductive resilient lining forming a chamber around the contacts and a non-conductive resilient exterior;

wherein said resilient socket end is adapted for receiving and resiliently connecting to a mating member forming an electrical connection; and

said connecting member additionally comprising a second end forming an external connector end that is capable of being inserted into and removed from a host device, wherein said resilient socket end and said second end form and unitary unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said resilient socket comprises silicone rubber.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

a mating member having a head portion, said head portion comprising a plurality of second contacts and a conductive shell wherein said resilient socket end connects with said head portion by resiliently pressing against said head portion, whereby said head portion is easily released from said socket cavity when a separating force is applied between said connecting member and said mating member.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said conductive shell comprises a conductive material of at least one of:

silicon rubber;

carbon seeded rubber, gold seeded rubber, silver seeded rubber, and conductive seeded rubber.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein an electrical connection is made when the plurality of first contacts contact said plurality of second contacts and the conductive shell contacts the conductive resilient lining.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said mating member further comprises a tail portion for attachment of a cable for connecting to a peripheral device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said plurality of:

first contacts and said plurality of second contacts each comprise a center data pin assembly for transmission of data, and outer pins for providing power and grounding.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said head portion further comprises a face having a perimeter, said conductive shell comprising a perimeter that is greater than said face perimeter.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the resilient socket provides for easy release of the head portion if the mating member is pulled non-axially from the connecting member.