Connection system

• US 7,244,129 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 07/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Andre, Bartley K., Ligtenberg, Chris, Reid, Gavin
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/241,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/137, 439/138, 439/142, 439/660
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/501 comprising an integral hinge or a frangible part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A connection system. The connection system includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component. The first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, implementing the receptacle as two separate components allows for a compact connection system.

Claims

1. A connection receptacle comprising:

a first component coupled to a chassis; and

a second component coupled to the first component, wherein the first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position; and

a third component coupled to at least one of the first component, the second component, and the chassis, wherein the third component comprises electrical contacts.

2. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein one of the first component and the second component is in a fixed position while the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

3. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the second component pivots toward the first component as the connection receptacle swings towards a closed position.

4. The connection receptacle of claim 3 wherein the second component moves towards the first component such that a cavity, which is adaptable to receive a plug, contracts.

5. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first and second components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection system is in an open position.

6. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the second component rotates away from the first component as the connection system swings towards an open position.

7. The connection receptacle of claim 6 wherein the second component moves away from the first component such that a cavity expands to a shape such that the cavity is adapted to receive a plug.

8. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first component comprises side components that overlap components of the second component, wherein the side components function as guides to center the second component relative to the first component as the second component moves toward or away from the first component.

9. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the positions of the first and second components relative to a pivot point are such that when the connection system is in a closed position, the second component is substantially parallel to exposed portions of electrical contacts of the first component.

10. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the connection receptacle is a universal serial bus (USB) port.

11. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the third component is in a fixed position as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

12. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein the third component floats as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

13. The connection receptacle of claim 1 wherein both the first component and the second component move toward the third component as the first and second components are collapsed into the compact configuration.

14. A mobile device comprising:

a chassis; and

connection receptacle comprising;

a first component coupled to the chassis; and

a second component coupled to the first component, wherein the first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position; and

a third component coupled to at least one of the first component, the second component, and the chassis, wherein the third component comprises electrical contacts.

15. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein one of the first component and the second component is in a fixed position while the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

16. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the second component pivots toward the first component as the mobile device swings toward a closed position.

17. The mobile device of claim 16 wherein the second component moves towards the first component such that a cavity, which is adaptable to receive a plug, contracts.

18. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the first and second components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection system is in an open position.

19. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the second component rotates away from the first component as the connection system swings towards an open position.

20. The mobile device of claim 19 wherein the second component moves away from the first component such that a cavity expands to a shape such that the cavity is adapted to receive a plug.

21. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the first component comprises side components that overlap components of the second component, wherein the side components function as guides to center the second component relative to the first component as the second component moves toward or away from the first component.

22. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the positions of the first and second components relative to a pivot point are such that when the connection system is in a closed position, the second component is substantially parallel to exposed portions of electrical contacts of the first component.

23. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the connection receptacle is a universal serial bus (USB) port.

24. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the third component is in a fixed position as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

25. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein the third component floats as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration.

26. The mobile device of claim 14 wherein both the first component and the second component move toward the third component as the first and second components are collapsed into the compact configuration.