Method and system for connection an external cable to a device

• US 7,452,220 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Andre, Bartley K., Reid, Gavin, Lightenberg, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/932,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20080050953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 384 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/137, 439/138, 439/142, 439/660, 439/676
• 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 for a mobile device. The connection system configured to couple a cable that is external to the mobile device to an internal portion of the mobile device through a plug of the cable. The connection system includes a collapsible port, in which the collapsible port is configured to receive a plug of a cable only when the collapsible port is in an open position, and the collapsible port cannot receive a plug of a cable when the collapsible port is in a partially closed or closed position.

Claims

1. A connection system for a mobile device, the connection system configured to couple a cable that is external to the mobile device to an internal portion of the mobile device through a plug of the cable, the connection system comprising:

a collapsible port comprising a first component rigidly attached to the mobile device and a second component rigidly attached to a frame of the connection system, the second component being rotatable relative to the first component,

wherein the collapsible port is configured to receive a plug of a cable only when the collapsible port is in an open position, and the collapsible port cannot receive a plug of a cable when the collapsible port is in a partially closed or a closed position.

2. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the first component of the collapsible port houses electrical contacts that provide an electrical path to the internal portion of the mobile device.

3. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the collapsible port cannot receive the plug of the cable when the collapsible port is in a partially closed or closed position due to a size of a cavity of the collapsible port being smaller relative to when the collapsible port is in an open position.

4. The connection system of claim 3, wherein the collapsible port comprises a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, a FireWire port, an RJ-11 port, or an RJ-45 port.

5. The connection system of claim 3, wherein the collapsible port is flush with a chassis of the mobile device when the collapsible port is in the closed position.

6. The connection system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a notebook computer.

7. A method for providing an electrical connection to a mobile device by allowing a cable that is external to the mobile device to connect to an internal portion of the mobile device through a plug of the cable, the method comprising:

opening a collapsible port comprising a first component rigidly attached to the mobile device and a second component rigidly attached to a frame of the connection system, the second component being rotatable relative to the first component, wherein the collapsible port is configured to receive a plug of a cable only when the collapsible port is in an open position; and

closing the collapsible port, wherein the collapsible port is configured to be unable to receive a plug of a cable when the collapsible port is in a partially closed or a closed position.