Connector system

• US 7,458,830 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Andre, Bartley K., Ligtenberg, Chris, Reid, Gavin
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/933,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20080064238A1
• Time in Patent Office: 398 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

An electronic device including a movable hatch with an integrated connector system that moves between an open and closed position. The connector system includes one or more connector receptacles that are hidden within the electronic device when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the closed position. The connector receptacles are exposed for use when the hatch with integrated connector system is in the open position.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a chassis of the electronic device; and

an integrated connection system that moves between an open and a closed position, the integrated connection system including a plurality of connector receptacles at least one of the plurality of connector receptacles having a first component coupled to the chassis and a second component coupled to the first component, the integrated connection system being hidden within the electronic device and the at least one or more connector receptacles being collapsed when the integrated connector system is in the closed position, the integrated connection system receptacles being exposed for use and the at least one or more connector receptacles configured to receive a plug when the integrated connection system is in the open position.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of connector receptacles remains uncollapsed when the integrated connection system is in the closed position.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the at least of the plurality of connector receptacles that is collapsible, collapses independently from the plurality of connector receptacles.

4. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of connector receptacles are collapsible, at least one of which comprises a first component that is decoupled from the chassis.

5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the integrated connection system is flush with the chassis when in the closed position.

6. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the integrated connection system is permanently attached to the electronic device.

7. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a laptop computer.

8. A method of reducing a size of connector receptacles of an electronic device, the method comprising:

disposing a plurality of connector receptacles on an integrated connection system that moves between an open and a closed position;

coupling a first component of at least one of the plurality of connector receptacles to a chassis of the electronic device;

coupling a second component coupled to the first component, the integrated connection system being hidden within the electronic device and the at least one or more connector receptacles being collapsed when the integrated connection system is in the closed position, the integrated connection system receptacles being exposed for use and the at least one or more connector receptacles configured to receive a plug when the integrated connection system is in the open position.