Computer device with retractable connector

• US 7,909,629 B2
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Issued: 03/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lev, Jeffrey A., Harris, Jonathan R., Doczy, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Khiem
• Application Number:
  US12/250,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20090035972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/247, 439/248
• US Class Current: 439/247
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4538 Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/945 Holders with built-in electrical component
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/975 Holders with resilient means for protecting apparatus against vibrations or shocks

Abstract

A computer device comprising a connector configured to be coupled to an external device, the connector configured to be disposed flush with an opening in a housing of the computer device in an extended position, the connector configured to retract from the opening in a retracted position.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a computer device, comprising:

providing a connector couplable to an external device; and

configuring the connector to be disposed substantially flush within an opening in a housing of the computer device in an extended position, the connector configured to retract away from the opening in a retracted position, the connector including a moveable latch that includes at least one rib disposed on the moveable latch for releasably securing the connector in the retracted position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the connector comprises configuring the connector to be retractable into the housing to facilitate disposing at least a portion of the external device within the housing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a biasing mechanism to position the connector flush with the opening of the housing in the extended position.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a locking mechanism to releasably secure the connector in the retracted position.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a locking mechanism to releasably secure the connector in the extended position.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a plunger assembly configured to facilitate disengagement of the external device from the connector.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a stop member configured to facilitate disengagement of the external device from the connector.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a biasing mechanism configured to position the connector flush with a surface of the housing in the extended position.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the connector comprises configuring the connector to facilitate positioning of the external device within the housing and flush with the opening in the retracted position.

10. A computer device, comprising:

a housing;

a display connected to the housing; and

a retractable connector in the housing and including a connector element that removably connects to an external device that stores data, wherein the connector element biasably retracts into the housing to receive and transmit the data to the computer device when the external device is inserted within the housing such that the external device is flush with an external surface of the housing.

11. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector further includes a plunger assembly that retracts into the housing, is connected to the connector element, and has a biasing mechanism disposed about a plunger rod.

12. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector.

13. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector includes a biasing mechanism that biases the connector element to an opening of the housing such that the connector element is flush with a surface of the housing in an extended position and located within the housing in a retracted position.

14. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector includes a locking mechanism that secures the connector element in an extended position flush with the housing and secures the connector element in a retracted position to maintain the external device flush with an external surface of the housing.

15. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector includes a locking mechanism having a movable latch with an end accessible through the housing via an opening in the housing, a pair of ribs disposed on the movable latch, and a biasing mechanism that biases the movable latch.

16. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the connector element and an entirety of the external device are disposed within the housing to prevent damage to the external device while the external device is coupled to the computer device.

17. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the computer device is a notebook computer and the retractable connector is a universal serial bus (USB) connector located in a base of the notebook computer.

18. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector includes a biasing mechanism, a latch, a plunger assembly, a rib, and a tray, wherein the biasing mechanism exerts a force on the latch toward the plunger assembly to facilitate engagement of the rib with the tray when the connector element is in an extended position.

19. The computer device of claim 10, wherein the retractable connector includes a plunge assembly that retracts within the housing, a rib biased against the plunge assembly, and a tray coupled to the connector element, wherein the rib frictionally engages the tray to resist retraction of the connector element into the housing while the external device is being connected to the connector element.

20. A computer device, comprising:

a base having an opening at an external surface;

a display connected to the base; and

a retractable connector in the opening of the base and including a connector element that moves from an extended position at the external surface to a retracted position away from the external surface, wherein the connector element removably couples to an external storage device that stores data when the connector element and external storage device retract into the housing until an end of the external storage device is flush with the external surface of the housing.

21. The computer device of claim 20, wherein an entirety of the external storage device is enclosed within the base when the connector element is in the retracted position.