Portable computer universal serial bus device with an extendable connector secured by multiple locking mechanisms

• US 7,980,867 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2010
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kingston Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Shiu, George, Dei Rossi, Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUNG TRANS, XUONG MY
• Application Number:
  US12/792,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20100240236A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/141, 439/638, 439/135
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• 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 apparatus for use within an electrical devices is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a casing having an upper body and a lower body, the casing including a tab disposed on a surface thereof and an adjustable base having a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to the tab. The tab engagingly couples to one of the plurality of tab cavities to secure the adjustable base. The apparatus also includes a connector system coupled to the adjustable base.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing having an adjustable base;

a casing having an upper body and a lower body;

a first tapered slot pin and a second tapered slot pin disposed between the upper body and the lower body;

a first pin slot and a second pin slot, both having a first end and a second end disposed inside of the housing;

a set of guides disposed on a surface of the casing;

a printed circuit board assembly disposed within the casing;

a connector system coupled to the casing; and

a first set of locking cavities coupled to the first ends and a second set of locking cavities coupled to the second ends and wherein when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to one of the set of locking cavities, the connector system is secured to the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable base has a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to a tab disposed on the bottom surface of the casing, and wherein the plurality of tab cavities comprises a first tab cavity wherein when the tab is engagingly coupled thereto the connector system is in a retracted position and a second tab cavity wherein when the tab is engagingly coupled thereto the connector system is in an extended position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the tab comprises a spring section.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein when the tab is engagingly coupled to one of the plurality of tab cavities, the adjustable base is secured to the casing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to the first set of locking cavities the connector system is in a retracted position and when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to the second set of locking cavities, the connector system is in an extended position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first set of locking cavities and the second set of locking cavities are first and second locking points and wherein the set tab of cavities is a third locking point.

7. An Universal Serial Bus device, comprising:

a housing having an adjustable base;

a casing having an upper body and a lower body;

a first tapered slot pin and a second tapered slot pin disposed between the upper body and the lower body;

a first pin slot and a second pin slot, both having a first end and a second end disposed inside a of the housing;

a set of guides disposed on a surface of the casing;

a printed circuit board assembly disposed within the casing;

a connector system coupled to the casing; and

a first set of locking cavities coupled to the first ends and a second set of locking cavities coupled to the second ends and wherein when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to one of the set of locking cavities the connector system is in a retracted position and when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to the second set of locking cavities, the connector system is in an extended position.

8. The Universal Serial Bus device of claim 7, wherein the first and second tapered slot pins, first and second pin slots, and first and second locking pin cavities are components of a first locking mechanism.

9. The Universal Serial Bus device of claim 7, wherein the adjustable base has a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to a tab disposed on a surface of the casing and wherein when the tab is engagingly coupled to one of the plurality of tab cavities, the adjustable base is secured to the casing.

10. The Universal Serial Bus device of claim 9, wherein the tab, plurality of tab cavities, and adjustable base are components of a second locking mechanism.

11. An apparatus, comprising:

a cable having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to a first connector system; and

an apparatus coupled to the second end of the cable, the apparatus comprising;

a housing having an adjustable base, a casing having an upper body and a lower body, a first tapered slot pin and a second tapered slot pin disposed between the upper body and the lower body, a first pin slot and a second pin slot, both having a first end and a second end disposed inside of the housing, a set of guides disposed on a surface of the casing, a printed circuit board assembly disposed within the casing, a connector system coupled to the casing, and a first set of locking cavities coupled to the first ends and a second set of locking cavities coupled to the second ends and wherein when the first and second tapered slot pins are engagingly coupled to one of the set of locking cavities, the connector system is secured to the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the adjustable base has a plurality of tab cavities adjacent to a tab disposed on a surface of the casing and wherein when the tab is engagingly coupled to one of the plurality of tab cavities, the adjustable base is secured to the casing.