Multi-plug USB connector with swappable tip

• US 9,270,038 B1
• Filed: 06/01/2015
• Issued: 02/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Twintech Industry, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Twintech Industry, Inc.
• Inventors: Chao, Hsin-Chia
• Primary Examiner(s): Paulmen, Gary
• Application Number:
  US14/726,795
• Time in Patent Office: 267 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

The Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip is a device used to connect one or more devices to a power source, allowing for charging of multiple devices. Additionally, the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip allows multiple devices to share data connections, allowing for the simple sharing of data.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a. a housing having a cavity to receive a replaceable cable;

b. a recessed connection within the cavity of the housing, the recessed connection to couple to the replaceable cable; and

c. one or more non-removable cables, the non-removable cables including tips for connection to mobile devices, the non-removable cables terminating within the housing;

d. an alignment tab receiver located at an entrance to the cavity; and

e. the alignment tab receiver to interface with an alignment tab located on the replaceable cable;

f. whereby the alignment tab and alignment tab receiver interact to prevent the replaceable cable from entering the cavity with incorrect polarity.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a. the replaceable cable,

b. the replaceable cable having a first end and a second end, the first end removably coupled to the recessed connection, the second end terminating in a tip for use sharing power with a mobile device.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein when the replaceable cable is connected to the recessed connection the cavity surrounds the first end on all but one side.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a. a strain relief coupling;

b. the strain relief coupling surrounding the one or more non-removable cables where the one or more non-removable cables enter the housing;

c. whereby the strain relief coupling flexes to limit the strain applied to the one or more non-removable cables during use of the device.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a. a circuit board located within the housing;

b. the circuit board electrically connecting the recessed connection and the non-removable cables.

6. A device with fixed and removable cables, including a removable cable terminated in a tip for use charging a mobile device, the device comprising:

a. a body supporting multiple fixed cables;

b. a connection location into which the removable cable is plugged;

c. the connection location and the multiple fixed cables being electrically connected;

d. the body includes a space within creating a void, and a hole in the body creating a connection penetration; and

e. the connection location is within the void, the void surrounding an end of the removable cable such that the end does not protrude beyond the body;

f. whereby one or more power sources connected to any fixed or removable cable is simultaneously transmitted to all other fixed and removable cables.

7. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 6 wherein the connection location is of a shape, the shape comprising:

a. three straight sides;

b. a fourth non-straight side, the fourth side shaped to interact with the end of the swappable cable, thereby only allowing the swappable cable to be plugged into the connection location when correctly oriented.

8. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 6 further comprising:

a. a strain relief coupling located between the multiple fixed cables and the body,

b. the strain relief coupling made of a material more flexible than the multiple fixed cables, thereby absorbing strain due to motion before the fixed cables bend.

9. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 6 wherein:

a. each cable of the multiple fixed cables includes a first wire, a second wire, a third wire, and a fourth wire;

i. the first wires of each of the multiple fixed cables electrically connected;

ii. the second wires of each of the multiple fixed cables electrically connected;

iii. the third wires of each of the multiple fixed cables electrically connected; and

iv. the fourth wires of each of the multiple fixed cables electrically connected.

10. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 6 further comprising:

a. an alignment tab receiver located at an entrance to the void;

b. the alignment tab receiver to interface with an alignment tab located on the replaceable cable;

c. whereby the alignment tab and alignment tab receiver interact to prevent the replaceable cable from entering the void with incorrect polarity.

11. A multi-device USB charger comprising:

a. a housing comprising;

i. a housing front half,

ii. a housing back half,

iii. the housing front half attached to the housing back half at a seam;

iv. a circuit board;

v. a recessed connector, the recessed connector electrically connected to the circuit board;

b. a plurality of non-removable cables with a first set of ends and a second set of ends;

i. the first set of ends electrically connected to the circuit board and to each other;

ii. the second set of ends terminating in tips used to charge mobile devices;

c. a removable cable with a first end and a second end;

i. the first end removably connected to the recessed connector, the second end terminating in a tip used to charge a mobile device;

d. wherein the housing includes a cavity in which the first end of the removable cable is located when connected to the recessed connector; and

e. wherein when the removable cable is connected to the recessed connector, the first end of the removable cable is entirely within the housing.

12. The multi-device USB charger of claim 11, further comprising:

a. a strain relief coupling;

b. the strain relief coupling surrounding the plurality of non-removable cables where the plurality of non-removable cables enter the housing;

c. whereby the strain relief coupling flexes to limit the strain applied to the plurality of non-removable cables during use of the device.

13. The multi-device USB charger of claim 11, further comprising:

a. an alignment tab receiver located at a port that leads to the void;

b. the alignment tab receiver to interface with an alignment tab located on the removable cable;

c. whereby the alignment tab and alignment tab receiver interact to prevent the removable cable from entering the port with incorrect polarity.

14. The multi-device USB charger of claim 11, further comprising:

a. a circuit board located within the housing;

b. the circuit board electrically connecting the recessed connector and the plurality of non-removable cables.