Power connector

• US 9,306,328 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Umeno, Hiroo
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, ELLEN E
• Application Number:
  US14/095,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20140087581A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 60, 385/75, 385/78, 438/38
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/60 Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement

Abstract

A power and data connector includes an extension that protrudes from a lip surface. The extension is configured to mate with an electronic device. A connection surface at a terminal end of the extension separately surrounds openings, through which power interfaces extend.

Claims

1. A power and data connector, comprising:

a lip surface;

an extension protruding from the lip surface, the extension configured to mate with an electronic device;

a connection surface at a terminal end of the extension, the connection surface being functionally symmetrical about a first axis and functionally symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis of the connection surface, the connection surface surrounding separate first and second openings equally spaced from the second axis;

a first power interface extending through the first opening, the first power interface aligned with the first axis; and

a second power interface extending through the second opening, the second power interface aligned with the first axis.

2. The power and data connector of claim 1, where the extension is configured to cooperate with one or more corresponding magnetic attractors of the electronic device to hold the power and data connector to the electronic device via magnetic force.

3. The power and data connector of claim 2, where the extension includes a magnet.

4. The power and data connector of claim 3, where the extension includes a permanent magnet.

5. The power and data connector of claim 1, where the extension includes a magnetically attractable material.

6. The power and data connector of claim 1, where the connection surface is planar.

7. The power and data connector of claim 1, where a portion of the connection surface is between the first and second openings.

8. A connector, comprising:

a lip surface;

an extension protruding from the lip surface, the extension configured to mate with an electronic device;

a connection surface at a terminal end of the extension, the connection surface being functionally symmetrical about a first axis and functionally symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis of the connection surface, the connection surface surrounding separate first and second openings;

a first power interface extending through the first opening, the first power interface aligned with the first axis; and

a second power interface extending through the second opening, the second power interface aligned with the first axis, the first power interface and the second power interface equally spaced from the second axis.

9. The connector of claim 8, where the extension is configured to cooperate with one or more corresponding magnetic attractors of the electronic device to hold the power and data connector to the electronic device via magnetic force.

10. The connector of claim 9, where the extension includes a magnet.

11. The connector of claim 9, where the extension includes a permanent magnet.

12. The connector of claim 9, where the extension includes a magnetically attractable material.

13. The connector of claim 8, where the connection surface is planar.

14. The connector of claim 8, where a portion of the connection surface is between the first and second openings.

15. A connector, comprising:

a lip surface;

an extension protruding from the lip surface, the extension configured to mate with an electronic device;

a planar connection surface at a terminal end of the extension, the connection surface being functionally symmetrical about a first axis and functionally symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis of the connection surface, the connection surface surrounding separate first and second openings;

a first power interface extending through the first opening, the first power interface aligned with the first axis; and

a second power interface extending through the second opening, the second power interface aligned with the first axis, the first power interface and the second power interface equally spaced from the second axis.

16. The connector of claim 15, where the extension is configured to cooperate with one or more corresponding magnetic attractors of the electronic device to hold the power and data connector to the electronic device via magnetic force.

17. The connector of claim 16, where the extension includes a magnet.

18. The connector of claim 16, where the extension includes a permanent magnet.

19. The connector of claim 16, where the extension includes a magnetically attractable material.

20. The connector of claim 15, where a portion of the connection surface is between the first and second openings.