Interchangeable cable connection system

• US 9,515,442 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2015
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Connext, LLC
• Original Assignee: Connext, LLC
• Inventors: Cymerman, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Riyami, Abdullah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imas, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US14/744,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20160118758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 439/638, 439/218
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• 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: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus

Abstract

An electrical connection device for electrically connecting an electronic component of the type having a plurality of electrical connection points. The electrical connection device includes an electrical cable extending between first and second ends with at least one of the ends including an interface plug with a first set of internal contacts in electrical communication with the electrical cable. The device also includes at least one connector adapter including a first end configured for connection to the interface plug and a second end defining an electrical connector. The at least one connector adapter includes a second set of internal contacts configured to conductively engage the first set of internal contacts such that the electrical connector is in electrical communication with the electrical cable.

Claims

1. An electrical connection device for electrically connecting an electronic component of the type having a plurality of electrical connection points, said electrical connection device comprising:

an electrical cable extending between first and second ends, at least one of the ends including an interface plug having a first housing with a first set of internal contacts in electrical communication with the electrical cable, the first housing extending laterally beyond the first set of internal contacts such that the first set of internal contacts are internally within the first housing; and

at least one connector adapter including a first end configured for connection to the interface plug and a second end defining an electrical connector, the at least one connector adapter including a second housing extending laterally beyond a second set of internal contacts such that the second set of internal contacts are internally within the second housing and configured to conductively engage the first set of internal contacts such that the electrical connector is in electrical communication with the electrical cable.

2. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein complementary securing members are provided in the interface plug and the connector adapter.

3. The electrical connection device according to claim 2 wherein the complementary securing members include a magnet positioned within each of the interface plug and the connector adapter.

4. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein each interface plug is connected to a respective end of the electrical cable via an elastic kink protector.

5. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical cable includes a plurality of conductors, with each conductor in electrical communication with a respective internal contact of the interface plug.

6. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the number of conductors and associated internal contacts is at least 32.

7. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical cable includes a plurality of conductors extending between the first and second ends and the conductors are wired with a crossover cable wiring methodology.

8. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical cable includes a plurality of conductors extending between the first and second ends and the conductors are wired with a straight through cable wiring methodology.

9. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is selected from the following connector types:

a Micro USB 2.0 B adapter, a HDMI adapter, an RJ45 Network adapter, a 3.5 mm Audio adapter, a USB 2.0 A adapter, an Apple Lightning adapter, a cable length extender adapter, and a power adapter.

10. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the electrical connector is a splitter adapter includes a pair of cables extending from a connector adapter housing, each cable terminating in a unique interface plug.

11. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein each interface plug includes a first pin support structure within the first housing and the internal contacts include first pins which extend within a passageway of the first pin support structure such that the first pins are internal to the first housing and the first pin support structure.

12. The electrical connection device according to claim 11 wherein each connector adapter includes a second pin support structure within the second housing and the internal contacts include second pins which extend along an outer surface of the second pin support structure such that the second pins are internal to the second housing.

13. The electrical connection device according to claim 12 wherein upon connection, the second pin support structure is received within the passageway of the first pin support structure and the first and second pins contact one another.

14. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second housings are made from electrically conductive materials and are in electrical connection to one another.

15. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein each interface plug includes a first housing and each connector adapter includes a second housing and wherein the first and second housings include keying features which dictate which connector adapters may be connected to a respective interface plug.

16. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second ends includes an interface plug.

17. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 wherein a second of the ends includes a fixed connector.

18. The electrical connection device according to claim 1 further comprising an adapter holder including a platform with a plug configured to engage a housing of a respective connector adapter.

19. The electrical connection device according to claim 18 wherein at least one cable clip is provided on an opposite side of the platform.

20. The electrical connection device according to claim 16 wherein the interface plugs on the first and second ends have the same internal contact mounting configuration.