Alignment tolerant electronic connector
First Claim
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1. A computing device, comprising:
- a first portion that includes a display screen;
a second portion that includes an input device and that is separably connected to the first portion;
a locking mechanism configured to lock the first portion to the second portion, the locking mechanism including at least one locking receptacle connected to the first portion and at least one locking protrusion connected to the second portion; and
an electronic connector configured to allow electronic communication between the first and second portions, the electronic connector comprising;
a female receptacle including a plurality of electrical contacts and connected to the first portion; and
a tapered extension including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to interface with the electrical contacts of the female receptacle when inserted into the female receptacle, and the tapered extension moveably coupled to the second portion via an alignment tolerant joint such that the tapered extension is movable in three orthogonal dimensions relative to the second portion.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic connector includes a base and a tapered extension. The tapered extension includes a platform and a plurality of electrical contacts. An alignment tolerant joint couples the tapered extension to the base, such that the tapered extension is movable relative to the base in three orthogonal dimensions responsive to an external force applied to the tapered extension. One or more biasing components bias the tapered extension away from the base.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computing device, comprising:
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a first portion that includes a display screen; a second portion that includes an input device and that is separably connected to the first portion; a locking mechanism configured to lock the first portion to the second portion, the locking mechanism including at least one locking receptacle connected to the first portion and at least one locking protrusion connected to the second portion; and an electronic connector configured to allow electronic communication between the first and second portions, the electronic connector comprising; a female receptacle including a plurality of electrical contacts and connected to the first portion; and a tapered extension including a plurality of electrical contacts configured to interface with the electrical contacts of the female receptacle when inserted into the female receptacle, and the tapered extension moveably coupled to the second portion via an alignment tolerant joint such that the tapered extension is movable in three orthogonal dimensions relative to the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A computing device, comprising:
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a first portion that includes a display screen; a second portion that includes an input device and that is separably connected to the first portion; and an electronic connector configured to allow electronic communication between the first and second portions, the electronic connector comprising; a female receptacle connected to the first portion; a base connected to the second portion; a tapered extension connected to the base including a platform and a plurality of electrical contacts; an alignment tolerant joint coupling the tapered extension to the base, the tapered extension movable relative to the base in three orthogonal dimensions responsive to an external force applied to the tapered extension; and one or more biasing components biasing the tapered extension away from the base. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computing device, comprising:
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a first portion that includes a display screen; a second portion that includes an input device and that is separably connected to the first portion; and an electronic connector configured to allow electronic communication between the first and second portions, the electronic connector comprising; a female receptacle connected to the first portion; a base connected to the second portion; a tapered extension connected to the base, including; a platform; a nose forming a terminal end of the tapered extension; a first connection face; and a second connection face, the first connection face and the second connection face tapering toward each other from the base to the nose symmetrically about a symmetry plane; where a first set of a plurality of electrical contacts are located along the first connection face and a second set of the plurality of electrical contacts are located along the second connection face; and an alignment tolerant joint coupling the tapered extension to the base, the tapered extension movable in three orthogonal dimensions relative to the base responsive to an external force applied to the tapered extension. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification