Combined input port

• US 8,904,052 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2011
• Issued: 12/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Jang, Changsoo
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Zachary K
• Application Number:
  US13/336,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20130166786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 710/12
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

An input port for an electronic device for receiving different types of connectors, memory cards, or plugs. The input port includes an outer wall defining a receiving aperture, a substrate positioned within the receiving aperture. A first set of contacts is positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture and a second set of contacts is positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the receiving aperture. The first set of contacts is configured to communicate with a first connector and the second set of contacts is configured to communicate with a second connector.

Claims

1. An input port for an electronic device comprising:

an outer wall defining a receiving aperture comprising;

a first aperture portion having a first width; and

a second aperture portion having a second width, the first and second aperture portions adjacent one another;

a substrate positioned primarily within the first aperture portion and protruding from a back wall of the input port, the substrate separated from the outer wall by a fixed distance;

a first set of contacts positioned on the substrate at a first depth into the receiving aperture, the first set of contacts oriented to face an interior of the second aperture portion; and

a second set of contacts positioned on a first surface of the outer wall at a second depth into the second aperture portion, the second set of contacts oriented to face the interior of the second aperture portion and the first set of contacts;

wherein

when a first connector is received around the substrate and within the first aperture portion at a first depth, the first set of contacts communicates with the first connector; and

when a second connector is received within the second aperture portion at a second depth, the second set of contacts communicates with the second connector.

2. The input port of claim 1, wherein the first connector is a male universal serial bus connector and the second connector is a memory card.

3. The input port of claim 1, wherein the first surface is a bottom surface of the outer wall.

4. The input port of claim 1, wherein the outer wall further comprises:

a bottom wall; and

a top wall substantially parallel to the bottom wall and having a length shorter than a length of the bottom wall.

5. The input port of claim 4, wherein the substrate has a length substantially equal to the length of the top wall and the substrate is positioned beneath and substantially parallel to the top wall.

6. The input port of claim 5, wherein the first set of contacts is positioned on a bottom surface of the substrate facing away from the top wall.

7. The input port of claim 4, wherein a shoulder is positioned between the top wall and the bottom wall.

8. The input port of claim 7, wherein the first surface is an inner surface of the shoulder.

9. The input port of claim 1, wherein the first depth is shorter than the second depth.

15. The input port of claim 1, wherein the outer wall is integrally formed.

16. The input port of claim 1, further comprising a back wall integrally formed with the outer wall and defining a back end of the input port, wherein the substrate extends from the back wall.

17. The input port of claim 16, wherein the substrate has a length that is shorter than a length of the receiving aperture.

18. The input port of claim 16, wherein the substrate terminates prior to reaching one or more sidewalls of the outer wall.

19. The input port of claim 16, wherein the sidewall is anchored on a single end.

20. The input port of claim 1, wherein the receiving aperture is T-shaped.

10. An electronic device comprising:

an enclosure; and

an input receptacle defined within the enclosure comprising;

a substrate;

a bottom wall;

a top wall operably connected to the bottom wall;

a receiving aperture defined by the bottom wall and a first surface of the substrate, the receiving aperture comprising;

a first aperture portion having a first width; and

a second aperture portion having a second width, the first and second aperture portions adjacent one another;

a first electrical contact extending from first surface of the substrate, oriented to face an interior of the first aperture portion; and

a second electrical contact extending from an inner surface of the bottom wall, oriented to face the interior of the second aperture portion and the first set of contacts;

wherein

the first electrical contact is configured to transfer data and/or power to another device of a first device type received within the input receptacle; and

the second electrical contact is configured to transfer data and/or power to another device of a second device type received within the input receptacle.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein

the first electrical contact is positioned at a first depth with respect to a front end of the input port;

and

the second electrical contact is positioned at a second depth with respect to the front end of the input port; and

the first depth is shorter than the second depth.

12. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the first electrical contact is configured to communicate with a universal serial bus connector or a micro universal serial bus connector.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the second electrical contact is configured to communicate with a memory card.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the substrate is positioned between the bottom wall and the top wall.