Multi-plug USB connector with swappable tip

• US 9,455,528 B1
• Filed: 01/19/2016
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• 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): Paumen, Gary
• Application Number:
  US15/000,338
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• 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

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;

i. the replaceable cable having a first connection end and a second connection end;

ii. the first connection end removably coupled to the recessed connection, the second connection end terminating in a tip for use sharing power with a mobile device;

iii. the housing including a penetration to allow the device to attached to a keyring;

b. a recessed connection within the cavity of the housing

i. the recessed connection to couple to the replaceable cable;

c. the cavity surrounding half or more of the first connection end when the replaceable cable is joined to the recessed connection;

d. 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;

e. whereby the replaceable cable and the one or more non-removable cables exit from the housing parallel to one-another.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein when the replaceable cable is connected to the recessed connection the cavity surrounds the first connection end on all but one side.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

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

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 cavity with incorrect polarity.

4. 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.

5. A device with multiple fixed and removable cables, the device comprising:

a. a body supporting multiple fixed cables;

b. the body including an opening to allow the device to attached to a keyring;

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

d. an alignment tab receiver into which the first end of the removable cable is plugged;

i. the alignment tab receiver having the shape of;

1. three straight sides; and

2. a fourth non-straight side;

e. a connection location within the device into which the removable cable is electrically connected;

f. the connection location further connected to the multiple fixed cables;

g. whereby when the removable cable is plugged into the connection location, the multiple fixed cables and the removable cable are parallel, creating a device that can be easily slid in and out of a user'"'"'s pocket.

6. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 5 wherein:

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

b. the void surrounding the half or more of the first end of the removable cable when interfaced to the connection location, such that no more than one half of the first end of the removable cable protrudes beyond the body.

7. The device with fixed and removable cables of claim 5 wherein the fourth non-straight side is shaped to interact with the first end of the removable cable, thereby allowing the removable cable to be plugged into the connection location only 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 5 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. A device comprising:

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

i. the removable cable having a first connection end and a second connection end;

b. a recessed connection within the cavity of the housing

i. the recessed connection to couple to the removable cable;

c. an entrance to the cavity having a first non-rectangular shape;

i. the first connection end of the removable cable having a second non-rectangular shape;

ii. the first non-rectangular shape and the second non-rectangular shape interfacing during connection of the removable cable to the recessed connection,

iii. the interaction of the first non-rectangular shape and the second non-rectangular shape limiting the connection to a certain orientation of removable cable with respect to the entrance to the cavity;

d. one or more non-removable cables electrically connected to the recessed connection;

e. the one or more non-removable cables exiting the housing parallel to the removable cable when the first connection end of the removable cable is within the cavity.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising:

a. a circuit board located within the housing;

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

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the first non-rectangular shape and the second non-rectangular shape are the shape of three straight sides;

and a fourth non-straight side.