Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-05
2001-07-24
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means
C411S510000, C411S913000, C411S338000, C439S350000, C439S953000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264491
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to port connection devices including serial, parallel and video port connectors, and, more particularly, to a computer port connector that can be selectively coupled to a mating connector.
2. Description of Related Art
In the market of portable electronic devices such as laptop computers and personal digital assistants (PDA's), a need has been established to expedite the connection and disconnection of the main computer to the peripheral devices (printers, monitors digital projectors, modem, for example)
Traditional means has been to couple the two mating sections of the connector and then thread screws located on the free cabled mating section of the connector into jack screw receptacles on the fixed mating section of the connector located on the laptop. Some connectors have captive screws, which the user is required to physically use a screwdriver to secure the connectors and some have an integral knob or handle to aid in the task. This means of securing the connection is time consuming and cumbersome.
What is needed is a connector for quick connection and disconnection while retaining and using the traditional jack screw receptacles common to all devices while still providing a secure means of attachment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention achieves technical advantages as a system and method for connecting the port connection device in a predetermined orientation in which the need for additional components and site lines have been alleviated. The present invention provides a method and user-friendly apparatus having a non screw-type port connector adapted to connect to a receiving member wherein the receiving member is capable of accepting a traditional jack screw connector having screw-type fasteners. The invention facilitates a more universal use of connection with traditional jack screw-type housing connectors that are commonly in use.
The present invention provides a method and a connector apparatus which securingly attaches to a common port receiving member, while remedying the need for additional tools or attachment means, such as screws. The invention makes connector the housing more usable by all users, handicapped or otherwise. It is well settled that many people having robotic limbs generally have a decreased ability to pick up and manipulate small objects. The present invention alleviates the use of screws or tools such that a person having decreased manipulative abilities may also use the device thereby making the application more universal.
The present invention also provides a method and an apparatus for secure attachment of the port connection to a receiving member which alleviates the need for a site line, thereby alleviating the need for manipulation of the receptive housing. Depending on the size and shape of a computer housing, manipulation of the machine may be difficult. However, if such a need is obviated, increased ease in connection of ports is facilitated.
The present invention also provides a method and an apparatus for securing a port mechanism wherein the risk of lost connection parts is allayed. The fewer the number of small parts, clearly it is less likely one should be missing any at the time of connection.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3905570 (1975-09-01), Nieuwveld
patent: 4995824 (1991-02-01), Falco
patent: 5486117 (1996-01-01), Chang
patent: 5713752 (1998-02-01), Leong et al.
patent: 5741102 (1998-04-01), Everett et al.
patent: 5749746 (1998-05-01), Tan et al.
patent: 5775931 (1998-07-01), Jones
patent: 6165002 (2000-12-01), Kalis
Jackson & Walker, LLP
Mobility Electronics
Ta Tho D.
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