Rotating connector adapter with strain relief

Details Rotating connector adapter with strain relief Rotating connector adapter with strain relief

2001-06-19

2003-09-02

Bradley, P. Austin (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With insulation other than conductor sheath

Plural-contact coupling part

C439S011000, C439S013000, C439S638000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06612874

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to connectors for interfacing peripherals to a host device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an adapter configuration that permits a peripheral device to be electrically connected to a host device interface, in any one of a number of physical positions relative to the host interface, and that is resistant to breakage.
2. Description of Related Art
While today's computers incorporate an increasing amount of functionality within the physical constraints of the computer itself, there are a number of functions that can only be provided by way of an add-on, external peripheral. For instance, joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, wireless network antennas, are all examples of devices that may have to be operatively (i.e., electrically and physically) connected to a host device, such as a computer.
In the past, connecting such peripheral devices to a host involved a fairly complicated process. A user was required to identify the correct interface port and cable, and then properly configure the host and the peripheral device to insure compatible communications between the two devices. The process was often difficult, required a fairly high level of computer expertise, and was often subject to error. In addition to such installation complexities, traditional connection schemes also suffered from other problems as well, such as limited performance capabilities.
Consequently, the computer industry has developed interface schemes that seek to address these and other problems. One such interface scheme is known as the Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification, which defines a connection environment that allows for the connection of computers and peripherals of the sort described above. USB provides several advantages. From a performance standpoint, it allows for a much higher level of data transfer between the peripheral device and the host device.
Further, USB reduces the complexity of connecting a peripheral to a host. Generally, a USB-compliant peripheral can be connected directly to a USB-compliant host, and there is no need for the user to manually configure either of the two devices—the USB environment essentially automates the underlying configuration process in a manner that is transparent to the user.
The USB specification defines the physical design, dimensions, and electrical interface of peripheral devices using a “keyed” connector protocol. In general, the USB standard defines a single USB plug type, that is electrically and physically received by a similarly defined USB port or receptacle. Thus, a peripheral device vendor may provide the user with a cable having a USB plug, that can be physically and electrically received within a USB port on the host device.
USB connectors utilize a fixed orientation with respect to the receptacles for receiving the plugs on the host and peripheral device. Unfortunately, the fixed orientation of the receptacle on the host device is not standardized from one manufacturer to another. As such, a USB plug must be physically oriented in a manner dictated by the host USB receptacle. For example, USB series “A” receptacles can be found on current notebook computers in all of four possible 90-degree orientations. This can be problematic in situations where a USB peripheral must have a specific physical orientation vis-à-vis the host USB receptacle. Solutions include the use of a cable, or a peripheral that is jointed in a manner so as to allow re-orientation of the peripheral. However, such approaches have not been entirely satisfactory. Use of a cable requires another attachment component that is subject to failure and increases attachment complexity. Moreover, a cable does not allow for direct connection of the peripheral to the host. Also, providing a peripheral with multiple joints increases cost and manufacturing complexity of the peripheral.
The need for providing a known, fixed orientation of a peripheral device with respect to a host is especially critical for certain types of peripherals. For example, an antenna for providing wireless data communication requires a certain orientation so as to provide optimal transmission and reception of wireless signals. While the use of USB-based connection schemes are ideal for such antennas from a performance and ease-of-use standpoint, a USB connector may not provide the optimal physical orientation.
Thus, it would be an advance over the present state of the art to provide a connection scheme that provides the advantages of the USB standard, but that allows the peripheral to be physically reoriented with respect to the host device.
In addition to problems associated with the inability to freely orient a peripheral device, existing connection schemes have other drawbacks as well. Often, a peripheral is connected in a fixed and rigid manner to the host port, and often in a manner such that the peripheral and connector extend outward from the host. Consequently, the connector and/or peripheral are vulnerable to breakage if they are subjected to an external force. This problem is particularly acute when a peripheral is connected to a mobile host device, such as a laptop computer. Movement of the host device can often result in forces being applied to the peripheral/connector, which can break or damage the peripheral.
Consequently, it would be an advance over the present state of the art to provide a connection scheme that is resilient, and less subject to breakage and/or damage when connected to a host device and subjected to external forces. Preferably, the connection scheme would possess some level of strain relief so it is less prone to damage if it is bent or twisted.
SUMMARY OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention has been developed in response to the current state of the art, and in particular, in response to these and other problems and needs that have not been fully or completely solved by currently available connector schemes for interfacing peripheral devices with host devices. Thus, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide a reliable, reorienting connection between the attached peripheral device and the host device. Further, it is an objective to provide the connection without the use of a flexible cable; instead, it is an objective to provide a direct and fixed connection between the host and the peripheral. A related object is to provide a reorientation scheme that allows the peripheral to placed in a desired physical orientation with respect to the host, irrespective of the orientation of the interface on the host. For example, if the host interface is a vertical USB receptacle, or a horizontal USB receptacle, it is an objective to allow the peripheral to remain in the same desired position. Moreover, it is an objective to provide a direct connection, but at the same time provide a connection that is resilient to external forces, thereby minimizing breakage or damage to the connector if it is inadvertently exposed to an external force when connected to the host.
To summarize, these and other objectives have been addressed by embodiments of the present invention, which is directed to a connector adapter scheme that allows a peripheral device to be directly connected to a host device having a connector interface. Moreover, the connector adapter is adjustable, so that the relative position of the connected peripheral can be adjusted. This allows, for example, the peripheral to be maintained in a desired position, irrespective of the physical orientation of the host connector interface.
In a presently preferred embodiment, the connector adapter includes a host connector interface, that is capable of electrically and physically interfacing with an interface connector provided on a host device. For example, the host connector may be a USB-type plug, that can interface with a USB-type receptacle provided by the host device. The adapter also includes a peripheral interface, that is capable of providing a detachable electrical connection with a perip

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