Multiple Degrees of Freedom Connectors and Adapters

US 20070232086A1
Filed: 06/13/2007
Published: 10/04/2007
Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2002
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. An electronic connector mechanism, comprising:

an intermediate member having a first end defining a first connection axis and having a second end defining a second connection axis, the first and second connection axes being substantially orthogonal;

a first head having a first electronic device connector, the first head rotatably connected to the first end of the intermediate member and limited to rotation in a first plane about the first connection axis; and

a second head having a second electronic device connector in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector, the second head rotatably connected to the second end of the intermediate member and limited to rotation in a second plane about the second connection axis.

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Abstract

Connector devices that provide multiple degrees of freedom of motion between a first connector head and additional connector heads and/or electronic devices are described. The multiple degrees of freedom of motion permit motion in one or both of two planes and, perhaps, rotation about an axis in a controlled and fixed manner. Such connector devices allow peripheral devices to be folded or rotated in close proximity to a hosting device. Connector devices that incorporate circuitry for implementing distribution/hub functionality are also described.

54 Citations

30 Claims

1. An electronic connector mechanism, comprising:
- an intermediate member having a first end defining a first connection axis and having a second end defining a second connection axis, the first and second connection axes being substantially orthogonal;
  
  a first head having a first electronic device connector, the first head rotatably connected to the first end of the intermediate member and limited to rotation in a first plane about the first connection axis; and
  
  a second head having a second electronic device connector in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector, the second head rotatably connected to the second end of the intermediate member and limited to rotation in a second plane about the second connection axis.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13)
- - 2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the first electronic device connector is selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, memory, and cable connectors.
  - 3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the second electronic device connector is selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, memory, and cable connectors.
  - 4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end comprises a first hinged connection.
  - 5. The mechanism of claim 4, wherein the rotatable connection of the second head to the second end comprises a second hinged connection.
  - 6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end comprises a joint connection.
  - 7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end is adapted to retain the first head in a specified position in the first plane.
  - 8. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein intermediate member comprises a first portion and a second portion connected together and rotatable relative to one another about a third connection axis, the third connection axis being substantially orthogonal to the first and second connection axes.
  - 9. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a third head connected to the second end and rotatable about the second connection axis.
  - 10. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the second and third heads are independently rotatable about the second connection axis in substantially parallel planes.
  - 12. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the third electronic device connector is selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, memory, and cable connectors.
  - 13. The mechanism of claim 9, wherein the third head comprises an electronic device in electrical communication with the first connector, the electronic device selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, and memory devices.

11. The mechanism of 9, wherein the third head comprises a third electronic device connector in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector.

14. An electronic connector mechanism, comprising:
- an intermediate member having a first end defining a first connection axis and having a second end defining a second connection axis, the first and second connection axes being substantially orthogonal;
  
  a first head having a first electronic device connector, the first head rotatably connected to the first end and limited to rotation in a first plane about the first connection axis; and
  
  a first electronic device rotatably connected to the second end and limited to rotation in a second plane about the second connection axis, the first electronic device in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- - 15. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the first electronic device connector is selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, memory, and cable connectors.
  - 16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the first electronic device is selected from the group consisting of Universal Serial Bus, FireWire, BlueTooth, video, RS232, and memory devices.
  - 17. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end comprises a first hinged connection.
  - 18. The mechanism of claim 17, wherein the rotatable connection of the first device to the second end comprises a second hinged connection.
  - 19. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end comprises a joint connection.
  - 20. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein the rotatable connection of the first head to the first end is adapted to retain the first head in a specified position in the first plane.
  - 21. The mechanism of claim 14, wherein intermediate member comprises a first portion and a second portion connected together and rotatable relative to one another about a third connection axis, the third connection axis being substantially orthogonal to the first and second connection axes.
  - 22. The mechanism of claim 14, further comprising a second head connected to the second end and rotatable about the second connection axis, the second head having a second electronic device connector in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector.
  - 23. The mechanism of claim 22, wherein the second head and the first electronic device are independently rotatable about the second connection axis in substantially parallel planes.
  - 24. The mechanism of claim 14, further comprising a second electronic device connected to the second end and rotatable about the second connection axis, the second electronic device in electrical communication with the first electronic device connector.
  - 25. The mechanism of claim 24, wherein the first and second electronic devices are independently rotatable about the second connection axis in substantially parallel planes.

26. A system comprising:
- an electronic device having an external surface with an opening defined therein; and
  
  a connector rotatably positioned in the opening and having a first surface substantially flush with the external surface, said connector operatively coupled to the electronic device and adapted to rotate in a plane parallel to the external surface.
- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
- - 27. The system of claim 26, wherein the electronic device comprises a personal computer.
  - 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the personal computer comprises a portable personal computer.
  - 29. The system of claim 26, wherein the connector comprises a Universal Serial Bus connector.
  - 30. The system of claim 26, wherein the connector comprises a connector selected from the group consisting of FireWire, BlueTooth, video and RS232 connectors.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Ideative Product Ventures, Inc. (IDEATIVE Inc.)
Original Assignee
Ideative Product Ventures, Inc. (IDEATIVE Inc.)
Inventors
Schriefer, Tavis

Granted Patent

US 7,494,343 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

439/11
CPC Class Codes

H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for link...

H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors wi...

Multiple Degrees of Freedom Connectors and Adapters

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

54 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

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Multiple Degrees of Freedom Connectors and Adapters

First Claim

1 Assignment

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

54 Citations

30 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links