Coupling Part Patents (Class 439/218)
  • Patent number: 11870921
    Abstract: A storage card is capable of sharing a card slot with a standard SIM card. A missing corner edge used for defining a mistake-proof missing corner is disposed on each of the storage card and the standard SIM card. When another edge of the storage card overlaps another edge of the standard SIM card, at least a part of the missing corner edge of the storage card is located on an outer side of a projection line that is of the missing corner edge of the standard SIM card and that is on the storage card. A storage wafer is disposed in the storage card, and a vertex angle of the storage wafer falls between the missing corner edge of the storage card and the projection line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhongzheng Li, Wei Gao, Jian Zhou
  • Patent number: 11290817
    Abstract: A headset system comprising a headset, which headset comprises at least a first earphone, a D/A converter, a first cable and a first connector. The headset system further comprises a control box, which control box comprises a second connecter, which is adapted to be connected to the first connector, and a third connector which is adapted to be connected to a fourth connector of a computing device. The control box comprises a user interface. The D/A converter is arranged at the headset and the control box is adapted to send control signals via the first cable to the headset, when the user interface is activated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: GN Audio A/S
    Inventor: Erling Skjoldborg
  • Patent number: 11095068
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for water resistant connectors. A male connector includes a rib or a draft angle that creates a seal when engaged with a female connector. A male connector includes an overmold that includes or is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Male or female connectors include molds that include or are made of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene. A female connector includes spring contacts that fit within individual pockets of the female connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MASIMO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ammar Al-Ali, Kevin Forrest, Yassir Kamel Abdul-Hafiz
  • Patent number: 11077297
    Abstract: Implantable leads of a cardiac stimulus system are disclosed, as well as methods for implanting leads of a cardiac stimulus system. The lead may be comprised of a proximal portion having a coupler for coupling to an implantable pulse generator, an intermediate portion comprising a plurality of electrodes disposed thereon, and a distal portion. The intermediate portion may have a first diameter and the distal portion may have a second diameter. The distal portion may also have an attachment feature for attaching to a lead pulling tool for delivery to an ITV and an intercostal vein. Methods may include pulling a lead from a first position to a second position within the vasculature, exiting the vasculature at the second location, and attaching a portion of the lead that exits the vasculature to an electrode or implantable device for use with the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew L. De Kock, G. Shantanu Reddy, Lili Liu, James K. Cawthra, Jr., Christopher Alan Fuhs, Peter Hall, James O. Gilkerson, Benjamin Philip Gundale, Daniel J. Foster, Henry J. Pepin
  • Patent number: 11025076
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles for a portable power case are disclosed. The portable power case is comprised of at least one battery and at least one PCB. The portable power case has at least one USB port and at least two access ports, at least two leads, or at least one access port and at least one lead. The portable power case is operable to supply power to an amplifier, a radio, a wearable battery, a mobile phone, and a tablet. The portable power case is operable to be charged using solar panels, vehicle batteries, AC adapters, non-rechargeable batteries, and generators. The portable power case provides for modularity that allows the user to disassemble and selectively remove the batteries installed within the portable power case housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: LAT Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura Thiel, Giancarlo Urzi, Carlos Cid
  • Patent number: 10615635
    Abstract: A power cable includes electrical connectors at a first end and a second end of the power cable. The electrical connectors individually or collectively include a built-in reserve power source, such as batteries or supercapacitors, and a control circuit configured to provide power to one or more downstream devices from the reserve power source when power received at one or more of the electrical connectors of the power cable is interrupted. In some embodiments, an electrical connector includes one or more indicators configured to indicate a state of the electrical connector and/or display one or more indications in response to receiving a signal from an external source, such as a management system of a facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Nicholas Desantis, Michael P. Czamara
  • Patent number: 10601972
    Abstract: A connecting system for an electronic device is disclosed herein. The connecting system may comprise a connector port including an alignment feature and two or more conductive traces corresponding to contacts of a dock interface. The connector port may be rotatable relative to the dock interface with at least two conductive traces arranged in a manner such that the contacts are maintained in contacting relation with the conductive traces along a contact path when the electronic device is rotated relative to the dock interface. The connector port may further include one or more nonconductive separating spaces that separate the at least two conductive traces along the contact path. The connecting system may comprise a rotation stop arranged such that the contacts are prevented from having contacting relation with conductive traces other than a conductive trace to which the contact corresponds and with which the contact is aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Andre Thiers
  • Patent number: 10547141
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for connectors used with electronic devices, such as input and/or output ports to connect peripheral equipment or accessories. More specifically, various flat-port are provided that can be used in place of standard connectors including, but not limited to, audio jacks and Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. The flat-port connectors are an alternate connection design to replace the traditional receptacle port (female-port), making the device more sealed creation more dust and water resistant. It is unique in the way of using the outer surfaces of the device for the electrical connection between the ports. Flat-port design can allow the manufacture of extremely thin devices by eliminating the side ports slots that take a lot of space and contribute to the increase thickness of the device. The flat-port receptacle improves the overall appearance of the device and makes it more resistant to dust and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Mohammed M. Alrashed
  • Patent number: 10283920
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interface device capable of simultaneously connecting an audio device and charger to an electronic device. An interface device may enable an electronic device with a single USB type-C connector but no analog audio jack to connect to both an audio device and a charger through the USB type-C connector. The interface device may provide automated quick charging when connected with the charger but not with the audio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Il-Hyung Chung, Cheol-Ho Lee, Cheol-Yoon Chung
  • Patent number: 10230205
    Abstract: Telecommunications jacks and methods of their use and construction are described. One telecommunications jack is adapted to receive a plug, and includes a housing defining a port for receiving the plug, as well as consecutively arranged contact springs adapted to make electrical contact with the plug when the plug is inserted into the port of the housing along a first axis. The jack includes wire termination contacts for terminating wires to the jack, and a circuit board arrangement including first and second circuits, the circuit board arrangement including a circuit board moveable in a direction non-parallel with the first axis between first and second positions. In the first position the circuit board electrically connects contact springs to wire termination contacts in a first configuration, and in the second position the circuit board connects contact springs to wire termination contacts in a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Spain, S.L.
    Inventors: Jorge Gatnau Navarro, Arturo Pachón, Maria Maqueda Gonzalez, Albert Font Aranega, Jose Jamie Sanabra Jansa
  • Patent number: 10230204
    Abstract: An interconnect for an installation environment adapted for housing at least one electrical component having a number of first connectors each having a first configuration, wherein the installation environment has pre-installed wiring having a number of second connectors each having a second configuration. The interconnect includes a backplane component including a number of third connectors adapted to connect with the number of first connectors, and a number of fourth connectors adapted to connect with the number of second connectors, wherein each of the number of fourth connectors is coupled to a respective one of the number of third connectors in a manner that maps the second configuration to the first configuration, and includes a mechanical bracket component adapted to allow for the installation of at least one electrical component such that the first connectors are connected to the third connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Hugues Bilodeau, Benoit Bouchard, Alain Picotte, Sébastien Gravel
  • Patent number: 10224698
    Abstract: An ignition wire spark plug connector comprising a jack and a wire attachment. The wire attachment is adapted to electrically attach to a wire. The jack is comprised of a barrel with a closed end. The barrel is generally cylindrical with a central space that receives the spark plug terminal through an open end. Dimples in the barrel extend into the central space. The dimples are located to force at least four points of contact between the jack and the spark plug terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: ETCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward H Jacques
  • Patent number: 10152093
    Abstract: Particular examples described herein provide for an electronic device, such as a notebook computer or laptop, which includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of hardware, elements, circuitry, etc.). The electronic device may also include a connector assembly that is positioned within at least a portion of a recess of the electronic device, where the connector assembly includes: a first assembly that is to receive a connector; and a second assembly that is to receive an identification module that is to provide an association between a user and the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sameer Sharma, Douglas Satzger, Gadi Amit, Yoshikazu Hoshino, Chadwick Harber, Daniel Clifton, Philip J. Houdek, II, Stanislav Moiseyenko, Nathan Isaiah Jauvtis
  • Patent number: 10148087
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an information handling system may include at least one information handling resource and a power system for delivering electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource. The power system may include a battery and a direct-current (DC) input for receiving a DC power source for delivering electrical energy to the at least one information handling resource and charging the battery. The power system may be configured to, based on at least one of an operational state the battery and a power mode of the information handling system, configure an input power draw limit via the DC input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Rick C. Thompson, Merle Jackson Wood, III, Mohammad Hijazi
  • Patent number: 10122116
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power-point assembly including: a socket comprising at least two first electrical contacts and a first magnetic portion arranged to be moved by a magnetic effect, in order to move the two first electrical contacts toward the exterior of the socket; a plug comprising two second electrical contacts that are intended to be electrically connected to the two first electrical contacts and a second magnetic portion for moving, via a magnetic effect, the first magnetic portion, in order to drive the first electrical contacts toward the exterior of the socket; detecting means comprising a sensor for measuring the magnetic flux flowing between the two magnetic portions and a processing unit that is arranged to generate a control signal (SIG); and disconnecting means arranged to disconnect the power supply circuit on reception of the control signal (SIG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: GULPLUG
    Inventors: Ronan Troufflard, Amandine Bray
  • Patent number: 10079461
    Abstract: A swap logic unit including a set of outputs configured to be in a first configuration or a second configuration, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to connect to a swap indication contact, wherein a voltage of the swap indication contact is configured to indicate an orientation of a reversible plug in a cable unit, and configure the set of outputs in the first configuration or the second configuration based on the voltage of the swap indication contact, wherein the first configuration corresponds to a first orientation of the reversible plug and the second configuration corresponds to a second orientation of the reversible plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean M. Jenkins, Musa I. Kakish
  • Patent number: 10079455
    Abstract: A smart switching charger and a power connection device thereof are disclosed. The smart switching charger includes a socket a plug and a DC power line. The socket is mounted to a power device to acquire electricity therefrom and includes a first contact group. The plug includes a second contact group corresponding to the first contact group. At least one of the first and second contact groups is magnetic to the first contact group attracting to the second contact group. When the first contact group attracts to the second contact group, the plug acquires electricity from the socket. The DC power line connects with the plug for transmitting electricity to electrical devices. Such configuration may obtain a reliable electrical connection between the socket and the plug through magnetic adsorption. A simple and convenient operation of connecting the socket and the plug is obtained, and lifespan of the charger is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Guangdong BESTEK E-commerce Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei He
  • Patent number: 10073494
    Abstract: A mechanical attach and retention feature is described. An apparatus may include a cover portion that is configured to cover at least a portion of a display device of a computing device having a mobile form factor that is configured to be held by one or more hands of a user. The apparatus includes, a first mid-spine that is rotationally connected to the cover portion, a second mid-spine that is rotationally connected to the first mid-spine, and a connection portion that is rotationally connection to the second mid-spine. The connection portion is configured to form a removable physical coupling to the computing device using a projection that is configured to be disposed within a channel formed in a housing of the computing device and a protrusion disposed on the projection, the protrusion configured to be received within a cavity formed as part of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Andrew McCracken, Hua Wang, Karsten Aagaard, David Otto Whitt, III, Andrew E. Winter
  • Patent number: 10015378
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a split camera in front and back portions, and a retaining member. The front portion of the camera includes a set of front mounting features and a light-collecting unit configured to collect light from a subject. The back portion of the camera is reversibly separable from the front portion; it includes a set of back mounting features and an imaging unit configured to image the light. The set of back mounting features is configured to contact the set of front mounting features as the front and back portions are drawn together, forming, cooperatively, a kinematic mount to hold the light-collecting and imaging units in a state of alignment. The retaining member is configured to couple the front portion to the back portion when the front and back portions are drawn together and also when the front and back portions are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventor: Karlton David Powell
  • Patent number: 9991656
    Abstract: A connector assembly and a hybrid connector are provided. The hybrid connector includes a base, a tongue, two extending bases, a first terminal assembly and a second terminal assembly. The tongue is formed by extending ahead of the first front surface of the base. The two extending bases are disposed on two horizontal sides of the base, and each extending base is disposed on either side of the base. The first terminal assembly is disposed on the base and the tongue and arranged in accordance with a general interface specification for universal serial bus (USB) Type-C. The second terminal assembly is disposed on the two extending bases and utilized for transmitting the Ethernet transmission protocol signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: USI ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chu-Ching Tsai, Ming-Yuan Hsieh, Ming-Chieh Chuang, Kuang-Fen Tseng
  • Patent number: 9985394
    Abstract: In some examples, a sink device includes a port comprising a power contact and data contacts, the port having a profile to engage with a flat connector in any of plural orientations of the flat connector, where the data contacts are to electrically connect to data contacts of the flat connector. A switching circuit comprises switches to apply polarity processing to signals corresponding to the data contacts to produce output data signals at a target data polarity regardless of the orientation of the flat connector when connected to the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Warren Atkinson, James M. Mann
  • Patent number: 9960532
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments generally relate to connector modules, and more particularly to magnetic connector modules. The connector module includes a board having a concave section formed at a first side, and the concave section has a base surface having formed thereon a plurality of first electrodes. A plurality of second electrodes are formed at a second side of the board opposite the first side and on a rear surface facing away from the base surface. A plurality of holes are formed through the concave section and have conductors formed therethrough to electrically connect the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The connector module additionally includes a magnet inserted into the concave section and an insulating layer interposed between the magnet and the first electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SPS Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jun Kim, Dae-Young Youn, Sang-Min Kim, Jung Gyo Kim, Seung-Ju Jeong
  • Patent number: 9923321
    Abstract: A composite connection socket includes a metal housing, an insulative main body, a first row conductive terminal and a second row conductive terminal. The metal housing includes an accommodating space formed therein, and the insulative main body is received inside the accommodating space. The insulative main body includes a first side plate, a second side plate and a base; the first side plate and the second side plate are arranged corresponding to each other and protrude from the base. The first row conductive terminal is arranged on the first side plate and complies with a micro USB communication protocol interface. The second row conductive terminal is arranged on the second side plate and complies with a lightning standard interface. The composite connection socket is able to commonly accommodate two cable connectors of different standards of a micro USB connector or a lightning connector inserted therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Pei-Lun Wang, Xinping Luo
  • Patent number: 9923301
    Abstract: Power cables that include plug housings having an improved appearance as well as employ a halogen-free cable while providing adequate fire resistance. One example provides a power cable having cable plug with a substantially unitary body. Another example provides a power cable that is formed using halogen-free materials. To provide adequate fire protection, a strain relief formed using multiple materials is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Gao, John C. DiFonzo, Joshua Banko, Min Chul Kim
  • Patent number: 9912100
    Abstract: An electrical buss has a carrier and at least a pair of electrically conductive elements. The at least a pair of electrically conductive elements extend linearly along a length of the carrier and at least a portion of each of the least a pair of electrically conductive elements is exposed at a surface of the carrier. A connector is releasably couplable to the electrical buss adjacent to the surface of the carrier. The connector has at least a pair of electrically conductive contacts for engaging with the electrically conductive elements at any desired location along the length of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Emad Zantout, Benjamin David Swedberg, Trevor Don Fildes
  • Patent number: 9887476
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for use with a first card of a first size [e.g. subscriber identify module (SIM) card, etc.] and a second card of a second size (e.g. memory card, etc.). Included is a connector with a first portion and a second portion which is configured for being manipulated to have a first orientation and a second orientation. The first orientation is such that the first portion of the connector is positioned for removably receiving the first card, or the second portion of the connector is positioned for removably receiving the second card. Further, the second orientation is such that the first card is stacked with the second card for being removably inserted in a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Risto Juhani Lempiainen
  • Patent number: 9876285
    Abstract: An electrical contact terminal includes a base portion for positioning and retaining the electrical contact terminal within a connector housing, an insulation displacement connecting portion extending upwardly from the base portion and comprising a pair of spaced apart arms defining an opening therebetween for receiving and making electrical contact with an electrical conductor, and a contact portion extending downwardly from the base portion and configured to float when the electrical contact terminal is retained and positioned within a connector housing. The contact portion includes a first arm, a second arm, and an arcuate base portion. The first arm extends downwardly and includes a first end attached to the base portion and an opposite second end. The second arm extends downwardly and includes a free first end closer to the base portion and an opposite second end farther from the base portion. The second arm is configured to deflect when making electrical contact with a mating contact pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alexander R. Mathews, Steven A. Neu, Steven Feldman
  • Patent number: 9853404
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes: an insulative housing having a tongue portion, the tongue portion defining two opposite surfaces, each surface of the tongue portion including twelve terminal positions; and two rows of terminals being reversely-symmetrically arranged at the two surfaces of the tongue portion, each terminal having a contact portion exposed on the tongue portion, each row of terminals comprising two grounding terminals respectively arranged at the first and the twelfth terminal positions of the twelve terminal positions, and two power terminals respectively arranged at the fourth and the ninth terminal positions of the twelve terminal positions, the second, third, tenth and eleventh terminal positions of the twelve terminal positions being defined as vacant spaces, one or more further power terminals being arranged at the vacant spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jun Zhao, Tao Yao, Cai-Yun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9777884
    Abstract: Embodiments for a base and an assembly of a device and the base are provided. The assembly includes a device having at least one device alignment magnet along a surface of the device, and a base having, along an upper surface of the base, at least one base alignment magnet configured to act on the at least one device alignment magnet to align the device on top of the base, and at least one insert orthogonally plungable through the upper surface of the base. In a first position, the insert is below the upper surface of the base. In a second position, the insert protrudes the upper surface of the base and is contact with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gerlovin
  • Patent number: 9774156
    Abstract: An electrical connector may include a cord comprising wires and a plug extending from the cord. The plug may include a first top row of contacts included in a top portion of the plug and a first bottom row of contacts included in a bottom portion of the plug. The first top row of contacts may be coupled to the plurality of wires and include a first top differential signaling pair configured to carry signals according to a first communication protocol, and a second top differential signaling pair configured to carry signals according to a second communication protocol. The first bottom row of contacts may be coupled to the first top row of contacts and arranged to maintain a same arrangement of contacts and electrical paths the first top row of contacts to the plurality of wires when the plug is rotated one hundred and eighty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Leiba, Adam Rodriguez, Zhonghua Wu
  • Patent number: 9742095
    Abstract: An electrical receptacle connector includes a first insulated member and a second insulated member that are received in a metallic shell. First receptacle terminals are second receptacle terminals are respectively held in the first insulated member and the second insulated member. The first receptacle terminals include first tail portions, the second receptacle terminals include second tail portions, and the first tail portions and the second tail portions are aligned with each other by an offset. Therefore, the soldering condition between the second tail portions and contacts of a circuit board can be checked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Long-Fei Chen, Dong Xiang
  • Patent number: 9640911
    Abstract: A plug connector includes a plug shell, a housing base and a plug contact. The housing base is combined with the plug shell and includes a main base and a tongue structure. The tongue structure extends from the main base and has a first face and a second face opposite to the first face. The plug contact includes a main body, a foot portion, a first end portion and a second end portion. The main body is mounted in the main base. The foot portion extends from the main body and stretches out of the main base. The first end portion is resiliently connected to the main body and protrudes out of the tongue structure via the first face. The second end portion corresponding to the first end portion is resiliently connected to the main body and protrudes out of the tongue structure via the second face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Tien Chen, Shu-Lin Duan, Wei Wan, Fu-Yi Xu
  • Patent number: 9627812
    Abstract: An USB plug capable of being inserted face up and face down includes a metal shell, an insulating body and conductive terminals arranged in the metal shell. The front end of the insulating body protrudes and is provided with an insertion core. The upper face and the lower face of the insertion core are respectively provided with a set of conductive terminals. Each of the conductive terminals on the upper face of the insertion core in a sequence from left to right is connected with the corresponding one of the conductive terminals on the down side of the insertion core in a sequence from right to left one by one. Both the up side and the down side of the insertion core of the USB plug can be electrically connected, so that the plug can be electrically connected effectively when being inserted in a socket either face up or face down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: SHENZHEN DNS INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Deqing Chen, Hui Wang, Qiushi Li, Chenglu Pan
  • Patent number: 9620887
    Abstract: A network device and a method of use are configured for ease of installation and use. The network device has a housing on which is provided a plurality of ports. A power cord assembly has a body bearing a cord and a connector for mating with a power input. Depending on the orientation of the body relative to the housing, the connector can be connected to the power port in at least first and second positions in which the power cord extends in first and second directions that are offset from one another. The network device may be easily mounted to a base, which is attached to a mounting surface. The base allows the network device to be mounted horizontally, vertically, or at any desire angle, without the disadvantages of mounting a typical network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Netgear, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kui Yin Ramones, Charles Lyman Bates, III, Yulian Bagirov, Jared Hull Aller
  • Patent number: 9608389
    Abstract: A connector for receiving a cylindrical plug includes a body defining a plug aperture and a cavity for receiving the cylindrical plug. A plurality of electrical contacts in communication with the cavity make electrical connections with the cylindrical plug and retain the cylindrical plug. A microphone is coupled to the body such that the plug aperture and the cavity provide an acoustic path to the microphone. The microphone may be at an end of the connector opposite the plug aperture or on a side of the connector adjacent the plug aperture. The connector allows a microphone to be added to a device, such as a mobile telephone, without the need for an additional external aperture. The microphone in the connector may operate with a second microphone and processing electronics in the device to provide audio processing functions such as noise cancellation or audio beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shaohai Chen, Phillip George Tamchina, Richard Hung Minh Dinh, Jae Han Lee, Trent Weber, Michelle Yu, Adam D. Mittleman
  • Patent number: 9583893
    Abstract: A polarity control circuit receives signals from contacts of a flat connector when the flat connector is connected to a port, where the port is engageable with the flat connector in any of plural orientations of the flat connector. The polarity control circuit applies polarity processing to the input signals to produce output signals at a target polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Lee Warren Atkinson, James M. Mann
  • Patent number: 9577372
    Abstract: A connector may include at least one power conductor configured to supply power to an electronic device; at least one ground conductor to supply a ground to the electronic device; at least one data conductor configured to carry data to or from the electronic device; optionally, one or more connector orientation conductors; a first magnet on a first side of the connector; and a second magnet on a second side of the connector. The connector may be reversible to be magnetically-connectable to a mating connector in a first orientation and in a second orientation that is 180 degrees from the first orientation. The connector may be operative to carry data and power to and/or from the mating connector when connected to the mating connector in the first orientation or in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Musa I. Kakish, John E. Maroney, Charles A. Neumann
  • Patent number: 9525254
    Abstract: An electrical power connector and a terminal assembly are disclosed. The electrical power connector includes a base and two terminal assemblies arranged up and down and being in a left-right staggered arrangement. Each terminal assembly includes a conductive terminal and two reinforcing terminals located on two sides of the conductive terminal. L-shaped pressing portions of the two reinforcing terminals together clamp arc protruding parts of the conductive terminal, so that the two terminal assemblies have high conductivity and good elastic to provide a better electrical performance and a long term reliable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: OUPIIN ELECTRONIC (KUNSHAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 9512954
    Abstract: Embodiments for a base and an assembly of a device and the base are provided. The assembly includes a device having at least one device alignment magnet along a surface of the device, and a base having, along an upper surface of the base, at least one base alignment magnet configured to act on the at least one device alignment magnet to align the device on top of the base, and at least one insert orthogonally plungable through the upper surface of the base. In a first position, the insert is below the upper surface of the base. In a second position, the insert protrudes the upper surface of the base and is contact with the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gerlovin
  • Patent number: 9502836
    Abstract: A socket contact is connectable with a first terminal and a second terminal at opposite ends thereof in an axial direction, respectively. The socket contact comprises a first portion, a second portion and a coupling portion. The first portion has a first end, a second end and a first spring portion. The first end includes a first contact point which is to be connected to the first terminal. The second end includes a second contact point which is to be connected to the second terminal. The first spring portion is positioned between the first contact point and the second contact point. The second portion has a third end, a fourth end and a second spring portion. The third end includes a third contact point which is to be connected to the first terminal. The fourth end includes a fourth contact point which is to be connected to the second terminal. The second spring portion is positioned between the third contact point and the fourth contact point. The coupling portion couples the first end with the fourth end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: JAPAN AVIATION ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Osamu Hashiguchi
  • Patent number: 9502843
    Abstract: A receptacle block defines one or more sockets at which plugs may be received. Each socket contains a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts. Each socket also includes a sensing contact that interacts with the second set of contacts to close an electrical switch. For example, the sensing contact can interact with an arm extending from one of the contacts of the second set. Closure of the switch can be detected and interpreted to indicate that a plug has been received at the respective socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Charles Taylor
  • Patent number: 9484676
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) includes a metal plate (1) having a pair of affixed portions (12) at opposite sides thereof, a first housing (21) insert molded with the metal plate and defining two rows of passageways (211), two rows of terminals (3) accommodated in the two rows of passageways, a pair of latches (4) respectively connected to the affixed portions of the metal plate and soldered on the circuit board, and a second housing (22) over molded with the first housing and the pair of latches to form a subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FOXCONN INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Shun-Jung Chuang
  • Patent number: 9461408
    Abstract: An adaptor connects a dual orientation plug connector and a first circuit board. The dual orientation plug connector includes a second circuit board having first to fifth upper contacts sequentially arranged on a surface and having first to fourth lower contacts sequentially arranged on another surface. The first circuit board has first to sixth endpoints. The adaptor includes first to sixth pins. The first to sixth pins respectively include first to sixth contacting portions respectively configured to connect the first upper contact, the first to fourth lower contact, and the fifth upper contact. The first to sixth pins respectively include first to sixth extending portions respectively connecting the first to sixth endpoints. Widths of the third and fourth pins are smaller than widths of the first, second, fifth, and sixth pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Transcend Information, Inc.
    Inventors: Jhih-Cheng Yan, Yuan-Tai Sie, Ssu-Ying Chen
  • Patent number: 9450341
    Abstract: An electrical plug connector has an insulative housing, two terminal sets, a shielding-grounding plate and a shell. The terminal sets are mounted in the insulative housing and each terminal set has multiple conductive terminals. The shielding-grounding plate is mounted in a rear end of the insulative housing and has a shielding body mounted in the rear end of the insulative housing and located between the terminal sets and two resilient hooking arms formed on and protruding forward respectively from two opposite sides of the shielding body and extending in the insulative housing. The shielding-grounding plate is located above the conductive terminals of the two terminal sets and shields the terminal sets such that each terminal set would not interfere with the other terminal set with cross talk when implementing signal transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced-Connectek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ya-Fen Kao, Yu-Lun Tsai, Pin-Yuan Hou, Chung-Fu Liao, Yang-Yang Zhou
  • Patent number: 9398365
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to waterproof electronic assemblies, such as earphones, earphone electronic controls, and waterproof connectors, as well as an apparatus for retaining an earpiece in the ear during physical movement and exercise. In various instances, the apparatus may include a thinned region a posterior arch and ribs to allow deformation of the earmold and facilitate securing of the earmold in the concha bowl of the ear. Electronic component assemblies described include electronic components, a cable, and a housing configured to house the electronic components. The housing also includes a cable aperture through which the cable extends, and a compression backstop extending into the interior of the housing. The electronic assembly may also include a gasket holder. The assembly also includes a gasket surrounding the cable, a compression wedge at least partially surrounding the circumference of the cable, and a crimp bead positioned proximate the compression backstop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: OTTER PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Feng Song Liu, Brian C. Bone, Feng Feng, Nicholas J. Murrells
  • Patent number: 9318830
    Abstract: A SIM card socket is provided, includes a first contact part having first contact terminals electrically contacting a first SIM card when the first SIM card is received; a second contact part having second contact terminals electrically contacting a second SIM card when the second SIM card is received, wherein the second SIM card has a size different from that of the first SIM card; a first stopper disposed on the second contact part and being movable by a predetermined distance in a lengthwise direction of the second contact part along a surface of the second contact part to support insertion of the first SIM card or insertion of the second SIM card; and a cover covering the first contact part, the second contact part, and the first stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jongchul Choi, Myunggeun Koh, Jaebong Chun, Hyoungwook Yi
  • Patent number: 9318844
    Abstract: The present invention is a switch assembly of cable connector, which comprises a plug having a plug rubber core, a housing, a plurality of pin terminals, a protruding rib and a wire; a plug holder harnessed on the outer edge of the plug rubber core movably; a switching unit joining with the plug holder movably, which is harnessed on the outer edge of the plug rubber core movably, and provided between the housing and the plug holder; and an elastic element harnessed on two ends of the plug rubber core and caught at the housing and the switching unit. Thereby, rotational switching is possible by using the switching unit in conjunction with the elastic element, such that the plug holder may be bonded to different types of sockets, in order to achieve the effects of close locking, detachment prevention, easy assembly, ease to retreat, convenient replacement and maintenance, facile to operate and applicability to at least two different kinds of sockets as the cable connector and a socket are bonded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: T-Conn Precision Corporation
    Inventor: Chien-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 9293851
    Abstract: An electronic connector includes a housing and a plug extending from the housing. The plug includes at least one flexible region that provides flexing of the plug. In some example embodiments, the plug also includes at least one rigid region. The plug has at least one interconnect. Each interconnect includes a lead and a contact. The contacts are exposed on an exterior surface of the plug, such exposure being provided so as to enable electrical coupling between the plug and an electronic receptacle into which the plug may be removably inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Orand, Brian L. Cash, Aaron B. Weast
  • Patent number: 9287669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a data connector, particularly a SATA Express connector having a power supplying line, the SATA Express connector including a device-side connector and a board-side connector, where the device-side connector is provided with at least one second device-side connector and a first device-side connector, which includes a power receiving pin, a PERST# pin, a CLKREQ#/DEVSLP pin and an IFDet pin, the board-side connector is provided with at least one second board-side connector and a first board-side connector, which is correspondingly provided with a power supplying pin, a PERST# pin, a CLKREQ#/DEVSLP pin and an IFDet pin; when the device-side connector is engaged with the board-side connector, the power supplying pin of the board-side connector provide a working power source through the device-side connector to an application component, and thus transmission of SATA or PCIe data can be carried out without additionally providing an external power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: INNODISK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsi-Hsi Wu, Cheng Chun Chang
  • Patent number: 9235223
    Abstract: An adapter-converter assembly for use with an electrical outlet is disclosed including a main body having a first, second and third universal female outlets defining first, second and third outlet configurations, and a first male plug defining a first plug configuration. A second body has a fourth universal female outlet defining the second outlet configuration and a second male plug defining a second plug configuration. The second male plug is receivable in at least one of the female outlets and the fourth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug. A third body has a fifth universal female outlet defining the third outlet configuration and a third male plug defining a third plug configuration. The third male plug receivable in at least one of the first, second and third female outlets and the fifth female outlet is configured to receive the first male plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Vito Carlucci, Sergio Lopes Fernandes da Costa