Abstract: A universal receptacle facilitates improved connectivity between electronic devices through plug-type connectors within a range of form factors. In one aspect, the receptacle includes an elongate, open ended chamber, a series of conductive terminals disposed in the chamber, urging structure for urging the conductive terminals inwardly towards a longitudinal axis of the chamber, and a series of conductive lines electrically coupled with the conductive terminals. The conductive terminals may be located within the chamber such that the urging structure places the terminals in physical contact with the plug-type connector when the connector possesses a diameter that is less than the diameter of the chamber. In this way, the particular degree of displacement of the terminals varies depending on the form factor or diameter of a particular region of the connector, while electronic signal pathways are maintained between the conductive terminals of the receptacle and conductive contacts of the connector.

Abstract: A common axis, multi-pole connector assembly provides improved connectivity with electronic devices having mating receptacles of differing form factors. In one aspect, the connector includes assembly includes a single pin, hollow plug body, one or more conductive lines extending within the plug body, and a sleeve configured for sliding reception over the plug body. The plug body is formed with one or more discrete conductive contacts with which the one or more conductive lines are electrically coupled. The sleeve, which may be either formed as an insulative body or formed with one or more discrete conductive contacts, has an axial length that is less than the axial length of the plug body so that when the sleeve is installed on the plug body, a portion of the plug body extends out from beneath the sleeve.

Abstract: A unitary connector system includes a single pin, multi-pole electrical connector having a plug body, as well as a mating receptacle. The plug body is formed of a series of discrete conductive contacts interposed with a series of insulative rings such that the insulative rings electrically isolate adjacent conductive contacts from one another, each contact thereby forming a terminal. A series of conductive lines extend within the plug body and are electrically coupled with the series of conductive contacts each representing a transmission channel. The universal nature of the plug body design allows for a specific number of poles to be chosen to handle the particular signal transmission requirements.