GB2412019A - USB plug with ball and socket joint - Google Patents

USB plug with ball and socket joint Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2412019A
GB2412019A GB0405633A GB0405633A GB2412019A GB 2412019 A GB2412019 A GB 2412019A GB 0405633 A GB0405633 A GB 0405633A GB 0405633 A GB0405633 A GB 0405633A GB 2412019 A GB2412019 A GB 2412019A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
hollow spherical
spherical housing
usb
housing
plug
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0405633A
Other versions
GB0405633D0 (en
Inventor
Wen Hsiang Yueh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Partner Tech Corp
Original Assignee
Partner Tech Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Partner Tech Corp filed Critical Partner Tech Corp
Priority to GB0405633A priority Critical patent/GB2412019A/en
Publication of GB0405633D0 publication Critical patent/GB0405633D0/en
Publication of GB2412019A publication Critical patent/GB2412019A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/06—Ball-joints; Other joints having more than one degree of angular freedom, i.e. universal joints
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/502—Bases; Cases composed of different pieces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/02—Flexible line connectors without frictional contact members
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R35/00—Flexible or turnable line connectors, i.e. the rotation angle being limited
    • H01R35/04—Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A data plug, such as a USB connector, has a ball and socket joint so that it can be rotated, allowing several devices to be plugged into USB sockets which are close together. The plug has a first hollow spherical housing 361 and a second hollow spherical housing 371 which partially surrounds the first. Wires run through the two spheres. The plug can be used for a portable device (6, Fig 7) or as an adapter to a data transmission interface (4, Fig 6).

Description

241201 9
DATA PLUG WITH VARIABLE CONFIGURATION
The present invention relates to a data plug e.g. a USB plug with a multi directional pivot.
The US (Universal Serial Bus) interface, which has functions of PNP (Plug and Play), hot insertion/hot swapping and the like, is the most popular data transmission interface applied for peripheral devices nowadays. More and more peripheral devices include a USB interface to increase the expandability thereof for various applications.
lo Referring to Fig. 1, a conventional electronic product 71 has a plurality of USB ports 81 disposed therein and arranged in a spaced manner. The conventional electronic product 71 usually is just applicable for a plurality of conventional cables 51 respectively having at last one USB interface to plug at the same time. If there is a need to plug in a plurality of conventional portable Is electronic devices 61, each having at least one USB interface and a fixed volume, the USB ports 81 cannot be used completely because there is insufficient space to plug in the conventional portable electronic devices 61 at the same time.
With respect to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a conventional USB plug can be :, improved to provide a rotation structure adjustable for various objects. In Fig. 2, a first conventional rotational USBplu91 with an X- axis rotation includes a body 11, a first mating face 14 disposed on an edge of the body 11, a plug 12 connecting the body 11, a second mating face 15 disposed on an edge of the plug 12 and corresponding to the first mating face 14, a USB interface 121 us formed an opposing edge of the plug 12, and a pivot 13 vertically disposed both on the first mating face 14 and the second mating face 15. The first conventional rotational USBplu91 uses the pivot 13 (X-axis), which is rotated around by the plug 12, and provides an adjustable attitude.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, a second conventional rotational USB plug 2 with a so Y-axis rotation, includes a body 21, a first mating face 24 disposed on an edge of the body 21, a plug 22 connecting the body 21, a second mating face 25 disposed on an edge of the plug 22 and corresponding to the first mating face 24, a U.SB interface 221 formed on an opposing edge of the plug 22, and a pivot 23 parallel connecting both the first mating face 24 and the second mating face 25.
The second conventional rotational USB plug 2 uses the pivot 23 (Y-axis), which s is rotated around by the plug 22, and provides an adjustable attitude.
However, the first conventional rotational USB plug 1 and the second conventional rotational USB plug 2 mentioned above can be used around only one axis (respectively around the X-axis and the Y-axis) and are restricted in other directions. The first conventional rotational USB plug 1 and the second lo conventional rotational USB plug 2 cannot be used with electronic products and computers having a plurality of USB ports in various ways.
The object of the invention is therefore to provide a data plug e.g. a USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure adopted for a portable electronic device and mating with an electronic product having a data port e.g. a USB port.
Is The USB plug in one embodiment includes a first spherical member and a spherical shell located on the spherical member, the internal diameter of the spherical shell corresponding to the external diameter of the spherical member to allow the latter to slide on the former to adjust their mutual orientation. The spherical member has a retaining rim sliding and in contact with the spherical no shell for adjusting relative displacement therebetween, and thus the second hollow spherical housing can be manipulated with no angular limitations and rotated in multiple directions.
The USB plug has a multi-directional rotation structure, adopted for a portable electronic device. The plug is used for mating with an electronic product having a USB port. The USB plug with a multi- directional rotation structure, includes a main body, a USB mating body relative to the main body, a USB interface disposed on an end of the USB mating body, a first hollow spherical housing connecting the main body, and a second hollow spherical housing connecting the USB mating body.
JO To provide a further understanding of the invention, the following detailed description illustrates embodiments and examples of the invention. Examples of the more important features of the invention thus have been summarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the contributions to the art may be appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto.
In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an application of conventional rotational USB plug products; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first conventional rotational USB plug; lo Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second conventional rotational USB plug; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is an X-Y plane profile of the USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure according to the present invention; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a rotational motion of the USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure according to the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an application of the USB plug with a multi- directional rotation structure according to the present invention.
Referring to Fig. 4 to Fig. 7, the present invention provides a USB plug 3 so with a multi-directional rotation structure, adopted for a portable electronic device 6 (shown in Fig. 7) and mating with an electronic product 7 having a USB port 8.
With reference to Fig. 4, the USB plug 3 with a multi-directional rotation structure includes a main body 31 and a USB mating body 32 relative to the main body 31, in which the main body 31 is a portable electronic device 6, or as illustrated in Fig. 6, the main body 31 is a USB adapter having at least one data transmission interface 4.
As illustrated in Fig. 4, the main body 31 includes a first pivotal portion 36 connecting on an end thereof. The first pivotal portion 36 has a first hollow spherical housing 361 and a first mating portion 362 formed on a free end of the JO first hollow spherical housing 361. The USB mating body 32 has a second pivotal portion 37 relative to the first pivotal portion 36, and a USB interface 321 disposed on an opposite end of the USB mating body 32. The USB interface 321 corresponds to and mates with the USB port 8 of the electrical product 7. The second pivotal portion 37 includes a second hollow spherical housing 371 and a second mating portion 372 formed on a free end of the second hollow spherical housing 371. The second hollow spherical housing 371 has an internal diameter longer than an external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing 361, and the second hollow spherical housing 371 is loosely matched with the first hollow spherical housing 361 for the first hollow spherical housing 361 partially and loosely wrapped in the second hollow spherical housing 371.
lo The second hollow spherical housing 371 has an aperture diameter adjacent to the second mating portion 372 and shorter than the external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing 361 to prevent the second hollow spherical housing 371 escaping out of the first hollow spherical housing 361. The first hollow spherical housing 361 has a retaining rim sliding on and contacting the second hollow spherical housing 371 for adjusting a relative displacement there between; thus the second hollow spherical housing 371 can be manipulated with no angular limitations and rotated in multiple directions (see Fig. 5).
With respect to Fig. 5, the first hollow spherical housing 361 has a first cavity 364 formed therein communicating with a second cavity 374 formed in the second hollow spherical housing 371, so that a plurality of electrical cables (not identified) penetrate through the main body 31 and the USB mating body 32 and electrically connect the main body 31 and the USB interface 321.
Referring to Fig. 7, the present invention uses the internal diameter of the second hollow spherical housing 371 longer than the external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing 361, and the first hollow spherical housing 361 contacting and sliding on the second hollow spherical housing 371 to adjust a relative displacement therebetween for the second hollow spherical housing 371 rotating in multiple directions. The second hollow spherical housing 371 can be manipulated with no angular limitations, and the USB plugs can be oriented in a s', suitable attitude. Therefore, peripheral apparatuses having at least one USB interface, such as the cables 51, the portable electronic device 6, and theUSB s plug 3, can respectively mate with USB ports 8 of the electronic product 7 in a oneto-one manner, and be inserted and swapped at the same time.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above description is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples of the invention. The invention should therefore cover various modifications and variations made to the herein-described structure and operations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following appended claims.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS L
1. A USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure, adopted for a portable electronic device and mating with an electronic product having a USB port; the USB plug comprising: a main body having a first pivotal portion connecting an end thereof, the first pivotal portion including a first hollow spherical housing, and a first mating portion formed on a free end of the first hollow spherical housing;.and.
a USB mating body relative to the main body, and having a second pivotal portion connecting an end thereof and a USB interface disposed on an opposite end thereof; the second pivotal portion. corresponding to the first pivotal portion, and the- USB interface being relative to the USB port of the electrical product; wherein the second is pivotal portion includes.a second hollow spherical housing and.a second mating portion formed on a free end of the second hollow spherical housing; wherein the second hollow spherical housing has an internal diameter longer than an external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing, and the second hollow spherical housing is loosely matched with the first hollow spherical housing for the first hollow spherical housing to be partially and loosely wrapped in the second hollow spherical.housing; the second hollow spherical housing has an aperture diameter adjacent the second mating portion and shorter than the external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing to prevent the second hollow spherical housing from escaping out of the first hollow spherical housing; and the first hollow spherical housing has a retaining rim contacting and sliding on the second hollow spherical housing for adjusting a relative displacement therebetween, whereby the second hollow spherical housing can be manipulated with no angular limitations and rotated in multiple directions.
2. The USB plug of claim 1, wherein the first hollow spherical housing has a first cavity formed therein communicating with a second cavity formed in the second hollow spherical housing, and a plurality of electrical cables penetrate through the main body and the USB mating body and electrically connect the main body and the USB interface.
3. The USB plug of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body is a portable electronic device.
lo
4. The USB plug of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body is a USB adapter having at least one data transmitting interface.
5. A USB plug with a multi-directional rotation structure, adopted for a portable electronic device and comprising: two hollow spherical housings mating with each other and defining a first hollow spherical housing and a second hollow spherical housing, the first hollow spherical housing having a first opening formed in an end thereof, and the second hollow spherical housing including a second opening fommed in an end thereof and relative to the first opening; wherein: the second hollow spherical housing has an internal diameter longer than an external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing, and the second hollow spherical housing is loosely matched with the first hollow spherical housing for the first hollow spherical housing partially and loosely wrapped in the second hollow spherical housing; and the second hollow spherical housing has an aperture diameter adjacent the second mating portion and shorter than the external diameter of the first hollow spherical housing to prevent the second hollow spherical housing from escaping out of the first hollow spherical housing; whereby the first hollow spherical housing contacts and slides on the so second hollow spherical housing for adjusting a relative displacement therebetween, and one of the two hollow spherical housings is manipulated with no angular limitations and rotated around the other in multiple directions; and at least one USB interface disposed on one of the two hollow spherical housings for mating with an electronic product having a USB port.
6. The USB plug of claim 5, wherein one of the two hollow spherical housings is a portable electronic device.
7. The USB plug of claim 5, wherein one of the two hollow spherical to housings is a USB adapter having at least one data transmitting interface.
8. A data plug including a ball-and-socket joint.
9. A USB plug substantially as described hereinabove with reference to Figs. 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
GB0405633A 2004-03-12 2004-03-12 USB plug with ball and socket joint Withdrawn GB2412019A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0405633A GB2412019A (en) 2004-03-12 2004-03-12 USB plug with ball and socket joint

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0405633A GB2412019A (en) 2004-03-12 2004-03-12 USB plug with ball and socket joint

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0405633D0 GB0405633D0 (en) 2004-04-21
GB2412019A true GB2412019A (en) 2005-09-14

Family

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0405633A Withdrawn GB2412019A (en) 2004-03-12 2004-03-12 USB plug with ball and socket joint

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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006048995A1 (en) * 2006-10-17 2008-05-08 5E Technologies Gmbh Input signals e.g. audio signals, converting device for e.g. TV set, has electronic unit connectable depending on adjustment of connection and aligned in existing place in angle at connector retainer in flexible manner
EP2320297A3 (en) * 2009-11-05 2011-06-15 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Rotation axis, digital device and USB device
DE202011100072U1 (en) 2011-04-21 2011-06-15 Sagross Designoffice GmbH, 10117 Electronic device, in particular a storage medium
CN102201636A (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-28 黄廷彰 Multi-angle electric connecting device
US8075318B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2011-12-13 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
CN104821458A (en) * 2015-04-28 2015-08-05 袁悦 Multi-degree-of-freedom socket
CN104993431A (en) * 2015-07-15 2015-10-21 季德贵 Hinge allowing wire to pass through
CN105470691A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-04-06 刘永锋 Electric shock prevention socket beneficial to pulling and inserting
CN105655773A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Detachment-convenient socket with effect of electric shock prevention
CN105655774A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Plugging-convenient shock-prevention socket
CN105655772A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Shock-prevention socket with T-shaped insulating medium layer

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112563812A (en) * 2020-11-30 2021-03-26 广州舒威科技有限公司 Data line head device capable of freely rotating and convenient to connect for mobile phone

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB302012A (en) * 1927-10-27 1928-12-13 Thomas Harden Improvements in electrical plugs
SU907652A1 (en) * 1980-04-16 1982-02-23 Горловский Филиал Ордена Трудового Красного Знамени Донецкого Политехнического Института Current-collecting device for measuring units of internal combustion engine parameters
EP0099934A2 (en) * 1981-07-23 1984-02-08 MANNESMANN Aktiengesellschaft Hydraulically controlled device for the temporary establishment of a pluggable connection of a measuring element to a measuring circuit
JPS60130070A (en) * 1983-12-15 1985-07-11 東洋通信機株式会社 Connector for electronic device connecting cable
GB2170064A (en) * 1985-01-23 1986-07-23 Bargellini & C Spa G Device for connecting rechargeable batteries to electric sockets
US5380219A (en) * 1992-01-27 1995-01-10 Klier; Jurgen Cable plug connector and cable bushing
US6064195A (en) * 1998-05-11 2000-05-16 R-Tec Corporation Test probe positioning device

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB302012A (en) * 1927-10-27 1928-12-13 Thomas Harden Improvements in electrical plugs
SU907652A1 (en) * 1980-04-16 1982-02-23 Горловский Филиал Ордена Трудового Красного Знамени Донецкого Политехнического Института Current-collecting device for measuring units of internal combustion engine parameters
EP0099934A2 (en) * 1981-07-23 1984-02-08 MANNESMANN Aktiengesellschaft Hydraulically controlled device for the temporary establishment of a pluggable connection of a measuring element to a measuring circuit
JPS60130070A (en) * 1983-12-15 1985-07-11 東洋通信機株式会社 Connector for electronic device connecting cable
GB2170064A (en) * 1985-01-23 1986-07-23 Bargellini & C Spa G Device for connecting rechargeable batteries to electric sockets
US5380219A (en) * 1992-01-27 1995-01-10 Klier; Jurgen Cable plug connector and cable bushing
US6064195A (en) * 1998-05-11 2000-05-16 R-Tec Corporation Test probe positioning device

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006048995A1 (en) * 2006-10-17 2008-05-08 5E Technologies Gmbh Input signals e.g. audio signals, converting device for e.g. TV set, has electronic unit connectable depending on adjustment of connection and aligned in existing place in angle at connector retainer in flexible manner
US8075318B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2011-12-13 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8206163B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2012-06-26 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
US8540533B2 (en) 2008-02-26 2013-09-24 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. USB connector and USB device
EP2320297A3 (en) * 2009-11-05 2011-06-15 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Rotation axis, digital device and USB device
US8333615B2 (en) 2009-11-05 2012-12-18 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Rotation axis, digital device and USB device
CN102201636A (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-28 黄廷彰 Multi-angle electric connecting device
DE202011100072U1 (en) 2011-04-21 2011-06-15 Sagross Designoffice GmbH, 10117 Electronic device, in particular a storage medium
CN105514661A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-04-20 刘永锋 Electric shock preventing socket
CN105470691A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-04-06 刘永锋 Electric shock prevention socket beneficial to pulling and inserting
CN105514660A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-04-20 刘永锋 Electric shock prevention socket provided with hemispherical insert body and slot
CN105655773A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Detachment-convenient socket with effect of electric shock prevention
CN105655774A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Plugging-convenient shock-prevention socket
CN105655772A (en) * 2014-10-11 2016-06-08 刘永锋 Shock-prevention socket with T-shaped insulating medium layer
CN104821458A (en) * 2015-04-28 2015-08-05 袁悦 Multi-degree-of-freedom socket
CN104993431A (en) * 2015-07-15 2015-10-21 季德贵 Hinge allowing wire to pass through

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