Classifications

• • 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
  • H01R13/72—Means for accommodating flexible lead within the holder
• • 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
• • 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
  • H01R13/60—Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
  • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
  • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
  • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
  • H01R2201/16—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for telephony
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/02—Constructional features of telephone sets
  • H04M1/15—Protecting or guiding telephone cords

Definitions

• This invention relates to a portable device connection apparatus and system and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to a retractable connector for use with portable electronic devices.
• portable electronic devices such as, for example, mobile telephones, cellular telephone, personal information assistants (“PIA's”) personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), games consoles, and so forth (“portable device”).
• PDA's personal information assistants
• PDAs personal digital assistants
• Many store data that may be also stored and/or used elsewhere such as, for example, on personal computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, and so forth (“computer”).
• Connecting the portable device to the computer normally requires a cable having a relatively standard connector at one end (e.g. USB, IEEE 1394) for connection to the computer, and at the other end a connector specific for the particular portable device.
• manufacturers for portable devices and quite often they require connectors that are specific for their products, and that cannot be used with products of other manufacturers. Quite often they cannot be used with different products from the same manufacturer.
• a direct solid connection is not possible due to the inherent weight of the portable device, and the nature of the physical locations of the connection points in computers.
• connection apparatus for a portable device, the connection apparatus including a recess in a wall of the portable device for releasably receiving therein a connector and a connector cable; the connector cable having an inner end for permanent connection to internal circuitry of the portable device, and an outer end connected to the connector; the connector and the connector cable being for enabling: a. data transfer both ways between the portable device and another device, and power one way to the portable device from the another device, when the another device is a host for the portable device; and b. data transfer both ways between the portable device and the another device, and power transfer to and from the portable device and the another device, when the portable device is the host for the another device.
• the invention provides a portable device comprising a casing with at least one function key, a recess in a wall of the casing for accommodating a connector when the connector is not in use, a connector cable for permanently connecting the connector to an internal circuitry of the portable device; the recess being sized, shaped and located to as to not interfere with operation of the at least one function key; the connector, when in the recess, having a side surface substantially coplanar with the wall.
• the connector and the connector cable may be for enabling: a. data transfer both ways between the portable device and another device, and one way power to the portable device from the another device, when the another device is a host for the portable device; and b. data transfer both ways between the portable device and the another device, and power transfer from the portable device to the another device, when the portable device is the host for the another device.
• the connector may be one of USB, and IEEE 1394; the connector cable being connected to the connector at a first side of the connector.
• the recess may be sized, shaped and located to not interfere with any operation of a plurality of keys of the portable device, and may have two parallel opposed side walls, and a rear wall extending between and jointing the opposed side walls; a lower wall and a top wall both extending between and joining the two opposed side walls and the rear wall, the lower wall being spaced from and parallel to the top wall; there being a gap in the rear wall for passage therethrough of the cable; the cable passing through the gap at an angle to the rear wall, the angle being in the range 30° to 60°,
• a projection extending from a first wall of the two parallel, opposed side walls towards the second wall of the two parallel, opposed side walls; the projection having an inner end spaced from the second wall by a distance substantially the same as a length of the connector; the projection also having an inner curved surface to facilitate the connector cable forming a curved shape when in the recess.
• the apparatus may include a retaining clip to releasably retain the connector in the recess when the connector is not in use.
• the retaining clip may be a spring arm extending outwardly from a rear wall of the recess and having a ball projection adapted to engage a correspondingly sized and shaped recess in a top of the connector, and/or a small projection integrally formed with a side wall of the recess such that the connector engages behind the small projection in the manner of a snap fit.
• the first wall may be spaced from the second wall by a distance greater than the length of the connector.
• the connector cable may pass between the connector and the rear wall and biases the connector away from the rear wall; and the first side surface of the connector may be substantially coplanar with the wall
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portable device fitted with a connection apparatus and system of the present invention
• Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with the connection apparatus extended;
• Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figures 1 and 2 with the portable device connected to a computer using the connection apparatus;
• Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows 4-4 on Figure 1 ;
• Figure 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view along the lines and in the direction of arrows 5-5 on Figure 2;
• Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a second embodiment.
• a portable device 10 that, in this embodiment, is a mobile telephone. However, it can also be any form of other portable device such as, for example, PDA, PIA, games console, and so forth.
• the portable device 10 has a number of keys 12 and a screen 14, in the usual manner, all within or on a casing 16.
• the casing 16 has an end wall 18 in which there is a recess 20 releasably holding a connector 22 when the connector 22 is not in use.
• the recess 20 may be in another wall of the casing 16, if desired or required.
• the recess 20 is sized, shaped and located such that it does not interfere with the operation of keys 12, or any other function of the portable device 10.
• the recess 20 preferably is generally cuboid and has a lower wall 24, first side wall 26, second side wall 28 spaced from and generally parallel to first side wall 26, an end wall 30 extending between and joining walls 26 and 28, and a top wall (not shown) so that recess 20 is closed on all sides except for opening 32.
• the top and lower walls 24 are generally parallel and extend between and join walls 26, 28 and 30.
• a gap 34 through which passes a cable 36 permanently connected at its inner end (not shown) to the internal circuitry (not shown) of portable device 10, and at its outer end is connected to connector 22.
• Cable 36 is preferably flexible and may be of any suitable type required for connector 22 including, but not limited to: a twisted pair flat cable; a flexible PCB cable; a flat cable; or any other suitable cable.
• a flat cable is preferred to minimize the space taken by cable 36 within recess 20.
• a flat cable 36 will tend to more easily form the curve as shown.
• the cable 36 may be shielded and/or armoured and/or filled; and may have be reinforced by, for example, a flexible strip of a plastics materials.
• cable 36 passes through gap 34 at an angle of between 30° to 60°, more preferably 45°, so that cable 36 is biased towards the curve shape as shown.
• the connector 22 may be a USB connector, IEEE 1394 connector, or otherwise as desired. As shown, the connector 22 is a reduced size USB connector of relatively constant height, width and length. Preferably, connector 22 has a plurality of contacts 38 for transmission of data and/or power. Connector 22 may not require a shield around contacts 38. Also, preferably a side wall 62 of the connector 22 is generally co-planar with end wall 18 when in recess 20; and recess 20 is of a height only slightly greater than the height of connector 22. In this way connector 22 is a relatively snug fit in recess 20.
• Cable 36 is connected to connector 22 on one side 23 of connector 22 to again enhance cable 36 forming the curve as shown, as to allow the side 23 to assist in protecting the connection.
• Projection 40 is preferably a projection 40 from side wall 26 towards side wall 28, and with its outer surface generally aligned with opening 32, and thus substantially coplanar with wall 18.
• Projection 40 has an inner end 42 that is spaced from side wall 28 by a distance substantially the same as the axial length of connector 22.
• the distance between walls 26, 28 should be the same as or greater than the length of connector 22 and a short length of cable 36 curved at a reasonable radius. In this way an outer end 44 of connector 22 will rest against wall 28, and cable 36 will rest against wall 26, such that connector 22 is held in a relatively snug fit in recess 22.
• the projection 40 has an inner wall 41 that is preferably curved, with the radius of curvature being approximately of that of the curve of cable 36.
• connector 22 can easily be inserted into recess 20, removed from recess 20, and stored in recess 20, without undue difficulty; and without undue stress on cable 36.
• a retaining clip This may be of any suitable form such as, for example, a spring arm 44 extending outwardly from rear wall 30 and having a ball projection 46 to engage a correspondingly sized and shaped indent 48 in a top 50 of connector 22; and/or a small projection 52 integrally formed with wall 28 so that connector 22 engages behind projection 52 in the manner of a snap fit; or otherwise as desired or required.
• Opposite projection 40, walls 18 and 28 have a small indentation 43 at their junction 45 to enable a finger tip of a user to be able to contact connector 22 to remove connector 22 from recess 20.
• the indentation may be full height, or for only a part of the height.
• connector 22 can be stored in recess 20.
• simple finger pressure can remove connector 22 from recess, and cable 36 then extended.
• Cable 36 may have a spring biased winding drum 56 around which it may automatically be wound and unwound, if desired.
• connector 22 can engage in a suitable port in a computer 58 for data and/or power transfer.
• data transfer may be both ways, but when portable device 10 is connected to computer 58, power transfer is only from the computer 58 to the portable device 10.
• computer 58 is acting as the host
• portable device 10 is acting as an accessory/peripheral device to the host computer 58. This would also apply if connector 22 was used with a recharger for any battery in portable device 10.
• the portable device 10 may become the host, and the small electronic device may become the accessory/peripheral device.
• the small electronic device may become the accessory/peripheral device.
• power may be able to pass from the portable device 10 to the small electronic device.
• the use of the power may be for recharging any battery in the small electronic device.
• Figure 6 shows a variation of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. It is the same in all respects as the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 except that one or two jacks 60 are provided for recharging and/or handsfree set connections.

Landscapes

• Telephone Set Structure (AREA)
• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34591241

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (23)

Citations (14)

Family Cites Families (15)

• 2003
  • 2003-11-20 US US10/719,128 patent/US6926554B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2004
  • 2004-11-19 AU AU2004311028A patent/AU2004311028B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-11-19 CN CN200480034127A patent/CN100583582C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-11-19 EP EP04800444A patent/EP1685635A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2004-11-19 JP JP2006541103A patent/JP4560052B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-11-19 TW TW093135608A patent/TWI346858B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-11-19 WO PCT/SG2004/000379 patent/WO2005050807A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2004-11-19 KR KR1020067009554A patent/KR20060116207A/ko not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (14)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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