Abstract:
A device for retaining a USB connector in a USB port applies a force either to the walls of the USB port such that the walls of the USB port frictionally engage with the USB connector to retain it in position, or to a finger in a top surface of the USB port such that the finger is biased into an opening of in the USB connector to operate as a catch to prevent the unwanted removal of the USB connector from the USB port.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a universal serial bus connector retaining device and arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     The unintentional disconnection of a universal serial bus (USB) connector-port pair can lead to the loss of connection between a central processor and a peripheral device, for example a personal computer (PC) and a printer or wireless modem, or in the case of a self-service terminal (SST) between the PC core of the SST and a card reader or media dispenser. Clearly, the unintentional loss of such a connection is undesirable as it leads to a user being unable to complete a desired action, for example being unable to complete a withdrawal of funds from an automated teller machine (ATM). 
     The problem of unintentional disconnection of USB connector-port pair is particularly important where the USB port lies internally of, for example, an ATM and cannot be readily accessed to reconnect the USB connector-port pair. Such a mode of failure is known to occur when ATMs are shipped with USB connectors located in a USB hub for connection to the PC core prior to their shipping. This leads to an ATM being received by an operator with a peripheral device, for example, a card reader or a media dispenser being non-functioning and appearing to the customer to be broken. These apparent false peripheral device failures lead to an increased volume of time consuming and expensive diagnostic testing to determine the cause of the apparent peripheral device failure. The downtime of an operator&#39;s new ATM leads to loss in transactions, which in turn leads to dissatisfaction amongst the operator&#39;s customers and ultimately dissatisfaction with the ATM vendor by the operator. 
     Attempts at ameliorating this problem have been made including providing a device into which the USB cables are tied, or held by retaining structures formed in the device at a point close to the USB. These devices are bulky, occupying a significant volume of space in the body of a self-service terminal where such space is at a premium. Additionally, as the cables are retained close to the USB connector, but not immediately adjacent it, movement of the cable between its point of retention and the USB connector is still possible which can result in the disconnection of the USB connector during either manufacture or shipping of the self-service terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a universal serial bus connector retaining device comprising: 
     a frame arranged to bias at least a portion of at least one wall of a USB port housing such that said at least portion of said at least one wall is urged towards, and frictionally engages an outer surface of a USB connector when inserted into said housing. 
     The frictional engagement between the USB connector and the wall of the USB port housing which has been biased towards the USB connector by the framework militates against the unintentional disconnection of the USB connector from the USB port as the frictional force resists the disconnection of the USB connector from the USB port. 
     The frame may comprise a U-shaped channel section. The U-shaped channel section may be arranged to extend over the length of the USB port housing. The U-shaped channel section may have a distance between respective inner surfaces of its opposing arms which is the same width as the USB port housing. The U-shaped channel section may have a distance between respective inner surfaces of its opposing arms which is slightly less than the width of the USB housing. The U-shaped channel section may have distance between the inner surfaces of its opposing arms which decreases towards respective free ends of the arms. The U-shaped channel section may be formed of a resilient material, such as a plastics material. The U-shaped channel section may be formed of a metal material. 
     The frame may comprise a plurality of U-shaped channel sections each of which is arranged to bias at least one wall of a respective USB port housing, for example, of a USB hub. 
     The frame may comprise one or more U-shaped channel sections dimensioned to fit around a USB port housing of a first size and one or more U-shaped channel sections dimensioned to fit around a USB port housing of a second size, for example a standard USB port housing and a mini-USB port housing. 
     All three sides of the U-shaped channel section may be arranged to bias a respective wall of the USB port housing towards a common point. The U-shaped channel section may be arranged to compress the USB port housing. 
     The frame may comprise at least one projection arranged to engage with a tine of the USB port housing, such that the tine is urged to positively engage with an opening in the USB connector. 
     The frame may comprise a front piece and a biasing member, the front piece being arranged to locate between the USB port housing and a body portion of the USB connector, the body portion of the USB connector remaining outside of the USB port housing at all times, the plate has an opening therethrough to allow a head portion of the USB connector to mate with the USB port, the biasing member being arranged to bias the at least one wall. The biasing member may comprise an arm section which extends perpendicularly with respect to the front piece over the USB port housing. The biasing member may comprise at least one finger which depends from the arm and is arranged to engage with a tine of the USB port housing, such that the tine is urged to positively engage with an opening in the USB connector. 
     The frame may comprise a plurality of openings, each of which is associated a respective at least one finger. Typically, each opening may be associated with two respective fingers. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of retaining a USB connector in a USB port comprising the steps of: 
     applying a force to at least one wall of a housing of the USB port by a retaining device; and 
     urging the at least one wall of the housing into frictional engagement with the USB connector in response to the application of said force. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a USB connector retaining device according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation of a USB hub and a USB connector retaining device comprising a plurality of the devices of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2   a  is a plan view of a USB housing of the USB hub of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 2   b  is a plan view of a USB connector for insertion into the housing of  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section through a mini-USB connector of the hub of  FIG. 2  comprising wherein the retaining device comprises a spigot; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a USB connector retaining device according to an aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section through the device of  FIG. 4 , a USB port and a USB connector, in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  2   a ,  2   b  and  3 , a USB connector retaining device  100  comprises a substantially U-shaped channel section  102  made of a resilient material such as a plastics material or formed from a sheet of metal. The channel section  102  comprises a base  104  and a pair of opposing arms  106 ,  108 . The ratio of the length of the base  104  to the length of the arms  106 ,  108  is approximately 1:3. The distance between the opposing arms  106 ,  108  may be slightly less at their free ends than at the base  104 , or they may remain substantially parallel over their length. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a  and  2   b  in particular, a USB hub  200  comprises a number of USB ports  202  including a mini-USB port  202   a , each port comprises a housing  204  and contact pad  206  which lies internally of the housing  204 . The housing  204  comprises a rectangular box-section, typically formed from sheet metal, in which opposing side walls  208   a,b  are approximately one third the length of opposing upper and lower walls  210   a,b . Typically, the upper and lower walls  210   a,b  have a pair of U-shaped cutaways  212  formed therein adjacent a front edge  214  of the housing  204  such that respective pairs of tines  216  are formed. Typically, the tines  216  are flexible in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the upper and lower walls  210   a,b.    
     A USB connector  218  comprises a housing  220  and contact pad which lies internally of the housing  220 . The housing  220  comprises a rectangular box-section, typically formed from sheet metal, in which opposing side walls are approximately one third the length of opposing upper and lower walls  226  and has external dimensions slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the housing  204  of USB port  202 . Typically, the upper and lower walls  226  have respective pairs of openings  228  therethrough towards the rear of the housing  220 . 
     Each USB port  202  has a retaining device  100  placed around it such that the opposing side walls  208   a,b  of the housing  204  are compressed inwardly by the arms  106 ,  108 . In the present embodiment the retaining devices  100  are provided as a single piece, although it will be appreciated that they can be cast and fitted individually. As the connector  220  is inserted into the port  202  the side walls  208   a,b  of the housing  204  frictionally engage and grip the USB connector housing  220  due to the inward compression of the side walls  208   a,b  of the USB port housing  204 . This frictional engagement increases the hold exerted on the connector  218  by the housing  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  in particular, in the case of the mini-USB port  202   a  the retaining device  100  comprises a pair of spigots  230  formed on its upper arm  106 , which exert a force on the tines  216  in the upper wall  210   a  of the housing  204  such that they deflect inwardly into the body of the housing  204 . Upon insertion of a mini-USB connector  218  into the mini-USB port  202   a  the tines  216  positively locate in the openings  228  in the upper wall  226  of the mini-USB connector  218 . The positive location of the tines  216  in the openings  228  retains the mini-USB connector  218  in position in the mini-USB port  202   a.    
     It will be further appreciated that although described with the mini-USB retaining device having projecting spigots  230 , any USB retaining device of the present embodiment can include such features. 
     It will be still further appreciated that although described with reference to spigots  230  being formed on only the upper arm  106  of the retaining device  100  such spigots may be formed on either, or both, the upper arm  106  and the lower arm  108  of the retaining device as required. 
     It will be yet further appreciated that a single spigot  230  may be formed on either, or both, of the upper arm  106  and the lower arm  108  of the retaining device  100  as is appropriate. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , references to a USB connector, USB port and USB housing will be made, these parts are identical to those referenced in relation to  FIGS. 2 ,  2   a  and  2   b  and will be accorded similar reference numerals in the five hundred series where necessary. 
     A USB connector retaining device  400  comprises a front plate  402 , an arm  404  and fingers  406 . 
     The front plate  402  has a rectangular opening  408  therethrough dimensioned to allow a USB connector  518  to pass therethrough. The front plate  402  also has two circular openings  410  therethrough dimensioned to allow fastening screws to pass therethrough such that the retaining device  400  can be fastened to a mounting block or other support structure in which a USB port  502  is mounted. 
     The arm  404  projects from a top edge of the front plate  402  in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the front plate  402 . Typically, the arm  402  has a length which is approximately equal to distance between the front of the USB port  502  and the mid-point of the tines  516 . 
     The fingers  406  depend from the end of the arm  404  which is remote from the front plate  402 . The fingers  406  oppose the front plate  402  and are parallel thereto. The spacing between the fingers  406  corresponds to the spacing between the mid-points of the tines  516 . 
     In use, the retaining device  400  is fixed to mounting block by screws passing through the circular openings  410  into the block. The rectangular opening  408  is aligned with the opening of the USB port  502 . The arm  404  extends over the top wall  510   a  of the USB port  502  such that the fingers  406  depress the tines  516  such that when the USB connector  518  is inserted into the USB port  502  the tines  516  positively engage the in the openings  528  in the USB connector&#39;s upper wall  526 . The positive location of the tines  516  in the openings  528  retains the USB connector  518  in position in the USB port  502 . 
     It will be appreciated that a plurality of retaining devices can be formed in a single piece of material such that it can be used to retain a number of USB connectors  518  in a USB hub. 
     It will be appreciated that the terms “usually”, “typically”, etc., as used herein are used in a non-exclusive sense, in so far as alternative or additional features to those described as usual or typical are envisaged. 
     It will be appreciated that the present invention may be used in any one of the following electronic devices: a mobile telephone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, an automated teller machine (ATM), a vending kiosk, a retail self check-out terminal, a postal stamping machine, a travel self-check in terminal, a hospitality self check-in/check-out terminal, or any device in which 
     It will also be appreciated that the steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. 
     Various modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.