Abstract:
This document presents an adaptor that has both male and female USB type connectors. The adaptor has an activation button held in tension by an internal spring and locking prongs that are moved in response to depressing and releasing the activation button. The locking prongs retract into a cutout depression in the insulating portion of the male connector and into the open space of the female portion of the adaptor. The adaptor locks both male and female USB connectors attached to cables or devices so as to secure the electrical and physical connection of these cables and devices during relocation or transport of the equipment containing the USB connectors. A single adaptor may be used to securely connect two cables together, a cable to a device, or two devices during movement or transport.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to connectors and connector adaptors requiring a secure physical and electrical connection to be established and maintained during transport of devices containing one or more of the connectors. Many connectors take advantage of secure and locked connections with connectors built into cables or devices. Connectors attached to devices or cables that do not have a portion of the device dedicated to maintaining a locked status when the connectors are joined to the cable or device may become disconnected when the device or apparatus containing the connector is shipped or otherwise travels to a destination different from where the connector and the device or cable were joined together. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method of operation, together with objects and advantages may be best understood by reference to the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of the male portion of a secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the female portion of a secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the components that comprise the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the components that comprise the male secure locking assembly consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a connection view of the male connector section of the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cutaway view of male connector section of the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the insertion of the male connector portion with a female connector of a cable or device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the male locking portion of the adaptor fully engaged in locked position consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view of the male portion of a connector being inserted into the female locking portion of the adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the male portion and female connectors of a connector fully inserted and locked into the adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. 
     The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
     Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment” or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases or in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation. 
     Reference throughout this document to USB refers to a Universal Serial Bus, and is more particularly related to a Universal Serial Bus port or connection point. 
     Reference throughout this document to HDMI refers to the High Definition Multimedia Interface standard, and is more particularly related to a High Definition Multimedia Interface port or connection point. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , is a view of the male portion of a secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the invention. In this view of the secure locking connector adaptor  100  the adaptor is composed of a shell  104  that may be a flattened cylinder, cylindrical, a rectangular tube, or any other shape of enclosure that permits the installation within the shell  104  of the adaptor  100  components. One surface of the adaptor shell  104  may have a button  108  that extends through a cutout in the adaptor shell  104  that permits the activation button  108  to extend through the adaptor shell  104  wall when the activation button  108  is depressed by a user. The activation button  108  is positioned substantially in the center of the longitudinal dimension of the adaptor shell  104 . At one end of the adaptor shell  104  a typical male connector portion  112  for USB and HDMI types of connectors extends outward from the end of the adaptor shell  104  in such a manner so as to permit the insertion of the male connector portion  112  into a standard USB or HDMI female connection point on a cable or device having a USB or HDMI port. The male connector portion  112  is of the same dimension and size so as to permit both physical and electrical connection with a standard female USB port or connector. The male connector portion  112  additionally comprises two openings  116  through the flat surfaces of the male connector portion  112  consistent with a standard configuration of a USB or HDMI male connector. The adaptor  100  additionally comprises two projections that extend from inside the male connector portion  112 , through the upper surface of the male connector portion  112  to form two prongs  120  adapted to serve as locking prongs. The locking prongs  120  extend into matching openings in the female connector portion of a standard USB or HDMI port or connector to lock the adaptor male portion  112  into place and prevent the adaptor  100  from disconnecting from the USB or HDMI port or connector until the locking prongs  120  are depressed, moving down into the body of the male portion  112  of the adaptor  100  and permitting the adaptor to be removed from a USB or HDMI port or connector into which the adaptor  100  may have been attached and locked in place. 
     The male connection portion  112  forms one half of the secure locking adaptor  100  for USB and HDMI ports and connectors. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , this figure presents a view of the female portion of a secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. One surface of the adaptor shell  104  may have an activation button  108  that extends through a cutout in the adaptor shell  104  that permits the activation button  108  to extend through the adaptor shell  104  wall when the activation button  108  is depressed by a user. The activation button  108  is positioned substantially in the center of the longitudinal dimension of the adaptor shell  104 . At an end of the adaptor  100  opposite to the end of the adaptor shell  104  from which a male connector portion  112  extends is a female connector portion  204  that extends into the body of the adaptor shell  104 . The female connector portion  204  contains two locking prongs  208  that extend from the interior of the adaptor shell  104 , through openings in the sidewall  212  of the female connector portion  204 , and extend into the body of the female connector portion  204 . The locking prongs  208  are positioned such that upon insertion of a male portion of a USB cable or device into the female connector portion  204  of the adaptor  100 , the locking prongs  208  will engage two standard openings in the body of the inserted male USB connector and lock the male USB connector into the female connector portion  204  of the adaptor. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the adaptor  100  may be configured for the insertion of a male HDMI connector portion into the female connector portion  204  when adapted to support an HDMI connector, rather than a USB connector. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , is an exploded view of the components that comprise the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. The adaptor  300  is presented in an exploded view to present the components of the adaptor  300  contained within the adaptor shell  304 . In an exemplary embodiment, the adaptor shell  304  may be a flattened cylinder, cylindrical, a rectangular tube, or any other shape of enclosure that permits the installation within the shell  304  of the adaptor  300  components. By way of example and not of limitation, the figure presents an adaptor shell  304  that is a rounded rectangle in cross-section. The rounded rectangle adaptor shell  304  may have one side into which a circular opening  308  is cut through the side of the adaptor shell  304 . The circular opening  308  is of sufficient size to permit the installation of an activation button  312  that may be depressed by a user. The circular opening  308  may be positioned off-center, such that it is closer to a male connector portion  316  of the adaptor  300  than to a female connector portion  318  of the adaptor  300 . However, this should in no way be considered as limiting as the design choice for positioning of the circular opening  308  could permit the circular opening  308  to be positioned at any point along the adaptor shell  304  without changing the function of the adaptor  300 . Additionally, the circular opening could, in additional exemplary embodiments, be a square, oval, triangular, or any other shape opening so as to accommodate the desired shape of the activation button  312  to be installed within the opening  308 . 
     The activation button  312  that extends through the circular opening  308  is an activation portion of the adaptor  300 . The activation button  312  forms the top of a body  320  having a hollow center into which a locking spring  324  is installed. Additionally, extending along the longitudinal direction of the adaptor shell  304  are an upper tab  328  and a lower tab  330 . The upper tab  328  has an elongated body of sufficient length to extend from the activation button body  320  through the end of the adaptor shell  304  and into the male connector portion  316  of the adaptor, and is physically connected to the activation button body  320  at a point such that when the activation button  312  extends into the circular opening  308 , the upper tab  328  is immediately adjacent to the upper inside surface of the adaptor shell  304 . The upper tab  328  terminates in two upper locking prongs  332  that form the locking portion of the male connector portion  316  when the adaptor is in use. The lower tab  330  has an elongated body of sufficient length to extend from the activation button body  320  through the body of the adaptor shell  304  and into the female connector portion  318  of the adaptor, and is physically connected to the activation button body  320  at a point such that when the activation button  312  is depressed down below the circular opening  308 , the lower tab  330  is immediately adjacent to the lower inside surface of the adaptor shell  304 . The lower tab  330  terminates in two lower locking prongs  334  that form the locking portion of the female connector portion  318  when the adaptor is in use. 
     The locking spring  324  is installed within the hollow central portion of the activation button  312 . The locking spring  324  is positioned such that it is in tension when the activation button  312  is depressed. When depressed by action of a user, such as putting pressure on the activation button  312 , the activation button  312  will move from a position within the circular opening  308  to a position substantially within the body of the adaptor shell  304 . The locking spring will act to move the activation button  312  from the interior of the adaptor shell  304  back into the circular opening  308  when the action of a user is released and there is no pressure on the activation button  312 , positioning the activation button  312  for successive operations. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, when the activation button  312  is depressed, the spring  324  is compressed and the upper tab  328  and lower tab  330  simultaneously move vertically downward in association with the activation button body  320 . The vertical motion is sufficient to insert the upper tab  328  into a cutout portion  338  of the male connector  316  portion of the adaptor  300 . When the upper tab  328  is positioned fully within the cutout portion  338 , the upper locking prongs  332  are fully retracted into the cutout portion  338  and the male portion  316  of the adaptor  300  is no longer locked and may be removed from the cable or device into which it was inserted. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, when the activation button  312  is depressed, the lower tab  330  moves a sufficient vertical distance so as to disengage the lower locking prongs  334  from a male connector portion from a cable or other device that has been inserted into the female portion  318  of the adaptor  300 . In this manner, when a user depresses the activation button  312  both the upper locking prongs  332  and lower locking prongs  334  are simultaneously disengaged from the locking action with any associated cable or other device and permit the adaptor  300  to be fully removed from structural and electrical connection with any cable or other device. Alternatively, while the activation button  312  remains undepressed by the action of a user, the spring  324  is active to keep the activation button  312  fully at the top of its vertical travel and engaging the upper locking prongs  332  with a female connector of a cable or other device and engaging the lower locking prongs  334  with a male connector of a cable or other device that has been inserted into the female portion  318  of the adaptor  300 . In this manner, the adaptor  300  provides a structural and electrical connection that remains securely in place against the rigors of transporting connected devices. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , this figure presents an exploded view of the components that comprise the male secure locking assembly consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a tab cutout  400  of sufficient dimension, depth and configuration to permit the full insertion of an upper tab  402  with attached upper locking prongs  404  within the tab cutout  400  is machined into an insulation portion  408  of a standard USB or HDMI connector. The upper tab  402  is positioned within the tab cutout  400  and the tab cutout  400  and insulation portion  408  assemblies are then inserted within the male connector portion of the adaptor. When assembled, the upper locking prongs  404  extend vertically through the upper surface of the male connector portion forming an ability to lock the male connector portion of the adaptor to a female connector portion of a cable or other device. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , is a connection view of the male connector section of the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking connector adaptor  500  is positioned to insert the male connector section  504  into the female connector portion  508  of a USB cable or the female connector portion of a USB capable device. Prior to the insertion of the male connector section  504  into the female connector portion  508 , the activation button  512  is in a position that fully extends through the outer shell of the adaptor  500  and remains in a full upright position. The locking prongs  516  extend fully through two holes that are standard cutouts in the male connector section  504  of a cable or other USB device. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , is a cutaway view of male connector section of the secure locking connector adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, this view presents the internal structure of the male connector section of the adaptor  500 . Within the outer shell of the male connector portion (not shown), a standard insulator portion  600  has a cutout section  604  into which the upper tab  608  body and the associated locking prongs  612  fit. The cutout section  604  is of sufficient vertical dimension to permit the upper tab  608  to nest fully within the cutout section  604  when the activation button  512  is depressed by a user. When the activation button  512  is fully depressed by a user, the upper tab  608  moves vertically a sufficient amount to depress the locking prongs  612  so as to disengage the locking from the two holes that are standard cutouts in the male connector section of a cable or other USB device. In this exemplary embodiment, the locking prongs  612  are tapered vertically, with the slope from the base back toward the body of the adaptor  500 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , this figure is a view of the insertion of the male connector portion with a female connector of a cable or device consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking prongs (not shown) as previously described are tapered so as to permit the upper tab  704  to move vertically down into a cutout section  708  of the insulator portion  716  when force is applied to the locking prongs (not shown). As a connector is paced into contact with the locking prongs (not shown) the force used to insert a connector from a cable or device into the adaptor will be a sufficient force to push the connector past the locking prongs (not shown), the taper of the locking prongs (not shown) sufficient to allow the connector to pass and come into complete contact with the adaptor by pressing the upper tab  704  vertically downward into the cutout section  708  of the insulator portion  716 . 
     As the upper tab  704  moves vertically down into the cutout section  708 , the activation button  720  is depressed the same vertical distance, moving down into the opening  724  cut into the adaptor body until the locking prongs (not shown) engage the two openings in the shell of a female USB connector  728 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , this figure is a view of the male locking portion of the adaptor fully engaged in locked position consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking prongs  804  have snapped into position within the two openings in the shell of the female USB connector  808 . This positioning is forced by the spring (not shown) held in tension within the body of the activation button  812 . The spring will maintain tension in a vertically upward direction, holding the locking prongs  804  in place within the two openings in the shell of the female USB connector until a user presses the activation button  812  with sufficient force to overcome the spring tension and move the upper tab portion (not visible) and the attached locking prongs  804  down vertically to permit the male portion of the adaptor to be withdrawn from the female connector of the USB connector  808 , thus unlocking the adaptor from the USB connector  808 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , this figure is a view of the male portion of a USB connector being inserted into the female locking portion of the adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the adaptor  900  comprises both male  902  and female  904  locking connector portions. This figure presents a view of the internal structure of the female connector portion  904  of the adaptor  900 . The lower tab and associated locking prongs  908  are positioned such that the taper of the locking prongs  908 , in combination with the force provided by a user inserting the male portion of a USB connector associated with a cable or other USB device, translates the force used to insert the male portion of a USB connector into the adaptor into vertical movement of the lower locking tab. This action of connector insertion of the male portion of a USB connector provides the force to overcome the spring tension of the activation button  910  and move the lower tab and associated locking prongs  908  vertically downward, and, at the same time depress the activation button  910  against the spring (not shown). The downward motion of the locking prongs  908  is of a sufficient distance to move the locking prongs  908  out of the way of the shell of the male connector  912  and permit the male connector to be fully inserted into the female locking connector portion  904  of the adaptor  900 . When the male connector  912  has traveled a sufficient distance into the body of the female locking connector portion  904 , the open cutouts  916  in the shell of the male connector a positioned over the locking prongs  908 . The spring (not shown) has maintained tension so as to provide the force to move the lower tab and locking prongs  908  vertically upward so as to position the locking prongs  908  into the open cutouts  916 . Simultaneously, the activation button  910  will be moved vertically by the spring (not shown) back up through the cutout in the adaptor body  900  until the activation button  910  once again positioned flush with, or slightly above, the surface of the adaptor body  900 . The male connector  912  is now fully inserted and locked into the female locking portion  904  of the adaptor  900 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , this figure is a view of the male portion and female connectors of a USB connector fully inserted and locked into the adaptor consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention. In this exemplary embodiment the locking adaptor  1000  is capable of connecting a USB cable to another USB cable, a USB cable to a USB device, a USB device to a USB cable and locking each component securely together to form a structural and electrical connection that is strong enough to ensure the connection against the rigors of moving or transporting the connected cables and devices. Additionally, the adaptor is easily disconnected from any cable or device when a user is ready by simply depressing the activation button  1004  to depress the locking pegs in both the male and female portions of the adaptor  1000  to break the lock and permit the adaptor  1000  to be disengaged from any device or cable previously locked together with the adaptor  1000 . 
     In an additional exemplary embodiment, the adaptor  1000  may be constructed so as to provide the same locking features and capabilities for an HDMI connector, or for any other connector for which the insulator portion may be cutout so as to provide a depression for the insertion of a tab and associated locking prongs. The insulator cutout is of sufficient depth to fully contain the tab and locking prongs when the adaptor is in use. The vertical motion of a tab and associated locking prongs is accomplished through the depression of the activation button or the insertion of a male or female connector portion so as to lock and unlock the male and female connector portions of the adaptor. 
     In an additional embodiment, the adaptor may be configured with an additional locking structure. The locking structure may be present to retain the activation button in a locked position until the locking structure is operated so as to provide access to the activation button and permit the activation button to be released from the locked position. In an embodiment, the locking structure may consist of a “push lock” mounted into the top of the activation button. The ‘shaft’ of the locking structure may be in a locked position of sufficient length to keep the activation button from being depressed. Upon unlocking the push lock, the shaft would release allowing the activation button to be in an unlocked state and permitting the activation button to be depressed and disengage the male and female connector portions of the adaptor from the cable or device connectors joined by the male and female connector portions of the adaptor. 
     In an additional embodiment, the locking structure may be constructed as a portion of the activation button central shaft. In this embodiment, the activation button may be constructed with a smaller diameter than the opening in the body of the adaptor. The open area between the outside edge of the activation button and the inside edge of the opening in the body of the adaptor is of sufficient size to accommodate a tubular key. The shaft of the activation button may have a flange or other structure that is engaged when the activation button is depressed such that the flange holds the activation button in a locked position such that it may not be depressed so as to disengage the male and female connector portions of the adaptor. The tubular key has a tab on the exterior of the tubular key that is configured to come into contact with the flange within the shaft of the activation button as the key is inserted into the space between the activation button and the opening in the body of the adaptor. When the key is inserted and turned, it is operative to move the flange to an unlocked position, which is a position in which the flange no longer interferes with the operation of the activation button. The tubular key may then be removed from the locking structure, having placed the activation button in an unlocked position and the activation button may then be freely depressed to disengage the male and female connector portions of the adaptor. 
     While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.