Abstract:
An electronic card socket in an electronic device, the electronic card socket including a structure defining a receptacle configured to receive at least a portion of an electronic card; a sealing element in the structure, said sealing element configured to seal the at least a portion of the electronic card within the receptacle from moisture; and a plurality of contacts connected to the structure and extending into the receptacle, the plurality of contacts arranged complementarily to corresponding contacts on the at least a portion of the electronic card and configured to establish electrical contact with the corresponding contacts when the at least a portion of the electronic card is introduced into the receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/046,823, filed Sep. 5, 2014, entitled “Waterproof Communication Port”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/046,831 filed Sep. 5, 2014, entitled “Waterproof SIM Card Socket”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/046,838, filed Sep. 5, 2014, entitled “Waterproof Memory Card Socket”; the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to sockets and ports (e.g., SD card sockets, micro-SD card sockets, communication ports, or other sockets or ports in consumer electronics), or slots, of electronic devices and, more specifically, to memory card sockets, USB ports that will withstand exposure to moisture, liquids, corrosive materials, including, but not limited to, water. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Currently, the electrical contacts in memory card sockets (e.g., SD card sockets, micro-SD card sockets, or other removable card sockets or receptacles) are quick to corrode and fail when exposed to water, water vapor or high humidity (e.g., from long-term exposure to moisture, from current leakage when moisture is present, from corrosive liquids or other corrosive elements). Existing solutions are focused on prevent moisture from penetrating into the volume (i.e., the interior) of the electronic device of which the memory card socket is a part. 
         [0004]    In the industry companies and manufacturers have attempted to prevent the entry of moisture into the device by mechanical seals and O-rings. Some solutions include removable rubber plugs that may be placed into ports or sockets to prevent the ingress of moisture. As used herein, the term “moisture” includes, but is not limited to, water, water vapor and/or humidity, as well as other aqueous and non-aqueous liquids. 
         [0005]    The following disclosure may allow the practice of using replicate memory cards to protect the electrical contacts during coating of electronics in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD) or other deposition process wherein a coating is placed on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other electronic to render it substantially moisture-resistant. In addition, the embodiments herein may eliminate the exposure of electrical contacts or connections to environmental exposure when the cards are locked into place. The concepts may also prevent electrical contact erosion due to current leakage and the function will be transparent to the user. It will be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied and adapted to fit all memory cards or all sizes including NANO cards. 
         [0006]    Multiple embodiments or techniques may be used to prevent moisture from penetrating the interior of the electronic device. In the case of a socket, the socket may include a base and a cover wherein the base may be configured to receive a memory card, SIM card or other removable electronic card or the like. The cover of the socket may be hingedly associated with the base. A sealing element, such as an O-ring, may be configured to create a seal with the base of the socket as the cover is positioned and held in place (e.g., by way of a latch, a snap or other reversibly engaging means) against the base. Thus, when the cover is closed, the cover, the sealing element and the base may seal the receptacle and its contents (e.g., a memory card, the contacts of a memory card, SIM card, SIM card contacts, or other electrical card or medium for transferring power, data or information) from external moisture. In some embodiments, such as that depicted by the images that follow, the O-ring may be carried by the cover. In other embodiments, the O-ring may be carried by the base (e.g., by the lower surface of the receptacle, or other engaging means with the receptacle or socket). 
         [0007]    With regard to a port according to this disclosure, which may comprise any suitable type of communication port (e.g., a micro-USB port, a port with a proprietary configuration (e.g., a LIGHTNING port of an electronic device available from Apple, Inc.), or other port(s) known in the art), is configured to withstand exposure to moisture. 
         [0008]    The disclosed communication port includes a design that prevents electrodes, or contacts within the communication port from being exposed to moisture. The design may be integral to the port, and may be configured to prevent exposure of the contacts to moisture without any action or input from the user (i.e., the user does not need to remember to reinsert a rubber plug or take any action). Further, the disclosed communication port may lack any feature that prevents moisture from entering into the port; it may merely be configured to prevent moisture from contacting the electrodes, or contacts, within the port. 
         [0009]    In a specific embodiment, a communications port provides a seal against intrusion of moisture or other contaminants into the electrical device. The communication port includes a cover member that protects an electrical contact when no connector is present within a socket of a communication port. In some embodiments, the cover member comprises a soft, pliable material, which may also be compressible and resilient. In some embodiments, the cover member is fabricated from a rigid material and includes a resilient seal that engages the electrical contact against intrusion of a contaminant. When a connector is introduced into the socket, the connector may displace the cover member and, in some embodiments, compress and/or displace the cover member. Displacement of the cover member may reveal the contacts, and may compress the cover member and/or one or more springs located behind the cover member. In embodiments where the cover member comprises a resilient material, the cover member may resiliently return to is protective position over the contacts when the connector is removed from the socket. Removal of the connector from the socket may also remove a compressive force on any springs behind the cover member, which may enable the springs to move, or bias, the cover member back to its original position (i.e., over the contact(s)). 
         [0010]    Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosed subject matter will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of this disclosure and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a first socket in an open configurations; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first socket of  FIG. 1  with a memory card engaged in a base of the first socket; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view the first socket of  FIG. 1  in a closed configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view the first socket of  FIG. 3  in a closed configuration with latch; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of a separate embodiment of a second socket; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of the second socket of  FIG. 5  with a memory card engaged in a base of the second socket; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  depicts a top view of the second socket of  FIG. 5  with a memory card engaged in the base of the second socket; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  depicts a longitudinal, side cross-sectional, perspective view of the second socket of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  depicts a longitudinal, side cross-section perspective view of the second socket of  FIG. 5  with a memory card engaged in the base; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts an exploded, perspective view of components of the second socket of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of a third socket in an open configuration with a SIM card engaged in a cover of the third socket; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of the third socket of  FIG. 11  in a closed configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  illustrates a longitudinal, side cross-sectional, perspective view of the third socket of  FIG. 11  in the open configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  illustrates a longitudinal, side cross-sectional, perspective view of the third socket of  FIG. 11  in the closed configuration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates an exploded, perspective view of the third socket of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  depicts a perspective view of a first port in a first configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  depicts a perspective view of the first port of  FIG. 16  in a second configuration; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 18  A-D depict the first port of  FIG. 16  in a front, top, back and side view respectively; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 19  A-B depict a longitudinal, side cross-sectional, perspective view of the first port of  FIG. 16  in a first configuration and second configuration respectively; and 
           [0031]      FIGS. 20  A-B depict a longitudinal, top cross-sectional, perspective view of the first port of  FIG. 16  in a first configuration and second configuration respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , a socket  10  is depicted which may be a memory card socket. The socket  10  may include a base  12  and a cover  14 . The base  12  and cover  14  may be connected via a hinge  16  on one side of the socket  10 . The base  12  may include two or more apertures  18  on the hinge  16  side that engage two or more bosses  20  protruding from the cover  14  on the hinge  18  side  19 . The bosses  20  may extend in opposite directions so as to engage the apertures  18  of base  12 . The opposing side of the base may include a latch  22 , on a latch side  23 , which may also be hingedly connected to the base  12  and configured to engage the cover  14  when the socket  10  is in a closed configuration. The base may also include a receptacle  13  configured to receive a card  30 , which may be a memory card. 
         [0033]    The base may further include a window  24  and connectors  26 , or contacts. Wherein the window  24  may allow for the connectors  26  to engage the card  30 . The base may further include rails  28  or guides which extend superiorly from the base  12 . The rails  28  may include a lip  32  extending at least partially medially (or toward the middle) and parallel with a top surface of the base  12 . The lip  32  may be configured to hold a card  30  in place by sliding the card  30  along the rails  28  underneath the lip  32 . The card  30  may only slide to a pre-determined location on the base  12  because of a stop  34  on a first end  33  of the base  10 . A second end  35  of the base  12  may be the end wherein the card  30  is inserted along the rails  28 . Each of the rails  28 , lip(s)  32 , the window  24 , and stop  34  may define the receptacle  13 . 
         [0034]    The cover  14  may include a void  36  on a bottom side  38  of the cover  14 . The void  36  is positioned such that it “covers” at least a portion of the top side of the base  12 , the void allowing space for the card  30  to sit on the base  12  with the cover  14  covering the card  30  in its entirety. The bottom side  38  of the cover also includes a circumferential cut out that may pressedly fit an O-ring  42 , or rubber ring, or the O-ring  42  may be integral to the cover  14 . The O-ring  42  may engage the base  12  when the socket  10  is in a closed configuration creating a moisture-tight seal around the entire card  30 . In some embodiments, the O-ring is designed to surround the card  30  without touching the card, e.g., by encompassing a greater area than the card  30 . A top surface  44  of the cover  14  may include a latch engaging portion  46  opposite the hinge side  19  of the cover  14 . The latch engaging portion  46  may be a step down from the top surface  44  of the cover  14  and is configured to receive a portion of the latch  22  when the socket  10  is in a closed configuration. 
         [0035]    The connectors  26  are able to contact the card  30  through the window  24 . Thus allowing a connection to be made to an electronic device that engages the socket  10 . 
         [0036]    An exterior of the base  12  of the socket  10  may be sealed. The base  12  may include an exterior seal. Alternatively, the base  12  may be sealed against a printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic device of which the socket  10  is a part. Sealing of the base  12  against the PCB may prevent the base  12 , contacts  26  of the socket  10  and contents of the receptacle of the base  12  from being exposed to moisture. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that the card  30  may also engage the base through a press-fit, snap-fit, spring-fit or other means known in the art for engaging and maintaining a device in a specific configuration. It will further be appreciated that the aforementioned embodiment is modular and each of the pieces may be interchanged with other pieces to create a moisture-tight seal for the card  30 . 
         [0038]    A separate embodiment of a socket is illustrated in  FIGS. 5-15 . With respect to  FIG. 5-7  a socket  110  is configured to receive a card  130 , which may be a memory or SD card. The socket  110  includes a proximal section  112  and a distal section  114  wherein the distal section may include electrical contacts  116 , or connectors, which may engage an electronic device. The distal section  114  of the socket  110  may include a receptacle  118  to receive at least a portion of a card  130 , and the at least a portion of the card  130  includes electrical connections. 
         [0039]    The socket  110  may include rails  120  or guides toward the proximal section  112  that extend superiorly from a top surface of the socket  110  and each rail  120  may include a lip  122  that extends medially (or toward the middle) toward the center line of the socket  110  and parallel to the top surface of the socket  110 . The rails  120  may extend from a proximal end longitudinally along the body of the socket toward the distal section  114 . The rails  120  may terminate prior to reaching a distal end or may extend the entire length of the socket  110 . The lip  122  and rails  120  may hold the card  130  secure to the body of the socket  110  disallowing movement of the card  130  in a lateral direction. Furthermore a clip  124 , or latch, or a spring clip, may extend from the proximal end of the socket  110 . The clip  124  may secure the card  130  in a longitudinal direction providing that a card  130  may not be removed from the socket  110  unless the clip  124  is pressed by a user in an inferior direction with relation to the card  130 , allowing the card  130  to be removed from the socket  110  longitudinally with respect to the socket  110 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate a cross-sectional side view of the socket  110 . The receptacle  118  may include one or more recesses  126 , or cutouts, that run circumferentially within the receptacle  118 . In the present embodiment two recesses  126  are displayed with an O-ring  128  in each recess  126 . In some embodiments, socket  110  may comprise one, two, three or more O-rings  128 . The O-rings seal against an exterior of the card  130  when the card  130  is inserted into the receptacle  118  so moisture is unable to penetrate the seal. The seal may only seal that portion of the card  130  with the electrical contacts and not the entire card  130 . The card  130  may include electrical contacts that engage the electrical contacts  116  of the socket which ultimately are engaged with an electronic device. 
         [0041]    A portion of the socket  110  body may have a taller profile in a superior/inferior direction at the location of the receptacle  118 . The taller profile at the receptacle  118  may allow for the recesses  126  to extend into the body of the socket  110  and thus allowing for engagement of the O-rings  128 . The O-ring  128  may be press-fit within the recess  126  or the O-ring  128  may be integral to the recess  126 . 
         [0042]    With regard to  FIG. 10 , the socket  110  may include other components. Previously disclosed were the electrical contacts  116  and O-rings  128 . The socket  110  may further include a top insert  132  and a bottom insert  134 . The socket  110  may have the electrical contacts  116  insert-molded into the socket  110  thus creating a moisture-tight seal around the electrical contacts  116 . The clip  124  may also be insert molded into the socket  110 . The socket  110  further includes a cavity  136  which includes the recesses  126  that may capture at least a portion, maybe half, of the O-rings  128 . The top insert  132  may cover the electrical contacts superior the socket  110  body and may be glued into place. The bottom insert  134  may include the recesses  126  for capturing at least a portion, maybe the other half, of the O-rings  128 . The bottom insert  134  may also be glued into place on the socket  110  body. The O-rings  128 , if more than one is used, may be identical and may be custom injection molded for this application and may have a rectangular profile that is sized and shaped to create an interference fit over a portion of the card  130  that is inserted into the receptacle  118 . 
         [0043]    These two embodiments are focused on the inclusion of the O-ring style seal between the card and the socket. Actual designs of the socket and contacts and inserts are changeable and interchangeable as may be established by industry practices and standards. 
         [0044]    Another possible embodiment, which may be used for a SIM card, a Micro SIM card, is set forth below. With regard to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a socket  210  may include a base  212  and a cover  214 . The base  212  and cover  214  may be hingedly connected on a hinged end  216  of the socket  210 . A card  230 , which may be a SIM card, may slidably engage the cover  214 . The cover  214  may include rails  218  with a lip  220  the rails extending from the body of the cover  214  and the lip extending medially toward a center line of the socket  210 . The lip may hold the card  230  in place in a superior/inferior manner and the rails  218  preventing movement of the card  230  in a lateral manner. A stop  233  may be positioned toward the hinged end  216  of the cover  214  to prevent the card  230  from moving too far proximally/distally. An open end  222  opposite the hinged end  216  allows for the card  230  to slide into the rails  218 . The base may also include a receptacle  213  configured to receive the card  230 . 
         [0045]    The base  212  may include a window  224  and contacts  226 , or connectors, which may be exposed through the window  224 . The window  224  may allow for a contact(s) from the card  230  to interface with the contacts  226  of the base  212 . An O-ring  228  may be positioned along a periphery of the window  224 , on the cover facing side  232  of the base  212 . The O-ring  228  may provide a seal to prevent moisture ingress into the contacts  226  into the window  224  and thus the contacts  226  of the socket and the contact(s)  238  of the card  230 . Each of the rails  218 , lip(s)  220 , the window  224 , O-ring  228  and stop  233  may define the receptacle  13 . 
         [0046]    The base  212  may also include an engagement feature  235 , or latch, positioned on the open end  222  of the socket  210 . The engagement feature  235  may include two latches, one positioned on each lateral end of the open end  222  of the socket  210 . The latches  235  may each include a recess  234  extending toward the center line of the socket  210  and a latch lip  237  extending laterally from a center line of the socket  210 . The recess  234  is configured to receive a protrusion(s)  236  from the cover  214 . The protrusion(s)  236  may extend from the body of the cover  214 . The protrusion(s)  236  may fit into the recess(es)  234  in a snap-fit fashion. The protrusions  236  may overcome the latch lip  237  by a pressing force thus reversibly locking the cover  214  to the base  214 . The latch lip  237  prevents release of the cover  214  from the base  212  unless a force is applied by a user to overcome the latch lip  236 . It will be appreciated that the bottom-side of the base  212  may include a seal that seals the base against the printed circuit board (PCB) to provide a total seal of the card  230  and contacts  226 . 
         [0047]    With regard to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cross-sectional view depicts the interaction of the card  230  with the cover  214 . Specifically with reference to  FIG. 14 , the card  230 , when engaged to the cover  214 , and latched against the base  212 , comes into contact with the contacts  226  of the base  212 . More specifically the card contacts  238  touch those contacts  226  of the base  212  allow for electrical current to flow. The O-ring  228  (shown in cross-section) encircles these contacts  226 ,  238 , preventing the ingress of moisture. The base  212  and cover  214  are latched together tightly enough to prevent exposure of the contacts  226 ,  238  to moisture and the base  212  and cover  214  prevent the sliding of the card  230  in any direction to maintain the moisture-resistant seal. 
         [0048]    With regard to  FIG. 15 , the base  212  may have the contacts  226  insert molded into the base  212  thus creating watertight, or moisture-tight, seal around the contacts  226 . The base  212  may include hinges  240  on the hinged end  216 . The hinges  240  may be sliding hinges to facilitate the latching operation on the opposing end, or open end  222 , of the base  212 . As disclosed previously, the window  224  allows for the contacts of the base to be exposed to the cover  214 . An O-ring carrier  242  may be molded with the base or separately, as depicted in  FIG. 15 . The separate carrier  242  may engage the base be either press-fit, snap fit or glued (or other engagement means) to the base  212  by being placed within a recess of the base  212  that complementary fits the carrier  242 . The  0 -ring  228  engages the carrier  242  and may be over molded onto/into the carrier, the bonding creating a moisture-tight barrier. The O-ring may comprise a soft durometer polymer. The carrier  242  may also include at least one window  244  similar to the base window  224  allowing the exposure of the contacts  226  through the base  212  and carrier  242 . 
         [0049]    The cover  214  (shown from the bottom side in the exploded view of  FIG. 15 ) may be manufactured from a stamped sheet metal, such as stainless steel, or other non-corrosive metal. The cover  214  includes pins  246  to engage the slidable hinges  240  of the base  212 . The side rails  218  capture the card  230  as set forth previously; however, the side rails  218  may include tabs  250 , may be positioned toward the hinged end  216  (however, anywhere along the rails  218  may work). The tabs  250  may be bent to register proper insertion of the card  230 . The open end  222  of the cover  214  includes the proper latch interfaces or protrusions  236 . 
         [0050]    With regard to  FIGS. 16 and 17 ,  FIG. 16  illustrates a communication port  310  in a first configuration. A port body  312 , or housing, may be an elongated body with contacts end  314  and an engagement end  316  with a socket  315 . The contacts end may include those electrical contacts  318  that interface with an electronic device. The engagement end  316  may provide for engagement of a communication device, USB drive, flash drive, connector, or other insertable communication apparatus. In some embodiments, the electrical contacts  318  are embedded in the structure of port body  312 , such that contaminants, such as moisture, are prevented from intrusion into the electrical device. The engagement end  316  may include a cover member  320  and contact board  322  which is in electrical communication with contacts  318 . In some embodiments, the cover member  320  is comprised of a soft, pliable, sealable material. In some embodiments, the cover member  302  is comprised of a rigid material, e.g., polycarbonate, and includes a resilient sealing material, e.g., natural or silicone rubbers, on an inner surface of the cover member for sealing against the contact board  322 . In the first position, the cover member  320  is positioned over and protects the contacts or contact board  322  within the communication port  310  from any environmental exposure, e.g., exposure to moisture or contaminants, or current leakage. In some embodiments, the cover member  320  includes an aperture with a sealable material that conforms to the outer profile of the contact board  322  and seals the contact board  322  from contaminants. 
         [0051]      FIG. 17  shows that the cover  320  may be displaced to a second position by a communication apparatus, e.g., a USB drive, that displaces the cover  320  in the same direction as the communication apparatus interacts with the communication port  310 . The cover  320  moves in a longitudinal direction within or along the port body  312 . The cover member  320  is slidable over the outer profile of the contact board  322  as illustrated in  FIG. 17  and exposes the electrical contacts housed on the contact board to the communication apparatus. When the cover member  320  is in the second position, the sealing of the contacts  318  in the port body  312  prevents intrusion of contaminants into the electronic device, regardless of whether the cover  320  is in the first or second position. 
         [0052]    The communication port  310  may also include a biasing member, e.g., springs  324 , which may be coiled and positioned behind the cover member  320 . The springs  324 , which may be coiled, behind the cover member  320  and in a somewhat relaxed state, where they push, or bias, the cover member forward, and hold the cover member  320  in place over the contact board  322  ( FIG. 16 ). In a displaced position ( FIG. 17 ), the springs  324  behind the cover member  320  are compressed. In some embodiments, the springs  324  may be configured to remain in their compressed states while the connector remains in place within the socket  315  of the communication port  310  and, thus, will not force the connector out of the socket  315 . For example, in some embodiments, the biasing force of the spring  324  is insufficient to overcome a friction fit between the USB plug or other connector and the inner portion of the socket. When the connector is removed from the socket  315 , however, the springs  324  will force the cover member  320  forward, back over the contact board  322  (i.e., to the position shown in  FIG. 16 ). In other embodiments, insertion of a connector into the socket  315  may cause a latch to mechanically engage the cover member  320  while the connector remains within the socket  315 , but may automatically disengage the cover member  320  as the connector is removed from the socket  315 . When the cover member  320  is in its moisture-protective position over the contact board  322  within the socket  315  of the communication port  310 , the material of the cover member  320  may seal against the contact board  322  to prevent them from being exposed to moisture. 
         [0053]    With regard to  FIGS. 18  A-D, the communication port  310  may be substantially similar or substantially the same as other communication ports available in the market relative to height and width. However, the current embodiment may be longer to enable the cover member  320  and springs  324  appropriate interactions as disclosed herein, to allow for moisture protection of the contacts without a user required to insert connectors or plugs into the socket  315 . It will be appreciated that the length of the communication port  310  may be variable based on the length of the socket, cover member  320  and springs  324  and it is contemplated that other varieties and methods to cover the contact board  322  for environmental and moisture protection are very much a part of this disclosure. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 19  A-B depict the communication port  310  in both a first (e.g., closed) and second (e.g., open) configuration respectively. Likewise  FIGS. 20  A-B illustrate the communication port  310  in both a first and second configuration respectively. The different elements of the communication port  310  are more readily observed with the cross sectional views of each of the figures. 
         [0055]    A contact carrier  326 , or retainer, includes the contacts  318  which may be insert molded into the carrier  326  body. The contact board  322  may extend toward the socket  315  from end of the carrier  326  opposite the contacts  318 . The carrier  326  may include capture posts  328  configured to capture one end of the springs  324  and spring guides  332  on opposite lateral ends of the carrier  316 , the spring guides  332  molded into the body of the contact carrier  326 . The carrier  326  further includes a tray  329  between the spring guides  332  for receiving at least a portion of the cover member  320 . 
         [0056]    The cover member  320  may slide as previously disclosed. The cover member  320  may be injection molded and a sealing element  330 , which may be adjacent to and engage with the contact board  322 , may be deformable and may be over molded or bonded to the cover member  320 . The cover member  320  also includes capture posts  328  configured to capture one end of the springs  324 , opposite the carrier  326 . Spring guides  332  may also be molded into the body of the cover member  320  to maintain the springs in a defined pathway. The cover member may also include a supporting element  334  positioned inferior the contact board  322  to prevent cantilever bending due to sealing forces. 
         [0057]    The port body  312  may be manufactured from stamped and folded sheet metal. The port body  312  may encompass the carrier  326  with the cover member  320 , the springs  324 , the supporting element  334  and the sealing element  330 . The port body may include securement flaps  336 , or wings or mounting tabs that extend laterally away from the port body  312 . The flaps  336  may include holes to allow for securement elements, such as screws or rivets, to pass through and secure the communication port  310  to an electronic device. 
         [0058]    When the cover member  320  is displaced with a connector the cover member may slide longitudinally into or onto the tray  329  of the contact carrier  326 . The sealing element  330  may also slide into or onto the tray  329  as well. The supporting element  334  of the cover member  320  may slide along an inside wall of the port body  312 , again, preventing any bending of the contact board  322 . 
         [0059]    Assembly of the different elements of the communication port  310  may include placing the cover member  320  tip over a proximal end of the contact board  322 ; placing the springs  324  within the spring guides  332  and seating each end of the springs  324  to the spring posts  328 ; compressing the cover member  320  into the contact carrier  326  to fully seat all the components; inserting the assembly into the back of the port body  312  until the tip of the contact board  322  is even with the front end of the port body  320 ; bending locking tabs of the port body  312  into complementary pockets in the contact carrier  326 . It will be appreciated that the assembly may also be inserted from the front as well depending on whether a stop or lip is manufactured on the front end of the port body  312 . 
         [0060]    The proposed embodiments may prevent moisture ingress into the contacts of the electronic device(s). Alternatively, the concepts herein may allow for coating of an electronic device with a parylene (poly(chloro-p-xylylene) or polyp-xylylene) or others) coating without the need to mask or demask the contacts with a glue, hot melt, tape or other masking elements as set forth in U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 13/735,862; 13/737,709; 14/794,713; and 14/157,684 which are herein incorporated by reference. Furthermore it would prevent the need to ablate or remove any coatings like those methods set forth in U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 14/157,743 and 14/213,765 which are herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0061]    Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, of the disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the preceding disclosure. 
         [0062]    Although the preceding disclosure provides many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of any of the ensuing claims. Other embodiments may be devised which do not depart from the scopes of the claims. Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. The scope of each claim is, therefore, indicated and limited only by its plain language and the full scope of available legal equivalents to its elements.