Portable storage device with retractable connector

A thumb drive includes a retractable USB connector sized to translate between an extended position beyond a housing and a retracted position into the housing. An actuator, such as a dial or a lever, is sized to actuate the USB connector to move the USB connector between the extended position and the retracted position. The USB connector is sized to translate to the extended position when the actuator is moved in one direction. The USB connector is sized to translate to the retracted position when the actuator is moved in an opposite direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable storage device, and more particularly, to an universal serial bus (USB) portable drive with a retractable connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

USB portable drives are used to store information. The USB portable drive is inserted into a USB connector of a computer or other host system to transfer data between the USB portable drive and the computer.

These USB portable drives typically include an outer housing and an USB connector that extends beyond the outer housing. A separate cover is removably secured to the outer housing. The separate cover is provided to protect the USB connector when the USB connector is not in use. These covers are often plastic caps that are easily removed from the USB connector. Such caps are commonly misplaced by users when the USB connector is in use.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a USB portable drive which protects the USB connector while not in use without the need for a separate cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a thumb drive that includes a retractable USB connector sized to translate between an extended position beyond a housing and a retracted position into the housing. An actuator, such as a dial or a lever, is sized to actuate the USB connector to move the USB connector between the extended position and the retracted position. The USB connector is sized to translate to the extended position when the actuator is moved in one direction. The USB connector is sized to translate to the retracted position when the actuator is moved in an opposite direction.

The USB connector is configured for linear motion between a first position and a second position. The USB connector is induced to move in a linear direction in response to motion of the actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in connection with a thumb drive adapted to store information. It should be understood, however, that the present invention can be used with other portable data storage devices, such as a flash drive, integrated with a USB interface.

FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a thumb drive10that includes an outer housing12, a USB connector14, and an actuator, such as a cylindrical dial16or a lever. The dial16is sized to move the USB connector14to an extended position beyond the outer housing12as shown inFIG. 1, when the dial16is rotated in one direction. The dial16is sized to retract the USB connector14into the outer housing12, as shown inFIG. 2, when the dial16is rotated in an opposite direction. The outer housing12includes a bottom cover18and a top cover20(seeFIG. 3). The bottom cover18has a cut-out22formed therein to allow access to a portion of the dial16. The bottom cover18could be configured without the cut-out22such that the dial16is placed entirely on the outer surface of the bottom cover18.

Referring toFIG. 3, the thumb drive10also includes a movable carrier assembly24and a pinion26located between the bottom cover18and the top cover20. The movable carrier assembly24includes a carrier28, a printed circuit board (PCB)30, and the USB connector14connected to the PCB30. The PCB30and the USB connector14are secured to the carrier28(seeFIGS. 6 and 7) such that the PCB30and the USB connector14move conjointly with the carrier28. The PCB30includes one or more circuits and other electronic components, such as non-volatile memory or digital flash memory with a capacity of at least 256 Mbytes, which is in electrical contact with the USB connector14.

The movable carrier assembly24, which constitutes the carrier28, the PCB30, and the USB connector14, is adapted to move relative to the bottom cover18and the top cover20. Specifically, the movable carrier assembly24is adapted to move between a retracted position, in which the USB connector14is retracted into the outer housing12as shown inFIG. 2, and an extended position, in which the USB connector14is extended beyond the outer housing12as shown inFIG. 1.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the carrier28includes an opening32sized to accommodate the pinion26. The opening32is defined by a rack34with a plurality of teeth36on one longitudinal edge38thereof, an opposite longitudinal edge40, a first lateral side edge42that includes a first notch44, and a second lateral side edge46that includes a second notch48. The carrier28includes a spacer50and a protrusion52sized to support the PCB30and the USB connector14.

The pinion26is provided with a plurality of tabs54and a protrusion56circumferentially spaced around the exterior of the pinion26. While four tabs54are shown inFIG. 4, it should be understood that the number of tabs54could vary. The tabs54are sized to interact with the teeth36of the rack34while the protrusion56is sized to interact with the first notch44and the second notch48, as will be described in further detail hereinafter.

The pinion26is mounted to the dial16such that the pinion26rotates conjointly with the dial16. Referring toFIG. 3, the pinion26and the dial16include a center opening58formed therein. The dial16includes a plurality of grooves60designed for allowing a user to attain a firm grip on the dial16and to make it easier to rotate the dial16.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 5, the bottom cover18includes two lateral walls62,64and two longitudinal walls66,68. The longitudinal wall66has an opening70, which forms the cut-out22, to allow access to the dial16. The lateral wall62has an opening72formed to allow the USB connector14to pass therethrough. The inside face of the bottom cover18includes a post74(seeFIG. 3) sized to accommodate the pinion26and the dial16through the center opening58. The pinion26and the dial16are sized to rotate about the post74. The engagement of the pinion26and the dial16to the post74prevents linear motion of the pinion26and the dial16. A guide rail76guides the movable carrier assembly24. The inside face of the bottom cover18includes spacers78sized to support the movable carrier assembly24.

With reference toFIG. 3, the top cover20includes two lateral walls80,82and two longitudinal walls84,86. The lateral wall80has an opening88, which cooperates with the opening72formed in the bottom cover18, to allow the USB connector14to pass therethrough.

With reference toFIGS. 4,8A, and8B, the pinion26and the rack34cooperate with each other to induce linear motion of the movable carrier assembly24in response to rotational motion of the dial16. However, any suitable mechanism for inducing linear motion can be utilized.

Specifically, the pinion26is sized to engage the teeth36of the rack34. The dial16cooperates with the pinion26such that when the dial16is rotated, the pinion26slides over the teeth36, which moves the movable carrier assembly24in a linear direction. Because the USB connector14is connected to the movable carrier assembly24, the USB connector14moves along with the movable carrier assembly24in the linear direction.

FIG. 8Ashows the movable carrier assembly24in its extended position such that the USB connector14could be used to connect to a USB port on a computer or other host device with a USB connector. The tab54of the pinion26is engaged to one tooth36of the rack34. The protrusion56is caught in the second notch48of the second lateral side edge46so as to prevent the protrusion56from moving in a counterclockwise position (when viewed through the top cover20). This prevents rotation of the pinion26and the dial16in a counterclockwise manner. The angle of the second notch48allows the protrusion56to move in a clockwise position. Alternatively, the present invention could be configured such that the protrusion56moves in a counterclockwise manner. Thus, the present invention is not limited by the term “clockwise” or “counterclockwise.”

When the dial16is rotated in a clockwise manner (with respect toFIG. 8A), the pinion26is caused to rotate in the same direction. As the pinion26is rotated, the tabs54slide over the teeth36in a clockwise manner, thereby moving the movable carrier assembly24in a linear direction toward the walls64,82of the bottom and top covers18,20. The tabs54continue to slide over the teeth36until the protrusion56engages the first notch44, thereby moving the movable carrier assembly24in its retracted position, as shown inFIG. 8B. This places the USB connector14in its retracted position. The first notch44is sized to preclude further movement of the protrusion56in a clockwise manner, thereby preventing further rotation of the pinion26and the dial16in a clockwise manner.

To move the movable carrier assembly24from its retracted position to its extended position, the dial16is rotated in a counterclockwise manner. In particular, when the dial16is rotated in a counterclockwise manner (with respect toFIG. 8B), the pinion26is caused to rotate in the same direction. As the pinion26is rotated, the tabs54slide over the teeth36in a counterclockwise manner, thereby moving the movable carrier assembly24in a linear direction away from the walls64,82of the bottom and top covers18,20. The tabs54continue to slide over the teeth36until the protrusion56engages the second notch48, thereby moving the movable carrier assembly24in its extended position, as shown inFIG. 8A. This places the USB connector14in its extended position. The second notch48is sized to preclude further movement of the protrusion56in a counterclockwise manner, thereby preventing further rotation of the pinion26and the dial16in a counterclockwise manner.

The USB connector14could be retracted and extended by employing other techniques. For example,FIGS. 9A and 9Billustrate a thumb drive110that includes an outer housing112, a USB connector114(seeFIG. 9A), and an actuator assembly115, which includes a lever117movable about a pivot119, and a gear121(seeFIG. 9C). The gear121is mounted to the lever117such that the gear121moves conjointly with the lever117.

The lever117is sized to move the USB connector114to an extended position beyond the outer housing112as shown inFIG. 9A, when the lever117is moved in one direction. The lever117is sized to retract the USB connector114into the outer housing112, as shown inFIG. 9B, when the lever117is moved in an opposite direction.

Referring toFIG. 9C, the outer housing112includes a first lateral cover118with an arm123and a second lateral cover120with a recess125sized to receive the arm123. The arm123and the recess125cooperate to capture the actuator assembly115.

The thumb drive110also includes a movable carrier assembly124located between the first lateral cover118and the second lateral cover120. The movable carrier assembly124includes a carrier128, a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown), and the USB connector114connected to the PCB. The PCB and the USB connector114are secured to the carrier128such that the PCB and the USB connector114move conjointly with the carrier128.

The carrier128includes an opening132sized to accommodate the gear121. The opening132is defined by a rack134with a plurality of teeth136on one longitudinal edge138thereof. The gear121and the rack134cooperate with each other to induce linear motion of the movable carrier assembly124in response to motion of the lever117.

Specifically, the gear121is sized to engage the teeth136of the rack134. The lever117cooperates with the gear121such that when the lever117is moved, the gear121slides over the teeth136, which moves the movable carrier assembly124in a linear direction. Because the USB connector114is connected to the movable carrier assembly124, the USB connector114moves along with the movable carrier assembly124in the linear direction.

In another embodiment, the thumb drive could include an outer housing that is exposed on one side and open at one end, and a push member connected to an USB connector. The push member is sized to move the USB connector to a position beyond the outer housing when the push member is moved in one direction, and to retract the USB connector into the outer housing when the push member is moved to the opposite direction.

The thumb drive10,110can employ an illumination source (not shown), such as a light bulb or an array of light emitting diodes. The thumb drive10,110could include a door, such as a panel, for the openings72,88.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.