Abstract:
A connector structure is proposed, which includes a body having at least one containing space; at least one first connector being inwardly disposed at one end of the body; at least one second connector being pivotally disposed on the other end of the body, which can be accommodated in the containing space of the body; and at least one rotating element being pivotally connected onto one end of the body, the second connector being fastened onto the rotating element, wherein the rotating element at least has one arm portion, one end of the arm portion being disposed with a pivotal connecting portion which connects to one end of the body. The connector structure further has a switch actuated by the rotation of the pivotal connecting portion of the rotating element thereof, wherein the rotation angle of the switch can control electric conduction of the first connector and the second connector.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a connector structure, and more particularly, to an improved connector structure having a plurality of connectors. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard is a well-known data transmission specification jointly established by IBM, Intel, Microsoft, NEC, Compaq, DEC, and Northern Telecom. Presently, USB is widely utilized to connect equipment with corresponding connectors, such as flash drives, portable hard drives, digital still and video cameras, mice, keyboards, scanners, printers, and so forth. The USB interface possesses a variety of advantages, such as fast data transmission speed, simple and quick connection, Plug-and-Play (PnP) compatibility, lack of an external power-supply, ability to simultaneously support a plurality of devices, excellent compatibility, and so forth, making USB a standard for connecting equipment to personal computers. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B ,  FIG. 1A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the exterior of a general USB male connector  100 , whereas  FIG. 1B  is a sectional diagram illustrating the structure of the USB male connector  100  depicted in  FIG. 1A . As shown in the drawings, a USB male connector  100  used in the prior art typically includes an insulating sealed casing  110  connected at its front end to a hollow metal socket  120  for connecting to a corresponding USB female connector (as shown in  FIGS. 2A–2C ). The top and bottom surfaces of the hollow metal socket  120  are formed with a plurality of fastening openings  130  for securing the USB male connector  100  when the metal socket connects to the corresponding USB female connector, the hollow part of the metal socket  120  being internally formed with a plurality of conductive terminals  140  for data transmission that are fastened onto a terminal fastening base  150 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A to 2C ,  FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating the exterior of a general USB female connector  200 ,  FIG. 2B  is a sectional diagram of the structure of the USB female connector  200  depicted in  FIG. 2A , and  FIG. 2C  illustrates the exterior of the rear end corresponding to the USB female connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A . As shown in the drawings, a USB female connector  200  as used in the prior art typically includes a casing having an inserting area  220 , the top, bottom, right and left surfaces of the casing being formed with a plurality of fastening elastic slices  210 , so as to tightly clip the metal socket  120  of the USB male connector  100  by fastening with the fastening openings  130  of the metal socket  120  as previously mentioned, thereby fastening the USB male connector  100  into the USB female connector  200 . The inserting hole  220  is internally formed with a plurality of conductive terminals  230  so as to provide for data transmission with the rear end of each of the conductive terminals  230  extending rearward to form a soldering foot for soldering the USB female connector  200  onto a mounting area, such as a PC board. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an application, wherein a first device  300 , such as flash drive, is integrated with the USB male connector  100  shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B .  FIG. 4  illustrates an application, wherein a second device  400 , such as a flash reader, is integrated with the USB female connector  200  shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C .  FIG. 5  illustrates a portable wireless receiver  500  as disclosed in TW Publication No. 572263, the portable wireless receiver  500  having the USB male connector  100  formed at one end and the USB female connector  200  formed at the other end of the portable wireless receiver  500 , thereby enabling the portable wireless receiver  500  to both connect with a data processing device such as a computer system and other external equipment when required. 
     However, the foregoing portable wireless receiver  500  still has structural deficiencies. Firstly, the USB male connector  100  and the USB female connector  200  respectively installed on the front and back end of the portable wireless receiver  500  undesirably increase the length of the device, thus limiting its portability. Secondly, there is limited expandability of the portable wireless receiver  500  since the USB male connector  100  and the USB female connector  200  being installed thereon can, at most, connect to two external devices, thereby making the design unable to concurrently connect with a plurality of external devices. Thirdly, the design suggests that a protective cover or cap be put on the USB male connector  100  when not in use, but this undesirably increases the overall device length if applied, whereas omitting the protective cover could result in accidental damage occurring from an external force. Fourthly, the portable wireless receiver  500  cannot control the status of electrical connection of the USB male connector  100  and the USB female connector  200 , thus the portable wireless receiver  500  cannot disconnect the device in situations where either one of the USB male connector  100  or the USB female connector  200  needs to be electrically disconnected. Fifthly, the portable wireless receiver  500  lacks a mechanism that can prevent wrong insertion, an example being in a situation where a user wishes to connect the USB male connector  100  to a data processing device but not the USB female connector  200  to any other device, wherein the portable wireless receiver  500  cannot enforce such connectivity limitations. Sixthly, the portable wireless receiver  500  cannot freely adjust the connection angle of the USB male connector  100  with respect to an external device, thereby making the design inflexible in terms of practical use. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an improved connector structure that has a plurality of connectors, a reduced overall length, a more compact size to conserve storage space, automated switch on/off functionality of the conductive connectors, ability to be adjusted to various angles as desired, and ability to prevent incorrect insertion or connectivity, whether intentional or unintentional. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing drawbacks, a primary objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that has a plurality of connectors for multiple uses. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that can be freely adjusted to different angles as desired. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that can selectively use one or more connectors at the same time. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that can prevent incorrect insertion or connectivity from occurring. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that can automatically switch on/off of the conductive connectors as desired. 
     Another objective of this invention is to provide a novel connector structure that has a relatively compact size for conserving storage space. 
     In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives, the present invention discloses a novel connector structure, comprising: a body having at least one containing space; at least one first connector being inwardly disposed on one end of the body; at least one second connector being pivotally disposed on the other end of the body that can be accommodated in the containing space of the body; and at least one rotating element being pivotally connected onto one end of the body, the foregoing second connector being fastened onto the rotating element, wherein the rotating element at least has one arm portion, one end of the arm portion being disposed with a pivotal connecting portion which connects to one end of the body, the arm portion being formed with a penetrating hole. The first connector can be a USB female connector or a USB male connector, and, likewise, the second connector can be a USB female connector or a USB male connector. The connector structure further optional comprises a switch actuated by the rotation of the pivotal connecting portion of the rotating element, the switch likely being a multi-linking-movement switch such that the rotating angles thereof are capable of controlling electrical conduction of the first connector and the second connector, wherein the pivotal connecting portion is driven by either gears or belt transmission to rotate and actuate the switch. 
     The design provides several advantages. Firstly, by opening a plurality of containing spaces in the body of the connector structure and disposing a plurality of rotating elements, the present invention can integrate a plurality of first or second connectors into the connector structure. Secondly, by disposing a second connector that is capable of free rotation, the body of the connector structure can be freely adjusted to all angles with respect to the second connector that connects to external equipment. Thirdly, by containing the second connector in the containing space or rotating to a certain angel with respect to the body, the first connector or the second connector can be optionally used. Fourthly, by containing the second connector in the containing space or by rotating it to a position outside of the body to block the first connector, the connector structure of the invention can respectively prevent incorrect insertion of the first and the second connectors. Fifthly, by disposing a controlling switch, electrical conduction of the first or the second connector can be automatically switched. Sixthly, by storing the second connector in the containing space when it is not in use, the device structure can have more connectors, yet provide for a smaller size in terms of its overall length as compared to prior art structures, making it easier to carry. 
     It should be noted that all of the ensuing drawings in this specification are simplified schematic diagrams to show only those parts related to the invention; and the parts illustrated are not drawn and depicted according to actual scale, size, or number, the details of which are arbitrary/willful design choices in the actual implementation of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  (PRIOR ART) are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a USB male connector; 
         FIGS. 2A–2C  (PRIOR ART) are schematic diagrams showing the structure of a USB female connector; 
         FIG. 3  (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing the application of a first device employing the USB male connector of prior art; 
         FIG. 4  (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing the application of a second device employing the USB female connector of prior art; 
         FIG. 5  (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing the application of a third device as disclosed in TW Patent Publication No. 572263 concurrently using the USB male connector and the USB female connector of prior art; 
         FIGS. 6A–6C  are schematic diagrams showing a first preferred embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram showing the rotational movement of the connector structure as depicted in  FIGS. 6A–6C ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram showing a rotating element of the connector structure as depicted in  FIGS. 6A–6C ; 
         FIGS. 9A–9C  are schematic diagrams showing the application of the connector structure as depicted in  FIGS. 6A–6C ; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic diagram showing a second preferred embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a theory diagram showing the rotation of the connector structure as depicted in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram showing a third preferred embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a theory diagram showing the rotation of the connector structure as depicted in  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram showing a fourth preferred embodiment of the connector structure according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout for clarity and brevity, wherein: 
     The First Preferred Embodiment 
       FIGS. 6A–6C  illustrate a connector structure  10  of a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprising: a body  12 ; a first connector  14  disposed on an end of the body  12 ; and a pivotal second connector  16  pivotally disposed on the same end of the body  12 . Also, the connector structure  10  of the invention can be disposed with a plurality of first connectors  14  or second connectors  16 , the detailed description thereof being given in the following preferred embodiments. While this embodiment exemplifies only a first connector  14  and a second connector  16 , the actual number of connectors used can vary and is not limited to that as disclosed in this embodiment. 
     The first connector  14  is inwardly installed on one end of the body  12  and can be a USB female connector. The USB female connector structure is a hardware interface known in prior art, and the description thereof will not be further detailed herein. 
     The second connector  16  is pivotally installed on an end of the body by means of a rotating element  18 , the second connector  16  in this embodiment being installed on the same end of the body as the first connector  14 , wherein the second connector  16  can be either a USB male connector or a USB female connector by design choice, with it being a USB male connector in this embodiment but not limited to this choice. The USB male connector structure is also a hardware interface known in prior art, and the description thereof will not be further detailed herein. 
     A containing space  19  is formed in an appropriate position in the body  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6C . When the second connector  16  is not in use, it can be rotated into and accommodated by the containing space  19  of the body  12 . A rotating schematic of the second connector  16  is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the rotating element  18  comprises two arm portions  182 , and one end of each arm portion is disposed with a pivotal connecting portion  184 . Each of the two arm portions  182  of the pivoting element  18  is respectively pivotally disposed on the sides of one end of the body  12 . The lower part of the second connector  16  is secured with the arm portions  182  away from one end of the pivotal connecting portion  184 . Each of the arm portions  182  is internally disposed with a penetrating hole  186  for accommodating one or more conductive wires or a cable (not shown) therein, thereby allowing a conductive element (such as a circuit board) of the body  12  to electrically connect to the second connector  16  via the conductive wire of the penetrating hole  186 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9A–9C , the connector structure  10  can connect with different external equipment. As shown in  FIG. 9A , when the second connector  16  rotates to a position inline with the body  12 , the first connector  14  is blocked by the second connector  16  and thus unable to connect with any external equipment or devices, thereby preventing the first connector  14  from being incorrectly or forcedly inserted with another device while the first connector  14  is connected to an external connector  42  of a first external device  40 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , the second connector  16  rotates to a certain angle with respect to the body  12  such that the first connector  14  is no longer blocked by the second connector  16  and thus able to connect to a second external connector  62  of a second external device  60  while the second connector  16  can connect to the first connector  42  at the same time. As shown in  FIG. 9C , when the second connector  16  rotates into and is accommodated by the containing space  19  of the body  12 , the second connector  16  is blocked by the walls of the containing space  19  and thus unable to be connected with other external devices, thereby preventing the second connector  16  from being incorrectly or forcedly inserted with another device while the first connector  14  is or can be connected to an external device  60 . 
     From the above descriptions of the connector structure  10 , it can be understood that the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  can be optionally used, and the design has advantages in curtailing incorrect usage. Also, the connector structure  10  can freely adjust the connection angle of the second connector  16  thereof with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body to more flexibly connect with external equipment or data processing devices. And, when the second connector  16  is accommodated into the containing space  19  of the body  12 , the overall length of the connector structure  10  is reduced and thus is easier to carry. 
     The Second Preferred Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , basically the connector structure  10 ′ in this preferred embodiment is structurally similar to the connector structure  10  of the first preferred embodiment, and only differs in that a switch  17  is additionally disposed on the body  12 . When the pivotal connecting portion  184  of the rotating element  18  thereof rotates to a first location A, a second location B, and a third location C as shown with respect to the second connector  16 , the switch  17  is actuated by means of the conventional gear transmission or belt transmission as known in the prior art, wherein the first location A is a location where the second connector  16  is accommodated into the containing space  19 , the second location B can be a location where the second connector  16  is perpendicular with respect to the body  12 , and the third location C is a location where the second connector  16  rotates to an inline position, with respect to the body, outside of the body  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  in conjunction with  FIG. 11 , the switch  17  can be a multi-linking-motion switch, the reference numerals  16   a  and  16   b  as indicated in the drawing being respectively input terminals and output terminals of the second connector  16 , wherein the electrical connection of the input terminals  16   a  and the output terminals  16   b  is decided by the rotation angle of the switch  17 . Likewise, reference numerals  14   a  and  14   b  each respectively are input terminals and output terminals of the first connector  14 , wherein the electrical connection of the input terminals  14   a  and the output terminals  14   b  is also decided by the rotation angle of the switch  17 . When the second connector  16  rotates to a first location A as shown in  FIG. 10 , the switch  17  is actuated to rotate to a corresponding first location as indicated in  FIG. 11 , wherein, at this time, the input terminals  16   a  and the output terminals  16   b  of the second connector  16  are not electrically connected, whereas the input terminals  14   a  and the output terminals  14   b  of the first connector  14  are electrically connected, thereby putting the second connector  16  in a non-working status while the first connector  14  is in a working status, providing that it is connected to other external equipment. When the second connector  16  rotates to a second location B as shown in  FIG. 10 , the switch  17  is actuated to rotate to a corresponding second location as indicated in  FIG. 11 , wherein, at this time, the input terminals  16   a  and the output terminals  16   b  of the second connector  16  are electrically connected, and the input terminals  14   a  and the output terminals  14   b  of the first connector  14  are also electrically connected, thereby making the second connector  16  and the first connector  14  both in a working status. When the second connector  16  rotates to a third location C as shown in  FIG. 10 , the switch  17  is actuated to rotate to a corresponding third location as indicated in  FIG. 11 , wherein, at this time, the input terminals  16   a  and the output terminals  16   b  of the second connector  16  are electrically connected, whereas the input terminals  14   a  and the output terminals  14   b  of the first connector  14  are not electrically connected, thereby putting the first connector  14  in a non-working status while the second connector  16  is in a working status, providing it is connected to other external equipment or a data processing device. 
     By the additional provision of the switch  17 , electrical connection of the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  can be controlled, such that the working status of the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  can be reliably and automatically switched as desired. 
     The Third Preferred Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , basically this preferred embodiment is structurally similar to the connector structure  10 ′ of the second preferred embodiment, and is an improvement on the second preferred embodiment. 
     In the second preferred embodiment, the connector structure  10 ′ enables the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  to be electrically connected when the second connector  16  thereof rotates to a specific B location, however, this undesirably and significantly limits the connecting angles of the second connector  16  with the external equipment or data processing device. 
     In this third preferred embodiment, the second connector  16  of the connector structure  10 ″ is in any arbitrary position between the first location B 1  and the second location B 2 , as shown in  FIG. 12 , making the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  both electrically connected. As shown in  FIG. 13 , this embodiment enables electrical connection between the first location A to the second location B 2  at a position that corresponds to the output terminals  14   b  of the first connector  14 , and the electrical connection between the first location B 1  to the third location C at a position that corresponds to the output terminals  16   b  of the second connector  16 . 
     When the switch  17  is actuated at a position between the first location A and the first location B 2 , the first connector  14  is electrically connected but not the second connector  16 ; and when at a position between the first second location B 1  and the second location B 2 , the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  are both electrically connected; and when at a position between the second location B 2  and the third location C, the first connector  14  is not electrically connected but the second connector  16  is electrically connected. 
     It can be seen from the connector structure  10 ″ in this preferred embodiment, when the second connector thereof rotates within a range of angles, the first connector  14  and the second connector  16  are both electrically connected at the same time, thereby allowing the switch  17  to freely switch the working status of the first connector  14  and the second connector  16 . 
     The Fourth Preferred Embodiment 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , basically this preferred embodiment is structurally similar to the connector structure  10  of the first preferred embodiment, and only differs in that each of the top and bottom surfaces of the body  12  of the connector structure  10 ′″ is respectively disposed with a containing space  19 , and on a top and a bottom end of the body  12  are each respectively disposed with a pivotal second connector  16 , such that the second connector  16  can be respectively accommodated into the containing spaces  19 . Similarly, the top and bottom ends of the body  12  each can be either pivotally disposed with a first connector  14 , or a first connector  14  and a second connector  16  depending on the actual implementations. Further, the surface end of the body  12  can be concurrently disposed with two or even more than two first connectors  14  as desired. Therefore, the connector structure  10 ′″ used in the preferred embodiment can have a plurality of connectors as desired to meet the requirements of concurrently connecting to a plurality of external equipment or data processing devices. The invention is therefore more advantageous to use than the prior art. 
     It should be noted that the foregoing embodiments are only exemplified to describe the concepts and functions but are not intended to limit the invention in any way. For example, the rotating element  18  of the connector structure  10  according to the invention can be respectively disposed on the ends of both sides of the body  12 , or disposed on one side only; also, in addition to the aforementioned gear or belt transmission, the pivotal connecting portion  184  of the rotating element  18  thereof can adopt other means of transmission to actuate the switch  17  depending on the mode of implementation. 
     The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.