Abstract:
A USB connection arrangement, where more secure locking is afforded than has hitherto been achieved. With a first USB connecting portion and a second USB connecting portion, a locking arrangement is provided for physically securing the first USB connecting portion and the second USB connecting portion with respect to one another. The locking arrangement includes at least one receptor portion disposed on at least one of the first and second USB connecting portions, and at least one pin portion engageable with the at least one receptor portion for physically securing at least one of the first and second connecting portions with respect to the other of the first and second connecting portions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors for computers and other devices and to arrangements for locking or securing the USB connectors. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   USB connectors are widely known for facilitating connectivity of a given device with a computer or other device, to permit data or other information to be transmitted between the interconnected devices in question. At one end of a cable, an “A” connector typically connects “upstream” to a computer (e.g., desktop or laptop) while at another end a “B” or “mini B” connector typically connects “downstream” to a device such as a printer or digital camera. Alternatively, a device (e.g., a computer mouse) might not involve any USB connection at the “device end”. On a computer itself, a USB receptacle will typically be configured to receive and accommodate a USB “A” connector while a device may include a USB receptacle configured for receiving and accommodating a “B” or “mini B” connector. 
   USB connections typically involve detents that are sufficient for holding “male” and “female” portions of the connection in place with respect to one another. However, this is rarely sufficient for preventing unauthorized disconnection of the connecting elements. Sometimes, inadvertent disconnections can even take place (e.g., if a device falls off a table and pulls a USB connection apart as a result). Accordingly, a perennial problem encountered with existing USB connectors is that in being so easy to disconnect, they are prone to a significant loss of data or other valuable information (as resident in one or more of the devices associated with the USB connector) by unauthorized individuals or simply by way of unforeseen physical accidents. Accordingly, a growing need has been recognized in connection with physically strengthening and providing greater security for USB connections. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   There are broadly contemplated herein, in accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, locking arrangements which are configured for securing one or more USB connectors in place such that an unauthorized or inadvertent disconnection or decoupling of a USB connector becomes difficult or virtually impossible. Also broadly contemplated herein are arrangements for unlocking such locking arrangements via a secured actuation device. While locking arrangements are broadly contemplated herein in connection with single USB connectors, there are also broadly contemplated herein locking arrangements for use in “stacked” USB connectors (i.e., where one or more USB connectors are disposed adjacent one another, such as in the case of many desktop computers), whereby a single actuation device can facilitate the locking of two or more USB connectors. 
   In summary, one aspect of the invention provides a computer connection arrangement comprising: a first connecting portion; and a second connecting portion; a locking arrangement for physically securing the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion with respect to one another; the locking arrangement comprising: at least one receptor portion disposed on at least one of the first and second connecting portions; and at least one pin portion engageable with the at least one receptor portion for physically securing at least one of the first and second connecting portions with respect to the other of the first and second connecting portions. 
   Furthermore, an additional aspect of the invention provides a USB connection arrangement comprising: a first USB connecting portion; and a second USB connecting portion; a locking arrangement for physically securing the first USB connecting portion and the second USB connecting portion with respect to one another; the locking arrangement comprising: at least one receptor portion disposed on at least one of the first and second USB connecting portions; and at least one pin portion engageable with the at least one receptor portion for physically securing at least one of the first and second connecting portions with respect to the other of the first and second connecting portions. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cut-away view of a conventional USB connector. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates conventional spring detents in isolation. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a pin-locking mechanism in a USB connector. 
       FIG. 3B  is an orthogonally distinct view of the mechanism shown in  FIG. 3A   
       FIG. 3C  illustrates a pin-locking mechanism in a USB connector with an alternative actuator. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates another pin-locking mechanism, in a first position. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates the pin-locking mechanism of  FIG. 4A , in a second position. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates yet another pin-locking mechanism. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   As noted above, the present invention is directed to certain features of USB connectors. General information on the USB standard is available at http colon slash slash www dot usb dot org slash developers slash docs and elsewhere on this website. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a conventional USB “A” connector  102 , in the form of a receptacle (e.g., in a personal computer), may be disposed in a housing  104 . “A” connector/receptacle  102  includes, as known, a major protrusion or prong  105 . “B” connector  106 , which may extend from a cable (not shown) as previously discussed, includes a protrusion or prong  109  configured for interfacing with “A” connector/receptacle  102  and may be encased in, e.g., an overmold “boot”  108 . Protrusion/prong  109 , for its part, is normally surrounded by another housing or encasement  110 . As is presently known, spring detents  112 ,  114  can extend from “A” housing  104  to engage with holes  116 / 118  in “B” housing  110 . Normally, the force provided by detents  112 ,  114  is sufficient to hold the “A” and “B” connectors more or less firmly in place with respect to one another. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a sufficient unlocking force is normally needed to pull detents  212 / 214  apart from one another and thus enable a disconnection of USB “A” and “B” connectors with respect to one another. The force so required is normally not great, such that disconnection is usually quite easy to achieve and can be done by unauthorized individuals or by way of an “accident” (e.g., a device falling off a table and pulling a connector portion therewith). 
   In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are broadly contemplated herein locking arrangements for USB connectors which are much stronger and much more secure than in conventional connectors as just discussed. As shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C, an outer housing  304  may accommodate “A” connector prong  305  and “B” connector prong  309 . Prongs  305 / 309  preferably include two wells or recesses each ( 317 ,  319 , respectively). A first pin mechanism  320  may include a back plate or other mount  322  from which extend a pair of pins  324 . Similarly, a second pin mechanism  326  may include a back plate or other mount  328  from which extend a pair of pins  330 . Pins  324  are preferably engageable with wells  317 , and pins  330  with wells  319 , in such a manner as to firmly lock the respective prongs  305 ,  309  in place. Preferably, the force holding prongs  305 / 309  in place with respect to one another is much greater than that in the case of conventional spring detents (see e.g.  FIG. 1  and accompanying description). 
   Preferably, a suitable actuator  340  (with control  350  therefor) is provided which can engage and disengage the pints  324 / 330  from wells  317 / 319  in a manner to lock and unlock the prongs  305 / 309  with respect to one another. Accordingly, an “unlocked” state can be manifested selectably by an authorized individual. A very wide variety of locking/unlocking protocols are thus conceivable. For instance, locking could be automatic when a computer is shut down while (under the assumption that the computer is protected by passwords or another security feature to begin with) unlocking could be automatic when a computer is booted up. Accordingly, essentially any suitable mechanical actuation device (e.g., an electromagnetic switch, solenoid, memory wire, bimetallic strip, etc.) is conceivable for use as an actuator  340 . Alternatively, a more strictly mechanical arrangement is conceivable such as a simply key mechanism (e.g., whereby the turn of a key would engage or disengage the pins  324 / 330  from wells  317 / 319 ; for instance, a key lock could be mounted on the outside of the computer or other device and could be configured to rotate a cam assembly that would disengage or engage the pins). In  FIGS. 3A and 3B , actuator  340  is represented by a block; in  FIG. 3C  actuator  340  as depicted is a mechanical actuation device such as a soleniod which controls the positioning of pins  324  and  330 . 
   Often, especially in the case of desktop computers, USB ports can be “stacked” atop one another (e.g., disposed adjacent one another). FIGS.  4 A/B illustrate an alternative arrangement for such a setting. As shown, a sliding element  432  may include sloped end surfaces  433 / 435 . Reciprocating pins  424 ,  430  are preferably disposed and configured to separately engage with different USB ports. (Though not shown, it should be understood that there may preferably be two pins disposed one behind the other at reference numerals  424  and  430 , whereby each pair can respectively engage with two “wells” in a USB connector prong substantially as illustrated and described with respect to FIGS.  3 A/B/C.) Pins  424 / 430  preferably present sloped end surfaces of their own accord, which match and are engageable with the surfaces  433 / 435  of sliding element  432 . As shown, in an “unlocked” position as in  FIG. 4A , sliding element  432  is not engaged with pins  424 / 430 , while pins  424 / 430  are essentially “retracted” from their respective USB connectors. To “lock” the pins  424 / 430  into their USB connectors, on the other hand, sliding element  432  preferably slides (to the right in the drawings) and pushes pins  424 / 430  apart from one another so that they engage with wells or holes in the respective USB connectors as previously described. Again, since pins  424 / 430  in this case are respectively associated with different USB connectors, sliding element  432  of its own accord may lock and unlock at least portions of different USB connectors all at once. Actuator  440  and control  450  can largely be configured to operate automatically or manually, in response to an operator prompt or otherwise, substantially as described above in connection with FIGS.  3 A/B/C in this case, however, actuator  440  is specifically configured to drive the sliding motion of sliding element  432 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment for “stacked” or adjacent USB connectors. In this case, within a housing  504  there may preferably be disposed a rotating or pivoting element  534  from which extend a first pin  524  and a second pin  530 , respectively engageable with different USB connectors (similarly to the context of FIGS.  4 A/B). Pins  524 / 530  are thus preferably configured to extend from and retract into housing  504  in response to rotational/pivoting motion of element  534 . Accordingly, with respect to  FIG. 5 , upon clockwise pivoting of element  534 , pins  524 / 530  will both extend from housing  504  to engage with wells or holes in USB connector prongs substantially as discussed heretofore. In the same vein, upon counterclockwise pivoting of element  534 , pins  524 / 530  will retract away from their respective USB connectors. Actuator  540  and control  550  can again be configured in essentially any suitable or desired manner, with the proviso that actuator  540  drives rotary/pivoting motion of element  534 . A primary different here with respect to FIG.  4 A/B is that fewer pins can be provided, i.e., instead of one pair of pins for engaging with a given USB connector there might only be a single pin. However, the pins  524 / 530  can preferably be configured and disposed such that their engagement with wells/holes in USB connector prongs is still sufficient to achieve substantially the same functional results as discussed heretofore in connection with other embodiments. 
   If not otherwise stated herein , it is to be assumed that all patents, patent applications, patent publications and other publications (including web-based publications) mentioned and cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entirety herein. 
   Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.