Abstract:
An electronic device having a USB connector is provided comprising a partial outer sleeve reaching short of the USB connector and securely holding thereof and a shorter inner sleeve extending little over the USB connector and partially housed in the outer sleeve in a sliding relationship. The USB connector is connected to functional circuit on at least one printed circuit board. A short piece of adaptor bracket permits the selected printed circuit board fastened in a uniform profile to the containing space of the outer sleeve so that a determined size of outer sleeve may hold a variety of printed circuit boards in a constantly acceptable tolerance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    A. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable device with a telescoping sleeve for protecting a USB connector in a compact format. 
         [0003]    B. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Portable electronic devices often have built-in connectors for connection to a host such as a personal computer. USB drives are popular types of memory drives. A USB flash drive is a pocket sized NAND-type flash memory data storage integrated with a USB connector for connection with a computer or other information hosts for stored data exchange. The USB drives are generally a short stick shape extending a few inches in length. Internally, they comprise a circuit board for mounting a NAND flash memory chip, a USB mass storage controller, a crystal oscillator on either surfaces of the circuit board and a USB connector mounted on and protruding from an edge of the circuit board. Additionally, the USB drives may have an LED for indicating data transfer, data read and data write. 
         [0005]    A protective casing typically encloses the USB drive except for the USB connector portion. The casing normally has a single physical size per model regardless of memory size. Conventional USB drives may also have unpopulated space for a future second memory chip while allowing a manufacturer to keep only one type of PCB for various models with different storage sizes according to market needs. To keep both the USB drive casing and the PCB components universal for different capacities, the size should not become larger than necessary and the USB drives are preferred to be as small as possible. 
         [0006]    For protection of the USB connector from static electricity or other physical damage, the casing typically has a cover for the connector portion. Some have a dielectric plastic cap removably coupled with the drive casing over the connector. The cap may be designed to remain attached to the casing body such as by making it swivel away from the connector during operation. Others employ linearly retractable connector. However, these prior art connection methods only add bulkiness to the USB devices during use because the connector needs to be extended from the casing for operation. When a USB device has to be remained connected to a portable host like a small laptop computer, conventional bulging cases become more difficult to use. 
         [0007]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reduced dimension of USB connection devices inside a smaller yet universal casing for holding various PCB components of different capacities. Another object of the present invention is to provide a durable and compact sleeve for a USB drive. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The electronic devices of the present invention commonly have a USB connector to protect. The structure includes a partial outer sleeve reaching short of the USB connector. The outer sleeve has a generally rectangular upper shell and preferably a symmetrically shaped lower shell extending in parallel with the upper shell. Each shell preferably has two adjacent edge walls erected toward the opposing shell to mate and securely hold a containing space left open at front and lateral sides, each shell further having a support wall extending in parallel with the lateral side but terminating ahead of the front open side. The support wall includes an inwardly facing slide rail part that combines with the opposing slide rail part to form a closed double side rail, and the lower shell further includes an interlocking means. Connected to the USB connector is a functional circuit on at least one printed circuit board selected among differentially configured group. In order to accept the different circuit configurations, a short piece of swappable adaptor bracket is used to fasten the selected printed circuit board in a uniform profile to the containing space of the outer sleeve in a constantly acceptable tolerance. The adaptor bracket has a locking means for engaging the interlocking means of the lower shell. Directly enveloping the USB connector, a shorter inner sleeve extends little over the USB connector and is partially housed in the outer sleeve in a sliding relationship through the front and lateral open sides. The inner sleeve has a front aperture for passing the USB connector and defining an elongated thumb grip adapted to slide along the closed double side rail between a front end position to cover the USB connector completely and a rear end position to expose the entire USB connector. 
         [0009]    An indicating means is also provided to tell the activated state of the electronic device. It preferably includes an LED installed on the printed circuit board to illuminate upon receiving an active signal generated by the functional circuit. In addition, the inner shell has a separate cover plate that is clear or semitransparent to propagate the illumination and an opening through the upper shell. 
         [0010]    To provide a controlled sliding operation, there is a limiting means including an inwardly shifted positioning of the support walls of the outer sleeve, a T-shaped slider protruding from an interior surface of the elongated thumb grip of the inner sleeve and normally lying out of engagement with the slide rail part before the thumb grip is pushed into reengagement under bias, a trough formed on each support wall of the outer sleeve to the inwardly of and along the slide rail part, and two opposite recesses formed at the ends of each slide rail part so as to communicate with the adjacent trough, whereby the T slider of the inner sleeve is slidably captured by the closed double side rail and resiliently locks into position when the inner sleeve is in either the front and rear end positions. 
         [0011]    A linear sliding means for securing smooth and reliable movements between the inner and outer sleeves includes a pair of parallel grooves formed respectively on the interior surfaces of the lower shell and upper shell of the outer sleeve near the front open side and two pairs of embossed sliders formed on upper and lower surfaces of the inner sleeve and slidably received in the outer sleeve grooves. 
         [0012]    The thumb grip of the inner sleeve has an indentation to enhance the grip force by a user&#39;s finger during the sliding elongation and contraction with respect to the outer sleeve and thus the USB connector. 
         [0013]    Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sliding sleeve electronic device according to the present invention wherein an inner connector sleeve and an outer base sleeve are moved away from each other to expansively cover a USB connection internally fixed to the base sleeve. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  shows the electronic device reduced by the sliding sleeve moved inside the base sleeve in an active mode to connect the device through the USB connection. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a fully exploded perspective view of the electronic device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a plan perspective view of the assembled electronic device with an upper shell detached to show the sliding coupling of the thumb sleeve therewith. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the electronic device with a lower shell detached and flipped to show the mating interior of the electronic device. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the electronic device in the protective mode. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is left side elevational view of the electronic device with the inner sleeve retracted half way into the base sleeve showing a couple of eyelets in the bottom for lanyard. Similar reference numbers denote corresponding features throughout the attached drawings. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable electronic device  10  is shown in an upright posture having an outer base sleeve  12  and a USB electrical connector or plug  14  fixedly mounted internally on base sleeve  12 . Interposed between sleeve  12  and USB plug  14  is an inner sleeve  16  having a thumb grip  18  overhanging outer sleeve  12  and adapted to slide longitudinally of device  10 . The outside sleeve  12  as an opening at a top end. In a user&#39;s hand, two sleeves  12  and  16  may slide freely with respect to each other between their extreme positions shown respectively in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Inner sleeve  16  normally encloses USB plug  14  for protection and pulled back to overlap outer sleeve  12 . Thumb grip  18  of sliding sleeve  16  extends longitudinally and has an indenture across the width thereof to enhance grip by a user&#39;s thumb forward and aft against base sleeve  12  held by the rest of the hand. Thumb grip  18  may have a stepped section  19  at approximately midlevel of device  10  where the thumb is placed to enhance traction for sliding sleeves  12 ,  16  for engaging and disengaging the releasable latch engagement formed between the inside sleeve and the outside sleeve. 
         [0022]    Therefore, inner sleeve  16  intermeshes with outer base sleeve  12  in a diametrically opposite posture so that they cooperatively form a rectangular box, which expands and retracts into itself through smooth sliding movements of two sleeves  12  and  16  with respect to each other in a short single pitch corresponding to the length of USB plug  14 . Sleeves  12  and  16  slide with respect to each other by a sidewise touch of device  10  to avoid an interference with a comfortable grasp thereof by the user but provide a full-length easy grip of inner sleeve  16  with a thumb for sheathing and unsheathing USB plug  14 . 
         [0023]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , USB plug  14  is electrically connected edgewise to a circuit board  20 , which supports memory components represented by blocks  22  and  23 . The circuit board is a type of circuit device. Electronic device  10  may be one of a variety of small portable units including a flash memory device, modem, and MP3 player. Also, the sleeve construction of the present invention may be applied to protect any USB plugs attached to various electrical components such as a USB cable for directly connecting to a host that may be a personal computer. Base sleeve  12  may have a viewing opening  24  at a top surface  26  that will usually face the user during handling of memory device  10 . When inner sleeve  16  is retracted as in  FIG. 2 , opening  24  may be aligned with an LED lamp  27  connected to illuminate an active light and inform that memory device  10  is actively connected to the host. In addition to thumb grip  18 , top opening  24  may help the user hold device  10  in the correct position for connecting to a USB socket of the host in the first place before an indication light is on. This may facilitate alignment of the USB plug  14  with respect to different hosts with vertically or horizontally positioned sockets. 
         [0024]    As individually illustrated in the exploded view, components of electronic device  10  comprises a main assembly  28  of blocks  22  and  23  on circuit board  20  with USB plug  14  welded to its front end, outer sleeve  12  of an upper shell  30  and a lower shell  32  both of which have a rectangular shape generally in a mirror image to each other. Other than the opening  24  through upper shell  30  and their mating edges against each other, shells  30  and  32  have identical features. Each of the shells  30 ,  32  has an erect rear wall  34  and a lateral sidewall  36  joined to rear wall  34  via an inwardly curved corner  38 . In molding shells  32 ,  30  with plastic, corners  38  may be formed in an inward curvature with outwardly protruding round walls  40 ,  42  respectively. Round wall  40  of lower shell  32  may have two semicircular cutouts  43  at either sides and round wall  42  of upper shell  30  similarly has two cutouts  45  so that a pair of eyelets  46  is formed to thread a lanyard when shells  30  and  32  are assembled together, as shown clearly in  FIG. 8 . To reinforce eyelets  46 , lower round wall  40  may be partially depressed while upper round wall  42  is prominently shaped to make a positive coupling with round wall  40  as shown in  FIG. 5  where lower shell  32  is turned over to reveal the interior of both shells  30  and  32 . 
         [0025]    Further in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the respective shells  30 ,  32  have complimentarily shaped mating ends, of which a female end is clearly visible in lower shell  32  with contoured cutouts  48  extending along a top plain surface  50  along rear wall  34 , corner  38  and sidewall  36 . Conversely, upper shell  30  has a flat surface  52  with a male end of complementarily formed ridges  54  facing plain surface  50  of lower shell  32 . During assembly of two shells  30  and  32  ridges  54  mate with cutouts  48  to hold shells  30 ,  32  together longitudinally. To reinforce the assembly of shells  30  and  32 , an anchor post  55  may be formed on lower shell  32  integrally erected upright toward upper shell  30 , which has a columnar seat  56  for receiving post  55 . 
         [0026]    Distally extending from rear walls  34  of shells  30 ,  32  in parallel with sidewalls  36  are support walls  58  that join together in assembly. A trough  60  is formed longitudinally from top regions of the respective support walls  58  to their bottoms to define slide rails  59 , which are also recessed to about the midlevel of support walls  58  (see  FIG. 3 ). Inner sleeve  16  has on its interior side an integral T-shaped slider  62 , which is normally located near a front end of slide rail  59  so that slider  62  shuttles to and from the opposite rear end of slide rail  59 . In order to provide temporary stops of slider  62  and thus holds of the outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  16  at their relative extreme positions, each slide rail  59  may have two end recesses  64 , into which a tip of slider  62  is lightly received before it is forced back onto slide rail  59  by a finger push. To this end, thumb grip  18  may be positioned relative to slide rails  59  so that slider  62  is biased inwardly of end recess  64 .  FIG. 4  shows thumb grip  18  in its natural state out of trough  60  before it is pressed into engagement with slide rail  59  under bias during assembly. 
         [0027]    Inner sleeve  16  may also have an exit gate  66 , which extends forwardly of thumb grip  18  at right angle and has a large aperture  68  in which the front area of USB plug  14  rests and lies flush with the outer surface of gate  16  when inner sleeve  16  is at its guard up position. As inner sleeve  16  slides closing in outer sleeve  12 , gate  66  easily glides down longitudinally along the circumferential surfaces of USB plug  14 . Between thumb grip  18  and gate  66  a rectangular base plate  70  extends to partially cover USB plug  14 . Base plate  70  extends to an upright end wall  72  at the same level to a middle parting line  74  of inner sleeve  16  and has two engraved protruding latches  76 . Thus, thumb grip  18 , gate  66  and end wall  72  together form a rectangular open space for snuggly accommodating USB plug  14 , which is then covered by a cover plate  78 . Cover plate  78  may be made of a clear or lightly colored plastic and is dimensioned at its three sides to tightly fit the combined shape of thumb grip  18 , gate  66  and end wall  72 . Further, cover plate  78  has a rectangular overhang  79  on or above an LED  80  on circuit board  20  so that an activation light of LED  80  may project evenly through overhang  79 . Thus, the user may check the light through opening  24  of upper shell  30 . Alternatively, overhang  79  may be selectively colored to add a custom shade to the LED indication. Optionally, cover plate  78  may be colored independently by an opaque dye on the exterior surface to visually match the overall tone of device  10 . 
         [0028]    Cover plate  78  also has two parallel slotted arms of which one is shown at  82  where an elongated slot  84  will be interlocked with a third latch (not shown) projecting from the interior of inner sleeve  16  facing opposite to latches  76 . By simply pressing cover plate  78  onto base plate  70 , inner sleeve  16  may be completed. In order to keep the sliding movement between inner sleeve  16  and outer sleeve  12  constantly linear, two pairs of rail means are provided wherein a pair of parallel longitudinal grooves  86  are formed respectively on upper and lower shells  30 ,  32  of outer sleeve  16  in their interior surfaces. On the other hand, base plate  70  and cover plate  78  of inner sleeve  16  respectively have two low sliders  88  embossed outwardly to enter and slide along grooves  86 . The figures show the upper visible sides of components only but upper shell  30  has grooves similar to the grooves  86  on lower shell  32  at the corresponding positions and likewise base plate  70  has outwardly protruding sliders similar to sliders  88  under dimple marks  90 . 
         [0029]    Mounting main assembly  28  on lower shell  32  is accomplished through an adaptor tray  92 , which is located right behind base plate  70  to fasten main assembly  26  to lower shell  32 . Adaptor tray  92  has a main plate  94  for adaptively filling a clearance formed between a generally plain interior surface of lower shell  32  and a certain surface profile of electrical parts of main assembly  28 . The adapter tray preferably snaps together with the circuit. The circuit is formed as a printed circuit board. Thus, main plate  94  has a contoured surface profile  95  to fit the underside of circuit board  20 . Extending from main plate  94  at an elevated position is a mount section  96  for circuit board  20 . Due to the independent piece of adaptor tray  92  from base plate  70 , a particular design of sliding structure of the invention can universally hold different electronic configurations of main assembly  26  resulting in more applications to realize than otherwise possible. 
         [0030]    Referring also to  FIG. 4 , main plate  94  of adaptor tray  92  is sandwiched between the lower underside of main assembly  28  and lower shell  32  while mount section  96  of tray  92  is fixed to circuit board  20  leaving a wide cavity  98  underneath in which base plate  70  freely moves as inner sleeve  16  slides toward and away from both shells  30 ,  32  of outer sleeve  12 . Due to the stepped structure of adaptor tray  92 , USB plug  14  of main assembly  28  can be firmly centered in aperture  68  of inner sleeve  16 . 
         [0031]    Mount section  96  has a fastening means including two upper side arms  100 , which have upright posts  102  respectively to protrude into anchoring notches  104  formed on opposite side edges of circuit board  20  at locations corresponding to posts  102  when adaptor tray  92  attaches to the lower side of main assembly  28 . Distanced downwardly from posts  102  are forwardly protruding latch  106  and  108  for clinching middle portions of circuit board  20  when they are pressed together. Latch  106  may extend along an arch that conforms to a bent junction  110  of sidewall  36  to the main portion of lower shell  32 . The opposite latches  108  may erect upright in parallel with the upright interior surface of thumb grip  18 . Both latches  106 , 108  have inwardly slanted teeth  112  that resiliently ride over the side edges of circuit board  20  before they spring back into locking positions on board  28 . The rest of adaptor tray  92  is to help secure the subassembly of circuit board  20  and tray  92  into position onto lower shell  32 . To this end, main plate  94  of tray  92  has a pair of parallel side arms  114  at the same side of latch  106  extending in the similar arch thereto. Each arm  114  has a deep lateral cutout  116  to give an enhanced resiliency thereto. On the other hand, lower shell  32  has a pair of blocks  118  formed across junction  110  at the corresponding locations to the outer span of side arms  114 . To prevent any longitudinal movements between main assembly  28  and outer sleeve  12 , distance between two blocks  117  may be slightly shorter than the outer span of side arms  114  in order to normally urge them toward each other at assembly and thereby restraining main assembly  28  within outer sleeve  12 . Across from arms  114  are a pair of upright arms  118  of the similar construction to side arms  114 . Like blocks  117 , support wall  58  supports two blocks (not shown) formed across the junction between the main body of lower shell  32  in order to resiliently limit arms  118 . At least two longitudinal tabs, of which one is shown at  120 , are formed, one on sidewall  36  between two blocks  117  of lower shell  32  and the other at the opposite side on support wall  58  to restraint main assembly  28  longitudinally with respect to lower shell  32 . When the subassembly of main assembly  28  and adaptor tray  92  is fastened to lower shell  32  and then upper shell  30  is placed. 
         [0032]    Thus, all of the components of device  10  are ready to be assembled. First, main assembly  26  with adaptor tray  92  attached may be partially inserted in aperture  68  of thumb grip  18  as they are placed together on lower shell  32 . On shell  32  thumb grip  18  is placed with its slider  62  laid on slide rail  59  and base plate  70  centrally aligned with grooves  86 . At the same time, main plate  94  of adaptor tray  92  under main assembly  26  is depressed and then locked in position by blocks  117  and tabs  120  of lower shell  32 . A circuit board having indents is preferably snapped into place onto the adapter tray. Next, cover plate  78  is pressed onto the interior of thumb grip  18  and clicks into position over latches  76 . Finally, upper shell  30  is aligned with lower shell  32  and press fitted thereto with anchor post  55  penetrating columnar seat  56  and cutouts  48  and ridges  54  interlocked together. To achieve a permanent bonding between shells  30  and  32 , a controlled amount of strong adhesive may be applied to meeting surfaces of shells  30  and  32  or preferably they can be snapped together. Alternatively, anchor post  55  may be replaced by a screw fastener that can be tightened from outside of lower shell  32  into columnar seat  56  of upper shell  30 . While the above method of assembly is one method of assembly, the device can be assembled in a variety of other steps. 
         [0033]    Thus completed USB device  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  to show no removable parts exist in the present invention. The device  10  is intuitive for general users to connect and disconnect. No confusing steps are involved but a straightforward activation of thumb grip  18  to immediately start plugging in with the inventive device  10 . Actual speed of plugging the device  10  to a host will be faster than any prior sheathed USB connectors because after an initial attempt to slide thumb grip  18  the natural plugging thrust of device  10  will push back inner sleeve  16  resulting in an automatic exposure of the entire USB plug  14  without following up the grip slide. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a transitional position of device  10  from left side wherein the completed eyelet  46  is prepared for receiving an optional convenience lanyard. Requiring no small components requiring precision labor but rather only snap together parts, the inventive device  10  is well suited for mass production and reliable light sliding force sleeve retraction usage. 
         [0035]    Therefore, while the presently preferred form of the sliding sleeve USB device has been shown and described, and several modifications thereof discussed, persons skilled in this art will readily appreciate that various additional changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined and differentiated by the following claims. For example, the housing members can be formed as a sleeve, or a wide variety of decorative shapes. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 CALL OUT LIST OF ELEMENTS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10: 
                 Electronic Device 
                 12: 
                 Outer Sleeve 
                 14: 
                 USB Plug 
               
               
                 16: 
                 Inner Sleeve 
                 18: 
                 Thumb Grip 
                 19: 
                 Stepped Section 
               
               
                 20: 
                 Circuit Board 
                 22, 23: 
                 Component Blocks 
                 24: 
                 Viewing Opening 
               
               
                 26: 
                 Top Surface 
                 27: 
                 LED Lamp 
                 28: 
                 Main Assembly 
               
               
                 30: 
                 Upper Shell 
                 32: 
                 Lower Shell 
                 34: 
                 Rear Wall 
               
               
                 36: 
                 Lateral Sidewall 
                 38: 
                 Curved Corner 
                 40: 
                 Lower Round Wall 
               
               
                 42: 
                 Upper Round Wall 
                 43, 45: 
                 Semicircular Cutout 
                 46: 
                 Eyelet 
               
               
                 48: 
                 Cutout 
                 50: 
                 Plain Surface 
                 52: 
                 Flat Surface 
               
               
                 54: 
                 Ridge 
                 55: 
                 Anchor Post 
                 56: 
                 Columnar Seat 
               
               
                 58: 
                 Support Wall 
                 59: 
                 Slide Rail 
                 60: 
                 Trough 
               
               
                 62: 
                 T-Slider 
                 64: 
                 End Recess 
                 66: 
                 Exit Gate 
               
               
                 68: 
                 Large Aperture 
                 70: 
                 Base Plate 
                 72: 
                 End Wall 
               
               
                 74: 
                 Parting Line 
                 76: 
                 Latch 
                 78: 
                 Cover Plate 
               
               
                 79: 
                 Overhang 
                 80: 
                 LED 
                 82: 
                 Slotted Arm 
               
               
                 84: 
                 Elongated Slot 
                 86: 
                 Groove 
                 88: 
                 Slider 
               
               
                 90: 
                 Dimple Mark 
                 92: 
                 Adaptor Tray 
                 94: 
                 Main Plate 
               
               
                 95: 
                 Surface Profile 
                 96: 
                 Mount Section 
                 98: 
                 Wide Cavity 
               
               
                 100: 
                 Upper Side Arm 
                 102: 
                 Upright Post 
                 104: 
                 Notch 
               
               
                 106, 108: 
                 Latch 
                 110: 
                 Junction 
                 112: 
                 Tooth 
               
               
                 114: 
                 Side Arm 
                 116: 
                 Lateral Cutout 
                 117: 
                 Block 
               
               
                 118: 
                 Upright Arm 
                 120: 
                 Tab