Abstract:
The Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip is a device used to connect one or more devices to a power source, allowing for charging of multiple devices. Additionally, the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip allows multiple devices to share data connections, allowing for the simple sharing of data.

Description:
FOREIGN PRIORITY 
     This application is a continuation-in-party of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/726,795 filed Jun. 1, 2015, and currently pending. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of portable charging and data-sharing devices and more particularly to a device for connecting multiple devices to one another. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Our world is filled with a multitude of small electronic devices, each with its own connector, each needing to be regularly charged. 
     As innovation moves forward additional connectors become available, rendering obsolete existing charging devices with outdated connectors. For example, Apple&#39;s recent switch from the 30-pin connector to the new Lightning connector. Many accessories have been rendered outdated by this simple change of a plug style. 
     The result is waste, as well as unnecessary cost to consumers who must regularly purchase new chargers and cables. 
     What is needed is a device that will allow multiple devices to connect to each other for purposes of sharing power or data, but with a connector that can be updated to match the rapid pace of technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     The Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip is a device used to connect one or more devices to a power source, allowing for charging of multiple devices. Additionally, the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip allows multiple devices to share data connections, allowing for the simple sharing of data. 
     The Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip includes one or more fixed, or permanent, USB cables, as well as a recessed USB port for a removable USB cable. The removable USB cable allows the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip to be updated or adapted to different types of connectors as technology or user desire changes. For example, the removable connector or tip may be a USB-C cable, an Apple Lightning cable, an Apple 30-pin connector, or one of many other types. Anticipated types of USB connector, also known as tips, include:
         USB 2.0 Type A;   USB 2.0 Type B;   USB 2.0 Mini Type B, 4 Position;   USB 2.0 Mini Type B, 5 Position;   USB 2.0 Micro B;   USB 3.0 Type A;   USB 3.0 Type B;   USB 3.0 Micro Type B; and   USB 3.1 Type C.       

     The result is a single device able to share power and data across multiple USB connectors. The Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip includes a housing with multiple cables leading from the housing. The cables are divided into fixed cables, which are non-removable, and a recessed connection for a swappable cable, which is removable. 
     Within the description below, a USB plug refers to the male type, and a USB jack refers to the female type. 
     The housing itself is shown as being made of a front half and a back half, the two halves meeting at a housing seam. But many types of housing are anticipated, including single part housings, housings of many parts, housings molded around the internal parts, and so forth. 
     Within the housing is a circuit board. The circuit board connects the fixed cables to a connector, or jack, which in turn electrically connects to the swappable cables. In one embodiment, circuit board tracing is used to perform this connection. In others, the fixed cables are directly wired to the connector that in turn joins to the swappable cable. In still other embodiments there are jumpers, or short cables, that connect the fixed cables to the circuit board and its tracing. 
     The cables are all connected together, allowing for the sharing of power and data among all cables. Stated differently, the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip supports multi-input to multi-output data and power sharing, enabling multiple-port to multiple port signal flow engagement for an instant of time. For example, two independent power sources can be combined together in a real time, non-multiplexed fashion, such that the combined signal flow is be delivered simultaneously to multiple recipients in a real time, non-multiplexed fashion. This signal flow can be data, or current to charge a mobile device. 
     The collection of fixed cables forms a cable bundle. The cable bundle penetrates the housing, exiting through a penetration, or through a space between the two housing halves. 
     Optionally located between the cable bundle and the housing is a strain relief coupling. The strain relief coupling is preferably a soft and flexible material that surrounds the penetration of the fixed cables, or cable bundle, at the point of connection to the housing. By being more flexible than the fixed cables themselves, the strain relief coupling allows for motion of the fixed cables without transferring the stress to the enclosed wiring. Stress to the cables themselves can cause damage to the enclosed copper wiring. Such damage can in turn shorten the life of the cable. 
     Returning to the USB connector receiver, or jack, within the housing, this is the location into which the swappable USB cable, or plug, is inserted. This is referred to as the entrance or port. Inserting a swappable USB cable into the USB connector receiver electrically connects the swappable cable to the circuit board, and in turn to the fixed USB cables. 
     In the preferred embodiment the USB connector receiver is located on or near the circuit board. But as disclosed above, the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Tip may include direct wiring from the USB connector receiver to the fixed USB cables. 
     The USB connector receiver optionally includes a female USB connector shield, which contacts the shield of the male plug of the swappable USB connector. Partially enclosed by the USB connector shield are contacts standard to Type A plugs and jacks that comply with USB standards. Each contact corresponds to a wire within a cable. 
     When the swappable USB cable is installed, the cavity for swappable connector hides the connector within the housing, the result being that only the cable protrudes from the housing. 
     The majority of USB connectors have a polarity, or a top and a bottom. By using an alignment tab, the recessed connector can only enter the housing when the alignment is correctly oriented. As a result the plug and jack match polarity when the plug meets the jack within the housing. 
     The housing itself has a port through which the swappable cable connector passes. The port includes an alignment tab receiver, or connection location, that interfaces with an optional alignment tab on the recessed connector. 
     The alignment tab and the alignment tab receiver can take many forms. Such forms include the general shape of a rectangle or square, but with one or more non-straight sides. The alignment tab, or end of the removable connector, then has a matching shape. 
     Stated differently, in some embodiments the entrance to the cavity within the housing has a shape that is non-rectangular shape. The connection end of the removable cable that will enter the housing has a matching non-rectangular shape. These non-rectangular shapes interact when the connector is inserted into the housing. This interaction of the non-rectangular shapes limits the connection to a certain orientation of removable cable with respect to the entrance to the cavity. Non-rectangular shapes include ovals, triangles, wavy-lined shapes, and so forth. 
     The disclosed cables comply with USB standards, although the cables are anticipated to change as standards are updated and altered. 
     The disclosed cables may comply with the USB 2.0 standard, where in a given cable there are: two power conductors, one twisted pair of cables for data, and a drain or ground wire as part of shielding. 
     The disclosed cables may comply with the USB 3.0/3.1 standard, where in a given cable there are: two power conductors, one unshielded twisted pair for data, two shielded twisted pairs for data, and a drain or ground wire as part of shielding. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a partial cutaway view of a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a swappable cable of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a connection port of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a left side view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a right side view of the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an isometric view, showing the swappable cable unplugged; and 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an isometric view, showing the swappable cable unplugged. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a partial cutaway view of a first embodiment is shown. Shown is housing back half  14  of housing  10 . Although the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  is shown with a two-part housing, a single-part housing and a housing constructed of a greater number of parts are anticipated. 
     Within the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  is a circuit board  20 , with circuit board tracing  22  on the circuit board  20 . The circuit board tracing  22  connects to the jumper wires  24 , the jumper wires  24  in turn connect to the cable bundle  30 . The cable bundle is made of a number of individual cables  31 . Each individual cable  31  terminates in a fixed USB connector  40 . The fixed USB connectors are intended to be a permanent part of the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1 . 
     Surrounding the cable bundle  30  at the location the cable bundle  30  enters the housing  10  is the strain relief coupling  32 . The strain relief coupling  32  is constructed of a material more flexible than that of the cables  31  that make up the cable bundle  30 . The result is that force applied to the cable bundle  30  results in deformation of the strain relief coupling  32 , rather than the cables  31  themselves. The result is increased life of the cables  31  by reducing the frequency and severity of cable  31  deformation. 
     Also affixed to the circuit board  20  is USB connector receiver  42 . USB connector receiver  42  is intended to connect to the swappable cable  60 , allowing many different cables to connect to the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1 , thereby allowing the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  to be updated as new connectors and cables become available. 
     The USB connector receiver  42  includes a female USB connector shield  44  that surrounds female USB connector contacts  46 . The USB connector contacts  46  in turn connect to the circuit board, and therefore to the fixed USB connectors  40 . 
     The USB connector receiver  42  lies within the swappable connector cavity  50 . The swappable connector cavity  50  is of sufficient size to enclose all, or substantially all, of the recessed connector body  64  (not shown). The result is that, when plugged in, only the cable  72  (not shown) of the recessed connector  62  (not shown) protrudes beyond the housing  10 . 
     Alternately, the cable  72  may only be partially enclosed by the swappable connector cavity  50 . In such embodiments, a portion of the recessed connector  62  protrudes from the housing  10  following the cable  72  being connected. 
     Opening  17  allows the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  to be attached to the user&#39;s keys, hung on a hook, or otherwise stored. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a removable, or swappable cable  60 , of the first embodiment is shown. The swappable cable  60  is the portion of the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  designed to be easily removed and exchanged or upgraded. The embodiment within is illustrated with an Apple Lightning connector, but many other possible connectors are anticipated, such as USB 3.1 Type C connectors. 
     The swappable cable  60  includes a number of parts. Overall, the swappable cable  60  is made of a recessed connector  62  connected to the cable  72 , in turn connected to the updateable connector  74 . 
     The recessed connector  62  includes the recessed connector body  64  and recessed connector shield  66 . The updatable connector  74  includes the updateable connector body  76  and the updateable connector tip  78 . Both the recessed connector  62  and updatable connector  74  optionally include a flexible body extension  70 . The flexible body extension  70  acts as a transition between the stiff material of the recessed connector body  64  and cable  72 , or updatable connector body  76  and cable  72 . 
     The recessed connector body  64  optionally includes an additional feature, an alignment tab  68 . The alignment tab  68  interacts with the alignment tab receiver  52  that is part of port  18 . The interaction of the alignment tab  68  and port  18  solves a problem that exists for recessed USB ports. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a connection port of the first embodiment is shown. Shown is port  18 , where swappable cable  60  passes into the housing  10  and swappable connector cavity  50 . Alignment tab receiver  52  is shown, as well as fixed cables  31 . 
     USB connections require a specific orientation. With the exception of the upcoming USB 3.1 Type C connector, there is a specific orientation, or polarity, required for a USB jack and connector to interface. But with USB connector receiver  42  is recessed and within a swappable connector cavity  50 . As a result the user cannot determine whether the orientation is correct until the swappable cable  60  has largely entered the housing  10 . The alignment tab  68  solves this problem. 
     The recessed connector body  64  of the recessed connector  62  cannot enter the housing  10  unless the alignment tab  68  correctly matches the alignment tab receiver  52 . In this way the user is nearly immediately aware whether the swappable cable  60  is correctly oriented, or if it needs to be rotated. 
     The alignment tab receiver  52  is shown with the shape of three straight sides, and a fourth non-straight side. But the alignment tab receiver  52  can be other shapes. For example, a triangular shape, a two-sided shape constructed of one straight line and one curved line, or a shape with wavy sides. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an isometric view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. The overall shape of the Multi-plug USB Connector with Swappable Plug  1  is shown. Also shown is an outline of the swappable connector cavity  50 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom view of the first embodiment. The interface of the alignment tab  68  and alignment tab receiver  52  is shown. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. Again shown is an outline of the swappable connector cavity  50 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the first embodiment with the removable cable inserted. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a left side view of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a right side view of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 11  is an isometric view, showing the swappable cable unplugged. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view, showing the swappable cable unplugged. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.