Abstract:
Universal serial bus (USB) port and plug systems are disclosed. According to an aspect, a USB port system includes a housing having sides that define an interior therebetween. The housing also includes a first opening and a second opening defined within one of the sides. The USB port system also includes a first slot and a second slot extending from the first opening and the second opening, respectively, towards the interior and structured to receive a first USB plug and a second USB plug. The first USB plug is different than the second USB plug. A plurality of first pads are positioned within the first slot and arranged to be operably connected to the first USB plug. A plurality of second pads are positioned within the second slot and arranged to be operably connected to the second USB plug.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Design Patent Application No. ______, titled UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) PORT SYSTEM and filed simultaneously herewith, and U.S. Design Patent Application No. ______, titled UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) PLUG SYSTEM and filed simultaneously herewith; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments described herein relate to electrical connectors. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to universal serial bus (USB) port and plug systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    USB is a connector standard that defines cables, connectors, and communication protocols used in a bus connection, communication, and power supply between computing devices and electronic devices. More particularly, USB is a serial interface that is often used in place of RS232 serial interfaces and parallel interfaces to connect peripheral devices (e.g., mice, keyboards, printers, etc.) to computers (e.g., desktop and laptop computers). Many computers are equipped with multiple USB connectors, each of which is designed to mate with a respective USB plug. A typical USB connector is configured with electrical contacts that are designed to couple to electrical contacts external to the USB connector in order to perform data transfer and power supply functions. Some of the electrical contacts of the USB connector are used to couple electrical contacts of a USB plug to the electrical circuitry of the USB connector, whereas some of the electrical contacts of the USB connector are used to couple the electrical circuitry of the USB connector to conductive traces formed on a motherboard of a computer. Electrical traces on the motherboard route electrical signals between the electrical circuitry of the USB connector and electrical circuitry mounted on the motherboard, such as, for example, a USB controller that is connected to a main processor of the computer. 
         [0004]    USB plugs and ports are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, there are many different electrical and computing applications for USB technologies. For at least these reasons, there is a continuing need for improved USB plug and port systems of varying shapes and sizes for different applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings provided herein. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an example USB port system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side view that opposes the view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional side view of the USB port system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an example USB plug system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a rear view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a side view that opposes the view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 12 ; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is a front view of the USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-8  illustrate different views of an example USB port system  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the system  100  includes a housing  102  having sides  104 A- 104 F. The sides of the housing  102  form an interior  800  therebetween. The housing  102  may be made of a suitable plastic or other type of rigid material as will be understood to those of skill in the art. In this example, the housing  102  is generally cubical in shape; however, it should be understood that the housing  102  may be any suitable shape depending on the application. The housing  102  may be suitably sealed for preventing entry of moisture or contaminants within the interior defined by the sides  104 A- 104 F and shown in  FIG. 8 , which illustrates a cross-sectional, side view of the system  100 . 
         [0023]    Openings  106  and  108  are defined within side  104 A of the housing  102  for receipt of USB plugs. In the alternative, the openings  106  and  108  and one or more other openings may be formed in the sides of the housing  102  for receipt of USB plugs or other types of plugs. In this example, the openings  106  and  108  are configured in a stacked arrangement such that the opening  106  is on top of the opening  108  when the system  100  is in an upright position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    The system  100  may include slots  110  and  112  formed in the interior of the housing  102  and that extend from the openings  106  and  108 , respectively, towards the interior. For example, sSlots  110  and  112  are structured to receive a USB version 2 plug and a USB version 3 plug, respectively. In this example, opening  106  is sized and shaped to receive and engage a 12 Volt (V) USB version 2.0 plug. The slot  110  defines a notch  113  or stop component configured to prevent insertion of a 24 V USB plug, while permitting insertion of a 12 V USB plug. 
         [0025]    In an alternative example, for example, the opening  106  and slot  110  may be sized and shaped to receive and engage a 24 V USB version 2.0 plug. A slot or other stop component may be formed in the slot  110  to prevent insertion of a 12 V USB plug, while permitting insertion of a 24 V USB plug. In the example above, a USB version 2 plug, a USB version 3 plug, a 12V USB plug, a 24V USB plug are described. In embodiments of the disclosure, however, various versions or types may be applied. Openings  106  and  108  may be sized and shaped to receive and engage any given USB version plug, respectively. Slots  110  and  112  also may be structured to receive and engage any given USB version plug, respectively. 
         [0026]    Multiple pads may be positioned within the slot  106  and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 2.0 plug of 12 V type. Particularly, the slot  106  may form multiple openings  111  wherein the pads may be positioned. Alternatively, the pads may be arranged to operably connect to any type of USB version 2 plug. The pads may be configured for carrying any suitable type of electrical signal including, but not limited to, a ground, a D+ signal, a D− signal, and a V CC  signal. 
         [0027]    Multiple pads  114  are positioned within the slot  106  and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 3.0 plug. Alternatively, the pads  114  may be arranged to operably connect to any type of USB version 3 plug. The pads  114  may be configured for carrying any suitable type of electrical signal including, but not limited to, a ground, a D+ signal, a D− signal, a V CC  signal, a StdA_SSRX signal, a StdA_SSRX+ signal, a ground drain, a StdA_SSTX+ signal, and a StdA_SSTX-signal. One of the pads  114  may function as a power pad for delivery of power to a USB version 3 device. 
         [0028]    The system  100  may include USB version 2 circuitry and USB version 3 circuitry (not shown in the figures) contained within the interior of the housing  102 . The circuitry may be operably connected to the pads within the openings  111  and the second pads  114 . The circuitry may be configured to suitably connect the pads within the openings  111  and  114  for transmission of the USB version 2 and version 3 signals to and from pins  116  arranged on and extending from the side  104 D of the housing  102 . The circuitry may include multiple wires and/or other suitable components for electrically connecting the pads to the pins  116 . 
         [0029]    A locking mechanism may be suitably attached to the housing  102  for engaging and locking to a USB plug system. In this example, the locking mechanism includes members  118 A and  118 B configured to engage to a mating locking mechanism of a USB plug system. 
         [0030]    The housing  102  may define multiple posts  120  for attachment of the system  100  to another component as will be understood by those of skill in the art. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9-15  illustrate different views of an example USB plug system  900  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIGS. 9-15 , the system  900  includes a housing  902  having sides  904 A- 904 F. The sides of the housing  902  form an interior therebetween. The housing  902  may be made of a suitable plastic or other type of rigid material as will be understood to those of skill in the art. In this example, the housing  902  is generally shaped as an elongated cube; however, it should be understood that the housing  902  may be any suitable shape depending on the application. The housing  902  may be suitably sealed for preventing entry of moisture or contaminants within the interior defined by the sides  904 A- 904 F. 
         [0032]    Openings  906  and  908  are defined within side  904 A of the housing  902 . In this example, the openings  906  and  908  are configured in a stacked arrangement such that the opening  906  is on top of the opening  908  when the system  900  is in an upright position as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0033]    Interfaces  910  and  912  extend outward from the openings  906  and  908 , respectively. Interfaces  910  and  912  are structured to engage a USB version 2 port and a USB version 3 port, respectively. In this example, interface  910  is sized and shaped to engage a 24 V USB version 2.0 port. Interface  910  defines a notch  913  or stop component configured to prevent engagement with a 12 V USB port, while permitting engagement with a 24 V USB plug. For example, there may be a mating groove or notch in a 24 V USB plug that only permits engagement with that particular type of plug. Other plugs may be prevented from engaging the interface in the case that their slot does not fit to the notch  913 . 
         [0034]    In an alternative example, for example, the opening  906  and interface  910  may be sized and shaped to engage a 12 V USB version 2.0 port. A slot or other stop component may be formed in the interface  910  to prevent engagement with a 24 V USB port, while permitting engagement with a 12 V USB port. 
         [0035]    The system  900  includes USB version 2 wiring and USB version 3 wiring that each have ends contained within the interior of the housing  902 . The wiring ends are electrically connected to pads of interfaces  910  and  912 . Opposing ends of the wiring may be positioned within an interior of cording  915 . 
         [0036]    Multiple pads or pins  917  are positioned within the interface  906  and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 2.0 port of 24 V type. Alternatively, the pads may be arranged to operably connect to any type of USB version 2 plug. The pads may be configured for carrying any suitable type of electrical signal including, but not limited to, a ground, a D+ signal, a D− signal, and a V CC  signal. 
         [0037]    Multiple pads  914  are positioned within the slot  106  and arranged to be operably connected to pads of a USB version 3.0 port. Alternatively, the pads  914  may be arranged to operably connect to pads of any type of USB version 3 port. The pads  914  may be configured for carrying any suitable type of electrical signal including, but not limited to, a ground, a D+ signal, a D− signal, a V CC  signal, a StdA_SSRX signal, a StdA_SSRX+ signal, a ground drain, a StdA_SSTX+ signal, and a StdA_SSTX− signal. One of the pads  914  may function as a power pad for delivery of power to a USB version 3 device. 
         [0038]    The system  900  may include USB version 2 circuitry and USB version 3 circuitry (not shown in the figures) contained within the interior of the housing  902 . The circuitry may be operably connected to the pins  917  and the pads  914 . The circuitry may be configured to suitably connect the pins  917  and  914  for transmission of the USB version 2 and version 3 signals to and from the wire ends within the cording  915 . The circuitry may include multiple wires and/or other suitable components. 
         [0039]    A locking mechanism  916  may be suitably attached to the housing  902  for engaging and locking to a USB port system. In this example, the locking mechanism  916  can be pushed downward, such as by a finger of an operator, to release the locking mechanism when it is engaged to a mating locking mechanism of a USB port system. 
         [0040]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the presently disclosed subject matter. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the presently disclosed subject matter.