Patent Publication Number: US-8986032-B2

Title: Modular connecting device having protective casing

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The instant disclosure relates to a modular connecting device having protective casing; in particular, to a connecting device providing preferred protection. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional connectors are connection components and other accessories used for electronic signaling and power supply, which can mainly provide bridging and ensure accurate message delivery between various electronic products. Conventional connectors have various types and structures which can be compatible with computers, computer peripherals, industrial equipment, as well as telecommunications, communications, automotive, transportation, medical products, and household appliances. 
     Majority of conventional connectors has an insulating body and a plurality of ends arranged on the insulating body itself. When the connector is not in use, the insulating body and the end are exposed, which is prone to damages from unintentional scratching and latching or hooking onto foreign objects. 
     To address the above issues, the inventor strives via associated experience and research to present the instant disclosure, which can effectively improve the limitation described above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the instant disclosure is to provide a modular connecting device having protective casing for protecting the connector itself from damages or by foreign objects. 
     In order to achieve the aforementioned objects, according to an embodiment of the instant disclosure, a modular connecting device having protective casing is provided, which includes a first connector having an insertion portion, a protective casing having a case body, an adaptor having a second connector and a third connector, and a protective cover selectively sleeved on outer portions of the third connector. The protective casing is movably disposed on the first connector, and the case body of the protective casing is selectively sleeved on the first connector. The second connector and the third connector are electrically connected, the second connector and the first connector are selectively in electrical connection with each other, and the third connector is selectively exposed from or received in the case body of the protective casing. 
     The instant disclosure alternatively provides a modular connecting device having protective casing which includes an adaptor having two connectors electrically connected to each other, a protective casing having a case body, and a protective cover selectively sleeved on outer portions of the two connectors. The protective casing is movably disposed on the adaptor, and the case body of the protective casing is selectively sleeved on the adaptor. 
     The instant disclosure has the following improvements. The protective casing of the instant disclosure can movably disposed on the first connector, the case body of the protective casing is selectively sleeved on the exterior of the first connector to protect the insertion portion of the first connector or the first connector itself from damages caused by foreign objects. The instant disclosure may separately include the protective cover which provides protection for the adaptor from dust and damages due to scratching. 
     In order to further understand the instant disclosure, the following embodiments and illustrations are provided. However, the detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure, rather than limiting the scope being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a first embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a second embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a third embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with the fifth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the instant disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is another perspective view illustrating another operation mode of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with the sixth embodiment of the instant disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the modular connecting device having protective casing in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the instant disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1 . The instant disclosure provides a modular connecting device having protective casing which includes a first connector  1 , a protective casing  2 , and an adaptor  3 . The type and structure of the first connector  1  are not limited to USB connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors, HDMI connectors, display port connectors, RJ connectors, AV terminals, DC terminals, connectors which are compatible with mobile phones such as iPhone, or other types of connectors. The first connector  1  includes an insertion portion  11 , a track  12 , and a pivotable portion  13 . In the instant disclosure, the first connector  1  is a Micro-B USB 3.0 connector which can be electrically connected to a cable  4  or other devices. The cable  4  can be flat or round cables but are not limited herein. The structure of the first connector  1  is well known in the art, thus, not further disclosed. 
     The protective casing  2  is made of plastics or metallic materials but is not limited herein. The protective casing  2  has a hollow case body  21  which is selectively sleeved onto the first connector  1 . In other words, the case body  21  of the protective casing  2  can be selectively sleeved onto at least a portion or portions (such as the insertion portion  11 ) of the first connector  1  or alternatively not sleeved onto the first connector  1 . 
     The shape and structure of the protective casing  2  are not limited herein but can be modified to fit the shape and structure of the first connector  1 . In the instant embodiment, the case body  21  is substantially a rectangular shaped hollow body corresponding to the insertion portion  11  of the first connector  1 . The size, height, width, and length of the case body  21  is larger than the size of the insertion portion  11  such that the insertion portion  11  can be selectively received in the case body  21  with a preferred and predetermined gap therebetween. 
     In the instant embodiment, the protective casing  2  further has two coupling arms  22 . The two coupling arms  22  can be movably disposed on the first connector  1 . The two coupling arms  22  can be extended from two lateral sides of the case body  21 . The two coupling arms  22  and the case body  21  can be fixedly connected or pivotally connected therebetween. In the instant embodiment, the two coupling arms  22  and the case body  21  are integrally formed as one body, in other words, fixedly connected. The two coupling arms  22  each has a pivotable portion  23  formed on inner portions of each coupling arms  22 . The pivotable portion  23  can be a shaft or an axle type of structure. Moreover, two lateral sides of the first connector  1  have corresponding tracks  12  arranged thereon. The pivotable portions  23  of the protective casing  2  are slidably engaged to the tracks  12  such that the protective casing  2  can slidably disposed on the first connector  1 . The first connector  1  can move and rotate in various directions between the two coupling arms  22  via sliding movements between the pivotable portions  23  of the protective casing  2  and the tracks  12  of the first connector  1 . 
     The pivotable portion  23  of the protective casing  2  can slide to near an end portion of the track  12  of the first connector  1  such that the case body  21  of the protective casing  2  is sleeved over the insertion portion  11  of the first connector  1 . The two coupling arms  22  of the protective casing  2  can envelop and protect two lateral sides of the first connector  1 . The pivotable portions  23  of the protective casing  2  can also slide to a front portion of the track  12  of the first connector  1 , and then rotate the protective casing  2  to various directions in order to reveal the insertion portion  11  of the first connector  1  and thus, facilitate establishing a connection with another corresponding connector. 
     The adaptor  3  has a second connector  31  and a third connector  32  electrically connected to the second connector  31  via a circuit board  33  or other conductive components. The type and structure of the second connector  31  and the third connector  32  can be USB connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors, HDMI connectors, display port connectors, RJ connectors, AV terminals, DC terminals, connectors which are compatible with mobile phones such as iPhone, or other types of connectors, but are not limited herein. The second connector  31  is also a Micro-B USB 3.0 connector corresponding to the first connector  1 . The second connector  31  and the third connector  32  can further be encased by an outer shell  34 . 
     The second connector  31  and the first connector  1  are coupled to establish electrical connectivity. When the second connector  31  and the first connector  1  are coupled, the adaptor  3  can immediately establish electrical connectivity with the first connector  1  such that the first connector  1  can be inserted into another corresponding connector via the third connector  32  of the adaptor  3 . The pivotable portion  23  of the protective casing  2  can slide to an end portion of the track  12  of the first connector  1  such that the third connector  32  is exposed from the case body  21  of the protective casing  2  to facilitate insertion to another corresponding connector. The pivotable portion  23  of the protective casing  2  can also slide from a front portion of the track  12  of the first connector  1  such that the third connector  32  is received and protected in the case body  21  of the protective casing  2 . 
     The case body  21  of the protective casing  2  may include a pressable portion  24  flexibly move upwards and downwards and arranged on top and bottom portions of the case body  21 . In the instant embodiment, the pressable portion  24  has a U-shaped cut slit  241  arranged proximate to the peripheral portion thereof. The slit  241  thus provides the flexible upward and downward movement for the pressable portion  24 . Lateral portions of the pressable portion  24  may have small protrusions or bump-like slip-resistant surface  25  arranged thereon. When users prefer to separate the adaptor  3  and the first connector  1 , two pressable portions  24  on the case body  21  can be pressed against. Successively, inner portions of the two pressable portions  24  immediately press against top and bottom portions of the adaptor  3  such that the adaptor  3  is clamped between the two pressable portions  24 , and the protective casing  2  and the adaptor  3  can be displaced simultaneously. As a result, the protective casing  2  and the adaptor  3  can be displaced away from the first connector  1  such that the second connector  31  of the adaptor  3  and the first connector  1  are separated. 
     Inner portions of two pressable portions  24  selectively abut top and bottom portions of the adaptor  3 . In addition, inner portions of two pressable portions  24  as well as top portions and bottom portions of the adaptor  3  can further include coupling structures  27 ,  35  arranged thereon (as shown in  FIG. 5 ). As a result, when the two pressable portions  24  are pressed, the coupling structures  27 , mutually coupled to or wedged against each other. Inner portions of the two pressable portions  24  can further securely abut top and bottom portions of the adaptor  3 . The coupling structures  27 ,  35  can be corresponding protrusions or can be a corresponding pair of mortise and tenon structure, in other words, protrusion and groove type of structure. 
     In another embodiment of the instant disclosure, the two coupling arms  22  of the protective casing  2  respectively have tracks (not shown in figures) arranged on inner portions thereof, whereas two lateral sides of the first connector  1  has corresponding pivotable portions (not shown in figures) formed thereon. The tracks of the protective casing  2  and the pivotable portions of the first connector  1  are slidably engaged to each other such that the first connector  1  can be displaced and rotated in various directions between the two coupling arms  22 . Two coupling arms  22  and the case body  21  may form pivotal connections therebetween. In other words, the two coupling arms  22  are pivotally connected to and rotate about the case body  21 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 2 . In the instant embodiment, the first connector  1  can be a Micro-B USB 2.0 connector. The first connector  1  further connects to two adaptors  5 ,  6 . Adaptors  5 ,  6  can be a type of connecting device and each adaptor  5 ,  6  has two electrically connected connectors (not shown in figures). The first connector  1  and the two adaptors  5 ,  6  are plugged to each other to establish electrical connectivity. The adaptor  5  has two coupling arms  51 . Inner portions of the two coupling arms  51  have pivotable portions  52  arranged thereon. The two pivotable portions  52  and the tracks  12  along two lateral sides of the first connector  1  are slidably engaged. The two pivotable portions  23  of the protective casing  2  and the tracks  52  along two lateral sides of the adaptor  5  are slidably engaged such that the protective casing  2  can be movably disposed on the adaptor  5 . The case body  21  of the protective casing  2  is selectively sleeved on the adaptors  5 ,  6 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3 . In the instant embodiment, the adaptor  5  has a connector  54  at a front end thereof, and the adaptor  6  has a connector  61  at a rear end thereof. The connectors  54 ,  61  are Micro-B USB 3.0 connectors for establishing a corresponding connection to each other for example. Moreover, the first connector  1  can be an electrical connector having 8 pins or above. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The adaptor  3  in the instant embodiment further has a protective cover  36  disposed thereon. The protective cover  36  may be made of soft or elastic materials. The protective cover  36  can be flipped while connected to the outer shell  34  of the adaptor  3  or other components of the adaptor  3 . The protective cover  36  is selectively sleeved on the outer portions of the third connector  32 . In order words, the protective cover  36  can be sleeved on or off the third connector  32 . The protective cover  36  pivotally connected to the adaptor  3  through a shaft, a hinge, or similar mechanisms capable of providing pivotal connection to the adaptor  3 . The protective cover  36  can also be integrally formed with the adaptor  3 . In the instant embodiment, the protective cover  36  is integrally connected to the adaptor  3  via a flexible connector  37 . To use the third connector  32 , the protective cover  36  can be flipped off and away from the third connector  32  such that the third connector  32  is exposed to facilitate insertion into another corresponding connector. When the third connector  32  is not in use, the protective cover  36  can be sleeved onto outer portions of an end of the third connector  32  to protect the third connector  32  (adaptor  3 ) from dust and scratching, etc. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4 . In the instant embodiment, the first connector  1  complies with Micro-B USB 3.0 standards. The first connector  1  can also be formed with individually movable first module  1   a  and second module  1   b . The first module  1   a  and the second module  1   b  can slidably extend out of or contract in an outer casing  1   c . The first module  1   a  and the second module  1   b  can also be connected to a push button  1   d ,  1   e  respectively, such that the first and second modules  1   a ,  1   b  can separately slide in and out of the outer casing  1   c  by pushing the push buttons  1   d ,  1   e  respectively. When the first and second modules  1   a ,  1   b  are both extended, both modules  1   a ,  1   b  is compatible with USB 3.0 connection interfaces. When only the first module  1   a  is extended, the first module  1   a  is compatible with USB 2.0 connection interfaces. Both modules  1   a ,  1   b  can also be contracted into the outer casing  1   c  to hide within the outer casing  1   c  for protection. Moreover, the first and second modules  1   a ,  1   b  can rotatably (flipped and rotate upward or downward) disposed at the outer casing  1   c , such that both modules  1   a ,  1   b  can simultaneously be used as a USB 3.0 interface connector or only the first module  1   a  is used as a USB 2.0 interface connector. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The protective casing  2  of the instant embodiment can be movably disposed on the first connector  1 . The case body  21  of the protective casing  2  is selectively sleeved on the adaptor  3 . In the instant embodiment, the protective casing  2  further has two coupling arms  22  arranged in the case body  21 . The two coupling arms  22  are slidably engaged or slip fitted in the case body  21 . Inner portions of each coupling arm  22  have the pivotable portion  23  formed thereon. The pivotable portion  23  of the protective casing  2  and the track  12  of the first connector  1  are mutually slidable with respect to each other, such that the protective casing  2  can be slidably disposed on the first connector  1 . Moreover, the case body  21  of the protective casing  21  can also relatively move with respect to the two coupling arms  22 . Furthermore, the protective casing  2  of the instant disclosure further has a protective cover  29  disposed thereon. The protective cover  29  is sleeved on a front end of the case body  21 , and selectively sleeved on outer portions of the third connector  32  to protect the third connector  32  from dust and scratching, etc. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . The protective casing  2  of the instant embodiment has a different appearance. The protective casing  2  can be movably disposed on the first connecter  1 . The case body  21  of the protective casing  2  is selectively sleeved on the first connector  1 . The protective casing  2  further has two extending arms  213  movably disposed on the adaptor  3 . Inner portions of each extending arm  213  has a shaft connector  214  formed thereon, whereas two lateral sides of the adaptor  3  respectively has two tracks  38  formed thereon. The two tracks  38  correspond to the two shaft connectors  214 . The shaft connectors  214  of the protective casing  2  and the tracks  38  of the adaptor  3  are mutually slidable with respect to each other such that the protective casing  2  can movably disposed on the adaptor  3 . The adaptor  3  can move and rotate in different directions between the two extending arms  213  through the mutual sliding between the shaft connectors  214  of the protective casing  2  and the tracks  38  of the adaptor  3 . 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     Please refer to  FIG. 10 . In the instant embodiment, the protective casing  2  has the two coupling arms  22 . Each of the two coupling arms  22  of protective casing  2  has either one pivotable portion  23  or one track  26  formed thereon, whereas each of the two lateral sides of the first connector  1  has either a track  12  or a pivotable portion  13  formed thereon respectively corresponding to the pivotable portion  23  or one track  26 . The pivotable portion  23  and the track  26  of the protective casing  2  are respectively and slidably coupled to the track  12  and the pivotable portion  13  of the first connector  1  such that the first connector  1  can move and rotate in various directions between the two coupling arms  22 . 
     In summary, the protective casing of the instant disclosure can be movably disposed on the first connector, and the case body of the protective casing is selectively sleeved on the exterior of the first connector to protect the insertion portion of the first connector or the first connector itself from damages caused by foreign objects. For example, when the first connector is not in use, the protective casing can be sleeved on the exterior of the first connector such that the first connector has preferred protection to prevent scratches or damages from foreign objects. Furthermore, the protective casing can also prevent the first connector from latching or hooking on to foreign objects to prevent damages done to the first connector itself or the foreign objects. 
     The instant disclosure also includes the protective cover which is selectively sleeved on the exterior of the connector (the third connector) of the adaptor, such that the adaptor is preferably protected from dust and damages due to scratching. 
     The figures and descriptions supra set forth illustrated the preferred embodiments of the instant disclosure; however, the characteristics of the instant disclosure are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, combinations or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the instant disclosure delineated by the following claims.