Patent Publication Number: US-2015087185-A1

Title: Accessory connector

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a connector, and more particularly to an accessory connector that provides conversion between different configurations or specifications. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     USB connectors are commonly used. Almost each type of electronic device includes a USB connector. However, due to the current prevailing and use of connectors, besides the USB connectors, micro USB connectors of which the size is even smaller than the USB connectors are also available and are commonly installed and used in electronic devices, such as the smart phones for transmission of information. However, any attempt to connect a USB connector to a micro USB connector will certainly fail due to the difference of size and this makes it impossible for interconnection and data transmission between two different electronic devices may be prohibited. This is certainly inconvenient to the users. 
     Thus, it is a challenge for the present inventor and the manufacturers of the business to overcome the above discussed problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above-discussed problems, the present invention aims to provide an accessory connector that allows for conversion between connectors of different types or specifications. 
     The primary object of the present invention is that through conversion of female/male, male/male, or female/female achieved between a first insertion port and a second insertion port, even there is only a USB interface or a micro USB interface available in a specific condition, the conversion into a micro USB interface or a USB interface can be made for proceeding with data communication. 
     To achieve the above object, the present invention is of a structure that generally comprises a plurality of metal conductive terminals. The metal conductive terminals are arranged not to contact each other to form individual pins. The metal conductive terminals provide information connection between the first insertion port and the second insertion port, wherein the conversion between the first insertion port and the second insertion port can be a combination of a plug and a socket, a combination of a plug and a plug, or a combination of a socket and a socket. The plug and socket can be of a USB interface or a micro USB interface. To interconnect and convert into another type of insertion port, transmission can be made from the first insertion port through the metal conductive terminals to the second insertion port to achieve the conversion thereby achieving the purpose of conversion of connector. 
     With the above technique, the drawback of the known connectors that conversion of specifications between connectors is not available can be overcome to achieve the above-described advantages of the present invention. 
     The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts. 
     Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a combination of a USB socket and a micro USB plug. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view showing the combination of a USB socket and a micro USB plug. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view showing the combination of a USB socket and a micro USB plug with casing removed but shown in dashed line to illustrate inside details. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating an operation of opening a cover. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an operation for connection with a USB plug and a micro USB socket. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing completed connection with the USB plug and the micro USB socket. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a combination of a USB plug and a USB plug. 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view showing the combination of a USB plug and a USB plug with casing removed but shown in dashed line to illustrate inside details. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a combination of a USB socket and a USB socket. 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view showing the combination of a USB socket and a USB socket with casing removed but shown in dashed line to illustrate inside details. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a combination of a micro USB socket and a USB plug. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing a combination of a micro USB plug and a micro USB plug. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a combination of a micro USB socket and a micro USB socket. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing a combination of a USB socket and a micro USB socket. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating an operation of sideways rotation of a cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , which are perspective views and a top plan view showing a combination of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug and a micro USB socket and operations thereof, these drawings clearly show that the present invention comprises the following components: 
     At least an insulation body  2  is provided. 
     A plurality of metal conductive terminals  3  is provided so as to not contact each other and form individual pins. 
     A first insertion port  11  is formed at one end of the accessory connector  1  and is made in a plug form. The first insertion port  11  comprises one end of the insulation body  2  and one end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3 . 
     A second insertion port  12  is formed at an opposite end of the accessory connector  1  and is in electrical connection with the first insertion port  11  by means of the metal conductive terminals  3 . The second insertion port  12  comprises an opposite end of the insulation body  2  and an opposite end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3 . The second insertion port  12  is made in a socket form. 
     At least one shielding casing  4  receives the insulation body  2 , each of the metal conductive terminals  3 , the first insertion port  11 , and the second insertion port  12  therein. 
     Firstly, an example where the first insertion port  11  is a micro USB plug and the second insertion port  12  is a USB socket provided in the instant embodiment. When a user attempts to convert a USB plug  5  into a micro USB plug by using the present invention, the user directly insert the USB plug  5  into the second insertion port  12  to be in electrical connection with the first insertion port  11 , which is in the form of a micro USB socket, via the metal conductive terminals  3 . Afterwards, the first insertion port  11  can be used to insert to a micro USB plug. 
     Further, before the above operation is carried out, a cover  6  that covers the first insertion port  11  must be first opened to allow for the subsequent use. The cover  6  provides various functions, such as dustproofness and aesthetics. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , which are respectively a perspective views showing a combination of a USB plug and a USB plug and a top plan view of the combination of a USB plug and a USB plug with a casing shown in dashed lines, these drawings clearly show that the present invention comprises the following components: 
     At least an insulation body  2   a  is provided. 
     A plurality of metal conductive terminals  3   a  is provided so as to not contact each other and form individual pins. 
     A first insertion port  11   a  is formed at one end of the accessory connector  1   a  and is made in a plug form. The first insertion port  11   a  comprises one end of the insulation body  2   a  and one end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3   a.    
     A second insertion port  12   a  is formed at an opposite end of the accessory connector  1   a  and is in electrical connection with the first insertion port  11   a  by means of the metal conductive terminals  3   a.  The second insertion port  12   a  comprises an opposite end of the insulation body  2   a  and an opposite end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3   a.  The second insertion port  12   a  is made in a plug form. 
     At least one shielding casing  4   a  receives the insulation body  2   a,  each of the metal conductive terminals  3   a,  the first insertion port  11   a,  and the second insertion port  12   a  therein. 
     As such, the operation of the instant embodiment is substantially identical to that of the previous embodiment so that repeated description will be omitted. However, the instant embodiment is different from the previously described structure in that the first insertion port  11   a  and the second insertion port  12   a  are both in a plug form to allow for conversion from a socket to a plug. Further, in the instant embodiment, both ends being USB plugs is taken as an example, but it is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , which are respectively a perspective views showing a combination of a USB socket and a USB socket and a top plan view of the combination of a USB socket and a USB socket with a casing shown in dashed lines, these drawings clearly show that the present invention comprises the following components: 
     At least an insulation body  2   b  is provided. 
     A plurality of metal conductive terminals  3   b  is mounted to the insulation body  2   b  and the metal conductive terminals  3   b  do not contact each other and form individual pins. 
     A first insertion port  11   b  is formed at one end of the accessory connector  1   b  and is made in a socket form. The first insertion port  11   b  comprises one end of the insulation body  2   b  and one end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3   b.    
     A second insertion port  12   b  is formed at an opposite end of the accessory connector  1   b  and is in electrical connection with the first insertion port  11   b  by means of the metal conductive terminals  3   b.  The second insertion port  12   b  comprises an opposite end of the insulation body  2   b  and an opposite end of each of the metal conductive terminals  3   b.  The second insertion port  12   a  is made in a socket form. 
     At least one shielding casing  4   b  receives the insulation body  2   b,  each of the metal conductive terminals  3   b,  the first insertion port  11   b,  and the second insertion port  12   b  therein. 
     As such, the operation of the instant embodiment is substantially identical to that of the previous embodiment so that repeated description will be omitted. However, the instant embodiment is different from the previously described structure in that the first insertion port  11   a  is in a socket form and the second insertion port  12   a  is in a socket form to allow for conversion from a plug to a socket. Further, in the instant embodiment, both ends being USB sockets is taken as an example, but it is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 14 , which are perspective views showing a combination of a micro USB socket and a USB plug, a combination of a micro USB plug and a micro USB plug, a combination of a micro USB socket and a micro USB socket, and a combination of a USB socket and a micro USB socket, these drawings clearly show that besides the embodiments and forms described above, the present invention also provides accessory connectors  1   c,    1   d,    1   e,    1   f  that are of different forms and configurations, in which  FIG. 11  shows an embodiment of a combination of a micro USB socket and a USB plug;  FIG. 12  shows an embodiment of a combination of a micro USB plug and a micro USB plug;  FIG. 13  shows an embodiment of a combination of a micro USB socket and a micro USB socket; and  FIG. 14  shows an embodiment of a combination of a USB socket and a micro USB socket. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , which illustrates an operation of sideways rotation of a cover. The drawing clearly shows that besides being rotatable up and down, the cover  6   g  can be made a structure allowing for horizontal rotation. 
     Thus, the features that the present invention provides for overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art techniques are as follows: 
     Through conversion of female/male, male/male, or female/female achieved between the first insertion port  11  and the second insertion port  12 , even there is only a USB interface or a micro USB interface available in a specific condition, the conversion into a micro USB interface or a USB interface can be made for proceeding with data communication. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.