Patent Publication Number: US-8979598-B2

Title: Assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to an assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve; in particular, to a connecting device providing better protection. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Conventional connecting devices are connection elements and their supplemental accessories used on electronic signaling and electric power, mainly for facilitating accurate transmission of signals between different products. Conventional connecting devices are of many different types and structures, and can be applied on computers, peripheral devices for computers, industrial devices, telecommunication and communication, automobile, transportation, domestic appliance, medical equipment, etc. 
     Most conventional connecting devices each have an insulation main body and a plurality of endpoints disposed on the insulation main body. When the connecting device is not in use, the insulation main body and the a plurality of endpoints are exposed, vulnerable to scratching and damage. Additionally, an exposed insulation main body and endpoints are likely to catch other objects, thereby damaging said other objects or the connecting device itself. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve for preventing a connector from being damaged or damaging other objects. 
     In order to achieve the aforementioned object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the present disclosure provides an assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve, including: a first connector having a plugging portion, and a protective sleeve having a sheath. The protective sleeve is movably coupled to the first connector. The sheath of the protective sleeve selectively sleeves the first connector. 
     The present disclosure further provides an assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve, including: an adapter having two connectors electrically connected to each other, and a protective sleeve having a sheath. The protective sleeve is movably coupled to the adapter. The sheath of the protective sleeve selectively sleeves the adapter. 
     The protective sleeve of the present disclosure is movably coupled to the first connector. The sheath of the protective sleeve selectively sleeves the first connector, for preventing the plugging portion of the first connector from being damaged or damaging other objects. 
     In order to further the understanding regarding the present invention, the following embodiments are provided along with illustrations to facilitate the disclosure of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a first embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows another perspective exploded diagram of a first embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective diagram of a first embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a second embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a third embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a fourth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective diagram of a fourth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a fifth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective diagram of a fifth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective exploded diagram of a sixth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a partial structural perspective diagram of a seventh embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  shows a partial-structure perspective diagram of an eighth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional diagram (1) of a first embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  shows a cross-sectional diagram (2) of a first embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 15  shows a partial-structure perspective diagram of a ninth embodiment of a connecting device of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The aforementioned illustrations and following detailed descriptions are exemplary for the purpose of further explaining the scope of the present invention. Other objectives and advantages related to the present invention will be illustrated in the subsequent descriptions and appended drawings. 
     First Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the present disclosure provides an assembled connecting device with a protective sleeve including a first connector  1  and a protective sleeve  2 . The type and structure of the first connector  1  is not limited. The first connector  1  can be an USB connector, an IEEE1394 connector, an HDMI connector, a display port connector, an RJ connector, an AV terminal, a DC terminal, an iphone connector, or other types of connectors. The first connector  1  can be electrically connected to a cable  4  or other devices. The cable  4  can be flat, round, or a shape not limited herein. The structure of connector  1  is conventional knowledge and therefore is not further described here. 
     The protective sleeve  2  can be made of plastic, metal or a material not limited herein. The protective sleeve  2  has a hollow sheath  21 . The protective sleeve  2  can be movably coupled to the first connector  1 . The sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  selectively sleeves the first connector  1 . Namely, the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  can be selected to sleeve at least a partial region of the first connector  1  (such as a plugging portion  11 ). The sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  can also be selected to not sleeve the first connector  1 . 
     The shape and structure of the protective sleeve  2  are not limited, and can be modified according to the shape and structure of the first connector  1 . In the present embodiment, the sheath  21  roughly forms a rectangular-prism for receiving the plugging portion  11  of the first connector  1 . The dimensions of the sheath  21  are bigger than the dimensions of the plugging portion  11 . Namely, the height, width and length of the sheath  21  are respectively bigger than the height, width and length of the plugging portion  11 , such that the plugging portion  11  can be selectively accommodated within the sheath  21 , and an appropriate gap is formed between the plugging portion  11  and the sheath  21 . 
     In the present embodiment, the protective sleeve  2  has two link arms  22  extending from two sides of the sheath  21 . The link arms  22  can be fixedly or pivotally connected to the sheath  21 . The two link arms  22  and the sheath  21  of the present embodiment are a single integrated body. Pivot parts  23  are formed respectively on the interior sides of the link arms  22 . The pivot part  23  can be a pivot structure, etc. Corresponding sliding grooves  12  are disposed on two sides of the first connector  1 . The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  and the sliding grooves  12  of the first connector  1  slidably work in concert such that the protective sleeve  2  can be movably coupled to the first connector  1 . The first connector  1  can move and rotate in different directions between the two link arms  22  by the sliding of the pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  within the sliding grooves  12  of the first connector  1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 13 , the pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can slide to the rear end of the sliding grooves  12  of the first connector  1 , cause the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  to sleeve the plugging portion  11  of the first plug  1 , and protect the first connector  1  by shielding its two sides with the link arms  22  of the protective sleeve  2 . The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can also slide to the front end of the sliding groove  12  of the first connector  1  (as shown in  FIG. 14 ), and then turn the protective sleeve  2  in a different direction such that the plugging portion  11  of the first connector  1  is exposed available for plugging into docking connectors. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the connecting device of the present disclosure can further include an adapter  3 , which has a second connector  31  and a third connector  32  electrically connected to each other by a circuit board  33  or other suitable conducting elements. The type and structure of the second connector  31  and the third connector  32  are not limited, and can be an USB connector, an IEEE1394 connector, an HDMI connector, a display port connector, an RJ connector, an AV terminal, a DC terminal, an iphone connector, or other types of connectors. The second connector  31  and the first connector  1  are corresponding electrical connectors. An outer case  34  can cover the second connector  31  and the third connector  32 . 
     The second connector  32  and the first connector  1  are selectively mated to achieve electrical connection. When the second connector  31  and the first connector  1  are plugged to each other, the adapter  3  can be electrically connected to the first connector  1  such that the first connector  1  can be connected to a dock connector through the third connector  32  of the adapter  3 . As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 13 , the pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can slide to the rear ends of the sliding grooves  12  of the first connector  1 , such that the third connector  32  is exposed from the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2 , for plugging into a dock connector. The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can also slide to the front ends of the sliding grooves  12  of the first connector  1  (not shown in the figure), such that the third connector  32  is housed within the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  for protecting the third connector  32 . 
     Pressing parts  24  which are flexible in a vertical direction can be disposed on the top and bottom portions of the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2 . In the present embodiment, the perimeters of the pressing parts  24  each form a U shaped indentation  241 , such that the pressing parts  24  can form a sheet body which are flexible in a vertical direction. An uneven anti-slipping surface  25  is disposed on the outer side of each of the pressing parts  24 . When the user wants to separate the adapter  3  from the first connector  1 , he can press his fingers on the two pressing parts  24  on the sheath  21 . The interior sides of the two pressing parts  24  abut the top and bottom of the adapter  3 , such that the two pressing parts  24  grip the connector  3  so that the protective sleeve  2  and the adapter  3  can move in concert. In this manner the protective sleeve  2  and the adapter  3  can be moved further away from the first connector  1 , such that the second connector  31  of the adapter  3  separates from the first connector  1  (as shown in  FIG. 14 ). 
     The interior sides of the two pressing parts  24  selectively abut the top and bottom of the adapter  3 . Engagement structures  27  and  35  can also be disposed between the interior sides of the two pressing parts  24  and the top and bottom of connector  3 , such that when the pressing parts  24  are being pressed, the engagement structures  27  and  35  can mutually engage so that the interior sides of the pressing parts  24  can abut the top and bottom of the adapter  3  more securely. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the interior sides of the two link arms  22  of the protective sleeve  2  respectively have sliding grooves  26 . Pivot parts  13  corresponding to the sliding grooves  26  are formed on two sides of the first connector  1 . The sliding grooves  26  of the protective sleeve  2  and the pivot parts  13  of the first connector  1  slidably work in concert, such that the first connector  1  can move between the two link arms  22  and turn in different directions. The method of operation and effect of the present embodiment are generally similar to those of the previous embodiment and therefore are not further detailed herein. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the two link arms  22  of the present embodiment are pivotally connected to the sheath  21 . In other words, the two link arms  22  can rotate about the sheath  21 . 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the connecting device of the present embodiment includes a first connector  1  and a protective sleeve  2 . The main difference of the present embodiment lies in that a cable clasp  14  is disposed on the rear end of the first connector  1  and fixed onto the cable  4 . The structure and method of fixture of the cable clasp  14  is not limited herein. In the present embodiment, the cable clasp  14  has two connected covers  141 . The two adjacent faces on the two covers  141  each have a cable groove  142  disposed thereon. A plurality of protruding impeding parts  143  can be disposed on the interior walls of the cable grooves  142 . The two covers  141  of the cable clasp  14  can be closed upon each other, thereafter fixed by locking or gluing. The cable clasp  14  fixedly clasps the cable  4  on the rear end of the first connector  1 , such that the cable  4  is accommodated between the grooves  142  of the two covers  141 , and uses the impeding parts  143  to grasp the cable  4  such that the cable clasp  14  firmly clasps the cable  4 . 
     Sliding grooves  144  are respectively formed on two sides of the cable clasp  14 . The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  and the sliding grooves  144  of the cable clasp  14  slidably work in concert such that the protective sleeve  2  can be movably coupled to the first connector  1 , and the first connector  1  can move between the two link arms  22  and turn in different directions. 
     The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can slide to the front ends of the sliding grooves  144  of the cable clasp  14  (not shown in the figure), in order to facilitate the sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  to sleeve the plugging portion  11  of the first connector. The pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  can also slide to the rear ends of the sliding grooves  144  of the cable clasp  14  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ), such that the plugging portion  11  of the first connector  1  is exposed, for plugging into a dock connector. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the connecting device of the present embodiment includes a first connector  1  and a protective sleeve  2 . The main difference of the present embodiment lies in that the appearances of the first connector  1  and the protective sleeve  2  are slightly modified. The method of operation and effect of the present embodiment are generally similar to those of the previous embodiment and therefore are not detailed further herein. 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the first connector  1  of the present embodiment further connects to two adapters  5  and  6  which can be considered a connecting device. The adapters  5  and  6  each have two connectors electrically connected to each other (not shown in the figure). The first connector  1  mates with the two adapters  5  and  6  to achieve electrical connection. The adapter  5  has two link arms  51 , the interior sides of which have pivot parts  52  formed thereon. The two pivot parts  52  and the sliding grooves  12  on two sides of the first connector  1  slidably work in concert. The two pivot parts  23  of the protective sleeve  2  and the sliding grooves  53  on two sides of the adapter  5  slidably work in concert, such that the protective sleeve  2  can be movably coupled to the adapter  5 . The sheath  21  of the protective sleeve  2  selectively sleeves the adapter  5 . 
     Seventh and Eighth Embodiments 
     Referring to  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 , one end on each of the two link arms  22  of the present embodiment is fixedly plugged to the sheath  21 . The two link arms  22  can be connected there-between by a connecting rod  28 . One end on each of the two link arms  22  can be fixedly plugged to corresponding jacks  211  on the sheath  21 . Retaining parts  212  can protrude from the interior walls of the jacks  211  for retaining link arms  22 . 
     Ninth Embodiment 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the link arms  22  of the present embodiment each have a first section  221  and a second section  222  connected to each other, such that the two link arms  22  of the protective sleeve  2  can bend in different angles. 
     The protective sleeve of the present disclosure can be movably coupled to the first connector. The sheath of the protective sleeve selectively sleeves the first connector, for protecting the plugging portion of the first connector in order to prevent the first connector from damaging or being damaged by other objects. For example, when the first connector is not in use, the protective sleeve can sleeve the first connector such that the first connector can be better protected, preventing the first protector from being scratched and damaged by other objects. The protective sleeve sleeved on the first connector also prevents the first connector from catching and damaging other objects. 
     The descriptions illustrated supra set forth simply the preferred embodiments of the present invention; however, the characteristics of the present invention are by no means restricted thereto. All changes, alternations, or modifications conveniently considered by those skilled in the art are deemed to be encompassed within the scope of the present invention delineated by the following claims.