Patent Publication Number: US-6902428-B2

Title: Connector with changeable connecting manner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application Serial No. 091219665 filed on Dec. 4, 2002. 
   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a connector, and especially to a connector with a changeable connecting manner. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A connector connects a first electronic device, such as a card reader, to a second electronic device, like a computer, and transmits information between them. One end of the connector is then inserted into a first socket of the second electronic device. However, connectors with large size, such as conventional universal serial bus (USB) connectors, would hinder a third electronic device from connecting to a second socket adjacent to the first socket of the second electronic device through another connector. 
   Although extra extended-lines between the connector and the socket could solve the above-mentioned problem, it is inconvenient for users to handle them. Consequently, a connector without extra accessories and occupying less space is required. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a connector for connecting a first electronic device to a second electronic device. The connector includes a body, a wire and a plug. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the body defines a space for the wire to pass through. The wire has a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to connect to the first electronic device. The plug has a third end configured to connect to the second end. Accordingly, the plug is selectively disposed in the space or outside the space by means of the wire to connect to the second electronic device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an explosive view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the body and the plug of the exemplary embodiment when they separated; 
       FIG. 2B  is a side view of the body and the plug of the exemplary embodiment separated; 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of the body and the plug of the exemplary embodiment combined; and 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of the body and the plug of the exemplary embodiment combined. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention provides a connector  1  for connecting a first electronic device  10  (depicted with dash line) to a second electronic device  20  (depicted with dash line). Here the second electronic device  20  has a socket (not shown). Additionally, the connector  1  may be integrated in to the first electronic device  10 . 
   The connector  1  includes a body  11 , a wire  13  and a plug  15 . The body  11  defines a space  111  for the wire  13  to pass through. The wire  13  has a first end  131  and a second end  133 . The first end  131  is configured to connect to the first electronic device  10 . The plug  15  has a third end  151  and a fourth end  153 . The third end  151  is configured to connect to the second end  133  of the wire  13 . The fourth end  153  is configured to insert into the socket of the second electronic device  20 . 
   Accordingly, when there is enough room around the socket, the plug  15  may be disposed in the space  111  to connect to the socket. And when there is not enough room around the socket, the plug  15  may be configured outside the space  111  by means of the wire  13  to connect to the socket. In other words, depending on the room available, the plug  15  could be selectively disposed in the space  111  or outside the space  111  by means of the wire  13  in order to connect to the second electronic device  20 . Therefore, the connector  1  of the present invention works without the limits of room available, does not need extra accessories, and is still easy to use and carry. 
   The present invention may further include a latch set  17 . The latch set  17  includes a first latch  175 , a second latch  177 , and corresponding holes  171  and  173 . The holes  171  and  173  are disposed on the plug  15 . When there is not enough room around the socket, the user may separate the plug  15  from the body  11 , as shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . And when there is enough room around the socket, the user may combine the plug  15  with the body  11 . Then the latch  175  is received in the hole  171 , and the latch  177  is received in the hole  173 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . Thus the latch set  17  helps fix the plug  15  in the space  111 . In this embodiment, the first latch  175  may be a flexible plate, or any other elements having similar functions. 
   In this embodiment, the connector  1  is for connecting a first electronic device  10  applying to universal serial bus to a second electronic device  20 . The first electronic device  10  may be a video/audio apparatus, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook, a digital camera, a card reader or any signal terminal. The second electronic device  20  may be a personal computer (PC), a video/audio player or any signal processing apparatus. 
   While this invention has been described with reference to the illustrative embodiment, these descriptions should not be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent upon reference to these descriptions. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as falling within the true scope of the invention and its legal equivalents.