Patent Publication Number: US-7214075-B2

Title: Portable memory device with waterproof structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to a portable memory device, and particularly to a portable memory device with a waterproof structure which can provide the memory device a good protection. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   A kind of memory device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,926,544 B2 (the &#39;544 patent) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,400 B2 (the &#39;400 patent) is internally provided with memory unit for storing and transmitting data. The memory device is equipped with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port playing role of plug and interference between the memory unit and a computer. The computer could read data stored in the memory unit through the USB port or could record necessary data on the memory unit. When the USB port detached from the computer, the memory device can be carried by a user to any other place or be connected to another computer. Therefore, the portable memory device is highly mobile and convenient for use. 
   Such memory device generally has a structure to protect the USB port from collision, damage, distortion or deformation, e.g. the cover, the spring and positioning structure in the &#39;544 patent and the &#39;400 patent. However, there is a problem that once the memory device is in a watery or wet condition or even be dropped in water by carelessness, the memory devices of the prior arts are susceptible to water leakage that lead to short-out and damage the circuits connected with the USB port, as the cover of the &#39;544 patent is discontinuous with the USB port and the USB port of the &#39;400 patent is still exposed to exterior in their protective position. 
   So, it is necessary to provide a memory device with waterproof structure to protect the device from water leakage in order to withstand a watery condition. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable memory device with a waterproof structure to protect a USB mating port thereof. 
   In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a portable memory device with a waterproof structure is provided. The portable memory device comprises a memory unit, a USB mating port electrically connecting with the memory unit, a protective case detachably mated with the USB mating port to have the mating port unexposed outside, and a plastic waterproof member secured in the case, the plastic waterproof member being pressed against a periphery of the USB mating port to seal a gap between the USB mating port and the case. The USB mating port is protected in the case form water leakage. Furthermore, the plastic waterproof member imposes a perpendicular force on the USB mating port rising from plastic deformation thereof. Therefore, the USB mating port and the case is firmly engaged with each other. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective schematic assembly view of a portable memory device with a protective case in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  a perspective schematic view showing a USB mating port of the portable memory device detached from the protective case; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , while taken from another aspect; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the protective case and a pair of waterproof members shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a partially sectional view of the protective cap taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 1 , showing the waterproof member in the case being pressed against a periphery of the USB mating port when the USB mating port is inserted into the protective case. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Reference will now be made to the drawing figures to describe the present invention in detail. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 1–3 , a portable memory device  1  in accordance with the present invention comprises an elongate insulative housing  10 , a memory unit (not shown) received in the insulative housing  10 , a USB mating port  20  electrically connecting with the memory unit, a protective case  30  detachably mated with the USB mating port  20  in a mating direction and a pair of waterproof members  32  secured in the case  30  to waterproof a gap between the protective case  30  and the mating port  20 . 
   The insulative housing  10  extends in a longitudinal direction. One end of insulative housing  10  is provided with the USB mating port  20 , while the other end thereof is provided with a protrusions  11  with a through hole  110  defined therein for a string or a key ring passing through and tied, to facilitate user&#39;s carrying of the memory device  1 . The USB mating port  20  and the protrusion  11  both extend outside the insulative housing  10 . The USB mating port  20  has a conventional structure, which includes a substantial rectangular tubular metal shell  21 , a mating set  22  received in the shell  21  and a plurality of contacts  40  arranged on the mating set  22  and electrically connecting with the memory unit. The metal shell  21  defines a pair of opposite sidewalls  210 ,  212 . Two pairs of through holes  211  are defined in the sidewalls  210 ,  212  symmetrically. An outer surface  213  of the metal shell  21  defines a periphery of the USB mating port  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5  in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the case  30  is in a shape of rectangular tube defining a receiving space  300 , a mating end  301  with an opening  303  defined therein and a rear end  302  opposite to the mating end  301 . The receiving space  300  is enclosed by four sidewalls (not labeled) of the case  30  and the rear end  302 . The protective case  30  is recessed a pair of ring-shaped receiving recesses  304  in an inner surface  305  of the case  30 . The waterproof members  32  are in a ring shape, too. The pair of waterproof members  32  are made of plastic synthesize rubber. In assembly, the pair of plastic waterproof members  32  is pressed into the receiving recesses  304  and partly into the receiving space  300 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the mating port  20  is fully inserted into the protective case  30 , the ring shaped waterproof members  32  surround and are pressed against the outer surface  213  of the metal shell  21 , and between the through holes  211  and the mating end  301  of the case  30  in the mating direction. The pair of waterproof members  32  seals a gap between the outer surface  213  and the inner surface  305  of the case  30 . In other words, a water path into the USB mating port is sealed. The USB mating port  20  is protected in the case  30  from water leakage. Furthermore, the plastic waterproof members  32  impose a perpendicular force, rising from plastic deformation of the plastic waterproof members  32 , on the periphery (outer surface  213  of the metal shell  21 ) of the USB mating port  20 . Therefore, the USB mating port  20  and the protective case  30  is firmly engaged with each other. It is noted that there are a pair of waterproof members in the preferred embodiment in accordance the present invention to protect the mating port from water penetration, obviously, a arrangement that one or three plastic waterproof members are provided to protect the mating port from water penetration also meets the waterproof demand discussed above. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.