Patent Description:
Host devices may be compatible with or usable with accessories and/or other devices that may be connectable to the host device. Frequently these devices are connected via a physical connection in order to stably mount the accessory and/or other device to the host device. The host device and accessory and/or other device may further be connected via an electrical connection. A connector may provide a physical connection or electrical connection or both. <CIT> relates to security systems and methods for securing an item of merchandise from theft or unauthorized removal. For example, the security system may include a sensor configured to be coupled to the item of merchandise and a charging circuit for providing power to the sensor and/or the item of merchandise. The security system may also include a cable connected to the sensor and at least one optical transceiver for defining a sense loop between the cable and the sensor. <CIT> relates to an adapter for a mobile device. The adapter comprises a plug including an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface opposite the outer surface. The adapter further comprises a surface mount connection port located at the outer surface. The adapter further comprises a male connector extending from the inner surface. The adapter further comprises one or more electrical connections between the male connector and the surface mount connection port. The plug is configured to mate with a socket of a device, and the male connector is configured to mate with a respective female connection port of the device located within the socket, the outer surface of the plug being flush with a respective outer surface of the device when the plug is mated with the socket. <CIT> discloses an all-in-one combined type data line. The all-in-one combined type data line comprises a first adapter, a second adapter, a connecting rope, a wire and a data interface; one end of the connecting rope is movably connected with the first adapter, the other end of the connecting rope is movably connected with the second adapter, two ends of the connecting rope are provided with bumps, a groove is disposed in one side of the first adapter, a groove is correspondingly disposed in one side of the second adapter, and the bumps at the two ends are respectively disposed in the groove of the first adapter and the groove of the second adapter; the number of the connecting rope is one; and the data interface is connected to the first adapter through the wire. The design can guarantee flexibility of a polylinker, mutual winding is prevented, and the all-in-one combined type data line is convenient to use. <CIT> relates to a connector structure of a transmission line which is disposed at one end of a cable. The connector structure includes an elastic sleeve, a first connector module, and a second connector module. The elastic sleeve has an opening or slit. The first connector module is covered by the elastic sleeve. One end of the first connector module has a first plug, and the other end has a first socket. The second connector module is covered by the elastic sleeve. One end of the second connector module has a second plug, and the other end is connected to the cable. The second plug can be pluggably connected with the first socket. The opening or slit is located adjacent to the junction part between the first connector module and the second connector module. <CIT> relates to the field of electronic product data line interface technology, and especially relates to a switching device capable of being used in different specifications of electronic products. The switching device of the utility model comprises at least two connectors distributed back and forth, the tail part of the front connector in adjacent two connectors is equipped with an interface matching the head of the rear connector, the front connector and the rear connector are plugged, and the tail part of the last connector is equipped with a connecting port connected with a data line. The switching device of the utility model comprises a plurality of connectors, one connector corresponds to one electronic product; by assembling the connectors, the switching device can be used in a plurality of electronic products; and by employing an assembly structure, the switching device is convenient in replacement and maintenance.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved tethered connector assembly. This object is solved by the subject matter of the independent claim which defines the present invention.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION. The following two aspects of the disclosure are outside the subject-matter of the claims.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, an assembly is disclosed. The assembly may include a first intermediate connector member associated with a first device and having a first connector interface and a second intermediate connector having a second connector interface. The first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector may be movable between an interfaced state in which the first connector interface is in contact with the second connector, and a tethered state in which the first connector interface is spaced apart from the second connector interface. The connector assembly may further include a tether member connecting the first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector in the tethered state. The tether may include a flexible body configured to control a path along at least an axis of either the first intermediate connector or the second intermediate connector during movement from the interfaced state to the tethered state.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a connector for removably connecting a first device to a second device is disclosed. The connector may include a first intermediate connector member associated with a first device and having a first connector interface and a second intermediate connector having a second connector interface and a device interface. The first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector may be movable between an interfaced state in which the first connector interface is in contact with the second connector interface state and a tethered state in which the first connector interface is spaced apart from the second connector interface. The connector may further include a tether member connecting the first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector in the tethered state, and a second device interface. The device interface may be connectable to the second device interface of the second device so as to provide a connected state and a separated state. The device interface contacts the second device interface in the connected state and is independent of the second device interface in the separated state.

Additional advantages and novel features of these aspects will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or upon learning by practice of the disclosure.

The features of aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The disclosure itself, however, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative aspects of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Further, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. For purposes of the disclosure, directional terms are expressed generally with relation to a standard frame of reference when accessories and/or other devices are connected to a host device.

The present disclosure is related to an improved connector system useable to connect an accessory or other device to a host device. An accessory or other device may comprise any one of, but is not limited to: a camera, a battery, an adapter, a microphone, a speaker, a display device, a keyboard, or any other input device, to name a few examples. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "other device," "accessory," and "first device" may be used interchangeably.

A host device may comprise any one of: a monitor, an all-in-one desktop computer, a tablet, a camera, a video recording device, or a mobile phone, to name a few examples. Throughout the disclosure, the terms "host device" and "second device" may be used interchangeably.

When providing a physical and/or electrical connection between an accessory to a host device, it may be desirable to provide additional protection and assurance that the accessory is not dropped if it accidentally becomes detached from the host device. For example, an accessory (e.g., a camera) may be mounted to the top of and thus may protrude from the top of a host device (e.g., a display). The camera may be mounted to the display solely to provide a physical connection between the display and the camera or may also include an electrical connection for transferring signals and/or current between the camera and the display. In order to prevent damage to the camera, the connection between the camera and display may be designed to cause the camera to break away from the display when excessive force is applied to the camera - which may be the result of a user accidentally bumping the camera or accidentally hitting the camera against another object. However, known connectors can suffer various shortcomings. One shortcoming is that if the camera breaks away from the display, the camera falls, which could cause damage to the camera due to contact of the camera with the ground or other surface, for example. Further, the camera may contact the display once the camera has broken away, which may cause damage to the display, camera, or both.

The current disclosure may overcome one or more of the aforementioned deficiencies while still providing a compact connector assembly that is visually appealing to a consumer. In implementing the current disclosure in the form of the example camera and display above, the disclosed connector assembly allows the camera to be fully disconnected from the display but also allows for the camera to remain connected to the display in a tethered state if excessive force is imparted on the camera. Thus, one example of the disclosed connector assembly provides a controlled break away of the camera from the display, which helps to prevent damage to the camera and/or the display when the camera is disconnected. Further, by controlling the path of the camera with relation to the display when the camera is broken away to a tethered state, the disclosed connector assembly may provide a controlled disconnect path at an electrical connection between the camera and the display, which may also prevent potential damage to the electrical connection. Once the camera is in the tethered state, the current disclosure allows a user to easily re-connect the camera to the display, for example,.

Referring to <FIG>, a connector system <NUM> may provide a connection between a first device <NUM> and a second device <NUM>. The connection system may include a first intermediate connector <NUM> that, for example, may be mounted to and or formed as a single component with the first device. In another example, the first intermediate connector <NUM> may be connected to a body of the first device <NUM> via any known fastener or series of fasteners or via an adhesive or ultrasonic welding, for example.

The first intermediate connector <NUM> may include a body <NUM> to which may be mounted a tether holder <NUM> that is configured to retain a tether <NUM>. The first intermediate connector <NUM> may further include one or more interfaces for connecting to adjacent connectors or devices. In one implementation, for example, the first intermediate connector <NUM> may include a first connector interface <NUM>, which in some cases may be partially concave, and which may be configured to receive a second connector interface <NUM>, which in some cases may be partially convex. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first connector interface <NUM> and the second connector interface <NUM> may be separated. Further, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second connector interface <NUM> may be configured to fit within the first connector interface <NUM>.

With further reference to <FIG>, the connector system <NUM> may further comprise the tether <NUM> that connects the first intermediate connector <NUM> to the second intermediate connector <NUM>. In one example, the tether <NUM> may be formed from a flexible or semi-flexible material, and, in some implementations, the tether <NUM> may be ribbon shaped. In the aforementioned example, the tether <NUM> may have a captive portion <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>) that is configured to fit within a tether opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the interface between captive portion <NUM> and the tether opening <NUM> causes a first end of the tether <NUM> to be retained within the second intermediate connector <NUM>.

According to the invention, a second end of the tether <NUM> is slidably connected to the tether holder <NUM> of the first intermediate connector <NUM>. According to the invention, in order to provide a slideable connection between the second end of the tether <NUM> and the first intermediate connector <NUM>, the tether <NUM> includes a first slot 208A and/or a second slot 208B configured to be received by and slidably retained by a first slot retaining member 204A and/or a second slot retaining member 204B, respectively. Thus, when the first intermediate connector <NUM> is separated from the second intermediate connector <NUM>, for example, in reaction to the first device <NUM> receiving a first force great enough to separate the first device <NUM> from the second device <NUM>, the first slot 208A and/or the second slot 208B of the tether <NUM> slide with relation to the first slot retaining member 204A and/or the second slot retaining member 204B. The aforementioned sliding movement between the first slot 208A and/or the second slot 208B of the tether <NUM> with relation to the first slot retaining member 204A and/or the second slot retaining member 204B allows the separation of the first intermediate connector <NUM> from the second intermediate connector <NUM> while maintaining a connected tethered state between the second device <NUM> and the first device <NUM>, e.g., via one or both ends of the tether <NUM> being constrained.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, one example of the tether <NUM> connects the first intermediate connector <NUM> with the second intermediate connector <NUM>. When the first intermediate connector <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> are in an interfaced state (<FIG>), the first intermediate connector <NUM> may be visible with the tether <NUM> and the second connector interface <NUM> contained within the first intermediate connector <NUM> and between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM>. If a certain amount of force is applied to the first device <NUM>, the first intermediate connector <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> may separate to a tethered state. As shown in <FIG>, in the tethered state, the first device <NUM> follows a predetermined path that may cause the first device <NUM> to pivot backwards in the Y direction. Due to the outer dimensions and material qualities of tether <NUM>, the tether <NUM> may control a path of the first device <NUM> while the first device <NUM> moves from the interfaced state to the tethered state. In the example shown in <FIG>, for example, the tether <NUM> may control a path along at least an axis of either the first intermediate connector <NUM> or the second intermediate connector <NUM> during movement from the interfaced state to the tethered state, for instance, based on the ribbon shape and/or elastic characteristics of the tether <NUM>. In one example, the tether <NUM> may control a path along at least one of the X axis or the Y axis, as referenced in <FIG>. In another aspect, the tether <NUM> may control lateral movement of the first device <NUM> with respect to the second device <NUM> along the X axis direction as shown in <FIG>.

Suitable examples of the tether <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, a molded member formed of flexible or semi-rigid material. Some example materials used to form the tether <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, at least one of: an elastomer, a rubber, or a silicone, or any other elastic material. Further, it is noted that while tether <NUM> is shown as a ribbon-shaped member throughout the figures, the tether <NUM> may also be formed as one or more strings, a cylinder, or a hollow tube.

Further, in one aspect not according to the claimed invention, as an alternative to the sliding features discussed above, the tether <NUM> may be formed of a material that is sufficiently elastic to allow for the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the first intermediate connector <NUM> to be separated to the tethered state when enough force is applied to the first device <NUM>. Further, the tether <NUM> may be configured to cause the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the first intermediate connector <NUM> to be return to the interfaced state when the force is removed. Thus, in some cases, the tether <NUM> may bias the first intermediate connector <NUM> to an interfaced state with the second intermediate connector <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the first intermediate connector may further include a first magnet <NUM> (<FIG>) to provide additional biasing force to maintain (or return to) the interfaced state. The second intermediate connector <NUM> may be wholly or partially formed of a ferromagnetic material so that a magnetic attraction force between the first magnet <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> causes or biases the first connector interface <NUM> to contact the second connector interface <NUM>. While in the aforementioned example, the first magnet <NUM> is within the first intermediate connector <NUM>, it is noted that any arrangement that provides a magnetic attraction force between the first intermediate connector <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> may be used. For example, the second intermediate connector <NUM> may include a magnet and the first intermediate connector <NUM> may comprise a ferromagnetic material. As another example, the first intermediate connector <NUM> may include a magnet or plurality of magnets that have an opposite polarity from a corresponding magnet or plurality of magnets at the second intermediate connector <NUM>. A magnet, as referenced in the current disclosure, may include any suitable magnet, for example, a magnet may include a single or plurality of magnets comprising: a neodyum iron boron magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, a ceramic magnet, a ferrite magnet, and/or a rare-earth magnet.

Turning to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in one example, the second intermediate connector <NUM> may include a device interface to guide or to enhance a connection to the second device <NUM>. For instance, the device interface may include a single or plurality of received portions(s) 211A and/or 211B. In one example implementation, the device interface of the second intermediate connector <NUM> may include a first received portion 211A and a second received portion 211B. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in one example, the first received portion 211A and the second received portion 211B may be shaped as pins or cylinders that are configured to be received by a corresponding first receiving portion 311A and second receiving portion 311B at a second device interface <NUM> of the second device. In one example implementation, the interaction between the first received portion 211A and first receiving portion 311A, and the interaction between the second received portion 211B and the second receiving portion 311B serves to guide or locate the first intermediate connector <NUM> of the first device <NUM> with respect to the second device interface <NUM> of the second device. In another example implementation, the interaction may provide additional retaining force to help maintain the connection between the components.

Referring back to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second device interface <NUM> of the second device may include a second magnet <NUM> to enhance or bias the connection between the components. The second intermediate connector <NUM> may be wholly or partially formed of a ferromagnetic material so that a magnetic attraction force between the second magnet <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> causes the device interface <NUM> to mate with and contact the second device interface <NUM>. Although, in the aforementioned example, the second magnet <NUM> is within the second device <NUM> within the vicinity of the second device interface, it is noted that any arrangement that provides a magnetic attraction force between the second device interface <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> may be used. For example, the second intermediate connector <NUM> may include a magnet and the second device interface <NUM> may include a ferromagnetic material. As another example, the second device interface <NUM> may include a magnet or plurality of magnets that have an opposite polarity as a respective magnet or plurality of magnets at the second intermediate connector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the interaction between the received portions 211A/B and the receiving portions 311A/B, and/or the magnetic attraction force between the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the second device interface <NUM> may allow the first device <NUM> to be connected and/or disconnected from the second device <NUM>. Further, the aforementioned features may be configured to allow the first device <NUM> to completely separate from the second device <NUM> via an interface between the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the second device interface <NUM> when a second force is applied to the first device. This separation may provide additional assurance to a user that the first device will separate from the second device, for example, instead of breaking.

For instance, in an implementation, the first intermediate connector <NUM> may be configured to separate from the second intermediate connector <NUM>, for example, in reaction to the first device <NUM> receiving a first force great enough to separate the first device <NUM> from the second device <NUM>. In one example implementation, the second intermediate connector <NUM> is separable from the second device interface <NUM> via a second force and the first intermediate connector <NUM> is moveable from the interfaced state to the tethered state via a first force, and the second force is greater than the first force. In one example, the second force may be between <NUM>% and <NUM>% greater than the first force. In another example, the second force may be approximately <NUM>% greater than the first force. Thus, the disclosed connector system <NUM> allows for the first device <NUM> to be removable from the second device <NUM>, while still providing the reassurance of the tether <NUM> between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an alternative connector system to the examples outlined with respect to <FIG> above is shown. The connector system includes a number of similar components to those described with respect to the connector system in <FIG> above but further includes an additional retaining interface for retaining received portions 411A and/or 411B. For the sake of simplicity, in <FIG> and <FIG>, components that may be identical or similar to those outlined with respect to <FIG> have been given the same reference numbers. The second intermediate connector <NUM> may include, for example, a device interface connectable to the second device <NUM>. The device interface may include a single or plurality of received portions(s) 611A and/or 611B. In one example implementation, the device interface of the second intermediate connector <NUM> may include a first received portion 411A and a second received portion 411B. The first received portion 411A and the second received portion 411B may be shaped as pins or cylinders that are configured to be received by a corresponding first receiving portion 511A and second receiving portion 511B at a second device interface <NUM> of the second device. However, unlike the first received portion 211A and second received portion 211B of <FIG>, the first received portion 411A and the second received portion 411B include respective locking portions 412A and 412B. Looking portions 412A and 412B may be formed as grooves that are configured to mate and interlock with respective locking springs 512A and 512B within the first and second first receiving portions 411A and 411B. The contact between the locking springs 512A and 512B and locking portions 412A and 412B of the received portions 411A and 411B may further secure the second intermediate connector <NUM> to the second device interface <NUM>. Thus, in one example implementation, the interface between the second device interface <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> may be sufficiently strong so that the second magnet <NUM> may be omitted.

As shown in <FIG>, the received portions may be omitted and second intermediate connector <NUM> may be connectable to the second device interface <NUM> via a magnetic force from a second magnet <NUM>, or the other alternative configurations the provide a magnetic attraction force between the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the second device interface <NUM> as discussed above.

In one example implementation, the interaction between the first received portion 211A and first receiving portion 311A, and the interaction between the second received portion 211B and the second receiving portion 311B, serves to guide or locate the first intermediate connector <NUM> of the first device <NUM> with respect to the second device interface <NUM> of the second device.

Turning to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the disclosed system may further include an electrical connector for exchanging signals and/or power between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM>. In one example implementation, the first device <NUM> may include a first electrical connector 319B. The first electrical connector 319B may be configured to interface with and form an operative connection with a second electrical connector 319C via an opening 319A at the second device <NUM>. When the first device <NUM> is mounted to the second device <NUM>, the electrical connector may pass through an aperture <NUM> in the second intermediate connector <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the first electrical connector 319B and second electrical connector 319C may be configured to disconnect when the first intermediate connector <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> is moved from the interfaced state to the tethered state. Further, the aforementioned structure and sliding configuration of tether <NUM> may provide a controlled disconnect path between the first electrical connector 319B and second electrical connector 319C, which may help to prevent damage to the first electrical connector 319B and/or the second electrical connector 319C when the first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector move from the interfaced state to the tethered state. In another aspect, the tether <NUM> may be structured so as to optimize the disconnect path based on the structure of the first electrical connector 319B and second electrical connector 319C (<FIG>).

Further, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first electrical connector 319B and second electrical connector 319C may also be configured to disconnect when the second intermediate connector <NUM> and the second device interface <NUM> are separated.

In another alternative aspect, the tether <NUM> and/or a portion of tether <NUM> may include a cable capable of transmitting electrical signals between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM>. First electrical connector 319B may be in signal communication with the cable and connected to the second intermediate connector <NUM>. Thus, in the aforementioned alternative aspect, the first electrical connector 319B may be configured to provide an electrical connection between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM> when the first intermediate connector <NUM> and the second intermediate connector <NUM> are in the tethered state, and may be configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the first device <NUM> and the second device <NUM> when the second device interface <NUM> and the device interface <NUM> are in the separated state.

The aforementioned first electrical connector 319B and/or second electrical connector 319C may include any suitable connector for transmitting signals and/or for providing current. Some examples may include a USB-C connector interface, a micro-USB interface, a USB-A interface, a mini-USB interface, a DisplayPort interface, a mini-DisplayPort interface, or an HDMI interface, to name a few examples. Further, while throughout the specification an electrical connection is referenced, the aforementioned first electrical connector 319B and/or second electrical connector 319C may include a fiber-optic or other optical link.

Claim 1:
An assembly, comprising:
a first intermediate connector (<NUM>) connectable to a first device and having a first connector interface (<NUM>);
a second intermediate connector (<NUM>) having a second connector interface (<NUM>);
wherein the first intermediate connector (<NUM>) and the second intermediate connector (<NUM>) are movable between an interfaced state in which the first connector interface (<NUM>) is in contact with the second connector interface (<NUM>) and a tethered state in which the first connector interface (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the second connector interface (<NUM>); and
a tether member (<NUM>) connecting the first intermediate connector (<NUM>) and the second intermediate connector (<NUM>) in the tethered state, wherein the tether member (<NUM>) is a flexible body configured to control a path along at least an axis of either the first intermediate connector (<NUM>) or the second intermediate connector (<NUM>) during movement from the interfaced state to the tethered state, and
a first end of the tether member (<NUM>) is retained within the second intermediate connector (<NUM>); characterised in that a second end of the tether member (<NUM>) is slidably connected to the first intermediate connector (<NUM>) by means of the tether member (<NUM>) including a first slot (208A) and/or a second slot (208B) configured to be received by and slidably retained by a first slot retaining member (204A) and/or a second slot retaining member (204B).