Patent ID: 12244095

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following includes definitions of selected terms employed herein. The definitions include various examples and/or forms of components that fall within the scope of a term and that may be used for implementation. The examples are not intended to be limiting. 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 toFIGS.1-5, a connector system100may provide a connection between a first device101and a second device301. The connection system may include a first intermediate connector102that, for example, may be mounted to and or formed as a single component with the first device. In another example, the first intermediate connector102may be connected to a body of the first device101via any known fastener or series of fasteners or via an adhesive or ultrasonic welding, for example.

The first intermediate connector102may include a body206to which may be mounted a tether holder209that is configured to retain a tether207. The first intermediate connector102may further include one or more interfaces for connecting to adjacent connectors or devices. In one implementation, for example, the first intermediate connector102may include a first connector interface202, which in some cases may be partially concave, and which may be configured to receive a second connector interface203, which in some cases may be partially convex. As shown inFIGS.4and5, the first connector interface202and the second connector interface203may be separated. Further, as shown inFIGS.1,2, and6, the second connector interface203may be configured to fit within the first connector interface202.

With further reference toFIGS.1-5, the connector system100may further comprise the tether207that connects the first intermediate connector102to the second intermediate connector201. In one example, the tether207may be formed from a flexible or semi-flexible material, and, in some implementations, the tether207may be ribbon shaped. In the aforementioned example, the tether207may have a captive portion263(FIGS.2and4) that is configured to fit within a tether opening261. As shown inFIG.5, the interface between captive portion263and the tether opening261causes a first end of the tether207to be retained within the second intermediate connector201.

In some implementations, for example, a second end of the tether207may be slidably connected to the tether holder209of the first intermediate connector102. In one example, in order to provide a slideable connection between the second end of the tether207and the first intermediate connector102, the tether207may include a first slot208A and/or a second slot208B configured to be received by and slidably retained by a first slot retaining member204A and/or a second slot retaining member204B, respectively. Thus, when the first intermediate connector102is separated from the second intermediate connector201, for example, in reaction to the first device101receiving a first force great enough to separate the first device101from the second device301, the first slot208A and/or the second slot208B of the tether207slide with relation to the first slot retaining member204A and/or the second slot retaining member204B. The aforementioned sliding movement between the first slot208A and/or the second slot208B of the tether207with relation to the first slot retaining member204A and/or the second slot retaining member204B allows the separation of the first intermediate connector102from the second intermediate connector201while maintaining a connected tethered state between the second device301and the first device101, e.g., via one or both ends of the tether207being constrained.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, one example of the tether207connects the first intermediate connector102with the second intermediate connector201. When the first intermediate connector102and the second intermediate connector201are in an interfaced state (FIG.6), the first intermediate connector102may be visible with the tether207and the second connector interface203contained within the first intermediate connector102and between the first device101and the second device301. If a certain amount of force is applied to the first device101, the first intermediate connector102and the second intermediate connector201may separate to a tethered state. As shown inFIG.7, in the tethered state, the first device101follows a predetermined path that may cause the first device101to pivot backwards in the Y direction. Due to the outer dimensions and material qualities of tether207, the tether207may control a path of the first device101while the first device101moves from the interfaced state to the tethered state. In the example shown inFIG.7, for example, the tether207may control a path along at least an axis of either the first intermediate connector102or the second intermediate connector201during movement from the interfaced state to the tethered state, for instance, based on the ribbon shape and/or elastic characteristics of the tether207. In one example, the tether207may control a path along at least one of the X axis or the Y axis, as referenced inFIG.7. In another aspect, the tether207may control lateral movement of the first device101with respect to the second device301along the X axis direction as shown inFIG.7.

Suitable examples of the tether207may include, but are not limited to, a molded member formed of flexible or semi-rigid material. Some example materials used to form the tether207may 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 tether207is shown as a ribbon-shaped member throughout the figures, the tether207may also be formed as one or more strings, a cylinder, or a hollow tube.

Further, in one aspect, as an alternative to the sliding features discussed above, the tether207may be formed of a material that is sufficiently elastic to allow for the second intermediate connector201and the first intermediate connector102to be separated to the tethered state when enough force is applied to the first device101. Further, the tether207may be configured to cause the second intermediate connector201and the first intermediate connector102to be return to the interfaced state when the force is removed. Thus, in some cases, the tether207may bias the first intermediate connector102to an interfaced state with the second intermediate connector201.

Referring again toFIGS.1-5, the first intermediate connector may further include a first magnet205(FIGS.2-5) to provide additional biasing force to maintain (or return to) the interfaced state. The second intermediate connector201may be wholly or partially formed of a ferromagnetic material so that a magnetic attraction force between the first magnet205and the second intermediate connector201causes or biases the first connector interface202to contact the second connector interface203. While in the aforementioned example, the first magnet205is within the first intermediate connector102, it is noted that any arrangement that provides a magnetic attraction force between the first intermediate connector102and the second intermediate connector201may be used. For example, the second intermediate connector201may include a magnet and the first intermediate connector102may comprise a ferromagnetic material. As another example, the first intermediate connector102may include a magnet or plurality of magnets that have an opposite polarity from a corresponding magnet or plurality of magnets at the second intermediate connector201. 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 toFIGS.4,5, and8-12, in one example, the second intermediate connector201may include a device interface to guide or to enhance a connection to the second device301. For instance, the device interface may include a single or plurality of received portions(s)211A and/or211B. In one example implementation, the device interface of the second intermediate connector201may include a first received portion211A and a second received portion211B. As shown inFIGS.2,8,9, and10, in one example, the first received portion211A and the second received portion211B may be shaped as pins or cylinders that are configured to be received by a corresponding first receiving portion311A and second receiving portion311B at a second device interface302of the second device. In one example implementation, the interaction between the first received portion211A and first receiving portion311A, and the interaction between the second received portion211B and the second receiving portion311B serves to guide or locate the first intermediate connector102of the first device101with respect to the second device interface302of the second device. In another example implementation, the interaction may provide additional retaining force to help maintain the connection between the components.

Referring back toFIGS.2,4, and5, the second device interface302of the second device may include a second magnet305to enhance or bias the connection between the components. The second intermediate connector201may be wholly or partially formed of a ferromagnetic material so that a magnetic attraction force between the second magnet305and the second intermediate connector201causes the device interface219to mate with and contact the second device interface302. Although, in the aforementioned example, the second magnet305is within the second device301within the vicinity of the second device interface, it is noted that any arrangement that provides a magnetic attraction force between the second device interface302and the second intermediate connector201may be used. For example, the second intermediate connector201may include a magnet and the second device interface302may include a ferromagnetic material. As another example, the second device interface302may include a magnet or plurality of magnets that have an opposite polarity as a respective magnet or plurality of magnets at the second intermediate connector201.

Referring toFIGS.2,4,5, and8-12, the interaction between the received portions211A/B and the receiving portions311A/B, and/or the magnetic attraction force between the second intermediate connector201and the second device interface302may allow the first device101to be connected and/or disconnected from the second device301. Further, the aforementioned features may be configured to allow the first device101to completely separate from the second device301via an interface between the second intermediate connector201and the second device interface302when 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 connector102may be configured to separate from the second intermediate connector201, for example, in reaction to the first device101receiving a first force great enough to separate the first device101from the second device301. In one example implementation, the second intermediate connector201is separable from the second device interface302via a second force and the first intermediate connector102is 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 45% and 65% greater than the first force. In another example, the second force may be approximately 50% greater than the first force. Thus, the disclosed connector system100allows for the first device101to be removable from the second device301, while still providing the reassurance of the tether207between the first device101and the second device301.

Referring toFIGS.11and12, an alternative connector system to the examples outlined with respect toFIGS.1-10above is shown. The connector system includes a number of similar components to those described with respect to the connector system inFIGS.1-10above but further includes an additional retaining interface for retaining received portions411A and/or411B. For the sake of simplicity, inFIGS.11and12, components that may be identical or similar to those outlined with respect toFIGS.1-10have been given the same reference numbers. The second intermediate connector201may include, for example, a device interface connectable to the second device301. The device interface may include a single or plurality of received portions(s)611A and/or611B. In one example implementation, the device interface of the second intermediate connector201may include a first received portion411A and a second received portion411B. The first received portion411A and the second received portion411B may be shaped as pins or cylinders that are configured to be received by a corresponding first receiving portion511A and second receiving portion511B at a second device interface302of the second device. However, unlike the first received portion211A and second received portion211B ofFIGS.1-10, the first received portion411A and the second received portion411B include respective locking portions412A and412B. Locking portions412A and412B may be formed as grooves that are configured to mate and interlock with respective locking springs512A and512B within the first and second first receiving portions411A and411B. The contact between the locking springs512A and512B and locking portions412A and412B of the received portions411A and411B may further secure the second intermediate connector201to the second device interface302. Thus, in one example implementation, the interface between the second device interface302and the second intermediate connector201may be sufficiently strong so that the second magnet305may be omitted.

As shown inFIG.13, the received portions may be omitted and second intermediate connector201may be connectable to the second device interface302via a magnetic force from a second magnet305, or the other alternative configurations the provide a magnetic attraction force between the second intermediate connector201and the second device interface302as discussed above.

In one example implementation, the interaction between the first received portion211A and first receiving portion311A, and the interaction between the second received portion211B and the second receiving portion311B, serves to guide or locate the first intermediate connector102of the first device101with respect to the second device interface302of the second device.

Turning toFIGS.2,4,5, and7-13, the disclosed system may further include an electrical connector for exchanging signals and/or power between the first device101and the second device301. In one example implementation, the first device101may include a first electrical connector319B. The first electrical connector319B may be configured to interface with and form an operative connection with a second electrical connector319C via an opening319A at the second device301. When the first device101is mounted to the second device301, the electrical connector may pass through an aperture233in the second intermediate connector201. As shown inFIG.7, the first electrical connector319B and second electrical connector319C may be configured to disconnect when the first intermediate connector102and the second intermediate connector201is moved from the interfaced state to the tethered state. Further, the aforementioned structure and sliding configuration of tether207may provide a controlled disconnect path between the first electrical connector319B and second electrical connector319C, which may help to prevent damage to the first electrical connector319B and/or the second electrical connector319C when the first intermediate connector and the second intermediate connector move from the interfaced state to the tethered state. In another aspect, the tether207may be structured so as to optimize the disconnect path based on the structure of the first electrical connector319B and second electrical connector319C (FIG.2).

Further, referring toFIGS.4,5,9,10, and12, the first electrical connector3198and second electrical connector319C may also be configured to disconnect when the second intermediate connector201and the second device interface302are separated.

In another alternative aspect, the tether207and/or a portion of tether207may include a cable capable of transmitting electrical signals between the first device101and the second device301. First electrical connector319B may be in signal communication with the cable and connected to the second intermediate connector201. Thus, in the aforementioned alternative aspect, the first electrical connector319B may be configured to provide an electrical connection between the first device101and the second device301when the first intermediate connector102and the second intermediate connector201are in the tethered state, and may be configured to disconnect the electrical connection between the first device101and the second device301when the second device interface302and the device interface219are in the separated state.

The aforementioned first electrical connector319B and/or second electrical connector319C 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 connector319B and/or second electrical connector319C may include a fiber-optic or other optical link.

The foregoing description of various aspects and examples have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive nor to limit the disclosure to the forms described. The embodiment(s) illustrated in the figures can, in some instances, be understood to be shown to scale for illustrative purposes. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings, including a combination of the abovementioned aspects. Some of those modifications have been discussed and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The various aspects were chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the present disclosure and various aspects as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the present disclosure is, of course, not limited to the examples or aspects set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather, it is hereby intended the scope be defined by the claims appended hereto.