Patent ID: 7537471

Claim:
A system comprising: (a) a reversible plug for functionally mating with a standard USB type-A receptacle in each of two coupling orientations, said reversible plug including at least one displaceable element, said at least one displaceable element assuming: (i) a neutral configuration prior to coupling with the standard USB receptacle, (ii) a first displaced configuration when coupled with the standard USB receptacle in a first coupling orientation, and (iii) a second displaced configuration when coupled with the standard USB receptacle in a second coupling orientation; and (b) a reversible receptacle for functionally mating with a standard USB type-A plug in each of two coupling orientations, said reversible receptacle including at least one displaceable element, said at least one displaceable element assuming: (i) a neutral configuration prior to coupling with the standard USB plug, (ii) a first displaced configuration when coupled with the standard USB plug in a first coupling orientation, and (iii) a second displaced configuration when coupled with the standard USB plug in a second coupling orientation, wherein said reversible plug and said reversible receptacle are further adapted for functionally mating with each other in each of two relative coupling orientations such that said at least one displaceable element of a pre-selected one of said reversible plug and said reversible receptacle assumes the corresponding first displaced configuration independent of the relative coupling orientation between said reversible plug and said reversible receptacle.