Patent ID: 7674120

Claim:
A portable electronic device, comprising: an outer shell, an electrical connector assembly moveable with respect to the outer shell between a first position where a connector of the electrical connector assembly is withdrawn into the shell and a second position where the connector extends outside of the shell; a latching mechanism within the device that holds the electrical connector assembly with respect to the shell in the first and second positions, said latching mechanism being releasable to permit movement of the electrical connector assembly between the first and second positions; and a housing carrying the electrical connector assembly and coupled to the electrical connector assembly and shell so that by moving the housing with respect to the shell, the latching mechanism is released and the electrical connector assembly is moved with respect to the shell between the first and second positions, said housing having an opening at one end thereof, wherein movement of the housing with respect to the shell for moving the electrical connector assembly between the first and second positions of the electrical connector assembly causes the housing to move in a first movement from a storage position of the housing to at least one extreme position of the housing extending partly out of the shell without causing the electrical connector assembly to move relative to the shell.