Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/730,030, filed Dec. 5, 2000, entitled Modular Stackable Component System Including Universal Serial Bus Hub. application Ser. No. 09/730,730 is co-pending at the time of filing the present application. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/169,055, filed Dec. 6, 1999, and application Ser. No. 09/730,030, filed Dec. 5, 2000. The provisional application Ser. No. 60/169,055, and the utility application Ser. No. 09/730,030 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a Universal Serial Bus (hereinafter USB) hub, and more particularly to a modular stackable component system including a base unit and one or more stackable hubs mounted to the base unit. 
     A personal computer system typically includes a computer, a display such as a CRT or flat panel display, and other peripheral devices communicating with the computer for entering data, printing data or controlling the computer. The peripheral devices require a connection to the computer which will enable them to communicate with the computer. Typically, most peripheral devices communicate with the computer over an individual connection cable having a corresponding connector attached to the computer. 
     A USB hub provides a convenient central data connection point for attaching multiple peripheral devices to a computer. The hub relays data from the computer to all enabled devices connected to the data hub, and relays data from the enabled devices to the computer. This data relay is performed without any data storage or significant delay. The USB hub is connected to the computer via a single USB upstream connector. The USB hub also includes a plurality of downstream ports for connecting the peripheral devices to the hub. The USB hub uses standardized connectors at the upstream and downstream data ports to provide universal connectivity between peripheral devices and the computer, thus simplifying these connections by eliminating different cords and connectors. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” will be used in the present application in their conventional sense when referring to the transfer of data. 
     Conventional USB hubs receive power for low power applications via a positive voltage conductor and a ground conductor from a source, such as the computer, through the upstream port. Conventional USB hubs are also equipped with a connector for connecting with a transformer plugged into a typical AC outlet for providing DC power to the hub for high power applications. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” will be also be used in the present application in their conventional sense when referring to the transfer of power for low power and high power applications to a single hub. 
     When more than one conventional USB hub is used, each hub is connected to a separate transformer for high power applications, resulting in a clutter of cords, transformers, and used outlets. It is desirable to simplify the connection of multiple USB hubs, thereby reducing the number of cords and transformers needed, as well as providing a more space efficient footprint, by providing a system having a base with a power supply to which hubs of all types can be mechanically and electrically attached by stacking the hubs one on top of the other. 
     The base will be the “most” downstream point as far as the power being supplied by the system is concerned. The first “hub” stacked on the base, and mechanically and electrically connected thereto, will be sometimes referred to as being “upstream” of the base unit, and the next “hub” will be further upstream, etc., and “hubs” which are closer to the base will be sometimes referred to as “downstream” of “hubs” which are farther from the base, it should be understood that the direction of power transfer is only “upstream” from the base unit. There is no power transfer from a “hub” downstream to the base unit. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A modular stackable USB hub system includes a base unit having a suitable power supply therein. The power supply is connected to a first or top power port for supplying power to a stackable USB hub releasably connected to the base. 
     A stackable USB hub having a first or top power port for accepting other upstream components in a stackable component system is also provided. The first or top power port includes a first or top power port connector, a voltage conductor and ground conductor for providing voltage and ground to an upstream component to supply the high current requirements of the component hub in high power applications, thereby eliminating the need for a separate transformer for the USB hub in high power applications. 
     The stackable USB hub further includes a second or bottom power port for connecting or mounting to other components in the modular stackable component system, such as a base unit or a downstream hub. The second or bottom power port includes a second or bottom power port connector, a voltage conductor and a ground conductor. The voltage and ground conductors are connected to the respective voltage and ground conductors of the USB first or top power port connector for passing voltage and ground to the upstream component connected to the hub, as well as to the circuit or circuit board in the stackable component, thereby eliminating the need for a separate transformer for each component of the system. The stackable configuration also reduces the footprint of the system. It should be understood that the voltage and ground conductors, while a part of the power port, do not physically need to be part of the power port connector. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional universal serial bus hub; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an improved USB hub embodying the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a sectional view, taken in the direction of the arrows, along the section line  6 — 6  of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 2 connecting with a downstream component in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a partial sectional elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 7, when fully connected. 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 2 connecting with an upstream component and a downstream component in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a base unit in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a left side elevational view of the base unit shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a right side elevational view of the base unit shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional elevational view of the base unit shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of an alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 16 is a left side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 17 is a right side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 15; 
     FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of a second alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a left side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 20 is a right side elevational view of the improved USB hub shown in FIG. 18; 
     FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of a stackable USB to SCSI converter in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 22 is a left side elevational view of the stackable USB to SCSI converter shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a right side elevational view of the stackable USB to SCSI converter shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 24 is a front elevational view of a stackable USB to LAN converter in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 25 is a left side elevational view of the stackable USB to LAN converter shown in FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 26 is a right side elevational view of the stackable USB to LAN converter shown in FIG. 24; 
     FIG. 27 a perspective view illustrating the back and bottom of a third alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the stackable USB hub shown in FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the base unit in accordance with the invention and the stackable USB hub shown in FIGS. 27 &amp; 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating the stackable USB hub shown in FIGS. 27 &amp; 28 connected to a similar stackable USB hub and the base unit shown in FIG. 29 in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 30 a  is a fragmentary top plan view of the top bay shown in FIG. 30 showing how a surge protection module fits in the bay, and how the surge protection circuitry is connected to the base. 
     FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the base unit shown in FIGS. 29 &amp; 30 illustrating the power port in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 32 is a perspective view illustrating the back and bottom of the base unit shown in FIGS. 29 &amp; 30; 
     FIG. 33 is a side view illustrating the PCI card in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 34 is a front view of the PCI card shown in FIG. 33; 
     FIG. 35 is a side view illustrating the PCI card shown in FIG. 33; 
     FIG. 36 is a front view illustrating the PCI card shown in FIG. 35; 
     FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the face plate with voltage connector shown in FIG. 34 in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 37 a  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of the face plate with voltage connector shown in FIG.  34 . 
     FIG. 37 b  is a rear view of the face plate shown in FIG. 37 a.    
     FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the face place with voltage connector shown in FIG. 37 connected to a computer in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 39 is a view similar in part to FIGS. 27 &amp; 28, but showing the first or top power port and the second or bottom power port in a different position. 
     FIG. 40 is a view similar in part to FIG. 39, but showing how the first or top power port and the second or bottom power port may be positioned on the side of the upstream and downstream hubs, and be daisy chained together. 
     FIG. 41 is an exploded perspective view showing how a removable surge suppression module may be provided in a hub. 
     FIG. 42 is an exploded perspective view of the removable surge suppressor illustrated in FIG. 41, from the bottom, showing terminals which will plug into the bay provided in the hub. 
     FIG. 43 is an electrical block diagram of surge suppression circuitry which may be used in the removeable surge suppression module of FIGS. 41 &amp; 42. 
     FIG. 44 is an exploded perspective view of one of my modular stackable hubs showing its universal nature, whereby one hub design may be used to provide multiple hub types by providing different circuits therein, aided by an interchangeable housing construction. This embodiment of the present invention may be used, for example, as a fourth alternate embodiment of a stackable USB hub, such as the USB hub described in FIG.  28 . 
    
    
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and is capable of being practiced or carried out in various ways within the scope of the claims. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description, and not of limitation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown illustrating the connection of a known USB hub  10  to a computer  12 . The computer  12  has a USB interface which includes a master data hub  14  for receiving data from the USB hub  10 . The master data hub  14  is coupled to the computer  12  via an internal bus  16  which provides a communication path between the master data hub and the computer. The master data hub  14  includes at least one USB connector  18 . The USB hub  10  includes an upstream port  20  having a corresponding USB plug  22  which connects to the USB connector  18  of the master data hub  14 . 
     The USB hub  10  also includes a plurality of downstream ports  24  having downstream USB connectors  26  to permit multiple peripheral devices  28 , such as a keyboard, mouse, etc., to be coupled to the master data hub  14  through the USB hub  10 . The peripheral devices  28  are each connected by a connection cable  30  to a USB connector  32  which mates with the downstream port connectors  26  of the USB hub  10 . 
     The USB hub  10  typically contains connections for receiving power in two ways. First, the USB hub is bus powered for applications in which total current provided to the hub is less than approximately 500 mA. In bus powered applications, the USB hub receives power through the upstream port  20  from the USB plug  22  which contains separate positive and ground conductors. The USB hub can transfer a limited amount of current, approximately 100 mA, to each of four devices through the downstream ports  24  via positive and ground conductors in the downstream connectors  26 . 
     The USB hub  10  also includes a separate power connector  34  for receiving sufficient power to supply the higher current demands to the downstream ports  24  in high power applications. The power connector  34  includes a positive voltage conductor  36  and a ground conductor  38  for receiving DC voltage, preferably  5  volts, from a typical transformer (not shown) connected to an AC powered outlet (also not shown). 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, a stackable modular four port USB hub is shown generally at  40 . The components of the USB hub  40 , which are similar to the conventional USB hub shown in FIG. 1, are indicated with the same numerals. The stackable USB hub includes a USB type B female connector  22  connected to an upstream port  20  (refer to port  20  shown in FIG. 1) and four USB type A female connectors  26  connected to corresponding downstream ports  24  (refer to ports  24  shown in FIG.  1 ). The stackable USB hub further includes a housing  42  for mounting the USB A and B connectors  22 ,  26  and a circuit board  43  containing conventional USB hub circuitry  43   a.    
     The USB hub housing  42  includes an first or top power port  64  for mounting the stackable USB hub  40  to a stackable upstream component (described in detail below) and for supplying power and ground to the upstream component for high power hub applications. Furthermore, the USB hub housing  42  includes a second or bottom power port  44  for mounting a stackable downstream component (described in detail below) to the USB hub and for passing the power and ground received from the second or bottom power port  44  to the hub, thereby supplying its high power demands. 
     The second or bottom power port  44  includes a second or bottom power port connector  46  (hereinafter called the second connector) for mating with a complementary shaped mating connector on the second or bottom power port of the downstream component as shall be described in detail below. The upstream and/or downstream connector may be of a quick connect type, if desired. 
     The first connector  46  is preferably a female connector, including a recess  50 , and a pair of flanges  52 . Each flange  52  extends out over the recess  50  terminating in an inner edge  52   a . A groove  54  is defined between the flange  52  and the recess  50 . The flanges  52  extend from opposite sides of the recess  50  defining a pair of oppositely disposed grooves  54 . The grooves  54  preferably extend along the entire sides of the recess, although alternatively, they may not. The recess  50 , flanges  52 , and grooves  54  preferably extend across the entire housing  42 , although alternatively, they may only extend across a portion of the housing. 
     A positive voltage conductor  56  is disposed in one of the flanges  52  such that it terminates in a first end  56   a  which is flush with, or which extends slightly from, the inner edge of the flange  52   a . A ground conductor  58 , including a first end  58   a , is disposed in the opposite flange  52  in a similar manner. The voltage and ground conductor first ends  56   a ,  58   a  are located a predetermined distance from the end of the grooves  54 , and preferably across from each other although, alternatively, they may be located at different distances from the ends of the grooves. The voltage and ground conductors  56 ,  58  are electrically connected to the circuit board  43  and with the USB circuitry  43   a  in a conventional manner so as to provide power to the USB hub for high power applications described above. 
     The USB hub first or top power port  64  includes a first or top power port connector  66  (hereinafter called the first connector) for mating with the complementary shaped second connector  46  of another stackable USB hub device as shall be described in detail below. The first connector  66  is preferably a male connector having a boss  70  protruding from the housing. The boss  70  has a shape which is complementary to the recess  50  thereby allowing the boss to be received within the recess. The first connector  66  further includes a pair of flanges  72 , each flange extending from the opposite side of the boss. A groove  74  is defined between each flange  72  and the housing  42  at the base of the boss  70 . The grooves  74  preferably extend along the entire sides of the boss  70 , although alternatively, they may not. The boss  70 , flanges  72 , and grooves  74 , preferably extend across the entire housing  42 , although alternatively, they may only extend across a portion of the housing. 
     The positive conductor  56  described above also extends to first connector  66  of the first or top power port  64 , terminating in a second end  56   b  which is disposed in one of the second connector grooves  74  such that the second end is flush with, or extends slightly from, the groove. 
     The ground conductor  58  described above includes a second end  58   b  which is disposed in the opposite groove  74  in a similar manner. The positive conductor second end  56   b  is disposed a predetermined distance from the end of the groove  74 , thereby corresponding to the same location as the positive conductor first end  56   a  in the first connector. Similarly, the ground conductor second end  58   b  is disposed at a location which corresponds to the location of the ground conductor first end  58   a  in the first connector. 
     The first and second connectors may alternatively be switched such that the first connector is a male connector embodying the features of the second connector, and the second connector is a female connector embodying the features of the first connector. Alternatively, neither connector may be considered as male or female, but rather each may have complimentary shaped features for connecting to the other. The first and second connectors  66 ,  46  described above are only examples of connectors which are suitable for the first or top and second or bottom power ports. Any known connector or coupler may be used to connect, mount, couple, join or link the first or top power port  66  of the hub  40  to another stackable component having a second or bottom power port  44  and the second or bottom power port of the hub  40  to another stackable component having a first or top power port. Examples of such connectors include a housing portion and shroud, mating surfaces and fasteners, screw type, tongue and groove, and cam and groove connectors. 
     Additionally, the connectors may include retainers for keeping the connectors connected, such as a recess and a protrusion, a “snap” type retainer, a “snap-lock” type, an “internal snap” type, a “locking” type or a “finger pressure removal” type, or any known fasteners, including screws, bolts and the like. 
     An optional conventional power connector  48  may also be disposed on the housing  42 . The power connector  48  includes a positive voltage conductor  48   a  and a ground conductor  48   b  for providing DC voltage, preferably 5 volts, and ground to the hub  40  from a conventional source such as a transformer (not shown) connected to a conventional AC power outlet, or from the computer (not shown) as shall be described in further detail below. The voltage and ground conductors  48   a ,  48   b  are electrically connected to the circuit board  43  and the USB circuitry  43   a  in a conventional manner so as to provide power to the USB hub  40  for high power applications. Additionally, the voltage and ground conductors  48   a ,  48   b  are electrically connected to the positive voltage conductor  56  and the ground conductor  58 . The power connector  48  may be any conventional power connector known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, the stackable USB hub  40  can be mounted to a downstream component  80  in the modular stackable USB hub and surge suppressor system via the second or bottom power port  44 . The upstream component  40  may be any stackable component having the first or top power port  64  described above. Examples of the upstream component  40  include, but are not limited to, a base unit (described below), another USB hub, a stackable USB to LAN converter (described below), or a stackable USB to SCSI converter (described below). 
     The upstream component  40  includes a housing  40 ′ having a first or top power port  64  which is similar to the first or top power port  64 ′ of the downstream component  80 , including a second connector  66 ′ having a boss  70 ′, flanges  72 ′ and grooves  74 ′. The first or top power port  64 ′ provides a physical connection between the USB hub  40  and the downstream component  80  via the first connector  46  thereby securing the USB hub housing  42  to the downstream component housing  40 ′. Additionally, the second or bottom power port  44  provides an electrical connection between the USB hub  40  and the downstream component  80 , passing a positive voltage and ground from the downstream component to the USB hub  40  for supplying its power requirements in high power applications. 
     The USB hub  40  may be connected to the downstream component  80  by sliding the second or bottom power port connector  44  of the upstream component  40  into the first connector  66  of the USB hub (as shown by arrows  76  in FIG. 7) so that the boss  70 ′ of the first connector  66 ′ is received in the recess  50  (FIG. 6) of the second connector  46  on the USB hub. The second connector flanges  52  slide into the first connector grooves  74 ′, and the first connector flanges  72 ′ slide into the second connector grooves  54 . The two components  40 ,  80  are connected correctly when the first ends  56   a  and  58   a  of the second connector voltage and ground conductors  56 ,  58  make electrical contact with the corresponding voltage and ground conductors  56 ′  58 ′ in the first connector. This electrical connection provides the high current power connection between the stackable USB hub  40  and the other component  80 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, an upstream component  90  may be connected to the USB hub  40  via the first or top power port  64  while the USB hub is connected to the downstream component  80 . Examples of the upstream component  90  include but are not limited to another USB hub, a stackable USB to LAN converter (described below), or a stackable USB to SCSI converter. 
     The upstream component  90  includes at least a second or bottom power port  44 ″ and preferably also a first or top power port  64 ″, having all of the features of the USB upstream and downstream ports  44 ,  64  described above. The USE hub  40  first or top power port  64  may be connected to the second or bottom power port  44 ″ of the upstream component  90  by sliding the first connector  66  of the USB hub  40  into the second connector  46 ″ of the downstream component  90  (as shown by arrows  96  in FIG. 10) so that the boss  70  of the USB first connector  66  is received in the recess  50 ″ of the second connector  46 ″ on the upstream component  90 . The second connector flanges  52 ″ slide into the USB hub first connector grooves  74 , and the USB hub first connector flanges  72  slide into the second connector grooves  54 ″ on the upstream component  90 . 
     The USB hub  40  and the upstream component  90  are connected correctly when the second ends  56   b  and  58   b  of the USB hub first connector positive and ground conductors  56 ,  58  make electrical contact, with the corresponding positive and ground conductors  56 ″,  58 ″ in the second connector  46 ″ of the upstream component  90 . 
     When the upstream component  90  is connected to the USB hub  40  in this manner, and the USB hub is connected to the downstream component  80  as described above, the positive voltage and ground for high power applications is passed from the downstream component  80 , through the USB hub  40 , to the upstream component  90 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11-14, a base unit  100 , an example of an downstream component  80 , is shown. The base unit  100  includes a housing  101 . The base unit also includes a power cord  102  for connecting to a conventional AC outlet (not shown) thereby providing power to the base unit. Conventional outlets  104  are disposed on the housing  101  for distributing AC power to other electrical components connected to the outlets in a known manner. The base unit  100  also includes an optional on/off switch  106  and a circuit breaker  108  which are conventional and known in the art. 
     The base unit  100  also includes bays  110  disposed in the housing  101  for receiving one or more surge suppressor modules  112 . The surge suppressor modules  112  include conventional surge suppression circuitry (shown in phantom at  113  in FIG. 14) which is known in the art for providing surge suppression to any conventional electrical components  114  connected to the modules via connectors  116 . The connectors  116  may be conventional co-axial connectors, RJ11 connectors for connecting telephone lines for modems, RJ45 connectors or any other suitable connectors. A ground conductor  117   a  is provided in the bay  110  for connection to a ground conductor  117   b  disposed on the surge suppressor module  112  for providing ground to the surge suppression circuitry  113  when the module is received in the bay. The ground conductors  117   a ,  117   b  have complementary shape so as to connect together in any known manner. 
     The base unit  100  may optionally provide surge suppression to electrical components connected to the outlets  104  via conventional surge suppression circuitry contained within the USB circuitry  43   a  described above. Alternatively, a separate removable surge suppression module  112  housed within one of the bays  110  may provide the surge suppression to the electrical components connected to the outlets  104 . 
     The base unit  100  also includes a first or top power port  64 ′ similar to the USB first or top power port  64  described above. Any stackable modular component may be mounted to the base unit  100  via the first or top power port  64 ′ as described above. 
     An optional conventional power connector  118  may also be disposed on the housing  101 . The power connector  118  includes a positive voltage conductor  118   a  and a ground conductor  118   b  for providing DC voltage, preferably 5 volts, and ground to the base unit  100  from a conventional source such as a transformer (not shown) connected to a conventional AC power outlet, or from the computer (not shown) as shall be described in further detail below. The voltage and ground conductors  118   a ,  118   b  are electrically connected to the positive voltage conductor  56  and the ground conductor  58  described above. The power connector  48  may be any conventional power connector known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub  40  described above is shown generally at  120 . The alternate embodiment is a seven port USB hub  120  having seven downstream USB data ports  24  with seven USB connectors (not shown) for connecting seven peripheral devices (shown at  28  in FIG. 1) to the USB hub  120 . The seven port USB hub  120  is similar to the four port USB hub  40  described above, and includes a similar first or top power port  64  and second or bottom power port  44 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 18-20, a second alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub  40  described above is shown generally at  130 . The second embodiment is a stackable four port USB hub  130  including all of the features of the stackable four port USB hub  40  described above. In addition, the USB hub  130  includes conventional USB to parallel converter circuitry (shown in phantom at  132 ) and a parallel connector  134  which are known in the art. The USB hub  130  further includes conventional USB to serial converter circuitry (shown in phantom at  136 ) and a serial connector  138  which are also known in the art. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 21-23, a stackable USB to SCSI converter is shown general at  140 . The stackable USB to SCSI converter  140  includes the first or top power port  64  and the second or bottom power port  44  described above. The stackable USB to SCSI converter  11 )  140  further includes a conventional USB upstream port  20  (refer to port  20  shown in FIG. 1) and connector  22 , a DB25 or HP DB50 Port and connector  142 , and conventional circuitry (shown in phantom at  144 ) which is known in the art for converting data between USB format and SCSI format. The stackable USB to SCSI converter  140  is mountable to any stackable component described herein via the first and/or second power ports  64 ,  44 . The stackable USB to SCSI converter  140  receives the positive voltage and ground through the second or bottom power port  44  for powering the converter  140  and associated circuitry  144 . Furthermore, the stackable USB to SCSI converter  140  passes the positive voltage and ground to other stackable components mounted to the first or top power port  64  as described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 24-26, a stackable USB to LAN adapter  150  is shown general at  150 . The stackable USB to LAN adapter  150  includes the first or top power port  64  and the second or bottom power port  44  described above. The stackable USB to LAN adapter  150  further includes a conventional USB upstream data port  20  (refer to port  20  shown in FIG. 1) and connector  22 , a LAN cable connector  152 , and conventional circuitry (shown in phantom at  154 ) which is known in the art for converting data between USB format and LAN format. The stackable USB to LAN converter  150  is mountable to any stackable component described herein via the ports  64 ,  44 . The stackable USB to LAN converter  150  receives the positive voltage and ground through the second or bottom power port  44  for powering the converter  150  and associated circuitry  154 . Furthermore, the stackable USB to LAN converter  150  passes the positive voltage and ground to other stackable components mounted to the first or top power port  64  as described above. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 27-28, a third alternate embodiment of the stackable USB hub  40  described above is shown generally at  240 . The components of the USB hub  240 , which are similar to the conventional USB hub shown in FIG. 1, are indicated with the same numerals. The stackable USB hub  240  includes a USB type B female connector  22  connected to an upstream port  20  (refer to port  20  shown in FIG. 1) and plurality of downstream USB ports  24 , preferably between 4 and 7 such USB ports. Each port  24  includes a USB type A female connector  26  for connecting peripheral devices  28  as described above to the USB hub  240 . 
     The stackable USB hub  240  also includes a housing  242  containing the circuit board (a portion of which is shown in phantom at  43  and is similar to circuit board  43  described above) within the housing. The circuit board  43  includes conventional USB hub circuitry  43   a  shown above. The USB type A and B connectors  22 ,  26  are preferably disposed in the back of the housing  242  although any suitable location may be used. 
     An optional conventional power connector  243  is also disposed at the back of the housing  242 . The power connector  243  includes a positive voltage conductor  243   a  and a ground conductor  243   b  for providing DC voltage, preferably 5 volts, and ground to the hub  240  from a conventional source such as a transformer (not shown) connected to a conventional AC power outlet, or from the computer (not shown) as shall be described in further detail below. The voltage and ground conductors  243   a ,  243   b  are electrically connected to the circuit board  43  and the USB circuitry  43   a  in a conventional manner so as to provide power to the USB hub  240  for high power applications. 
     The USB hub housing  242  includes a second or bottom power port  244 , preferably disposed on the bottom of the housing, for mounting the stackable USB hub  240  to a stackable downstream component  80  as described above and for receiving voltage and ground from the downstream component for high power hub applications. Furthermore, the USB hub housing  242  includes a first or top power port  264 , preferably disposed on the top of the housing, for mounting a stackable upstream component  90  to the USB hub  240  and for passing the voltage and ground received from the second or bottom power port  244 , or from the power connector  243 , to the upstream component  90 , thereby supplying its power demands. 
     The second or bottom power port  244  includes a second connector  246  for mating with a complementary shaped first connector on the first or top power port of the upstream component  90 . Examples of the upstream component  90  include but are not limited to a base unit (described below), another USB hub, a stackable USB to LAN converter, or a stackable USB to SCSI converter having a suitable second or bottom power port  264  as described below. The second connector  246  is preferably a male connector and includes a boss  250  extending from the housing  242 . The boss  250  is preferably square, although alternatively it may be rectangular or any other suitable shape. The boss  250  may have a single continuous wall as shown, or may have two or more separate walls. 
     The second or bottom power port  244  also includes a positive voltage conductor  256  and ground conductor  258  which extend from the housing, preferably extending beyond the boss  250 . The positive conductor  256  and ground conductor  258  preferably form the radially inner and radially outer sides respectively of a conventional cylindrical male DC power connector, although alternatively, the conductors may be reversed, or may form any suitably shaped connector. The voltage and ground conductors  256 ,  258  are electrically connected to the circuit board  43  and with the USB circuitry  43   a  in a conventional manner so as to provide power to the USB hub  240  for high power applications described above. Furthermore, the positive voltage conductor  256  and ground conductor  258  also are electrically connected to the positive voltage conductor  243   a  and ground conductor  243   b  of the optional power connector  243  disposed at the back of the stackable USB hub  240 . 
     The first or top power port  264  includes a first connector  266  having a shape which is complementary to the second connector  246  so that the second connector  246  will mate with the first connector  266  of the first or top power port of the downstream component  80 . The first connector  266  is preferably a female connector and includes a recess  270  extending into the housing  242 , preferably at the top of the housing. The recess  270  is shaped to receive the boss  250  described above, accordingly the recess is preferably square, although alternatively it may be rectangular or any other suitable shape which is complementary to the boss. The recess  270  may include an optional bevel  270   a  to guide the boss  250  within the recess. 
     The first or top power port  264  also includes a positive voltage conductor  272  and ground conductor  274  which preferably extend beyond the boss  250 . The positive conductor  272  is shaped to be received within the conventional cylindrical male DC power connector of the second connector  246  in the second or bottom power port  244 . The voltage and ground conductors  272 ,  274  are electrically connected to the voltage and ground conductors  256 ,  258  of the second connector  246 . Accordingly, voltage and ground are passed from the second or bottom power port  244  to the first or top power port  264  of the stackable USB hub  240 , and to the second or bottom power port of another stackable component  90  connected to the stackable hub  240 . Additionally, the voltage and ground conductors  272 ,  274  are electrically connected to the circuit board  43 , USB circuitry  43   a  and to the optional power connector  243  disposed at the back of the stackable USB hub  240 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 29-32, the stackable USB hub  240  is shown connecting with another example of an downstream component  80 , an alternate embodiment of the base unit  100 , shown generally at  300 . The base unit  300  includes a housing  301 , and a power cord  302  for electrically connecting the base unit  300  to a conventional AC outlet (not shown) thereby providing power to the base unit. The base unit also includes conventional outlets  304  for distributing AC power to other electrical components connected to the outlets in a known manner. The base unit  300  also includes an optional sleeve  305 , and an optional on/off switch and circuit breaker  306 , although alternatively the circuit breaker may be physically separate from the on/off switch as is known in the art. 
     The base unit  300  also includes bays  310  for receiving one or more surge suppressor modules  312 . The surge suppressor modules  312  include conventional surge suppression circuitry  313 , similar to the circuitry  113  described above, which is known in the art for providing surge suppression to any conventional electrical components connected to the modules via connectors  316 . The connectors  316  may be conventional co-axial connectors, RJ11 connectors for connecting telephone lines for modems, RJ45 connectors or any other suitable known connectors. A ground conductor  317   a  is provided in the bay  310  for connection to a ground conductor  317   b  disposed on the surge suppressor module  312  for providing ground to the surge suppression circuitry  313  when the module is received in the bay in a similar manner as described above. The ground conductors  317   a ,  317   b  have complementary shape so as to connect together in any known manner. The ground conductor  317   b  disposed on the module  312  is connected to the surge suppression circuitry  313  by the electrical conductor  313   a.    
     The base unit  300  may optionally provide surge suppression to electrical components connected to the outlets  304  via conventional surge suppression circuitry which is known in the art. Alternatively, a separate removable surge suppression module  320  may be housed within one of the bays  310  (shown in the bottom of the base unit in FIG.  32 ). The construction of module  320  is described in connection with FIGS. 41-43 hereinbelow. The module  320  includes conventional surge suppression circuitry (shown in phantom at  321 ) which is known in the art for providing surge suppression to the electrical components connected to the outlets  304 . A cover  314  is provided to selectively close the bay  310 . 
     The base unit  300  also includes a first or top power port  364  having a first connector  366 , a recess  370  and conductors  372  and  374  (as shown in FIG. 31) which are all similar to the first or top power port  264  on the stackable USB hub  240  as described above. The stackable USB hub  240  is mounted directly to the base unit  300  by placing the hub on top of the base unit along an axis of stacking (as shown by arrows  365  in FIG. 29) so that the second connector  246  of the hub second or bottom power port  244  is connected to the first connector  366  of the base first or top power port  364 . Any suitable stackable modular component may be mounted to the base unit  300  via the first or top power port  364  as described above. 
     As shown in FIG. 30, the housing of each component which may be used as an upstream component includes a raised portion  300 A, and the housing of each component which may be used as a downstream component includes a complementary shaped recessed portion  300 B for receiving the raised portion of the upstream component thereby improving the fit between the components when mounted together. An optional conventional power connector  243 , similar to the connector  118  described above may also be disposed on the housing,  301 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 33-36, a PCI card is shown generally at  400 . The PCI card  400  includes 8 pads or pins labeled A-H which fit into the PCI slot of a conventional computer (not shown). The PCI card  400  also includes a face plate  402  which is accessible to the computer user, typically from the back of the computer, when the card is installed in the computer. The PCI card  400  includes a 5 volt DC connector  404  disposed on the face plate which includes a 5 volt conductor and a ground conductor. The 5 volt conductor is electrically connected to pins E, F and H which receive 5 volts when the card  400  is plugged into the PCI slot. The ground conductor is electrically connected to pin C which receives a ground connection when the card  400  is plugged into the PCI slot. The 5 volt DC connector  404  can be any suitable conventional connector known in the art, but preferably is suitable for connection to the stackable hub power connector  243  described above for providing power to the hub for high power applications. 
     The PCI card  400  also includes a 12 volt DC connector  406  which is also disposed on the face plate  402 . The 12 volt DC connector  404  includes a 12 volt conductor connected to pin B which receive 12 volts when the card  400  is plugged into the PCI slot. The 12 volt DC connector  404  also includes a ground conductor connected to pin C which receives ground when the card  400  is plugged into the PCI slot. The 12 volt DC connector  406  can be any suitable conventional connector known in the art, but preferably is suitable for connection to any suitable electronic component by 1394 firewire connection for providing 12 volt DC power to the component. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 37 &amp; 38, an alternative embodiment of the face plate  402  is shown generally at  412 . The face plate  412  is accessible to the computer user, typically from the back of the computer  413  when installed. The face plate  412  includes a known DC voltage connector  414  disposed on the face plate for providing voltage, preferably 5 volts, and ground to any of the hubs or base units described herein. The connector  414  includes a voltage conductor  414   a  and a ground conductor  414   b . The voltage conductor  414   a  and ground conductor  414   b  are electrically connected to the power supply  416  via a Y-connector  418 . The Y-connector includes suitable known connectors  420  and  422  for connecting between the power supply  416  and any suitable PC board  422  within the computer  424 . The Y-connector is also connected to the conductors  414   a  &amp;  414 B for supplying voltage and ground to the conductors  414   a ,  414   b  from the computer  413 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 37 a  and  37   b,  a further alternate embodiment of the face plate  402  is shown generally at  450 . The operation of the face plate  450  is substantially the same as the face plates  402 , 412 , and the only substantial difference in the construction is that the connector  414  is mounted to a printed circuit board which is fastened to the face plate  450  by any suitable fastenings means, such as screws (not shown). 
     Referring now to FIG. 39, there is shown an exploded view showing a modular stackable component or hub  320  in position to be mounted to another modular stackable component or hub  320 A. The construction of stackable hubs  320  is essentially identical to the construction of the stackable USB hubs  240  described in connection with FIGS. 27 and 28, except the first or top power port  264  on the downstream component  80 , and the second or bottom power port  244  on the upstream component  90  are shown in a different position. In FIGS. 27 and 28 the first or top power port  264 , and the second or bottom power port  244  are shown in a central location (located along the centerline of the hub  240 ), while in FIG. 39, the ports ( 244 , 264 ) are shown located off to one side of the hubs  320 ,  320 . The hubs have been designated with the numeral  320 , 320 , instead of the numeral  240 , as the modular stackable components or hubs  320 , 320  are not necessarily stackable USB hubs, although they could be. 
     It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the first or top power port  264  on the downstream component  80 , and the second or bottom power port  244 , on the upstream component  90  may be located at any desired mating positions on the modular stackable component or hubs  320 , 320 A, and be well within the scope of the present invention. The hubs  320 ,  320 A are mountable to the base unit  300  in the same manner as the stackable USB hubs  240 , and the electrical connections are made in the same manner as hereinabove described. 
     Referring to FIG. 40, it can be seen that the first or top power port  264 A on the downstream component  80 , and the second or bottom power port  244 A on the upstream component  90  may also be placed in contiguous or adjacent positions on the sides of the modular stackable components or hubs  320 , 320 A and be daisy chained together by rigid connector  400  or flexible connector  401 . 
     In this construction, both the first or top power port  264 A and the second or bottom power port  244 A would have the construction shown and described for the second or bottom power port  244  in FIG. 28, while the connector ends ( 400 A, 401 A) of the connectors ( 400 , 401 ) would have the construction shown and described in FIG. 27 for the first or top power port  264 . Suitable electrical connections would be provided between each of the connector ends  400 A on the rigid connector  400  to electrically connect first or top power port  264 A and the second or bottom power port  244 A. 
     If flexible connector  401  were used, suitable electrical cable  402  may be used to electrically connect the connector ends  401 A of flexible connector  401 , thereby providing the necessary electrical connection between first or top power port  244 A and second or bottom power port  264 A when flexible connector  401 A is installed. The construction of the rigid connector  400  may be similar to the construction of the daisy chain connector disclosed in my co-pending provisional application Serial No. 60/382,642, filed May 23, 2002, for Connecting Apparatus and Method for Interconnecting Stackable Electrical Hubs, the specification of which is specifically incorporated by reference. 
     With reference to FIG. 41, a bay  405  is provided on modular stackable component or hub  320  to provide for receiving at least one removable module  406 , which may be such as a removable hub surge suppression module  407 . The construction of removable hub surge suppression module  407  is preferably the same as the removable surge suppressor module  320  provided in the base  300 . 
     The construction of the modules ( 320 , 407 ) is shown in FIG.  42 . The modules have a housing  409  comprising at least a first or base portion  411  and a second or cover portion  412 . Cover  412  is held to base  411  by any suitable fastening mechanism known in the art, such as screw  413 . A printed circuit board  420  carries typical surge suppression circuitry known in the art, and is electrically connected to first male connector  421 , second male connector  422 , third male connector  423  and a forth male connector  423 . 
     First male connector  421 , second male connector  422 , third male connector  423  and a forth male connector  423  mate with corresponding first female receptor  425 , second female receptor  426 , third female receptor  427  and forth female receptor  428  provided on printed circuit board  415 . 
     FIG. 43 shows an electrical block diagram of surge suppression circuitry which may be provided on printed circuit board  420 . The exact circuitry may vary depending on the amount of surge suppression needed, and the application. Providing the necessary surge suppression circuitry is well within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the electronic art. It should be noted, however, that in the construction shown, because of the provision of third male connector  423  (HOT(IN)), fourth male connector  424  (HOT OUT), associated female receptors ( 427 , 428 ), and the circuitry of circuit board  420 , the removable surge protection module ( 314 , 407 ) must be installed before base  300  or modular stackable component or hub  320  may be fully operative. 
     Referring now to FIG. 44, the universal nature of my modular stackable power supply system can be seen. The stackable hub or component, generally designated by the numeral  320 , has a housing  429  comprising a first, or top, portion  430 , a second, or bottom, portion  431 , a third, or back portion  432 , and a fourth, or faceplate portion  433 . First, or top, portion  430  has a first recess  430 A, and a second recess  430 B, which will cooperate with second, or bottom, portion  431 , to provide openings for mounting third, or back portion  433  and fourth, or faceplate portion,  434  in a manner hereinafter described. 
     First or top power port  264  will allow connection of any desired number of modular stackable components or hubs  320  to be connected upstream of stackable hub  320 . First or top power port  264  may be placed in any desired position on the first, or top, portion  430  of the stackable hub  320 . In the preferred embodiment, the first or top power port is placed in a central location. Conductor(s)  439  connect(s) the first or top power port  264  to the circuit  440 , which may be in the form of a printed circuit board, a hard wired circuit board, a combination of the two, or any other type of circuit it is desired to put in stackable hub or component  320 . 
     Second or bottom power port  244  supplies power to the stackable hub or component  320  from a base unit  300 , or another, downstream hub, as previously described. While heretofore the base unit has been shown as supplying a voltage of 5V DC to the modular stackable components or hubs  320  for use with USB devices, and this is standard in the industry for USB, it should be understood that another desired voltage, such as 12V DC, used with Firewire® devices could be transferred up the stackable power supply system through the first or top and second or bottom power supply ports,  264 , 244  which form the “core” of the system. While the first or top power supply ports  264  and second or bottom power supply ports  244  could be modified to carry more than one voltage, for example 12V DC and 5V DC, this is not the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is preferred that only one, predetermined, desired voltage be carried up the core of the system. If the circuit  440  needs a different voltage than is being carried through the first or top and second or bottom power supply ports ( 264 , 244 ), either higher or lower, it is well within the scope of the present invention to provide a step up or step down device inside the housing  429  of stackable hub or component  320 , and preferably as part of circuit  440 , which may contain printed circuit board  443 . 
     The circuit, generally designated by the numeral  440 , may be virtually any DC powered device, including, but not limited to, an ISDN modem  440 A, a router  440 B, a KVM switch  440 C, a port replicator  440 D, a LAN hub  440 E, a cable modem  440 F, an Ethernet device  440 G, a CDR/DVD Firewire® device  440 H, A CD-RW drive  440 I, an SCSI converter  440 J, a USB hub  440 K, A Firewire® hub  440 L, a DC power hub  440 M, or any other DC powered device. 
     Because each of the above circuits  440  may have the need for a different number of indicating devices or LED&#39;S  441  connected to the circuit  440  by second conductors  442 , the fourth, or faceplate portions  433  of housing  429  are interchangeable with one another so a separate housing, or substantial portion thereof is not needed for each of the DC powered devices or circuits  440 , such as  440 A- 440 M. This greatly simplifies the manufacturing process for my stackable power supply system, and reduces costs as well. 
     Also, since each of the circuits  440  may have the need for a different number of input devices  445 , and output devices  446 , to be connected to the circuit  440 , and which, in the preferred embodiment, are mounted to the circuit board  443 , the third, or back portions  432  of housing  429  are interchangeable with one another so a separate housing, or substantial portion thereof is not needed for each of the DC powered devices or circuits  440 , such as  440 A- 440 M. This allows for the circuit  440  to have the associated number of input devices  445 , and output devices  446 , and for the circuit  440  to be easily accommodated by the housing  429  by providing the back portion  432  of the housing  429  with the appropriate number of openings. 
     It can be appreciated that a particular configuration of the back portion  432 , and the faceplate portion  433 , may be used for more than one circuit. For example, the faceplate portion  433  illustrated in FIG. 44 has openings for three (3) LED&#39;s. This faceplate, since it is interchangeable with other faceplates, may be used for any circuit that requires three LED&#39;s. The third, or back portion  432  of housing  429  will be retained in the opening  450  formed by the recess  430 B and the back edge  431 A of the second, or bottom, portion of housing  429  when housing  429  is assembled. Suitable grooves, ridges, bosses, or other retaining means may be provided in opening  450  if desired. Third, or back, portion  432  of housing  429  may be sonic welded, bonded, or otherwise retained in opening  450  if desired. 
     Likewise, fourth, or faceplate portion  433  will be mounted in opening  452  formed by first recess  430 A, and front edge  431 B of the second, or bottom, portion  431  of housing  429 , and may similarly retained. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Technology Category: 3