PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8804355-B2
Application Number: US-201313833421-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Connector bracket

Abstract:
Brackets may be mated with or coupled to an opening of an electronic device enclosure or housing for receiving plug connectors to reinforce the receptacle connector and/or device housing and potentially reduce damage/breakage. For example, a bracket can have a front face with a curvature. A back face of the bracket can include a first opening that communicates with a cavity. The cavity can be defined at least in part by upper and lower opposing inner surfaces, the lower inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to a portion of the bracket front face. The bracket can also include a hollow protrusion extending from the bracket front face in a front direction. The hollow protrusion can include an opening that communicates with the opening of the back face and extends through the hollow protrusion. Methods for manufacturing the connector bracket are also provided.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bracket, comprising:
 a bracket front face having a curvature; 
 a bracket back face including a first opening that communicates with a cavity, the cavity defined at least in part by:
 upper and lower opposing inner surfaces, the lower inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to a portion of the bracket front face; and 
 
 a hollow protrusion extending from the bracket front face in a front direction; 
 a second opening that communicates with the first opening and extends through the hollow protrusion; and 
 a bracket upper face and a bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other. 
 
     
     
       2. The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the second opening further comprises:
 planar upper and lower second opening inner surfaces; and 
 right and left arcuate second opening inner surfaces, the right and left arcuate second opening inner surfaces extending between the upper and lower second opening inner surfaces. 
 
     
     
       3. The bracket of  claim 2 , wherein the hollow protrusion further comprises:
 planar upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face; 
 right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face, the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces extending between the upper and the lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces; and 
 a hollow protrusion front face extending from the upper and lower outer hollow protrusion surfaces and the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, the hollow protrusion front face extending in a right to left direction and an upper to lower direction; and 
 wherein the second opening further comprises:
 an upper second opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar upper second opening inner surface; 
 a lower second opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar lower second opening inner surface; 
 a left arcuate second opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the left arcuate second opening inner surface; and 
 a right arcuate second opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the right arcuate second opening inner surface. 
 
 
     
     
       4. The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises:
 first and second fastener openings oriented in planes that are parallel to the bracket upper face and disposed on first and second protrusions that extend from left and right lower portions of the bracket front face, respectively. 
 
     
     
       5. The bracket of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is further defined by:
 left and right alignment surfaces including left and right openings, respectively, the left and right openings oriented in a front to back direction. 
 
     
     
       6. A bracket for mating with a receptacle connector and an opening of a housing of an electronic device, the bracket comprising:
 a bracket front face; 
 a bracket back face; 
 the bracket front face comprising:
 an upper portion including a planar center upper portion and left and right upper portions, the left upper portion having a curvature extending from the center upper portion toward a back direction and a left direction; the right upper portion having a curvature extending from the center upper portion toward the back direction and a right direction; 
 a lower portion including a center lower portion and left and right lower portions, the center lower portion having a curvature extending from the planar center upper portion toward the back direction and a lower direction, the right lower portion having a curvature extending from the center lower portion toward the back and right directions, the left lower portion having a curvature extending from the center lower portion toward the back and lower directions; 
 
 a hollow protrusion extending in a front direction; 
 a first elongated opening extending through the hollow protrusion and the bracket, from the front bracket face to the back bracket face, the first elongated opening comprising:
 planar upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces that extend parallel to the upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively; 
 right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left first elongated opening arcuate inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively; 
 
 the bracket back face comprising:
 an irregularly shaped opening that communicates with a cavity, the cavity defined at least in part by:
 upper and lower opposing irregularly shaped opening inner surfaces, the lower irregularly shaped opening inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to the lower center portion of the bracket front face; and 
 left and right opposing irregularly shaped opening inner surfaces; and 
 left and right alignment surfaces including left and right openings, respectively, the left and right openings oriented in a front to back direction; and 
 
 a second elongated opening, the second elongated opening corresponding to and larger than the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening comprising:
 a planar lower second elongated opening inner surface that extends parallel to the lower first elongated opening inner surface; 
 right and left arcuate second elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper irregularly shaped opening inner surface and the lower second elongated opening inner surface, the right and left arcuate second elongated opening inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion inner surfaces, respectively; and 
 
 
 a bracket upper face and a bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other and are oriented in planes that are parallel. 
 
     
     
       7. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow protrusion comprises:
 planar upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face; 
 right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face, the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces extending between the upper and the lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces; and 
 a hollow protrusion front face extending from the upper and lower outer hollow protrusion surfaces and the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, the hollow protrusion front face extending in a right to left direction and an upper to lower direction. 
 
     
     
       8. The bracket of  claim 7 , wherein the first elongated opening further comprises:
 an upper first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar upper first elongated opening inner surface; 
 a lower first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar lower first elongated opening inner surface; 
 a left arcuate first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the left arcuate first elongated opening inner surface; and 
 a right arcuate first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the right arcuate first elongated opening inner surface. 
 
     
     
       9. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the second elongated opening further comprises:
 a lower second elongated opening bevel surface extending between the lower first elongated opening inner surface and the lower second elongated opening inner surface; 
 a left arcuate bevel surface extending between the left arcuate first elongated opening inner surface and the left arcuate second elongated opening inner surface; and 
 a right arcuate bevel surface extending between the right arcuate first elongated opening inner surface and the right arcuate second elongated opening inner surface. 
 
     
     
       10. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket further comprises first and second fastener openings oriented in planes that are parallel to the bracket upper face and disposed on first and second protrusions that extend from the left and right lower portions of the bracket front face, respectively. 
     
     
       11. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the lower portion of the bracket front face is shaped to be flush with a portion of an inner spline shaped surface of a back face of the electronic device. 
     
     
       12. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the hollow protrusion is configured and sized to be received by the opening of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       13. The bracket of  claim 6 , wherein the first elongated opening is configured and sized to receive a plug connector corresponding to the receptacle connector; and wherein the second elongated opening is configured and sized to receive a lip of the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       14. A bracket for mating with a receptacle connector and an opening of a housing of an electronic device, the bracket comprising:
 a planar bracket upper face and a planar bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other; 
 first and second fastener openings disposed on left and right portions of the bracket upper face, respectively; 
 a bracket front face having a curvature extending from the bracket upper face toward a back direction and a lower direction; 
 a hollow protrusion extending in a front direction; 
 a first elongated opening extending through the hollow protrusion and the bracket, from the front bracket face to the back bracket face, the first elongated opening comprising:
 planar upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces that extend parallel to the upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively; 
 right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left first elongated opening arcuate inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively; 
 
 a planar bracket back face comprising:
 a second elongated opening communicating with the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening larger than the first elongated opening in a right to left direction and the upper to lower direction thereby forming a first ledge extending between the first and second elongated openings, the first ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face; 
 a third elongated opening communicating with the second elongated opening, the third elongated opening larger than the second elongated opening in the right to left direction thereby forming a second ledge extending between the second and third elongated openings, the second ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face; 
 a fourth elongated opening communicating with the third elongated openings, the fourth elongated opening larger than the third elongated opening in the right to left and the upper to lower directions thereby forming a third ledge extending between the third and fourth elongated openings, the third ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face; and 
 a fifth elongated opening communicating with the fourth elongated openings, the fifth elongated opening larger than the fourth elongated opening in the right to left and the upper to lower directions thereby forming a fourth ledge extending between the fourth and fifth elongated openings, the fourth ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face and including first and second alignment openings on a right and a left portion of the fourth ledge, respectively; 
 
 a bracket right face extending from the bracket front face towards the back direction and a right direction; and 
 a bracket left face extending from the bracket front face towards the back direction and a left direction. 
 
     
     
       15. The bracket of  claim 14 , wherein the hollow protrusion comprises:
 planar upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face; 
 right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces that extend from the bracket front face, the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces extending between the upper and the lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces; and 
 a hollow protrusion front face extending from the upper and lower outer hollow protrusion surfaces and the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, the hollow protrusion front face extending in a right to left direction and an upper to lower direction. 
 
     
     
       16. The bracket of  claim 15 , wherein the first elongated opening further comprises:
 an upper first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar upper first elongated opening inner surface; 
 a lower first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the planar lower first elongated opening inner surface; 
 a left arcuate first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the left arcuate first elongated opening inner surface; and 
 a right arcuate first elongated opening bevel surface extending between the hollow protrusion front face and the right arcuate first elongated opening inner surface. 
 
     
     
       17. The bracket of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of the first, second, third and fourth ledges are configured to be disposed adjacent to corresponding lips of the receptacle connector when the receptacle connector is mated with the bracket. 
     
     
       18. The bracket of  claim 15 , wherein the bracket front face is shaped to be flush with a portion of an inner spline shaped surface of a back face of the electronic device. 
     
     
       19. The bracket of  claim 15 , wherein the hollow protrusion is configured and sized to be received by the opening of the housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       20. The bracket of  claim 15 , wherein the first elongated opening is configured and sized to receive a plug connector corresponding to the receptacle connector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional, claiming benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/699,818 filed Sep. 11, 2012 for “Connector Trim”. The entire disclosure of the above mentioned application is incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic device enclosures or housings, and in particular the interface between electronic device housings and electrical connectors. 
     Many electronic devices include electrical connectors that receive and provide power and data. For example, devices, such as tablets, laptops, netbooks, desktops, and all-in-one computers; cell, smart, and media phones; storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, and others, use electrical connectors for power and/or data. These electrical connectors are typically receptacle connectors and are designed to receive a male plug connector. The plug connector may plug into the receptacle connector through an opening in the housing of an electronic device, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power. These receptacle connectors may be attached or otherwise fixed to housings that surround an electronic device. 
     In response to the demand for smaller and lighter electronic devices, device enclosures have increasingly limited internal space while still including a large number of internal components. Limited space within the enclosures of devices creates a number of challenges. For example, the limited internal space of these enclosures drives the demand for smaller internal components such as smaller receptacle connectors for receiving smaller corresponding plug connectors. However, smaller receptacle connectors may be prone to breaking due to thinner receptacle connectors walls, particularly when made from polymers. In addition, lighter electronic devices may include housings that are made from lighter, less robust materials that may also be prone to being damaged and/or breaking. Damage to these receptacle connectors and/or device housings may occur during normal use of devices or when plug connectors are improperly inserted into and/or extracted from receptacle connectors and device housings. 
     Some plug connectors may be made from materials that are stronger than the corresponding receptacle connectors and/or the enclosures in which the receptacle connectors are housed. This may create additional challenges. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments of the invention pertain to trim rings or brackets that may be mated with or coupled to an opening of an electronic device enclosure or housing for receiving plug connectors to improve upon some or all of the above described deficiencies. For example, trim rings or brackets may be coupled or mated with a receptacle connector and an opening of a device housing to reinforce the receptacle connector and/or device housing and potentially reduce damage/breakage. These brackets may be made from materials with strong wear characteristics to withstand repeated contact with plug connectors. In addition, the material used to make the brackets may be of a stronger material than the device housing so as to prevent deformation of the device housing when toque or other forces are applied by a plug connector. The structural design of the bracket may also serve to spread loads, moments or torques applied to the bracket by a plug connector over a larger surface area of the device housing rather than at localized points on the device housing or the receptacle connector. 
     Accordingly, there is provided a bracket, comprising: 
     a bracket front face having a curvature; 
     a bracket back face including a first opening that communicates with a cavity, the cavity defined at least in part by:
         upper and lower opposing inner surfaces, the lower inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to a portion of the bracket front face; and       

     a hollow protrusion extending from the bracket front face in a front direction; 
     a second opening that communicates with the first opening and extends through the hollow protrusion; and 
     a bracket upper face and a bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other. 
     There is also provided a bracket for mating with a receptacle connector and an opening of a housing of an electronic device, the bracket comprising: 
     a bracket front face; 
     a bracket back face; 
     the bracket front face comprising:
         an upper portion including a planar center upper portion and left and right upper portions, the left upper portion having a curvature extending from the center upper portion toward a back direction and a left direction; the right upper portion having a curvature extending from the center upper portion toward the back direction and a right direction;   a lower portion including a center lower portion and left and right lower portions, the center lower portion having a curvature extending from the planar center upper portion toward the back direction and a lower direction, the right lower portion having a curvature extending from the center lower portion toward the back and right directions, the left lower portion having a curvature extending from the center lower portion toward the back and lower directions;       

     a hollow protrusion extending in a front direction; 
     a first elongated opening extending through the hollow protrusion and the bracket, from the front bracket face to the back bracket face, the first elongated opening comprising:
         planar upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces that extend parallel to the upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively;   right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left first elongated opening arcuate inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively;       

     the bracket back face comprising:
         an irregularly shaped opening that communicates with a cavity, the cavity defined at least in part by:
           upper and lower opposing irregularly shaped opening inner surfaces, the lower irregularly shaped opening inner surface including a portion that extends parallel to the lower center portion of the bracket front face; and   left and right opposing irregularly shaped opening inner surfaces; and   left and right alignment surfaces including left and right openings, respectively, the left and right openings oriented in a front to back direction; and   
           a second elongated opening, the second elongated opening corresponding to and larger than the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening comprising:
           a planar lower second elongated opening inner surface that extends parallel to the lower first elongated opening inner surface;   right and left arcuate second elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper irregularly shaped opening inner surface and the lower second elongated opening inner surface, the right and left arcuate second elongated opening inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion inner surfaces, respectively; and   
               

     a bracket upper face and a bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other and are oriented in planes that are parallel. 
     There is also provided a bracket for mating with a receptacle connector and an opening of a housing of an electronic device, the bracket comprising: 
     a planar bracket upper face and a planar bracket lower face, which faces oppose each other; 
     first and second fastener openings disposed on left and right portions of the bracket upper face, respectively; 
     a bracket front face having a curvature extending from the bracket upper face toward a back direction and a lower direction; 
     a hollow protrusion extending in a front direction; 
     a first elongated opening extending through the hollow protrusion and the bracket, from the front bracket face to the back bracket face, the first elongated opening comprising:
         planar upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces that extend parallel to the upper and lower hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively;   right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left arcuate first elongated opening inner surfaces extending between the upper and lower first elongated opening inner surfaces, the right and left first elongated opening arcuate inner surfaces extending in a direction concentric with the right and left arcuate hollow protrusion outer surfaces, respectively;       

     a planar bracket back face comprising:
         a second elongated opening communicating with the first elongated opening, the second elongated opening larger than the first elongated opening in a right to left direction and the upper to lower direction thereby forming a first ledge extending between the first and second elongated openings, the first ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face;   a third elongated opening communicating with the second elongated opening, the third elongated opening larger than the second elongated opening in the right to left direction thereby forming a second ledge extending between the second and third elongated openings, the second ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face;   a fourth elongated opening communicating with the third elongated openings, the fourth elongated opening larger than the third elongated opening in the right to left and the upper to lower directions thereby forming a third ledge extending between the third and fourth elongated openings, the third ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face; and   a fifth elongated opening communicating with the fourth elongated openings, the fifth elongated opening larger than the fourth elongated opening in the right to left and the upper to lower directions thereby forming a fourth ledge extending between the fourth and fifth elongated openings, the fourth ledge oriented in a plane that is parallel to the bracket back face and including first and second alignment openings on a right and a left portion of the fourth ledge, respectively;       

     a bracket right face extending from the bracket front face towards the back direction and a right direction; and 
     a bracket left face extending from the bracket front face towards the back direction and a left direction. 
     Although aspects of the invention are described in relation to environments where space within the enclosure of an electronic device is limited or where lighter, less robust materials are used for device housings and/or receptacle connectors, it is appreciated that these features and aspects can be used in a variety of different environments, regardless of space and weight constraints. 
     Trim rings or brackets described herein can be used in a variety of different electronic devices, which may use a variety of different connector technologies. These different connector technologies may include standard USB and mini USB connectors, FireWire connectors, as well as many of the proprietary connectors, e.g., Apple&#39;s proprietary 30-pin connector, used with portable electronics. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  depicts an illustrative rendering of one particular electronic media device that may include the present invention. 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  illustrate front views of an electronic media device not including and including a connector trim ring or bracket according to embodiments of the present invention, respectively. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  depict an eight contact in-line dual orientation plug connector that may be received by trim rings or brackets according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-3G  illustrate a connector trim ring or bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a bracket of the invention coupled with an electronic device housing and a receptacle connector. 
         FIGS. 4B and 4C  illustrate a plug connector proximate to and inserted through the bracket of  FIG. 4A  of the invention, respectively. 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  are front, back and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a connector trim ring or bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a bracket of the invention coupled with an electronic device housing and a receptacle connector. 
         FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate a plug connector proximate to and inserted through the bracket of  FIG. 6A  of the invention, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known details have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
     As discussed earlier, the invention may apply to a variety of different electronic devices, which may use a variety of different connector technologies. Accordingly, this invention may be used with many electronic devices that mate with a variety of electrical connectors in order to receive and provide power and data. Examples of electronic devices that may include the present invention are shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 1A  depicts an illustrative rendering of one particular electronic media device  100  that may include the present invention. Device  100  includes a multipurpose button  105  as an input component and a touch screen display  110  as a both an input and output component, all of which are housed within a device housing  115 . Device  100  also includes a primary receptacle connector  120  within device housing  115 . Receptacle connector  120  can be positioned within housing  115  such that the cavity of the receptacle connectors into which a corresponding plug connector is inserted communicates with an opening (opening  130  shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C ) at an exterior surface (bottom exterior surface  115   a  shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C ) of the device housing  115 . 
     For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components are not shown in  FIG. 1A . Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are particularly suitable for use with plug connectors that are configured to mate with receptacle connector  120 , but in some embodiments can also be used with audio plug receptacle (not shown in  FIG. 1A ). 
     Although device  10  is described as one particular electronic media device, embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a multiplicity of electronic devices that include a receptacle connector for receiving a corresponding plug connector. For example, any device that receives or transmits audio, video or data signals among may be used with the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their potentially small form factor. As used herein, an electronic media device includes any device with at least one electronic component that may be used to present human-perceivable media. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, desktop computers, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Some of these devices may be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output. 
       FIGS. 1B and 1C  illustrate front views of electronic media device  100  not including and including a connector trim ring or bracket according to embodiments of the present invention, respectively. As shown in  FIG. 1B , housing  115  of device  100  may include a bottom exterior surface  115   a  including an opening  130 . As discussed above, a plug connector may be inserted through an opening  130  at an exterior surface of the device housing, e.g., bottom exterior surface  115   a,  in order to mate with receptacle connector  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , a bracket according to the present invention, e.g., bracket  135 , may be sized to receive a plug connector and coupled with opening  130 . A detailed discussion of brackets according to the present invention will be provided below. 
     Although receptacle connector  120  and opening  130  are shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C  as being disposed at bottom exterior surface  115   a  of device  100 , brackets according to the present invention may be coupled with openings disposed at any number of surfaces of electronic device, e.g., a top, left, right or other exterior surface. 
     In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of trim rings or brackets of the present invention, further context for the invention is provided in the following section by discussing a one particular plug connector which may be inserted through brackets according to the present invention in order to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors housed within electronic devices. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  depict an eight contact in-line dual orientation plug connector  200  that may be received by trim rings or brackets according to embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a simplified perspective view of plug connector  200  and  FIGS. 2B and 2C  are simplified top and bottom plan views, respectfully, of plug connector  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , plug connector  200  includes a body  205  and a tab or insertion end  210  that extends longitudinally away from a flanged end  230  in a direction parallel to the length of connector  200 . A cable  215  can be attached to body  205  at an end opposite of insertion end  210 . 
     Insertion end  210  may be inserted through brackets according to embodiments of the present invention, e.g., bracket  135  (shown in  FIG. 1C ), and into a corresponding receptacle connector, such as connector  120  (shown in  FIG. 1A ), during a mating event. Insertion end  210  includes a first contact region  220   a  formed on a first major surface  225   a  and a second contact region  220   b  formed at a second major surface  225   b  opposite surface  225   a.  Surfaces  225   a,    225   b  extend from a distal tip or end of the insertion end  210  to flanged end  230 . When insertion end  210  is inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector, surfaces  225   a,    225   b  abut a housing of the receptacle connector and/or a bracket coupled to the electronic device housing in which the receptacle connector is incorporated. In some embodiments, insertion end  210  is between 4 and 7 mm wide, between 1 and 2 mm thick and has an insertion depth (the distance from the distal tip of insertion end  210  to flanged end  230 ) between 5 and 10 mm. The structure and shape of insertion end  210  and flanged end  230  may be defined by a ground ring or frame  235  that can be made from stainless steel or another conductive material. 
     In one embodiment, plug connector  200  can be the plug connector portion of a plug connector/receptacle connector pair that can be the primary physical connector system for an ecosystem of products that includes both host electronic devices and accessory devices. Examples of host devices include smart phones, portable media players, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers and other computing devices. An accessory can be any piece of hardware that connects to and communicates with or otherwise expands the functionality of the host. Many different types of accessory devices can be specifically designed or adapted to communicate with the host device through plug connector  200  to provide additional functionality for the host. Plug connector  200  can be incorporated into each accessory device that is part of the ecosystem to enable the host and accessory to communicate with each other over a physical/electrical channel when plug connector  200  from the accessory is mated with a corresponding receptacle connector in the host device. Examples of accessory devices include docking stations, charge/sync cables and devices, cable adapters, clock radios, game controllers, audio equipment, memory card readers, headsets, video equipment and adapters, keyboards, medical sensors such as heart rate monitors and blood pressure monitors, point of sale (POS) terminals, as well as numerous other hardware devices that can connect to and exchange data with the host device. 
     As discussed above, although bracket  135  is described herein in relation to one particular plug connector (plug connector  200 ), embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a multiplicity of plug connectors that correspond to receptacle connectors for electronic devices, e.g., other plug connectors described herein. 
     Brackets according to the present invention may include features to accommodate elements of plug connector  200  described above. In addition, embodiments of the present invention may include features to aid in coupling with receptacle connectors and electronic device housings in which the receptacle connectors are housed. Additional features of the invention may prevent damage to electronic devices and receptacle connectors housed therein. Examples of these features are shown in the following figures. 
     For purposes of description of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 3A-3G  and  FIGS. 5A-5C , a three-dimensional set of orthogonal axes is shown relative to a bracket  300  of  FIG. 3E  and a bracket  500  of  FIG. 5A . The axes set (as shown in  FIGS. 3E and 5A ) are labeled relative to the direction in which bracket  300  extends through the device housing (e.g., housing  115  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ) in as the front direction, and the opposite direction as the back direction to form a front-back axis. Orthogonal to the front direction, a right direction and left direction are shown and form a left-right axis. Again, orthogonal to the front-back and left-right axes, an upper direction and lower direction are shown which form an upper-lower axis. A frontal plane is defined by the left-right and upper-lower axes. A sagittal plane is defined by the front-back and upper-lower axes. A superior plane is defined by the left-right and front-back axes. Accordingly, it is apparent that the particular brackets  300  and  500  described below are symmetrical in a sagittal plane through a centerline through the center of the elongated opening (which opening is described below) in the sagittal plane, though asymmetrical in a frontal plane or a superior plane through that center. Brackets according to various embodiments of the invention may be symmetrical or asymmetrical in various planes as desired. 
       FIGS. 3A-3G  illustrate a connector trim ring or bracket  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 3A-3D  are front, back, top and bottom plan views, respectively, of bracket  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIGS. 3E-3F  are front and back perspective views, respectively, of bracket  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3G  is a partial cutaway back perspective view of bracket  300  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Bracket  300  as shown in  FIG. 3A  includes a front face  302  having lower and upper front face portions. The upper portion include left and right portions  304 ,  306  and a center portion  308  extending between the left and right portions  304 ,  306 . The lower portion includes left and right portions  309 ,  310  extending between a center portion  312 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , and more clearly in  FIGS. 3C and 3E , left and right upper and lower portions  304 ,  306 ,  309 ,  310  may have a rounded curvature.  FIGS. 3B-3D  show that bracket  300  also includes a back face  314  and upper and lower opposing faces  316 ,  318 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3C and 3D , hollow protrusion  320  may extend from front face  302  and include upper and lower outer surfaces  320   a,    320   b,  which surfaces may be planar, and left and right arcuate outer surfaces  320   c,    320   d.  Hollow protrusion  320  may also include a front face  320   e  extending between surfaces  320   a - 320   d.  Hollow protrusion  320  may extend varying distances from front face  320   e  depending on a number of factors, including the geometry of an electronic device housing to which bracket  300  may be coupled. For example, hollow protrusion  320  may extend from the interior of the device housing (e.g., housing  115  as shown in  FIG. 1A ) and through an opening (e.g., opening  130  as shown in  FIG. 1B ) in the housing such that front face  320   e  is flush with an exterior surface (e.g., surface  115   a  as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C ) of the device housing. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E , bracket  300  may include a first elongated opening  325  extending through hollow protrusion  320  and the rest of bracket  300 . First elongated opening  325  may include upper and lower inner surfaces  325   a,    325   b,  which surfaces may be planar, and left and right arcuate inner surfaces  325   c,    325   d.  These inner surfaces of first elongated opening  325  may extend parallel to corresponding outer surfaces of hollow protrusion  320 . First elongated opening  325  may be sized and configured to receive a plug connector corresponding to the device. Bevel surfaces may extend around an inner perimeter of first elongated opening  325  extending between corresponding inner surfaces  325   a - 325   d  and front face  320   e.  For example, upper, lower, left arcuate and right arcuate bevel surfaces  330   a - 330   d  may extended between front face  320   e  and upper, lower, left arcuate and right arcuate outer surfaces  320   a - 320   d , respectively. These bevel surfaces may allow corresponding plug connectors (e.g., plug connector  460  shown in  FIGS. 4B-4C ) to be more readily insertable through bracket  300  and into corresponding receptacle connectors (e.g., receptacle connector  410  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C ). 
     Although first elongated opening  325  is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3F  as having a particular shape, other embodiments of the invention may include openings for receiving plug connectors where the openings are otherwise shaped. For example, the first elongated opening  325  may be circular, triangular, rectangular or otherwise shaped. The shape of the hollow protrusion  320  may be similarly varied to be similar to or different from embodiments of first elongated opening  325 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3E and 3F , bracket  300  may include protrusions  335   a,    335   b  that may extend from left and right portions  309 ,  310  of the front face  302 . Fastener openings  340   a ,  340   b  may be disposed on protrusions  335   a,    335   b,  oriented in planes that are parallel with upper face  316 , and beveled. In some embodiments, protrusions  335   a,    335   b  may be L-shaped so as to provide surfaces for positioning fastener openings that are oriented in planes that are perpendicular with upper face  316 . Alternatively, one or more protrusions having fastener openings disposed thereon may extend from other faces of bracket  300 , e.g., upper face  316  and/or lower face  318 . Fasteners (not shown) may extend through fastener openings  340   a,    340   b  in order to secure bracket  300  to a housing of an electronic device (housing  405  shown in  FIG. 4A ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 3F , back face  314  of bracket  300  may include an irregularly shaped opening  345 . Again,  FIG. 3G  is a partial cutaway view and it illustrates inner surfaces that may define the cavity of irregularly shaped opening  345 . For example, a lower inner surface  345   a  is shown as having a curvature that extends parallel to the lower center portion  312  of front face  302 . An upper inner surface  345   b  is also shown and may be oriented in a plane that is parallel to upper face  316  (as shown in  FIG. 3F ). A left inner surface  345   d  may extend between upper and lower inner surfaces  345   a.  Although only a left half of bracket  300  is shown in  FIG. 3G , a right half of bracket  300  may be symmetrical in the plane about which bracket  300  is cut in  FIG. 3G , e.g., irregular opening  345  may include a right inner surface corresponding to left inner surface  345   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 3G , the cavity of irregularly shaped opening  345  may also be defined by left and right alignment surfaces  350   a,    350   b  (shown in  FIG. 3B ), which surfaces may include left and right alignment openings  355   a,    355   b  (shown in  FIG. 3B ), respectively. Surfaces  350   a ,  350   b  may be planar and left and right alignment openings  355   a,    355   b  may be oriented in a plane that is perpendicular to upper face  316 . These openings  355   a,    355   b  may be used to align with corresponding features on a receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  410  shown in  FIGS. 4A-4C ) coupled with bracket  300 . 
     As further shown in  FIG. 3G , back face  314  also includes a second elongated opening  355  that may correspond to, i.e., be centered about the same point as, the first elongated opening  325 . Second elongated opening  355  may be larger than first elongated opening  325  and include lower and left arcuate inner surfaces  355   b,    355   c.  Although not shown, second elongated opening  355  may also include a right arcuate inner surface corresponding to left arcuate inner surface  355   c.  As shown in  FIG. 3G , upper inner surface  345   b  of irregularly shaped opening  345  may serve as the upper inner surface of second elongated opening  355 . A beveled surface  360  may extend between inner surfaces  325   b - 325   d  and corresponding inner surfaces of second elongated opening  355   b,    355   c,  and a right arcuate inner (not shown in  FIG. 3G ). However, a bevel surface may not extend between upper inner surface  345   b  and upper inner surface  325   a . Right and left ( 355   c ) inner arcuate surfaces of second elongated opening  355  may be concentric with right left inner surfaces  325   c,    325   d  and/or left and right arcuate outer surfaces  320   c,    320   d.    
     Bracket  300  may be made from materials such as stainless steel (e.g., 301 or 17-4 stainless steel) or other high modulus, high strength materials. Bracket  300  may be manufactured according to a number of different methods, including pressed powder sintering, investment casting, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, forging, metal injection molding (MIM) or other. 
     Although bracket  300  is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3G  as having a particular geometry, the geometry of the bracket of the present invention may vary to accommodate the geometry of corresponding electronic device housings and receptacle connectors with which brackets of the invention may be mated. Examples of how brackets of the invention interface with corresponding device housings and receptacle connectors are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a bracket  400  of the invention coupled with an electronic device housing  405  and a receptacle connector  410 . Bracket  400  may extend through an opening  415  of housing  405  such that a front face  420  may be flush with exterior surface  425  of housing  405 . Bracket  400  may also extend into the interior of housing  405  so as to surround a portion of a housing  430  of receptacle connector  410 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , portions  400   a,    400   b  of bracket  400  may be shaped so as to conform and be flush with corresponding surfaces of receptacle connector  410  and housing  405 . In addition, an opening  435  (e.g., second elongated opening  325 ) that include inner surfaces (e.g., upper, lower and left, right arcuate inner surfaces) that serve as a ledge on which lips  440 ,  445  of receptacle connector  410  may interface. 
     Bracket  400  may also include an opening  450  for receiving a plug connector corresponding to receptacle connector  410 . An example of how a plug connector interfaces with bracket  400  when inserted into opening  415  is shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 4B and 4C  illustrate a plug connector  460  proximate to and inserted through bracket  400  of the invention, respectively.  FIG. 4B  shows a typical insertion path  455  which plug connector  460  may follow in being inserted through bracket  400  and into receptacle connector  410 . Insertion path  455  shows that plug connector  460  does not necessarily contact housing  405  during an insertion event. Instead, bracket  400  may shield housing  405  from contact with a plug connector  460 . Thus, wear on housing  405  may be reduced when a bracket, e.g., bracket  400 , is coupled to housing  405 . This could be particularly beneficial where housing  405  is made from aluminum or other metals that can be prone to wear, especially where plug connector  460  is made from hard metallic materials such as stainless steel. 
     When plug connector  460  is inserted into receptacle connector  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4B , loads and torques may be applied to plug connector  460 . When these loads are applied, bracket  400  may prevent damage to receptacle connector  410  as it surrounds a portion of receptacle connector  410  so as to reinforce receptacle connector  410  by absorbing some of those loads. In the absence of bracket  400 , torques applied by plug connector  460  while inserted into receptacle connector  410  may cause localized forces around opening  415  of housing  405 . However, bracket  400  prevents localized forces from being applied to opening  415  by spreading out torques and loads to the rest of the housing via fastening mechanisms (e.g., fasteners and fastener openings  340   a,    340   b  discussed above) that may secure bracket  400  to housing  405 . By reinforcing and spreading loads, bracket  400  may prevent damage to housing  405  and receptacle connector  410 . 
     As discussed above, brackets  300  and  400  may be sized and shaped to accommodate a particular device housing and corresponding receptacle connector. For example, brackets  300  and  400  may be particularly suited for devices having housing surfaces defined by spline curvature such as spline curvature  405   a  (shown in  FIG. 4C ). Some device may have housing surfaces that are defined by a more or less dramatic spline curvature. In order to illustrate generally how brackets of the invention may be varied depending on a corresponding device housing, the following figures show an example of a bracket for a device having a housing surface defined by a less dramatic spline curvature. 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  are front, back and bottom perspective views, respectively, of a connector trim ring or bracket  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5C , bracket  500  includes upper and lower opposing faces  505  and  510 . Upper face  505  includes first and second fastener openings  515 ,  520  disposed at right and left portions of upper face  505 , respectively. Bracket  500  may also include rounded left and right opposing faces  525 ,  530  (show in  FIG. 5B ) and a front face  535 . A hollow protrusion  540  may extend from front face  535 . Hollow protrusion  540  may include an upper and lower outer surfaces  540   a,    540   b,  which surfaces may be planar, and left and right arcuate outer surfaces  540   c,    540   d  that may extend between surfaces  540   a,    540   b.  Hollow protrusion  540  may also include a front face  542  extending between surfaces  540   a - 540   d.  A first elongated opening  545  may extending through hollow protrusion  540  and through the remainder of bracket  500  from front face  535  to a back face  550  (shown in  FIG. 5B ), which surface may be planar. 
     First elongated opening  545  may include upper and lower opposing inner surfaces  545   a,    545   b,  which surfaces may be planar, and left and right arcuate inner surfaces  545   c  (shown in  FIG. 5B ),  545   d  that may extend between surfaces  545   a,    545   b.  Upper and lower inner surfaces  545   a,    545   b  may extend parallel to upper and lower outer surfaces  540   a,    540   b  and left and right arcuate inner surfaces  545   c ,  545   d  may extend in a direction concentric with left and right arcuate outer surfaces  540   c ,  540   d.  First elongated opening  545  may also include a bevel surface  547  extending between front face  542  and inner surfaces  545   a - 545   d.    
     As shown in  FIG. 5B , back face  550  may include a number of elongated openings, including second, third, fourth, and fifth openings  560   a - 560   d.  Second, third, fourth and fifth elongated openings  560   a - 560   d  may communicate with first, second, third, and fourth elongated openings  540 ,  560   a ,  560   b ,  560   c , respectively. Second elongated opening  560   a  may be larger than first elongated opening  540  in the right to left direction and the upper to lower direction, thereby forming a first ledge  565   a.  Third elongated opening  560   b  may be larger than second elongated opening  560   a  in the right to left direction, thereby forming a second ledge  565   b . Fourth elongated opening  560   c  may be larger than third elongated opening  560   b  in the right to left direction and the upper to lower direction, thereby forming a third ledge  565   c.  Fifth elongated opening  560   d  may be larger than fourth elongated opening  560   c  in the right to left direction and the upper to lower direction, thereby forming a fourth ledge  565   d.  Ledges  565   a - 565   d  may each be oriented in a plane that is parallel to the back bracket face  550 . Ledges  560   a - 560   d  may serve as supports for features of receptacle connector coupled with bracket  500  as discussed below. 
     In addition, ledge  565   d  may include left and right portions including first and second alignment openings  570   a ,  570   b , respectively. These openings  570   a ,  570   b  may be used to align a receptacle connector (e.g., receptacle connector  610  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C ) with bracket  500  using corresponding features on a receptacle connector. 
     Although bracket  500  is shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C  as having a particular geometry, the geometry of brackets of the present invention may vary to accommodate the geometry of corresponding electronic device housings and receptacle connectors with which brackets of the invention may be mated. Examples of how brackets of the invention interface with corresponding device housings and receptacle connectors are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates a cutaway perspective view of a bracket  600  of the invention coupled with an electronic device housing  605  and a receptacle connector  610 . Bracket  600  may extend through an opening  615  of housing  605  such that a front face  620  of bracket  600  may be flush with an exterior surface  625  of housing  605 . Bracket  600  may also extend into the interior of housing  605  so as to surround a portion of a housing  630  of receptacle connector  610 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , portions  600   a ,  600   b  of bracket  600  may be shaped to conform and be flush with corresponding surfaces of receptacle connector  610  and housing  605 . In addition, ledges  630   a - 630   c  may be disposed adjacent to corresponding lips  640   a ,  640   b  or other geometry  640   c ,  640   d  of receptacle connector  610  when receptacle connector  610  is mated with bracket  600 . 
       FIG. 6A  further illustrates, when compared to  FIG. 4A , how the thicknesses of various elements of brackets of the invention may be varied depending on the geometry of a device enclosure and/or a receptacle connector. 
     An example of how a plug connector interfaces with bracket  600  when inserted into receptacle connector  610  is shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate a plug connector  660  proximate to and inserted through bracket  600  of the invention, respectively.  FIGS. 6B and 6C  show that bracket  600  may provide similar wear reduction for housing  605 , plug connector  660  applied load distribution, and reinforcement for housing  605  and receptacle connector  610  as discussed above with regards to  FIGS. 4B and 4C . 
     In addition to the mechanical aspects of brackets according to the present invention described above, brackets of the invention may also provide a cosmetic two tone appearance marking the location for plug connector insertion when coupled with an electronic device housing. Thus, embodiments described herein may be varied for cosmetic reasons in addition to or instead of structural reasons. 
     Brackets according to the present invention may also be overmolded or coated with an electrically insulative material in order to prevent an electrostatic discharge through a device housing when a plug connector is mated therewith. This may be particularly useful for electronic devices that include a radio frequency (RF) antenna. 
     Also, while a number of specific embodiments were disclosed with specific features, a person of skill in the art will recognize instances where the features of one embodiment can be combined with the features of another embodiment. For example, some specific embodiments of the invention set forth above were illustrated as including a number of geometric features. A person of skill in the art will readily appreciate embodiments of the present invention may include all, some or a combination of the geometric features described in relation to any of the embodiments described herein and may include additional geometric features not described herein. Also, those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the inventions described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20130315
Publication Date: 20140812
Grant Date: 20140812
Priority Date: 20120911
Inventors: UTTERMANN ERIK A.
RAFF JOHN
TRZASKOS PIOTR S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G15/007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/516", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/516", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02G15/007", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50232093