Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. Design Patent Application No. ______, titled UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (USB) PLUG SYSTEM and filed simultaneously herewith; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments described herein relate to electrical connectors. More particularly, embodiments described herein relate to micro universal serial bus (USB) plugs and systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    USB is a connector standard that defines cables, connectors, and communication protocols used in a bus connection, communication, and power supply between computing devices and electronic devices. More particularly, USB is a serial interface that is often used in place of RS232 serial interfaces and parallel interfaces to connect peripheral devices (e.g., mice, keyboards, printers, etc.) to computers (e.g., desktop and laptop computers). Many computers are equipped with multiple USB connectors, each of which is designed to mate with a respective USB plug. A typical USB connector is configured with electrical contacts that are designed to couple to electrical contacts external to the USB connector in order to perform data transfer and power supply functions. Some of the electrical contacts of the USB connector are used to couple electrical contacts of a USB plug to the electrical circuitry of the USB connector, Whereas some of the electrical contacts of the USB connector are used to couple the electrical circuitry of the USB connector to conductive traces formed on a motherboard of a computer. Electrical traces on the motherboard route electrical signals between the electrical circuitry of the USB connector and electrical circuitry mounted on the motherboard, such as, for example, a USB controller that is connected to a main processor of the computer. 
         [0004]    Micro USB plugs and ports, such as micro USB version 2 and 3 plugs and ports, has a dimension smaller than other USB types of plugs and ports. More particularly, a micro USB is a newer generation specification of mini USB having a dimension reduced by about 60% when compared to mini USB. Such size and dimension can be beneficial for use in small electronics and computing devices. 
         [0005]    Micro USB plugs and ports are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. In addition, there are many different electrical and computing applications for USB technologies. For at least these reasons, there is a continuing need for improved micro USB plug and port systems of varying shapes and sizes for different applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of various embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings provided herein. For the purposes of illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presently disclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an example micro USB plug system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a rear view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a top cross-sectional view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an example micro USB plug system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 14  is a rear view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 15  is a top cross-sectional view of the micro USB plug system shown in FIG.  9 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a rear perspective view of an example micro USB plug system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 18  is a rear view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 19  is a top view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 21  is a front view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 22  is a top cross-sectional view of the micro USB plug system shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 1-8  illustrate different views of an example micro USB plug system  100  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly, the figure shows a micro-B USB version 2 plug system. Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the system  100  includes a housing  102  having sides  104 A- 104 F. The sides of the housing  102  form an interior  800  therebetween. The housing  102  may be made of a suitable plastic or other type of rigid material as will be understood to those of skill in the art. In this example, the housing  102  is generally an elongated cube in shape; however, it should be understood that the housing  102  may be any suitable shape depending on the application. The housing  102  may be suitably sealed for preventing entry of moisture or contaminants within the interior defined by the sides  104 A- 104 F and shown in  FIG. 8 , which illustrates a cross-sectional, side view of the system  100 . 
         [0031]    An opening  106  is defined within side  104 A of the housing  102  for receipt of a micro USB connector, such as a mating micro USB plug. A slot  108  formed in the interior of the housing  102  and extends from the opening  106  towards the interior. The slot  106  is structured to receive a micro USB version 2 connector. In an alternative example, for example, the opening  106  and slot  108  may be sized and shaped to receive another suitable type of connector. The slot  108  can function as a constraint feature that prevents engagement with non-micro USB version 3 equipment. 
         [0032]    Multiple micro USB pins  110  are positioned within the slot  108  and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 2 connector. Alternatively, the pins may be arranged to operably connect to any type of micro USB version connector. Pins  110  may include, but not limited to, a V CC  pin, a transmit pin, a receive pin. In addition, a ground pin  112  and a power pin  114 . The ground pin  112  extends further from the interior than the power pin  114 . 
         [0033]    The system  100  may include USB version 2 circuitry (not shown in the figures) contained within the interior of the housing  102 . The circuitry may be operably connected to the pins  110 ,  112 , and  114 . The circuitry may include multiple wires and/or other suitable components for electrically connecting the pins  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
         [0034]    A locking mechanism may be suitably attached to the housing  102  for engaging and locking to a USB plug connector. In this example, the locking mechanism includes members  116 A and  116 B configured to engage to a mating locking mechanism of a USB plug system. Members  116 A and  116 B may be pliant and resilient for locking to the USB plug connector as will be understood to those of skill in the art. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 9-15  illustrate different views of another example micro USB plug system  900  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly,  FIGS. 9-15  show a micro-B USB version 3 plug system. Referring to  FIGS. 9-15 , the system  900  includes a housing  102  having sides  104 A- 104 F. The sides of the housing  102  form an interior  800  therebetween. The housing  102  may be made of a suitable plastic or other type of rigid material as will be understood to those of skill in the art. In this example, the housing  102  may be any suitable shape depending on the application. The housing  102  may be suitably sealed for preventing entry of moisture or contaminants within the interior defined by the sides  104 A- 104 F and shown in  FIG. 15 , which illustrates a cross-sectional, side view of the system  100 . 
         [0036]    An opening  106  is defined within side  104 A of the housing  102  for receipt of a micro USB connector, such as a mating micro USB version 3 plug. A slot  108  formed in the interior of the housing  102  and extends from the opening  106  towards the interior. The slot  106  is structured to receive a micro USB version 3 connector. In an alternative example, for example, the opening  106  and slot  108  may be sized and shaped to receive another suitable type of connector. 
         [0037]    Multiple micro USB pins  110  and  112  are positioned within the slot  108  and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 2 connector. Pins  110  may be configured for a USB 3.0 portion of a connector. For example, pins  110  may include, but are not limited to, a StdA_SSTX− pin, a StdA_SSTX+ pin, a GND_Drain pin, a StdA_SSRX− pin, and a StdA_SSRX+ pin. Pins  112  may be configured to a USB 2.0 connector. For example, pins  112  may include, but are not limited to, a Vcc, D− pin, a D+ pin, and a ground pin. Alternatively, the pins may be arranged to operably connect to any type of micro USB version connector. In addition, a ground pin  114  and a power pin  116 . The ground pin  114  extends further from the interior than the power pin  116 . 
         [0038]    The system  100  may include USB version 2 circuitry and USB version 3 circuitry (not shown in the figures) contained within the interior of the housing  102 . The circuitry may be operably connected to the pins  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 . The circuitry may include multiple wires and/or other suitable components for electrically connecting the pins  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 . 
         [0039]    A locking mechanism may be suitably attached to the housing  102  for engaging and locking to a USB plug connector. In this example, the locking mechanism includes members  116 A and  116 B configured to engage to a mating locking mechanism of a USB plug system. Members  116 A and  116 B may be pliant and resilient for locking to the USB plug connector as will be understood to those of skill in the art. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 16-22  illustrate different views of another example micro USB plug system  1600  in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly,  FIGS. 16-22  show a micro-B USB version 3 plug system. Referring to  FIGS. 16-22 , the system  1600  includes a housing  102  having sides  104 A- 104 F. The sides of the housing  102  form an interior  2200  therebetween as shown in  FIG. 22 . The housing  102  may be made of a suitable plastic or other type of rigid material as will be understood to those of skill in the art. In this example, the housing  102  may be any suitable shape depending on the application. The housing  102  may be suitably sealed for preventing entry of moisture or contaminants within the interior defined by the sides  104 A- 104 F and shown in  FIG. 22 , which illustrates a cross-sectional, top view of the system  100 . 
         [0041]    Openings  106 A and  106 B are defined within side  104 A of the housing  102  for receipt of micro USB connectors. Particularly, the openings  106 A and  106 B may receive a mating micro USB version 2 plug and a mating micro USB version 3 plug, respectively. Slots  108 A and  108 B are formed in the interior of the housing  102  and extend from the openings  106 A and  106 B, respectively, towards the interior. Slot  106 A is structured to receive a micro USB version 2 connector. Slot  106 B is structured to receive a micro USB version 3 connector. In an alternative example, for example, openings  106 A and  106 B and slots  108 A and  108 B may be suitably sized and shaped to receive other suitable types of connectors. 
         [0042]    Multiple micro USB pins  110  and  112  are positioned within slots  108 A and  108 B, respectively, and arranged to be operably connected to a USB version 2 connector and a USB version 3 connector, respectively. Pins  110  and  112  may be configured for connecting to a USB 2.0 portion and a USB 3.0 portion, respectively, of a connector. For example, pins  110  may include, but are not limited to, a ground, a D+ signal, a D− signal, and a Vcc signal. Also, for example, pins  112  may include, but are not limited to, a StdA SSTX− pin, a StdA SSTX+ pin, a GND_Drain pin, a StdA SSRX− pin, and a StdA_SSRX+ pin. Pins  112  may be configured to a USB 2.0 connector. Alternatively, the pins may be arranged to operably connect to any type of micro USB version connector. 
         [0043]    The system  1600  may include USB version 2 circuitry and USB version 3 circuitry (not shown in the figures) contained within the interior of the housing  102 . The circuitry may be operably connected to the pins  110  and  112 . The circuitry may include multiple wires and/or other suitable components for electrically connecting the pins  110  and  112 . The circuitry may include wires for suitably connecting the pins to wires contained within a cord attached to the housing  102 . 
         [0044]    A locking mechanism  1602  may be suitably attached to the housing  102  for engaging and locking to a mating USB connector. In this example, the locking mechanism  1603  is configured to engage to a mating locking mechanism of a USB connector. The locking mechanism  1602  may be pliant and resilient for locking to the USB connector as will be understood to those of skill in the art. 
         [0045]    Slots  108  are formed in the openings  106 A and  106 B of the housing  102  and extend toward the interior. The slots  106  is structured to receive a micro USB version 2 connector. In an alternative example, for example, the openings  106 A and  106 B and slots  108  may be sized and shaped to receive other suitable types of connectors. The slots  108  can function as constraint features that prevent engagement with non-micro USB equipment. 
         [0046]    While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the presently disclosed subject matter. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Technology Category: h