Socket Structure With Duplex Electrical Connection
Patent No. USRE50307 (titled "Socket Structure With Duplex Electrical Connection") was filed by Kiwi Intellectual Assets Corp on Oct 27, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’307 is related to the field of electrical connectors, specifically addressing the problem of inconvenient USB plug insertion. Current USB sockets require the plug to be oriented correctly, leading to a 50% chance of needing to flip the plug. The background also mentions the increasing variety of plugs with similar shapes but different interfaces, creating a need for more versatile sockets.
The underlying idea behind ’307 is to create a reversible socket that allows a plug to be inserted in either orientation (normal or flipped) and still establish electrical connection. This is achieved by having two sets of contacts, one on each side of a central tongue within the socket. The socket is designed with symmetrical profiles on both sides of the tongue, enabling the plug to be fully inserted regardless of its orientation.
The claims of ’307 focus on a socket structure comprising a plastic base, a connection slot, and a centrally located tongue . The tongue has first and second surfaces, each with a row of contacts. These contacts are electrically connected to pins extending from the base. The key feature is that the plug can be inserted in either direction, with the terminals connecting to either the first or second set of contacts.
In practice, the socket's connection slot is designed with symmetrical profiles above and below the tongue, and on the left and right sides of the tongue. This allows the plug to be fully inserted in either orientation. When the plug is inserted normally, its terminals connect to the contacts on one side of the tongue. When inserted oppositely, the terminals connect to the contacts on the other side. The contacts on each side are wired to ensure correct signal routing regardless of the plug's orientation.
The invention differentiates itself from prior art by eliminating the need for mistake-proof designs that prevent opposite insertion. Instead, it embraces bidirectional insertion, making it more convenient for users. Some embodiments also incorporate features like elastic sheets within the metal housing to protect the tongue from damage due to improper insertion or rotation of the plug. Furthermore, the socket can be adapted to accommodate different types of plugs with the same shape but different connection interfaces, increasing its versatility.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’307 was filed, USB connectors were ubiquitous at a time when external peripherals were commonly connected to computers using this standard, and when mistake-proof designs were implemented to ensure proper electrical connection upon insertion.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The application is a continuation reissue. The claims were initially rejected as being based upon a defective reissue declaration. The applicant presented arguments and a proposed error statement. The examiner indicated that the proposed error statement was acceptable if provided in a properly executed declaration. Claims 35-136 were allowed.
Claims
This patent contains 135 claims, with independent claims numbered 1, 34, 56, 67, 78, 88, 98, 108, 110, 112, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 124, 127, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, and 135. The independent claims generally focus on a socket structure with duplex electrical connection, featuring a plastic base, a connection slot, and a tongue with contacts on both surfaces for normal and opposite plug insertion. The dependent claims elaborate on specific features and configurations of the socket structure, such as the shape of the tongue, the arrangement of contacts, the inclusion of a metal housing, and compatibility with different types of USB plugs.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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USRE50307
- Application Number
- US17974866
- Filing Date
- Oct 27, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 13, 2030
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents