# US 10,122,132 B2 · Simplified connector receptacle housings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,122,132 B2 - Document ID: US10122132B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/396,651 - Filed: 2016-12-31 - Published: 2017-08-17 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-30 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: Zheng Gao; Steve McClure; Joshua Banko; Greg Springer; Min Chul Kim; Joshua Funamura - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10122132B2 ## CPC - H01R 24/60: Contacts spaced along planar side wall transverse to longitudinal axis of engagement - H01R 13/03: characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials - H01R 13/6271: {Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 13/6276: {comprising one or more balls engaging in a hole or a groove} - H01R 13/6582: with resilient means for engaging mating connector - H01R 13/741: {using snap fastening means} - H05K 5/0247: {Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring} - H01R 12/725: {containing contact members presenting a contact carrying strip, e.g. edge-like strip} - H01R 13/506: assembled by snap action of the parts - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H01R 2201/06: for computer periphery - Y10T 29/49208: by assembling plural parts - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device comprising: a device enclosure to house electronic components of the electronic device; and a receptacle connector having an opening at an exterior surface of the device enclosure sized and shaped to accept a corresponding plug connector, the receptacle connector comprising: a front sidewall portion defining the opening and integrally formed with the device enclosure, the front sidewall portion extending from the exterior surface of the device enclosure into the electronic device; a bottom surface; a rear sidewall portion extending from the front sidewall portion and terminating in the bottom surface; a raised portion extending from the bottom surface; and a plurality of contacts located on the raised portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the raised portion is formed separately from the device enclosure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the raised portion comprises a tongue, and wherein the rear sidewall portion and bottom surface are integrally formed with the device enclosure and the front sidewall portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the raised portion comprises a tongue, and wherein the bottom surface and rear sidewall portion are integrally formed, the bottom surface and rear sidewall portion formed separately from the device enclosure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electronic device of claim 4 wherein the plurality of contacts are located on the tongue. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the contacts are formed of one of the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, spring steel, and palladium-nickel alloy. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The electronic device of claim 6 wherein the device enclosure is formed of one of the group consisting of plastic, ceramic, and aluminum. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1 wherein the rear sidewall portion is integrally formed with the front sidewall portion and the device enclosure. ### Claim 9 An electronic device comprising: a device enclosure to house electronic components of the electronic device; and a receptacle connector having an opening at an exterior surface of the device enclosure sized and shaped to accept a corresponding plug connector, the receptacle connector comprising: a recess comprising: a front sidewall portion defining the opening and integrally formed with the device enclosure, the front sidewall portion extending from the exterior surface of the device enclosure into the electronic device; a bottom surface; and a rear sidewall portion extending from the front sidewall portion to the bottom surface; a tongue located in the recess and extending through the bottom surface; and a plurality of contacts located on the tongue. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the tongue is formed separately from the device enclosure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the tongue is formed with the device enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the contacts are formed of one of the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, spring steel, and palladium-nickel alloy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The electronic device of claim 12 wherein the device enclosure is formed of one of the group consisting of plastic, ceramic, and aluminum. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface and the rear sidewall portion are integrally formed with the front sidewall portion and the device enclosure. ### Claim 15 An electronic device comprising: a device enclosure to house electronic components of the electronic device; and a receptacle connector having an opening at an exterior surface of the device enclosure sized and shaped to accept a corresponding plug connector, the receptacle connector comprising: a bottom surface and a sidewall, the sidewall defining the opening, the sidewall extending from the exterior surface of the device enclosure into the electronic device to the bottom surface, the sidewall and bottom surface integrally formed with the device enclosure, the sidewall and bottom surface forming a recess; a tongue extending from the bottom surface; and a plurality of contacts located on the tongue. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the tongue is formed with the device enclosure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The electronic device of claim 15 wherein the tongue is formed separately from the device enclosure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The electronic device of claim 17 wherein the contacts are formed of one of the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, spring steel, and palladium-nickel alloy and wherein the device enclosure is formed of one of the group consisting of plastic, ceramic, and aluminum. ### Claim 19 (depends on 8) The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the bottom surface is integrally formed with the front sidewall portion, the rear sidewall portion, and the device enclosure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electronic device of claim 19 wherein the raised portion is integrally formed with the bottom surface, the front sidewall portion, the rear sidewall portion, and the device enclosure.