# US 2018/0323557 A1 · Connector assembly with ball joint interface > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0323557 A1 - Document ID: US20180323557A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/034,755 - Filed: 2018-07-13 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-28 - Assignees: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Applicants: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. - Inventors: Dean S. Lipke; Jon Clark Riley; Ryan C. Moore; Elizabeth G. Rasmussen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180323557A1 ## CPC - H01R 24/64: for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45 - H01R 12/592: {connections to contact elements} - H01R 13/567: {Traverse cable outlet or wire connection} - H01R 13/719: specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters - H01R 24/66: with pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall - H01R 24/76: with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall - H01R 35/02: Flexible line connectors {without frictional contact members} - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connector assembly that includes an outer shell and a first communication connector. The first communication connector and/or the outer shell is/are movable about one or more degrees of freedom. The first communication connector is configured to form a first electrical or optical connection with an external communication connector. Optionally, the connector assembly includes a second communication connector. The first communication connector may be connected to a cable or the optional second communication connector by a flexible substrate positioned inside the outer shell. The first communication connector may be implemented as a fiber optic connector optically connected to either a fiber optic cable or the second communication connector, which may also be implemented as a fiber optic connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector assembly comprising: a ball-shaped housing; a first communication connector movably connected to the ball-shaped housing; a second communication connector movably connected to the ball-shaped housing, the second communication connector being movable with respect to the first communication connector, the first communication connector being movable with respect to the second communication connector; and a flexible substrate positioned inside the ball-shaped housing and connecting the first communication connector to the second communication connector, the flexible substrate being configured to be coiled into one or more coils, the one or more coils at least one of tightening and loosening to maintain a connection between the first and second communication connectors as at least one of the first and second communication connectors is moved. ### Claim 2 (canceled) ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1 for use with a wall plate comprising an opening, wherein the ball-shaped housing is configured to be received inside the opening and to be moveable with respect thereto. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second communication connectors is an outlet constructed according to a RJ-45 standard or a plug constructed according to the RJ-45 standard, and the flexible substrate is a flexible circuit board configured to connect the first communication connector to the second communication connector electrically. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second communication connectors is a fiber optic connector, and the flexible substrate is configured to connect the first communication connector to the second communication connector optically. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate is a flexible circuit board comprising: a plurality of transmission lines conducting a plurality of differential signals between the first and second communication connectors, and a plurality of compensation components each coupling a first one of the plurality of transmission lines to a different second one of the plurality of transmission lines. ### Claim 7 A connector assembly comprising: an outer shell with a first opening a first cover having a first portion positioned inside the first opening, a first gap being defined between the first portion and the outer shell within the first opening, the first cover being movable within the first opening with respect to the outer shell; and a first communication connector attached to the first cover and moveable therewith as a first unit, the first communication connector being configured to form a first communication connection with a first external communication connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7 for use with a cable, wherein the first communication connector is directly connectable to the cable and configured to form a communication connection between the cable and the first external communication connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the outer shell has a second opening spaced apart from the first opening, and the connector assembly further comprises: a second cover having a second portion positioned inside the second opening, a second gap being defined between the second portion and the outer shell within the second opening, the second cover being movable within the second opening with respect to the outer shell, the first and second covers being movable independently with respect to one another; and a second communication connector attached to the second cover and moveable therewith as a second unit, the second communication connector being configured to form a second communication connection with a second external communication connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second communication connectors is either an outlet constructed according to a RJ-45 standard or a plug constructed according to the RJ-45 standard. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second communication connectors is a fiber optic connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein the outer shell has a track formed therein and spaced apart from the first opening, and the connector assembly further comprises: a second communication connector mounted on the track and slidable thereupon with respect to the outer shell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The connector assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a wall plate comprising a socket, the outer shell having a spherical shape configured to be received inside the socket and to be rotated therein. ### Claim 14 A connector assembly comprising: an outer shell; a first cover connected to the outer shell by a first swivel-type connection; a first communication connector attached to the first cover and moveable therewith as a first unit, the first communication connector being configured to form a first communication connection with a third communication connector; a second cover connected to the outer shell by a second swivel-type connection, the first and second covers being movable independently with respect to one another; and a second communication connector attached to the second cover and moveable therewith as a second unit, the second communication connector being configured to form a second communication connection with a fourth communication connector. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connector assembly of claim 14, further comprising: a wall plate comprising a socket, the outer shell having a spherical-shape configured to be received inside the socket and to be rotated therein. ### Claim 16 An assembly for use with a cable and a second communication connector, the assembly comprising: a connector assembly comprising a first communication connector that is connectable to the cable, the first communication connector being configured to form a communication connection between the cable and the second communication connector; and a wall plate comprising an opening configured to receive the connector assembly, the connector assembly being selectively rotatable about both a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation within the opening to position the first communication connector, the first axis of rotation being different from the second axis of rotation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the connector assembly comprises a flexible substrate that connects the first communication connector to the cable, the flexible substrate being configured to be coiled into one or more coils, the one or more coils at least one of tightening and loosening to maintain a communication connection between the first communication connector and the cable when the connector assembly is rotated within the opening. ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 19 (canceled) ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first communication connector is an outlet constructed according to a RJ-45 standard or a plug constructed according to the RJ-45 standard. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the connector assembly comprises a housing with a track, and the first communication connector is mounted on the track and is slidable thereupon relative to the housing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first communication connector is a fiber optic connector.