External contact plug connector
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAlbert J. Golko, Arthur Stanley Brigham, Roger Chen, Alice Yang
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to connectors such as audio and data connectors and in particular to low profile audio connectors that can be used in place of standard audio and data connectors currently used. The plug connector has a reduced plug length and thickness, an intuitive insertion orientation and a smooth, consistent feel when inserted and extracted from its corresponding receptacle connector. The plug connector may be characterized by a flat tip portion at its distal end, a base portion near its proximal end, a shell coupled at the base portion and a plurality of external contacts.
Claims29
A plug connector comprising:
- a metal plate having a substantially flat tip portion at its distal end with first and second opposing major sides and a central opening formed through the metal plate;
- a dielectric spacer having a substantially flat tip portion formed within the opening in the metal plate and a base portion that is thicker than the tip portion formed at a proximal end of the metal plate, wherein the dielectric spacer has first and second opposing outer surfaces that extend from the tip portion to the base portion and a plurality of slots formed at each of the first and second outer surfaces;
- and
- a plurality of contacts positioned within the plurality of slots in the dielectric spacer.
A plug connector comprising:
- a dielectric core having first and second opposing major surfaces and a plurality of grooves formed within each of the first and second major surfaces, the grooves symmetrically formed on left and right halves of the dielectric core;
- and
- a plurality of contacts positioned within the plurality of grooves in the dielectric core;
- wherein the plug connector has a substantially flat tip portion at its distal end on which at least a portion of the plurality of contacts are carried;
- wherein the plug connector has 180 degree symmetry so that it can be inserted into a corresponding connector jack in either of two positions.
A plug connector comprising:
- a conductive core having a substantially flat tip portion and first and second opposing major surfaces;
- wherein a recessed area is formed on the first and second opposing major surfaces, and
- a plurality of contacts positioned on the first and second opposing surfaces in a 180 degree symmetric relationship so the plug connector can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two positions;
- wherein the plurality of contacts are formed on a flex circuit that is adhered to the conductive core in the recessed area.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.