# US 9,882,323 B2 · Flexible connector receptacles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,882,323 B2 - Document ID: US9882323B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/683,122 - Filed: 2015-04-09 - Published: 2015-10-15 - Granted: 2018-01-30 - Earliest claimed: 2014-04-14 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: George Tziviskos; Paul J. Hack; Matthew W. Blum - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9882323B2 ## CPC - H01R 24/64: for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45 - H01R 13/6585: Shielding material individually surrounding or interposed between mutually spaced contacts - H01R 13/6581: Shield structure - H01R 13/6582: with resilient means for engaging mating connector - 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 Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connector receptacle comprising: a tongue supporting a first plurality of contacts; a housing, wherein the housing is an enclosure for an electronic device that includes the connector receptacle; and a first flexible gasket between the tongue and the housing, such that the tongue may move relative to the housing, wherein the tongue includes an opening, where a second flexible gasket is located in the opening, and wherein the second flexible gasket is arranged to accept a first structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first structure is a rod attached to a printed circuit board in the electronic device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first structure is a fastener attached to the enclosure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first structure is a rod formed as part of the enclosure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first flexible gasket is formed of an elastomer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connector receptacle of claim 5 wherein the elastomer is silicone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connector receptacle of claim 5 wherein the elastomer is urethane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The connector receptacle of claim 5 wherein the tongue extends through an opening in the enclosure, and the first flexible gasket has a tapered front edge such that the tapered front edge fits in the opening of the enclosure. ### Claim 9 A connector receptacle comprising: a tongue having a front portion supporting a plurality of contacts; a first ground plane attached to a top of the tongue, the first ground plane including a first tab orthogonal to the top of the tongue; a second ground plane attached to a bottom of the tongue, the second ground plane including a second tab orthogonal to the bottom of the tongue; and a flexible gasket around the tongue and against the first tab and the second tab. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The connector receptacle of claim 9 further comprising: a device enclosure having an opening, the opening providing passage for the front portion of the tongue, where the flexible gasket is around the tongue and between the opening in the device enclosure and the first and second tabs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the gasket has a tapered front edge such that the tapered front edge fits in the opening of the device enclosure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connector receptacle of claim 11 wherein the tapered front edge provides a self-alignment feature such that the tongue returns to an original position after a connector insert has been removed from the connector receptacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the tongue comprises an opening for a fastener. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The connector receptacle of claim 13 wherein the fastener is inserted through the opening in the tongue and into the device enclosure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connector receptacle of claim 14 wherein the fastener provides a compressive force on the flexible gasket. ### Claim 16 A connector receptacle comprising: a tongue having a front portion supporting a plurality of contacts; a first ground plane on a top of the tongue; a second ground plane on a bottom of the tongue; a plurality of electronic components on the top of the tongue in an opening in the first ground plane; and a connector having contacts, the contacts attached to the plurality of contacts on the tongue front portion and the plurality of electronic components. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The connector receptacle of claim 16 wherein the first ground plane includes a first tab orthogonal to the top of the tongue and the second ground plane includes a second tab orthogonal to the bottom of the tongue. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The connector receptacle of claim 17 further comprising a first flexible gasket around the tongue and against the first tab and the second tab. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The connector receptacle of claim 18 further comprising a second flexible gasket around the plurality of electronic components. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The connector receptacle of claim 19 wherein the connector is in an opening in the second ground plane on the bottom of the tongue.