Apple patents connector with latches that hold pins in place
Apple has been granted a patent for a receptacle connector that uses a housing with curved walls to hold electrical pins. A retainer part features latches that snap into the housing to secure the pins in position. The design allows the latches to move outward to release the pins when needed.
In the filing’s own words
A receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing, pin contacts, and a retainer. The receptacle housing has a convex wall portion, a concave wall portion, a first side wall portion that extends between the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion, and a second side wall portion that extends between the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion. The convex wall portion, the concave wall portion, the first side wall portion, and the second side wall portion at least partially define a cavity having an open end. The pin contacts are located in the cavity of the receptacle housing. The retainer has a first side latch and a second side latch that are configured to extend into the cavity in an engaged position and to move outward from the cavity to a disengaged position.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A receptacle connector, comprising: a receptacle housing having a convex wall portion, a concave wall portion, a first side wall portion that extends between the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion, and a second side wall portion that extends between the convex wall portion and the concave wall portion, wherein the convex wall portion, the concave wall portion, the first side wall portion, and the second side wall portion at least partially define a cavity having an open end; first pin contacts located in the cavity of the receptacle housing on the convex wall portion; second pin contacts located in the cavity of the receptacle housing on the concave wall portion; and a retainer having a first side latch and a second side latch configured to extend into the cavity in an engaged position and to move outward from the cavity to a disengaged position.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (APPLE INC.)
- Official title
- Connector assembly
- Patent number
- US12771062B2
- Application number
- 18377967
- Filed
- Oct 9, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 20, 2026
- Inventors
- 7
- Claims
- 24
Classified under
H01R 13/6275 Electricity & electronicsH01R 13/15 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.