IP Library Granted Patent US 7,578,691
Granted Patent B2
US 7,578,691 · App. 11/414,162 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

USB connector locking arrangements

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,578,691
App. No.
11/414,162
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A USB connection arrangement, where more secure locking is afforded than has hitherto been achieved. With a first USB connecting portion and a second USB connecting portion, a locking arrangement is provided for physically securing the first USB connecting portion and the second USB connecting portion with respect to one another. The locking arrangement includes at least one receptor portion disposed on at least one of the first and second USB connecting portions, and at least one pin portion engageable with the at least one receptor portion for physically securing at least one of the first and second connecting portions with respect to the other of the first and second connecting portions.

Claims (18)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a computer data connection arrangement comprising:

a USB port having a housing therein; and

a locking arrangement disposed within the housing that physically secures at least one connector prong having a well to the housing;

said locking arrangement comprising:

at least one pin portion engageable with the well of the at least one connector prong for physically securing the at least one connector prong to the housing;

wherein engagement and disengagement of the at least one pin portion is controlled in response to an electrical signal generated within the apparatus;

wherein the locking arrangement secures automatically when the apparatus is shut down; and further wherein the apparatus is protected by a password.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector prong comprises at least one USB connector portion.

3. An apparatus comprising:

a USB connection arrangement comprising:

a plurality of USB ports having a stacked housing therein; and

a locking arrangement for physically securing a plurality of USB connector prongs with the housing;

said locking arrangement comprising:

at least one pin portion engageable with a plurality of wells disposed on said plurality of USB connector prongs for

physically securing said plurality of USB connector prongs with respect to the housing;

wherein engagement and disengagement of the at least one pin portion is controlled in response to an electric signal generated within the apparatus;

wherein the locking arrangement secures automatically when the apparatus is shut down; and further wherein the apparatus is protected by a password.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2025
From: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
To: LENOVO SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH
Reel/Frame 069870/0670 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2015
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 037160/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 21, 2006
From: WEKSLER, ARNOLD; KELSO, SCOTT E; MESE, JOHN C; PETERSON, NATHAN J; WALTERMANN, ROD D
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 018665/0294 →