IP Library Granted Patent US 7,804,691
Granted Patent B1
US 7,804,691 · App. 11/750,804 · Granted Sep 28, 2010

Assembly for protecting PC cards and peripheral connectors

Assignee: Utility Associates, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,804,691
App. No.
11/750,804
Granted
Sep 28, 2010
Kind
B1
Abstract

An assembly for protecting a PC card and a USB device that are connected to an electronic device in corresponding ports includes a PC card protector and a USB connector clip. The PC card protector includes a base plate and at least two side plates connected thereto to substantially surround the PC card. The PC card protector may include a housing having a recessive area surrounding the port, with a recess cover detachably attached to the housing to surround the recessive area and allow transmission and reception of a signal via the PC card. A USB protector clip may be connected to the PC card protector, with the USB protector clip having a USB protector base, two side plates connected to said USB protector base, two side walls connected to said USB protector base, and an extension connected to the electronic device.

Claims (17)

1. An assembly for protecting a PC card and USB connector connected to an electronic device, said assembly comprising:

a rigid PC card protector having

a base plate with a front edge, a rear edge, and opposing first and second side edges between said front edge and said rear edge,

a first card side plate connected to said first side edge, said first card side plate being substantially perpendicular to said base plate, a first tab connected to said first card side plate for attachment to the electronic device; and

a second card side plate connected to said second side edge, said second card side plate being substantially perpendicular to said base plate, a second tab connected to said second card side plate for attachment to the electronic device; and

a rigid USB protector clip connected to said PC card protector, said USB protector clip having

a USB protector base having a forward border, a rear border, and first and second side borders between said rear and forward borders,

a first USB side plate connected with said first side border and a second USB side plate connected to said second side border;

a first USB side wall connected to said first side border;

a second USB side wall connected to said second side border; and

a nipple extending longitudinally from said forward border of said USB protector base for connection with the electronic device proximate a USB port.

2. The assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising an aperture traversing said base plate of said PC card protector.

3. The assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising hooking means connected to said rear edge of said base plate to connect said PC card protector with said electronic device.

4. The assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said first USB side plate extends substantially perpendicularly from said USB protector base a first distance, and said second USB side plate extends substantially perpendicularly from said USB protector base a second distance, said first distance being greater than said second distance.

5. The assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said first side wall extends substantially perpendicularly from said USB protector base a first distance, and said second side plate extends substantially perpendicularly from said USB protector base a second distance, said first distance being greater than said second distance.

6. The assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said nipple is offset from said USB protector base in a substantially parallel plane.

7. The assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said PC card protector and said USB protector each comprises steel.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: PACIFIC WESTERN BANK
To: UTILITY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Reel/Frame 045992/0463 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 2, 2015
From: UTILITY ASSOCIATES, INC.
To: SQUARE 1 BANK
Reel/Frame 036480/0315 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 21, 2014
From: LIGHTHOUSE CAPITAL PARTNERS VI, L.P.
To: UTILITY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Reel/Frame 032271/0193 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2012
From: UTILITY ASSOCIATES, INC.
To: LIGHTHOUSE CAPITAL PARTNERS VI, L.P.
Reel/Frame 028702/0046 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 28, 2007
From: DAVIS, TED
To: UTILITY ASSOCIATES, INC.
Reel/Frame 019492/0522 →
Continuity (1)
Provisional Application 6074753900 · May 18, 2006