Connectivity hub with an integrated clip
View Patent ↗A connectivity hub enabling multiple peripheral devices to be connected with a computer includes an integrated clip adapted to grip cables and to grip an edge of a work surface, thereby reducing cable clutter and providing for a more efficient use of work surface space. The connectivity hub includes a curved portion manufactured from a flexible and springy material, enabling a user to apply pressure to increase the distance between two edges of the clip in order to insert cables into the clip or to slide the clip over an edge of a work surface, or both.
1. A connectivity hub comprising:
a plurality of port connectors comprising at least one upstream port connector for connecting to a computer and at least two downstream port connectors for connecting to at least two peripheral devices; and
a hub body supporting the plurality of port connectors in relation to at least one object, comprising:
a front portion;
a back portion; and
a curved portion comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the curved portion is connected to the back portion of the hub body, the second end of the curved portion is proximate, but not connected to, the front portion of the hub body, and the second end of the curved portion secures the at least one object between the second end of the curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, thereby supporting the plurality of port connectors in relation to the at least one object.
2. The connectivity hub of claim 1 , further comprising the at least one object, wherein the at least one object includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the curved portion secures the at least one object by (i) flexing the second end of the curved portion away from the front portion of the hub body, (ii) moving the at least one object between the second end of the curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, and (iii) allowing the second end of the curved portion to spring toward the front portion of the hub body until the front portion of the hub body comes into frictional contact with the top surface of the at least one object and the second end of the curved portion comes into frictional contact with the bottom surface of the at least one object.
3. The connectivity hub of claim 2 , wherein the at least one object comprises at least a portion of a workstation.
4. The connectivity hub of claim 1 , wherein the hub body further comprises a second curved portion comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second curved portion is connected to the back portion of the hub body, the second end of the second curved portion is proximate, but not connected to, the front portion of the hub body, and the second end of the second curved portion secures the at least one object between the second end of the second curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, thereby further supporting the plurality of port connectors in relation to the at least one object.
5. The connectively hub of claim 4 , further comprising the at least one object, wherein the at least one object includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the second curved portion secures the at least one object by (I) flexing the second end of the second curved portion away from the front portion of the hub body, (ii) moving the at least one object between the second end of the second curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, and (iii) allowing the second end of the second curved portion to spring toward the front portion of the hub body until the front portion of the hub body comes into frictional contact with the top surface of the at least one object and the second end of the second curved portion comes into frictional contact with the bottom surface of the at least one object.
6. The connectivity hub of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of port connectors comprises at least one of a USB port, a FireWire port, a serial port, and a parallel port.
7. The connectivity hub of claim 1 , wherein the hub body further comprises a top portion that is substantially flat, and fixes in place at least one of the plurality of port connectors.
8. The connectivity hub of claim 1 , further comprising a power connector, wherein the hub body supports the power connector in relation to the at least one object.
9. A connectivity hub comprising:
a plurality of USB connectors comprising at least one upstream USB connector for connecting to a computer and at least two downstream USB connectors for connecting to at least two peripheral devices; and
a hub body supporting the plurality of USB connectors in relation to a workstation, comprising:
a front portion;
a back portion; and
a curved portion comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the curved portion is connected to the back portion of the hub body, and the second end of the curved portion secures at least a portion of the workstation between the second end of the curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, thereby supporting the plurality of USB connectors in relation to the workstation.
10. The connectivity hub of claim 9 , further comprising the workstation, wherein the at least a portion of the workstation includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the curved portion secures the at least a portion of the workstation by (i) flexing the second end of the curved portion away from the front portion of the hub body, (ii) moving the at least a portion of the workstation between the second end of the curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, and (iii) allowing the second end of the curved portion to spring toward the front portion of the hub body until the front portion of the hub body comes into frictional contact with the top surface of the at least a portion of the workstation and the second end of the curved portion comes into frictional contact with the bottom surface of the at least a portion of the workstation.
11. The connectivity hub of claim 10 , wherein the hub body further comprises a second curved portion comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second curved portion is connected to the back portion of the hub body, and the second end of the second curved portion secures the at least a portion of the workstation between the second end of the second curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, thereby further supporting the plurality of USB connectors in relation to the workstation.
12. The connectively hub of claim 11 , wherein the second curved portion secures the at least one object by (i) flexing the second end of the second curved portion away from the front portion of the hub body, (ii) moving the at least a portion of the workstation between the second end of the second curved portion and the front portion of the hub body, and (iii) allowing the second end of the second curved portion to spring toward the front portion of the hub body until the front portion of the hub body comes into frictional contact with the top surface of the at least a portion of the workstation and the second end of the second curved portion comes into frictional contact with the bottom surface of the at least a portion of the workstation.
13. The connectivity hub of claim 12 , wherein the hub body further comprises a top portion that is substantially flat, and fixes in place at least one of the plurality of USB connectors.
14. The connectivity hub of claim 12 , further comprising a power connector, wherein the hub body supports the power connector in relation to the workstation.