IP Library Granted Patent US 9,490,593
Granted Patent B2
US 9,490,593 · App. 14/480,064 · Granted Nov 8, 2016

Connecting plugs to jacks of electronic devices

Inventor: Stephen John Rois (Webster Groves, MO)
H01R24/58H01R13/62H04R1/06H04R1/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,490,593
App. No.
14/480,064
Granted
Nov 8, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of plugs and related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a plug generally includes a connector configured for insertion into a jack of an electronic device. The plug also includes an offset member whereby the plug is configured to fit snugly relative to a protective case of the electronic device.

Claims (44)

1. A plug comprising:

a connector configured to connect with a jack of an electronic device; and

an offset member having a stepped circular profile,

wherein the stepped circular profile includes a first circular portion and a second circular portion that has a diameter less than a diameter of the first circular portion,

wherein the first circular portion is configured to fit snugly in an opening of a protective case of the electronic device when the connector and the jack are connected through the opening.

2. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the offset member is configured to at least reduce interference when the electronic device is in use while in the protective case.

3. The plug of claim 1 , further comprising a body supporting the connector and the offset member, the connector positioned through the offset member, and wherein:

the second portion has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first portion.

4. The plug of claim 3 , wherein the body and the connector are joined at an angle of 90 or 180 degrees, and wherein:

the first portion has a thickness of about 0.8 millimeters and a diameter of about 5.7 millimeters; and

the second portion has a thickness of about 4 millimeters and a diameter of about 4.8 millimeters.

5. The plug of claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises gold plating and/or a stereo connector.

6. The plug of claim 1 configured for insertion into the jack regardless of whether or not the electronic device is installed in the protective case.

7. The plug of claim 1 configured for insertion into a phone, wherein:

the first circular portion has a thickness of about 0.8 millimeters and a diameter of about 5.7 millimeters; and

the second circular portion has a thickness of about 4 millimeters and a diameter of about 4.8 millimeters.

8. An electronic device comprising the plug of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one or more of:

a headset including headphones or ear buds;

a headset adapter; or

a headset extender; or

a headset splitter.

9. A plug comprising:

a connector configured for insertion into a jack of an electronic device; and

an offset member having a stepped circular profile, wherein the stepped circular profile includes a first circular portion and a second circular portion that has a diameter less than a diameter of the first circular portion, wherein the first circular portion is configured to fit snugly within an opening of a protective case of the electronic device.

10. The plug of claim 9 , wherein the offset member is configured to at least reduce interference when the electronic device is in use while in the protective case.

11. The plug of claim 9 , further comprising a body supporting the connector and the offset member, the connector extending through the offset member, and wherein:

the second portion has a thickness greater than a thickness of the first portion.

12. The plug of claim 11 , wherein the body and the connector are joined at an angle of 90 or 180 degrees, wherein:

the first portion has a thickness of about 0.8 millimeters and a diameter of about 5.7 millimeters; and

the second portion has a thickness of about 4 millimeters and a diameter of about 4.8 millimeters.

13. The plug of claim 9 , wherein the connector comprises gold plating and/or a stereo connector.

14. The plug of claim 9 configured for insertion into the jack regardless of whether or not the electronic device is installed in the protective case and/or configured for insertion into a phone.

15. An electronic device comprising the plug of claim 9 , wherein the electronic device comprises one or more of:

a headset including headphones or ear buds;

a headset adapter; or

a headset extender; or

a headset splitter.

16. A method of connecting a plug with a jack of an electronic device, the method comprising:

inserting a connector of the plug into the jack through an opening in a protective case of the electronic device; and

fitting an offset member of the plug snugly in the opening of the protective case, connecting the plug and the jack of the electronic device by a connector, wherein the offset member has a stepped circular profile, wherein the stepped circular profile includes a first circular portion and a second circular portion that has a diameter less than a diameter of the first circular portion, wherein the first circular portion is fit snugly within the opening of the protective case to at least reduce interference when the electronic device is in use.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the inserting comprises positioning at least a portion of a body of the plug generally perpendicular to the protective case.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the inserting comprises positioning at least a portion of a body of the plug at a 180-degree angle relative to the protective case.

19. The method of claim 16 , performed to at least reduce interference when the electronic device is in use.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electronic device includes a phone.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: ROIS, STEPHEN JOHN
To: DIRECT SOUND HEADPHONES, LLC
Reel/Frame 057271/0519 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 24, 2021
From: DIRECT SOUND HEADPHONES, LLC
To: DIRECT SOUND, LLC
Reel/Frame 057279/0671 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62046096 · Sep 4, 2014
Related Publication 20160072236A1 · Mar 10, 2016