IP Library › Granted Patent US 6,869,316
Granted Patent B2
US 6,869,316 · App. 10/185,106 · Granted Mar 22, 2005

Three contact barrel power connector assembly

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,869,316
App. No.
10/185,106
Filed
Jun 27, 2002
Granted
Mar 22, 2005
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2839
USPC
439/675
Abstract

A three contact barrel power connector assembly is provided. The power connector assembly includes both a connector plug and a connector jack. The connector plug includes an inner body and an outer body transmitting electrical current. The connector plug further includes a center body that transmits a data signal or a low power current. The connector jack includes a housing ground, a housing body, outer contacts that couple with the outer body, inner contacts that couple with the inner body, and a center contact that couples with the center body. The power connector assembly further includes insulators operable to prevent unwanted electrical contact between the connector plug and the connector jack. The connector plug is operable to couple with the connector jack independent of the orientation of the connector plug with respect to the connector jack, provide high levels of power, and effectively transmit data signals in addition to power.

Claims (41)

1. An orientationless connector plug assembly comprising:

an outer body having an outer barrel cylindrical shape operable to transmit an electrical current;

an inner body having an inner barrel cylindrical shape and secured coaxially and in alignment with the outer body, the inner body operable to transmit an electrical current;

a center body comprising a center barrel disposed coaxially within the outer body and the inner body, the center body operable to transmit a data signal;

one or more insulators disposed coaxially with the outer body, the inner body, and the center body, the one or more insulators operable to prevent the transmission of an electrical current and a data signal between the outer body, the inner body, and the center body; and

wherein the connector plug assembly is operable to couple with a connector jack assembly independent of the orientation of the connector plug assembly in relation to the orientation of the connector jack assembly.

2. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 wherein the center body comprises a center pin.

3. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 wherein the data transmitted by the center body comprises identification information.

4. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 wherein one of the insulators comprises an insulating barrel disposed between the outer body and the inner body, the insulating barrel operable to isolate the outer body from the inner body to prevent electrical contact between the outer body and the inner body.

5. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 further comprising an overmold disposed proximate a second end of the connector jack assembly and operably coupled to an electrical cable.

6. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 further comprising the outer body, the inner body, and the center body each operably coupled to an electrical cable.

7. The connector plug assembly of claim 1 wherein the center body is further operable to transmit a low power current.

8. An orientationless connector plug assembly comprising:

an outer body having an outer barrel cylindrical shape operable to transmit an electrical current;

an inner body having an inner barrel cylindrical shape and secured coaxially and in alignment with the outer body, the inner body operable to transmit an electrical current;

a center body comprising a center barrel disposed coaxially within the outer body and the inner body, the center body operable to transmit a data signal;

one or more insulators disposed coaxially with the outer body, the inner body, and the center body, the one or more insulators operable to prevent the transmission of an electrical current and a data signal between the outer body, the inner body, and the center body;

wherein the connector plug assembly is operable to couple with a connector jack assembly independent of the orientation of the connector plug assembly in relation to the orientation of the connector jack assembly; and

wherein one of the insulators comprises an insulating center barrel disposed between the outer and inner bodies and the center barrel, the insulating center barrel operable to prevent electrical contact between the outer and inner bodies and the center barrel.

9. An orientationless connector plug assembly comprising:

an outer body having an outer barrel cylindrical shape operable to transmit an electrical current;

an inner body having an inner barrel cylindrical shape and secured coaxially and in alignment with the outer body, the inner body operable to transmit an electrical current;

a center body comprising a center barrel disposed coaxially within the outer body and the inner body, the center body operable to transmit a data signal;

one or more insulators disposed coaxially with the outer body, the inner body, and the center body, the one or more insulators operable to prevent the transmission of an electrical current and a data signal between the outer body, the inner body, and the center body; and

wherein the connector plug assembly is operable to couple with a connector jack assembly independent of the orientation of the connector plug assembly in relation to the orientation of the connector jack assembly; and

wherein one of the insulators comprises an insulating tip disposed proximate a first end of the connector plug assembly, the insulating tip operable to insulate the connector plug assembly from the connector jack assembly.

10. An orientationless connector jack assembly comprising: a connector housing operable to provide grounding for the connector jack assembly;

a connector body disposed within the connector housing and having a shape operable for mating with a connector plug assembly, the connector body including a mating aperture and a plurality of contact apertures and operable to provide insulation;

at least one inner contact disposed in at least one of the contact apertures and extending into the mating aperture, the inner contact operable to receive and transmit an electrical current;

at least one outer contact disposed in at least one of the contact apertures and extending into the mating aperture, the outer contact protruding operable to receive and transmit an electrical current;

a center contact disposed within one of the contact apertures and extending into the mating aperture, the center contact operable to receive and transmit a data signal; and

wherein the connector jack assembly is operable to couple with the connector plug assembly independent of the orientation of the connector plug assembly.

11. The connector jack assembly of claim 10 wherein the connector body includes:

an inner cylindrical body operable to couple with an inner body of the connector plug assembly; and

a center aperture operable to receive a center pin thereby allowing the center pin to operably couple with the center contact.

12. The connector jack assembly of claim 10 wherein the center contact comprises a center contact pin operable to couple with a center barrel.

13. The connector jack assembly of claim 10 further comprising a printed circuit board including a pin connector layout and a plurality of pin connectors, the printed circuit board operably coupled to the connector jack assembly.

14. The connector jack assembly of claim 13 wherein the pin connectors include at least one center pin connector coupled to the printed circuit board and the center contact.

15. The connector jack assembly of claim 13 wherein the pin connectors include at least one outer pin connector coupled to the printed circuit board and the outer contacts.

16. The connector jack assembly of claim 13 wherein the pin connectors include at least one inner pin connector coupled to the printed circuit board and the inner contacts.

17. The connector jack assembly of claim 13 wherein the pin connectors include at least one ground pin connector coupled to the printed circuit board and the connector housing.

Assignments (15)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2002
From: HINKLE, MARK M.; MUENZER, CHRISTOPHER H.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P., A TEXAS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 013070/0347 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20040002266A1 · Jan 1, 2004