The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 08, 2006
Filed:
Oct. 27, 2004
Stephen J Higham, Houston, TX (US);
Michael R. Durham, Tomball, TX (US);
Stephen J Higham, Houston, TX (US);
Michael R. Durham, Tomball, TX (US);
Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A connector assembly includes first and second sockets disposed on opposite sides of a housing and defining first and second insertion paths, respectively, for receiving a plug. A sliding keep-out member has first and second blocking surfaces. The keep-out member can move back and forth through the housing between first and second positions. In the first position, the first blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the first insertion path, but the second blocking surface clears the second insertion path. In the second position, the second blocking surface blocks at least a portion of the second insertion path, but the first blocking surface clears the first insertion path. Thus the connector assembly may receive plugs in either the first or the second socket, but not in both sockets simultaneously.