US 7,597,572 B2
Method and apparatus for improved universal serial bus connectivity having electrostatic discharge protection ground element
Cory A. Chapman, Raleigh, N.C. (US); Albert V. Makley, Raleigh, N.C. (US); Marc R. Pamley, Durham, N.C. (US); and Kenneth Seethaler, Wake Forest, N.C. (US)
Assigned to Lenovo Singapore Pte. Ltd, Singapore (Singapore)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/528,833.
Prior Publication US 2008/0081513 A1, Apr. 03, 2008
Int. Cl. H01R 13/53 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 439—181 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
USB device having a USB connector and a discharge plane of a low resistance, having a proximate end and a distal end, configured internally to the USB connector wherein one of the distal end or the proximate end is connectable with a ground signal of the USB connector and the axial planar length of the plane is less than the connection planar length of the USB connector, wherein the USB connector is connected with a USB cable, wherein the USB connector is a USB socket capable of receiving a USB plug, the connector having an upper connection portion and a lower connection portion having signal lines, wherein the plane is arranged between the upper connection and the lower connection portion, the distal end is connected with the ground signal, and the proximate end is arranged to be exposed towards the lower connection portion, wherein an exposed air-gap area is formed between a middle connection and the lower connection, and any excess ESD charge may jump and discharge the air-gap area prior to the connection of the USB connector.