US20080237237A1

US20080237237A1 - Portable Data Storage Device Cap Connector

Info

Publication number: US20080237237A1
Application number: US11/692,139
Authority: US
Inventors: Deborah A. Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-27
Filing date: 2007-03-27
Publication date: 2008-10-02

Abstract

A device and method for attaching a protective cap to a portable data storage device is disclosed. The device includes a protective cap, a portable data storage device, two formed loops, and a strand. The formed loops are integrally connected to the cap and the portable data storage device. The strand is looped through the formed loops and permanently attaches the protective cap to the portable data storage device.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a device and method for securing a protective cap to a portable data storage device. Specifically, the device and method secure a protective cap to a portable flash drive for use with a computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When a flash drive or any portable data storage device is in use, the protective cap is generally placed on a desk or other nearby surface close by. When this occurs, it is easy for the protective cap to be lost, misplaced, or forgotten. This is undesirable because the flash drive or portable data storage device can be damaged without the protective cap in place.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices and methods used to secure protective caps to portable storage devices are known in the prior art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,483 issued to Milan et al., the inventors disclosed a flash memory device that includes a flash memory drive with a quick connector in the housing. The flash memory storage device includes a housing wherein at one end of the housing, the end includes a loop portion. However, the disclosure does not discuss attaching the cap of the flash memory drive to the flash drive.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,763,410 issued to Yu, the inventor disclosed a portable USB memory device having a housing, a memory and driver board, and a USB plug. The device also includes a flexible hinge that is used to secure the cap to the housing of the flash drive. Although this device describes attaching the cap of a portable storage device to the actual portable storage device, it does not describe a formed loop used to attach the flash drive to its cap.
In US publication US2005/0079738 issued to Ahn, the inventor discloses a USB storage device having a USB plug and various features related to its operability. It also comprises a cover unit that is fitted along a pair of slide rails on the side of the USB device such that when the device must be covered, the cover unit slides along the rails to envelop the exposed portion of the USB device. Again, this device does not disclose a formed loop to attach the USB plug to the protective cap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for protecting a portable data storage device with a cap.
It is a further object of the present invention to attach the portable data storage device to its cap.
It is a further object of the present invention to prevent the cap of the portable data storage device from being lost or misplaced.
The description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the present invention with the portable storage device connected to the portable storage device cap with a strand looped through two formed loops.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the portable storage device cap with a formed loop.

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the portable storage device with the formed loop.

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the portable storage device cap with the formed loop and a strand attached to the formed loop.

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the portable storage device with the formed loop and a strand attached to the formed loop.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

By way of one example of many to serve as background in understanding the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a macroscopic view of the invention 100. The portable data storage device cap connector 100 includes a portable data storage device 110, a cap 200, two formed loops 140 and 210, and a strand 220. The portable data storage device further includes two long sides 120 and two short sides 130.
In the preferred embodiment, the strand 220 is coupled to the two formed loops 140 and 210 such that the portable data storage device 110 and the cap 200 are permanently connected. The formed loops 140 and 210 are preferably eyelets that are integrally connected to the portable data storage device 110 and the cap 200. Preferably, the formed loop 140 on the portable data storage device 110 is attached to one of its long sides 120, and the formed loop 210 on the cap 200 is attached to the top of the cap 200. However, in alternate embodiments, these formed loops 140 and 210 can be placed on any side of the cap 200 or portable data storage device 110. These formed loops 140 and 210 can be plastic or any other material that could be securely attached to the outside of the portable data storage device 110.
To attach the strand 220 to the cap 200 and the portable data storage device 110, the first end 221 of the strand 220 is formed into a loop and threaded through the formed loop 140 on the cap 200. The second end 222 of the strand 220 is then slipped through the loop on the first end 221 of the strand 220. The second end 222 of the strand 220 is then looped in a similar way as the first end 221. The second end 222 loop is then threaded through the formed loop 210 on the portable data storage device 110, and the cap 200 is then inserted through this second loop of the strand 220. As seen in FIG. 1, this configuration allows the cap 200 and portable data storage device 110 to be permanently connected to one another.
In an alternate embodiment, a special adhesive dot 160 can be used to attach the strand 220 to the portable data storage device 110 instead of an eyelet 140. The adhesive dot 160 is located on the portable data storage device 110 as seen in FIG. 4. The adhesive dot can be used if there is no eyelet 140 on the portable storage device 110 or if the eyelet 140 is not large enough for the strand 220 to be looped through.
Preferably, the strand 220 is long enough so that when the portable data storage device 110 is in use, the cap 220 is out of the way and does not interfere with the operation of the portable data storage device 110. The strand 220 can be made of any material that is flexible, durable, and can be formed into loops.
In the preferred embodiment, the formed loop 140 on the portable data storage device 110 is integrally connected to one of its long sides 120 a distance that ensures that the cap 200 is out of the way when it is not engaged to protect the portable data storage device 110.
While the inventive apparatus, as well as a method of permanently attaching a cap to a portable data storage device as described and claimed herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to one or more particular preferred embodiments, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A portable data storage device cap connector comprising:

A. a portable data storage device cap, said portable storage device cap further comprising a second formed loop on a side of said portable storage device cap;

B. said portable data storage device further comprising:

1. a first surface area;

2. a second surface area; and

a first formed loop on the second surface area;

C. a strand with a first end and a second end;

D. said first end of said strand is secured to said first formed loop; and

E. said second end of said strand is secured to said second formed loop such that said portable data storage device cap is coupled to said strand and said portable data storage device.

2. The portable data storage device cap connector of claim 1 wherein said portable data storage device cap is made of plastic.

3. The portable data storage device cap connector of claim 1 wherein said formed loops are eyelets.

4. The portable data storage device cap connector of claim 1 wherein said formed loop on said portable data storage device is located a distance from a top of said portable data storage device such that said cap does not interfere with said portable data storage device while in use.

5. The portable data storage device cap connector of claim 1 wherein said strand is a flexible material.

6. A method for connecting a portable data storage device to a protective cap comprising the steps of:

A. forming a first formed loop to a portable data storage device;

B. forming a second formed loop to a portable data storage device cap;

C. passing a first end of a strand through said first formed loop and securing said strand such that said portable data storage device is coupled to said strand; and

D. passing a second end of said strand through said second formed loop and securing said strand such that said strand is coupled to said portable data storage device cap and said portable data storage device.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of forming said formed loops such that said formed loops are eyelets.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of forming said formed loop on said portable data storage device a distance from a top of said portable data storage device such that said cap does not interfere with said portable data storage device while in use.