Universal serial bus hub and method of connecting peripheral devices to computers

Abstract

USB hubs and methods of connecting peripheral devices to multi purpose computers wherein the devices or cables thereto are pushed downward into a USB port on the hub resting on a desk or other horizontal surface. Holding the hub with another hand may be unnecessary. Some hubs also have USB ports on a side to which other peripheral devices may be connected while holding the hub with another hand. Some hubs have several USB ports on the side which may be in a horizontal line when viewed in a side view. Some hubs have another port on top for connecting peripheral devices with one hand. Hubs may have a housing with a top, bottom, and at least one straight or curved side and a surface may curve upward from a substantially vertical side. Different embodiments have a power port, indicator lights, feet, or a combination thereof.

1 . A method of electrically connecting peripheral devices to a multipurpose computer, the method including in any order at least the steps of: 
 placing a USB hub on a desk or other substantially flat substantially horizontal surface wherein the USB hub has at least a first USB port;    electrically connecting the USB hub to the computer; and    electrically connecting a first peripheral device to the computer through the USB hub by pushing the first peripheral device downward into the first USB port on the USB hub.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the pushing the first peripheral device downward into the first USB port is accomplished with one hand without holding the hub with another hand.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB hub has at least a second USB port, the method further comprising in any order at least the step of electrically connecting a second peripheral device to the computer through the USB hub by pushing the second peripheral device downward into the second USB port on the USB hub, wherein the first peripheral device and the second peripheral device are both connected to the computer through the USB hub.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the USB hub has at least a third USB port, the method further comprising in any order at least the step of electrically connecting a third peripheral device to the computer through the USB hub by holding the hub with one hand and pushing the third peripheral device or a cable for the third peripheral device substantially horizontally into the third USB port on the USB hub.  
   
   
       5 . A method of facilitating the electrical connection of peripheral devices to multipurpose computers, the method comprising at least the step of: 
 providing a plurality of USB hubs, each USB hub comprising: 
 a housing configured to sit on a desk or other substantially horizontal work surface;  
 an upstream USB port or cable configured for electrical connection to the computer; and  
 a plurality of downstream USB ports configured for electrical connection to the peripheral devices, the plurality of downstream USB ports including a first downstream USB port for connecting a first USB cable or device with one hand by applying a downward force pushing the cable or device into the first USB port without a need for holding the USB hub with another hand.  
   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a housing comprising a bottom, at least one substantially vertical straight or curved side, and a top wherein the hub is configured to be placed on the bottom when the hub is placed on the desk or other substantially horizontal work surface.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the first USB port is located at the top of the hub.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub further comprising a curved surface curving upward from the substantially vertical straight or curved side.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the curved surface has the shape of a portion of the perimeter of a circle.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the curved surface has the shape of a portion of the perimeter of an oval.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub having a group of second downstream USB ports at the substantially vertical side for connecting a plurality of second USB cables or devices.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the group of second USB ports includes at least five (5) USB ports.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes for each hub: 
 providing a power port located at the substantially vertical side surface;    providing a plurality of status indicator lights located on the hub; and    providing a plurality of feet configured to support the hub above the work surface; and    wherein the first USB port is located on a substantially horizontal surface at the top of the hub; and    wherein the group of second USB ports are arranged in a substantially horizontal line when viewed in a side elevational view.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub further comprising a third downstream USB port for connecting a third USB cable or device with one hand by applying a downward force pushing the third USB cable or device into the third USB port without a need for holding the USB hub with another hand.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of providing the USB hubs includes, for each hub, providing a USB hub wherein the first USB port is located on a substantially horizontal surface when the hub is placed on the desk or other horizontal work surface.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of at least one of illustrating and describing electrically connecting at least one peripheral device to the first downstream USB port.  
   
   
       17 . A universal serial bus (USB) hub for placing on a desk or other horizontal work surface and for connecting computers and peripheral devices, the USB hub comprising: a housing comprising: a bottom portion configured to sit on the desk or other substantially horizontal work surface and a top portion located above the bottom portion, the top portion comprising a curved surface curving upward from a substantially vertical side surface; a first USB port at the top portion for connecting a USB cable or device by applying a downward force pushing the cable or device into the first USB port; and a group of second USB ports at the substantially vertical side surface.  
   
   
       18 . The USB hub of  claim 17  wherein the curved surface has the shape of a portion of the perimeter of a circle.  
   
   
       19 . The USB hub of  claim 17  further comprising a power port located at the substantially vertical side surface and a plurality of status indicator lights, and wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of feet configured to support the hub above the work surface.  
   
   
       20 . The USB hub of  claim 17  wherein the group of second USB ports includes at least five (5) USB ports.