Universal serial bus hub and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A universal serial bus hub ( 100, 700 ) includes a housing ( 110 ) having a top portion ( 111 ), a bottom portion ( 211 ) opposite the top portion, a first side ( 112 ) between the top portion and the bottom portion, and a first universal serial bus port ( 120 ) at the top portion. Various embodiments include a second side ( 113 ) between the top portion and the bottom portion, a second universal serial bus port ( 210 ) at the second side, as many as six or more universal serial bus ports at a side, or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, ports are arranged in a line or horizontally, a seventh port is provided, a status indicator, translucent material, or rubberized material are provided, or a combination thereof.

1 . A universal serial bus hub comprising: 
 a housing comprising: 
 a top portion;  
 a bottom portion opposite the top portion;  
 a first side between the top portion and the bottom portion; and  
 a second side between the top portion and the bottom portion;  
   a first universal serial bus port at the top portion;    a second universal serial bus port at the second side; and    a power port at the second side.    
   
   
       2 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 1  further comprising a third universal serial bus port at the second side and a fourth universal serial bus port at the second side.  
   
   
       3 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 2  wherein the second universal serial bus port, the third universal serial bus port and the fourth universal serial bus port are all arranged in substantially a straight line when viewed in a side elevational view.  
   
   
       4 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 3  wherein the line is substantially parallel to the bottom portion.  
   
   
       5 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 2  further comprising a fifth universal serial bus port at the second side.  
   
   
       6 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 3  further comprising a sixth universal serial bus port at the second side.  
   
   
       7 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 6  further comprising a seventh universal serial bus port.  
   
   
       8 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 7  wherein the seventh universal serial bus port is located at the top portion.  
   
   
       9 . A universal serial bus hub comprising: 
 a housing comprising: 
 a top portion;  
 a bottom portion opposite the top portion;  
 a curved or flat side; and  
   a universal serial bus port at the top portion;    a second universal serial bus port at the side;    a third universal serial bus port at the side;    a fourth universal serial bus port at the side;    a fifth universal serial bus port at the side; and    a sixth universal serial bus port at the side.    
   
   
       10 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 9  wherein the second universal serial bus port, the third universal serial bus port, the fourth universal serial bus port, the fifth universal serial bus port, and the sixth universal serial bus port are all arranged in a substantially straight line when viewed in a side elevational view.  
   
   
       11 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 9  wherein the second universal serial bus port, the third universal serial bus port, the fourth universal serial bus port, the fifth universal serial bus port, and the sixth universal serial bus port are all arranged in a substantially horizontal plane.  
   
   
       12 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 9  further comprising a seventh universal serial bus port.  
   
   
       13 . The universal serial bus hub of  claim 12  wherein the seventh universal serial bus port is located at the top portion.  
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing a universal serial bus hub, the method comprising: 
 providing a housing comprising: 
 a top portion having a first region higher than a second region;  
 a bottom portion opposite the top portion;  
 a first side between the top portion and the bottom portion; and  
 a second side between the top portion and the bottom portion;  
   providing a first universal serial bus port;    providing a second universal serial bus port; and    assembling the universal serial bus hub such that the first universal serial bus port is located at the first region of the and the second universal serial bus port is located at the second side.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein: 
 providing the housing further comprises: 
 providing a hole between the first side and the second side and extending from the top portion to the bottom portion.  
   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 providing at least a portion of the first side to comprise a translucent material.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 providing a status indicator at the first side;    providing the status indicator to be visible through the portion of the first side; and    providing the status indicator to indicate a status of at least one of the first universal serial bus port and the second universal serial bus port.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 coating at least a portion of the housing with a rubberized material.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising: 
 providing a third universal serial bus port;    providing a fourth universal serial bus port;    providing a fifth universal serial bus port;    providing a sixth universal serial bus port; and    assembling the universal serial bus hub such that the third universal serial bus port, the fourth universal serial bus port, the fifth universal serial bus port, and the sixth universal serial bus port are located at the second side.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 assembling the universal serial bus hub such that the second universal serial bus port, the third universal serial bus port, the fourth universal serial bus port, the fifth universal serial bus port, and the sixth universal serial bus port are arranged in a substantially straight line when viewed in a side elevational view.