A Flippable USB Plug - This is smart!

from JoeUser Forums

 

Ma Yi Xuan, wherever you are: Bless you!

How much time have you wasted trying to flip the USB plug so it fits?

 

This is how it should have been done in the first place!

The greatest part of this simple modification?

It’s just an extra fixed piece of squishy plastic (in addition to the one already in USB plugs) to press the electrical contacts into place, regardless of which side is facing up.

 

My blessing to this designer who just made USB plugs “me proof”.

Source:  A really great Stardock employee who turned me onto -

http://www.ff3300.com/wordpress/input/simple-genius-a-usb-plug-that-fits-even-if-its-upside-down/

69,482 views 36 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

That's awesome. I always felt cursed because EVERY SINGLE time I go to plug in anything USB, I of course do it the wrong way, and have to flip it.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.
End of Lord's quote

Lord luv ya, Lord Xia (hmmm... don't take that the wrong way, bud)... but I think you're doing I.T. wrong.  ;)  

 

*doc couldn't resist the pun. I should be sorry.....but I'm not. 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

*rim shot*

 

I can just see you adjusting your tie right now Doc. 

 




*doc couldn't resist the pun. I should be sorry.....but I'm not. 
End of quote

 

No. I don't think you should be sorry. A pun of such magnitude must be enjoyed.

 

Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.
End of Lord's quote

Sounds like the front slots on the computers in the math lab at school. Naturally after 6 to 8 years of use the front slots on just about all of them are broken, so you have to move the tower to where you can get too the slots on the back... (and they are chained to the desks such that you cannot turn them around, only get to where you can reach the ports).

What would be really great would be for all external computer ports to be circular, and not care how the plug is turned. And not care what kind of device you plug into them.

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.
End of Lord's quote
Dell Optiplex?

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ohh very nice indeed. Hope it becomes common.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 7



Quoting Lord Xia,
reply 2
Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.Dell Optiplex?

End of Zubaz's quote

Its a Dell of some kind.  Old as hell.

Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top

This is a nice enhancement.  Kind of like the auto sensing crosssover switchports.  But really, if that is all we have to complain about........... I am buying at the local tavern!  Our work is done! ;)

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Hey, life is filled with tiny pains in the asses that combined can ruin a day, so I am happy that this might solve at least one.:grin:

Reply #12 from Elemental Forums Top

This is how it should have been done in the first place!
End of quote

I'm not so sure having a spring pressing against the (often loose) sockets at all times would be that helpful. Each set of contacts would also need to be wired separately so the pinout properly matches, and such wiring would be subject to a lot of wear due to the constant flexing on every insertion.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Maybe they're loose because there aren't 2 springs? I don't know... but this seems smart to me.

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

If the springs were pressing the contacts together that would be helpful, but in the diagram for this design, they'd be pushing the plug out of the socket.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I just notice that we gain another gimmic that makes us even more lazy than we already are.
Self cleaning toilets.
Microwave food.
Vacum cleaning robots the list continues with flipable usb´s

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting kryo, reply 14
If the springs were pressing the contacts together that would be helpful, but in the diagram for this design, they'd be pushing the plug out of the socket.
End of kryo's quote

If the housing were too 'pushable', it would transmit all the force into the socket...or prevent the stretchy layer from going back too far.

Here are more drawings which might explain it to you better than I can in words...

http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/01/25/this-usb-plugs-in-both-ways/

 

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.
End of Lord's quote

I thought the 'fumbling' was foreplay?

Damn. First I have to be told I'm a bad dancer and now this.

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting PoSmedley, reply 17
Quoting Lord Xia, reply 2I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.

I thought the 'fumbling' was foreplay?
End of PoSmedley's quote


That's football.

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Lord, reply 2
Man, my computer at work, has the most awful USB slot, I comes up from the bottom at this strange angle, I cant see it at all, so every time I try and stick anything in it, I have to fumble around forever. Just like sex.
End of Lord's quote

Just put hair round it! :-"

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 19
Just put hair round it!
End of WebGizmos's quote

Naughty naughty. And once you get past the ***** you got it ******

Reply #21 from Elemental Forums Top

Such pun-isment on the hard-ware.  Lord Xia, you just need to get a handle on you USB port!  Don't complain how old your PC is - that just isn't PC.  (smile).  Plan a-head, and know which way your thumb drive needs to be oriented before you insert it into the port.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I simply take a felt-tip pen, and mark the side that goes up on each and every USB plug.

Simple and cost-effective problem solving...

Reply #23 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting M-203, reply 22
I simply take a felt-tip pen, and mark the side that goes up on each and every USB plug.

Simple and cost-effective problem solving...
End of M-203's quote

But what about plugs on machines that are not yours?

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

^ indeed.

People would probably think.. good!