Apple has patented thin headphone jack

Apple patented a new headphone jack, a flat and thin than standard mini jack (3.5 mm) and a micro-jack (2.5 mm). Thus, the company has facilitated its task - the release of more and thinner smartphones.

Today, the US Bureau of the registration of patents and trademarks issued patent number 9,142,925 to «D-shaped connector", which aims to replace the existing standard headphone jack. The new improved model of the connector is thinner and shorter. It can be used in the construction of very thin devices, but it supports all the functionality of a modern TRRS-jack 3.5 mm.

The key difference from the existing standard - form a new connector. The plug has the shape of "D" letter, and it is obvious that essentially the same shape to nest it. Inside the socket is provided with special flexible elements, which must both facilitate attachment and preventing loss of the plug from the socket. The distance between the flat side of the plug and reaches the opposite edge of 2 mm.

The apparatus side is disposed D-shaped seat, by its design very similar to a standard jack. The restraint system may be either mechanical or magnetic.

Apple could completely give up TRRS-use connectors and headphone connector Lightning, but then it was not possible with the device to charge the headphones connected. It is unknown how Apple is going to introduce a new patent, and whether it's going to, but given the fact that the company's devices are becoming thinner, the rejection of a 3.5 mm connector looks almost imminent.

(via)