Docking station with rotatable multi-plug connector

• US 10,034,398 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2014
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Kurian, Ligy, Aubert, Terrell Wade
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Hung S
• Application Number:
  US15/326,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20170208697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,457 Days
• Field of Search: 361809, 361810
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03

Abstract

In one example, a docking station includes a base and a rotatable multi-plug connector to electrically plug into the electronic device. The multi-plug connector includes a first plug to plug into a first type of electronic device port and a second plug to plug into a second type of electronic device port. The multi-plug connector can be rotated between a first position in which the first plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device and a second position in which the second plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device.

Claims

1. A docking station comprising:

a base to support an electronic device docked in the docking station; and

a multi-plug connector to electrically plug into the electronic device, the multi-plug connector including;

a first plug extending from the multi-plug connector in a first direction, the first plug to plug into a first type of electronic device port; and

a second plug extending from the multi-plug connector in a second direction, the second plug to plug into a second type of electronic device port,

wherein the multi-plug connector is rotatably secured to the base so as to allow the multi-plug connector to rotate between;

a first secured position in which the first plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device while the second plug is oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device, and

a second secured position in which the second plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device while the first plug is oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device, and

wherein in the first secured position, the first plug is electrically connected to the base and the second plug, is electrically disconnected from the base; and

in the second secured position, the first plug is electrically disconnected from the base and the second plug is electrically connected to the base.

2. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising:

a cable electrically coupled to the multi-plug connector such that the cable is electrically coupled to the electronic device when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the multi-plug connector is to provide power to the electronic device through the multi-plug connector when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the multi-plug connector is to allow data communication between the electronic device and the multi-plug connector when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the multi-plug connector is slidably secured to the base to allow the multi-plug connector to slide relative to the base.

6. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising:

a backstop to support the electronic device at an angle when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

7. The docking station of claim 1,

wherein the multi-plug connector includes a third plug extending from the multi-plug connector in a third direction, the third plug to plug into a third type of port for an electronic device, and

wherein the multi-plug connector is rotatably secured to the base so as to allow the multi-plug connector to rotate between:

a first secured position in which the first plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device while the second and third plugs are oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device,

a second secured position in which the second plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device while the first and third plugs are oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device, and

a third secured position in which the third plug is oriented to plug into the electronic device while the first and second plugs are oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first plug is a VGA, HIM, RJ-45, USB, Mini DisplayPort, or Micro USB plug.

9. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the first plug extends in a direction from the multi-plug connector that is approximately 90 degrees from the direction that the second plug extends from the multi-plug connector.

10. A docking station comprising:

a base; and

a multi-plug connector rotatably secured to the base so as to allow rotation between a first rotational position and a second rotational position, the multi-plug connector including;

a first plug designed to plug into a first type of electronic device port;

a first electrical contact electrically connected to the first plug;

a second plug designed to plug into a second type of electronic device port; and

a second electrical contact electrically connected to the second plug;

wherein the first and second electrical contacts are positioned on the multi-plug connector such that;

in the first rotational position, the first plug is electrically connected to the base and oriented to plug into a port of an electronic de vice and the second plug is electrically disconnected from the base; and

in the second rotational position, the first plug is electrically disconnected from the base and the second plug is electrically connected to the base and oriented to plug into a port of an electronic device.

11. The docking station of claim 10, wherein the docking station is to power the electronic device when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

12. The docking station of claim 10, wherein the base includes an electrical contact that electrically mates with the first electrical contact of the multi-plug connector in the first rotational position and electrically mates with the second electrical contact of the multi-plug connector in the second rotational position.

13. The docking station of claim 10, wherein the base is connectable to a cable to power or pass data between the cable and the electronic device through the first or second plug of the multi-plug connector when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.

14. The docking station of claim 10, further comprising:

an alignment arm that is adjustable to position an electronic device such that a port of the electronic device is aligned to plug into;

(1) the first plug when the multi-plug connector is in the first rotational position, and (2) the second plug when the multi-plug connector is in the second rotational position.

15. A method comprising:

securing a multi-plug connector for a docking station to a base of the docking station such that the multi-plug connector can securely rotate between;

a first secured position in which a first plug is electrically connected to the base and oriented to plug into a first type of electronic device port while a second plug is electrically disconnected from the base and oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device; and

a second secured position in which the second plug is electrically connected to the base and oriented to plug into a second type of electronic device port while the first plug is electrically disconnected from the base and oriented so as not to plug into the electronic device; and

electrically coupling the multi-plug connector to a cable so as to allow the cable to be electrically coupled to the electronic device when the electronic device is plugged into the multi-plug connector.