Docking sleeve with electrical adapter

• US 10,666,309 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2018
• Issued: 05/26/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thanh Tam T
• Application Number:
  US16/194,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20190089395A1
• Time in Patent Office: 557 Days
• Field of Search: 439 38, 439 39, 439638, 439929, 320114, 320115, 36167941, 4555751, 4555758, 4555759
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/003 for portable computing devices, e.g. laptop, tablet, netbook, game boy, navigation system, calculator
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1633 Protecting arrangement for the entire housing of the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• 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: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0274 for an electrical connector module
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724092 Interfacing with an external cover providing additional functionalities

Abstract

A protective arrangement for an electronic device includes a flexible cover having a panel and a skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device; and an adapter fixedly positioned in the flexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover for mating with a female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug. A docking cradle or external adapter can receive the electronic device and cover.

Claims

1. A docking system, comprising:

a docking cradle, comprising;

a base receiver configured to receive an electronic device having a male connector, extending away from a remainder of the electronic device, with a plurality of contacts, the base receiver comprising a docking support surface; and

a female connector disposed within the docking support surface of the base receiver and extending into the base receiver, the female connector comprising a plurality of contacts configured to connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts of the male connector when the male connector is received within the female connector of the base receiver, the female connector defining a rim to guide proper mating of the male connector of the electronic device into the female connector of the docking cradle, wherein the contacts of the female connector are biasing contacts that move when the electronic device is received; and

the electronic device comprising the male connector, wherein the male connector extends away from a remainder of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a cover, wherein the electronic device comprises a female socket, wherein the cover of the electronic device comprises the male connector, a shell forming an interior cavity, and a male plug comprising a plurality of connectors extending into the interior cavity of the shell in an arrangement for mating with the female socket of the electronic device, wherein the plurality of contacts of the male connector are adjacent to an exterior of the shell and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the male plug.

2. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the male connector of the electronic device comprises a first magnetic coupling element resident in the cover and the female connector of the docking cradle comprises a second magnetic coupling element, wherein the first magnetic coupling element comprises one of a magnetic material or a magnetically attractive material and the second magnetic coupling element comprises another of the magnetic material or the magnetically attractive material.

3. The docking system of claim 1, wherein the biasing contacts are biasing pogo pins.

4. The docking system of claim 1, further comprising a housing comprising a plurality of the female connectors.

5. A docking system, comprising:

a docking cradle, comprising;

a base receiver configured to receive an electronic device having a male connector, extending away from a remainder of the electronic device, with a plurality of contacts, the base receiver comprising a docking support surface; and

a female connector disposed within the docking support surface of the base receiver and extending into the base receiver, the female connector comprising a plurality of contacts configured to connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts of the male connector when the male connector is received within the female connector of the base receiver, the female connector defining a rim to guide proper mating of the male connector of the electronic device into the female connector of the docking cradle, wherein the female connector further comprises a first magnetic coupling element resident in the female connector, wherein the magnetic coupling element comprises one of a magnetic material or a magnetically attractive material; and

the electronic device comprising the male connector, wherein the male connector extends away from a remainder of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a cover, wherein the electronic device comprises a female socket, wherein the cover of the electronic device comprises the male connector, a shell forming an interior cavity, and a male plug comprising a plurality of connectors extending into the interior cavity of the shell in an arrangement for mating with the female socket of the electronic device, wherein the plurality of contacts of the male connector are adjacent to an exterior of the shell and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the male plug.

6. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the rim is recessed with respect to the docking support surface.

7. The docking system of claim 5, further comprising a housing comprising a plurality of the female connectors.

8. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the base receiver further comprises a back support surface extending away from the docking support surface.

9. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the male connector of the electronic device comprises a second magnetic coupling element resident in the cover, wherein the second magnetic coupling element comprises the other of the magnetic material or the magnetically attractive material.

10. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the contacts of the female connector are biasing contacts that move when the cover and electronic device are received.

11. The docking system of claim 5, wherein the rim of the female connector has an asymmetric shape that comprises a straight side and a curved side opposite the straight side.