Multi-component charging station with surge protector

• US 20060280519A1
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin Corporation (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Mori, Kenneth, Iida, Yoko
• Granted Patent: US 7,652,452 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/116
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A charging station is provided for charging portable electronic devices. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the charging station includes a surge protector located within the charging station. The charging station includes a base for housing the surge protector, a removable base cover that can be placed over the base and a removable tray that can be placed over the base or over the base cover if the base cover is in place over the base. If desired, the charging station can be used in a disassembled form by placing the tray on one surface and the base on another. If the charging station is used in this manner, the base cover can be placed over the base.

Claims

1. A charging station for receiving a portable electronic device and a charger unit for charging a portable electronic device, said charging station comprising:

a base comprising a generally planar bottom surface bounded by a perimeter wall;

a generally planar base cover removably attached to the upper portion of the perimeter wall to enclose an interior space for housing a surge protector and a charger unit powered by the surge protector, said base cover having an opening to permit a charger cord extending from a charger unit located within the interior space to pass through the base cover;

a tray comprising a generally planar surface for receiving at least one portable electronic device, the tray configured for removable attachment to the upper surface of the base cover, the tray having an opening to permit a charger cord to pass through the tray;

a surge protector located within the interior space comprising outlets for providing regulated power to a charger unit for charging a portable electronic device.

2. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the planar surface of the tray is substantially rectangular.

3. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the tray is configured for resting on a generally planar surface.

4. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the tray is bounded by a perimeter wall.

5. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the base cover opening is fitted with a grommet.

6. The charging station of claim 5 wherein the grommet has multiple openings.

7. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the tray opening is fitted with a grommet

8. The charging station of claim 7 wherein the grommet has multiple openings.

9. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the base cover attaches to the base by resilient interference fit means.

10. The charging station of claim 1 wherein the tray attaches to the base cover by resilient interference fit means.

11. A charging station for receiving a portable electronic device and a charger unit for charging a portable electronic device, said charging station comprising:

a base comprising a generally planar bottom surface bounded by a perimeter wall;

a tray comprising a generally planar surface for receiving at least one portable electronic device, the tray removably attached to the upper wall of the perimeter wall to enclose an interior space for housing a surge protector and a charger unit powered by the surge protector, said tray having an opening to permit a charger cord extending from a charger unit located within the interior space to pass through the tray;

a surge protector located within the interior space comprising outlets for providing regulated power to a charger unit for charging a portable electronic device.

12. The charging station of claim 11 wherein the planar surface of the tray is substantially rectangular.

13. The charging station of claim 11 wherein the tray is configured for resting on a generally planar surface.

14. The charging station of claim 11 wherein the tray is bounded by a perimeter wall.

15. The charging station of claim 11 wherein the tray opening is fitted with a grommet.

16. The charging station of claim 15 wherein the grommet has multiple openings.

17. The charging station of claim 11 wherein the tray attaches to the base by resilient interference fit means.