CHARGING STATION FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20120019208A1
• Filed: 07/22/2011
• Published: 01/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Doug Clouser
• Original Assignee: Doug Clouser
• Inventors: Clouser, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 8,692,514 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/115
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A charging station for portable electronic devices includes a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall and a plurality of suction cups secured to the wall to temporarily secure the portable electronic devices to the wall in a position that the portable electronic devices can be viewed and operated while recharging. The suction cups can be secured in a plurality of laterally spaced-apart positions so that multiple portable electronic devices can be secured side-by-side for recharging or more than one suction cup can secure a larger portable electronic device. The suction cups can also be secured in a plurality of vertically spaced apart positions so that the suction cup can engage the portable electronic device at a selected height or so that more than one suction cup can secure the portable electronic device. The charging station also organizes mail, keys, wallets, and the like.

Claims

1. A charging station for a portable electronic device, said charging station comprising, in combination:

a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall; and

at least one forward facing fastener on the forward facing wall so that the fastener can temporarily secure the portable electronic device to the forward facing wall to limit movement of the personal electronic device in at least one lateral direction and in a position that the portable electronic device can be viewed and operated while recharging.

2. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the fastener limits lateral movement of the personal electronic device in both lateral directions.

3. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two of the fasteners secured to the forward facing wall and laterally spaced apart.

4. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein there are at least two of the fasteners secured to the forward facing wall and vertically spaced apart.

5. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is removable from the forward facing wall.

6. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is spaced from the forward facing wall by a spacer.

7. The charging station according to claim 1, further comprising a cradle located below the fastener to limit downward movement of the portable electronic device.

8. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to alternatively rest on a tabletop and be secured to a wall.

9. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a suction cup.

19. The charging station according to claim 1, wherein the base is adapted to alternatively rest on a tabletop and be secured to a wall.

10. A charging station for a portable electronic device, said charging station comprising, in combination:

a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall; and

at least one forward facing suction cup secured to the forward facing wall so that the suction cup can temporarily secure the portable electronic device to the forward facing wall in a position that the portable electronic device can be viewed and operated while recharging.

11. The charging station according to claim 10, wherein there are at least two of the suction cups secured to the forward facing wall and laterally spaced apart.

12. The charging station according to claim 10, wherein there are at least two of the suction cups secured to the forward facing wall and vertically spaced apart.

13. The charging station according to claim 10, wherein the suction cup is removable from the forward facing wall.

14. The charging station according to claim 13, wherein an opening is formed in the forward facing wall having a first portion sized for preventing passage of a flange of the suction cup therethrough for retaining the suction cup to the forward facing wall and a second portion sized larger than the first portion for passage of the flange therethrough for installation and removal of the suction cup to the forward facing wall.

15. The charging station according to claim 14, wherein the opening has a third portion sized for passage of a flange of another suction cup therethrough which is larger than the flange of the suction cup, and wherein the second portion is sized for preventing passage of the flange of the another suction cup therethrough for retaining the another suction cup to the forward facing wall.

16. The charging station according to claim 14, wherein a stop plate is provided adjacent the opening to prevent a portion of the flange of the suction cup from engaging the wall to ease withdrawal of the flange through the opening.

17. The charging station according to claim 10, wherein the suction cup is spaced from the forward facing wall by a spacer.

18. The charging station according to claim 10, further comprising a cradle located below the suction cup to limit downward movement of the portable electronic device.

20. A charging station for portable electronic devices, said charging station comprising, in combination:

a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall;

a plurality of forward facing suction cups secured to the forward facing wall so that the suction cups can temporarily secure the portable electronic devices to the forward facing wall to limit movement of the personal electronic device in at least one lateral direction and in a position that the portable electronic device can be viewed and operated while recharging;

wherein openings are formed in the forward facing wall for removably securing the suction cups; and

wherein each of the openings has a first portion sized for preventing passage of a first flange of a first one of the suction cups therethrough for retaining the first one of the suction cups to the forward facing wall, a second portion sized larger than the first portion for passage of the first flange of the first one of the suction cups therethrough for installation and removal of the first one of suction cups to the forward facing wall and sized for preventing passage of a second flange of a second one of the suction cups therethrough for retaining the second one of the suction cups to the forward facing wall, and third portion sized larger than the second portion for passage of the second flange of the second one of the suction cups therethrough for installation and removal of the second one of suction cups to the forward facing wall.