DOCKING STATION FOR MEDIA PLAYER

• US 20120189156A1
• Filed: 02/01/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alco Electronics Ltd. (Alco Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: Alco Electronics Ltd. (Alco Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Leung, Wilson Wai Sing
• Granted Patent: US 8,488,832 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/387
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A docking station for an iPad or the like, has a base, a support connected to the base and holding an iPad, a signal connector, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad via the connector, and speakers for reproducing sound based on an audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable relative to the base between an erected position for operation of the docking station and a collapsed position when the docking station is not in use and is, in the erected position, movable between two angular positions, supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The base has a recess for receiving at least part of the support in the collapsed position, and providing an unobtrusive profile to the docking station in the collapsed position of the support.

Claims

1. A docking station, comprising:

a base;

a support connected to the base for releasably holding a media player;

a signal connector for connection to the media player;

an operating circuit connected to the connector for amplifying an audio signal received from the media player via the connector; and

at least one speaker connected to the operating circuit for reproducing sound based on the audio signal amplified by the operating circuit, wherein

the support is movable relative to the base between an erected position for operation of the docking station and a collapsed position when the docking station is not in use and is, in the erected position, movable relative to the base between first and second angular positions supporting the media player in portrait and landscape orientations, respectively, and

the base has a recess for receiving at least part of the support in the collapsed position, so that the docking station has a non-protrusive shape in the collapsed position of the support.

2. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support has a first part movably connected to the base for movement between the erected position and the collapsed position, and a second part for releasably holding the media player.

3. The docking station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support is pivotably connected to the first part of the base for angular movement between the erected position and the collapsed position.

4. The docking station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second part of the support is angularly movable relative to the first part for supporting the media player in the portrait and landscape orientations.

5. The docking station as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second part of the support is pivotably connected to the first part.

6. The docking station as claimed in claim 3, wherein

the first part of the support is pivotably connected to the base for angular movement about a first axis,

the second part of the support is pivotably connected to the first part, for supporting the media player in the portrait and landscape orientations, by pivoting about a second axis, and

the second axis is perpendicular to the first axis.

7. The docking station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second part of the support is pivotably connected to the first part for pivotal movement about two mutually perpendicular axes.

8. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support has a portion engaging the base and stabilizing the docking station when the support is in the erected position.

9. The docking station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second part of the support has a portion engaging the base and stabilizing the docking station when the support is in the erected position.

10. The docking station as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base has a plurality of detents for selective engagement by the portion of the support, each detent determining a respective angle at which the support is in the erected position.

11. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is locatable, in the erected position, at a selected one of a plurality of angles relative to the base.

12. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the recess has a shape matching that of the support for receiving the support.

13. The docking station as claimed in claim 12, wherein the recess and the support have complementary shapes.

14. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support, in the collapsed position, lies flush with an outer surface of the base that surrounds the recess.

15. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support has a shape resembling the letter “

T”

.

16. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal connector is located on the support.

17. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the base has a generally flat body for lying flat on a horizontal surface,

the support is on an upper side of the base, and

the recess is located on the upper side of the base.

18. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base houses the operating circuit and locates the at least one speaker.

19. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating circuit includes a clock circuit.

20. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating circuit includes a radio circuit.