Cradle device for a portable radio terminal

• US 5,988,572 A
• Filed: 06/23/1998
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Guerillot, Patrick, Chivallier, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Berger, Derek J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WOOD, KIMBERLY T
• Application Number:
  US09/102,847
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 248/176.1, 248/181.1, 248/181.2, 248/288.31, 248/220.21, 248/221.11, 248/222.51, 248/224.8, 248/225.11, 248/229.1, 248/229.14 , 248/231.61, 248/316.6, 248/222.11, 248/309.1, 248/916, 248/223.31, 248/228.51, 403/353, 224/929
• US Class Current: 248/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0078 Quick-disconnect two-parts mounting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0091 the article being mounted on a flexible shaft
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device

Abstract

This device comprises:

a holder part (32) in which the terminal (1) comes to rest,

a fixed part (30)

a fitting system for connecting the two parts, formed by:

a ball joint (50) fixed to one of the parts,

an opening (52) provided in the other part, for allowing the engagement of said ball joint,

a ball joint positioning system (55, 57),

a locking hook (60) for locking the holder part onto the fixed part.

Claims

1. A cradle device comprising:

a holder part for holding a portable radio terminal; and

a fixed part for releasably supporting said holder part;

wherein said fixed part includes a locking hook extending from said fixed part, and a ball joint having a curved surface and an engaging surface; and

wherein said holder part includes an aperture, a slot and a stopper, said stopper allowing acceptance of said curved surface in said aperture when said holder part is in a tilted position relative to said fixed part, and preventing acceptance of said curved surface when said holder part is in a parallel position relative to said fixed part;

said engaging surface contacting said stopper of said holder part to hold said holder part on said fixed part and to prevent disengagement of said holder part from said fixed part when said curved surface is located within said aperture and said holder part is in said parallel position; and

said slot releasably engaging said locking hook to prevent a rotational movement of said holder part around an axis perpendicular thereto and passing through said curved surface.

2. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking hook includes a hairpin part so as to permit releasable engagement with said slot.

3. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holder part extends past said slot in a direction away from said aperture so as to define a space, said space being sufficient to accommodate a hand of a user without said hand having to contact said fixed part.

4. The cradle device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stopper extends into said aperture to hold said holder part on said fixed part when said holder part is in said parallel position.

5. A cradle comprising:

a holder for holding a radio terminal; and

a fixed part for releasably supporting said holder;

wherein said fixed part includes a locking hook extending from said fixed part, and a ball joint having a curved surface and an engaging surface; and

wherein said holder includes an aperture and a stopper which extends into said aperture to contact said engaging surface and hold said holder on said fixed part when said curved surface is located within said aperture and said holder is in a parallel position relative to said fixed part, said holder further including a slot which releasably engages said locking hook to prevent a rotational movement of said holder around an axis perpendicular thereto and passing through said curved surface.