Docking station for an electronic device with improved electrical interface

• US 8,419,479 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uinta Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Henge Docks LLC (Uinta Products, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vroom, Matthew Leigh, Maskell, Benjamin Edwards
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US13/306,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/639, 36167941-67945, 36167955-67958
• US Class Current: 439/639
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/512 assembled by screw or screws
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/73 Means for mounting coupling parts to apparatus or structures, e.g. to a wall
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Disclosed is a device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device having a first and second ports for attaching a first and second external connectors, a first and second plugs positioned to interface with a first and second ports of the electronic device, and a first and second pins positioned to interface with a first and second electrical contact of a third port on the electronic device.

Claims

1. A device for providing power to an electronic device, comprising:

a main body;

a data plug protruding from the main body, the plug positioned to interface with the electronic device;

a data port on the main body electrically connected to the data plug;

a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;

a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device;

a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device; and

a power port on the main body electrically connected to the first pin and the second pin.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port and the data plug are electrically connected in a pass-through configuration.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the data plug is adjacent to the first pin.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is electrically connected to only the data plug.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is a USB port and the data plug is a USB plug.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the data port is an Ethernet port and the data plug is an Ethernet plug.

7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a retention mechanism for maintaining the electronic device electronically connected to the first pin and the second pin.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is a friction fit between the data plug and a port on the electronic device.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is a locking tab on the data plug.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the retention mechanism is gravity.

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an AC to DC converter configured to receive AC electrical power from the power port and provide DC power to the first pin.

12. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a third pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a third contact of a port of the electronic device; and

a fourth pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a fourth contact of a port of the electronic device.

13. The device of claim 11 further comprising:

a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin and the fourth pin.

14. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:

a main body;

a plurality of ports on the main body;

a plurality of plugs protruding from the main body, the plurality of plugs positioned to interface with the electronic device;

a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;

a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device;

a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device; and

an AC to DC power adapter configured to receive AC power and provide DC power to the first pin.

15. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:

a main body;

a plurality of ports on the main body;

a plurality of plugs protruding from the main body, the plurality of plugs positioned to interface with the electronic device;

a plurality of pins protruding from the main body;

a first pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a first contact of a port of the electronic device,

a second pin of the plurality of pins positioned to interface with a second contact of the port of the electronic device, and

a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin.

16. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:

a main body;

a first port on the main body for attaching a first external connector;

a second port on the main body for attaching a second external connector;

a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device;

a second plug on the main body positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device;

a first pin on the main body positioned to interface with a first electrical contact of a third port of the electronic device;

a second pin on the main body positioned to interface with a second electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device; and

an AC to DC power supply configured to accept AC power and provide a positive DC voltage at the first pin and a negative DC voltage at the second pin.

17. A device for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising:

a main body;

a first port on the main body for attaching a first external connector;

a second port on the main body for attaching a second external connector;

a first plug on the main body positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device;

a second plug on the main body positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device;

a first pin on the main body positioned to interface with a first electrical contact of a third port of the electronic device;

a second pin on the main body positioned to interface with a second electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device;

a third pin positioned to interface with a third electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device;

a fourth pin positioned to interface with a fourth electrical contact of the third port of the electronic device; and

a battery charge monitoring circuit electrically connected to the third pin.