Docking station for an electronic device with improved electrical interface

• US 8,512,079 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• 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:
  US13/306,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094528A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 36167941-67945, 36167955-67958, 439/540.1, 439/639
• 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 port and second ports on a main body for accepting a first and second external connectors, a first and second plugs on the main body positioned to interface with a first and second ports on the electronic device, a slot in the main body for slidably receiving a third external connector and for positioning the third external connector to interface with a third port of the electronic device, and a retention mechanism in the main body for retaining the third external connector.

Claims

1. 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 accepting a first external connector;

a second port on the main body for accepting 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;

an adapter piece for accepting and retaining a third external connector;

a slot in the main body for receiving the adapter piece and for positioning the third external connector to interface with a third port of the electronic device; and

a retention mechanism in the main body for retaining the adapter piece.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a recessed portion in the slot;

a protrusion on the adapter piece for engaging the recessed portion of the slot.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a hole on the main body which extends through to the slot;

a screw in the hole which retains the adapter piece.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the retention mechanism is a sidewall of the slot.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the slot further comprises a first opening on a first surface of the main body and a second opening on a second surface of the main body.

6. 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 accepting a first external connector;

a second port on the main body for accepting 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 slot in the main body for slidably receiving a third external connector and for positioning the third external connector to interface with a third port of the electronic device, the slot having;

a first opening on a first surface of the main body to receive the third external connector, and

a second opening on a second surface of the main body to allow a portion of the third external connector to protrude from the second opening of the main body; and

a retention mechanism in the main body for retaining the third external connector, the retention mechanism having;

a first wall opposite the first surface,

a rear wall opposite the second surface,

a top wall, and

a bottom wall.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the retention mechanism is a side wall of the slot.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the main body deforms along the slot to receive and retain the third external connector.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the first opening is smaller than the second opening.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the first opening is perpendicular to the second opening.

11. The device of claim 6 wherein first surface is perpendicular to the second surface.

12. The device of claim 6 wherein the third external connector is for providing power to the electronic device.

13. 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 accepting a first external connector;

a second port on the main body for accepting 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 slot in the main body for slidably receiving a third external connector and for positioning the third external connector to interface with a third port of the electronic device, the slot having;

a first opening on a first surface of the main body to receive the third external connector, and

a second opening on a second surface of the main body to allow a portion of the third external connector to protrude from the second opening of the main body; and

a retention mechanism in the main body for retaining the third external connector; and

wherein the first opening is smaller than the second opening.