Structure for electronically connecting between two devices

• US 8,568,154 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2010
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Chang, Ju-Hee, Han, Jung-Eun
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US12/876,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20110104941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 439/244, 439/157, 439/172, 439/173, 439/155, 439/929, 439/164, 361/679.44, 361/683, 248/176.1
• US Class Current: 439/173
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

A structure for electronically connecting between two devices is provided. The structure includes a mount structure capable of mounting a first device, and a connector maintaining electronic connection with a second device and being movable on the mount structure depending on a connection position with the mounted first device.

Claims

1. A speaker apparatus for mounting a portable device and for electronically connecting with the portable device, the apparatus comprising:

a mount structure for mounting the portable device;

a connector, movable on the mount structure with respect to a location of a connecting port of the portable device;

a speaker unit for outputting sound; and

a charger for charging the portable device,

wherein the portable device is mountable on the mount structure by connecting the connector with the connecting port of the portable device,

wherein electronic connection is maintainable with the portable device upon connecting the connector to the connecting port of the portable device,

wherein the mount structure includes at least one guide for guiding the connector to be movable without release in a direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the portable device, and

wherein the charger charges the portable terminal via the connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a press means for pressing and holding the portable device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the press means comprises:

through-holes provided in the mount structure;

holders for retractably protruding through the through-holes; and

an elastic means for pressing the holders in a protrusion direction through the through-holes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the elastic means comprises at least one of a cantilever spring and a coil spring.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a carrier for mounting the connector,

wherein the mount structure comprises at least one of a guide rail for guiding a movement of the carrier and a bracket additionally fixed to the mount structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a slide shaft constructed in the connector,

wherein the mount structure comprises at least one of a guide rail for guiding a movement of the slide shaft and a bracket additionally fixed to the mount structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide comprises at least one of one or more guide rails.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus at least one of inputs a signal to the portable device mountable on the mount structure and receives and outputs a signal from the portable device.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a microphone unit, a battery charger unit, a portable printer unit, and a handsfree unit.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises at least one of a speaker unit, a display for outputting a video signal, a keypad assembly including a data input means, a microphone for inputting a voice signal, and a communication module for performing mobile communication.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an element for determining a contact position between the connector and the connecting port of the portable device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the connector of the apparatus and the connecting port of the portable device each have a pair of magnetic plates having different polarities, and are arranged such that attraction acts in the contact position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting port of the portable device is arranged so as to be opened/closed with a cover.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector of the apparatus is connected with the connecting port of the portable device through at least one of a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) and a flexible cable.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the connector comprises:

at least one connect pin; and

a medium plate for connecting the at least one connect pin to the at least one of the FPCB and the flexible cable.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector of the apparatus and the connecting port of the portable device forward a signal using a Universal Serial Bus (USB) scheme.

17. A speaker apparatus for mounting a portable device and for electronically connecting with the portable device, the apparatus comprising:

a mount structure, forming an outward appearance, for mounting the portable device;

a connector, movable on the mount structure to correspond to a location of a connecting port of the portable device;

a press means for pressing and holding the portable device;

a speaker unit for outputting sound; and

a charger for charging the portable device,

wherein the portable device is mountable on the mount structure by connecting the connector with the connecting port of the portable device,

wherein electronic connection is maintainable with the portable device upon connecting the connector to the connecting port of the device,

wherein the mount structure includes at least one guide rail for guiding the connector to be movable without release in a direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the portable device and a bracket additionally fixed to the mount structure, and

wherein the charger charges the portable terminal via the connector.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the press means comprises:

through-holes provided in the mount structure;

holders for retractably protruding through the through-holes; and

an elastic means for pressing the holders through the through-holes.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the elastic means comprises at least one of a cantilever spring and a coil spring.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a carrier for mounting the connector; and

at least one or more slide shafts constructed in at least one of the connector and the carrier,

wherein the mount structure comprises at least one of one or more guide rails for guiding the slide shaft to move without release.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus at least one of inputs a signal to the portable device and receives and outputs a signal from the portable device.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a microphone unit, a battery charger unit, a portable printer unit, and a handsfree unit.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the connector of the apparatus and the connecting port of the portable device each have a pair of magnetic plates having different polarities, and are arranged such that attraction acts in a contact position.

24. A speaker apparatus for mounting a portable device and for electronically connecting with the portable device, the apparatus comprising:

a mount structure including;

a connector for connecting and mounting the portable device;

a carrier for mounting the connector, the carrier being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the portable device;

at least one guide for guiding the motion of the carrier; and

at least one supporting unit for supporting the portable device while the portable device is connected to the apparatus;

a speaker unit for outputting sound; and

a charger for charging the portable device.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the carrier includes a detent.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein one of the at least one guide interacts with the detent.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein one of the at least one guide is a guide rail.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein one of the at least one supporting element is a magnetic plate.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the at least one guide comprises at least one sliding shaft.