Docking station for electronic device

• US 8,625,273 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Futaihua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Zhou, Cong-Bing
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US13/210,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20120188691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.41, 361/679.01, 439/135, 439/131
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025

Abstract

A docking station for an electronic device includes a main body, and a connector mechanism. The main body defines a receiving space at a sidewall thereof. The connector mechanism is rotatably mounted to the main body and is capable of being received in the receiving space when in a closed position relative to the main body. The connector mechanism includes an interface for supporting the electronic device. When the connector mechanism is received in the receiving space, the interface is hidden in receiving space.

Claims

1. A docking station for an electronic device, comprising:

a main body defining a receiving space at a sidewall thereof; and

a connector mechanism rotatably mounted to the main body and capable of being received in the receiving space when in a closed position relative to the main body, the connector mechanism comprising an interface for supporting the electronic device;

wherein when the connector mechanism is received in the receiving space, the interface is hidden in receiving space; and

wherein the connector mechanism comprises a base rotatably coupled to the main body, the interface is rotatably connected to and is foldable on the base;

the connector mechanism further comprises a supporting member rotatably coupled to and foldable on the base, the supporting member is adapted for supporting the electronic device electrically connected to the interface.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the connector mechanism further comprises a transmitting member for connecting the interface member with the supporting member, when one of the interface member and the supporting member rotates in a first direction, the transmitting member drives the other one of the interface member and the supporting member to synchronously rotate in a second direction reverse to the first direction.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the transmitting portion comprises at least one first toothed member and at least one second toothed member engaging with the at least one first toothed member, the at least one first toothed member and the at least one second toothed member are respectively secured to the interface member and the supporting member.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the supporting member defines a cut for receiving the interface member when the supporting member and the interface member are folded on the base.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the connector mechanism further comprises at least one torsion spring, the at least one torsion spring is used for providing a force to keep the supporting member at an angle with the base.

6. The docking station of claim 5, wherein opposite ends of the at least one torsion spring are respectively fastened to the base and the supporting member, and the supporting member is perpendicular to the base when the at least one torsion spring is in an original state.

7. The docking station of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism configured for locking the connector mechanism to the main body.

8. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises a first display, the docking station comprises a second display, and the size of the second display is larger than that of the first display.

9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the second display is electrically connected to the interface member.

10. An electronic device capable of electrically connecting peripheral device, comprising:

a main body defining a receiving space at a sidewall thereof; and

a connector mechanism rotatably received in the receiving space and adapted to electrically connect peripheral device, the connector mechanism capable of rotating from a closed position being exposed out of the receiving space to an open position being hidden in the receiving space;

wherein the connector mechanism comprises a base rotatably received in the receiving space, and an interface member rotatably coupled to and foldable on the base, when the connector mechanism rotates to the open position, the interface member is unfolded to electrically connect peripheral device, and when the connector mechanism rotates to the closed position, the interface member is folded;

wherein the connector mechanism further comprises a supporting member and a transmitting member, the supporting member is rotatable coupled to the base and is configured to support the peripheral device, the transmitting member connects the interface member with the supporting member, when one of the interface member and the supporting member rotates in a first direction, the other one of the interface member and the supporting member is driven to synchronously rotate in a second direction reverse to the first direction.

11. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the connector mechanism further comprises at least one torsion spring, the at least one torsion spring is used for providing a force to keep the supporting member at an angle with the base.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein opposite ends of the at least one torsion spring are respectively fastened to the base and the supporting member, and the supporting member is perpendicular to the base when the at least one torsion spring is in an original state.

13. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the transmitting portion comprises at least one first toothed member and at least one second toothed member engaging with the at least one first toothed member, the at least one first toothed member and the at least one second toothed member are respectively secured to the interface member and the supporting member.

14. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the supporting member defines a cut for receiving the interface member when the supporting member and the interface member are folded on the base.

15. The electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism configured for locking the connector mechanism to the main body.

16. The electronic device of claim 10, wherein the main body comprises a display unit electrically connected to the interface.