System and, method for holding and powering three consumer electronic devices

• US 8,675,356 B2
• Filed: 01/09/2012
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DOK Solution
• Original Assignee: DOK Solution
• Inventors: Strauser, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): HAUGHTON, ANTHONY MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US13/345,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20120106069A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679.4, 361/679.41, 361/679.44
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A consumer electronic system for holding and providing power to as many as three consumer electronic devices has three cradles in a staggered configuration. One of the cradles is positioned behind and between the remaining two cradles. Thereby the cradle positioned behind the other two cradles is capable of supporting a larger consumer electronic device without blocking the front two cradles. The support walls of the front two cradles provide a surface that supports the larger consumer electronic device.

Claims

1. A consumer electronic system comprising:

an enclosure; and

three cradles extending from the enclosure, each cradle having a cavity and a support wall, the cavity sized to contain at least one portion of at least a first consumer electronic device, the first consumer electronic device resting against the support wall;

a first cradle of the three cradles positioned between and behind a second and third cradle of the three cradles such that a second consumer electronic device supported by the first cradle rests against the support wall of the first cradle and an edge of the second consumer device rests against a back surface of the support walls of at least one of the second and third cradles.

2. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the first consumer electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a music player or a cellular phone, and the second consumer electronic device is a table computer.

3. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the cradles is removably attached to the enclosure.

4. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the support wall of at least one of the cradles includes a cable trough for routing a cable between the consumer electronic system and a consumer electronic device held by the cradles.

5. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the cavity includes at least two steps such that the cavity and the steps snuggly support at least two sizes and/or shapes of consumer electronic devices selected from the set of consumer electronic devices.

6. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the consumer electronic system of claim 1 further includes means for managing cables.

7. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the consumer electronic system is a clock radio having controls, at least one speaker, and a display.

8. The consumer electronic system of claim 1, wherein the consumer electronic system includes at least three industry standard ports, each of the industry standard ports providing power to consumer electronic devices that are held by the cradles.

9. A method of charging a consumer electronic device, the method comprising:

connecting a first end connector of a data/power cable to a first consumer electronic device, the data/power cable designed for the first consumer electronic device;

routing the data/power cable through a cable trough of a first cradle of three cradles, the three cradles attached to a consumer electronic system, the first cradle staggered behind and between a second cradle and a third cradle of the three cradles;

placing the first consumer electronic devices into the first cradle, a back side of the first consumer electronic device resting against a support wall of the first cradle and a forward edge of the first consumer electronic device held by at least one back side of the support wall of one of the second and third cradles; and

plugging a second end connector of the data/power cable into a receptacle of the consumer electronic system, thereby providing power to the first consumer electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

connecting a first end connector of a second data/power cable to a second consumer electronic device, the second data/power cable designed for the second consumer electronic device;

routing the data/power cable through a cable trough of the second cradle of the three cradles;

placing the second consumer electronic devices into the second cradle, a back side of the second consumer electronic device resting against a support wall of the second cradle and the second consumer electronic device held within a cavity of the second cradle; and

plugging a second end connector of the second data/power cable into a second receptacle of the consumer electronic system, thereby providing power to the second consumer electronic device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

connecting a first end connector of a third data/power cable to a third consumer electronic device, the third data/power cable designed for the third consumer electronic device;

routing the third data/power cable through a cable trough of the third cradle of three cradles;

placing the second consumer electronic devices into the third cradle, a back side of the third consumer electronic device resting against a support wall of the third cradle and the third consumer electronic device held within a cavity of the third cradle; and

plugging a second end connector of the third data/power cable into a third receptacle of the consumer electronic system, thereby providing power to the third consumer electronic device.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the consumer electronic system is a clock radio.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

removing the third cradle from the consumer electronic system;

attaching a different cradle to the consumer electronic system;

connecting a first end connector of a fourth data/power cable to a fourth consumer electronic device, the fourth data/power cable designed for the fourth consumer electronic device;

routing the fourth data/power cable through a cable trough of the different cradle;

placing the fourth consumer electronic device into the different cradle, a back side of the fourth consumer electronic device resting against a support wall of the different cradle and the fourth consumer electronic device held within a cavity of the different cradle; and

plugging a second end connector of the fourth data/power cable into a third receptacle of the consumer electronic system, thereby providing power to the fourth consumer electronic device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

connecting a first end connector of an audio cable to an audio output connector of the first consumer electronic device;

connecting a second end connector of the audio cable to an audio input jack of the consumer electronic system.

15. A consumer electronic system comprising:

an enclosure; and

three cradles extending upward from a back surface of the enclosure, each cradle having a cavity and a support wall, the cavity sized to partially contain at least a first consumer electronic device, the first consumer electronic device resting against the support wall, the support wall having a cable trough;

a first cradle of the three cradles positioned between and behind a second and third cradle of the three cradles such that a second consumer device supported by the first cradle rests against the support wall of the first cradle and an edge of the second consumer device rests against a back surface of the support walls of at least one of the second and third cradles.

16. The consumer electronic system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the cradles is removably attached to the enclosure.

17. The consumer electronic system of claim 15, wherein the cavity includes at least two steps such that the cavity and the steps snuggly support at least two sizes and/or shapes of consumer electronic devices selected from the set of consumer electronic devices.

18. The consumer electronic system of claim 15, wherein the consumer electronic system further includes means for managing cables.

19. The consumer electronic system of claim 15, wherein the consumer electronic system is a clock radio having controls, at least one speaker, and a display.

20. The consumer electronic system of claim 15, wherein the consumer electronic system includes at least three industry standard ports, each of the industry standard ports providing power to consumer electronic devices that are held by the cradles.