Docking station for an electronic device having improved connector interface

• US 8,821,193 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2012
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): GUSHI, ROSS N
• Application Number:
  US13/633,089
• Publication Number:
  US 20130137297A1
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 439/540.1, 439/638, 439/639, 439650-655, 43960723-60726
• US Class Current: 439/638
• 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 13/73 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 docking station for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, comprising a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device, a first plug on the connector module, a second plug on the connector module, a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug, a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug, a base member for holding the connector module, a first indexing member on the base member, and a second indexing member on the connector module.

Claims

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

a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device;

a first plug on the connector module;

a second plug on the connector module;

a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug;

a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug;

a base member for holding the connector module;

a first post on the base member;

a first complimentary feature on the connector module for receiving the first post; and

wherein the first post interfaces with the first complimentary feature to position the connector module with respect to the base member.

2. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising:

a shell which at least partially covers the base member and the connector module and positions

the electronic device with respect to the connector module.

3. The docking station of claim 2 further comprising a liner of the shell.

4. The docking station of claim 3 wherein the liner is formed from rubber molded over plastic.

5. The docking station of claim 2 wherein the shell is formed from a first material and the liner is formed from a second material different from the first material.

6. The docking station of claim 5 wherein the second material is softer than the first material.

7. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising:

a cable retention mechanism.

8. The docking station of claim 7 wherein the cable retention mechanism is a groove.

9. The docking station of claim 7 wherein the cable retention mechanism is formed in a shell which at least partially covers the base member and the connector module.

10. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising:

a second post on the base member;

a second complimentary feature on the connector module for receiving the second post; and

wherein the second post interfaces with the second complimentary feature to position the connector module with respect to the base member.

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

a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device;

a first plug on the connector module;

a second plug on the connector module;

a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug;

a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug;

a base member for holding the connector module;

a first post on the base member;

a first complimentary feature on the connector module for receiving the first post;

wherein the first post interfaces with the first complimentary feature to position the connector module with respect to the base member;

a second post on the base member;

a second complimentary feature on the connector module for receiving the second post; and

wherein the second post interfaces with the second complimentary feature to position the connector module with respect to the base member.

12. The docking station of claim 11 further comprising:

a shell which at least partially covers the base member and the connector module and positions

the electronic device with respect to the connector module.

13. The docking station of claim 12 further comprising a liner of the shell.

14. The docking station of claim 13 wherein the liner is formed from rubber molded over plastic.

15. The docking station of claim 12 wherein the shell is formed from a first material and the liner is formed from a second material different from the first material.

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

a connector module for interfacing with the electronic device;

a first plug on the connector module;

a second plug on the connector module;

a first port on the connector module electrically connected to the first plug;

a second port on the connector module electrically connected to the second plug;

a base member for holding the connector module;

a first post on the base member;

a second post on the base member;

a first hole on the connector module for receiving the first post and positioning the connector module with respect to the base member;

a second hole on the connector module for receiving the second post and positioning the connector module with respect to the base member;

a shell which at least partially covers the base member and the connector module;

a positioning member on the shell for positioning the electronic device with respect to the connector module.

17. The docking station of claim 16 further comprising a liner of the shell.

18. The docking station of claim 17 wherein the liner is formed from rubber molded over plastic.

19. The docking station of claim 16 wherein the shell is formed from a first material and the liner is formed from a second material different from the first material.