Charging contact system

• US 9,152,194 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2012
• Issued: 10/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yurchenco, James, Vollmer, Adam, Adams, Matthew Robert, Switky, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Kik, Phallaka
• Application Number:
  US13/722,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20130162211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 320/115, 320/113, 429/97, 429/100, 429/79, 429/80, 429/84, 429/89, 361/679.41, 361/679.43
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/00 Suction cups for attaching purposes; Equivalent means using adhesives devices using adhesives, suction or magnetism for hanging or supporting pictures or the like A47G1/17; vacuum work holders B25B11/005; anchoring of ships using suction B63B21/27; suction cups for handling glass B65G49/061; load-engaging elements for cranes using suction means B66C1/02
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/003 using adhesives for attaching purposes using adhesives for connecting constructional elements F16B11/006
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 47/006 the suction cups being activated by the rotation of a cranked lever arm
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/00 Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures printed connections to, or between, printed circuits H05K1/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/00 Printed circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/00 Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/00 Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus casings, cabinets, drawers H05K5/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Novel tools and techniques are described for waterproof charging contact system. In one aspect, the charging contact system may comprise docking station comprising a first set of compliant charging contacts for a tablet computer system and a second set of compliant charging contacts for a handset computer. Each compliant charging contact comprises a charging pin pressed into an elastomer diaphragm inserted within a body of the docking station. The tablet computer system comprises a first set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the first set of compliant charging contacts. The handset comprises a second set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the second set of compliant charging contacts.

Claims

1. A docking station, comprising:

a first set of compliant charging contacts for a tablet computer system; and

a second set of compliant charging contacts for a handset computer system;

wherein each compliant charging contact comprises a charging pin pressed into a deformable layer inserted within a body of the docking station.

2. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the docking station is substantially planar.

3. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the deformable layer comprises an elastomer diaphragm.

4. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the deformable layer compresses when the charging pins are depressed.

5. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the deformable layer is molded with the body of the docking station.

6. The docking station according to claim 1, further comprising:

an indented contact receptacle;

wherein the contact receptacle is contoured to mate snugly against portion of a housing of an electrical device.

7. The docking station according to claim 6, wherein the indented contact receptacle is deformable.

8. The docking station according to claim 6, wherein the deformable layer is more flexible than the contact receptacle.

9. The docking station according to claim 6, wherein the deformable layer forms a seal about the contact receptacle and the charging pin.

10. The docking station according to claim 6, wherein the deformable layer is molded with the contact receptacle.

11. The docking station according to claim 6, wherein the deformable layer is surrounded by the contact receptacle.

12. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the top of the docking station is water resistant.

13. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the charging pin is integral to and protrudes outwardly from the deformable layer.

14. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the charging pin is affixed to an elastic spring.

15. The docking station according to claim 14, wherein the elastic spring provides electrical conductivity.

16. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the deformable layer is in a shape of a disc.

17. The docking station according to claim 1, wherein the charging pin is in a shape of a dumbbell.

18. A communication system, comprising:

a docking station comprising a first set of compliant charging contacts for a tablet computer system and a second set of compliant charging contacts for a handset computer system, each compliant charging contact comprising a charging pin pressed into an elastomer diaphragm inserted within a body of the docking station;

the tablet computer system, comprising a first set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the first set of compliant charging contacts, the first set of static charging contacts being flush mounted with a housing of the tablet computer system and forming a water resistant seal with the housing; and

the handset, comprising a second set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the second set of compliant charging contacts, the second set of static charging contacts being assembled under compression by a rubber foot of the handset.

19. The communication system according to claim 18, further comprising:

a first indented contact receptacle; and

a second indented contact receptacle;

wherein the first contact receptacle is contoured to mate snugly against portion of the housing of the tablet computer system;

wherein the second contact receptacle is contoured to mate snugly against the rubber foot of the handset.

20. A method for use with a communication system comprising a docking station comprising a first set of compliant charging contacts for a tablet computer system and a second set of compliant charging contacts for a handset computer system, each compliant charging contact comprising a charging pin pressed into an elastomer diaphragm inserted within a body of the docking station, the tablet computer system, comprising a first set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the first set of compliant charging contacts, the first set of static charging contacts being flush mounted with a housing of the tablet computer system and forming a water resistant seal with the housing, the handset comprising a second set of static charging contacts configured to mate with the second set of compliant charging contacts, the second set of static charging contacts being assembled under compression by a rubber foot of the handset, the method comprising:

placing the tablet system on the docking station, so that the first set of static charging contacts is electrically coupled with the first set of compliant charging contacts, wherein, when the tablet system is placed in the docking station, the elastomer diaphragm deforms when the charging pin is depressed, to create a seal; and

placing the handset on the docking station, so that the second set of static charging contacts is electrically coupled with the second set of compliant charging contacts, wherein, when the handset is placed in the docking station, the elastomer diaphragm deforms when the charging pin is depressed, to create a seal.