Adjustable docking stand and method of providing and using the same

• US 9,454,183 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2014
• Issued: 09/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Suckle, Mitchell, Beaupre, Eric, McDonald, Eric A., Holleman, Avery, Lane, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US14/450,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20150036283A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A docking stand for an electronic device. The docking stand can include a bottom support surface configured to support a bottom side of the electronic device. The docking stand also can include a back support surface configured to support a side of the electronic device. The back support surface can be substantially upright when a base of the docking stand is placed on a substantially horizontal surface. The docking stand further can include a docking connector configured to removably attach to a docking port of the electronic device. The docking port can be proximate to the bottom side of the electronic device. The docking stand also can include an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a height of the docking connector relative to the bottom support surface. Other embodiments are provided.

Claims

1. A docking stand for an electronic device comprising:

a bottom support surface configured to support a bottom side of the electronic device;

a back support surface configured to support a side of the electronic device, the back support surface being substantially upright when a base of the docking stand is placed on a substantially horizontal surface;

a docking connector configured to removably attach to a docking port of the electronic device, the docking port being proximate to the bottom side of the electronic device;

an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a height of the docking connector relative to the bottom support surface; and

a connector assembly comprising the docking connector,

wherein;

the bottom support surface comprises a connector well; and

the connector assembly is configured to be raised and lowered within the connector well.

2. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment wheel.

3. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism is located at a rear portion of the docking stand behind the back support surface.

4. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein:

the docking connector is configured to pivot frontward and rearward relative to the back support surface; and

the docking stand is configured to support the docking connector in a substantially vertical configuration when the docking connector is detached from the docking port of the electronic device.

5. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein the bottom support surface is convexly curved relative to the docking stand.

6. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the bottom support surface is lower than a front portion of the bottom support surface when the base of the docking stand is placed on the substantially horizontal surface.

7. The docking stand of claim 1 further comprising a cable comprising a USB plug.

8. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein the docking connector comprises an eight-pin Lightning connector.

9. The docking stand of claim 1, wherein the connector well is fanned out upward toward the bottom support surface.

10. The docking stand of claim 1 further comprising:

an adjustment sled comprising a channel,

wherein;

a first portion of the channel is higher than a second portion of the channel when the base of the docking stand is placed on the substantially horizontal surface;

an adjustment of the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the adjustment sled substantially parallel with the base of the docking stand and adjust a height of a connector assembly pivot within the channel;

the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment wheel; and

the adjustment mechanism is located at a rear portion of the docking stand behind the back support surface.

11. A docking stand for an electronic device comprising:

a bottom support surface configured to support a bottom side of the electronic device;

a back support surface configured to support a side of the electronic device, the back support surface being substantially upright when a base of the docking stand is placed on a substantially horizontal surface;

a docking connector configured to removably attach to a docking port of the electronic device, the docking port being proximate to the bottom side of the electronic device;

an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a height of the docking connector relative to the bottom support surface; and

an adjustment sled comprising a channel,

wherein;

a first portion of the channel is higher than a second portion of the channel when the base of the docking stand is placed on the substantially horizontal surface; and

an adjustment of the adjustment mechanism is configured to move the adjustment sled substantially parallel with the base of the docking stand and adjust a height of a connector assembly pivot within the channel.

12. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment wheel.

13. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism is located at a rear portion of the docking stand behind the back support surface.

14. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein:

the docking connector is configured to pivot frontward and rearward relative to the back support surface; and

the docking stand is configured to support the docking connector in a substantially vertical configuration when the docking connector is detached from the docking port of the electronic device.

15. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein the bottom support surface is convexly curved relative to the docking stand.

16. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein a rear portion of the bottom support surface is lower than a front portion of the bottom support surface when the base of the docking stand is placed on the substantially horizontal surface.

17. The docking stand of claim 11 further comprising a cable comprising a USB plug.

18. The docking stand of claim 11, wherein the docking connector comprises an eight-pin Lightning connector.

19. The docking stand of claim 11 further comprising:

a connector assembly comprising the docking connector, wherein;

the bottom support surface comprises a connector well; and

the connector assembly is configured to be raised and lowered within the connector well.

20. The docking stand of claim 19, wherein the connector well is fanned out upward toward the bottom support surface.