Apparatus for selectively supporting and charging an electronic device in a portrait position and a landscape position

• US 9,570,925 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Rautiainen, Jukka
• Primary Examiner(s): Fantu, Yalkew
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, MANUEL J
• Application Number:
  US13/706,003
• Publication Number:
  US 20140152244A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 320/108
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/025 using non-contact coupling, e.g. inductive, capacitive
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises an open frame comprising first and second members respectively comprising first and second channels. The second member is longer than the first member. A support arrangement comprises a base attached to the first member and projects in a rearward direction therefrom. The base is configured to support the open frame in a portrait position when the apparatus is in a first orientation, and to support the open frame in a landscape position when the apparatus is in a second orientation. First and second flanges respectively project in a frontward direction from the first and second members. A detachable wireless charging plate comprises first and second edge surfaces configured to respectively fit within the first and second channels of the open frame. The detachable wireless charging plate serves as a backrest of the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an angled member comprising a channel;

a base projecting in a rearward direction from the angled member, the base configured to support the angled member in a portrait position and in a landscape position;

portrait and landscape flanges respectively projecting in a frontward direction from the angled member; and

a detachable wireless charging plate comprising first and second edge surfaces configured to respectively fit within the channel of the angled member;

wherein the detachable wireless charging plate, the angled member, and the portrait and landscape flanges are configured to support an electronic device in the portrait position, in the landscape position, and in orientations between the portrait and landscape positions.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the angled member comprises a first member and a second member; and

an angle of about 90 degrees is defined between the first and second members.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises a first support surface and a second support surface;

the first support surface is configured to support the angled frame in the portrait position; and

the second support surface is configured to support the angled frame in the landscape position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the base comprises a first support surface and a second support surface;

the first support surface is configured to support the angled frame in the portrait position and the second support surface is configured to support the angled frame in the landscape position;

a first acute angle is defined between the first support surface of the base and the angled frame; and

a second acute angle is defined between the second support surface of the base and the angled frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the channel and at least one of the first and second edge surfaces of the charging plate comprise a retention arrangement configured to:

provide a friction generating interface therebetween;

or

provide for magnetic retention therebetween;

or

provide mechanical retention therebetween.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the angled member comprises a first member and a second member;

a length of the first member is substantially the same as a length of the first edge surface of the charging plate; and

a length of the second member is substantially the same as a length of the second edge surface of the charging plate.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the angled member comprises a first member and a second member; and

a length of the second member is greater than a length of the first member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device comprises a receive coil arrangement; and

the portrait and landscape flanges are configured to provide fixed support for the device such that alignment is maintained between the receive coil arrangement of the device and a charging coil arrangement of the detachable wireless charging plate in the portrait position, in the landscape position, and in orientations between the portrait and landscape positions.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the electronic device comprises a first side surface and a second side surface;

at least one of the first and second side surfaces comprise one or more switches; and

the one or more switches are unimpeded by the apparatus and are user accessible in the portrait position, in the landscape position, and in orientations between the portrait and landscape positions.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

an open frame, comprising;

a first member comprising a first channel; and

a second member comprising a second channel, the second member having a length longer than that of the first member and connected thereto, such that an angle is defined between the first and second channels;

a support arrangement, comprising;

a base attached to the first member and projecting in a rearward direction therefrom, the base configured to support the open frame in a portrait position and in a landscape position;

a first flange projecting in a frontward direction from the first member; and

a second flange projecting in a frontward direction from the second member; and

a detachable wireless charging plate comprising first and second edge surfaces configured to respectively fit within the first and second channels of the open frame, the detachable wireless charging plate serving as a backrest of the apparatus.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the angle defined between the first and second channels is about 90 degrees.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the base comprises a first support surface and a second support surface;

the first support surface is configured to support the open frame in the portrait position; and

the second support surface is configured to support the open frame in the landscape position.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the base comprises a first support surface and a second support surface;

the first support surface is configured to support the open frame in the portrait position and the second support surface is configured to support the open frame in the landscape position;

a first acute angle is defined between the first support surface of the base and the second member of the open frame; and

a second acute angle is defined between the second support surface of the base and the first member of the open frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second channels and at least one of the first and second edge surfaces of the charging plate comprise a retention arrangement configured to:

provide a friction generating interface therebetween;

or

provide for magnetic retention therebetween;

or

provide mechanical retention therebetween.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

a length of the first channel is substantially the same as a length of the first edge surface of the charging plate; and

a length of the second channel is substantially the same as a length of the second edge surface of the charging plate.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

a first acute angle is defined between the first flange and the first member of the open frame; and

a second acute angle is defined between the second flange and the second member of the open frame.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the open frame, the charging plate, and the first and second flanges are configured to support an electronic device in the portrait position, in the landscape position, and in orientations between the portrait and landscape positions.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the detachable wireless charging plate and the open frame are configured to support an electronic device comprising a receive coil arrangement; and

the first and second flanges are configured to provide fixed support for the device in the portrait and landscape positions, such that alignment is maintained between the receive coil arrangement of the device and a charging coil arrangement of the detachable wireless charging plate in the portrait position, in the landscape position, and in orientations between the portrait and landscape positions.