Adaptive docking station
First Claim
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1. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
- a housing having an exterior surface;
a connector plug protruding from the exterior surface and configured to mate with the portable electronic device, the connector plug configured to retract within the housing after a mating event such that a distal end of the connector plug protrudes a first distance beyond the exterior surface after the mating event and protrudes a second distance, greater than the first distance, beyond the exterior surface before the mating event; and
a linkage securing the connector plug to the housing and having a first position before the mating event where a first end of the linkage is supported by a ledge such that the portable electronic device can be mated with the connector plug and a second position after the mating event where the first end of the linkage is moved off the ledge into a depression such that the portable electronic device contacts the exterior surface of the docking station.
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Abstract
An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to accommodate electronic devices with and without cases. An actuator within the docking station allows the connector plug of the docking station to retract a variable amount such that little or no gap exists between the electronic device and the surface of the docking station. Other embodiments enable the top surface of the housing to translate vertically such that little or no gap exists between the electronic device and surface of the docking station.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a housing having an exterior surface; a connector plug protruding from the exterior surface and configured to mate with the portable electronic device, the connector plug configured to retract within the housing after a mating event such that a distal end of the connector plug protrudes a first distance beyond the exterior surface after the mating event and protrudes a second distance, greater than the first distance, beyond the exterior surface before the mating event; and a linkage securing the connector plug to the housing and having a first position before the mating event where a first end of the linkage is supported by a ledge such that the portable electronic device can be mated with the connector plug and a second position after the mating event where the first end of the linkage is moved off the ledge into a depression such that the portable electronic device contacts the exterior surface of the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a housing having an exterior surface; a connector plug protruding from the exterior surface; and an actuator coupled to the connector plug and adapted to position the connector plug in a first position in which a distal end of the connector plug protrudes a first distance beyond the exterior surface before the portable electronic device is mated with the connector plug, and a second position in which the distal end of the connector plug protrudes a second distance beyond the exterior surface after the portable electronic device is mated with the connector plug wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; wherein the actuator includes a linkage securing the connector plug to the housing, wherein when the connector plug is in the first position a first end of the linkage is supported by a ledge and when the connector plug is in the second position the first end of the linkage is moved off of the ledge and into a depression. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification