Adjustable docking stand with ejector and method of providing and using the same

• US 9,836,086 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2017
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• 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, Wadsworth, John F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US15/428,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20170153667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 299 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A charging stand including a connector base. The charging stand also can include a docking connector pivotally coupled to the connector base and configured to be removably coupled to an electronic device. The charging stand additionally can include an ejector at least partially surrounding the docking connector and configured to push the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector when the docking connector is rotated in a first direction relative to the connector base. Other embodiments are provided.

Claims

1. A charging stand comprising:

a connector base;

a docking connector pivotally coupled to the connector base and configured to be removably coupled to an electronic device;

an ejector at least partially surrounding the docking connector and configured to push the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector when the docking connector is rotated in a first direction relative to the connector base; and

a connector cable electrically coupled to the docking connector, the connector cable being configured to pass through a pivot point of the docking connector.

2. The charging stand of claim 1, wherein:

the ejector is configured to move away from the pivot point of the docking connector as the electronic device is rotated in the first direction relative to the connector base.

3. The charging stand of claim 1 further comprising:

a casing comprising a surface, the surface being configured to support a bottom side of the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the docking connector.

4. The charging stand of claim 3 further comprising:

an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the connector base and docking connector relative to the surface.

5. The charging stand of claim 4, wherein:

the adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust a position of the connector base and docking connector relative to the surface by lowering the surface within the casing.

6. The charging stand of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one compression spring configured to adjust a rotational position of the docking connector.

7. The charging stand of claim 1, wherein:

the docking connector has a neutral pivot position at approximately 5 degrees to approximately 20 degrees from vertical in a direction opposite the first direction.

8. The charging stand of claim 1 further comprising:

a casing having sufficient dimension and weight distribution to prevent the charging stand from tipping as the docking connector is rotated in the first direction relative to the connector base.

9. The charging stand of claim 1, wherein:

the ejector is configured to push on the electronic device using two or more non-continuous points of contact.

10. A charging stand comprising:

a connector base;

a docking connector pivotally coupled to the connector base and configured to be removably coupled to an electronic device; and

an ejector at least partially surrounding the docking connector and configured to push the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector when the docking connector is rotated in a first direction relative to the connector base,

wherein;

the ejector comprises;

a sleeve at least partially surrounding the docking connector; and

a tab extending from the sleeve to a first point of the connector base and being slidable with respect to the first point of the connector base such that the tab slides along the first point of the connector base and pushes the sleeve along the docking connector outward from the connector base as the docking connector is rotated in the first direction with respect to the connector base.

11. The charging stand of claim 10, wherein:

the sleeve has at least one narrowing step.

12. The charging stand of claim 10, wherein:

the ejector further comprises a gusset at a connection between the sleeve and the tab.

13. The charging stand of claim 10, wherein:

the connector base comprises a slot at the first point of the connector base; and

the tab is configured to slide through the slot as the docking connector is rotated in the first direction with respect to the connector base.

14. A charging stand comprising:

a connector base;

a docking connector pivotally coupled to the connector base and configured to be removably coupled to an electronic device; and

an ejector at least partially surrounding the docking connector and configured to push the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector when the docking connector is rotated in a first direction relative to the connector base,

wherein;

the docking connector has a neutral pivot position at approximately 5 degrees to approximately 20 degrees from vertical in a direction opposite the first direction; and

the docking connector is configured to rotate in the first direction for a predetermined angular rotation from the neutral pivot position before the ejector pushes the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector.

15. A method of providing a charging stand, the method comprising:

providing a connector base;

providing a docking connector pivotally coupled to the connector base and configured to be removably coupled to an electronic device;

providing an ejector at least partially surrounding the docking connector and configured to push the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector when the docking connector is rotated in a first direction relative to the connector base; and

providing the ejector comprises providing the ejector such that the ejector comprises;

a sleeve at least partially surrounding the docking connector; and

a tab extending from the sleeve to a first point of the connector base and being slidable with respect to the first point of the connector base such that the tab slides along the first point of the connector base and pushes the sleeve along the docking connector outward from the connector base as the docking connector is rotated in the first direction with respect to the connector base.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the connector base comprises a slot at the first point of the connector base; and

the tab is configured to slide through the slot as the docking connector is rotated in the first direction with respect to the connector base.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a casing, the casing comprising a surface, the surface being configured to support a bottom side of the electronic device when the electronic device is coupled to the docking connector,

wherein;

an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a position of the connector base and docking connector relative to the surface.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing a connector cable electrically coupled to the docking connector, the connector cable being configured to pass through a pivot point of the docking connector.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the docking connector has a neutral pivot position at approximately 5 degrees to approximately 20 degrees from vertical in a direction opposite the first direction.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the docking connector is configured to rotate in the first direction for a predetermined angular rotation from the neutral pivot position before the ejector pushes the electronic device at least partially off the docking connector.