Electrical charging devices and assemblies

• US 9,997,882 B1
• Filed: 09/06/2017
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William J. Warren
• Original Assignee: William J. Warren
• Inventors: Warren, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US15/697,307
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 439638
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/60 Means for supporting coupling part when not engaged
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/68 mounted on directly pluggable apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/065 with built-in electric apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Electrical charging devices and assemblies are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a cradle configured to receive and retain an electronic device, side rail tracks extending below the cradle, an electronics tray defining a recess that receives an interchangeable electronics assembly, the interchangeable electronics assembly having electrical conductors, means for electrically coupling the interchangeable electronics assembly with the electronic device, when the electronics tray is coupled with the side rail tracks, and the interchangeable electronics assembly being disposed inside the recess such that the electrical conductors protrude from the electronics tray.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a cradle configured to receive and retain an electronic device;

side rail tracks extending below the cradle;

an electronics tray comprising;

an upper portion;

a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is spaced apart from the lower portion so as to create a groove; and

a sidewall defining a recess that receives an interchangeable electronics assembly, the interchangeable electronics assembly comprising electrical conductors;

means for electrically coupling the interchangeable electronics assembly with the electronic device, when the electronics tray is coupled with the side rail tracks; and

the interchangeable electronics assembly being disposed inside the recess such that the electrical conductors protrude from the electronics tray, and the upper portion of the electronics tray being slid onto the side rail tracks.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the electronics tray comprises openings that allow the electrical conductors to protrude therethrough.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the electronics tray comprises at least one notch.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a protrusion on the side rail tracks facing inwardly, the protrusion mating with and into the at least one notch when the electronics tray is slid onto the side rail tracks, so as to secure the cradle and the electronics tray together.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the side rail tracks each comprise a bi-level groove.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the upper portion of the electronics tray comprises pegs that extend laterally into the bi-level groove of each of the side rail tracks, further wherein movement of the electronics tray along the side rail tracks cause a portion of the pegs to drop into a lower portion of the bi-level groove of each of the side rail tracks.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer in pivoting connection with the lower portion of the electronics tray.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the stabilizer is a U-shaped bar that is coupled to the lower portion of the electronics tray via pivoting members, the stabilizer having a front section that extends forwardly of a front of the electronics tray, the stabilizer capable of being disposed in a deployed configuration such that the stabilizer contacts a supporting surface when the electrical conductors are inserted into an outlet.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a means for locking the stabilizer into a secured configuration.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a means for limiting the stabilizer when in the deployed configuration.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for limiting the stabilizer when in the deployed configuration comprises:

a fixed position shaft extending through the lower portion of the electronics tray; and

fixed stops arranged on the fixed position shaft.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the pivoting members comprise collars that rotate around the fixed position shaft, the collars each comprising a collar stop, wherein the collar stop on each of the collars engages with the fixed stops to limit rotation of the stabilizer.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer plate disposed between parallel sides of the lower portion of the electronics tray, the stabilizer plate being rotatably associated with a fixed position shaft using collars that rotatably couple with the fixed position shaft, wherein the stabilizer plate can translate laterally on the fixed position shaft.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a fixed stop arranged on the fixed position shaft, wherein at least one of the collars comprise a collar stop that engages with the fixed stop to secure the stabilizer plate in a deployed configuration.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical conductors comprise any of prongs, USB interfaces, micro SD interfaces, lightning interfaces, and combinations thereof.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a cradle configured to receive and retain an electronic device;

side rail tracks extending below the cradle;

an electronics tray comprising a recess that receives an interchangeable electronics assembly, the interchangeable electronics assembly comprising electrical conductors;

means for electrically coupling the interchangeable electronics assembly with the electronic device, when the electronics tray is coupled with the side rail tracks; and

the interchangeable electronics assembly being disposed inside the recess such that the electrical conductors protrude from the electronics tray.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the side rail tracks each comprise a substantially L-shaped cross section and having inwardly extending portions, the electronics tray comprising a groove, the inwardly extending portions traveling within the groove and supporting the electronics tray.