Attachment apparatus for attaching a first device to a second device

• US 20050093510A1
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin Corporation (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Nalwad, Vijendra, Seil, Oliver Duncan, Quinteros, Ernesto
• Granted Patent: US 7,081,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

In one embodiment of the invention, an attachment apparatus (100) for attaching a first device to a second device includes a cradle (110) and a suction cup (120) removably attached to the cradle. As an example, the first device can be a battery pack (400) for an electronic device. The cradle includes a major surface (111), a first sidewall (112) coupled to the major surface, a second sidewall (113) coupled to the major surface opposite the first sidewall, and a hole (114) in the major surface. The suction cup is attached to the cradle at the hole.

Claims

1. An attachment apparatus for attaching a first device to a second device, the attachment apparatus comprising:

a cradle comprising;

a major surface;

a first sidewall coupled to the major surface;

a second sidewall coupled to the major surface opposite the first sidewall; and

a hole in the major surface; and

a suction cup coupled to the cradle at the hole.

2. The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the suction cup comprises;

a suction pad;

a release tab located at an edge of the suction pad; and

a knob attached to the suction pad; and

the knob comprises;

a primary portion having a depression therein; and

a secondary portion extending from the primary portion.

3. The attachment apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

the hole comprises;

a primary opening; and

a secondary opening coupled to the primary opening.

4. The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cradle further comprises:

a pad protruding from the major surface.

5. The attachment apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first device is a battery pack.

6. The attachment apparatus of claim 5 wherein:

the battery pack comprises;

a battery module comprising;

a battery compartment; and

an on/off switch; and

a cover enclosing the battery compartment and removably attached to the battery module.

7. The attachment apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the battery module further comprises a charge indicator.

8. The attachment apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the battery module further comprises a charge indicator actuator.

9. The attachment apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the battery pack further comprises;

a cantilever arm coupled to the battery module opposite the battery compartment; and

a depression in the battery module opposite the battery compartment and adjacent to the cantilever arm; and

the cantilever arm comprises a locking tab.

10. The attachment apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the cover comprises a first portion;

the first portion covers the charge indicator when the cover is attached to the battery module; and

the charge indicator is visible through the first portion.

11. The attachment apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

the cover further comprises;

an extension arm; and

the battery pack further comprises;

a hole for receiving at least a portion of the extension arm and securing the cover to the battery pack.

12. A battery pack for attachment to an electronic device, the battery pack comprising:

a battery module;

a cover removably coupled to the battery module;

a cradle coupled to the battery module; and

a suction cup removably coupled to the cradle.

13. The battery pack of claim 12 wherein:

the battery module comprises;

a battery compartment;

an on/off switch; and

a charge indicator; and

the cover encloses the battery compartment.

14. The battery pack of claim 13 wherein:

the battery module further comprises a charge indicator actuator adjacent to the battery compartment.

15. The battery pack of claim 12 wherein:

the cover further comprises;

an extension arm; and

the battery pack further comprises;

a hole for receiving at least a portion of the extension arm and securing the cover to the battery pack.

16. The battery pack of claim 12 wherein:

the cradle comprises;

a major surface;

a pad protruding from the major surface in a first direction;

a first sidewall coupled to the major surface and extending in the first direction;

a second sidewall coupled to the major surface opposite the first sidewall and extending in the first direction; and

a hole in the major surface; and

the suction cup is removably coupled to the cradle through the hole.

17. The battery pack of claim 16 wherein:

the hole comprises;

a primary opening; and

a secondary opening coupled to the primary opening.

18. The battery pack of claim 17 wherein:

the suction cup comprises;

a suction pad;

a release tab located at an edge of the suction pad; and

a knob attached to the suction pad; and

the knob comprises;

a primary portion having a depression therein and extending through the hole; and

a secondary portion extending from the primary portion.

19. The battery pack of claim 13 wherein:

the battery pack further comprises;

a cantilever arm coupled to the battery module opposite the battery compartment; and

a depression in the battery module opposite the battery compartment and adjacent to the cantilever arm; and

the cantilever arm comprises a locking tab.

20. The battery pack of claim 19 wherein:

the cover comprises a first portion;

the first portion covers the charge indicator when the cover is attached to the battery module; and

the charge indicator is visible through the first portion.

21. An attachment apparatus for attaching a battery pack to an electronic device, the attachment apparatus comprising:

a cradle comprising;

a major surface;

a first sidewall coupled to the major surface;

a second sidewall coupled to the major surface opposite the first sidewall; and

a hole in the major surface; and

a suction cup removably attached to the cradle at the hole;

wherein;

the battery pack comprises;

a battery module comprising;

a battery compartment;

an on/off switch;

a charge indicator; and

a charge indicator actuator;

a cable coupled to the battery module; and

a cover enclosing the battery compartment removably attached to the battery module.

22. The attachment apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the battery pack further comprises;

a cantilever arm attached to the battery module opposite the battery compartment; and

a depression in the battery module opposite the battery compartment and adjacent to the cantilever arm; and

the cantilever arm comprises a locking tab.

23. The attachment apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the suction cup comprises;

a suction pad;

a vacuum release tab located at an edge of the suction pad; and

a knob attached to the suction pad; and

the knob comprises;

a primary portion having a depression therein; and

a secondary portion extending from the primary portion.

24. The attachment apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the cover comprises a thick portion and a thin portion;

the thin portion covers the charge indicator when the cover is attached to the battery module; and

the charge indicator is visible through the thin portion.

25. The attachment apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the hole comprises;

a primary opening; and

a secondary opening communicating with the primary opening.

26. The attachment apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the cover further comprises;

an extension arm; and

the battery pack further comprises;

a hole for receiving at least a portion of the extension arm and securing the cover to the battery pack.