Docking station for a portable device

• US 20080019082A1
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Black & Decker Incorporated (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ellsworth, Kevin, Krieger, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/706,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20080019082A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0054 using cigarette lighter
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/081 Inflatable antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/1271 for mounting on windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2258 used with computer equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A docking station for a portable device, which is electrically coupleable to an external power supply, comprising a base having a cup-shape to facilitate portability of the docking station and its ease of use. The docking station includes a docking cavity for docking the portable device. A mating connector disposed in the docking cavity provides electrical interconnection between the docking station and the portable device and a flexible support between the base and the docking cavity provides for electrical coupling between the mating connector and the external power supply.

Claims

1. A docking station for a portable device electrically coupleable to an external power supply comprising:

a base having a cup-shape;

a housing defining a docking cavity for docking the portable device;

a connector disposed in the housing for providing electrical interconnection between the docking station and the portable device, and

a flexible support connecting the cup-shaped base and the housing, wherein electrical coupling between the mating connector and the external power supply is provided via the flexible support.

2. The docking station of claim 1, further including at least one of a 1) transmitter powered by the external power supply for transmitting signals generated by the portable device to a remote receiver, 2) power circuitry coupled to the external power supply for energizing the portable device, or 3) controller for controlling a function of the docking station, disposed in the cup-shaped base or the cavity housing.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the power circuitry includes a charger circuitry for charging the portable device.

4. The docking station of claim 2, wherein at least the controller is disposed in the cup-shaped base or the housing, and the controller is operative to control at least one of 1) a user interface function, or 2) data exchange function between the portable device and the docking station.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the connector supports a port interface comprising at least one of a USB, Firewire®

, a iPOD®

port or PDA port interface.

6. The docking station of claim 1, further including a base adjustment sleeve removably coupled to the base to adjust a physical dimension of the base.

7. The docking station of claim 1 further comprising a fitting adapter insertable into the housing to adjust the dimensions of the docking cavity to support holding a portable device.

8. The docking station of claim 7, further including a retainer operatively arranged on the housing for securing the fitting adapter in the housing.

9. A docking station for a portable device electrically coupleable to an external power supply comprising:

a base having a cup-shape;

a device holder attached to the base;

a housing defining a docking cavity for docking the portable device, wherein the housing is removably attachable to the device holder;

a connector attached to the housing providing an electrical interconnection between the docking station and the portable device, and

a support between the base and the housing, wherein an electrical coupling between the connector and the external power supply is provided via the support.

10. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the support comprises a flexible support.

11. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the housing defining the docking cavity comprises a clip device that is used to removably attach the housing to the device holder.

12. The docking station of claim 9 further including at least one of a 1) transmitter powered by the external power supply for transmitting signals generated by the portable device to a remote receiver, 2) power circuitry coupled to the external power supply for energizing the portable device, or 3) controller for controlling a function of the docking station.

13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the power circuitry includes a charger circuitry for charging the portable device.

14. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the function comprise at least one of a 1) user interface function, or 2) data exchange function between the portable device and the docking station.

15. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the connector supports a port interface comprising at least one of a USB port, Firewire®

, iPOD®

, or PDA port interface.

16. The docking station of claim 9 further including a base adjustment sleeve for adjusting a physical dimension of the cup-shaped base.

17. An antenna for a docking station that includes a transmitter for transmitting audio of a player to a receiver, comprising:

an antenna conductor that radiates radio frequency signals; and

a suction-cup that is attached along the length of the antenna conductor for positioning the antenna on a surface.