DOCKING STATION FOR MEDIA PLAYER

• US 20120188689A1
• Filed: 02/01/2011
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alco Electronics Ltd. (Alco Holdings Limited)
• Original Assignee: Alco Electronics Ltd. (Alco Holdings Limited)
• Inventors: Leung, Wilson Wai Sing
• Granted Patent: US 8,773,845 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/041 Allowing quick release of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/105 the horizontal axis being the roll axis, e.g. for creating a landscape-portrait rotation
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/122 Arrangements for providing electrical connections, e.g. connectors, cables, switches

Abstract

A docking station for an iPad or the like, having a base, a support on the base for releasably holding an iPad, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad, and speakers connected to the operating circuit for reproducing sound based on the audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable between two angular positions for supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The support is also movable to change the direction in which the iPad faces, between left and right orientations.

Claims

1. A docking station, comprising:

a base for resting on a horizontal surface;

a support on the base for releasably holding a media player;

an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the media player; and

at least one speaker connected to the operating circuit for reproducing sound based on the audio signal amplified by the operating circuit, wherein

the support is movable between first and second angular positions respectively supporting the media player in portrait and landscape orientations, and

the support is movable to change direction in which the media player, supported on the support, faces, in a range between left and right.

2. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the base is resting on a horizontal surface, the support is movable angularly about a substantially vertical axis to change the direction in which the media player, supported on the support, faces, in the range between left and right.

3. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the range between left and right in which the media player, supported on the support, faces, is movable, is up to 360 degrees.

4. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the range is up to about 180 degrees.

5. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein

the base has a first part and a second part, and the second part is rotatably connected to the first part, and

the support is carried by the second part and turns with the second part to change the direction in which the media player, supported on the support, faces, in the range between left and right.

6. The docking station as claimed in claim 5, including a swivel connection connecting the second part of the base to the first part.

7. The docking station as claimed in claim 5, including a bearing connecting the second part of the base to the first part.

8. The docking station as claimed in claim 5, wherein, when the base is resting on a horizontal surface, the second part of the base is located above the first part.

9. The docking station as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base has a substantially conical or frusto-conical shape.

10. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support is pivotably connected to the base for pivotal movement between the first and second angular positions, supporting the media player selectively in the portrait and landscape orientations.

11. The docking station as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support is pivotably connected to the second part of the base for pivotal movement between the first and second angular positions, supporting the media player selectively in the portrait and landscape orientations.

12. The docking station as claimed in claim 10, wherein, when the base is resting on a horizontal surface, the support is pivotably connected to the base for pivotal movement about a first axis inclined at an acute angle relative to the horizontal, and, at the acute angle, the support leans rearward.

13. The docking station as claimed in claim 12, wherein

the second part of the base is rotatably connected to the first part for turning about a second axis, and

the first and second axes lie in a common, vertical plane.

14. The docking station as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when the base is resting on a horizontal surface, the support is pivotably connected to the base for pivotal movement about a first axis inclined at an acute angle relative to the horizontal, and, at the acute angle, the support leans rearward.

15. The docking station as claimed in claim 14, wherein

the second part of the base is rotatably connected to the first part for turning about a second axis, and

the first and second axes lie in a common, vertical plane.

16. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, including a signal connector which is connected to the operating circuit and for connection to the media player to transmit an audio signal to the operating circuit for amplification.

17. The docking station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the signal connector is located on the support.

18. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base houses the operating circuit and locates the at least one speaker.

19. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating circuit includes a clock circuit.

20. The docking station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating circuit includes a radio circuit.