Abstract:
A cradle for mounting a plurality of electronic devices therein is provided. The cradle comprises a plurality of cavities, each of the plurality of cavities being adapted to releasably mount one or more electronic devices therein.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to cradles for electronic devices, and, more particularly, to cradles for holding two or more electronic devices in electrical communication with one another. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the prior art shows cradles for electronic devices, none are believed to illustrate the type of device disclosed and claimed. Specifically, businesses which employ non-cash transactions, such transactions including, but not limited to, credit cards, debit cards, pre-pay cards and the like, are generally required to install card swipe devices in combination with printers which are permanently fixed to a given location. The permanent fixation is required to allow electronic communication via a dedicated line with respective card issuers to transmit card transactions to said issuers. 
     As is well known in the art, card swipe devices read information from magnetic strips located on cards which includes information on the card holder for billing purposes. Printers generally provide original documents of the transaction for the business as well as a copy for the card holder. 
     The requirement for a permanently affixed location unduly restricts such sales. However, now that affordable portable computing equipment such as the Palm Pilot® device has become readily available, businesses have begun to take advantage of the ability of such devices to record and later transmit transactions. Thus, portable electronic devices were brought into electronic communication with card swipe devices and printers whereby a card transaction could be conducted in a remote location and subsequently transmitted to the issuer at a later time. The Palm Pilot® device does not require a land line but connects to the internet over the air via an antenna. 
     Such arrangements have found favor in environments such as trade shows and swap meets by avoiding the need to provide a land line and thereby restricting the swipe device by the need for permanent or semi-permanent affixation to that land line. In addition, in a more traditional business setting, the above connection saves costs by negating the need for a dedicated land line to transmit the transaction information. The transactions can be stored on the portable electronic device and later transmitted whenever convenient for the business. 
     While the electronic communications described above are known in the art, ease of use has been somewhat deficient. The combination of devices can be difficult to carry around as a unit. This requires the user to assemble and disassemble whenever a move is desired. Thus, there is a need for a carrying device which simplifies this moving task. The present invention meets this need. 
     Some cradle devices are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,546 entitled “Cradle Assembly for Portable Computing Devices and Method” which issued on May 12, 1998 to Clark et al. shows a cradle assembly which supports a portable electronic device and may also include electrical connections to said device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,996956 entitled “Mounting Platform for an Electronic Device” which issued on Dec. 7, 1999 to Shawver provides a mounting platform for an electronic device, the mounting platform having a stylus for actuating the controls of the device mounted thereon. 
     None of the references cited disclose the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide cradle for supporting two or more electronic devices in electrical communication with each other. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a cradle for supporting a portable electronic device in electrical communication with a card swipe for facilitating credit card transactions. 
     Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention may be more readily described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective side and top view of a cradle embodying the present invention in use with a portable electronic device, a card swipe and a printer; 
     FIG. 2 is a top exploded view of the cradle of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line  3 — 3 ; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line  4 — 4 ; 
     FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 6 is a left side view of the embodiment of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring more particularly to the drawings by characters of reference, FIGS. 1-6 disclose the presently preferred embodiment of a two cavity version of a cradle device  10  having a first cavity  12  and a second cavity  14  having a common sidewall  16 . In this embodiment, both cavities  12  and  14  are generally open top rectangular box-like shapes. Note that the invention is not restricted to the rectangular box like shape of the preferred embodiment, other shapes are certainly within the scope of the present invention. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, first cavity  12  is sized to handle a printer/card swipe  18  combination. The printer and card swipe are usually, as described in this embodiment, provided as integral unit  18  by the card issuer for use by the business. Thus, only first cavity  12  is needed to hold printer/card swipe. 
     Note that the invention is not restricted to a single cavity  12  holding only printer/card swipe  18  as set forth herein. If desired, separate cavities for a separate printer and a separate card swipe are certainly contemplated and are within the scope of the present invention. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, first cavity  12  includes a bottom  24  and three sidewalls  26 A,  26 B and  26 C which, in combination with common sidewall  16 , form the rectangular open box shape previously described. An inwardly extending overhang  30  mounted at the top of sidewall  26 B releasably engages an edge of printer/card swipe  18  to retain within first cavity  12 . As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, printer/card swipe  18  extend above sidewalls  26  and common sidewall  16  to allow swiping of the card and easy access to the printer. 
     Bottom  24  is provided with a rectangular opening  28  centered therein which allows a user access to the bottom of printer/card swipe  18  for easy removal thereof and for access to batteries, connectors and to change the paper. In addition, a plurality of cutouts  30  are provided in sidewalls  26  to allow access to printer/card swipe  18  controls as best seen in FIGS. 3-6. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, two cutouts  30  are provided, one each in sidewalls  26 A and  26 C, respectively. However, the position and number of cutouts  30  is a matter of choice relating to the particular equipment employed and is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described herein. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, second cavity  14  is sized to handle a portable electronic computing device such as a Palm Pilot®. 
     In the presently preferred embodiment, second cavity  14  includes a bottom  32  and three sidewalls  34 A,  34 B and  34 C which, in combination with common sidewall  16 , form the rectangular open box shape previously described. Two inwardly extending overhanging triangles  36  are mounted at the top of and at the junctions of sidewalls  34 A-B and  34 B-C. Triangles  36  releasably engage the top of portable electronic device  22  to retain within second cavity  14 . As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, electronic device  22  is about the same height as sidewalls  34 . 
     Bottom  32  is provided with a circular opening  38  centered therein which allows a user access to the bottom of electronic device  22  for easy removal thereof. In addition, a plurality of ribs  39  are provided for strength on bottom  32 . Lastly, cutouts  40  are provided in sidewalls  34  to allow access to electronic device  22  controls as best seen in FIGS. 3-6. In the illustrated embodiment, one cutout  40  is provided in sidewall  34 C. However, the position and number of cutouts  40  is a matter of choice relating to the particular equipment employed and is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described herein. 
     Lastly, a tripod of feet  42 , two at the corners formed by sidewalls  26 A- 26 B and  26 B- 26 C and one centered a sidewall  34 B are optionally provided as cushions for device  10  when resting on a surface. 
     Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.