Universal adaptor mount for a docking station

A universal adapter module supporting a plurality of different interface adapters, each of the interface adapters having a body, a plug, and a cable communicating with the plug and extended from the body; a housing having an internal cavity sized to receive therewithin the body of the adapter with an opening adjacent to one surface thereof that is sized to admit the plug therethrough, and access means for removing one interface adapter from the housing and substituting therefor a different interface adapter; and a means for urging the plug outwardly through the opening of the housing. A docking station formed of a docking tray configured for supporting a portable electronics device, the docking tray having a means for coupling the housing of the universal adapter module to a device receiver structure thereof with the opening of the adapter module positioned adjacent to an aperture formed in an interface portion thereof.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to cradles for holding portable electronics devices, and in particular to docking stations for portable computers and other portable electronics devices having one or more input/output (I/O) communication ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Docking stations are generally well-known for supporting a portable computer, cellular telephone, portable music player or other portable electronic device. Such docking stations are equipped with an input/output (I/O) connector for interfacing the electronic device to peripheral hardware. To date, I/O connectors of such docking stations are generally dedicated to interfacing a single function, such as keyboard input/output, audio/video output, printer output, or synchronization coupling to name a few.

However, known docking station apparatus are limited by being dedicated to supporting only one of these various I/O connectors for interfacing with a particular portable device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a universal adapter mount for a cradle structured to support a portable computer, cellular telephone, portable music player or other portable electronic device.

According to one aspect of the invention the universal adapter mount includes an adapter module that is mountable on a docking tray for holding a portable device. A housing is formed with an opening adjacent to one surface thereof that communicates with an internal cavity formed therewithin. The cavity is sized to fit a body of an interface adapter, while the opening is sized to admit a plug portion of the interface adapter therethrough, whereby the adapter plug and contacts are exposed outside the housing. An electrical interface adapter cable from the adapter body exits the internal cavity, for example, through an aperture in the housing. A compression plate is positioned within the housing internal cavity with the interface adapter body with a means for urging the compression plate toward the opening and thereby compressing the adapter body against a lip around the opening and simultaneously urging the plug portion of the interface adapter through the opening.

The adapter housing is optionally molded, for example injection molded, of a plastic or carbon fiber material. For ease of manufacturing, when the adapter housing is molded, the shoulder around the opening may be thicker than optimal for mating the adapter plug with the I/O port of a portable electronic device seated in the docking tray. Therefore, the opening into the internal cavity may be enlarged to accept the portion of the portable device having the I/O port. The housing optionally includes a thin outlet plate seated against the lip of the opening and having an outlet aperture therethrough sized to admit the adapter plug, while interfering with passage of the adapter body. The outlet plate is thin enough to project enough of the adapter plug to reliably interface with the device I/O port, yet strong enough to resist the pressure applied by the compression plate.

The universal adapter mount is coupled to a docking tray with the adapter module positioned adjacent to an interface portion of the tray wherein the portable computer, cellular telephone, portable music player or other portable electronic device will reside, with the plug of the interface adapter positioned to be received into the I/O port of the portable device.

Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.

FIG. 1illustrates a docking station10for supporting a portable electronics devices, such as an Apple® iPad, a portable computer, cellular telephone, portable music player or another such portable electronic device intended to be operated with a docking station. Such portable electronics devices have an input/output (I/O) port for communicating signals for driving multiple functions, such as keyboard input/output1, audio output2, audio/video output3, data storage input/output4, printer output5, image input/output6, game control input/output7, data input/output8, or synchronization coupling to another device9, just to name a few. Docking station10includes a docking tray12structured to receive thereinto the iPad or another portable electronic device, and a universal adapter module14for interfacing with the iPad or other portable electronic device through its I/O port. Docking tray12includes an tray body16having a bearing surface18on which the electronics device is to be placed, and a receiver structure20positioned adjacent to an edge22of bearing surface18. Bearing surface18is positioned between opposing side walls24that help position the electronics device in tray12.

Tray body16includes a clamping portion26extended from bearing surface18substantially opposite from receiver structure20. Clamping portion26is adapted for cooperating with receiver structure20for securing the electronics device relative to tray body16and bearing surface18thereof. Clamping portion26, for example, is formed of slightly flexible neck28that is an extension of tray body16. Clamping portion26has a clip or roller30secured adjacent to one end of flexible neck28distal of bearing surface18for alternately securing the electronics device in docking tray12and releasing it therefrom.

Receiver structure20is structured to receive the iPad or other portable electronics device. For example, receiver structure20is pivotally tiltable relative to tray body16between an open state and a clamped state. For example, receiver structure20is pivotable by means of one or more pivot pins32coupled between receiver structure20and tray body16. Here, docking tray12is configured in the open state with receiver structure20rotated outwardly from bearing surface18of tray body16for receiving thereinto the electronics device.

According to one exemplary embodiment, receiver structure20is formed as a J-cup having a tilting receiver34sized to receive a portion of the electronics device, and may have a front lead-in lip36for guiding the electronics device thereinto. J-cup receiver34pivots relative to tray body16into the open position (FIGS. 1,2,3) tilted away from bearing surface18of tray body16to aid in easy insertion and removal of the electronics device. J-cup receiver34also pivots back toward bearing surface18into closed position (FIGS. 4,5) for seating electric device14against bearing surface18with I/O port positioned for interfacing with the universal adapter module14. Docking tray12may have opposing side lips38for helping position the electronics device relative to universal adapter module14.

J-cup receiver structure20optionally includes one or more movable preload levers40adjacent to bearing surface18. For example, each preload lever40includes an arm42extended from a rear portion44of tilting J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20whereby preload levers40are pivotable relative to bearing surface18in combination with tilting J-cup receiver34by operation of pivot pins between receiver structure20and tray body16. Additionally, each preload levers40optionally includes a compression portion46adjacent to an end of arm42distal from J-cup receiver34and raised above level of arm42inwardly toward receiver cup front portion36. Optionally, recesses48sized for receiving thereinto preload levers40are formed in bearing surface18whereby the electronics device is permitted to seat against bearing surface18without interference from levers40.

Optionally, an urging means52is coupled between preload levers40and tray body16for urging preload levers40outwardly of bearing surface18. For example, urging means52is a spring or other resilient biasing member coupled between tray body16and receiver structure20. Optionally, urging means52is positioned between individual preload levers40and tray body16. According to one embodiment, travel of tilting J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20outwardly away from bearing surface18is limited. For example, a stop54on receiver structure20is positioned to encounter edge22of bearing surface18or another portion of tray body16for arresting outward travel of receiver structure20.

FIG. 2is a side view of docking station10that more clearly illustrates J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20configured in the open position tilted away from bearing surface18of tray body16to aid in easy insertion and removal of the electronics device.

FIG. 3shows universal adapter module14that is mountable and mounted on docking station10for interfacing with the portable electronics device through its I/O port. Universal adapter module14includes an interface adapter62positioned on docking tray12. For example, interface adapter62is extended through an aperture64in an interface portion66of J-cup receiver34in a position to interface with a mating I/O port of the electronics device when it is installed in docking station10. Here, a pair of adjusters68position interface adapter62in aperture64and projected outwardly of interface portion66of J-cup receiver34to couple with I/O port of the electronics device seated in receiver structure20.

FIG. 4illustrates docking station10having docking tray12configured in the clamped state with receiver structure20rotated inwardly toward bearing surface18of tray body16for clamping the electronics device. While docking tray12is configured in the open state with receiver structure20tilted outwardly of bearing surface18of tray body16, the electronics device is fit into J-cup receiver34with its I/O port mated with interface adapter62. Receiver structure20is rotated inwardly toward bearing surface18of tray body16, whereby the electronics device encounters clip or roller30at end of neck28.

Here, neck28of tray body16is sufficiently flexible to permit the electronics device to pass between receiver structure20and clip or roller30to become seated against bearing surface18of tray body16. Furthermore, neck28is sufficiently resilient to reform over the electronics device, and subsequently to compress the electronics device against interface portion66of J-cup receiver34and into mating contact with interface adapter62.

When present, preload levers40of J-cup receiver structure20press outwardly of bearing surface18of tray body16for urging the electronics device against clip or roller30of neck28. The electronics device is thereby restrained from moving within J-cup receiver34when docking station10is jostled or bumped. Such restraint of the electronics device causes its I/O port to remain firmly mated with interface adapter62in interface portion66of J-cup receiver34.

FIG. 5is a side view of docking station10that more clearly illustrates J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20configured in the clamped state with receiver structure20rotated inwardly toward bearing surface18of tray body16for clamping the electronics device.

FIG. 6is a cross-section view of docking station10showing details of universal adapter module14, wherein interface adapter62is projected through aperture64in interface portion66of J-cup receiver34. For example, interface adapter62is formed of an adapter body70and an adapter plug72of a type that is adapted for interfacing with the portable electronic device through its I/O port. Interface adapter62has an adapter cord or cable74operatively coupled to adapter plug72and extended from adapter body70. For example, one or more electrical conductors74aof cable74are electrically coupled to corresponding connector pins72aof adapter plug72. Interface adapter62is any one of a plurality of possible interface adapters of a type that is configured to interface with a particular portable electronics device, such as an Apple® iPad, a portable computer, cellular telephone, portable music player or another such portable electronics device. Each of the plurality of possible interface adapters62is generally dedicated to interfacing a single function, such as keyboard input/output, audio/video output, printer output, or synchronization coupling, or another function. Alternatively, at least one of interface adapters62is a universal serial bus (USB) connector according to industry standards for connection, communication and power supply functions.

Adapter module14includes a housing76molded with an internal cavity78and one adapter opening80formed in a surface82thereof and communicating with internal cavity78. A plug outlet plate84is positioned adjacent to adapter opening80, for example but not limited to being positioned within internal cavity78of housing76. Alternatively, outlet plate84is positioned externally of housing surface82. Outlet plate84may alternatively be embedded in housing surface82within adapter opening80. Outlet plate84includes an outlet aperture86and sized to pass adapter plug72slidingly therethrough without passing adapter body70. Outlet plate84is sufficiently thin at least adjacent to plug outlet aperture86to permit a maximum length of adapter plug72to project therethrough for reliably interfacing with the electronics device to be placed in tray body16. Accordingly, outlet plate84is preferably formed of a thin section of a substantially rigid metallic material, such as but not limited to steel.

Internal cavity78of housing76is sized to receive body70of interface adapter62therewithin with adapter plug72projected out of cavity78through outlet aperture86in outlet plate84. Internal cavity78is further sized to receive a movable compression plate88positioned within housing internal cavity78, with adapter body70positioned between compression plate88and housing adapter opening80. Adapter cord or cable74of interface adapter62exits housing76through a cable aperture90formed through a wall92of housing76.

Pair of adjusters68operate as means for urging movable compression plate88toward adapter opening80. Pair of adjusters68is provided for compressing adapter body70between compression plate88and plug outlet plate84, whereby adapter plug72is forcibly projected outwardly of housing cavity78through plug outlet aperture86in outlet plate84. For example, adjusters68are threaded members or screws each operably coupled between outlet plate84and compression plate88. Threaded adjusters68are operable in a compression mode for urging compression plate88toward (arrow94) plug outlet plate84and compressing adapter body70therebetween, threaded adjusters68thereby forcibly project adapter plug72outwardly of housing cavity78through plug outlet aperture86in outlet plate84. Threaded adjusters68are also operable in an expansion mode for moving compression plate88away from (arrow96) adapter opening80. Thus operated in expansion mode, threaded adjusters68permit or urge compression plate88away from housing adapter opening80, whereby adapter plug72of interface adapter62is withdrawn from plug outlet aperture86and adapter body70is disengaged from outlet plate84. An access plate98permits access to housing internal cavity78for removal of interface adapter62of a type dedicated to interfacing one function, fox audio/video output, and substitution therefor of a different one of the plurality of dedicated interface adapters, such as interface adapter62of a type dedicated to interfacing device synchronization or another function.

In operation, adapter housing76is positioned adjacent to J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20, with plug outlet plate84adjacent to in interface portion66of J-cup receiver34, and opening80substantially aligned with aperture64. Plug72of interface adapter62is projected through outlet aperture86in outlet plate84by urging of threaded adjusters68. Thereafter, the electronics device is received into J-cup receiver34, whereupon its I/O port is coupled with interface adapter62. J-cup receiver34of receiver structure20tilted back toward bearing surface18of tray body16into the clamped state. The electronics device is seated in docking tray12by pressing the electronics device toward bearing surface18of tray body16against resistance of resiliently pivotable preload levers40, until the electronics device encounters clip or roller30at end of neck28. The electronics device is pushed inwardly past clip or roller30and until the electronics device deforms neck28sufficiently to permit passage there past. When the electronics device is seated against bearing surface18, flexible neck28of tray body16resiliently reforms around the electronics device with the clip or roller30pressing it into firm contact with interface portion66of J-cup receiver34and interface adapter plug72through residual tension in deformed tray neck28.

FIG. 7andFIG. 8are close-up cross-section views of docking station10, wherein details of universal adapter module14are more clearly shown. Compression plate88is shown here as a movable plate that is slidable along a channel100formed in internal cavity78. Compression plate88has an aperture102sized to pass adapter cord or cable74of interface adapter62while obstructing passage of adapter body70, for example by interfering with a shoulder portion70bthereof. Threaded adjusters68of the means for urging movable compression plate88is, for example, in threaded engagement with compression plate88. Channel100is configured with means for aligning adapter body70within internal cavity78and adapter plug72with outlet aperture86in outlet plate84. For example, channel100is formed with a keyway104and compression plate88is formed with a mating key106moveable therealong. Accordingly, turning of threaded adjusters68moves compression plate88along internal cavity78, while key106in mating keyway104forces motion of compression plate88substantially linearly along internal cavity78toward (arrow94) or away from (arrow96) adapter opening80of housing76, and positions adapter plug72in outlet aperture86in plug outlet plate84positioned therein.

Access plate98is more clearly shown as a plug engaged in another opening108through housing76and providing access into internal cavity78for changing between different ones of the plurality of interface adapters62dedicated to supporting different functions.

While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following claims.