Computing device charging cases and methods of use

Electrical charging device chassis and cases are provided herein. An example charging case includes a device receiving tray, a sliding tray having a charging interface, and a stabilizer. The sliding tray translates relative to the device receiving tray to extend and retract the charging interface using a track and gear assembly.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology pertains to charging cases for electronic devices such as Smartphones, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to charging cases that comprise a static or deployable DC or AC electrical connector (such as USB or electrical prongs) that extends from a compartment of the charging cases using a track and gear assembly.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a charging apparatus for a computing device, the charging apparatus comprising: (a) a device receiving tray that receives a computing device; (b) a sliding tray that is disposed underneath the device receiving tray, the sliding tray configured to slide along the underneath the device receiving tray, the sliding tray comprising: (i) a charging interface that receives power from a power source; (ii) a charging circuit that receives power and provides an electrical charge to the computing device; and (iii) a grooved track; (c) a stabilizer tray that is disposed underneath the sliding tray, the stabilizer tray also in sliding relationship with the sliding tray, the stabilizer tray further comprising a stabilizer; and (d) a gear having teeth that cooperate with the grooved track such that when the gear is rotated, the teeth of the gear translate the sliding tray backwards and forwards to retract or extend the sliding tray and the charging interface.

According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a charging apparatus for a computing device, the charging apparatus comprising: (a) a sliding tray comprising: (i) a charging interface that receives power from a power source; (ii) a charging circuit that receives power and provides an electrical charge to a computing device associated with the charging apparatus; and (iii) a grooved track; (b) a stabilizer tray that is disposed underneath the sliding tray, the stabilizer tray also in sliding relationship with the sliding tray, the stabilizer tray further comprising a stabilizer; and (c) a gear having teeth that cooperate with the grooved track such that when the gear is rotated, the teeth of the gear translate the sliding tray backwards and forwards to retract or extend the sliding tray and the charging interface.

According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to an assembly comprising: (a) a first tray that receives and retains a computing device; (b) a second tray disposed below the first tray, the second tray comprising a charging interface that charges the computing device when engaged with a power source, the second tray configured to translate between an extended position and a retracted position by operation of a track and gear assembly associated with the second tray; and (c) a third tray disposed below the second tray, the third tray comprising a deployable stabilizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally described, the present technology involves devices that are used to charge electronic devices. Example types of electronic devices that can be charged using the present technology include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, Smartphones, PDAs, tablets, phablets, laptops, or any other mobile electronic device that requires recharging through an electrical interface or charging port, using any of direct current and/or alternating current.

FIGS. 1A-2Acollectively illustrate an example apparatus or charging device100of the present disclosure (also referred to herein as charging apparatus100or device100). The charging device100can be utilized to charge a computing device, such as computing device102associated with the charging device100.

In general, charging device100may comprise a series of stacked trays or layers where at least one of the trays comprises a charging interface or assembly that can be extended and retracted. When extended, the charging interface can be plugged into an AC or DC power source depending on the type of charging interface. For example, a charging interface comprising a USB port can be used when DC power is available. In another example, a charging interface comprising electrical prongs can be used when AC power is available.

Some embodiments comprise a stabilizer plate or device that can be stored and deployed to support a portion of the weight of the charging device100and/or computing device102associated therewith.

In one embodiment, the charging device100comprises three distinct trays or enclosures such as a device receiving tray104, a sliding tray106, and a stabilizer tray108. In some embodiments, the device receiving tray104receives the computing device102. For example, the device receiving tray104comprises a support plate110and a sidewall112that extends around a periphery of the support plate110. The computing device102resides within the area enclosed by the sidewall112.

According to some embodiments, the sliding tray106is disposed underneath the device receiving tray104. The sliding tray106is configured to slide along an underneath the device receiving tray104. In various embodiments, the sliding tray106and the device receiving tray104may be hingedly coupled at one or more points. In other embodiments, the sliding tray106and the device receiving tray104may be coupled at one or more points along a periphery of the sliding tray106and the device receiving tray104.

In some embodiments, the sliding tray106comprises a charging assembly that comprises a charging interface114that receives power from a power source. The charging device100is illustrated in association with a power source, such as a wall outlet inFIG. 5.

In one embodiment, the charging interface is selected from any of electrical prongs and a USB connector (either disposed in vertical or horizontal orientation). Other types of connectors/electrical conductors can also be utilized such as micro USB and firewire connectors.

In some embodiments, the sliding tray106comprises a charging circuit116that receives power and provides an electrical charge to the computing device102.

FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate two example circuits that can be used to process the AC or DC power received from a power source so as to provide the computing device102with a suitable electrical charge based on the requirements of the computing device.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, according to some embodiments, the charging circuit116can comprise a printed circuit board with various permutations of electrical components. In general, the charging circuit116is configured to transform the AC power waveform received from an outlet into DC power that is appropriate for charging the electronic device.

In some embodiments, the charging circuit116can include combinations of electrolytic capacitors, MOSFET switching transistors, flyback transformers, a controller integrated circuit, capacitors, diodes, R-C snubber circuits, EMI (electromagnetic interference) circuits, inductors, control chips, Schottky diodes, Tantalum filter capacitors, as well as any combinations thereof, in order to provide the desired transformation of AC to DC functions.

In some embodiments, the charging circuit116is an advanced flyback switching power supply that receives the AC voltage in ranges of 100 to 240 volts, and produces approximately five watts of smooth voltage power. AC line power is converted to high voltage DC current using a diode bridge302. The DC power is switched off and on by a transistor304controlled by a power supply IC controller306. The charging circuit116can also comprise a fly back transistor308, and/or a transformer310that converts the DC power to a low voltage AC waveform.

In other embodiments, a chopped DC power supply is fed back into a transformer310(which can include a fly back transformer), which converts the DC power to a low voltage AC waveform. The AC waveform is then converted into DC using a rectifier and then filtered with a filter to obtain smooth power that is substantially free of interference. This smoothed power is provided to a USB port (e.g., charging interface114ofFIG. 1A).

While the use of a USB port is contemplated, the charging interface can be selectively changed depending upon the type of electrical device that needs to be charged. Other examples include power over Ethernet, firewire, MIDI, Thunderbolt, and so forth.

In another example circuit, illustrated inFIG. 4, the charging circuit116comprises a transformer402that performs a step down of the AC voltage received from an outlet to a working output voltage. A rectifier404then converts the stepped down voltage from AC to DC. In some embodiments, the rectifier404is a full wave bridge rectifier. A filter406, such as a capacitor may be used to smooth the DC voltage. A regulator408can also be employed to even further smooth the DC current. For example, a zener diode or IC voltage regulator can be utilized. The charging circuit116can comprise a feedback circuit410that measures the voltage output to the charging interface114and sends a signal to the power supply IC controller, which adjusts the switching frequency to obtain a desired voltage.

The circuits ofFIGS. 3 and 4are merely example circuits that can be used to transform the AC power received at a wall outlet to a DC power feed that can be used to charge an electronic device without causing any damage to the circuitry of the electronic device. In some embodiments components from the circuits ofFIGS. 3 and 4can be combined into a single circuit.

To be sure, the charging circuit116can also be configured to amplify or reduce DC power received from an electrical outlet. In one embodiment, the electrical outlet includes a USB port that is configured to deliver DC power. Some embodiments of USB connectors, and specifically wall outlet based USB connections may carry AC power. Thus, the charging circuit116can be configured with any of the components ofFIGS. 3 and 4above to deliver the correct type of power.

In some embodiments, the charging circuit116can be omitted all together, such as when the DC source provides a DC power signal that does not require amplification or any signal processing.

Rather than plugging into a USB electrical outlet, the electrical connector can be coupled with a USB port of another computing device, such as a laptop computer or a charger device that plugs into a standard two or three pronged electrical wall outlet.

Referring back toFIGS. 1A-2A, in some embodiments, the sliding tray106comprises a support plate110having an integrated track120. The track120is comprised of an alternating series of notches, such as notch122, which create an approximate saw tooth configuration. The shape, size, number, and spacing of the notches depend on a tooth profile gear124. The track120and gear124cooperate to create a track and gear assembly that functions to extend and retract the sliding tray by cooperative operation of the track120and gear124, as will be discussed in greater detail below.

In some embodiments, the stabilizer tray108is disposed underneath the sliding tray106. The stabilizer tray108is also in sliding relationship with the sliding tray106. That is, the sliding tray106can translate backwards and forwards relative to the device receiving tray104and the stabilizer tray108.

In some embodiments, the gear124comprises teeth130that cooperate with the grooved track120such that when the gear124is rotated, the teeth130of the gear translate the sliding tray106either backwards and forwards to retract or extend the sliding tray106and the charging interface114.

The teeth130of the gear124are sized to cooperate with the grooved track120to drive the sliding tray106extension and/or retraction. In one embodiment, the gear124rotates on a gear shaft126. The gear shaft126can be fixedly but rotatably coupled to the stabilizer tray108. A portion of the teeth130of the gear124extend at least partially below the stabilizer tray108to allow the user to rotate the gear124.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer tray108is hingedly coupled with the sliding tray106in such a way that the gear124can remain in contact with the track120at all times. In another embodiment, the stabilizer tray108is hingedly coupled with the sliding tray106so that the gear124can remain in contact with the track120when the stabilizer tray108is folded into contacting relationship with the sliding tray106.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer bar131is coupled with the device receiving tray104using, for example, an armature138. The armature138holds the device receiving tray104and stabilizer tray108in connected relationship to one another, while allowing the sliding tray106to slide therebetween.

In some embodiments, rotation of the gear124in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) causes the sliding tray106to translate forwardly to extend the charging interface114into a deployed position. Likewise, rotation of the gear124in a second direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) causes the sliding tray106to translate backwardly to retract the charging interface114into a stored position (seeFIG. 1A).

Thus, in some embodiments, the stabilizer tray108can hinge between a mating configuration (seeFIG. 1A) where the stabilizer tray108abuts the sliding tray106. In other embodiments, the stabilizer tray108can be hinged away from the sliding tray106in a deployed configuration, such as when the charging apparatus100is connected to a power source.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer tray108may be hingedly coupled with the sliding tray106. In another embodiment, the stabilizer tray108may be connected to the sliding tray106via a pivot point hinge. In some embodiments, the stabilizer tray108and the sliding tray106may be hingedly coupled at one or more points. In other embodiments, the stabilizer tray108and the sliding tray106may be coupled at one or more points along a periphery of the stabilizer tray108and the sliding tray106.

In one embodiment, the stabilizer tray108comprises a stabilizer127is a plate128that is hingedly associated with a stabilizer bar131of the stabilizer tray108.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2B-2C, the stabilizer127can rotate from a stored position (seeFIG. 1A) within the stabilizer tray108and a deployed position as illustrated inFIG. 1B. The stabilizer127rotates about the stabilizer bar131.

In some embodiments, the stabilizer127selectively slides in a lateral movement along the stabilizer bar131between a locked position (seeFIG. 2C) and an unlocked position (seeFIG. 2B). In one embodiment, the stabilizer127comprises a peg132on an edge thereof that engages with an aperture134in a sidewall136of the stabilizer tray108to lock the stabilizer127in position. The stabilizer127is slid away from the aperture134to unlock the stabilizer127. The stabilizer127can then be rotated back into a stored position within the stabilizer tray108.

When assembled, the device100allows for translation of the sliding tray106between two different positions, both extended and retracted. Movement of the sliding tray106causes movement of the charging interface114due to the mounting or association of the charging interface114with the sliding tray106.

In some embodiments, the sliding tray106can slide relative to both the device receiving tray104and the stabilizer tray108, while the device receiving tray104and the stabilizer tray108remain stationary. This movement of the sliding tray106allows for selective deployment and storage of the charging interface114.

FIG. 5illustrates an example embodiment of the charging apparatus100ofFIG. 1in use. For example, the charging apparatus100can be coupled with an electrical outlet500of a wall502. The wall502is a vertically oriented surface that supports the charging apparatus100. When the charging interface504, such as electrical prongs, is inserted into the electrical outlet500, a stabilizer506, when in the deployed configuration, contacts a portion of the wall502below the electrical outlet500or the electrical outlet500itself. Again, the stabilizer506supports at least a portion of the weight of the charging apparatus100and the computing device disposed therein.

The present disclosure has been described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the concepts of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Also, features described with respect to certain example embodiments may be combined in and/or with various other example embodiments. Different aspects and/or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined in a similar manner. Further, at least some example embodiments may individually and/or collectively be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over and/or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps may be required before, after, and/or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any and/or all methods and/or processes, at least as disclosed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity, at least as described herein, in any manner, irrespective of the at least one entity have any relationship to the subject matter of the present disclosure.

It is noted at the outset that the terms “coupled,” “connected”, “connecting,” “electrically connected,” etc., are used interchangeably herein to generally refer to the condition of being electrically/electronically connected. Similarly, a first entity is considered to be in “communication” with a second entity (or entities) when the first entity electrically sends and/or receives (whether through wireline or wireless means) information signals (whether containing data information or non-data/control information) to the second entity regardless of the type (analog or digital) of those signals. It is further noted that various figures (including component diagrams) shown and discussed herein are for illustrative purpose only, and are not drawn to scale.

The terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, immediate or delayed, synchronous or asynchronous, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element and/or intervening elements may be present, including indirect and/or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not necessarily be limited by such terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the present disclosure. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the example embodiments of the present disclosure should not be construed as necessarily limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, and/or be separately manufactured and/or connected, such as being an assembly and/or modules. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and/or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography and/or others.

Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a solid, including a metal, a mineral, a ceramic, an amorphous solid, such as glass, a glass ceramic, an organic solid, such as wood and/or a polymer, such as rubber, a composite material, a semiconductor, a nano-material, a biomaterial and/or any combinations thereof. Any and/or all elements, as disclosed herein, can include, whether partially and/or fully, a coating, including an informational coating, such as ink, an adhesive coating, a melt-adhesive coating, such as vacuum seal and/or heat seal, a release coating, such as tape liner, a low surface energy coating, an optical coating, such as for tint, color, hue, saturation, tone, shade, transparency, translucency, non-transparency, luminescence, anti-reflection and/or holographic, a photo-sensitive coating, an electronic and/or thermal property coating, such as for passivity, insulation, resistance or conduction, a magnetic coating, a water-resistant and/or waterproof coating, a scent coating and/or any combinations thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to the orientation depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, if a device in the accompanying drawings is turned over, then the elements described as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then be oriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented “above” the other elements. Therefore, the example terms “below” and “lower” can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.