Multiple connector electronics docking base device

A multiple connector electronics docking base device includes a housing structured to have a slot extending into an upper surface of the housing. A disc is rotatably coupled to the housing and partially positioned within the slot wherein a selectable portion of the disc is positionable to be exposed within the slot. Each of a plurality of base connectors is coupled to the disc. The base connectors are spaced on the disc such that a selectable one of the base connectors is positionable within the slot. A first end of a wire is coupled to the disc such that each base connector is electrically coupled to the wire. A second end of the wire is coupled to the housing such that the second end is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to docking base devices and more particularly pertains to a new docking base device for docking, charging and communicative connection of a selectable extrinsic electronic device through a single docking base.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing structured to have a slot extending into an upper surface of the housing. A disc is rotatably coupled to the housing and partially positioned within the slot wherein a selectable portion of the disc is positionable to be exposed within the slot. Each of a plurality of base connectors is coupled to the disc. The base connectors are spaced on the disc such that a selectable one of the base connectors is positionable within the slot. A first end of a wire is coupled to the disc such that each base connector is electrically coupled to the wire. A second end of the wire is coupled to the housing such that the second end is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 8, the multiple connector electronics docking base device10generally comprises a housing12configured for positioning on a support surface14. The housing12is structured to have a slot16extending into an upper surface18of the housing12. The slot16has a pair of parallel straight sides20and a flat bottom side22. The flat bottom side22is parallel to a bottom face24of the housing12and perpendicular to the straight sides20. A drum26is coupled to the housing12. The drum26is rotatable in the housing12and has a top face defining a disc28wherein the disc28rotates relative to the housing12. The disc28is partially positioned within the slot16wherein a selectable portion of the disc28is positionable to be exposed within the slot16. Each of a plurality of apertures30extends through the disc28.

Each of a plurality of base connectors32is coupled to the disc28. Each base connector32may be of a unique type configured for coupling to respective connection mechanisms for various types and brands of extrinsic electronic devices. Each of the base connectors32extending through an associated one of the apertures30. The base connectors32are radially spaced on the disc28such that a selectable one of the base connectors32is positionable within the slot16. One of the base connectors32is exposed in the slot16at a time and positioned to insert into the extrinsic electronic device at least partially extending into the slot16. The base connectors32pass through a pair of parallel spaced slits36when the disc28is rotated relative to the housing12.

A wire38, or wires, have a first end40and a second end42. The first end40is coupled to the disc28and moves with the disc28such that each base connector32is electrically coupled to the wire38. The second end42of the wire38is coupled to the housing12through a circuit board44positioned in the housing12such that the second end42is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source46. Thus, each of the base connectors32is electrically coupled to the circuit board44. Each of a pair of stops50is coupled to and extends from a peripheral edge52of the drum26. The stops50are spaced around the drum26such that the stops50contact pegs52to limit rotation of the drum26preventing twisting or disconnection of the wire38. Alignment nubs80extend from the drum26. The alignment nubs80are positionable to be engaged by a seat82coupled to the housing12. Each alignment nub80corresponds to an associated one of the base connectors32such that the associated base connector32is exposed in the slot16when the alignment nub is engaged by the seat82.

A port48is coupled to the housing12. The port may be a conventional connector such as a universal serial bus port, a mini usb port, or the like. The port48is electrically coupled to the circuit board44wherein the port48is electrically coupled to each base connector32. There may be one or more such ports48each electrically coupled to the circuit board44.

A cover54is pivotally coupled to the housing12in alignment with the disc28. The cover54is pivotable between a covering position56and an elevated position58. A hinge76is provided which may be of conventional structure to support the cover54in the elevated position58until moved into the covering position56. In the covering position56, the cover54covers at least a portion of the slot16over the disc28. In the elevated position58the cover54is positioned exposing the selectable portion of the disc28exposed within the slot16to provide access to the base connector32positioned in the slot16. The cover54is substantially planar. Each of a pair of flanges60is coupled to and extends from the cover54. The flanges60extend into the slot16when the cover54is in the covering position56. Each flange60is complementary in shape to the slot16wherein the flanges60and the cover54enclose the selectable portion of the disc28exposed within the slot16while the cover54is in the covering position56.

An extension68may be slidably extendable from a rear side70the housing12. The extension68has a pair of parallel tracks72into which pins74extend. The extension68is extendable the from the housing12the length of the tracks72to stabilize the housing12when the extrinsic electronic device is inserted into the slot16.

The device10is provided in a wired power embodiment, shown inFIGS. 1 through 7, and a battery powered embodiment as shown inFIGS. 8 through 9. In the wired power embodiment described above, a power indicator62is coupled to and exposed to be visible on the housing12. The power indicator62is operationally coupled to the circuit board44wherein the power indicator62is configured to provide visible indication of electrical power being provided to the external device coupled to one of the base connectors32from an external power source coupled to the port48.

In the battery powered embodiment, a battery64is positioned in the housing12B. The battery64is electrically coupled to each base connector32through the circuit board44. The battery64is also electrically coupled to the port48to allow for recharging of the battery64. A battery indicator66is coupled to and exposed to be visible on the housing12B. The battery indicator66is operationally coupled to the circuit board44wherein the battery indicator66indicates a power level of the battery64. The battery indicator66may be a plurality of lights68which illuminate in a conventional manner to indicate a power level of the battery64.

In use, the housing12is positioned in a desired location. When desired, the cover54is moved to the elevated position58exposing the selectable one of the base connectors32appropriate for the external electronic device. The external electronic device is then inserted into the slot16to engage the selected base connector32to the external electronic device. The external electronic device is then recharged through connection to an external power source through the port48or through the battery64depending on the embodiment and configuration being employed.