Cradles for mobile devices with a plunger lock and methods of making and using

A cradle for a mobile device includes a cradle base; a top element movable relative to the cradle base and configured to retain a top portion of a mobile device loaded into the cradle; a bottom element coupled to the cradle base and configured to retain a bottom portion of a mobile device or a case containing the mobile device loaded into the cradle; and a locking mechanism having a housing and a plunger at least partially disposed in the housing and configured for moving, relative to the housing, between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the plunger engages the top element to hinder movement of the top element relative to the cradle base and, in the unlock position, the plunger does not engage the top element to permit loading or unloading of the mobile device from the cradle.

FIELD

The present invention is directed to cradles for a mobile device. The present invention is also directed to a cradle for a mobile device that includes a plunger lock to facilitate retaining the mobile device in the cradle.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices, such as smartphones, cellular or mobile phones, tablets, personal data assistants, and other portable devices, are now ubiquitous. Cradles can be used to protect the mobile device and to mount the mobile device onto a surface or object.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One embodiment is a cradle for a mobile device. The cradle includes a cradle base; a top element movable relative to the cradle base and configured to retain a top portion of a mobile device loaded into the cradle; a bottom element coupled to the cradle base and configured to retain a bottom portion of a mobile device or a case containing the mobile device loaded into the cradle; and a locking mechanism having a housing and a plunger at least partially disposed in the housing and configured for moving, relative to the housing, between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the plunger engages the top element to hinder movement of the top element relative to the cradle base and, in the unlock position, the plunger does not engage the top element to permit loading or unloading of the mobile device from the cradle.

In at least some embodiments, the top element includes a top cup having a top wall and sidewalls extending from the top wall and configured to receive the top portion of the mobile device. In at least some embodiments, the top element includes a protrusion extending from the top cup and configured to be engaged by the plunger in the lock position. In at least some embodiments, the top element further includes an arm extending from the top cup and the cradle base includes a channel to receive at least a portion of the arm. In at least some embodiments, the cradle further includes a biasing element disposed in the channel of the cradle base and configured to bias the top element toward the cradle base.

In at least some embodiments, the top element includes a flex arm, at least two legs extending from the flex arm, and a roller coupled to the flex arm by the at least two legs, where the flex arm is configured to be movable relative to the cradle base by flexing to facilitate loading and unloading of the mobile device from the cradle.

In at least some embodiments, the cradle further includes a base tray coupled to the cradle base and the top element. In at least some embodiments, the cradle base and the top element are slidingly coupled to the base tray with the top element disposed between the cradle base and the locking mechanism.

In at least some embodiments, the bottom element includes contacts configured to engage corresponding contacts on the mobile device or on the case containing the mobile device. In at least some embodiments, the cradle further includes a cord extending from the bottom element and including a connector electrically coupled to the contacts.

Another embodiment is a cradle for a mobile device. The cradle includes a base tray; a cradle base slidable relative to the base tray; a top cup slidable relative to the base tray and configured to retain a top portion of a mobile device loaded into the cradle; a bottom device receiver coupled to the cradle base and configured to retain a bottom portion of a mobile device or a case containing the mobile device loaded into the cradle; and a locking mechanism having a housing and a plunger at least partially disposed in the housing and configured for moving, relative to the housing, between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the plunger engages the top cup to hinder movement of the top cup relative to the cradle base and, in the unlock position, the plunger does not engage the top cup to permit loading or unloading of the mobile device from the cradle.

In at least some embodiments, the top cup includes a top wall and sidewalls extending from the top wall and configured to receive the top portion of the mobile device. In at least some embodiments, the top cup includes a protrusion extending from the top cup and configured to be engaged by the plunger in the lock position.

In at least some embodiments, the top cup further includes an arm extending from the top cup and the cradle base includes a channel to receive at least a portion of the arm. In at least some embodiments, the cradle further includes a biasing element disposed in the channel of the cradle base and configured to bias the top element toward the cradle base.

In at least some embodiments, the bottom device receiver includes contacts configured to engage corresponding contacts on the mobile device or on the case containing the mobile device. In at least some embodiments, the cradle further includes a cord extending from the bottom device receiver and including a connector electrically coupled to the contacts.

Yet another embodiment is a cradle for a mobile device. The cradle includes a base tray; a top housing coupled to the base tray; a cradle base slidable relative to the base tray and including at least one fastener extending between to the base tray for a user to fixedly position the cradle base relative to the base tray; a top cup slidable relative to the base tray and disposed between the cradle base and the top housing, where the top cup is configured to retain a top portion of a mobile device loaded into the cradle and the top cup is biased toward the cradle base; and a bottom device receiver coupled to the cradle base and configured to retain a bottom portion of a mobile device or a case containing the mobile device loaded into the cradle.

In at least some embodiments, the top cup further includes an arm extending from the top cup and the cradle base includes a channel to receive at least a portion of the arm, where the cradle further include a biasing element disposed in the channel of the cradle base and configured to bias the top element toward the cradle base. In at least some embodiments, the bottom device receiver includes a recess and contacts disposed in the recess and configured to engage corresponding contacts on the mobile device or on the case containing the mobile device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed to cradles for a mobile device. The present invention is also directed to a cradle for a mobile device that includes a plunger lock to facilitate retaining the mobile device in the cradle.

FIGS. 1A to 1Eillustrate one embodiment of a cradle100for a mobile device, such as a cellular or mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal data assistant, or any other suitable mobile device. The cradle100includes a cradle base102, a base tray104, a top cup106for receiving a top portion of the mobile device, a bottom device receiver108coupled to the cradle base102, a locking mechanism110, and an optional connector cord112extending from the bottom device receiver. The locking mechanism110is coupled to the base tray104. In at least some embodiments, the locking mechanism110is optional and can be replaced by a housing without a locking mechanism.

In at least some embodiments, an optional mount111(FIG. 1D) is coupled or coupleable to the cradle100. Non-limiting examples of mounts111can be found at U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,845,885; 6,561,476; 7,320,50; 7,997,554; 8,454,178; 8,505,861; 9,831,904; RE42,060; RE42,581; and RE43,806, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, the mount111includes a mount base150that is coupled to the cradle base100, a narrow neck152attached to the mount base, and a ball154attached to the narrow neck. One or more of the base150, the narrow neck152, and the ball154can be replaced by any other suitable mounting arrangement.

The cradle base102is slidingly coupled to the base tray104to permit use of the cradle with mobile devices of different lengths. The base tray104includes a back plate114and opposing sidewalls116. In at least some embodiments, at least a portion of the sidewalls116of the base tray104curve near the top of the sidewalls to be partially disposed over the cradle base102to retain a portion of the cradle base inside a cavity formed by the base tray104.

As illustrated inFIG. 1D, the back plate114of the base tray104includes one or more elongated openings130. A fastener132, such as a screw or bolt, extends through each opening130and is attached to the cradle base102to retain the cradle base on the base tray104. In the illustrated embodiment, the cradle base102includes an aperture131for each fastener132and a nut133disposed in each aperture and coupled to the corresponding fastener. The elongate opening130allows the fastener130to move with the cradle base102, but may also limit how far the cradle base102can move away from the locking mechanism110as the end of the elongate opening130will hinder further movement of the cradle base by acting as a stop to the fastener. In at least some embodiments, the cradle base102and base tray104are adjusted to hold the mobile device, based on the length of the mobile device, and then the fasteners130are tightened to hold the cradle base102and base tray104in a fixed arrangement so that the cradle base102will not slide relative to the base tray104until the fasteners are loosened. In at least some embodiments, the fastener130can also be used to fasten the mount112to the cradle100, as illustrated inFIG. 1D.

The top cup106is slidingly coupled to the base tray104between the cradle base102and the locking mechanism110. In at least some embodiments, the base tray104includes one or more additional elongated openings134in the back plate114and a fastener136extends through each opening132and is attached to the top cup106to retain the top cup on the base tray104. In operation, the fasteners136are not tightened against the back plate114of the base tray104so that the top cup106can move relative to the cradle base102to permit loading and unloading of the mobile device from the cradle100. In at least some embodiments, the additional elongated openings134are counterbored on the back of the back plate114so that, at least in some embodiments, the head of each fastener136below the back surface of the back plate114.

The top cop106includes a cup portion107with a top wall135and sidewalls134extending from the top wall to engage two or more of the front, back, or side surfaces of the top portion of the mobile device in order to retain the mobile device in the cradle. In at least some embodiments, the top wall135(and, optionally, one or more of the sidewalls134) of the cup portion107may include one or more openings137(FIG. 2) for access to a speaker, microphone, button, or other element on the mobile device. In at least some embodiments, the top cup106includes a protrusion136extending from the top wall135toward the locking mechanism110and configured to engage the locking mechanism110to lock the mobile device in the cradle when the locking mechanism is in a lock position, as described below.

The top cup106also includes an arm118that attaches to and extends away from the cup portion107and into a channel120(FIG. 2) in the cradle base102. The top cup106is biased toward the cradle base102to hold the mobile device in the cradle100. In at least some embodiments, a spring122(FIG. 3A) or other biasing element is positioned in the channel120in a cavity124formed by the arm118. The arm118includes a stop126and the cradle base102include has a spring fastener arrangement128that attaches the spring122to the cradle base. (Other biasing arrangements of the spring122or other biasing element, the arm118, and the cradle base102can be used.) As the top cup106is pushed away from the cradle base102toward the locking mechanism110, the spring122is compressed. This allows a mobile device to be loaded into the cradle100, as described below. When force pushing the top cup106toward the locking mechanism110is removed or relaxed, the spring122biases the top cup toward the cradle base102to hold and retain the mobile device in the cradle100.

The bottom device receiver108is attached to the cradle base102and may be integrally formed with the cradle base or may be detachable from the cradle base.FIG. 1Eillustrates one embodiment of the bottom device receiver108which includes a recess140surrounded by a rim142. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1E, the recess140includes one or more contacts144and forms a female connector.

In at least some embodiments, the contacts144can make electrical contact with contacts on the mobile device or a case disposed on the mobile device. Examples of cases with contacts include, but are not limited to, the cases, covers, or skins described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,195,279; 9,331,444; 9,529,387; 9,602,639; 9,632,535; 9,706,026; 10,050,658; 10,054,984; 10,389,399; 10,454,515; and 10,630,334 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 16/853,544 and 16/866,156, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The contacts144in the cradle100can be used to transfer power to the mobile device from a power source, transfer data between the mobile device and a data source, or any combination thereof. In at least some embodiments, the contacts144are biasing contacts, such as biasing pogo pins or biasing leaf springs, that can move up or down in the bottom device receiver108. Other types of contacts can also be used. Any arrangement of the contacts144can be used including, but not limited to, an arrangement of the contacts in one or more rows. When the arrangement includes two or more rows, the contacts in the rows can be aligned or staggered, as illustrated inFIG. 1E.

In at least some embodiments, the shape of the recess140can be complementary to a male structure of a case (see, for example, the cases, covers, or skins in the references cited above) or mobile device. In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1E, the recess has an asymmetric shape with one end141being curved and another end being straight143.

The cradle100can include an optional connector cord112that is electrically coupled to the contacts144and coupleable to a power source, data source, or any combination thereof. The optional connector cord112can be hardwired to a device or can include any type of connector146, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 1D, including, but not limited to, any type of USB connector, a Lightning connector, or the like or any combination thereof. Alternatively, instead of a connector cord, the bottom device receiver108can include a connector (or jack), such as a female or male connector. A connector cord can be coupled to this connector with the connector cord attached or attachable to a power source, a data source, or any combination thereof. The connector can be any type of connector including, but not limited to, any type of USB connector, a Lightning connector, or the like or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2illustrates another embodiment of a bottom device receiver108that includes a recess140and rim142but does not include contacts144. The bottom device receiver108can receive the bottom of the mobile device or a case containing the mobile device In at least some embodiments without contacts144, the bottom device receiver108can be made thinner, as illustrated inFIG. 2, as there is hardware couple the contacts144to a connector cord112or connector.

In at least some embodiments, a locking mechanism110is attached to the base tray104and includes a housing160and a plunger162. The plunger162can be moved from a lock position (FIGS. 3A to 3D) to an unlock position (FIG. 3E) by pushing the plunger into housing160and can be moved from the lock position to the unlock position by releasing the plunger.

In the unlock position, the plunger162extends out of the housing160. In the lock position, the plunger162is pushed into the housing160and engages a portion of the top cup106, such as the protuberance136. In at least some embodiments, the housing160of the locking mechanism includes a port164(FIG. 1B) into which the protuberance136of the top cup106can be pushed, as illustrated inFIGS. 3C and 3D. The engagement of the top cup106by the plunger162prevents or hinders movement of the top cup which prevents or hinders withdrawal of the mobile device170from the cradle100as the top cup106cannot be pushed toward the locking mechanism110. In the unlock position, the plunger162is retracted from engagement with the top cup106which allows the top cup106to move toward the locking mechanism110to allow loading or unloading of the mobile device170.

In at least some embodiments, the plunger162requires a tool, such as a key, to lock the plunger in the lock position and to release the plunger, when locked using the tool, from the lock position to the unlock position. In some embodiments, the tool may be rotated or otherwise operated in the process of locking or unlocking the plunger162from the lock position. The use of a tool to lock the plunger may reduce the likelihood that the plunger162will be inadvertently released due to vibration, shock, or other handling or movement of the cradle100. In other embodiments, the plunger162and housing160can be arranged so that, after pushing the plunger to the lock position, the plunger remains in the lock position until the plunger is again pushed.

FIGS. 3A to 3Eillustrate the loading of a mobile device170into one embodiment of the cradle100. InFIG. 3A, the cradle100has the plunger162in the unlock position and the cradle100is available to load the mobile device170. InFIG. 3B, the top of the mobile device is inserted into the top cup106. InFIG. 3C, the top cup106is pushed toward the locking mechanism100to provide clearance for the bottom of the mobile device170to be inserted into the cradle100. The top cup106can be pushed directly by the user or indirectly using the mobile device170.

InFIG. 3D, the mobile device170is inserted in the cradle100. InFIG. 3E, the force on the top cup106is relaxed and the top cup moves toward the cradle base100. The bottom of the mobile device170(or the bottom of case that contains the mobile device) is seated into the recess140of the bottom device receiver108. If there are contacts144in the recess140and contacts on the mobile device170or case that contains the mobile device, the contacts144engage the contacts on the mobile device or case.

InFIG. 3E, the plunger162has been pushed to the lock position so that the plunger engages the protuberance136on the top cup106which prevents the top cup from moving to release the mobile device170from the cradle100. Thus, inFIG. 3E, the mobile device170is loaded into the cradle100and locked in the cradle.

To unload the mobile device, the plunger162is released from the locked position. Once unlocked, the mobile device170and top cup106are pushed toward the locking mechanism100and the mobile device is then removed in a reverse application of the steps to load the mobile device.

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate a mobile device170disposed in one embodiment of the cradle. In at least some embodiments, the top cup106or the bottom device receiver108or both can be replaced with different components to fit different sizes of mobile devices. In some embodiments, the recess140in the bottom device receiver108is configured to receive a male structure from a case containing the mobile device. This male structure may be uniformly sized for a variety of different sized mobile devices (for example, mobile phones and tablets). In such cases, only replacement of the top cup106may be needed to fit a different size of mobile device (for example, to fit a tablet instead of a mobile phone.)

FIGS. 5A and 5Billustrate another embodiment of a cradle500with a locking mechanism510that utilizes a plunger562. This embodiment and related embodiments are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16,883,743 (entitled “Cradle for Mobile Devices With One or More Biasing Tabs and Methods of Making and Using”), filed on even date herewith, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The cradle500includes a base502, sidewalls504extending from the base to define a cavity105for receiving the mobile device, a roller latch506extending from the base, a locking mechanism510, and a cup508. The cradle500also includes contacts544extending out of the base102for coupling to contacts on the mobile device or a case of the mobile device, as well as one or more biasing tabs580extending out of the base for protecting the contacts544during insertion of the mobile device into the cradle500. In at least some embodiments, the roller latch506includes a roller582rotating on an axle and is coupled to a flex arm584by at least two legs586. The flex arm584optionally includes a protrusion536to engage the plunger562in the lock position (FIG. 5A).

The embodiments describe above have common elements including, for example, a cradle base (for example, cradle base102rubase502); a top element (for example, top cup106ruroller latch506) movable relative to the cradle base and configured to retain a top portion of a mobile device loaded into the cradle; a bottom element (for example, bottom device receiver108or cup508) coupled to the cradle base and configured to retain a bottom portion of a mobile device or case of mobile device loaded into the cradle; and a locking mechanism110,510comprising a housing160,560and a plunger162,562partially disposed in the housing and configured for moving, relative to the housing, between a lock position and an unlock position. In the lock position, the plunger162,562engages the top element (for example, top cup106and roller latch506) to hinder movement of the top element relative to the cradle base (for example, cradle base102or base502) and, in the unlock position, the plunger does not engage the top element to permit loading or unloading of the mobile device from the cradle.