Hands free handset and charger for the same

Abstract: The invention is a hands free charger (1) with means for electrically contact a handset (2) with a connector (5) that has a springy mean (7) and a structural mean (3, 7) as a counterpart to abduct the force of the springy mean (7).

Description: The invention relates to a hands free charger and a handset adapted to the charger as claimed in the independent claims From DE 19633171 A1 an apparatus is known that comprises a charger and control for accumulator containing in the handset, for the transmission of the charging energy from the support housing to the supported handset the housing comprises inductive generators, while the handset is fitted with inductive receptors. Preferably the inductive generators and receptors are so arranged as to lie in mutual opposition with the handset located on the support housing. At least two pairs of inductive generators and receptors are provided for transmission of the charge current or voltage. The realization of a contact free charger is a costly solution for a set of inductive means must build in the charger and the handset. It is also known to charge a cordless handset, for example a handset in a DECT telecommunication device, with help of a locking connector. The problem is that the handset must be pressed against the charger contacts because of the large number of contacts to be used in the hands free functions. The pressure needed is in prior art made by a locking connector which is realized in the from of a hook. The handset must be connected in a way that the handset is rotated into the hook and extracted in the same rotating way. If the user forgets this the charger is taken away - a very uncomfortable situation. A charger and handset with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 4 731 813. The object of the invention is to build a charger and a adapted handset that allows an easy handling of handset for charging. In parallel the pressure on the contacts must be sufficient for charging. The problem is solved by a charger and handset with the features of claim 1. A connector with locking mean is not used. Instead a mean for centering the handset in the charger is used. The connector on the side of the charger is pressed on the handset with a spring. The advantage is that the centering mean is able to hold the handset against the spring force of the connector of the charger. Other advantages are described in the dependent claims and in the following description. Figure 1 shows a handset on a charger where the charger is structured to neutralize the force of the connector spring. Fig. 2 a handset with a spur. In figure 1 a handset 2 is lying in a charging station 1. The charging station has a special structure with a nose or a ridge 3. This ridge is adapted to a recess 4 of the handset 2. The handset has a connector 6 for charging its batteries. This connector is in connection with a connector 5 of the charging station 1. This connector 5 of the charging station 1 is pressed towards the connector of the handset with help of a spring 7. The force of the spring must be high enough to grant good contact between the connector parts. On the other side the force of the spring must be balanced by the force the nose or ridge of the charging station can abduct. The connector of the handset 2 can be on the surface of the handset or in a special recess. In the last case the connector of the charging station can be applied into the recess of the handset. Fig 2 shows another embodiment of the invention. The handset 2 is lying on a charging station 1. The handset is contacted by connector 6 of the handset and connector 5 of the charging station. Additionally the handset has a recess for applying a spur 8. This spur 8 is connected to a spring 9. The locking of the handset is done by the spur 8. The spur can be designed as a translating spur with the help of the spring 9. Once locked the handset has a over stroke in the direction of the connector 6, so that it can disengage from the spur easily. The handset can not rotate in the charging station due to the spur. Scratches on the handset's shell are reduced for the spur disappears in the charging stations shell when the handset is laid on the charging station. The spring 9 is dimensioned in the way the to grant the disappearing functionality. The spur's spring 9 also suppress any possible motion of the handset when dialing a number on the handset lying on the charging station. The solution has the advantage that common connectors can be used.

Claims: A handsfree charger (1) and a handset having a recess (4), the handsfree charger (1) comprising: a cradle having a resting surface; first electrical connector (5) that is urged by a spring (7) to contact a second electrical connector (6) provided in the handset (2) when the handset (2) is placed in the cradle on the resting surface; characterised in that the cradle having structural retaining means (3, 8) on said resting surface for opposing at the recess (4) of the handset (2) the force of the spring means (7) against the handset (2) when the handset (2) is placed in the cradle on the resting surface. The handsfree charger and handset as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the structural retaining means (3) is disposed in a fixed position on said resting surface which is substantially planar. The handsfree charge and handset as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the structural retaining means (3) has a shape that conforms to the recess (4) on the handset (2). The handsfree charger and handset as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that the recess (4) provided on the handset (2) has a curved surface. The handsfree charger and handset as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the retaining means (3) is a ridge. The handsfree charger and handset as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the cradle has a recess at the resting surface and the structural retaining means (8) disposed in the cradle recess while comprises a second spring (9) for urging the structural retaining means (8) into the handset recess (4) when the handset, is placed in the cradle on the resting surface. The handsfree charger and handset as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the structural retaining means (8) is a stud.

Inventors: GUILLOT ROMAIN, PITISI CHRISTIAN, GUILLOT, ROMAIN, PITISI, CHRISTIAN
Applicants: CIT ALCATEL, ALCATEL
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H02J3
IPC codes: H02J7