Abstract:
The invention relates to an adapter for a telephone holder, especially for a telephone holder mounted in a vehicle. Said adapter comprises a locking mechanism for locking the adapter to the telephone holder in a detachable manner, and a contact bank which can be brought into contact with contact elements provided on the telephone holder. A mobile telephone can be inserted into the adapter and can be detachably connected to the same by means of locking elements. In the inserted position, a connection is established between the contact elements on the mobile telephone and the contact element on the adapter, the mobile telephone being held on the telephone holder in an operational manner by means of the adapter. The inventive adapter enables existing telephone holders to receive different mobile telephones or new mobile telephones.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention relates to an adapter for a telephone holder of a hands-free device, specifically, for a telephone holder mounted in a vehicle.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    Telephone holders for cellular telephones, in particular those installed in vehicles, already exist. In light of the fact that many countries have passed legislation requiring the use of hands-free systems in vehicles so as to keep distraction of the driver to a minimum when the telephone is used, there exists a multiplicity of telephone holders for installation in vehicles. Usually, these telephone holders may be employed with only one type, or a few types, of cellular telephones since new products usually have altered dimensions or different connecting elements. Since cellular telephones are usually replaced after only a few years, while a vehicle has a much longer service life, a new telephone holder is acquired simultaneously with the purchase of the new cellular telephone—a requirement that is inconvenient and expensive. In addition, in the case of users such as married couples, for example, who own different types of cellular telephones, only one cellular telephone may be used in the installed telephone holder.  
           [0005]    The goal of the invention is therefore to eliminate the above disadvantages by creating an adapter for a telephone holder of a hands-free unit, by which adapter the telephone holder may be employed with different types or new types of cellular telephones, thereby eliminating the requirement of replacing telephone holders when a new cellular telephone is purchased.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    This goal is achieved by an adapter for the telephone holder of a hands-free device, which adapter has the features indicated in claim  1 .  
           [0007]    As a first feature according to the invention, the adapter has a locking mechanism to detachably lock the adapter to the telephone holder, thereby engaging contact elements of the telephone holder through a contact strip on the adapter. In addition, a cellular telephone may be inserted into the adapter, which phone is detachably connectable to the adapter through additional locking elements, a connection being created in the inserted position between contact elements on the cellular telephone and contact elements on the adapter so that the cellular telephone is held by the adapter on the telephone holder in order to retain its functionality. As a result, such cellular telephones may be used on the telephone holder of the hands-free device which were not actually designed for use on this telephone holder. This capability applies both to new cellular telephones as well as to cellular telephones of a different type, or from a different manufacturer. The adapter may be purchased as an accessory component for a cellular telephone or for a telephone holder, thus allowing different cellular telephones to be employed in succession on the telephone holder. The great advantage for the user is the fact that no new telephone holder or new hands-free device need be acquired or installed; instead, the only requirement is that an adapter be inserted in the telephone holder by a few effortless procedures. Another advantage is that the frequently long delivery times for hands-free devices compatible with cellular telephones are significantly reduced since as a single component the adapter is able to be supplied within significantly shorter time periods.  
           [0008]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a circuit board is interconnected between the contact elements on the adapter and the contact strip, by which circuit board the requisite adaptations are implemented in regard to transmitting signals and power. Since specific cellular telephones here have different requirements, this adaptation is implemented automatically by the circuit board. In addition, the adapter may be provided in the form of a compact unit by accommodating the circuit board in a plastic case. To this end, the adapter is preferably of a box-like shape and comprises a holding fixture which partially encloses a cellular telephone.  
           [0009]    According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, lateral recesses are provided on the adapter into which locking elements may be inserted to secure the adapter. In order to facilitate insertion of the adapter, support strips are preferably provided on the telephone holder so that the adapter can be slipped on via projections.  
           [0010]    To provide a secure connection between the contacts, the box-shaped adapter includes contact strips on the end face by which the adapter may be slipped on or pivoted on to the contact elements of the telephone holder. To enable the pivoting-on procedure, recesses are preferably provided adjacent to the contact strips, which recesses engage projections on the telephone holder, so that the adapter is first inserted into the telephone holder, then pivoted down so as to effect locking. In addition, a projecting antenna plug may be provided in the base of the telephone holder, which plug is insertable into a jack facing the telephone holder such that the antenna plug has both a locking function as well as a transmitting function.  
           [0011]    A pocket-shaped holding fixture is preferably provided to securely accommodate the cellular telephone, in which fixture clamping elements are provided to secure the cellular telephone, and contact elements are provided to connect the cellular telephone. In order to ensure that the cellular telephone remains fixed in position even during travel involving significant vibration, latching elements and clamping elements are provided within the holding fixture.  
           [0012]    In addition, a communications unit is provided comprising a telephone holder and an adapter according to the invention inserted into the telephone holder. As a result, adaptation to a specific cellular telephone may be implemented immediately when the telephone holder is purchased.  
           [0013]    Alternatively, the communications unit comprises a cellular telephone and an adapter to accommodate the cellular telephone. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The following discussion explains the invention in more detail based on three embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1A is a top view of a commercially available telephone holder;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1B is a side view of the telephone holder of FIG. 1A;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2A is a top view of a telephone holder including an adapter according to the invention in a first embodiment FIG. 2B is a side view of the telephone holder with the adapter of FIG. 2A;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2C is a perspective view of the adapter in FIG. 2A;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3A is a top view of a telephone holder including an adapter according to the invention in a second embodiment;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3B is a side view of the telephone holder with the adapter as seen in FIG. 3A;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4A is a top view of a telephone holder including an adapter according to the invention in a third embodiment;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4B is a side view of the telephone holder with the adapter as seen in FIG. 4A; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a top view of an antenna element for an adapter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    A telephone holder  1  of a hands-free device shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C includes multiple contact pins  10  and  11 , the function of which is to enable the cellular telephone to be charged and signals to be transmitted. Telephone holder  1  has a shell-like base unit, an antenna plug  12  being provided in the upper region of the bottom of this base unit. Antenna plug  12  is connected to an antenna cord  14 , while contact pins  10  and  11  are connected to a transmission cord  13 . A specific type of cellular telephone may be connected to telephone holder  1 .  
         [0025]    Adjacent to side the side walls  19 , locking elements  15  are provided to effect mechanical locking of a cellular telephone or adapter, the elements being located above a support strip  17 . One section of support strip  17  here is configured to be pivotable at the top. When an object is pressed onto the pivotable section of strip  17 , this section moves downward and aligns with strip  17  integral with side walls  19 . The downward pivoting motion laterally pivots locking element  15  inward from the side wall which, as a result, is able to engage a recess in a cellular telephone or other object. A button  16  is provided to release the locking mechanism, which button releases the engaged locking elements  15  and uses a spring to enable the pivotable section of strip  17  to pivot back into the starting position. In addition, projections  18  are molded on to telephone holder  1  which facilitate locking of the cellular telephone or adapter and prevent these items from slipping out of the lock at the top.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 2A through 2C show telephone holder  1  including an adapter  2  according to the invention. Adapter  2  includes a contact strip  20  which is able to engage contact elements  10  and  11  of telephone holder  1 . Adapter  2  is has essentially a box-like shape, a circuit board being enclosed within the plastic case of the adapter in the rear side facing telephone holder  1 . In addition, a jack  22  is provided in adapter  2 , into which jack antenna plug  12  may be inserted. In the opposite side walls of adapter  2 , recesses  23  are provided which locking elements  15  of telephone holder  1  are able to engage. The rear side of adapter  2  has a support strip  29  which is able to rest on strip  17  of telephone holder  1 . A recess  24  is then provided adjacent to contact strip  20 ; projections  18  of telephone holder  1  are able to engage said recess. In order to insert adapter  2 , the contact strip is first placed onto contact elements  10  and  11  such that projections  18  engage recesses  24 . Adapter  2  is then pivoted downward until strip  29  rests on strip  17 , and locking element  15  laterally engages and latches into the respective recess  23  of adapter  2 . In this pivoted-down position, adapter  2  is thus secured within telephone holder  1 , while the contact elements engage each other.  
         [0027]    Adapter  2  comprises side walls  26  and a pocket-shaped holding fixture  27  into which a cellular telephone may be inserted. In one part of pocket-shaped holding fixture  27 , a plug element  21  is provided into which the cellular telephone may be inserted. To secure the cellular telephone, brush elements  25  may be provided at the base of adapter  2  and along side walls  26 , which elements effect clamping forces to hold the cellular telephone within adapter  2 . The adapter  2  shown includes only one plug  21  to connect cords for charging and to connect the requisite channels for the transmission of data.  
         [0028]    Adapter  2  may optionally be left in telephone holder  1  and the cellular telephone may be plugged into adapter  2  when needed so that telephone calls may be placed via adapter  2  and telephone holder  1 . Whenever telephone holder  1  is to be used for other types of telephones, adapter  2  may easily be removed by pressing button  6  and telephone holder  1  may be utilized in other ways.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment of an adapter  3  according to the invention. Adapter  3  essentially has a box-like shape and includes a contact strip  30  and an antenna jack  32  which are positioned as in the previous embodiment so as to connect to telephone holder  1 . The mechanical attachment means used to lock in telephone holder  1  are also of a similar design, recesses  33  being provided into which locking element  15  may be inserted. Locking and connection of adapter  3  are effected in a manner similar to that of the previous embodiment.  
         [0030]    A pocket  35  is formed within adapter  3  to accommodate a cellular telephone  50 . Cellular telephone  50  is retained by projecting side walls  34 , brush surfaces being provided along the side walls and at additional locations on adapter  3  which utilize friction to reliably secure cellular telephone  50 . Additional means of securing cellular telephone  50  may be provided as well. In order to connect cellular telephone  50 , pins  31  are provided within holding fixture  35 , which pins may be plugged into cellular telephone  50 . Cellular telephone  50  is thus connected to telephone holder  1  through plug contacts  31 , a circuit board not shown, contact strip  30 , and contact elements  10  and  11 , and is therefore functional. In the event cellular telephone  50  requires a different configuration in terms of transmission signals and power, an adaptation may be effected via the circuit board located in adapter  3 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 4A and 4B show a third embodiment of an adapter  4  according to the invention. Adapter  4  includes a shell insertable into telephone holder  1 , on which a contact strip  40 , a jack  42 , and lateral recesses  43  are provided to enable adapter  4  to be connected to and engaged with telephone holder  1  in a manner similar to the previous embodiments.  
         [0032]    To connect a cellular telephone  51 , a holding fixture  45  is provided in which a plug strip  41  is mounted. Cellular telephone  51  may be slipped onto plug  41  by guiding it along the side walls  44 . In the embodiment shown, holding fixture  45  is pivotably mounted so as to allow insertion of cellular telephone  51  only in the pivoted-open position. To lock in cellular telephone  51 , the holding fixture along with cellular telephone  51  is pivoted downward until an antenna jack of cellular telephone  51  engages an antenna plug  46  on adapter  5 . In this case, an antenna is mounted in a holding fixture  48 , the antenna being accommodated in a protective manner by a side wall  47 . Engagement of holding fixture  45  to cellular telephone  51  is effected by latching elements, not shown, beneath a switch  49 . Pressing switch  49  retracts these latching elements, thus allowing holding fixture  45  to pivot upward by spring force.  
         [0033]    The adapters  2 ,  3 , and  4  shown have only a small selection of possible configurations for the adapter according to the invention. All of the adapters are able to be connected to an existing telephone retaining device  1 , whereby the user has the option of removing the cellular telephone from the adapter or adapter from the telephone holder. In addition, when a new cellular telephone is purchased, one need only acquire an adapter additionally to be able to continue using an existing telephone retaining device.  
         [0034]    The latching and locking means shown represent only a small selection of possible means of attachment. Any other type of clamping connection, latching connection or other quick-connection means may be utilized.  
         [0035]    In the embodiments presented, one antenna plug  12 ,  46  is provided. In place of an antenna plug, or in addition to such a plug, an antenna element  60  may be enclosed in the adapter so as to be invisible from outside.  
         [0036]    An antenna element  60  of this type is shown in FIG. 5. Antenna element  60  has a plate-like shape and has three conducting surfaces  61 ,  62 , and  63  which are made of a thin metal layer, for example copper. Conducting surfaces  61 ,  62 , and  63  are arranged on a plate composed of a plastic material so as to be fixed and separated from each other. Each conducting surface  61 ,  62  and  63  is connected through a terminal to a conductor of a cord  64 . Cord  64  in turn is connected to a plug  65  which is connectable to a plug of telephone holder  1 . Conducting surfaces  61 ,  62 ,  63  enable the reception of the cellular telephone to be improved since the path from the vehicle interior through cord  64  to telephone holder  1  and an antenna is bridged. The connection between antenna element  60  and the directly adjacent cellular telephone is subject to significantly less interference than the path from the cellular telephone extending out of the vehicle without antenna element  60 . As a result, it is possible to have the cellular telephone obtain good reception without the contact of a plug, and to keep the radiation load within the vehicle low.  
         [0037]    Antenna element  60  thus allows a kind of inductive antenna to be created. Antenna element  60  is accommodated within the adapter and may be enclosed within this adapter by cementing it in place, or encapsulating it by a foam or injection-molding process.