Abstract:
A holster provides a carrier for removable storing a portable electronic device, such as a cellular phone, PDA or MP3 player, and a fastener for securing the carrier to the user&#39;s clothing or bag. The holster includes a docking station inside the carrier and a pair of guide rails extending from the docking station to guide a device into electrical contact with the docking station. The docking station and rails are preferably pivotally mounted to the carrier to that they can be pivoted for convenient and easy insertion and removal of a device from aligned contact with the docking station. The dock equipped holster can then provide several power supply options for the user, including solar cells along an exterior surface of the carrier, wireless charging tags or pass through power cord ports, as well as data port and audio port pass through.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/183,824, filed Jun. 3, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to accessories for portable electronic devices such as cellular phones or PDA devices. The invention relates more particularly to holsters for carrying such devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The expanding use of portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistant devices, digital cameras, and MP3 and other digital audio players, has brought about a number of carrying cases, most notably device holsters. The holsters typically are sized to accommodate one or more different sized devices and include some type of fastener, such as clip, to fasten the holster to a belt, pocket, bag strap or other article carried or worn by the user. 
     These holsters employ different techniques for securing the device, such as snug fit or a flap to cover the opening of the holster. The placement of the opening sometimes makes it difficult to insert or retrieve the device, particularly, when worn at the waist on a belt. Some holsters provide a rotating clip that allows the user to reorient the holster to facilitate insertion and retrieval. However, such rotating clip can also present the danger that the holster is rotated inadvertently through user movement to dump the device out of the holster onto the ground. 
     Further, holsters have primarily functioned as storage and carrying devices. Many allow access to power and data ports on the devices, but typically through openings in the holster side walls to allow cord access to the ports. Some holsters have solar cell charging surfaces integrated on to the carrier exterior surfaces, but the interfaces to supply the power to the devices can be cumbersome and detract from the primary function of ease of insertion and retrieval into the holster as a storage device. 
     What is needed is a holster system that solves the problem of providing power supply capabilities in a portable holster environment while maintaining the ease of use of the holster and providing the ability to additionally offer other connections, such as audio, data and device controls. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide storage and back up power improvements to portable electronic device holsters. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an interface for reliably and readily connecting a portable electronic device to power sources while making insertion and retrieval into the holster easy and convenient. 
     It is a further object of the invention to enable the holster to operate as a stand alone docking station that enables the device to be connected to a host computer or other data exchanging device. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide clean, on-the-go, back-up and emergency power for a device when the primary power in the device is depleted or there is no convenient electrical outlet available to recharge the device. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved by holster systems incorporating features according to aspects of the invention. For example, a holster for a portable electronic device can include a carrier having at least two spaced apart side walls and a base joining the two side walls to provide a storage space for a portable electronic device. The carrier can be a hard case or soft pouch. A fastener, such as a clip, can be mounted to an outside of the carrier for attaching the carrier to an article, such a belt, clothing, back pack or other item. The holster provides a docking station mounted inside the device storage space of the carrier and has electrical contacts for interfacing with electrical contacts of a portable electronic device. The holster further includes two spaced apart guide rails extending from the docking station for engaging sides of a portable electronic device and guiding it into electrical contact with the docking station. 
     According to further aspects of the invention, the docking station is pivotally mounted to the carrier so that the docking station and guide rails can pivot relative to the carrier. As a result, a portable electronic device can be more easily and reliably inserted into and removed from the docking station. At least one of the guide rails can be adjustably connected to the docking station so that the spacing between the guide rails can be selectively changed to accommodate portable electronic devices of different sizes. Further, at least one of the guide rails can provide a releasable lock for locking the docking station and guide rails in the stored position. 
     According to further aspects of the invention, the docking station can further provide a power source contact for connecting to a power source to supply power to a portable electronic device connected to the docking station. For example, the holster can include photovoltaic cells mounted on an outside of the carrier and connected to the power source contact of the docking station. The photovoltaic cells can be provided on one or more sheets mounted in a stack, with one of the sheets retractably sliding out relative to the other sheet in a charging position. The holster can also include a battery electrically connected to the power source contact for storing power received from the photovoltaic cells and electrically connected to the docking station electrical contacts for supplying power to a portable electronic device when connected to the docking station. The battery is preferably located in the docking station. 
     The docking station is preferably pivotally mounted to the carrier through a pivot hinge and the photovoltaic cells can be electrically connected to the docking station through pivot hinge. The photovoltaic cells can be arranged on a sheet that is provided on a surface of the carrier. The photovoltaic cells can be arranged on at least two sheets, and one sheet can slide out to enlarge the charging surface area. 
     Apart from the solar panel example, the docking station can provide a power source contact for connecting to other power sources to supply power to a portable electronic device when connected to the docking station, and can provide a battery for storing a charge to be provided as needed to a portable electronic device in the carrier. Other possible power sources include a wireless charging panel mounted to the carrier and electronically connected to the power source contacts of the docking station or a power cord that connected to a wall charger or the like. The holster can include an array of side wall electrical contacts on at least one of the carrier side walls for contacting the power source contact of the docking station or guide rail as it pivots relative to the carrier. The array of side wall electrical contacts can be electrically connected to one or more power sources, such as photovoltaic cells, a wireless charging pad and a power cord receptacle for transferring electrical power to the docking station. The carrier side wall and the docking station or a guide rail can also include an array of detents for securing the docking station in two or more pivoted positions relative to the carrier. 
     The docking station can serve as a pass-through to the portable electronic device. The docking station can provide a power electrical contact to connect to a cord of a power supply to pass through power to a portable electronic device when connected to the docking station. The docking station can provide a data electrical contact to connect to a data transmission cord to pass through data signals to a portable electronic device when connected to the docking station. The docking station can also provide audio electrical contacts for receiving audio signals from a portable electronic device when connected to the docking station and one or more audio loudspeakers built into the docking station for projecting sound responsive to the audio signals. Further, the docking station can include a power switch for turning a portable electronic device connected to the docking station on and off, a power management controller for switching connection between two or more sources of power and a portable electronic device connected to the docking station, and power control indicator lights. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A further understanding of aspects of the invention can be gained from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention together with a review of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is front elevation view of the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed portion of a docking station in the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention, equipped with a solar panel power supply having a retractable second panel; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of another alternative embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention, equipped with a solar panel power supply having a sliding top panel; 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention, having a docking station arranged to connect to a device with side contacts; 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed portion of a docking station in the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the holster embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view detail of a section of a docking station, guide rail and side wall, showing a through rail contact system; 
         FIG. 13  is top view of the through rail contact system shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention having an adjustable guide rail; and 
         FIG. 15  is a front sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a holster according to aspects of the invention in which a pair of earphones is stored with a retractable cord. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a holster  10  having features according to aspects of the invention is shown. The holster  10  can include a carrier  12  having at least two spaced apart side walls  14 ,  16  and a base  18  joining the two side walls  14 ,  16  to provide a storage space  20  for a portable electronic device  22 , such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant or a digital audio device, to name a few examples. The holster  10  can also include a docking station  24  having electrical contacts for interfacing with electrical contacts of a portable electronic device  22 . The electrical contacts can be provided, for example, through a multi-contact port  26 , that can interface with a matching port on the device  22 . The docking station  24  can be mounted to the carrier  12  in the storage space  20 . Two spaced apart guide rails  28 ,  30  can extend from the docking station  24  for engaging sides of a portable electronic device  22  and guiding it into electrical contact with the docking station port  26 . The guide rail surfaces can be shaped, for example, with U-shaped curvature to facilitate guiding of the device  22 . One guide rail  30  can be shorter than the other guide rail  28  to facilitate loading and retrieval. 
     The docking station  24  is pivotally mounted to the carrier  12 , such as through a hinge  32 , so that the docking station  24  and guide rails  28 ,  30  can pivot relative to the carrier  12 . As a result, engagement and disengagement of a portable electronic device  22  with the guide rails  28 ,  30  and docking station  24  can be facilitated. 
     As discussed more fully below, the side walls  14 ,  16  of the carrier  12  can be equipped with power supply features. For example, the side walls  14 ,  16  can support photo-voltaic cell panels. Alternatively, a wireless magnetic charging system can be integrated into a side wall to supply power to a matching charging tag built into the device  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the docking station  24  and guide rails  28 ,  30  can pivot between a stored position A and an access position B. The holster  10  can be equipped with a lock  34  for holding the guide rails  28 ,  30  and docking station  24  in the stored position A. The lock  34  can be released, for example, by pressing down on the device  22  to depress the lock  34  relative to the carrier  12 . The lock assembly  34  can also include a spring to propel the guide rails  28 ,  30  towards the access position B when the lock  34  is depressed and released. Upon return of the guide rails  28 ,  30  and docking station  24  to the stored position A, the lock  34  can again be depressed to return to a locked, secure mode. Various spring-loaded lock assemblies for accomplishing this feature are known and can be used for this application. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the docking station  24  can provide a number of features to the holster  10 . The power and data connector port  26  can be linked to a pass-through connector  36  for plugging in an AC charger cable  38  and/or a USB cable  40  for charging or data transfer. The docking station  24  should include a built-in battery  42 , such as a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, for storing a charge from an external source, such as the AC charger  38  and/or from photovoltaic cell panels mounted on the carrier (see  FIG. 4 ). The docking station  24  can also provide a power management controller  44  to allow the user to select between power sources, such as the AC charging source  38  or photovoltaic cell panels. Further, the docking station  24  can be equipped for audio transmission, either through openings to allow transfer of sound from speakers in the docked device, or audio speakers  46  built into the docking station  24  for transmitting sound based on audio signals from the attached device. The base of the docking station  24  can include power control lights  54  to indicate, for example, the power level in the docked device, charging status, or which charging source is being used. A power switch  56  for turning a connected device on and off can also be provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the carrier  12  can include a fastener, such as a clip  48 , for securing the holster  10  to a user&#39;s clothing, such as a belt or pocket lining, or to a portable case or pack. The carrier  12  can also provide a flap  50  to removably cover the top opening of the carrier  12  for additional securing of the device  22 . The carrier  12  can provide a panel of photo-voltaic cells  52  on its front side wall  14 . Optionally, the back side wall  16  can include a wireless charging pad for transferring charge to a matching charging tag provided on the device. Speaker openings or speakers  46  can be provided. The docking station  24  can also provide the pass-through connector  36  for data and charging cable connections. The hinge  32  for pivotally connecting the docking station  24  to the carrier  12  can also provide a conduit for electrical lines between the docking station  24  and any associated photo-voltaic cell panels  52  or other charging panels on the carrier  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , which shows a top view of an exemplary holster  10 , the carrier  12  can provide an open region  58  to the side of the docking station  24  and guide rail  30 . In this region, access to functions  60 ,  62  on the device can be provided. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the charging surface area of the photo-voltaic cell panels  52  can be increased by providing multiple panels  64 ,  66  in a stacked arrangement. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a second panel  66  can be nested below a first panel  64  and pulled out for charging and retracted to a stored position when not in use. The electrical charge from the panels  64 ,  66  can be connected along conductive contact rails or strips in accordance with known techniques. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a first panel  64  on top of the stack can slide to charge position, revealing a second panel  66  below. 
       FIG. 8  shows an alternative holster  110  for storing devices  112  having charging and data ports on a side of the device, rather than the base of the device. The docking station  114  can include a spring loaded, lockable release  116  as discussed earlier in connection with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . Also, a power/data connection port  118  can be provided, as well as an audio connection plug  120  for interfacing with matching ports on the device  112 . The docking station hinge  122  can also provide connection to charging sources such as photo-voltaic cell panels. The docking station  114  can include guide rails  124 ,  126 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the docking station  114  for side mounted devices  112  can include the guide rails  124 ,  126  and releasable lock  116 , power/data connectors  118  and audio connector  120 , and pass-through connectors  128 ,  130  for connection to data and power cables  132  and to ear phones  134 . The docking station  114  can include a built-in battery  132 , power management controller  134  for selecting a charging or power source, a power switch  136  and power control or energy level indicator lights  138 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the side mounted holster  110  can include fastener, such as a belt clip  140  (which may be removable). The power control lights  138  and/or power control switch  136  may alternatively be located on a guide rail  126  as shown. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the top of the carrier  110  may be open to facilitate access to the pivoting docking station to release the device  112 . The guide rails  124 ,  126  can provide curved surfaces, to facilitate insertion and removal of the device  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a holster  210  according to aspects of the invention can optionally include a through rail contact system  212 . Electrical connection to charging panels (not shown) on the carrier side wall  214  can be provided through the guide rail  216 . The side wall  214  can provide a series of contact surfaces  218  arranged in an arc to match the path of contacts provided on the guide rail  216  as it rotates through its range of motion from access position to stored position. Additionally, the side wall  214  can provide detents  220  for securing the guide rail  216  at discrete locations in its range of motion and limiting the rotation to the full access position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , one of the guide rails  310  can be adjustable to allow the guide rails  310 ,  312  to accommodate devices  314 ,  316  of different sizes. The guide rail  310  can be slidingly mounted to a base  318  secured in location by a detent or other position securing technique. This arrangement is particularly suitable for devices using wireless charging tags that can connect to the carrier through a wireless interface. 
       FIG. 15  shows an additional feature that can be included in a side wall  412  of a holster  410 . A pair of ear phones  414  and the associated cable  416  can be stored in a recess in the side wall  412 . The cable  416  can be retractably stored on a spring loaded take-up spool  418  with a releasable ratchet detent. A first pull can be used to remove the cable  416  and a second pull to release the ratchet hold and allow the spring loaded spool  418  to pull the cable  416  back to the stored position. 
     While details of preferences are set forth in this description and the associated drawings, these details are considered only examples, and the scope of the invention is to be determined by the following patent claims.