Patent ID: 7876066

Claim:
A charging station for receiving a portable electronic device and receiving a charger unit for charging the portable electronic device, the charger unit having a charger cord, said charging station comprising: a base comprising a bottom surface bounded by a perimeter wall, the perimeter wall having an upper portion; a base cover removably attachable to the upper portion of the perimeter wall of the base to enclose an interior space, said base cover having an opening to permit the charger cord of the charger unit located within the interior space to pass through the base cover, the base cover comprising an upper surface; a tray comprising a first surface for receiving the portable electronic device, the tray configured for removable attachment to the upper surface of the base cover, the tray having an opening to permit the charger cord of the charger unit to pass through the tray; and a power strip located within the interior space, the power strip comprising outlets for providing electrical power to the charger unit for charging the portable electronic device, wherein: the upper surface of the base cover is a first exterior surface of the charging station when the base cover is attached to the upper portion of the perimeter wall of the base and the tray is not attached to the upper surface of the base cover; the first surface of the tray is the first exterior surface of the charging station when the base cover is attached to the upper portion of the perimeter wall of the base and the tray is attached to the upper surface of the base cover; and the upper surface of the base cover is an interior surface of the charging station when the base cover is attached to the upper portion of the perimeter wall of the base and the tray is attached to the upper surface of the base cover.