Patent ID: 7280854

Claim:
A portable information terminal device cradle apparatus comprising: an enclosure including a lower plate an upper plate that has an opening provided therein; a recording/reproducing apparatus, for recording and reproducing data, disposed in an inner space enclosed by the enclosure; a lid which covers the opening in the enclosure, and which is rotatable to be opened and closed; a connector main part, which is provided in the enclosure to be exposed by the opening when the lid is open, and which is connectable to at least one of a portable information terminal device and a cradle assembly placed on the upper plate; a connector holding part which rotatably supports the connector main part such that the connector main part is rotatable between: (i) a connection position in which connection terminals of the connector main part are exposed for connection with the at least one of the portable information terminal device and the cradle assembly via the opening, and (ii) a storage position at which the connector main part is housed within the enclosure and connection terminals of the connector main part do not face the opening; a connection mechanism which operatively couples the lid and the connector holding part, and which comprises a power transmission mechanism that mechanically transmits power generated when the lid or the connector holding part is moved manually or by an urging force; wherein when the lid is closed, the connector main part is caused to rotate, by transmission of power via the power transmission mechanism, from the connection position to the storage position.