PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9466927-B2
Application Number: US-201514659176-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Docking station with integral device support structure

Abstract:
An aesthetically pleasing docking station that is able to support electronic devices with only an interface connector. The docking station is further equipped with mechanisms that protect the electronic device from damage if it&#39;s deflected too far while mated to the docking station.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
 a housing having a cover disposed above and secured to a base; 
 a connector plug configured to provide plenary support for the electronic device having a first end secured to the base and a second end extending at an acute angle beyond an exterior surface of the cover; 
 a brace disposed within the housing and configured to support the connector plug and define the acute angle; and 
 a flexible structure coupled to the connector plug and to the housing, the flexible structure enabling the connector plug to be forcibly deflected in a direction away from the brace; 
 wherein the flexible structure comprises a mounting plate disposed in the base and an elastomeric insert disposed in the cover. 
 
     
     
       2. The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the brace is configured to support a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector plug and to deflect if the maximum amount of force is exceeded. 
     
     
       3. The docking station of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined maximum amount of force is less than a minimum force that is required to damage the portable electronic device. 
     
     
       4. The docking station of  claim 2  wherein the predetermined maximum amount of force the brace is configured to provide is between 800 and 1800 Newton millimeters of torque. 
     
     
       5. The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the brace is adjustable such that the acute angle may be changed. 
     
     
       6. The docking station of  claim 5  wherein the brace is adjusted such that the acute angle is between 69 and 89 degrees. 
     
     
       7. The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the brace comprises an adjustable support plate attached to the base coupled by a deformable beam to a foot that provides support to the connector plug. 
     
     
       8. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
 a housing base having a bottom wall configured to flex; 
 a connector mounted to the bottom wall at an acute angle and configured to mate with the portable electronic device; 
 a housing cover secured to the housing base having an aperture with an elastomeric insert through which the connector protrudes such that both the bottom wall and the elastomeric insert deflect when the connector is moved; and 
 a support brace supporting the connector at the acute angle. 
 
     
     
       9. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the bottom wall of the housing base includes an insert molded mounting plate that interfaces with the connector. 
     
     
       10. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the housing cover is disposed on top of the housing base, the cover and the base forming an enclosure having an internal cavity. 
     
     
       11. The docking station of  claim 10  wherein a mass plate is disposed within the enclosure and is secured to the housing base, and the support brace is secured to the mass plate. 
     
     
       12. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the support brace is configured to be adjustable such that the acute angle is adjustable. 
     
     
       13. The docking station of  claim 8  wherein the support brace is a rigid brace configured to provide support to the connector up to a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector. 
     
     
       14. The docking station of  claim 13  wherein the support brace is further configured to deflect if the predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector is exceeded. 
     
     
       15. The docking station of  claim 14  wherein the deflection enables the connector to move such that the acute angle is decreased. 
     
     
       16. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
 a housing having a cover disposed above and secured to a base; 
 a connector plug having a first end affixed to a bracket that is secured to the base and a second end extending beyond a top surface of the cover and configured to mate with the electronic device, the bracket configured to support a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector plug and to deflect if the maximum amount of force is exceeded, 
 wherein the bracket has a top portion and a bottom portion that are affixed to the connector plug; and 
 wherein the top portion and bottom portion have mounting flanges disposed on top of one another and are secured to the base. 
 
     
     
       17. The docking station of  claim 16  wherein the top portion comprises a substantially flat mounting face that is affixed to the connector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/047,563, filed Sep. 8, 2014, titled “DOCKING STATION WITH INTEGRAL DEVICE SUPPORT STRUCTURE”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to docking stations for portable electronic devices and in particular to docking stations that are aesthetically pleasing and can protect electronic devices from damage if they are deflected too far while mated. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Currently there are a wide variety of electronic device docking stations that include a connector for electrically connecting to the electronic device. The connection between the dock and the electronic device may be established to provide power, to transfer data or other information, or for any other suitable reason. Consumers may desire an aesthetically pleasing docking station with only the connector disrupting the exterior surface of the docking station. Consumers may also desire that the dock hold the electronic device at a convenient viewing angle while allowing the consumer to temporarily tilt the device to a more vertical position providing an intuitive demating motion. Finally, consumers may also desire to protect the electronic device from damage if it&#39;s deflected too far while mated. 
     New docking stations may require new features to support electronic devices at an appropriate viewing angle with only the connector while also protecting the electronic devices from damage while mated. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention pertain to docking stations for electronic devices. In some embodiments the docking station may be configured to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance while protecting the electronic device from damage while mated. 
     Some embodiments of the present invention relate to a docking station having a housing including a cover disposed above and secured to a base. A connector plug may provide plenary support for an electronic device and have a first end secured to the housing base and a second end extending at an acute angle beyond an exterior surface of the cover. A brace may be disposed within the housing and configured to support the connector plug. The brace may further be configured to define the acute angle. A flexible structure may be coupled to the connector plug and to the housing enabling the connector plug to be forcibly deflected in a direction away from the brace. 
     Further embodiments may have a brace that is configured to support a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector plug and to deflect if the maximum amount of force is exceeded. In some embodiments, the predetermined maximum amount of force may be less than a minimum force that is required to damage the portable electronic device. 
     Some embodiments may relate to a docking station having a housing base with a bottom wall configured to flex. A connector may be mounted to the bottom wall at an acute angle and configured to mate with a portable electronic device. A housing cover may be secured to the housing base and may have an aperture with an elastomeric insert through which the connector protrudes. The bottom wall and the elastomeric insert may deflect when the connector is moved. A support brace may be disposed within the housing, supporting the connector at the acute angle. 
     Further embodiments may be configured such that the bottom wall of the housing base includes an insert molded mounting plate that interfaces with the connector. Some embodiments may have a mass plate is disposed within the enclosure secured to the housing base. Further, the support brace may be secured to the mass plate. 
     Some embodiments may have a support brace configured to provide support to the connector up to a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector. The support brace may further be configured to deflect if the predetermined maximum amount of force applied to the connector is exceeded. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present invention, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present invention. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an electronic device and a docking station according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the components of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1  with an electronic device mated to it; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional view of the docking station shown in  FIG. 1  during a demating operation of the electronic device; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view the docking station shown in  FIG. 1  with an electronic device that has been deflected rearward; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective exploded view of a plug connector and a mounting bracket for the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a plug connector and a mounting bracket for the docking station shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to docking stations for electronic devices. While the present invention can be useful for a wide variety of docking stations, some embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for docking stations that use only the interface connector for support, as described in more detail below. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an illustrative rendering of one embodiment of a docking station  100  with an interface connector plug  105  that may provide plenary support for an electronic device  110  without the need for external support structures, providing an aesthetically appealing appearance. Docking station  100  may also hold electronic device  110  at an acute angle  115 , allow electronic device  110  to be tilted forward for easy removal by the user and may further protect the device from harm if it&#39;s deflected too far while mated with the docking station. Myriad protective features may be employed by themselves or in conjunction with one another such that if electronic device  110  is deflected too far forward, rearward or sideways, docking station  100  fails before the electronic device, as discussed in more detail below. 
     Docking station  100  has a housing  120  comprising a cover  125  disposed above and secured to a housing base  130 . Housing  120  may have an exterior surface  135  and plug connector  105  protruding from a facet of exterior surface at acute angle  115 . Plug connector  105  may be configured to mate with a receptacle connector  140  of electronic device  110 . When mated, the only support holding electronic device  110  to docking station  100  may be provided by plug connector  105 , resulting an aesthetically pleasing design. 
     Electronic device  110  includes a multipurpose button  145  as an input component, a touch screen display  150  as both an input and output component, and a speaker  155  as an output component, all of which are enclosed within device housing  160 . Receptacle connector  140  can be positioned within device housing  160  and configured to mate with corresponding plug connector  105  of docking station  100 . 
     In order to better appreciate the features and aspects of docking stations according to the present invention, further context for the invention is provided in the following section by discussing one particular implementation of a docking station according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a simplified exploded isometric view of an embodiment of docking station  100  is provided. This illustration shows the primary internal and external components that make up docking station  100  and how they fit together. Connector  105  has first end  205  secured to housing base  130 . More specifically, connector  105  is secured by bracket  210  to mounting panel  215  disposed within housing base  130 . Bracket  210  will be discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, mounting panel  215  may be insert molded in a bottom wall  220  housing base  130 . Bracket  210  may be secured to mounting panel  215  with any type of fastener, weld, or other means. A circuit board  225  is disposed on housing base  130  and provides communication between connector  105  and another electronic device and/or facilitates connection to a power source. Connector  105  may be electrically connected to printed circuit board  225  with a flexible circuit  230  or other method such as, but not limited to wires. 
     A mass plate  235  may be disposed over a portion of printed circuit board  225  and may also be secured to housing base  130 . Mass plate  235  may be made from a metal or metal alloy and primarily serve as mass for docking station  100  so that it is stable and holds electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) securely. 
     A support brace  240  may be secured to mass plate  235  and may be configured to provide support to connector  105 , as discussed in more detail below. Support brace  240  may comprise adjustable plate  245  having a deformable beam  250  coupled to a foot  255  that supports connector  105 . Support brace  240  may be configured to provide a predetermined amount of support to connector  105  and may further be configured to deform above a particular force to protect electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) from damage due to over deflection, as discussed in more detail below. In one embodiment, adjustable plate  240  may be attached to mass plate  235  with two fasteners  260   a ,  260   b  such that when the fasteners are loosened the adjustable plate may be slid in a substantially rectilinear pattern forward and backward along a path defined by slots  265   a ,  265   b . During assembly, when fasteners  260   a ,  260   b  are loose, adjustable plate  245  may be slid against connector  105  and used to define an acute angle  115  (see  FIG. 1 ) of connector  105 , as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments support brace  240  may be manufactured from a metal or metal alloy. In other embodiments support brace  240  may be manufactured from a plastic or other material. In further embodiments, support brace  240  may be integrated with mass plate  235  and comprise a substantially unitary structure. In such embodiments mass plate  235  may be adjustable such that foot  255  can be slid into contact with connector  105  to define acute angle  115  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the connector. 
     Housing cover  270  may be disposed on top of and secured to housing base  130 . Housing cover  270  and housing base  130  may form an enclosure having an internal cavity. Housing cover  270  may have an aperture  275  with an elastomeric insert  280  through which connector  105  protrudes. Elastomeric insert  280  may be secured to aperture  275 . In some embodiments, housing cover  270  and housing base  130  may be made from a plastic material, while in other embodiments different materials may be used such as, but not limited to, metal. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , a simplified partial cross-sectional view of electronic device  110  fully mated to docking station  100  (i.e., receptacle connector  140  of electronic device  110  is fully mated with plug connector  105  of docking station  100 ) is illustrated. This figure illustrates how the internal and external components of docking station  100  are aligned and how they provide support and protection for electronic device  110 . 
     In some embodiments, connector  105  provides the only mechanical support for electronic device  110 , making exterior surface  135  of docking station  100  aesthetically pleasing (i.e., there are no other support structures on the exterior surface of the docking station to support the electronic device). In some embodiments, first end  205  of plug connector  105  may be secured by bracket  210  to mounting plate  215 . Mounting plate  215  may be disposed within bottom wall  220  of housing base  130 . In some embodiments, mounting plate  215  may be made from a metal or metal alloy and insert-molded into bottom wall  220 . In other embodiments there may not be a mounting plate  215  and bracket  210  may be secured to a substantially contiguous bottom wall  220 . 
     Connector  105  may be positioned to protrude through elastomeric insert  280  disposed within aperture  275  of cover  270 . To provide the necessary mechanical structure for connector  105  to support the weight of electronic device  110  at acute angle  115 , support brace  240  may be adjusted so that foot  255  is positioned against rear surface  310  of connector  105 . As discussed above, support brace  240  may be a rigid brace configured to provide support to connector  105 . Support brace  240  may comprise adjustable plate  245  attached to mass plate  235  and a deformable beam  250  coupled to a foot  255  that provides support to connector  105 . 
     Support brace  240  may be configured to provide a predetermined amount of support to connector  105  and may further be configured to deform above a particular force, as discussed in more detail below. Adjustable plate  245  may be attached to mass plate  235  with two fasteners  260   a ,  260   b  such that when the fasteners are loosened support brace  240  may be slid into contact with connector  105 . Other means of fastening adjustable plate  245  to mass plate are within the scope of this disclosure such as a single fastener with rails to maintain alignment of support brace  240 , glue, welding in place as well as other methods. During assembly, when fasteners  260   a ,  260   b  are loose, support brace  240  may be slid against connector  105  and used to define acute angle  115  of connector  105 . 
     Connector  105  may extend at acute angle  115  beyond exterior surface  135  of housing cover  270  to facilitate connection with electronic device  110 . Positioning electronic device  110  at acute angle  115  may provide the user with an improved viewing angle for electronic device  110  and make it easier for a user to interact with the device. In some embodiments, support brace  240  may be used to adjust acute angle  115  such that manufacturing variations that may affect the acute angle can be adjusted out. In some embodiments acute angle  115  is between 69 and 89 degrees and in some embodiments the angle is between 74 and 84 degrees. In one embodiment acute angle  115  is approximately 79 degrees. 
     In some embodiments elastomeric insert  280  may fit relatively tightly around connector  105  so that little or no gaps exist between the connector and docking station  100 , providing an aesthetically appealing appearance. In further embodiments elastomeric insert  280  may allow connector  105  to deflect as discussed herein without allowing gaps to appear between connector  105  and docking station  100 , maintaining the aesthetically pleasing appearance. 
     In further embodiments, bottom wall  220  of housing base  130  may be equipped with an elastomeric mounting pad  315 . Elastomeric pad  315  may enable docking station  100  to be securely affixed to surfaces, facilitating the user&#39;s interaction with electronic device  110 . In further embodiments bottom wall  220  of housing base  130  may have a metal foil  320  disposed between bottom wall  220  and elastomeric pad  315  to smooth discontinuities in the bottom wall of the housing base so they aren&#39;t visible in the elastomeric mounting pad. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4  a simplified partial cross-sectional view of a demating cycle of electronic device  110  from docking station  100  is illustrated. This figure shows the same cross-sectional view as  FIG. 3 , however in this view electronic device  110  has been pulled forward and upward such that it is in the process of being demated from docking station  100 . As discussed above, in some embodiments docking station  100  may hold electronic device at an acute angle of approximately 79 degrees to make it easier for the user to interact with the device. However, when attempting to demate electronic device  110  from docking station  100 , some users may prefer a larger angle  415 . That is, some users may prefer a more perpendicular orientation of electronic device  110  relative to docking station  100  (i.e., that is an angle of greater than 79 degrees and in some embodiments greater than 90 degrees) which may feel more intuitive for some users when demating the electronic device. To allow electronic device  110  to be temporarily deflected to a more vertical orientation for the demating cycle, some embodiments of docking station  100  may have a flexible structure coupled to connector plug  105  and housing  120 , enabling connector plug  105  to be forcibly deflected in a direction away from the support brace  240 . The amount and feel of the force may be adjusted to provide a smooth and intuitive feel for the user, as discussed in more detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments the flexible structure may include bottom wall  220  of housing base  130  and elastomeric insert  280 . More specifically, when a user pulls electronic device forward and upward in a demating cycle, forces which may predominantly be in the form of torque, may be imparted to plug connector  105 , bottom wall  220  and elastomeric insert  280 . As a result of the applied torque to connector  105 , bottom wall  220  and elastomeric insert  280  may temporarily deform as illustrated. In some embodiments, both bottom wall  220  and elastomeric insert  280  may be resilient such that when the user completes the demating cycle, and the forces on connector  105  are released, the bottom wall and the elastomeric insert force connector plug  105  back against support brace  240 . The position of support brace  240  may be adjusted to define angle  415  of connector plug  105 . 
     As discussed above, in some embodiments bottom wall  220  of housing base  130  may include mounting plate  215  insert molded into the bottom wall and both the bottom wall and the mounting plate may deform. In further embodiments deformation may occur only in mounting plate  215  while in other embodiments one or more portions of bottom wall  220  beyond the mounting plate may deform. In yet further embodiments elastomeric mounting pad  315  may also deform. In other embodiments, bracket  210  may be configured have an angled relief portion  420  so that during a demating cycle the bracket does not interfere with support brace  240 . 
     In further embodiments, the amount of force and the feel of the force (i.e., spongy or stiff) may be tuned by modifying bottom wall  220 , mounting plate  215  and elastomeric insert  280 . For example, the amount of force required to tilt connector  105  forward may be increased by increasing the thickness of bottom wall  220 , mounting plate  215 , and/or a wall thickness of elastomeric insert  280 . In other embodiments material properties of one or more of the aforementioned structures may be modified to change the amount and/or feel of the force. Further, the feel of the force may be made to feel spongy by using elastomeric insert  280  primarily as the resilient force. Conversely the feel of the force may be made to feel more stiff by using mounting plate  215  and bottom wall  220  primarily as the resilient force. 
     To provide elastomeric insert  280  with resilient properties, in some embodiments it may be made from a rubber, a silicone, or other elastomeric material. In further embodiments elastomeric insert  280  may be a silicone with hardness between 20 and 120 Shore A, while in other embodiments it may have a hardness between 40 and 100 Shore A. In yet further embodiments it may have a hardness between 60 and 80 Shore A. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 5  a simplified partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment employing a protective mechanism that protects electronic device  110  from damage if the device is deflected reward too far is illustrated. This is the same cross-section that was shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , except in this figure electronic device  110  has been significantly deflected rearward and some of the protective features of docking station  100  are employed to protect the electronic device from damage. 
     As discussed above, in some embodiments, docking station  100  supports electronic device  110  with only connector  105 . Since there is no additional support for electronic device  110 , in some embodiments connector  105  is designed to deflect at a predetermined force that is less than a force that is required to damage electronic device  110  (e.g., such as device receptacle connector  140  in  FIG. 1 ). More specifically, in some embodiments support brace  240  has deflectable arm  250  that is configured to support a predetermined maximum amount of force applied to connector plug  105  and to deflect (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) if the predetermined maximum amount of force is exceeded. In some embodiments the predetermined maximum amount of force is less than a minimum force that is required to damage portable electronic device  110  (e.g., receptacle connector  140  in  FIG. 1 ) so that the electronic device is protected from damage. 
     In some embodiments the predetermined maximum amount of force support brace  240  is configured to provide is between 800 and 1800 Newton millimeters. In further embodiments, the minimum amount of force that is required to damage portable electronic device  110  is between 1000 and 2000 Newton millimeters. 
     In further embodiments, docking station  100  may be configured to allow connector  105  to deflect in other directions (e.g., forward or sideways) so the electronic device is not damaged due to over deflection. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  connector  105  may deflect forward to relieve stress applied to receptacle connector  140  (see  FIG. 1 ). In further embodiments electronic device  110  may be over deflected forward or sideways and features of docking station  100  may be employed to relieve stress applied to receptacle connector  140  such that it is not damaged, as discussed in more detail below. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , one embodiment of bracket  210  is illustrated that may be configured to provide further protection to electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) in case it is deflected forward, rearward or sideways too far. In these figures plug connector  105  and bracket  210  are illustrated in an exploded view in greater detail along with their protective features. Myriad protective features may be employed to allow docking station  100  (see  FIG. 1 ) to fail (e.g., catastrophically deform or break) at a lower force than would be required to damage electronic device  110 , thus protecting the electronic device from damage while secured to the docking station. 
     In some embodiments, bracket  210  may comprise a top bracket  605  and a bottom bracket  610 . Top bracket  605  may have a pair of mounting flanges  615   a ,  615   b  connected by a u-shaped cup  620 . U-shaped cup may have a substantially flat attachment face  625  that may have one or more rigidizing formations  630  on it. Bottom bracket  610 , may have a pair of mounting flanges  635   a ,  635   b  connected by a support structure  640 . Support structure  640  may have a substantially flat attachment face  645 . Plug connector  105  may have a pair of attachment bosses  650   a ,  650   b  (only  650   a  is illustrated in  FIG. 6 ) disposed on either side of first end  205  of the plug connector. A flexible circuit board  230  or other electronic interconnect cable may extend from first end  205  of plug connector  105 . A second end  655  of plug connector  105  is configured to mate with electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , top bracket  605  and a bottom bracket  610  are illustrated in the assembled condition. Top bracket  605  and bottom bracket  610  may be disposed against connector  105  such that mounting flanges  615   a ,  615   b ,  635   a ,  635   b  are aligned on top of one another. 
     Further, attachment face  625  of top bracket  605  may be secured to attachment boss  650   a  (see  FIG. 6 ) with myriad methods including, but not limited to laser welding, spot welding, soldering, brazing, adhesive, stamping, swaging or other techniques. Attachment face  645  of bottom bracket  610  may be attached to attachment boss  650   b  with similar methods. Bracket  210  may then be secured to mounting plate  215  (see  FIG. 2 ) with fasteners or another method. 
     In other embodiments, top bracket  605  and bottom bracket  610  may be configured to resist torsion of electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ). That is, because electronic device  110  is only supported by connector  105 , bracket  210  may be configured to rigidly support the electronic device such that it resists twisting and/or torsion. In one embodiment bracket  210  is configured to have a substantially square cross-section to resist such torsion and twisting forces. 
     Myriad protective features may be employed to enable bracket  210  to fail before electronic device  110 . In one embodiment the quantity and configuration of laser welds on attachment faces  625 ,  645  may be designed to break before electronic device  110 . More specifically, the number of laser welds may be limited such that attachment faces  625 ,  645  break away from attachment bosses  650   a ,  650   b  before electronic device  110  is damaged. In one embodiment a staggered row of laser welds may be used. In other embodiments laser welds may be located proximate each other so the heat affected zones from each weld create a weakened area of attachment faces  625 ,  645  so they fail before electronic device  110 . In one embodiment a line of laser welds may be used where the welds are proximate each other. In another embodiment, mounting flanges  615   a ,  615   b ,  635   a ,  635   b , u-shaped cup  620 , or support structure  640  may be designed to bend, distort, break, yield or fail in some other way before electronic device is damaged. In one embodiment fasteners that are used to secure mounting flanges  615   a ,  615   b ,  635   a ,  635   b  to mounting plate  215  (see  FIG. 2 ) are designed to break or to pull out of the mounting plate before electronic device  110  is damaged. Other techniques may also be used to enable docking station  100  to fail before electronic device  110 . 
     In some embodiments top bracket  605  and bottom bracket  610  may be manufactured from stainless steel while in other embodiments other metals or metal alloys may be used. In some embodiments the material may be selected to enable it to fail before damage to electronic device occurs. In further embodiments bracket  210  may be plated with one or more layers of metal including, but not limited to, nickel, gold, tin, palladium and silver. 
     In some embodiments plug connector  105  may be an eight contact axisymmetric dual orientation plug connector. One embodiment may employ a connector as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,745 which is incorporated herein in in its entirety for all purposes. Connector  105  may have a tab  710  that may include a first mating surface  715  and in some embodiments may include a second mating surface (not shown). A plurality of electrical contacts  720 ( 1 ) . . .  720 ( 8 ) may be disposed at the mating surfaces. In some embodiments, electrical contacts  720 ( 1 ) . . .  720 ( 8 ) may be disposed on only one mating surface, particularly in embodiments employed in docking stations as the electronic device is always mated in the same orientation. Other embodiments may employ different plugs such as a 30-pin connector or USB type connector. In further embodiments connector plug may have one or more detents  725 , that facilitate retention of receptacle connector  140  (see  FIG. 1 ) within electronic device  110 . In further embodiments the shape of detents  725  may be modified to enable easier undocking, such as making the depth of the detents less and/or making the slope within the detents more shallow. 
     Although electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) is described and illustrated as one particular electronic device, embodiments of the invention are suitable for use with a multiplicity of electronic devices that are matable with a docking station. For example, any device that receives or transmits audio, video or data signals may be used with the invention. In some instances, embodiments of the invention are particularly well suited for use with portable electronic media devices because of their potentially small form factor and their use with docking stations. As used herein, an electronic media device includes any device with at least one electronic component that may be used to present human-perceivable media. Such devices may include, for example, portable music players (e.g., MP3 devices and Apple&#39;s iPod devices), portable video players (e.g., portable DVD players), cellular telephones (e.g., smart telephones such as Apple&#39;s iPhone devices), video cameras, digital still cameras, projection systems (e.g., holographic projection systems), gaming systems, PDAs, as well as tablet (e.g., Apple&#39;s iPad devices), laptop or other mobile computers. Some of these devices may be configured to provide audio, video or other data or sensory output. 
     For simplicity, various internal components, such as the control circuitry, graphics circuitry, bus, memory, storage device and other components of electronic device  110  (see  FIG. 1 ) and docking station  100  are not shown in the figures. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150316
Publication Date: 20161011
Grant Date: 20161011
Priority Date: 20140908
Inventors: ARDISANA, II JOHN B.
SHAH DHAVAL N.
DABOV TEODOR
KASAR DARSHAN R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6315", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F1/36", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F7/123", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0204", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16M11/10", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1632", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6315", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F1/36", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0204", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "F16F7/123", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55437157