# US 10,120,414 B2 · Docking station with integral device support structure > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,120,414 B2 - Document ID: US10120414B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/221,452 - Filed: 2016-07-27 - Published: 2016-12-15 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-08 - Assignees: Apple Inc. - Applicants: Apple Inc. - Inventors: John B. Ardisana, II; Dhaval N. Shah; Teodor Dabov; Darshan R. Kasar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10120414B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - H01R 13/6315: {allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection (for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence)} - H01R 13/74: Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel - H04M 1/04: Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers - H05K 5/0204: {Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings} - F16F 1/36: made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, {e.g. thermoplastic elastomers (spring units consisting of several springs F16F3/08)} - F16F 7/123: {Deformation involving a bending action, e.g. strap moving through multiple rollers, folding of members (F16F7/125, F16F7/128 take precedence)} - F16M 11/10: around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - H04M 1/0274: {for an electrical connector module} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS ## 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's deflected too far while mated to the docking station. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising: a housing having an exterior surface; and a connector plug extending through the exterior surface and configured to provide the only mechanical support for the electronic device when the electronic device is in a docked position and the connector plug is mated with a receptacle connector associated with the electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1 wherein the connector plug extends at an acute angle beyond the exterior surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The docking station of claim 2 wherein the connector plug is configured rotate under an applied force such that the acute angle is decreased. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The docking station of claim 2 wherein the connector plug is secured to a mounting panel disposed within the housing and the mounting panel is configured to deflect and allow the connector plug to rotate under an applied force such that the acute angle is decreased. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The docking station of claim 4 wherein the mounting panel includes an insert molded plate that is coupled to the connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The docking station of claim 2 wherein the acute angle is between 69 and 89 degrees before the electronic device is mated with the connector plug. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The docking station of claim 1 wherein a top exterior surface of the housing is flat except for the connector plug that extends through the top exterior surface and an elastomeric insert that surrounds a periphery of the connector plug where the connector plug extends through the top exterior surface. ### Claim 8 A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising: a housing having a cover disposed above and secured to a base; and a connector plug extending through an exterior surface of the cover and configured to provide exclusive support for the electronic device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The docking station of claim 8 wherein the connector plug extends at an acute angle beyond the exterior surface of the cover. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The docking station of claim 9 wherein the connector plug is configured rotate under an applied force such that the acute angle is decreased. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The docking station of claim 9 wherein the connector plug is secured to an insert molded panel that forms a portion of the base and the panel is configured to deflect and allow the connector plug to rotate under an applied force such that the acute angle is decreased. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The docking station of claim 9 wherein the acute angle is between 69 and 89 degrees. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The docking station of claim 8 wherein a top exterior surface of the housing is flat except for the connector plug and an elastomeric insert that surrounds the connector plug where the connector plug extends through the top exterior surface. ### Claim 14 A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising: a housing having geometric extents defined by a width a length and a height wherein a top surface of the housing is a plane extending across the width and the length of the housing; and no more than one protrusion extending from the top surface wherein the protrusion includes a connector plug oriented at an acute angle relative to the top surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The docking station of claim 14 wherein the connector plug provides exclusive support for the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is docked with the docking station. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The docking station of claim 14 wherein the no more than one protrusion further includes an elastomeric insert that surrounds a periphery of the connector plug and fits within an aperture of the top surface of the housing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The docking station of claim 16 wherein the elastomeric insert deflects when the acute angle of the connector plug is changed, allowing the connector plug to move relative to the top surface of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The docking station of claim 14 wherein the connector plug is secured to a bottom wall of the housing and wherein the bottom wall is configured to flex, allowing the acute angle of the connector plug to be changed when a force is applied to the connector plug. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The docking station of claim 18 wherein the bottom wall includes an insert molded mounting plate that is coupled to the connector. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The docking station of claim 14 wherein the acute angle is between 69 and 89 degrees.