US 10,707,632 B1Granted

Docking cradle for a computing device having multiple mounting orientations

AssigneePanasonic Avionics Corporation

InventorsYoshimi Yamamoto, Andrew Barnes, David E. Diaz

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Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a docking cradle assembly for holding a computing device as disclosed herein. The docking cradle assembly comprises a cradle housing; a cover including an opening; and a connector assembly supported by the cover and having a connector positioned within the opening, the connector being rotatable between a first position, a second position substantially perpendicular to the first position, and a subset of positions each between the first and second positions and angularly displaced from the first position, wherein the cover is mountable to a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface angularly displaced from the first mounting surface by rotating the connector to a position suitable for the selected mounting surface in which the connector is inaccessible after the cover is mounted.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A docking cradle assembly for mounting to a mounting surface and holding a computing device, the docking cradle assembly comprising:

a cradle housing including a front side and a top side, the front side having a slot for receiving the computing device;
a cover including a back side and a bottom side, and an opening, the back side being substantially parallel with the front side and adjacent to the top side, the bottom side being substantially parallel with the top side and adjacent to the front side;
and
a connector assembly supported by the cover between the cover and the cradle housing and having a connector positioned within the opening, the connector being rotatable between a plurality of positions about a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to bottom side and back side of the cover, the plurality of positions comprising a first position substantially parallel to the bottom side, a second position substantially perpendicular to the first position, and a subset of positions each between the first position and the second position and angularly displaced from the first position, the connector configured to electrically couple the docking cradle assembly to an external system when in a selected position of the plurality of positions,
wherein the cover is mountable to a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface angularly displaced from the first mounting surface by rotating the connector to a position suitable for the selected mounting surface in which the connector is inaccessible after the cover is mounted.

2 more elements

A docking cradle assembly for electrically coupling a handheld computing device to a computer management system, the docking cradle assembly comprising:

a cradle housing comprising a front side and a top side;
a cover attached to the cradle housing and comprising a back side, a bottom side, and an opening positioned at an intersection of the back side and the bottom side;
a connector assembly between the cradle housing and the cover and aligned with the opening of the cover, the connector assembly comprising a connector and at least one shaft having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to the back side and bottom side of the cover, the connector positioned within the opening and between the first end and the second end along the longitudinal axis;
one or more retaining blocks adjacent to the connector assembly, the one or more retaining blocks having:
a first elongated member adjacent to the back side of the cover and extending from the bottom side of the cover toward the top side of the cradle housing,
a second elongated member positioned between the first elongated member and the cradle housing and extending from the bottom side of the cover toward the top side of the cradle housing, the second elongated member connected to the first elongated member at a portion of the one or more retaining blocks adjacent to the bottom side of the cover,
a through hole between the first and second elongated members and extending through both the first elongated member and the second elongated member, the through hole aligned with the longitudinal axis of the at least one shaft and arranged to accept the first end or the second end of the at least one shaft between the first and second elongated members;
and
a gap between the first and second elongated members extending from the through hole to a distal end of second elongated member;
and
at least one locking mechanism extending from the first elongated member, through the gap, and engaged with the second elongated member.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/447,899Filed 20 Jun 2019
Granted: 7 Jul 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

H01R 33/94
Coupling devices specially adapted for supporting apparatus and having one part acting as a holder providing support and electrical connection…
G06F 1/1626
For portable computers: with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
G06F 1/1632
For portable computers: external expansion units, e.g. docking stations
G06F 1/266
Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof: arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under…