# US 12,003,128 B2 · Reversible charging cradle adapter systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,003,128 B2 - Document ID: US12003128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/547,896 - Filed: 2021-12-10 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-12-10 - Assignees: Zebra Technologies Corporation - Applicants: Zebra Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Mu-Kai Shen; Liao-Hsun Chen; Chao Yu Chang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003128B2 ## CPC - H02J 7/731: {specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries (H02J7/751 takes precedence)} - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract An adapter for a charging cradle includes: a perimeter wall defining a channel between first and second ends; a first device interface on an inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the first end, the first device interface configured to receive and align a first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface on the inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the second end, the second device interface configured to receive and align a second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a cradle interface on an outer surface of the perimeter wall, and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of (i) a first orientation to expose a connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector via the second end of the channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adapter for a charging cradle, the adapter comprising: a perimeter wall defining a channel extending between an open first end and an opposing open second end; a first device interface on an inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the first end of the channel, the first device interface configured to receive and align a first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface on the inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive and align a second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a cradle interface on an outer surface of the perimeter wall, and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of (i) a first orientation to expose a connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector via the second end of the channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton; and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first device interface includes a first surface profile of the inner surface matching an external profile of the first device configuration; and wherein the second device interface includes a second surface profile of the inner surface matching an external profile of the second device configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The adapter of claim 3, wherein the first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the inner surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The adapter of claim 3, wherein a portion of the perimeter wall having the first device interface thereon has a greater length than a remaining portion of the perimeter wall. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, further comprising a boundary wall extending across the channel between the first and second ends; wherein the boundary wall includes an opening to receive the connector of the charging cradle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The adapter of claim 6, wherein the first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage with an edge of the first device configuration; and wherein the second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite the first side, to engage with an edge of the second device configuration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the cradle interface includes: a first edge of the perimeter wall at the first end, configured to rest against a housing of the charging cradle in the first orientation; and a second edge of the perimeter wall at the second end, configured to rest against the housing of the charging cradle in the second orientation. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The adapter of claim 1, wherein the cradle interface includes a tab extending from the outer surface, configured to engage with a corresponding ridge of the charging cradle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The adapter of claim 9, wherein a portion of the perimeter wall bearing the tab is flexible to disengage the tab from the ridge for removal of the adapter from the charging cradle. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The adapter of claim 2, wherein the mobile device has a first length or a second length; and wherein the cradle interface is configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle at one of (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length. ### Claim 12 A system, comprising: a charging cradle including a channel with a connector disposed therein; and an adapter including: a perimeter wall defining a channel extending between an open first end and an opposing open second end; a first device interface on an inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the first end of the channel, the first device interface configured to receive and align a first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface on the inner surface of the perimeter wall in communication with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive and align a second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a cradle interface on an outer surface of the perimeter wall, and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of (i) a first orientation to expose the connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector via the second end of the channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton; and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the first device interface includes a first surface profile of the inner surface matching an external profile of the first device configuration; and wherein the second device interface includes a second surface profile of the inner surface matching an external profile of the second device configuration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the inner surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein a portion of the perimeter wall having the first device interface thereon has a greater length than a remaining portion of the perimeter wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the adapter further comprises a boundary wall extending across the channel between the first and second ends; and wherein the boundary wall includes an opening to receive the connector of the charging cradle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage with an edge of the first device configuration; and wherein the second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite the first side, to engage with an edge of the second device configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the charging cradle includes a ridge extending into the channel; and wherein the cradle interface includes a tab extending from the outer surface, configured to engage with the ridge. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the mobile device has a first length or a second length; and wherein the cradle interface is configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle at one of (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the cradle interface is configured to reversibly couple the adapter to the cradle in one of the first orientation and the second orientation.