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US 9,004,434 B2Granted
Cradle for supporting a portable device
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsYun-Cheol Kang, Won-Tae Kim, Chung-Keun Yoo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cradle includes a cradle body having a push button and a pair of holding arms facing each other in a compressed state by first elastic members in the cradle body, receding from each other while the push button is being pressed, and advancing toward each other while applying pressure to the holding arms to hold a portable body mounted on the cradle body. A driver is disposed in the cradle body and in interaction with the pair of holding arms.
Claims14
A cradle comprising:
- a cradle body having a push button;
- a pair of holding arms facing each other in a compressed state by first elastic members disposed in the cradle body, the pair of holding arms for moving away from each other while the push button is being pressed and for moving toward each other while applying pressure to the holding arms to accommodate a portable body mounted on the cradle body;
- and
- a driver disposed in the cradle body in interaction with the pair of holding arms for moving the holding arms, the driver comprising a latch disposed in interaction with the push button, for driving the driver by allowing the driver to rotate while the push button is being pressed or stopping the driver when the push button returns to an original position and a latch connector supported by a second elastic member, the latch connector for interacting with the push button when the push button is pressed, wherein upon pressing of the push button, the latch connector is moved and rotates the latch,
- wherein each of the holding arms comprises:
- a vertical portion protruding from the cradle body, for holding a portable terminal mounted on the cradle body;
- and
- a horizontal portion extended horizontally from the vertical portion, for retracting into and extending from the cradle body in interaction with the driver,
- wherein the cradle body further comprises a guide unit disposed inside of the cradle body, wherein the pair of holding arms are connected to the driver in the compressed state in the guide unit by an interaction unit,
- wherein the interaction unit comprises:
- first and second force transfer shafts provided at the horizontal portions;
- and
- first and second guide openings formed in the guide unit, for allowing the first and second force transfer shafts to be inserted thereinto, and
- wherein the driver further comprises a force transferer including:
- a plurality of disc-type gears connected to the interaction unit, for operating or not operating the driver depending on whether the force transferer is connected to the latch;
- third and fourth guide openings for allowing the first and second force transfer shafts to be inserted thereinto;
- a disc gear disposed facing the guide unit;
- at least one 2-stage connection gear engaged with the disc gear;
- and
- a stop gear disposed in interaction with the latch, for operating or not operating depending on whether the stop gear is engaged with or removed from the latch.
17 more elements
A cradle for a vehicle, the cradle comprising:
- a cradle body;
- a pair of holding arms provided in the cradle body, in a compressed state by first elastic members;
- a push button exposed in the cradle body;
- a latch connector disposed inside of the cradle body and supported by a second elastic member, the latch connector moving upon pressing of the push button;
- at least one gear connected to the push button and the holding arms, the at least one gear operating while the push button is being pressed;
- a rotating latch disposed inside the cradle body and supported by a third elastic member, the latch comprising one end brought into close contact with the latch connector and another end engaged with one of the at least one gear, for being removed from teeth of the at least one gear by rotation by the latch connector, while the push button is being pressed;
- and
- an interaction unit for converting a compressed force of the holding arms to a force that moves the holding arms, when a force transfer state is released by the latch upon pressing of the push button, the interaction unit including:
- first and second force transfer shafts provided at the holding arms;
- first and second guide openings linearly extended and engaged with the first and second force transfer shafts;
- and
- third and fourth guide openings radially extended in the at least one gear and engaged with the first and second force transfer shafts.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.