# US 9,436,221 B2 · Multiple connector electronics docking base device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,221 B2 - Document ID: US9436221B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/933,045 - Filed: 2015-11-05 - Published: 2016-05-05 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-05 - Applicants: Balaji Raghunathan - Inventors: Balaji Raghunathan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436221B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/1632: {External expansion units, e.g. docking stations} - H01R 27/00: Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts ({for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35}; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90) - H01R 31/065: {with built-in electric apparatus} - 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 ## Abstract A multiple connector electronics docking base device includes a housing structured to have a slot extending into an upper surface of the housing. A disc is rotatably coupled to the housing and partially positioned within the slot wherein a selectable portion of the disc is positionable to be exposed within the slot. Each of a plurality of base connectors is coupled to the disc. The base connectors are spaced on the disc such that a selectable one of the base connectors is positionable within the slot. A first end of a wire is coupled to the disc such that each base connector is electrically coupled to the wire. A second end of the wire is coupled to the housing such that the second end is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multiple connector electronics docking base device comprising: a housing configured for positioning on a support surface, said housing being structured to have a slot extending into an upper surface of said housing; a drum coupled to said housing, said drum being rotatable in said housing, said drum having a top face defining a disc wherein said disc rotates relative to said housing, said disc being partially positioned within said slot wherein a selectable portion of said disc is positionable to be exposed within said slot; a plurality of base connectors coupled to said disc, said base connectors being spaced on said disc such that a selectable one of said base connectors is positionable within said slot; and a wire having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said disc such that each said base connector is electrically coupled to said wire, said second end of said wire being coupled to said housing such that said second end is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising said slot having a pair of parallel straight sides and a flat bottom side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, further comprising a pair of parallel spaced slits, said base connectors passing through said slits when said disc is rotated relative to said housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, further comprising a pair of stops coupled to and extending from a peripheral edge of said drum, said stops being spaced around said drum such that said stops limit rotation of said drum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising said base connectors being radially spaced on said disc. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a circuit board positioned in said housing; a plurality of apertures extending through said disc; each of said base connectors extending through an associated one of said apertures, each of said base connectors being electrically coupled to said circuit board. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, further comprising a port coupled to said housing, said port being electrically coupled to said circuit board wherein said port is electrically coupled to each said base connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, further comprising a power indicator coupled to and exposed to be visible on said housing, said power indicator being operationally coupled to said circuit board wherein said power indicator is configured to provide visible indication of electrical power being provided to an external device coupled to one of said base connectors from an external power source coupled to said port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover, said cover being pivotally coupled to said housing in alignment with said disc, said cover being pivotable between a covering position wherein said cover covers said slot over said disc and an elevated position exposing said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device of claim 9, further comprising said cover being substantially planar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, further comprising a pair of flanges coupled to and extending from said cover, said flanges extending into said slot when said cover is in said covering position, each said flange being complementary to said slot wherein said flanges and said cover enclose said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a battery positioned in said housing, said battery being electrically coupled to each said base connector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, further comprising a rotatable drum coupled to said housing, said disc being a top face of said rotatable drum, said base connectors being radially spaced on said disc. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, further comprising a pair of parallel spaced slits, said base connectors passing through said slits when said disc is rotated relative to said housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, further comprising a pair of stops coupled to and extending from a peripheral edge of said drum, said stops being spaced around said drum such that said stops limit rotation of said drum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, further comprising: a circuit board positioned in said housing; a plurality of apertures extending through said disc; each of said base connectors extending through an associated one of said apertures, each of said base connectors being electrically coupled to said circuit board. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, further comprising a port coupled to said housing, said port being electrically coupled to said circuit board wherein said port is electrically coupled to said battery wherein said port is configured for coupling to an external power source for charging said battery. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The device of claim 16, further comprising a battery indicator coupled to and exposed to be visible on said housing, said battery indicator being operationally coupled to said circuit board wherein said battery indicator indicates a power level of said battery. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, further comprising: a cover, said cover being pivotally coupled to said housing in alignment with said disc, said cover being pivotable between a covering position wherein said cover covers said slot over said disc and an elevated position exposing said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot, said cover being substantially planar; and a pair of flanges coupled to and extending from said cover, said flanges extending into said slot when said cover is in said covering position, each said flange being complementary to said slot wherein said flanges and said cover enclose said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot. ### Claim 20 A multiple connector electronics docking base device comprising: a housing configured for positioning on a support surface, said housing being structured to have a slot extending into an upper surface of said housing, said slot having a pair of parallel straight sides and a flat bottom side, said flat bottom side being parallel to a bottom face of said housing; a drum coupled to said housing, said drum being rotatable in said housing, said drum having a top face defining a disc wherein said disc rotates relative to said housing, said disc being partially positioned within said slot wherein a selectable portion of said disc is positionable to be exposed within said slot; a plurality of apertures extending through said disc; a plurality of base connectors coupled to said disc, each of said base connectors extending through an associated one of said apertures, said base connectors being spaced on said disc such that a selectable one of said base connectors is positionable within said slot, said base connectors being radially spaced on said disc; a pair of parallel spaced slits, said base connectors passing through said slits when said disc is rotated relative to said housing; a wire having a first end and a second end, said first end being coupled to said disc such that each said base connector is electrically coupled to said wire, said second end of said wire being coupled to said housing such that said second end is configured for being electrically coupled to a power source; a circuit board positioned in said housing, each of said base connectors being electrically coupled to said circuit board; a port coupled to said housing, said port being electrically coupled to said circuit board wherein said port is electrically coupled to each said base connector; a pair of stops coupled to and extending from a peripheral edge of said drum, said stops being spaced around said drum such that said stops limit rotation of said drum; a cover, said cover being pivotally coupled to said housing in alignment with said disc, said cover being pivotable between a covering position wherein said cover covers said slot over said disc and an elevated position exposing said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot, said cover being substantially planar; a pair of flanges coupled to and extending from said cover, said flanges extending into said slot when said cover is in said covering position, each said flange being complementary to said slot wherein said flanges and said cover enclose said selectable portion of said disc exposed within said slot; and a power indicator coupled to and exposed to be visible on said housing, said power indicator being operationally coupled to said circuit board wherein said power indicator is configured to provide visible indication of electrical power being provided to an external device coupled to one of said base connectors from an external power source coupled to said port.