Adaptable consumer electronic device cradle
AssigneeDok Solution LLC
InventorJack Strauser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A consumer electronic device cradle for holding and providing power to any number of consumer electronic devices has a cavity that is large enough to contain a largest anticipated consumer electronic device. The cavity has there within one or more steps and each step defines a sub cavity within the cavity. Each sub cavity within the cavity supports another smaller sized consumer electronic device. A trough is cut or formed in a side surface of the cavity for routing a cable to the consumer electronic device resting in the cavity. In some embodiments, a support wall extends from a surface of the cradle for supporting the consumer electronic device and the trough is also cut or formed through the support wall.
Claims17
A consumer electronic device cradle for supporting any one of a plurality of consumer electronic devices of differing sizes, the consumer electronic device cradle comprising:
- a base;
- a cavity in the base, the cavity having a first set of dimensions that accepts an end portion of a largest consumer electronic device of the plurality of consumer electronic devices;
- a trough in a back side of the base, the trough adapted to route a cable connected to the one of the plurality consumer electronic devices;
- and
- whereas the cavity includes at least one step, each of the at least one step defines a sub cavity having a smaller set of dimensions than the first set of dimensions, whereas each sub cavity is sized to hold a different one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices.
A method of supporting one of a plurality of consumer electronic devices, each of the consumer electronic devices having a different size, the method comprising:
- connecting a first consumer electronic device to a first end of the cable, the first consumer electronic device being a largest consumer electronic device of the plurality of consumer electronic devices;
- connecting a second end of the cable connected to a source of power;
- inserting a first end of the first consumer electronic device into a cavity in a base of a cradle, the cavity sized to accept an end portion of the first consumer electronic device and the cavity having at least one step within the cavity, each of the at least one step forming decreasing sized sub cavities towards a bottom of the cavity, whereas the first consumer electronic device rests on a first step of the at least one step;
- passing the cable through a trough in a side of the cavity;
- removing the first consumer electronic device from the cavity;
- connecting a second consumer electronic device of the plurality of consumer electronic devices to the first end of the cable, the second consumer electronic device being smaller than the first consumer electronic device;
- and
- inserting a first end of the second consumer electronic device into the cavity, the first end of the second consumer electronic device resting within a first sub cavity of the cavities formed by a first step of the at least one step.
A consumer electronic device cradle for supporting any one of a plurality of consumer electronic devices of differing sizes, the consumer electronic device cradle comprising:
- a base;
- a cavity in the base, the cavity for accepting an end portion of a consumer electronic device of the plurality of consumer electronic devices;
- means for routing a data cable that is connected to the end portion of the consumer electronic devices;
- and
- means for supporting any one the plurality of consumer electronic devices within the base, the means for supporting the any one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices including at least one step that forms sub cavities of decreasing size towards a bottom of the cavity, whereas each sub cavity is of a size to hold a different one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.