Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Universally or pivotally adjustable supporting elements
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-01
2001-09-18
Easthom, Karl D. (Department: 2834)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Universally or pivotally adjustable supporting elements
C439S929000, C439S164000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290534
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to personal electronic devices and, more particularly, to stands for holding and supporting personal electronic devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As personal electronic devices such as portable telephones and portable electronic organizers have become smaller, less expensive, more powerful and more versatile, users have begun to rely on such devices to greater degrees. Typically, the user of a personal electronic device desires to maintain the ability to use his or her personal electronic device both at his/her desk or other workstation and when mobile.
In order to facilitate convenient and effective use of personal electronic devices such as personal electronic organizers, holder stands for one, or more devices have been developed which incorporate battery charging ports, but which do not allow for angular adjustment of the electronic device. Also, stands for devices have been developed which allow adjustment of the angle of an electronic device. In order to aid in carrying personal electronic devices, holders have been provided which will hold a personal electronic device upright on a support surface such as a desk and also clip to a user's clothing.
While the foregoing stands and holders facilitate transport and use of personal electronic devices, they still fail to provide as wide a range of convenience, versatility and usability as may be desired by a user of a personal electronic device who wishes to use his or her personal electronic device in both a stationary manner and when traveling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an assembly for supporting and holding a personal electronic device. The assembly provides enhanced convenience, effectiveness and versatility in using, transporting and protecting the personal electronic device. The assembly includes a base and a holder adapted to hold the device. The holder is removably connected to the base such that the holder may be selectively removed from and replaced on the base. Also, the holder is adjustably connected to the base such that the holder may be repositioned relative to the base. The device may thereby be reoriented relative to the base and, thus, a support surface, when mounted in the holder. The assembly allows a user to both mount the device on the base and remove the device from the base for portability while retaining the device in the holder for protection and ease of carrying. Additionally, the assembly allows the user to adjust the orientation of the device to provide improved viewability and/or glare reduction, for example.
Preferably, the holder is rotatable with respect to the base. Preferably, the holder includes a clip adapted to secure the holder to a user. The base may include an electrical power connector. Additionally, the base may include a battery charger slot. The assembly may include an electrical connector adapted to engage an electrical connector of the device. A peripheral device connector may be electrically connected to the electrical connector. A printed circuit board may be mounted in the base. Preferably, the base is formed of a polymeric material. Preferably, the holder is rotatable relative to the base through a range of at least about 50 degrees.
The assembly may include a hinge member rotatably connecting the holder to the base. According to a preferred embodiment, the hinge member includes a hinge block rotatably connected to the base and releaseably connected to the holder. An electrical connector may be mounted on the hinge block. A slot may be formed in the holder for receiving the electrical connector. Preferably, the assembly includes a latch for selectively and releaseably securing the holder to the hinge block. The latch may be integrally formed with the hinae block. Means may be provided for selectively adjusting and retaining an angle between the holder and the base. The adjusting and retaining means may include a plurality of detents on the hinge block, the detents adapted to engage the base.
According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the hinge member includes at least one tab secured to and depending from the holder. The tab is receivable in the base. The assembly may include a hinge projection extending from the tab and a latch member. The latch member selectively engages the hinge projection to restrict removal of the tab from the base. Preferably, the assembly includes means for selectively adjusting and retaining an angle between the holder and the base. The adjusting and retaining means may include a plurality of detents on the tab, wherein the detents are adapted to engage the base. The assembly may include a latch mechanism operable to selectively restrict removal of the tab from the base. Preferably, a slot is formed in the holder and an electrical contact extends from the base and through the slot when the holder is mounted on the base. More preferably, the electrical contact includes a contact loop having a loop axis and the holder has a rotational axis collinear with the loop axis.
The present invention is further directed to a method for handling a personal electronic device. According to the method, the device is mounted in a holder. The device and the holder are mounted on a base. The holder is repositioned relative to the base to position the device as desired while the holder is mounted on the base. The method further includes the step of removing the device and the holder from the base.
The method may further include, following the step of removing the device and the holder, the step of remounting the device and the holder on the base. Following the step of removing the device and the holder, the holder may be mounted on a user by means of a clip forming a part of the holder.
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International Search Report, PCT/US00/03846, Jun. 20, 2000.
Easthom Karl D.
Ericsson Inc.
Lee Kyung S.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
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