Systems, methods, and apparatus for docking a handheld device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9310840-B2
Application number	US-201414192577-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2014
Priority date	Feb 27, 2014
Publication date	Apr 12, 2016
Grant date	Apr 12, 2016

Abstract

A docking assembly for a handheld device comprising a handle and associated methods are disclosed herein. The docking assembly may include a base, a tube extending from the base, and a dock cup in rotatable communication with the tube. The dock cup may be configured to mate with the handle. The docking assembly also may include an electrical connection assembly configured to mate with the handle when the handle is positioned within the dock cup. Moreover, the docking assembly may include a first locking assembly configured to lock the handle in the dock cup to prevent the handle from being removed from the dock cup, and a second locking assembly configured to lock the orientation of the dock cup to prevent rotation of the dock cup.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a handheld device comprising a handle; and
a docking assembly, comprising:
a base;
a tube extending from the base;
a dock cup in rotatable communication with the tube, wherein the dock cup is configured to mate with the handle;
an electrical connection assembly configured to mate with the handle when the handle is positioned within the dock cup;
a first locking assembly configured to lock the handle in the dock cup to prevent the handle from being removed from the dock cup;
a second locking assembly configured to lock the orientation of the dock cup to prevent rotation of the dock cup;
a lip formed about an inner portion of the tube;
a dock plate attached to the dock cup; and
a dock stem attached to the dock plate, wherein the dock plate and the dock stem are positioned about the lip to form a bearing surface for the dock cup to rotate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection assembly comprises:
a fixed electrical connection disposed within the dock cup;
at least one wiping spring contact disposed on a side of the fixed electrical connection; and
a flexible printed circuit in communication with the fixed electrical connection, wherein the flexible printed circuit extends from the fixed electrical connection, into and around the dock stem, through a window in a toggle knob, and into the tube.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the flexible printed circuit comprises at least one loop about the dock stem for managing the flexible printed circuit during rotation of the dock cup by expanding and contracting the flexible printed circuit as the dock cup rotates.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one spring plunger attached to the dock plate; and
at least one notch in the tube configured to mate with the at least one spring plunger to create a tactile dent when the dock cup is rotated to at least one distinct orientation.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second locking assembly comprises:
at least one captive screw disposed in the tube, wherein the at least one captive screw comprises a locked position to prevent rotation of the dock cup and an unlocked position where the dock cup is rotatable about the tube;
at least one hole in the dock plate configured to receive the at least one captive screw when in the locked position; and
a captive screw spring configured to bias the at least one captive screw in the unlocked position.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a stop block in the tube portion; and
a tab on the dock stem configured to engage the stop block to limit rotation of the dock cup.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cinching magnet disposed against the dock plate within the dock cup;
a magnetic material disposed within the handle, wherein the magnetic material is configured to engage the cinching magnet when the handle is positioned within the dock cup to stabilize the handle in the dock cup; and
a thin material disposed between the cinching magnet and the magnetic material to facilitate disengaging the magnetic material from the cinching magnet.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more skid pads disposed within the dock cup to stabilize the handle in the dock cup.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first locking assembly comprises:
a latch pivotally attached to the dock stem and comprising a locked position and an unlocked position;
a spring pin disposed within the dock stem and in communication with the latch, wherein the spring pin is configured to bias the latch in the locked position;
a toggle knob in rotatable communication with the dock stem and comprising a cam surface in communication with the latch, wherein rotation of the toggle knob moves the latch between the locked position and the unlocked position; and
a slot in the handle configured to engage the latch in the locked position.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the first locking assembly comprises:
a ball plunger disposed in the dock stem; and
at least one notch in the toggle knob configured to mate with the at least one ball plunger to create a tactile dent between the locked position and the unlocked position.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a cover plate attached to the base;
at least one cavity formed within the base;
an undercut formed about the at least one cavity by the cover plate;
a bracket comprising at least one clip protrusion, wherein the at least one clip protrusion is configured to mate with the at least one cavity and the undercut; and
a bracket spring clip configured to cinch the base to the bracket.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one cavity and the at least one clip protrusion comprise corresponding angled walls for aligning the base and the bracket.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
at least one notch in the base;
at least one flexure beam in the bracket; and
at least one dent on the at least one flexure beam, wherein the at least one dent is configured to mate with the at least one notch.

14. The system of claim 11 , further comprising at least one set screw for fastening the base to the bracket.

15. A system, comprising:
a handheld device comprising a handle; and
a docking assembly, comprising:
a base;
a tube extending from the base;
a dock cup in rotatable communication with the tube, wherein the dock cup is configured to mate with the handle;
an electrical connection assembly configured to mate with the handle when the handle is positioned within the dock cup;
a first locking assembly configured to lock the handle in the dock cup to prevent the handle from being removed from the dock cup;
a second locking assembly configured to lock the orientation of the dock cup to prevent rotation of the dock cup; and
a tactile dent assembly configured to create a tactile dent when the dock cup is rotated to at least one distinct orientation.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a stop assembly configured to limit rotation of the dock cup.

17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a cinching assembly configured to stabilize the handle in the dock cup.

18. A system, comprising:
a handheld device comprising a handle; and
a docking assembly, comprising:
a base;
a tube extending from the base;
a dock cup in rotatable communication with the tube, wherein the dock cup is configured to mate with the handle;
an electrical connection assembly configured to mate with the handle when the handle is positioned within the dock cup;
a first locking assembly configured to lock the handle in the dock cup to prevent the handle from being removed from the dock cup;
a second locking assembly configured to lock the orientation of the dock cup to prevent rotation of the dock cup; and
a cinching assembly configured to stabilize the handle in the dock cup.

Assignees

• First Data Corp

Inventors

• Beatty John
• Speiser Leonard
• Fuhs Eric
• Lyons David
• Loew Chris
• Dewinter Scott Mckinley
• Beck Justin Michael
• Lewis Todd Elliot

Classifications

• G06F1/1632 Primary

  External expansion units, e.g. docking stations · CPC title

• H04M1/04

  Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers · CPC title

• F16M11/125

  for tilting and rolling (F16M11/14 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F16M13/00

  Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles (heads thereof F16M11/02 {; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20} ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 {; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22}); Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles {(supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025)} · CPC title

• F16M2200/024

  by positive interaction, e.g. male-female connections · CPC title