GB2425231A

GB2425231A - Holding dock for portable electronic devices

Info

Publication number: GB2425231A
Application number: GB0507479A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shih-Hsiung Weng; Khoon-Guan Tee; Yen-Tiong Tan
Original assignee: Inventec Multimedia and Telecom Corp
Current assignee: Inventec Multimedia and Telecom Corp
Priority date: 2005-04-13
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2006-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-04-13
Also published as: GB2425231B; GB0507479D0

Abstract

A holding dock 1 for portable electronic devices has a seat 11 to hold a portable electronic device 3. It includes a body 7 braced by the seat 11, a depressible portion or element 3 jutting out of the surface of the body, being mounted under a biasing means to be movable towards the interior of the body 7 when subject to a compression force. The depressible portion or element is normally extended outwards from the body 7 by the biasing means providing an elastic force when compression force is absent. The portion or element 9 has a pair of transmission mechanisms 15, engaged with two sides to be driven and rotated by compression, and a pair of arms 17 which have an arched gear rack 17a on one end and the other end coupling with a speaker 5a and 5b. The arched gear rack has one end engaging with the transmission mechanisms. Hence by turning the transmission mechanisms, the speakers are driven and moved between a stowed and deployed position, and vice versa.

Description

HOLDING DOCK FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC

DEVICES

This invention relates to a holding dock for portable electronic devices, and in particular to a holding dock that has a speaker function and can automatically unfold or deploy speakers for portable electronic devices.

General portable electronic devices now on the market, such as MP3 players, personal CD players, multimedia video (MMV) players, or personal digital assistants (PDA) are easy to carry, hence are very popular. However, some sophisticated users not only want such portable electronic devices to be carried easily so that they can be used on the move with earphones, but also want to be equipped with additional functions such as a stationary like desktop device, or additional functions during charging on a charge cradle. Some users want an electronic device holding dock including speakers so that the electronic device can be coupled with the holding dock to function as a small stereo system while the electronic device is resting on the holding dock for charging. Moreover, the portable electronic devices generally are made slim and light to facilitate carrying. Such a design can only meet the requirements of some targeted customers. For many other users who also want to listen to music at home, these products caimot fully meet this requirement. To address this issue, holding docks have been developed to expand the utilization of portable electronic devices. Commonly seen holding docks for such portable electronic devices at present include speakers to form a small stereo system, to fulfil the needs of more users.

Conventional holding docks with built-in speakers mostly are fixedly designed with the speakers unfolded. Such a structure takes more space and is difficult to carry. Utilization of the holding docks is limited.

In view of the aforesaid problems, a primary object of the invention is to provide a holding dock with built-in speakers, which is easy to carry and may form a compact size when not holding an electronic device and can provide a stereo function when holding the electronic device, to offer more benefits to users.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holding dock with builtin speakers in which the speakers are folded and coupled with the holding dock in an integrated manner, when not holding the electronic device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a holding dock with built-in speakers in which the speakers are unfolded or deployed automatically, when holding the electronic device.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a holding dock with built-in speakers that includes a mechanism which provides a compression force to automatically unfold or deploy the speakers when the electronic device rests on the holding dock, and the speakers are returned and folded on the holding dock by a released elastic force, to become integrated with the holding dock again when the electronic device is removed from the holding dock. Namely, through the mechanism, the speakers can be automatically folded or unfolded on the holding dock.

According to the invention there is provided a holding dock for portable electronic devices having a seat to hold a portable electronic device, comprising: a body which has a depressible portion extended from the surface thereof by elastic or resilient biasing means, the depressible portion being movable towards the interior of the body when receiving a compression force and the biasing means urging the depressible portion outwards from the body when the compression force is absent; a pair of transmission mechanisms which are engaged respectively with two sides of the depressible portion and are driven to rotate by movement of the depressible portion; and a pair of arms which have respectively an arched gear rack on one end and another end coupled with a speaker, the arched gear rack having one end engaging with the transmission mechanisms so that the speaker is moved when the transmission mechanisms rotate.

Thus the holding dock for portable electronic devices may have a seat to hold a portable electronic device. It includes a body which may be braced by the seat, a depressible portion which has an elastic force, is jutting out of the surface of the body, and is movable by a compression force towards the interior of the body. Further, it is extended outwards from the body by elastic force when the compression force is absent. A pair of transmission mechanisms engages with two sides of the depressible portion to be driven by the depressible portion and rotated, and a pair of arms which have an arched gear rack on one end and the other end coupling with a speaker. The arched gear rack has one end engaging with the transmission mechanisms. Hence rotation of the transmission mechanisms can drive the speaker.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a holding dock for portable electronic devices having a seat to hold a portable electronic device, comprising: a body which is braced by the seat and has a depressible portion extended from the surface thereof that has an elastic force, the depressible portion being moved towards the interior of the body when receiving a compression force and the elastic force pushing the depressible portion outwards from the body when the compression force is absent; a pair of first transmission mechanisms which are engaged respectively with two sides of the depressible portion and are driven to rotate by movement of the depressible portion; a pair of second transmission mechanisms which are engaged with the first transmission mechanisms and to be driven and rotated therewith; and a pair of arms which have respectively an arched gear rack on one end and another end coupled with a speaker, the arched gear rack having one end engaging with the second transmission mechanisms so that the speaker is moved when the second transmission mechanisms rotate.

Thus, the holding dock for portable electronic devices may have a seat to hold an electronic device. It includes a body braced by the seat, a depressible portion which has an elastic or resilient force and juts out of the surface of the body, and is movable by a compression force towards the interior of the body. Further, the holding dock is extended outwards from the body by the elastic force when the compression force is absent. A pair of first transmission mechanisms may engage with two sides of the depressible portion to be driven by the depressible portion and rotate. A pair of second transmission mechanisms is engaged with the first transmission mechanisms to be driven and rotate, and a pair of arms which have an arched gear rack on one end and the other end coupling with a speaker. The arched gear rack has one end engaging with the second transmission mechanisms. Hence rotation of the second transmission mechanisms can drive the speaker.

In yet another aspect, the aforesaid mechanisms may be gears. The depressible portion may be coupled with an elastic or resilient element to provide the elastic force.

According to a yet further aspect, the invention provides a holding dock for a portable electronic device, comprising a body, a seat adapted removably to receive a portable electronic device, a speaker movably mounted on the body for reciprocation between a stowed position and a deployed position, a mechanism operatively connected with the speaker to reciprocate it between the said stowed and deployed positions, and an element of the body which is normally biased out of the body and is retractable thereinto whereby to operate the mechanism when a portable device is seated in the seat.

It will be understood that as used herein, the term "depressible" includes within its scope a portion which is reciprocably mounted for movement into and out of the body.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A and lB are perspective views of the invention before and after holding a portable electronic device; FIGS. 2A and 3A are schematic, perspective and side views of the internal mechanisms of the invention before holding a portable electronic device; and FIGS. 2B and 3B are schematic and side views of the internal mechanisms of the invention after holding a portable electronic device.

Referring to FIG. lB for a perspective view of an embodiment of the holding dock for portable electronic devices of the invention, the holding dock 1 includes a speaker unfolding or deploying mechanism to hold a portable electronic device 3, such as an MP3 player, PDA, personal CD player, or the like. When the portable electronic device is mounted onto the holding dock 1, speakers 5a and 5b are automatically unfolded on two sides to enable users to hear music through the speakers. Hence users can enjoy the music not merely through the earphone of the portable electronic device. As a result, the function of the portable electronic device is expanded and more convenient. When the portable electronic device is removed from the holding dock, the mechanism automatically folds the speakers to reduce the size of the holding dock and facilitate carrying of the holding dock.

Moreover, the holding dock 1 may be designed according to varying sizes of different portable electronic devices to meet different requirements.

Details of the automatically folding speakers and unfolding mechanism are elaborated as follows: FIGS. 1A and lB show an embodiment before and after holding a portable electronic device. As shown in FIG. 1A, the holding dock 1 for portable electronic devices embodying the invention includes a body 7, a depressible portion 9 or element jutting out of the surface of the body and having an elastic or resilient force that is movable under a compression force to automatically drive the first speaker 5a and the second speaker 5b from a folding or stowed condition to a unfolding, unstowed or deployed condition. This situation occurs when the portable electronic device 3 is mounted onto the holding dock 1. Further, the holding dock includes a seat 11 which has a resting surface 13 for holding the electronic device 3 and bracing the body 7, and a pair of transmission mechanisms 15 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

Each of the transmission mechanisms 15 has one end engaged with one side of the depressible portion 9, and another end coupled with the speakers 5 which are driven by pressing the depressible portion 9. In FIG. 1A, the first speaker 5a and the second speaker Sb are in a folding condition. The first speaker Sa, body 7 and second speaker Sb may be designed in such a manner that they are coupled to form one neat body after folding.

FIG. lB shows that the speakers 5 are fully unfolded, unstowed or deployed on the holding dock 1, and the portable electronic device 3 is resting on the holding dock 1. Through connection of circuits, the speaker coupled on the holding dock 1 can produce sound. The mechanism thus designed not only enables the holding dock to provide the speaker function as a conventional holding dock does; by mounting or removing the portable electronic device, the speaker can also be automatically unfolded or folded. Hence it is very convenient for users.

More details of the mechanism of the invention are discussed below. The X, Y and Z directions and clockwise and counterclockwise directions mentioned in the description are based on the front view shown in FIG. IA.

FIGS. 2A and 3A show the internal mechanism of the embodiment before holding a portable electronic device, and FIGS. 2B and 3B after holding a portable electronic device.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the mechanism includes a depressible portion 9 and a first pair of transmission mechanisms I 5a engaging respectively with two sides of an extension 9a of the depressible portion 9. A second pair of transmission mechanisms 1 5b may be included to engage with the first pair of transmission mechanisms I 5a. A pair of arms 17 are provided, which have an arched gear rack 17a on one end, to engage with the second pair of transmission mechanisms 1 5b.

The depressible portion 9 has a retaining plate 19 on the surface, which is coupled with an elastic or resilient element 21 to move the depressible portion 9 backward and forward i.e. reciprocably into and out of the body. The extension 9a of the depressible portion 9 has gear racks 21 on two sides to engage with the first transmission mechanisms 15a located on two sides. In addition, the extension 9a has a first aperture 23 and a second aperture 25 to receive a stopper or detent 27 to anchor the depressible portion 9 when the speakers are positioned in folding or stowed condition and unfolding or deployed condition. When the depressible portion 9 receives a compression force on an inclined nose portion, it is moved inwards until the stopper 27 is inserted into the second aperture 25. In such a condition, the depressible portion 9 is retracted inside the body 7. When the compression force on the depressible portion 9 is absent, it is moved outwards by the elastic or resilient force until the stopper 27 is inserted into the first aperture 23, and the depressible portion 9 is extended outside the body 7.

Namely, the depressible portion 9 may be moved between the two apertures by means of the elastic force and the compression force.

The first transmission mechanisms 1 5a are engaged with the gear racks 21 of the extension 9a and the second transmission mechanisms 15b.

As previously discussed, when the depressible portion 9 engaged with the first transmission mechanisms 15a is moved backward and forward in the X direction, the first transmission mechanism 15a, which is engaged on two sides, rotates respectively clockwise and counterclockwise about the Zaxis. For instance, when the depressible portion 9 is moved in the positive X direction, the first transmission mechanism 15a, located in the negative Y direction, rotates clockwise about the Z- axis, while the other first transmission mechanism 15a located in the positive Y direction rotates counterclockwise about the Z-axis. By contrast, when the depressible portion 9 is moved in the negative X direction, the first transmission mechanism 15a located in the negative Y direction rotates counterclockwise about the Z-axis, while the other first transmission mechanism 1 5a located in the positive Y direction rotates clockwise about the Z- axis. Moreover, if the first transmission mechanism 1 5a engaged with the second transmission mechanism l5b turns clockwise, the second transmission mechanism 1 5b rotates counterclockwise about the Z-axis. Similarly, if the first transmission mechanism 15a, engaged with the second transmission mechanism 15b, turns counterclockwise, the second transmission mechanism 1 5b rotates clockwise about the Z- axis.

The arched gear rack 1 7a on one end of the arms 17 is engaged with the second transmission mechanism 1 5b. The arms have the other end coupled with the speakers 5.

Hence when the arms 17 rotate, the speakers 5 also are driven to rotate.

In short, when the depressible portion 9 is moved towards the negative X direction, the first transmission mechanism 1 5a in the negative Y direction rotates counterclockwise about the Z axis, while the other first transmission mechanism I 5a in the positive Y direction rotates clockwise about the Z- axis. Hence the second transmission mechanisms 15b, engaged respectively with the first transmission mechanisms 1 5a in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction, rotate respectively clockwise and counterclockwise about the Z- axis.

The mechanisms drive the arms 17, which are engaged respectively with the second transmission mechanisms 1 5b in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction, to rotate respectively about the Z-axis counterclockwise and clockwise. To be anchored, the speakers 5 are driven in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction from the folding condition to the unfolding condition, until the depressible portion 9 moves to the second aperture 25.

Refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B for the internal mechanism in an operating condition with the portable electronic device moved away from the holding dock.

When the portable electronic device is moved away from the holding dock, the external force on the depressible portion 9 against the elastic force is absent. Hence, to be anchored there, the force of the elastic element pushes the depressible portion 9 towards the positive X direction until reaching the first aperture 23.

During the operations mentioned above, the depressible portion 9 is moved towards the positive X direction. Hence the depressible portion 9 drives the first transmission mechanisms 1 5a that engage with two sides of the depressible portion 9 in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction, to rotate respectively clockwise and counterclockwise about the Z- axis.

The depressible portion 9 also drives the second transmission mechanisms 15b that engage with the first transmission mechanisms 15a in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction to rotate respectively counterclockwise and clockwise about the Z- axis. Further, the arms 17 that engage with the second transmission mechanisms 1 Sb, are driven in the negative Y direction and positive Y direction to rotate respectively clockwise and counterclockwise about the Z- axis. Hence, the speakers 5 coupled with the arms 17 are moved from the unfolding condition to the folding condition.

The arms 17 rotate 90 degrees when move from the folding condition to the unfolding condition.

The transmission mechanisms may be gears.

The elastic or resilient element may be a spring.

Moreover, in the embodiments set forth above, the speakers 5 are moved by pressing the depressible portion 9, to drive two engaged transmission mechanisms 15. They only serve an illustrative purpose, and are not the limitation of the number of transmission mechanisms. In practice, the number of transmission mechanisms, engaging with the depressible portion, may be any number desired.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A holding dock for portable electronic devices having a seat to hold a portable electronic device, comprising: a body which has a depressible portion extended from the surface thereof by elastic or resilient biasing means, the depressible portion being movable towards the interior of the body when receiving a compression force and the biasing means urging the depressible portion outwards from the body when the compression force is absent; a pair of transmission mechanisms which are engaged respectively with two sides of the depressible portion and are driven to rotate by movement of the depressible portion; and a pair of arms which have respectively an arched gear rack on one end and another end coupled with a speaker, the arched gear rack having one end engaging with the transmission mechanisms so that the speaker is moved when the transmission mechanisms rotate.

2. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to claim 1, wherein the depressible portion has a retaining plate which is coupled with an elastic element to provide a biasing force for the depressible portion.

3. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the depressible portion has a first aperture and a second aperture adapted to be coupled respectively with a stop or detent to anchor the speaker in a folded or stowed position and an unfolded or deployed position.

4. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any preceding claim, wherein the depressible portion has an extension which has two sides, and each has a gear rack adapted to engage with the transmission mechanisms.

5. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any preceding claim, wherein each transmission mechanism comprises a gear.

6. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any preceding claim, wherein the transmission mechanisms and the arms rotate coaxially.

7. A holding dock for portable electronic devices, the body being braced by the seat.

8. A holding dock for portable electronic devices having a seat to hold a portable electronic device, comprising: a body which is braced by the seat and has a depressible portion extended from the surface thereof that has an elastic force, the depressible portion being moved towards the interior of the body when receiving a compression force and the elastic force pushing the depressible portion outwards from the body when the compression force is absent; a pair of first transmission mechanisms which are engaged respectively with two sides of the depressible portion and are driven to rotate by movement of the depressible portion; a pair of second transmission mechanisms which are engaged with the first transmission mechanisms and to be driven and rotated therewith; and a pair of arms which have respectively an arched gear rack on one end and another end coupled with a speaker, the arched gear rack having one end engaging with the second transmission mechanisms so that the speaker is moved when the second transmission mechanisms rotate.

9. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to claim 8, wherein the depressible portion has a retaining plate which is coupled with an elastic or resilient element to provide the elastic force of the depressible portion.

10. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the depressible portion has a first aperture and a second aperture adapted to be coupled respectively with a stop or detent to anchor the speaker in a folded or stowed position and a unfolded or deployed position.

11. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the depressible portion has an extension which has two sides and each has a gear rack to engage with the first transmission mechanisms.

12. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any of claims 8 to 11, wherein the first transmission mechanism comprises a gear.

13. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any of claims 8 to 12, wherein the second transmission mechanism comprises a gear.

14. A holding dock for portable electronic devices according to any of claims 8 to 13, wherein the first transmission mechanisms, the second transmission mechanisms and the arms rotate coaxially.

15. A holding dock for a portable electronic device, comprising a body, a seat adapted removably to receive a portable electronic device, a speaker movably mounted on the body for reciprocation between a stowed position and a deployed position, a mechanism operatively connected with the speaker to reciprocate it between the said stowed and deployed positions, and an element of the body which is normally biased out of the body and is retractable thereinto whereby to operate the mechanism when a portable device is seated in the seat.

16. A holding dock according to claim 15, there being two speakers.

17. A holding dock according to claim 15 or claim 16, the element being biased by spring means to project from the body.

18. A holding dock according to any of claims 15 to 18, the element having an inclined surface adapted to be engaged by a portable electronic device.

19. A holding dock for a portable electronic device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.