TW201706761A - Docking sleeve with electrical adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective arrangement for an electronic device includes a flexible cover having a panel and a skirt that form an interior cavity to receive an electronic device; and an adapter fixedly positioned in the flexible cover and having a male plug with connectors extending into the interior cavity of the flexible cover for mating with a female socket of the device and a contactor with contacts adjacent outwardly from the flexible cover and electrically coupled to one or more of the connectors of the plug. A docking cradle or external adapter can receive the electronic device and cover.

Description

Butt sleeve with electrical adapter [Related application cross-reference]

This patent application is a continuation of the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/195,176 filed on Jun. 28, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference. The continuation of the application, which is part of the continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/829, 378 filed on Aug. 18, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference. Continuing the application, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a cover for protecting a portable electronic device, and more particularly to a resilient cover having an electrical adapter for coupling the device to a pair of sockets.

Protective covers or "skins" are generally known for protecting portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets or other portable electronic devices. This skin is usually elastic and allows a portion of the wrapping device to be wrapped.

However, protective covers or "skins" are known to be limited in their ability to provide efficient and reliable use of such portable electronic devices.

The present invention is a cover for protecting an electronic device that overcomes the efficiency of the prior art and Reliable use of the limitations of this portable electronic device.

One aspect of the present invention is a protective arrangement for an electronic device, comprising a resilient cover having a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein an integral recess is formed between the panel and the skirt, and the skirt forms a skirt The mouth opening is in communication with the internal recess, which is arranged and arranged to receive an electronic device; a adapter is fixedly disposed in the elastic cover and has a male plug, the male plug including the interior extending into the elastic cover a connector within the pocket and configured to mate with a female socket of the device, and a contactor having one or more connectors laterally adjacent from the resilient cover and electrically coupled to the plug And a hard case disposed and arranged to be placed around at least a portion of the resilient boot and having an opening through which the contactor of the adapter extends. The hard case may also include a corner opening, and the elastic cover may include a corner portion that is disposed and arranged to protrude from the corner openings of the hard case. The hard case may include at least one button opening, and the elastic cover may include at least one soft button disposed and arranged to protrude from the at least one button opening of the hard case.

Another aspect of the present invention is a protective arrangement for an electronic device, comprising a hard case disposed and arranged to be placed around at least a portion of the electronic device and having an opening for allowing access to an input of the electronic device An output cover; a resilient cover having a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel forms an internal recess with the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening in communication with the internal recess, the internal recess The hole is arranged and arranged to receive the electronic device placed in the hard case; and a adapter is fixedly disposed in the elastic cover and includes a male plug having a recess extending into the elastic cover a connector in the cavity and configured to match the input/output socket of the device through the opening in the hard case, and a contactor having an outer side adjacent to the elastic cover and electrically coupled to the plug One or more connections The contact of the device.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a docking system comprising the protection arrangement described above, having a pair of receptacles configured to receive the protective configuration, and having contacts that are positioned to contact the contactor One of a pair of connectors that one or more contacts.

Other aspects of the invention are described in detail below.

1‧‧‧Portable electronic device

3‧‧‧Docking connector

5‧‧‧ docking station

7‧‧‧Tray

9‧‧‧Base Receiver

11‧‧‧(bias) electrical contacts

13‧‧‧Wire

15‧‧‧ cable

17‧‧‧Marketing

19‧‧‧ clip

21‧‧‧ Arm

23‧‧‧ Positive

25‧‧‧ display

27‧‧‧Female input/output socket

29‧‧‧Electrical contacts

43‧‧‧ movable arm

45‧‧‧Extended forward

47‧‧‧Lip

50‧‧‧ peripheral devices

100‧‧‧ protective cover, elastic cover

101‧‧‧Back support surface

102‧‧‧ shell

102a‧‧‧ side

102b‧‧‧ side

103‧‧‧ docking support surface

104‧‧‧Central panel

105‧‧‧ Ring

106‧‧‧Side skirt

107‧‧‧Shell

108‧‧‧Internal pocket

109‧‧‧Connector

110‧‧‧Lip

112‧‧‧ mouth opening

114‧‧‧Adapter

116‧‧‧ male plug

118‧‧‧Electrical connector

120‧‧‧Contactor

122‧‧‧Electrical contacts

124‧‧‧ outer surface

126‧‧‧Electrical conductor

128‧‧‧ body

128a‧‧‧ plug body

128b‧‧‧Contactor body

130‧‧‧guide receiver

132‧‧‧Bunker

134‧‧‧Internal window opening

136‧‧‧Lip

138‧‧‧Internal window panel

140‧‧‧ peripheral edge

141‧‧‧ pawl

142‧‧‧Waterproof joint

144‧‧‧ side

146‧‧‧ panel

148‧‧‧ second side

150‧‧‧ arrow

152‧‧‧ outer surface

156‧‧‧ Upper operating surface

157‧‧ ‧ mother nest

158‧‧‧ lower interface surface

159‧‧‧Complementary public nest appendages

160‧‧‧ perimeter wall

164‧‧‧ peripheral surface

166‧‧‧ socket receiver

168‧‧‧floor

170‧‧‧Internal perimeter transition wall

172‧‧‧ fastener clearance hole

174‧‧‧Sag or depression

176‧‧‧Common rotation control features

178‧‧‧ magnet

180‧‧‧Magnet fixing structure

182‧‧‧Contactor surface

184‧‧‧ Peripheral conversion wall

186‧‧‧Female rotation control features

188‧‧‧Magnetic permeable members

190‧‧‧ arrow

191‧‧‧ first edge

192‧‧‧ second edge

193‧‧‧ face

194‧‧‧ openings

195‧‧‧ corner part

196‧‧‧ openings

197‧‧‧Portable Messaging Terminal

198‧‧‧ soft button

199‧‧‧Label components

205‧‧‧ device surface

207‧‧‧ side surface

208‧‧‧ peripheral pockets

216‧‧‧ peripheral plug

218‧‧‧Electrical connector

500‧‧‧ Hard shell

504‧‧‧ Backplane

506‧‧‧ skirt

514‧‧‧ openings

595‧‧‧ Corner opening

598‧‧‧ button opening

600‧‧‧External adapter

602‧‧‧ Shell

615‧‧‧ cable

640‧‧‧lifting elements

642‧‧‧Tip

644‧‧‧ grasping member

750‧‧ ‧ spring

814‧‧‧Adapter

816‧‧‧ male plug

822‧‧‧Electrical contacts

828‧‧‧ Ontology

875‧‧‧Seal enclosure

878‧‧‧ Magnet

900‧‧ hood

902‧‧‧ shell

904‧‧‧Central panel

905‧‧‧ device surface

906‧‧‧Side skirt

907‧‧‧ side surface

908‧‧‧ internal pocket

909‧‧‧ surrounding pocket

910‧‧‧Lip

212‧‧‧ mouth opening

914‧‧‧Adapter

916‧‧‧ male plug

917‧‧‧ peripheral plug

922‧‧‧Electrical contacts

928‧‧‧ Ontology

929‧‧‧ Bridge

931‧‧‧ Carrier

975‧‧‧Seal enclosure

978‧‧‧ magnet

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from A fully integrally formed elastic protective cover or skin partially encased by a target portable electronic device, such as a smart phone, tablet or other portable electronic device having an interface for a pair of connectors in the prior art The third, fourth, and fifth figures are described by way of example and are not limited to a docking station useful for the protective cover of the present invention; the sixth and seventh figures are different drawings, each of which is illustrated by an example and It is not limited to the protective cover of the first figure, and the portable device has been removed for the sake of clarity; the eighth figure is a partial sectional view of the protective cover in the first figure through the electrical adapter of the present invention; The nine figures illustrate the elastic protective cover of the first figure, which partially covers the target portable electronic device; the tenth figure illustrates that the target device is accommodated in the internal recess of the elastic protective case of the present invention. When the male plug of the electrical adapter of the plurality of electrical connectors, electrical and mechanical Gasly assembled with the female input/output socket of the target electronic device, as shown in the ninth figure; the eleventh figure illustrates the elastic protection of the protective portable cover of the target portable electronic device in the first figure The protective portable electronic device is then inserted into the docking station; the twelfth embodiment illustrates the elastic protective casing of the protective cover in the first figure, wherein at least one elastic central panel of the protective casing is An integrated window panel formed by a substantially transparent elastic film for a portable electronic device having a pressure sensitive touch screen; and a thirteenth diagram illustrating the portable electronic device being housed in the first figure for protection Inside the elastic protective cover of the cover, wherein the touch screen of the target electronic device is in contact with the integrated transparent window panel of the central panel disclosed in FIG. 12, and the protected portable electronic device is continued Inserting the docking station with the touch screen facing outward; FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective cover in the first figure illustrated in FIG. 12 for use with the portable electronic device with the touch screen Within The protective cover is formed by using a transparent window panel. The figure illustrates that the male plug of the electrical adapter has been interfaced with the electrical contact of the female I/O socket of the portable electronic device; The protective cover of the first figure has been illustrated in FIG. 12 for forming the protective cover with the inner transparent window panel of the portable electronic device having a touch screen, wherein the inner window panel is The touch screen of the portable electronic device is juxtaposed, and wherein the mouth opened through the skirt side skirt is adjacent to one side of the transparent window panel and an opposite panel of the protective shell; The sixteenth figure shows that the electrical adapter of the protective cover in the first figure has been arranged to penetrate the electrical adapter, and the subsequent electrical interconnections of the plurality of electrical connectors of the male plug are aligned with A block diagram of electrical coupling between corresponding electrical contacts of the contactor; FIG. 17 is a first view of the electrical adapter of the protective cover that has been configured as a conversion electrical adapter, in the plural of the male connector A block diagram of an electrical coupling between a non-subsequent arrangement pair of electrical connectors and a corresponding electrical contact of the contactor; and an eighteenth illustration illustrating the electrical adapter of the protective cover having the conversion transfer in the first figure The head is arranged such that the working plug and the contactor are divided into two separate adapter plugs and contactor bodies located in different areas of the protective casing; FIGS. 19 and 20 are cross-sectional views of the protective cover in the first figure , wherein each of the nineteenth and twentieth figures illustrates that the individual plug of the electrical adapter and the contactor body have been interconnected within the protective casing of the protective cover, such as with an elongated cable, a wire or other electrical conductor; the twenty-first figure illustrates that the conversion adapter is configured to form a plurality of male plugs (two are shown), each of which is located in a different area of the elastic case in the first figure. Inside the side skirt; twenty-second figure In the first figure, the protective cover has a male plug of the conversion adapter separated from and separated by the contactor of the adapter, which is more clearly illustrated in the following drawings; FIG. 23 illustrates the first figure The protective cover has the contactor of the conversion adapter provided on the outer surface of the elastic central panel, and the docking seat is additionally disposed to place the docking connector at a position coupled to the contactor; The figure illustrates an embodiment of the docking station, which is provided by receiving a female nest of the protective cover in the first figure, having the conversion adapter contact provided on the outer surface of the elastic central panel, such as the twenty-fifth The figure is shown, and wherein the docking station includes the protective cover Between the docking seats, a portion of the magnetic attraction pair for fixing the protective cover in the docking seat (shown as a magnet); the twenty-fifth figure illustrates the use of the complementary nesting appendage a locator cover to form the unified protective casing of the protective cover in the first figure, wherein the appendage is disposed to sit on a female groove of the docking station embodiment illustrated in the twenty-fourth figure, and wherein the protective cover comprises Between the protective cover and the docking seat, a portion of the magnetic attraction pair (shown as a magnetic permeable ferromagnetic member in the figure) for fixing the protective cover in the docking seat; The elastic shell of the protective cover in a figure is a cross-sectional view of the docking station embodiment shown in the twenty-fourth figure, as shown in the twenty-fifth figure, wherein the complementary nest attachment of the protective cover Connected to the female nest of the docking station, wherein the magnetic attraction pair is located in each of the protective cover and the portion of the docking seat to operate the housing of the protective cover in the docking seat; Seven, twenty-eight, and twenty-ninth The figure together illustrates an alternative embodiment of the protective cover in the first figure illustrated in the twenty-fifth figure, wherein the magnetic attraction pairing component is reversed between the protective cover and the docking seat, ie wherein the magnetically permeable The member replaces the magnet in the docking seat, and the magnet replaces the magnetic permeable member in the protective cover, wherein the twenty-seventh figure illustrates that the docking seat is disposed using the magnetic permeable member, and the twenty-eighth figure illustrates the protective cover The magnet arrangement is used, and the twenty-ninth diagram is a cross-sectional view of the tray in the first embodiment shown in the twenty-first embodiment. 30th, 31st, and 32nd together illustrate an alternative implementation of the protective cover in cooperation with the docking station of the twenty-fourth figure in the first figure illustrated in the twenty-fifth figure For example, the positioning interface is provided with the protective cover in the first figure as illustrated in the twenty-eighth figure, The inverted nest attachment is formed with the assembled female nest, wherein the thirty-fifth illustration illustrates that the protective cover has been disposed with the female positioning interface component in the twenty-fifth figure, and the thirty-first figure illustrates the second In the fourteenth figure, the docking station has been set by the complementary nest positioning interface component, and the thirty-second figure is an illustration of the protective cover as illustrated in the thirty-first figure and the thirty-first figure illustrated in the first figure. A cross-sectional view of the tray of the embodiment of the embodiment is assembled; the thirty-third figure illustrates the protective cover as illustrated in the eighteenth to twentieth figures, wherein the complementary dove appendage is provided as the protective case The positioning interface cover in a side skirt, similar to that shown in the sixth figure, is received in the nest of the docking base receiver, similar to that shown in FIG. 11, and wherein The positioning interface cover on the exterior of the protective casing is away from the male plug of the conversion adapter, and the plug extends from a position in the other side skirt of the protective casing away from the conversion adapter contactor and the contact point. Enter the protective case, as exemplified here, and The complementary dove appendage is additionally provided by the magnetic attraction paired one or more magnets; the thirty-fourth figure illustrates that the protective cover is illustrated in the third figure, wherein the electronic device has been installed a device, wherein the magnetic permeable member is used to replace the magnets of the magnetic attraction pair; and the thirty-fifth view is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover as illustrated in the third figure through the first figure, wherein the electrical The male plug of the adapter is separated from the contactor in a different region of the skirt side skirt, and wherein the complementary dove appendage is additionally provided by the magnetically attracted pair of one or more magnets; Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the protective cover as illustrated in Figure 34, wherein the male plug of the electrical adapter is separated from the contactor by a side skirt of the protective casing. In a different region of the portion, and wherein the magnetically permeable member is adapted to replace the magnet of the magnetically attracted pair; the thirty-seventh illustration illustrates the female component of the pedestal receiver within the docking station, comprising one or more a ferromagnetic member, for example, exposed to the flanking position on both sides of the biasing electrical contact of the mating connector; the thirty-eighth view is a cross-sectional view through the thirty-seventh view, illustrating the alternative The mating component of the receiver, wherein one or more magnets replace the ferromagnetic member in the flank position on both sides of the bias electrical contact of the mating connector, as shown in FIG. 39 is a side view showing an embodiment of a joint arrangement of a hood adapter; FIG. 40 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a Adapter used in a hood; A side view of another embodiment of a joint arrangement of a hood adapter; a forged view of a cover including a peripheral pocket; and a forty-third figure different from the forty-second diagram A perspective view of the cover from an angle view; the forty-fourth is a fortieth In the figure, the cover has a perspective view of a peripheral device located in one of the peripheral recesses; and in a forty-fifth view, the cover has a perspective view of a portable electronic device located in the internal recess; 6 is a perspective view showing a peripheral device of the cover having a peripheral device in the peripheral cavity and a portable electronic device in the inner cavity of the cover; Figure 47 is a perspective view of another docking station; the forty-eighth figure is a perspective view of a portable docking station having a portable electronic device, such as a mobile phone, in a housing; The figure shows a wall-mounted docking station having a portable electronic device in a cover and located on the seat, such as a perspective view of a tablet computer; and FIG. 50A is a front view of a protective configuration having a resilient cover and a hard case. Fig. 50B is a rear perspective view of the protection configuration shown in Fig. 50A; Fig. 51A is a specific embodiment of a portable electronic device, a cover and an external adapter A front perspective view of the embodiment; a fifty-first B-figure is a perspective view of the portable electronic device, the cover and the external adapter from which the external adapter is separated; 11A and 51B, an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the electronic device, the cover and the external adapter; the fifty-first D diagram is a portion of the fifty-first A and fifty-first B The electronic device, the cover and the external adapter that have been cut off by the external adapter are enlarged Figure 52 is a front perspective view of a particular embodiment of a docking station having a movable arm in an extended position; and Figure 52B is the docking station of Figure 52 Cut a side view; the fifty-second C is a front perspective view of the docking station having the fifty-second A diagram of the movable arm in the closed position; the fifty-second figure is a fifty-second C-graph a cutaway side view of the docking station; The fifty-second E is a front perspective view of the docking station in which the docking station has received a portable electronic device and a cover; and the fifty-second F is a fifty-two E-picture. A cutaway side view of the docking station; a fifty-third figure is a perspective view of another docking station; and a fifty-fourth A is a perspective view of a pair of sockets that can accommodate a plurality of electronic devices and a cover; Figure 4B is a perspective view of the docking station in which a plurality of electronic devices and covers have been locked in Figure 54; Figure 55A is a perspective view of another embodiment of the adapter used in a cover. Figure 55 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the adapter in a fifty-fifth A-picture included in a cover; and Figure 56A is a specific embodiment of a cover containing a peripheral pocket. A perspective view of an example; a fifty-sixth B-figure is a perspective view of the cover containing a portion of the cover cut in the fifty-sixth A; a fifty-seventh A is for use in a cover, such as the fifty-sixth In the figure, the cover has a perspective view of a joint of a peripheral recess; and the fifty-seventh B is a view of the turn in the fifty-seventh A view from different angles. A perspective view of a head.

Detailed illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein as needed. but, The techniques, systems, and operational structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which are distinct from the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, but in this respect, it is intended to provide the best embodiment of the disclosure, and the basis of the scope of the invention as defined herein. The detailed description of the exemplary embodiments (and certain alternative embodiments) of the invention are presented below.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same elements.

The first and second figures illustrate a fully integrally formed resilient protective cover or skin 100 of the present invention partially enclosing a portable electronic device 1 such as a smart phone, tablet or prior art having an interface for a pair of connections Other portable electronic devices used by the connector 3. The cover 100 of the present invention is molded of a suitable elastic or flexible elastomer, such as, but not limited to, ethylene, which fits in size and shape and closely conforms to a smart phone, tablet or other portable electronic device 1, such that the cover 100 The device 1 is covered like a surgical glove.

A smart phone is a mobile phone with more advanced computing power and connectivity than a basic feature phone. Early smart phones often combined the features of mobile phones with other popular consumer devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). Media player, digital camera and/or GPS navigation device. Modern smart phones include all of these features, and often include other features of touch-screen computers, including web browsing, Wi-Fi, and third-party applications and accessories. Today's most popular smart phones are powered by Google's Android and Apple's iOS mobile operating system. See the free encyclopedia for more details: Wikipedia.

A tablet (or simply a tablet) is a mobile computer that integrates a display, a circuit, and a battery. The tablet is equipped with a sensor, including a camera, a microphone, an accelerometer, and a touch screen, and uses a finger or a stylus instead of a computer. Mouse and keyboard. The tablet can contain physical buttons, for example Control basic functions such as speaker volume and power, and include ports for network communication and charging. Typing input usually uses a virtual keyboard on the screen. Tablets are usually larger than smart phones or personal digital assistants, measuring 7 inches (18 cm) or more diagonally. An example of a tablet is an iPad tablet produced by Apple. See the free encyclopedia for more details: Wikipedia.

Since the mid-1990s, composite panels with detachable keyboards have appeared on the market. The reversible touchscreen notebook has an integrated keyboard that can be hidden with a swivel or sliding joint. The book tablet has a dual touch screen, and the virtual keyboard can be displayed as a notebook computer on one display. See the free encyclopedia for more details: Wikipedia.

Other portable electronic devices include, for example, test equipment (eg, an ohmmeter, a multimeter, an alignment tool, a battery tester, a calibrator, a range finder, a light meter, a pressure gauge, a radiation detector, a thermometer, or the like), Camera, media player or the like. In at least some embodiments, the portable electronic device includes for detecting, for example, temperature, pressure, leveling, angle, height, light, density, X-ray, magnetic field, acceleration, speed, velocity, distance a sensor of energy, current or energy flow, force, hardness, mass/weight, torque, resistance, capacitance, voltage, reactance, or the like, or any combination thereof.

As disclosed herein, an electrical adapter is part of a protective cover 100 that includes a male plug having a plurality of electrical connectors for use with the smart phone, tablet or other portable electronic device 1 The female input/output socket assembly configuration extends into a recess formed by the protective cover 100 and has a contactor having a plurality of electrical contacts adjacent to the exterior of the protective cover 100 and electrically coupled to One or more connectors of the plug.

Therefore, when the electronic device 1 is housed in the recess of the elastic protective cover 100, the A plurality of connectors of the male plug are assembled with the female socket of the device 1. Thereafter, the female input/output receptacle can be electrically contacted by a plurality of contacts of the outer contact of the protective cover 100.

Then, the protective cover 100 in which the electronic device 1 is mounted is inserted into a pair of sockets 5, which include a docking connector 3 having its own plurality of contacts. The docking connector is electrically coupled to the contact of the contactor by one or more plurality of contacts of the mating connector to connect to the contactor of the electrical adapter. Therefore, the input/output socket of the electronic device 1 is electrically contacted through the electrical connector of the protective cover 100 through the docking connector of the docking station 5.

The third, fourth and fifth figures are described by way of example and are not limited to a docking station 5 useful for the protective cover 100. For example, the docking station 5 has a tray 7 containing a pedestal receiver 9, the size of which A particular smart phone, tablet or other portable electronic device 1 that has been protected by the cover 100 can be accommodated. The tray 7 includes a back support surface 101 to support the back of the cover 100 and a pair of support surfaces 103 extending away from the back support surface. The back support surface 101 and the butt support surface 103 may have an included angle ranging from 90 to 130 degrees or more.

The docking connector 3 is typically provided in the docking station 5, typically in the middle of the base receiver 9 of the tray 7. The docking connector 3 can be designated as a specific portable electronic device 1, or a generic device 1 type. The docking connector 3 includes a plurality of biasing electrical contacts 11, typically biased spring pins or biased reed contacts. The electrical contact 11 is coupled to the wire 13 in the wire or to the cable 15 coupled to the docking station 5. The docking connector 3 can be a female connector, as illustrated in the third to fifth figures, and can define a ring 105 that can be recessed relative to the docking support surface 103.

The docking connector 3 also includes an optional guide pin 17 adapted to be assembled with the in-contact guide pin receiver of the electrical adapter, as disclosed herein.

The docking station 5 optionally includes a clip 19 adapted to receive the base of the grab tray 7 A specific portable electronic device 1 is within the device 9. The clip 19 also has a compression assembly, i.e., an arm 21 that operates to compress the electrical contacts of the contactor on the outside of the boot 100 in contact with the electrical contacts 11 of the mating connector 3.

The sixth and seventh figures illustrate the protective cover 100 of the present invention, and the portable electronic device 1 is removed for clarity. The protective cover 100 is complementary in shape to the portable electronic device 1. The protective cover 100 is shown formed of an elastic integral protective casing 102 having an elastic central panel 104 surrounded by an integral resilient side skirt 106 (or skirt 106) that combines with the skirt 106 to form an internal pocket 108 therebetween. The size is adjusted to at least partially cover the two sides of the portable electronic device 1 and one of the front and the back, and further extend around the peripheral edge of the front and rear opposite sides of the portable electronic device 1. A continuous integrated lip 110 extends into the side skirt 106 and forms a mouth opening 112 in communication with the pocket 108. The mouth opening 112 is sized to receive the electronic device 1 and enters the pocket 108 therethrough.

The boot 100 includes a adapter 114 that is secured within the side skirt 106, such as the adapter 114 being molded, glued or fastened through the side skirt 106. The adapter 114 is formed by a male plug 116 having a plurality of electrical connectors 118 extending into the pocket 108 of the housing 102 in a manner that is assembled with the female input/output receptacle of the portable electronic device 1. . The adapter 114 also includes a contactor 120 having a plurality of electrical contacts 122 spaced from the male plug 116 at the opposite end of the adapter 114, as shown in the eighth and ninth views. The adapter 114 extends through the protective casing 102, for example, through the center panel 104 or side skirts 106 (as shown). As such, when the male plug 116 extends into the pocket 108 of the housing 102, the contactor 120 and its contacts 122 are positioned adjacent the outer surface 124 of the housing 102, thereby exposing a plurality of electrical contacts for connection to the docking connector 3 Electrical contact 11.

The eighth figure is a partial cross-sectional view of the protective cover 110 through the electrical adapter 114. Such as By way of example, the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are electrically coupled to the cable, wire, line or other electrical conductor 126 (shown only one for clarity) embedded in the body 128 of the adapter 114, electrically coupled to One or more electrical connectors 118 of the plug 116. The contactor 120 of the adapter 114 is selectively formed with one or more guide pin receivers 130 that are sized and positioned to fit the optional guide pins 17 (if present) of the docking connector 3 Together.

Alternatively, the contactor 120 of the adapter 114 can be further recessed toward the outer surface 124 of the integral protective casing 102. Using an example and not limited thereto, an optional shelter 132 is formed within the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102, and the adapter contact 120 is further recessed within the shelter 132. The electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are recessed within the shelter 132 or within the outer surface 124 of the integral protective casing 102 to avoid damage.

The ninth diagram illustrates the elastic protective cover 100 of the present invention, which partially encloses the portable electronic device 1. Here, the portable electronic device 1 is housed in the recess 108 of the elastic protective case 102 through the mouth opening 112 communicating with the pocket 108. The electronic device 1 has been inserted into the elastomeric protective casing 102 through the mouth opening 112 in the continuous integrated lip 110 through the side skirt 106 in communication with the pocket 108. One of the front side 23 (shown) or the back side of the electronic device 1 is exposed in the mouth opening 112. Here, the touch screen or other display 25 of the portable electronic device 1 is exposed in the mouth opening 112 for the convenience of the user.

The tenth figure illustrates that when the portable electronic device 1 is housed in the recess 108 of the elastic protective casing 102 (as shown in FIG. 9), the plurality of electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 are mechanically and electrically The female input/output receptacles 27 of the device 1 are assembled together. Accordingly, the assembly of the male plug 116 and the female input/output receptacle 27 establishes the power, sensor, and/or other functions of the portable electronic device 1 from the outer surface 124 of the integrated protective housing 102.

The eleventh figure illustrates that the portable electronic device 1 is housed in the elastic protective case 102 of the protective cover 100, and the protective cover 100 of the portable electronic device 1 is then inserted into the docking station 5. When one or more of the plurality of bias electrical contacts 11 of the docking connector 3 are electrically coupled to the electrical contacts 122 of the adapter contactor 120, the docking connector 3 of the docking station 5 and the electrical adapter 114 The contactors 120 are connected. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 can be obtained without removing the protective cover or the "skin" 100 from the protective cover 5 as in the prior art protective cover. When clamp 19 is present, its compression helps maintain electrical coupling between electrical contact 122 of adapter contactor 120 and bias electrical contact 11 of docking connector 3.

The twelfth figure illustrates that the protective cover 100 that is reversed on the electronic device 1 has a center panel 104 adjacent to the face of the device 1 having the display 25. The protective casing 102 is formed by a mouth opening 112 that is generally in communication with a recess 108 opposite the central panel 104. The continuous integrated lip 110 extends into the side skirt 106 and forms a mouth opening 112.

Here, in the elastic central panel 104 of the elastic protective case 102, an internal window opening 134 is formed in the position above the mouth opening 112 and above the touch display 25 of the portable electronic device 1 for operating the electronic device. 1.

The central panel 104 of the protective casing 102 is formed by an internal window opening 134 that communicates with the pocket 108. The internal window opening 134 is positioned and sized to expose the pressure sensitive touch screen 25 of the portable electronic device 1 in the pocket 108. A continuous integrated lip 136 extends around the perimeter of the central panel 104 within the side skirt 106 and forms an internal window opening 134.

An integrated inner window panel 138 is located within the flexible central panel 104 within the window opening 134 and is retained within the protective casing 102 by a continuous integrated lip 136 that surrounds the opening 134. For example, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 14, the peripheral edge 140 of the inner window panel 138 is welded, pasted, The integrated lip 136 is fitted or joined to the window opening 134. Optionally, a subsequent waterproof joint 142 can be formed between the inner window panel 138 of the window opening 134 and the integrated lip 136. According to one embodiment, the inner window panel 138 is overmolded into the integrated lip 136 of the window opening 134 for engagement to the integrated lip 136 and forms a waterproof joint 142 therebetween.

The integrated internal window panel 138 is formed by a transparent film for the portable electronic device 1 having the pressure sensitive touch screen 25. Thus, the electronic device 1 can be operated via the touch screen 25 through the intermediate window panel 138.

Alternatively, the inner window panel 138 may be formed from a rigid, inelastic, and incompressible material, for example, the plastic sheet forming the inner window panel 138 is optionally an incompressible sheet of relatively rigid and substantially transparent material, including but not Limited to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or another substantially suitable transparent material. According to one embodiment, the plastic sheet forming the inner window panel 138 is optionally an incompressible sheet of relatively rigid and substantially transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. As disclosed herein, the internal window panel 138 formed of PET, PVC, or other rigid, incompressible, and similar inelastic plastic sheets allows for touch of the touch screen display 25 of the portable electronic device 1.

Additionally, the entire protective casing 102 or only the inner window panel 138 can alternatively be formed from a transparent soft elastic film that can be transparent or colored, such as pink or blue that looks aesthetically pleasing. In other embodiments, the protective casing 102 is opaque or translucent and can be of any color or pattern. In such an embodiment, the portable electronic device 1 is located within the protective cover 100 and its display is visible through the mouth opening 112.

Alternatively, the transparent elastomer of the protective casing 102 or only the inner window panel 138 may be a dielectric material having antistatic properties, such as a material having an effective dielectric constant of about 4.5, for example. For example, the elastomer comprises a powdered metal, a mixed metal oxide, a polymer or an antistatic coating. Optionally, the transparent elastomer of the protective casing 102 or just the inner window panel 138 is polarized to reduce glare. Therefore, the protective cover 100 is selectively used in the portable electronic device 1 having a pressure sensitive touch screen, which is lightly pressed by the user to input data and operate the device, as is generally known.

The portable electronic device 1 is exemplified as a cavity 108 that has been inserted into the elastic protective casing 102 through the second nozzle opening 112, and the touch screen 25 is positioned in contact with the inner window panel 138 of the center panel 104, thereby flexing the elastic material. The property allows the touch screen 25 to be pressed to input data and operate the electronic device 1. As disclosed, the inner window panel 138 of the center panel 104 is constructed to form a thin elastic film in a position corresponding to one of the touch screens 25 of the device 1. By way of example and not limitation, the window region of the flexible center panel 104 is expected to have a thickness of about 0.05 to 0.06 inches, or other thickness suitable for the touch screen 25 to respond to user input data or to operate the pressure applied by the electronic device 1. The integrated internal window panel 138 of the center panel 104 covers the pressure sensitive touch screen 25 of the electronic device 1 to protect it from scratches, dents, and other external scratches. The side skirt portion 106 of the inner window panel 138 surrounding the central panel 104 and a portion of the protective casing 102 can be relatively thick to provide protection against collisions and scratches.

The male plug 116 of the adapter 114 has been inserted into the female input/output receptacle 27 of the electronic device 1.

The thirteenth figure illustrates that the portable electronic device 1 is housed in the elastic protective case 102 of the protective cover 100, and the touch screen 25 is positioned in contact with the inner window panel 138. Then, the protective cover 100 of the portable electronic device 1 is inserted into the docking station 5 so that the touch screen 25 faces outward. When one or more of the plurality of bias electrical contacts 11 of the docking connector 3 are electrically coupled to the electrical contacts 122 of the adapter contactor 120, the docking connector 3 of the docking station 5 and the electrical adapter 114 Contactor 120 Pick up. Therefore, the portable electronic device 1 can be obtained without removing the protective cover or the "skin" 100 from the protective cover 5 as in the prior art protective cover. When clamp 19 is present, its compression helps maintain electrical coupling between electrical contact 122 of adapter contactor 120 and bias electrical contact 11 of docking connector 3.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the protective cover 100 shown in Fig. 12, in which the protective case 102 is formed by the inner window panel 138. The fourteenth illustration illustrates that the male plug 116 of the electrical adapter 114 has been interfaced with a plurality of electrical contacts 29 of the female input/output receptacle 27 of the portable electronic device 1.

The fifteenth figure illustrates that the protective cover 100 has been formed at a position juxtaposed with the touch screen 25 of the portable electronic device 1 by the internal transparent window panel 138. However, the mouth opening 112 through the side skirt portion 106 is positioned adjacent to one side 144 of the protective housing 102 between the inner window panel 138 of the center panel 104 and the opposing panel 146 of the protective casing 102. Here, the mouth opening 112 is formed by a continuous integrated lip 110 that extends inwardly toward the upper side skirt portion 106 of the side 144 of the protective casing 102.

When the mouth opening 112 is formed through the side skirt 106 adjacent the one side 144 of the protective casing 102, the electrical adapter 114 is located within the side skirt 106 on the second side 148 opposite the side 144. When the mouth opening 112 and the electrical adapter 114 are respectively located on the opposite sides 144, 148 of the protective casing 102, when the portable electronic device 1 is received into the pocket 108 through the side mouth opening 112, the electrical adapter 114 The male plug 116 extends into the pocket 108 of the housing 102 to be mechanically and electrically received in the female input/output of the device 1 when the portable electronic device 1 is received in the pocket 108 through the mouth opening 112. The sockets 27 are assembled in one position. Thus, in practice, the portable electronic device 1 has been inserted (arrow 150) into the protective casing 102 through the side mouth opening 112 and into the internal pocket 108 until the female input/output receptacle 27 has been mechanically and electrically coupled The male plugs 116 of the 114 are assembled together, The female input/output socket 27 is simultaneously electrically assembled with the electrical adapter 114. The portable electronic device 1 has been removed from the protective casing 102 in the reverse direction along the insertion direction (arrow 150).

The sixteenth embodiment illustrates that the adapter 114 is further configured as a through-conductor that is electrically coupled between a subsequent alignment of the plurality of electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 and a corresponding electrical contact 122 of the contactor 120. Block diagram. Here, the wires or other electrical conductors 126 embedded within the body 128 of the adapter 114 have a direct sequential communication relationship between the electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 and the corresponding electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120. When the adapter 114 is disposed through the adapter, and the portable electronic device 1 (shown in phantom) is housed in the protective cover 100, then the two are housed in the docking station 5 (shown in phantom, as shown) The input/output signals on the plurality of electrical contacts 29 of the female socket 27 of the portable electronic device 1 are presented in the same order on the electrical contacts 29 of the female output/input socket 27 of the portable electronic device 1. The electrical contact 11 of the docking connector 3 is given. Therefore, the electrical contacts 11 of the docking connector 3 must sequentially correspond to the electrical contacts 29 of the input/output receptacles 27 of the electronic device 1. The desired reordering of the electrical contacts 29 of the female socket 27 of the electronic device 1 must be performed in the docking connector 3 of the docking station 5 or downstream of the docking connector 3.

Figure 17 is a block diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment in which the adapter 114 is further configured as a conversion adapter that mates with a plurality of electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 and their corresponding electrical counterparts 120. There is an electrical coupling between the contacts 122. Here, the wires, wires or other electrical conductors 126 embedded within the body 128 of the adapter 114 are in an unordered relationship between the electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 and the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120. When the adapter 114 is configured as a conversion adapter, and the portable electronic device 1 (shown in phantom) is housed in the protective cover 100, then the two are housed in the docking station 5 (shown in phantom, as shown) Portable electronic equipment The input/output signals on the plurality of electrical contacts 29 of the female socket 27 of the first set are only comparable to those in the portable electronic device 1 in the through configuration of the adapter 114 shown in FIG. The electrical contacts 11 of the mating connector 3 can be presented in any desired order, as shown in the order presented on the plurality of electrical contacts 29 of the female output/input receptacle 27. Thus, the electrical contacts 11 of the docking connector 3 sequentially correspond to the predetermined input/output sequence on the wires 13 in the cable 15 of the docking station 5. Therefore, the input/output signals on the electrical contacts 29 of the female socket 27 of the electronic device 1 are rearranged in any desired order to match the mating connector 3, thus electrically connecting the female socket 27 of the electronic device 1 in the connector 3 The downstream rearrangement of the input/output signals on the contacts 29 does not need to match the particular electronic device 1 housed in the docking station 5. Instead, the docking connector 3 acts as a universal docking connector that can cooperate with any device 1 inserted into the docking station 5 when the adapter adapter 114 has been assembled with the portable electronic device 1. Thus, a single shared or universal docking connector 3 can be provided for the docking station 5, and as long as the wires, wires or other electrical conductors 126 embedded in the body 128 of the adapter 114 are aligned, the male plug 116 within the electrical adapter 114 is coordinated. The order of coupling between the electrical connector 118 and the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 can still be applied to many different portable electronic devices 1.

The eighteenth illustration illustrates that the conversion adapter 114 is configured to have the male plug 116 and the contactor 120 divided into two separate adapter plug bodies 128a and contactor bodies 128b located in different regions of the protective casing 102. The plug body 128a of the male plug 116 of the individual adapter and the contactor body 128b of the contactor 120 are secured within the side skirt portion 106 of the protective casing 102. In the example, individual adapter plugs and contactor bodies 128a, 128b are selectively embedded and overmolded within protective casing 102. By way of example and not limitation, the male plug 116 is selectively embedded within the side skirt 106 adjacent the side 102a of the protective casing 102, while the contactor 120 is selectively embedded in the side spaced from the male plug 116. Inside the skirt 106. For example, the contactor 120 is selectively embedded in the side skirt 106 that is spaced apart from the male plug 116. Inside, and adjacent to one side 102b of the protective casing 102.

Alternatively, the contactor body 128b of the adapter contactor 120 can be recessed toward the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102. Using an example, but not limited to, an optional shelter 132 is formed in the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102, and the adapter contact 120 is further recessed within the shelter 132. The electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are recessed within the shelter 132 or within the outer surface 124 of the integral protective casing 102 to avoid damage.

The nineteenth and twentieth figures illustrate that the individual adapter body 128a of the male plug 116 and the contactor body 128b of the contactor 120 are interconnected within the protective casing 102 by elongated wires, wires or other electrical conductors 126, such as: The plurality of electrical conductors 126 are formed as elongated cable wires, wires or other electrical conductors (three in display) extending for a plurality of electrical connections of the plurality of electrical connectors 118 of the male plug 116 and the adapter contactor 120 Contact 122 is electrically interconnected. The electrical conductor 126 is fixedly positioned within the protective casing 102, for example, the electrical conductor 126 is selectively embedded and overmolded within the side skirt 106 of the protective casing 102. Additionally, the electrical conductor 126 is selectively adhered to the surface of the protective casing 102, either internal or external.

The side edges 102a and/or sides 102b of the protective casing 102 are selectively adapted to receive a plurality of electrical conductors 126 within the side skirt portion 106 of the protective casing 102. For example, a portion of the side 102a and/or side 102b of the protective casing 102 is selectively thicker than the accumulated volume of the plurality of electrical conductors 126 within the side skirt portion 106.

The twenty-first illustration illustrates the arrangement of the conversion adapter 114 into a plurality of male plugs 116 (two shown) in a plurality of individual adapter plug bodies 128a, each located in a different region from the elastomeric housing 102. The different side edges 102a are adjacent to the side skirts 106. A plurality of male plugs 116 are each mounted on the side skirt portion 106 of the protective casing 102, and a contactor in the single conductor contactor 128b The electrical points of 120 are electrically coupled to point 122. The plug body 128a of the male plug 116 of each individual adapter and the contactor body 128b of the contactor 120 are secured within the side skirt 106 of the protective casing 102. By way of example and not limitation, all male plugs 116 are selectively embedded within side skirts 106 adjacent one or more side edges 102a of the protective casing 102. For example, each individual adapter plug body 128a is selectively sheathed into the protective casing 102. The contactor 120 is selectively in-line, such as peritoneal, in a side skirt 106 spaced from one or more male plugs 116. For example, the contactor 120 is selectively embedded within the side skirt portion 106 that is spaced apart from the male plug 116 and adjacent one side 102b of the protective casing 102.

As illustrated, the contactor body 128b of the adapter contact 120 is recessed toward the outer surface 124 of the side skirt 106 of the unitary protective casing 102. Using an example and not limited thereto, an optional shelter 132 is formed within the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102, and the adapter contact 120 is further recessed within the shelter 132. The electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are recessed within the shelter 132 or within the outer surface 124 of the integral protective casing 102 to avoid damage.

As disclosed herein, the shelter 132 is a locator formed in the outer surface 124 that cooperates with the docking station 5 as a positioning interface for positioning the integral protective casing 102 relative to the docking connector 3 to enhance the assembly therebetween.

As disclosed in each of the eleventh and thirteenth figures, the positioning interface shelter 132 operates as a locator on the outer surface 124 of the integrated protective casing 102, cooperating with a receptacle receiver of the docking station 5 to position the contactor 120 with The docking connector 3 is used for mechanical and electrical coupling between the two. For example, the shelter 132 protrudes or extends from the outer surface 124 of the integral protective casing 102, and both the adapter contact 120 and the electrical contacts 122 are received within the recess of the locator shelter 132, as illustrated in the eighth diagram. As illustrated in each of the third, fourth and fifth figures, the docking connector 3 is recessed in a socket receiver The receiver is recessed within the inner surface of the base receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7. As such, the receptacle receiver cooperates with the locator shelter 132 for positioning the integral protective housing 102 relative to the docking connector 3 within the receptacle 9 of the docking station tray 7 for lifting assembly, as exemplified herein.

The twenty-second figure illustrates that the protective case 102 has a male plug 116 that converts the adapter 114, which is separated from and separated from the adapter contact 120 provided on the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 opposite the inner pocket 108. The illustrations are more clearly illustrated in the subsequent figures.

The twenty-third figure illustrates the protective case 102 having the contactor 120 of the conversion adapter 114 provided on the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 facing the inner pocket 108. The docking station 5 is additionally arranged to position its docking connector 3 in a position for attachment to the contactor 120 on the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 rather than being embedded within the side skirt 106.

The twenty-fourth embodiment illustrates an embodiment of the docking station 5, wherein the tray 7 is disposed substantially horizontally with the base receiver 9, wherein the receiver is configured to have an upper operating surface 156 separated by a peripheral side wall 160 and Next interface surface 158. As exemplified herein, the tray 7 of the docking station 5 can be constructed to have a generally circular shape, but any generally square or rectangular, elliptical, kidney or other regular or irregular shape is suitable and produces the same structure.

The operating surface 156 of the docking station tray 7 is formed by a female nest 157 formed by a generally flat or planar peripheral surface forming a support ring around a shallow receptacle receptacle 166 therein. The receptacle receiver 166 is, for example, generally circular (as shown), similar to the contour shape of the docking station tray 7, but may be generally square or rectangular, elliptical, kidney-shaped or otherwise regular or not that selectively matches the contour shape of the tray 7. Regular shape. The recessed receptacle receiver 166 is formed by a bottom plate 168 that forms an electrical interface surface that is opposite and substantially parallel to the recess surrounding the support ring 164. An inner peripheral transition wall 170 provides a socket bottom plate 168 and a surrounding support ring 164 Conversion between support surfaces. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the perimeter transition wall 170 is generally perpendicular to the socket bottom plate 168 and the offset surface surrounding the socket ring 164. In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the perimeter transition wall 170 is selectively angled outwardly between the socket bottom plate 168 and the surrounding socket ring 164, thereby providing a tilted transition between the socket bottom plate 168 and the surrounding socket ring 164. For example, an outwardly sloping perimeter transition wall 170 forms an angle of approximately 30 to 60 degrees from the plane of the socket bottom plate 168. However, the angle is selectively clipped from the plane of the socket bottom plate 168 by a range of approximately 15 degrees or less to 75 degrees or more.

The docking station tray 7 optionally includes a mechanism for securing to an outer mounting surface S. Therefore, using the example and not limited thereto, the docking tray 7 is perforated by one or more fastener clearance holes 172, each of which is sized to allow a mechanical fastener to pass, and is suitable for fixing the docking tray 7 To an external mounting surface, such as an intermediate mounting device, as discussed herein. The fastener clearance aperture 172 optionally includes a uniform annular depression or depression 174 that is bored or bored such that the head of the threaded fastener is recessed below both the upper operating surface 156 and the recessed receptacle bottom plate 168.

In addition, one or more fasteners are selectively integrated with the tray 7 of the docking station 5, for example, the heads of the two pairs of threaded columns project beyond the lower interface surface 158 with their threaded axes, embedded in the docking station tray 7 The molded structure is inserted into the fitting hole through the outer mounting surface and locked with a nut. In such an example, the fastener clearance aperture 172 fills the threaded shaft of the fastener. Still further, the recessed socket bottom plate 168 and the perimeter transition wall 170 surrounding the socket ring 164 and therebetween are selectively left completely free of cracks such that the docking station tray 7 exhibits a substantially strong and non-ruptured surface. Other means for securing to the outer mounting surface S , such as adhesives or pressure sensitive tapes and films, are also contemplated, and may be included or substituted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Alternatively, the female nest 157 of the docking tray 7 can be controlled by one or more male rotations A member 176 is formed that is configured to maintain a rotational orientation between the integral protective casing 102 of the protective cover 100 and the docking station tray 7. By way of example and not limitation, the male rotation control component 176 is configured to utilize a straight or curved (shown) portion of the perimeter transition wall 170 between the recessed socket bottom plate 168 and the receptacle ring 164, slightly entering the recessed receptacle receiver Within 166. Additionally, the perimeter transition wall 170 of the receptacle receiver 166 is disposed in any generally square or rectangular, elliptical, kidney, rectangular or other regular or irregular shape whereby the rotary control member 176 is a socket provided for such non-circularity. Intrinsic within the receiver 166.

According to one embodiment, the housing 102 of the protective cover 100 is held under the weight of the portable electronic device 1 within the housing 102, i.e., by gravity, in the tray 7 of the docking station 5. The positioning interface shelter 132 of the casing 102 cooperates with the docking station 5 in a nest shape to enter the receptacle receiver 166 recessed in the docking station tray 7.

In addition, one or more permanent magnets 178 are provided between the casing 102 of the protective cover 100 and the tray 7 of the docking station 5 for securing the protective cover 100 within the docking station 5. By way of example and not limitation, one or more permanent magnets 178 are located within the magnet securing structure 180 adjacent the recessed bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166 or surrounding the receptacle ring 164 (shown in the figures). When present, each of the permanent magnets 178 is a thin circular or dish shape, which is not limited by way of example. Although the dish shape is convenient, other magnet shapes are the same and can be replaced. Magnet 178 is selectively a known rare earth magnet. Rare earth magnets are very powerful based on size ratio and are therefore quite useful in the practice of the present invention. However, other known and currently unknown magnets that are sufficiently powerful to implement the present invention have the same effect and can be substituted.

By way of example and not limitation, the magnet securing structure 180 is embodied as a plurality of pockets that individually position each magnet 178 adjacent the recessed floor 168 or the female nest of the receptacle receiver 166. The 157 surrounds the socket ring 164. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each recess of the magnet securing structure 180 minimizes the distance between the magnet 178 and the recessed bottom plate 168 of the socket or around the socket ring 164. The attenuation of the magnetic field generated by the magnet 178 is thus minimized, and the resulting magnetic field is still sufficiently powerful to utilize the magnetic interaction with the docking station 5 to secure most handheld electronic devices and other small devices.

According to one embodiment, the size of the recess of the magnet securing structure 180 is adjusted to match the magnet 178, such as a sliding fit or a compression fit, such that each magnet 178 is inserted under at least light pressure and at most press fit.

A magnet securing structure 180 can be provided on the lower interface surface 158 of the tray 7 of the docking station 5 opposite the operating surface 156. The magnet 178 within the securing pocket 180 is secured adjacent the recessed bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166 or the socket 164 surrounding the socket ring 164. When the docking station tray 7 is formed of a substantially rigid plastic or other elastic material having a property of elastically responding to slight deformation, and the magnet fixing pocket 180 is selectively sized to the press-fit magnet 178, the recess is slightly smaller in size. The pocket 180 secures the magnet 178 by radial compression of the elastic deformation upon insertion of the magnet 178. As a result, other fixed elements can be avoided, such as U.S. Patent No. 5,992,807 to Tarulli, and U.S. Patent No. 6,149,116, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. An assembly hole bayonet taught in U.S. Patent entitled "MAGNETIC SUPPORT ATTACHMENT", incorporated herein by reference.

As disclosed herein, the docking connector 3 includes a plurality of biasing electrical contacts 11 that are configured to be electrically coupled to spring-compressed spring pins, such as by wires or cables 15. In general, the docking connector 3 includes a minimum number of at least two bias electrical contacts 11, but is not limited to having a larger number of contacts 11.

The twenty-fifth diagram illustrates a protective cover 100 formed by the locator shelter 132 of the casing 102 as a complementary nest attachment 159 disposed to be seated within the nest 157. For example, the locator shelter 132 of the complementary homing appendage 159 is configured for assembly with the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the horizontal pedestal receiver 9 in the tray 7 of the docking station 5, as shown in Figure 24 . The complementary locator shelter 132 projects from the inner cavity 152 where the portable electronic device 1 is located, and the outer surface 152 of the flexible central panel 104 projects or extends. When the recessed receptacle receiver 166 is thus disposed, the complementary locator cover 132 is disposed in a generally circular shape. Additionally, when the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the female nest 157 in the operating surface 156 of the docking station tray 7 is thus disposed, the locator shelter is provided in any general square or rectangular, elliptical, kidney, rectangular or other regular or irregular shape. 132. As such, the complementary locator baffle 132 is a shallow protrusion that is offset from the outer surface 152 of the resilient center panel 104 by a generally planar contact surface 182 to a depth about the depth of the recessed bottom plate 168 in the receptacle receiver 166 of the docking station tray 7. . As such, the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 of the protective casing 102 forms the lower ring of the dove appendage 159, and when the complementary locator bunker 132 is seated on the recessed receptacle receiver 166, the peripheral support ring 164 of the docking station tray 7 is joined. .

When the perimeter transition wall 170 of the female receptacle receiver 166 is tilted between the receptacle bottom plate 168 and the surrounding receptacle ring 164, the complementary male positioner cover 132 is selectively included between the contactor surface 182 and the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104. An outer peripheral transition wall 184 that extends and generally matches the slope is formed. In addition, the angled complementary male locator shelter 132 is tilted within the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the female nest 157.

When the receptacle receiver 166 of the female nest 157 is provided with one or more male rotational control components 176, the complementary male locator shelter 132 is provided with one or more matching rotational control components 186, such as when the female receptacle receiver 166 The rotation control member 176 is disposed to convert the wall 170 The peripheral projections enter the interior of the socket 166 between the recessed socket bottom plate 168 and the surrounding socket ring 164, and the rotation control member 186 is configured to adjust the female inward or intrusion assembly into position and size adjustment and the male rotation control member in the socket conversion wall 170. 176 matches the perimeter of the complementary locator baffle 132.

Additionally, the matched male and female rotational control features 176 and 186 are selectively reversed between the female receptacle receiver 166 and the complementary locator shelter 132 such that the female rotational control feature 176 is present within the complementary locator shelter 132 of the housing 102, As the male perimeter projection of the transition wall 184, and the mating female rotation control feature 186 presents a perimeter that enters the female receptacle receiver 166 as a complementary female retraction or invades the perimeter of the transition wall 170.

As such, the male positioning interface 132 includes a combination of the offset protruding contact surface 182 and the recessed female rotation control 186 formed therein and is formed, for example, with the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel. The plane, wherein the ring is seated within the nest 157 of the docking station tray 7, is in contact with the ring 164 surrounding the receptacle receiver 166. The female parent rotation control feature 186 of the male positioning interface 132 incorporates the male rotation control member 176 of the docking station tray 7 within the female nest 157 whereby the housing 102 is rotationally oriented relative to the base receiver 9 of the tray 7. Accordingly, the complementary locator shelter 132 on the outer surface 152 of the protective casing 102 is nested with the female receptacle receiver 166 in the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7 while assembling the male and female rotational control features 176, 186, The rotation of the protective casing 102 relative to the susceptor receiver 9 of the tray 7 is controlled.

When the tray 7 of the docking station 5 includes an optional bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166 or an optional magnet 178 adjacent the ring 164, as shown in the twenty-fourth view, the central panel 104 of the protective case 102 provides a magnetic The permeable member 188 is embodied as a sheet or iron containing plate, or other highly magnetically permeable ferroelectric material such as iron, nickel, cobalt or another ferroelectric material or alloy. For example, the magnetic permeable member 188 can be embedded in the central panel 104 of the protective casing 102 by the magnet 178 A complementary position that is attracted. Thus, the magnet 178 forms a magnetic attraction pair with the magnetic attraction member 188 and is operable between the housing 102 of the protective cover 100 and the tray 7 of the docking station 5 for securing the protective cover 100 within the docking station 5.

The contactor 120 of the conversion adapter 114 provided on the outer surface 152 of the flexible central panel 104 is suitably configured to be electrically coupled to a plurality of bias electrical contacts 11 that are disposed as springs within the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the horizontal tray 7. Compressed spring pin. For example, the plurality of electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are configured as a conductive material, such as a plurality of concentric contact rings of copper, silver, gold, platinum, or another electrically conductive material. The contact ring 122 of the contactor 120 is coupled to the electrical conductor 126 and is electrically interconnected with the plurality of electrical connectors 118 of the male connector plug 116 in a sequential or unordered pairing, as disclosed herein. The contact ring 122 of the contactor 120 is positioned to mate with a different spring pin 11 within the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the pedestal receiver 9 in the docking station tray 7.

When the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are disposed in a plurality of concentric contact rings, the male and female rotational control features 176 and 186 are selectively eliminated from contact in any orientation relative to the housing 102 of the docking station tray 7 The ring 122 normally mates with a different spring pin contact 11 regardless of the rotation of the positioning interface bunker 132 within the female receptacle receiver 166 (Fig. 25, arrow 190). However, if desired, the male and female rotation control features 176 and 186 cooperate to provide a relative rotational relationship between the protective cover 100 and the docking station 5.

The twenty-sixth embodiment is a cross-sectional view showing that the elastic cover 102 of the protective cover or skin 100 is seated in the tray 7 of the docking station 5. As shown, the complementary nest attachment 159 of the boot 100 is nested with the nest 157 of the docking station 5, thereby maintaining the housing 102 within the docking tray 7, for example, the housing 102 is portable within the housing 102. The weight of the electronic device 1 is fixed, that is, using gravity, as exemplified herein. The shell 102 enters the recessed recess in the docking tray 7 by using the nested connection positioning interface shelter 132. The receiver 166 cooperates with the docking station 5, for example, the positioning interface shelter 132 is rotated (the twenty-fifth diagram, arrow 190) until the optional female rotation control feature 186 (if present), and the tray 7 of the docking station 5 The matching male rotation control component 176 (if present) matches. Thereafter, the perimeter transition wall 184 cooperates with the mating transition wall 170 to position the locator shelter 132 within the receptacle receiver 166 as the shell 102 approaches the docking station tray 7. When the positioning interface shelter 132 of the complementary nest member 159 is completely nested within the receptacle receiver 166 of the female nest 157, the outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 contacts the perimeter support ring 164 of the female receptacle receiver 166, and the resilient housing 102 The contactor surface 182 is juxtaposed with the recessed socket bottom plate 168. The engagement of the protruding positioning interface cover 132 and the cooperating peripheral conversion walls 184 and 170 of the recessed receptacle receiver 166 is operated to guide the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 into contact with the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station 5. The electrical contact 11 is engaged.

According to one embodiment, the electrical contacts 122 of the contactor 120 are below the weight of the portable electronic device 1 in the housing 102, i.e., the electrical contacts 11 of the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station 5 by gravity.

In addition, when the optional magnet 178 is present, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 178 and the magnetic permeable member 188 operates to nest in a nest, the housing 102 of the protective cover 100 is secured to the tray 7 of the docking station 5, and the contactor is The electrical contact 122 of the 120 engages with the bias electrical contact 11 of the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station 5.

When the protective cover or skin 100 is maintained under gravity in the tray 7 of the docking station 5, simply lifting the shell 102 removes the protective boot 100 from the seat 5.

In addition, when the optional magnet 178 is present, the magnetic attraction between the magnet 178 and the magnetic permeable member 188 operates to nest in a nest, securing the housing 102 of the boot 100 to the tray 7 of the docking station 5. However, the simple rotating shell 102 (the twenty-fifth figure, arrow 190) results in a positioning interface bunker 132 rotates until the female rotation control feature 186 interferes with the matching male rotation control component 176 of the tray 7 of the docking station 5. This interference causes the shell 102 to separate from the pedestal receiver 9 and attenuate the magnetic attraction, thereby releasing the protective cover 100 from the seat 5.

The twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth figures together illustrate an alternative embodiment of the cover or skin 100 and the docking station 5. As disclosed herein, the relative position of the magnet 178 to the magnetically permeable member 188 is reversed, for example, one or more magnets 178 are placed within one of the magnet securing structures 180 adjacent the outer surface 152 of the resilient center panel 104, rather than surrounding the docking The socket 157 of the seat tray 7 is within the raised ring 164 of the receptacle receiver 166. By way of example and not limitation, one or more of the magnetic permeable members 188 are each embodied as a sheet or an iron-containing plate, or other highly magnetically permeable ferroelectric material, such as iron, nickel, cobalt. Or another ferroelectric material or alloy, as disclosed herein, is embedded in the recessed bottom plate 168 of the female receptacle receiver 166 or surrounds the receptacle ring 164 (shown in the figures).

Additionally, one or more permanent magnets 178 are secured within the complementary chassis attachment 159 of the protective cover 100, for example, a magnet 178 is embedded within the central panel 104 of the protective casing 102, cooperating with the magnetically permeable member 188 to magnetically The protective cover 100 is fixed in the docking station 5.

30, 31, and 32 illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the device cover 100 cooperates with the docking station 5, wherein the nesting appendage 159 of the docking station tray 7 is formed with the mating female nest 157, The positioning interface component provided between the contactor 120 of the conversion adapter 114 and the docking connector 3 has been reversed. The keeper occupant 132 is provided as the female receiver, which is provided on the outer surface 152 of the central panel 104 of the casing 102, while the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7 is disposed as the cooperating locator to form the hen 157 and an inverted embodiment of the positioning interface component of the complementary nest member 159.

The thirtieth illustration illustrates the use of a shallow socket connection from the docking station tray 7 herein. The keeper 166 is provided with a locator shelter 132 to provide the female nest 157 on the protective casing 102. The receptacle receiver 166 of the locator shelter 132 is surrounded by a generally planar or planar peripheral surface 164 that forms a support ring that projects from the resilient central panel 104 to the outer surface 152 of the inner pocket 108 of the housing 102. The receptacle receiver 166 of the shelter 132 includes an inner perimeter transition wall 170 that provides for translation between the receptacle bottom plate 168 and the surrounding ring support surface 164. The transition wall 170 is formed using the rotation control member 176 to positively rotate the orientation of the elastomeric shell 102 of the boot 100 relative to the docking station tray 7, as disclosed herein.

As such, the male positioning interface 132 includes a combination of a contact surface recessed within the bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166 and a protruding rotation control member 176 formed therein, and which, for example, and the socket bottom plate 168 The surrounding contact ring 164 is coplanar. When the female nest 157 is seated on the complementary male nest appendage 159 of the docking station tray 7, the contact ring 164 is seated on the operating surface 156 of the docking station tray 7. The protruding female rotation control feature 186 of the female positioning interface 132 houses the recessed rotation control member 186 of the docking station tray 7 in the dove appendage 159, whereby the housing 102 is rotationally oriented relative to the base receiver 9 of the tray 7.

Optionally, the casing 102 of the boot 100 is secured under the weight (i.e., by gravity) in the tray 7 of the docking station 5, as exemplified herein. Additionally, an optional magnet 178 and magnetic permeable member 188 may be provided within the docking tray 7 or the protective casing 102, as present, as disclosed herein. As illustrated herein and by way of example and not limitation, a magnet 178 is provided within the magnet securing structure 180 adjacent the recessed bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166 or about the receptacle ring 164 (shown in the figures).

The contactor 120 of the conversion adapter 114 can be configured as a plurality of concentric contact rings 122 of electrically conductive material, as disclosed herein. The contactor 120 is positioned on the bottom plate 168 of the receptacle receiver 166.

The thirty-first illustration illustrates that the tray 7 of the docking station 5 is disposed substantially parallel to the base receiver 9, which is configured to have its upper operating surface 156 formed by a generally flat plane. The operating surface of the tray 7 is configured to have a complementary dove appendage 159 from the protective cover 100.

The substantially flat contact surface 182 is offset and protrudes from the upper operating surface 156 of the docking station tray 7 and is set and resized with any generally square or rectangular, elliptical, kidney, rectangular or other regular or irregular shape. It fits within the recessed receptacle receiver 166 of the female locator shelter 132 of the nest 157 on the protective casing 102. Thus, when the protruding contact surface 182 of the complementary dove appendage 159 is nested within the female receptacle receptacle 166 of the nest 157, the upper operating surface 156 of the docking tray 7 is housed within the protective casing 102. The perimeter of the locator shelter 132 supports the ring 164.

As such, as disclosed herein, the complementary dove appendage 159 of the docking station tray 7 includes a contactor surface 182 that protrudes from the upper operating surface 156 of the pedestal receiver 9 and a female rotation control feature 186 that is recessed within its perimeter. Combined, and for example coplanar with the surrounding contact ring formed as the operating surface 156. When the mother nest 157 is seated over the complementary nest attachment 159 of the docking station tray 7, the operating surface 156 is coupled to the contact ring 164 of the peripheral surface to form a receptacle ring 166 that surrounds the locator shelter 132 of the support ring. The outer surface 152 of the resilient central panel 104 of the shell 102 protrudes (as shown in Fig. 30). The protruding male rotation control member 176 of the female positioning interface 132 incorporates the female parent rotation control feature 186 of the docking station tray 7 within the dove appendage 159 whereby the housing 102 is rotationally oriented relative to the base receiver 9 of the tray 7.

As disclosed herein, the docking connector 3 includes a plurality of biasing electrical contacts 11 that are configured to be electrically coupled to the spring pins of the electrical leads 13 by wires or cables 15, for example.

The docking station tray 7 is selectively perforated by fastener clearance holes 172 for securing the docking station tray 7 to an external fixation surface, as discussed herein. The fastener clearance aperture 172 optionally includes a uniform annular depression or depression 174 that is bored or bored, as discussed herein, recessing the head of the threaded fastener to a protruding contact below the complementary male nest appendage 159. Surface 182. As further disclosed herein, other mechanisms for securing to the outer mounting surface S , such as adhesives or pressure sensitive tapes and films, are also contemplated and may be included or substituted without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The outer peripheral transition wall 184 of the complementary protruding dove appendage 159 is selectively tilted to cooperate in a nest shape in the tilt of the recessed receptacle receiver 166 for the docking connector 3 in the receptacle 9 relative to the docking station tray 7 The positive protective case 102 is positioned in the forward direction.

When the locator shelter 132 of the protective casing 102 is disposed with the male rotation control member 176, the tray 7 of the docking station 5 can be formed by assembling the female rotation control feature 186, which mates with the male rotation control member 176 and cooperates to control the protective casing The rotational orientation between the 102 and the docking station tray 7.

In addition, matching male and female rotational control features 176 and 186 are selected between female socket receiver 166 of locator shelter 132, parent nest 157 on protective casing 102, and complementary homing attachment 159 of docking station tray 7. Strictly reversed, the rotation control member 186 is thus femalely retracted or invaded to the periphery of the transition wall 170, into the ring 164 of the female receptacle receiver 166 surrounding the locator shelter 132, and the mating rotational control member 176 is presented as a transition wall Complementary male peripheral protrusion of 184.

The thirty-second diagram is a cross-sectional view in which the keeper 162 is provided on the protective casing 102 by the locator shelter 132, and the complementary cockpit appendage 159 is provided on the tray 7 of the docking station 5 by means of the pedestal receiver 9. Therefore, the positioning between the casing 102 of the protective cover 100 and the tray 7 of the docking station 5 is provided through the female nest 157 on the protective casing 102 housed on the complementary male nest appendage 159 of the base receiver 9. interface.

When the protective cover 100 is secured by the weight of the portable electronic device 1 in the housing 102, i.e., using gravity, as disclosed herein, it is contemplated that the complementary nesting of the pedestal receiver 9 will be present on the tray 7 of the docking station 5. The object 159 is generally oriented upward to accommodate the nest 157 of the protective casing 102. Additionally, one or more of the permanent magnets 178 and the magnetically permeable member 188 are located in complementary positions for magnetic attraction between the housing 102 of the protective cover 100 and the tray 7 of the docking station 5. For example, when both the optional magnet 178 and the magnetically permeable member 188 are present, as illustrated herein, the docking station tray 7 is rotatable for the electronic device 1 within the protective magnetically fixed protective cover 100. Depending on the magnetic attraction strength associated with the selected magnet 178 and the magnetically permeable member 188, the tray 7 of the docking station 5 can be tilted or rotated more vigorously, even allowing the docking station tray 7 to be turned upside down, wherein the electronic device 1 passes through the protective cover 100 and The magnetic attraction between the docking trays 7 is sufficient to mechanically and electrically couple the electrical contacts 122 of the shell contactor 120 to the electrical contacts 11 of the mating connector 3 during operation of the electronic device 1 to secure the electronic device 1 .

By way of example and not limitation, one or more of the magnetic permeable members 188 are each embodied as a sheet or an iron-containing plate, or other highly magnetically permeable ferroelectric material, such as iron, nickel, cobalt. Or another ferroelectric material or alloy, as disclosed herein, is embedded in the recessed bottom plate 168 of the female receptacle receiver 166 or the retainer housing 102 on the retainer cover 132 surrounding the receptacle ring 164 (shown in the figures). Additionally, one or more permanent magnets 178 are secured within the complementary chassis attachment 159 of the protective cover 100, for example, a magnet 178 is embedded within the central panel 104 of the protective casing 102 for cooperation with the magnetic permeable member 188 for magnetic The protective cover 100 is fixed in the docking station 5.

Additionally, the relative positions of the magnet 178 and the magnetically permeable member 188 are selectively reversed, as disclosed herein, wherein one or more magnets 178 are disposed on the protective housing 102. The parent nest 157 of 132 is within a magnet securing structure 180 and one or more magnetic permeable members 188 are disposed within the operating surface 156 of the tray 7 complementary to one of the adjacent nest attachments 159 of the pedestal receiver 9. Within the location.

As disclosed herein, the internal transfer wall 170 of the receptacle receiver 166 cooperates with the outer peripheral transition wall 184 of the complementary protruding dove appendage 159 for use with respect to the docking connector 3 within the receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7, The protective cover 102 is integrally positioned.

Further, when the locator shelter 132 of the protective casing 102 is formed by the male rotation control member 176, the tray 7 of the docking seat 5 can be formed by the complementary rotation control member 186 of the assembly rotation control member 176, which cooperates with it for control The rotational orientation between the protective case 102 and the docking station tray 7.

A thirty-third illustration illustrates a protective cover 100 in which a complementary dove appendage 159 is disposed to protect a positioning interface shelter 132 within the side skirt 106 of the casing 102, similar to that shown in the sixth figure, for receipt in a pedestal receiver The nest 157 of 9 is similar to that shown in the eleventh figure. In contrast, the interface mask 132, which includes the contactor 120 and its contacts 122, is spaced apart from the male plug 116 from the different side skirts 106 of the protective casing 102, away from the contactor 120 and its connections. The location of the point 122 extends into the pocket 108 of the shell 102 as disclosed herein.

The positioning interface cover 132 of the dove appendage 159 is selectively formed by the magnet fixing structure 180 adjacent to both sides of the contactor 120 of the conversion adapter 114, whereby the magnet 178 is fixed near the contactor 120. Thus, the protective cover 100 is configured to cooperate with the tray 7 of the docking station 5 having one or more magnetically permeable members 188 such that when the dove appendage 159 is seated within the complementary parent nest 157, the magnetic properties of the protective casing 102 against the tray 7 The attraction is used to secure the boot 100 within the docking station 5, as disclosed herein.

The thirty-fourth diagram illustrates the protective cover 100 having the electronic device 1 mounted therein. The positioning interface bunker 132 of the dove appendage 159 instead comprises a magnetically permeable member 188, embodied as one or more sheets or iron-containing plates or other highly magnetically permeable ferroelectric materials such as iron, nickel, cobalt or others. A ferroelectric material or alloy, the protective cover 100 herein is similar to the embodiment illustrated in the thirty-third diagram. For example, the magnetically permeable member 188 is embedded in the complementary position of the locator shelter 132 on the outer surface 124 of the protective casing 102 for cooperation with one or more magnets 178 located within the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7. . As such, when the dove appendage 159 is seated within the complementary parent nest 157, the magnet 178 cooperates with the magnetically permeable member 188 to secure the protective cover 100 containing the electronic device 1 within the docking station 5, as disclosed herein.

The thirty-fifth view is a cross-sectional view through the protective cover 100 of the thirty-third figure in which the male plug 116 of the electrical adapter 114 and the contactor 120 are spaced apart in different regions of the side skirt portion 106 in the protective casing 102. As illustrated, the electrical contacts 122 of the contactors 120 embedded in the body 128 of the adapter 114 are electrically coupled via electrical cables, wires, wires, or other electrical conductors 126 (only one is shown for clarity). One or more electrical connectors 118 to the plug 116. The portable electronic device 1 is engaged with the male plug 116 of the adapter 114 in the side skirt 106 adjacent to the side 102a of the protective casing 102 with the female input/output socket 27, and is received in the pocket 108 of the elastic casing 102. Inside.

The locating interface baffle 132 is formed within the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102, and the adapter contact 120 is further recessed within the locator baffle 132 to form a complementary homing appendage 159 seated within the nest 157. Here, the locator shelter 132 includes a magnet 178 within the magnet securing structure 180 for magnetically absorbing the magnetically permeable member 188 in the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7.

In addition, the magnet 178 is located in the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7, and The magnetic permeable member 188 is formed as an electrical contact 122 on both sides of the contactor 120 in the locator shelter 132 outside the protective casing 102.

Figure 36 is a cross-sectional view through the protective cover 100 of the thirty-fourth embodiment, wherein the male plug 116 of the electrical adapter 114 and the contactor 120 are spaced apart in different regions of the side skirt 106 in the protective casing 102. As illustrated, the electrical contacts 122 of the contactors 120 embedded in the body 128 of the adapter 114 are electrically coupled via electrical cables, wires, wires, or other electrical conductors 126 (only one is shown for clarity). One or more electrical connectors 118 to the plug 116. The portable electronic device 1 is engaged with the male plug 116 of the adapter 114 in the side skirt 106 adjacent to the side 102a of the protective casing 102 with the female input/output socket 27, and is received in the pocket 108 of the elastic casing 102. Inside.

The locating interface baffle 132 is formed within the outer surface 124 of the unitary protective casing 102, and the adapter contact 120 is further recessed within the locator baffle 132 to form a complementary homing appendage 159 seated within the nest 157. In this context, the locator shelter 132 additionally includes a magnetically permeable ferroelectric member 188, as disclosed herein. For example, the ferromagnetic member 188 is embedded in a complementary position of the locator shelter 132 in the side skirt portion 106 of the protective casing 102 for attracting the magnet 178 within the pedestal receiver 9 of the docking station tray 7, as disclosed herein.

The thirty-seventh embodiment illustrates the female nest 157 of the pedestal receiver 9 in the docking station 5, including one or more ferroelectric members 188. For example, the ferroelectric component 188 is exposed in a position to bias the electrical contacts 11 on both sides of the mating connector 3. Accordingly, when a magnet 178 adjacent to either side of the contactor 120 is selectively provided to the positioning interface shelter 132 of the protective cover 100 in the side skirt 106 of the housing 102, as illustrated in the thirty-third figure, the iron The electrical member 188 is positioned to cooperate with the magnet 178 such that when the dove appendage 159 is seated on the complementary parent nest 157, as disclosed herein, the protective shell 102 operates on the tray 7 to secure the boot 100 to the docking station 5 Inside. The docking connector 3 can also include an optional guide pin 17, such as this It is disclosed that if it is present in the contactor 120 of the electrical adapter 114, it is suitable for assembly with the optional assembly guide pin receiver 130.

The thirty-eighth diagram illustrates the female nest 157 replacing the pedestal receiver 9, wherein one or more magnets 178 replace the ferroelectric members 188 shown in the thirty-seventh figure, for example, the magnet 178 positions the two of the docking connectors 3 Side biased electrical contacts 11. Accordingly, when the ferroelectric members 188 adjacent to both sides of the contactor 120 are selectively provided to the positioning interface shelter 132 of the protective cover 100 in the side skirt portion 106 of the casing 102, as illustrated in the thirty-fourth figure, the magnet 178 is positioned to cooperate with the ferroelectric component 188 such that when the dove appendage 159 is seated on the complementary parent nest 157, as disclosed herein, the protective shell 102 operates on the magnetic force of the tray 7 to secure the protective cover 100 to the docking station 5 Inside. The docking connector 3 can also include an optional guide pin 17, as disclosed herein, if it is present in the contactor 120 of the electrical adapter 114, suitable for assembly with an optional assembly guide pin receiver 130 .

A thirty-ninth diagram illustrates another configuration of the electrical contacts 122 of the cover 100. In this configuration, there are a total of ten electrical contacts 122 arranged in two columns. In the illustrated embodiment, the columns are interleaved, but it can be inferred that the columns can be aligned with one another instead of being staggered. The docking station 5 can have the same number and configuration of electrical contacts 11, although in some embodiments the docking station can have fewer or more contacts than the cover 100.

In at least some embodiments, different covers 100 may be provided for different types of portable electronic devices 1, but the electrical contacts 122 are configured identically, such that many different portable electronic devices 1 (including from different manufacturers) The device can be coupled to the same docking station 5 using a suitable cover 100. It can be understood that the internal configuration of the electrical conductor 126 of the different cover 100 (the electrical connection connecting the electrical contact 122 of the adapter 114 to the male plug 116 is based on the type of portable electronic device 1 incorporated in the cover 100). The device 118) can be different. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, one or more electrical connections The point 122 is not coupled to the corresponding electrical contact 118 of the adapter 114, particularly if there is no corresponding contact designed by the cover 100 in the portable electronic device 1.

The forty-first diagram illustrates the configuration of twelve electrical contacts 122 in two interleaved columns. It can be understood that the cover 100 can include any number of electrical contacts 122, including but not limited to two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen , twenty or more electrical contacts. The electrical contacts 122 can be arranged in any regular or irregular pattern, for example, three electrical contacts can be aligned, equilateral triangles, isosceles triangles, right triangles, or any other suitable configuration. For another example, the electrical contacts 122 may be arranged in a straight line or in two or three columns (eg, two, three, four or more columns), may be aligned or interlaced with respect to each other, and may have the same or different number of columns within each column. contact. For still another example, some or all of the electrical contacts 122 may be arranged at the vertices of a regular or irregular polygon, for example, five electrical contacts 122 may be arranged at the apex of the pentagon, and six electrical contacts 122 may be arranged. At the vertices of the hexagon, or eight electrical contacts can be placed at the vertices of the octagon.

The thirty-ninth and forty-first diagrams also illustrate a shelter 132 having an asymmetrical shape that facilitates proper coupling of the cover 100 to the docking station 5. The shelter 132 defines an asymmetric positioning interface. In this case, the shelter 132 has a straight first edge 191 and a second edge 192 opposite the first edge and curved. The shape of the female nest 157 of the docking station 5 can be similar to the shelter 132, such that the shelter of the cover 100 can be easily loaded into the female nest of the docking station in only one direction. This asymmetrical positioning interface of the cover helps to properly couple the cover to the docking station 5 such that the electrical contacts 122 are properly and reliably assembled with the corresponding contacts on the docking station.

The fortieth illustration illustrates a portion of the adapter 114 and includes a male plug 116, an electrical contact 122, a magnet 178 (or ferroelectric member 188), and a body 128. Adapter 114 with side skirt 116 Formed with the shelter 132 around a portion of the adapter, positioned within the cover 100. In at least some embodiments, a portion of the shell 102 or baffle 132 also covers one side 193 of the body 128, and the magnet 178 exposes a portion of the electrical contact 122, as shown in the thirty-ninth and forty-first figures. .

The cover of the portable electronic device may also include additional pockets for the peripheral device. The forty-second to fourty-sixth embodiments illustrate an embodiment of a cover 100 that can house a portable electronic device 1 and peripheral devices 50. Examples of peripheral devices include, but are not limited to, printers, scanners, card readers, tape drives, RFID readers, NFC readers, speakers, batteries, cameras, lights, keyboards, human interface devices (eg, mouse , trackball, etc.), medical device (eg thermometer, blood glucose machine, blood pressure machine, imager or any other suitable medical device) or any other suitable peripheral device. Other examples of peripheral devices may include illumination devices that can provide LED light, black light, infrared light, laser light, or any other light emitting device, or any combination of these, and can be used to provide general illumination, night vision, video or photographic illumination, or enhance , messaging, pointing, measuring, scanning, calibrating or any other function or use or any combination of these. Such a lighting device can be designed to be used with any device within the enclosure, such as a mobile phone or smart phone, a terminal, a computer, a test device, a tablet, etc., or any combination of these. Other examples of peripheral devices may be tool devices such as, for example, sensors (eg, for detection, such as temperature, pressure, leveling, angle, height, light, density, X-ray, magnetic field, acceleration, speed, velocity, Distance, energy, current or energy flow, force, hardness, mass/weight, torque, resistance, capacitance, voltage, reactance or the like or any combination thereof) or a fingerprint reader.

The cover 100 can be designed for a particular type of peripheral device or can accommodate a variety of peripheral devices. Moreover, while the illustrated embodiment allows for the inclusion of a single peripheral device within the enclosure, it will be appreciated that other embodiments allow for multiple inclusions within one or more peripheral pockets of the enclosure (eg, Two, three, four or more) peripheral devices.

The cover 100 includes a housing 102 having a central panel 104, side skirts 106, lips 110, mouth openings 112, and internal pockets 108 for receiving the portable electronic device 1. In addition, the cover 100 includes a peripheral pocket 208 that defines a perimeter pocket to receive the peripheral device 50. The peripheral pockets 208 can be formed using the central panel 104 and selected portions of the side skirts 106 or other portions of the cover 100. Peripheral pocket 208 defines a device surface 205 and one or more side surfaces 207. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral pocket 208 is adjacent the inner pocket 108, and the peripheral device 50 is insertable into the peripheral pocket 208 through the mouth opening 112 and the inner pocket 108, as illustrated in the forty-fourth diagram. Then, the portable electronic device 1 can be inserted into the internal cavity 110 through the mouth opening, as exemplified in the forty-fifth figure. In other embodiments, the cover 100 can include a peripheral opening (not shown) through which the perimeter can be inserted into the peripheral pocket 208. In such an embodiment, the peripheral pocket 208 can be adjacent the inner pocket 108, or the perimeter pocket and the inner pocket can be separated by a wall of the cover 100.

In addition to the male plug 116, the cover 100 includes a peripheral plug 216 as illustrated in the forty-third diagram. The peripheral plug 216 is loaded into the input/output receptacle of the peripheral device 50. The perimeter plug 216 can be designed for a particular peripheral device or can be used for a variety of different devices. For example, the peripheral plug 216 (or male plug 116 or both) can be a USB or Micro USB plug designed to be loaded into a USB or Micro USB port of the peripheral device 50, respectively.

The perimeter plug 216 includes one or more electrical contacts 218 that are connected to the inner contacts of the peripheral device 50. One or more electrical connectors 218 are coupled to electrical contacts 122 of the cover 100 adapter 114 using conductors (not shown) extending through the cover. This configuration can be used to power peripheral device 50 through adapter 114 and one or more electrical connectors 218. In at least some embodiments, the adapter 114 and associated conductors can be aligned such that the peripheral device 50 provides electrical power through the adapter Force, data or both for the portable electronic device 1, for example: the adapter 114 can couple the electrical connector 218 of the peripheral plug 216 and the electrical connector 118 of the male plug 116 to the same electrical electrical connection of the adapter The contact 122 is such that the peripheral device 50 can provide power or information to the portable electronic device 1 through the adapter. It can be understood that other mechanisms may share data between the peripheral device 50 and the portable electronic device 1, such as Bluetooth, NFC, and the like.

The cover 100 can include one or more openings 194 through which the peripheral pockets 218 are accessed. These openings 194 allow access to components of the peripheral device 50, such as, for example, plugs, scanners, printers, sensors, and the like. Similarly, the cover 100 can include one or more openings 196 that enter the internal pocket 118, allowing access to components of the portable electronic device, such as the opening 196 allowing access to the camera of the portable electronic device 1, the earphone plug, Switches, speakers, microphones, etc. In at least some embodiments, depending on the type of portable electronic device used in the design of the cover 100, the placement, number and size of the cover openings can be specifically arranged. In some embodiments, the cover 100 can include a soft button 198 formed within the cover (eg, within the side skirt 106) that can be positioned to coincide with the button position on the portable electronic device 1. The soft button 196 can be, for example, a portion of the cover material, having a location around the indentation that identifies the soft button and helps actuate the soft button. The soft button 196 is arranged and arranged such that actuation of the soft button 196 also activates the button of the bottom portable electronic device 1. The soft button 196 can be consistent with the power, volume and other buttons on the portable electronic device 1. Any of the covers described herein may include one or more openings 196, one or more soft buttons 198, or any combination of these.

Any of the covers 100 described herein may also include a label member 199 located within or on the cover as illustrated in the thirty-third diagram. The tag element 199 can be, for example, an RFID tag or an NFC tag that can be used to identify the cover or the device within the cover. The label element 199 can be fabricated with the cover 100 or can be placed on the inner or outer surface of the cover. In at least some embodiments, the label The component 199 can be associated with a portable message terminal 197 or other tag query device that can be carried by the user. The tag component 199 can be queried wirelessly to determine whether the cover 100 is within the range of the portable message terminal or other tag query device. . The portable messaging terminal 197 can be activated by a user to assist in finding the cover or associated portable electronic device. In addition or in addition, the portable message terminal 197 may include an audible alert, a vibrating alert, or both. When the distance between the portable messaging terminal and the hood 100 exceeds a critical limit, the user automatically activates to alert the user to inform the hood 100 of the relevant information. The connected portable electronic device has been left behind (eg, left on the docking station). In some embodiments, the user can select whether the portable messaging terminal 197 provides an audible alert, a vibrating alert, or both. In some embodiments, the user can program the critical distance.

47 to 49 show an additional embodiment of the docking station 5, which includes a tray 7 (not shown in the forty-ninth figure) and a pedestal receiver 9 placed thereon. A portable electronic device 1 located within a cover 100. The docking station 5 of the forty-seventh drawing includes a clip 19 and an arm 21. The docking station 5 of the forty-eighth figure is a single stand that can be placed on any stable surface such as a desk, a shelf, a bookcase, a table, and the like. The docking station 5 of the forty-ninth figure can be mounted on a wall or other surface. The forty-eighth illustration illustrates a mobile phone or other relatively small device as the portable electronic device 5. The forty-ninth figure illustrates a tablet or other relatively large device as the portable electronic device 1. Many docking stations accommodate large and small portable electronic devices, but other docking stations are specifically designed for portable electronic devices of a specific size or size range.

The forty-eighth figure illustrates a cable 15 that leaves the docking station 5. It will be appreciated that other illustrated docking stations may include a cable. The cable can be detached from the docking station or can be permanently fixed to the docking station. In some embodiments incorporating a detachable cable, the docking station includes a port, such as a USB or Micro USB port, that accepts one end of the cable.

In some embodiments, the docking station can include electronic components for providing power, data, or other signals from the dock to the portable electronic device. In other embodiments, the docking station is a "through" device, where the docking station is intermediate between the portable electronic device and other devices (eg, a charger, a computer, other portable electronic devices, etc.) Things. In these embodiments, the cable exiting the docking station can be coupled to the other device, and in at least some instances, the docking station transmits signals only between the electrical contacts of the docking station and the cable.

In some embodiments, a rigid (or rigid) shell with an elastic cover or skin can be utilized to provide additional protection to the electronic devices within the skin. Fifty-A and F-B are a front view and a rear view of a resilient cover or skin 100 (for coloring for illustration) and a rigid (or rigid) shell 500. The electronic device will be placed within the elastomeric cover or skin 100 as described above. Any of the above elastic covers can be used for the elastic cover or skin 100, wherein the hard case 500 has been modified to conform to the particular cover.

The hard case 500 can be made of any rigid or rigid plastic material such as, for example, polycarbonate or the like, carbon fiber, metal, leather or the like or any combination of these. In at least some embodiments, the hard case 500 includes a backing plate 504 (Fig. 50B) and a skirt 506 (Fig. 50A), and then, with the cover 100, forms a communication with a pocket 108. Mouth opening 112. The mouth opening 112 is sized to accept the entry of the electronic device into the pocket 108. In some embodiments, the backing plate 504 may not cover the entire back of the cover 100. In some embodiments, the skirt 506 may not completely surround the mouth opening 112, but only extend a portion of the mouth opening (eg, no more than 90%, 75%, 50%, 40%, or less).

In the illustrated embodiment, the hard shell 500 includes openings through which the elastomeric cover or skin 100 can be accessed or protruded. For example, the hard case 500 includes an opening 514 through which a portion of the adapter 114 (such as the nest member 159 or the contactor 120) can be protruded or advanced. Out for connecting to a pair of connectors or other devices. In at least some embodiments, the hard case 500 includes one or more button openings 598 that allow the soft button 198 (or the button of the electronic device) of the cover 100 to enter and exit, or the soft button 198 of the cover 100 (or the button of the electronic device) ) can stand out from here. In at least some embodiments, the hard case 500 can include one or more corner openings 595 that allow the corner portion 195 of the cover 100 to protrude, using the elasticity of the cover 100 to improve corner protection. The hard case 500 and the cover 100 can also include an opening 196 that allows access to a camera, earphone plug, switch, horn, microphone, or the like of an electronic device.

The combination of the hard case 500 and the resilient cover 100 calibrates and supports the electronic device. In addition, the protruding portion of the elastic cover 100, such as the protruding corner portion 195, can serve as a cushion to protect the electronic device.

In an alternative embodiment, the electronic device can be inserted into a hard case, which can then be inserted into any of the protective covers 100 together with the hard case. In still other embodiments, a hard case is provided as a removable (or permanent) liner for any of the protective covers 100 described above. The hard case of these embodiments will include an opening through which the male plug 116 of the adapter 114 can protrude, allowing the male plug 116 of the adapter 114 to be coupled to the input/output receptacle of the electronic device.

Instead of the docking station, the portable electronic device and the cover can be coupled to an external adapter. 51A to 51D illustrate that a portable electronic device 1 is placed in a cover 100 (which may be any of the above covers), and an external adapter 600 has a wire or cable 615. Extend from the external adapter. In the fifty-first A diagram, the outer adapter 600 is coupled to the adapter 114 of the cover 100. In the fifty-first B to fifty-first D diagrams, the outer adapter 600 is disengaged from the adapter 114 of the cover 100. In at least some embodiments, the outer adapter 600 is only coupled to the adapter 114 of the cover 100 and is in contact with the cover 100 only on the adapter 114 and is in selective contact with the adapter. The cover part. The external adapter 600 may not have a tray.

The external adapter 600 has a housing 602 (the fifty-first C and the fifty-first D-D) including a plurality of electronic contacts 611 for connection with the contactor 120 in the adapter 114 of the cover 100. Point 122 is paired. Electronic contact 611 is electrically coupled to the wire or cable 615. In some embodiments, the wire or cable 615 can be detached from the outer adapter 600. In some embodiments, cable 615 can be any cable used in the portable electronic device and includes a plug that can be received in a corresponding receptacle on the external adapter 600.

In at least some embodiments, both the adapter 114 and the outer adapter 600 comprise the magnetic attraction assembly described above with respect to the docking station 5. Additionally or alternatively, the outer adapter 600 and the adapter 114 can include other coupling elements to secure the outer adapter 600 to the cover 100 in a reliable manner. As will be appreciated, the docking stations described above may also include any of these coupling elements.

In at least some embodiments, the outer adapter 600 includes at least one raised element 640 that is a coupling element that can engage the pawl 114 within the adapter 114. In the illustrated embodiment of the fifty-first through fifth to fifty-first D-d diagrams, the outer adapter 600 includes two raised elements 640 that are opposite one another, and the adapter 114 is included on the opposite surface of the adapter 114 The two pawls 141 (one of which is not shown). In at least some embodiments, the raised elements 640 are spaced apart from each other by a corresponding width of the adapter 114 prior to joining the adapters 114 such that when the pawls 141 are engaged, the two raised elements (and the outer adapter 600) Forming a press fit with the adapter 114 limits the detachment of the ridge member 640 from the pawl 141.

In at least some embodiments, the outer adapter 600 further includes a tab 642 (or two tabs extending from one of the ridge members 640 in a cantilever or other configuration, each tab from which The different components of the ridges are extended) so that the user can push the tabs, resulting in The raised element is detached from the pawl 141 such that the outer adapter 600 can be detached from the adapter 114 of the cover 100. Other separation methods or mechanisms can also be used. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, the cover can include at least one raised element (and selective tab) and the outer adapter can include at least one pawl.

In at least some embodiments, the outer adapter 600 can include one or more grip members 644 as a coupling member that extends away from the remainder of the outer adapter 600 and is configured such that when the outer adapter When the 600 is coupled to the adapter 114, a compression or friction grip is formed on the adapter 114. This compression or friction grip resists the outer adapter 600 from separating from the adapter 114, but when the user pulls the outer adapter 600 away from the adapter 114, the applied separation force overcomes this gripping force. The specific embodiment illustrated in the fifty-first through fifth to fifty-first D drawings includes two opposing grip members 644, but it is understood that other embodiments may employ more than two grip members, configured in The outer adapter 600 is surrounded, or a single grip member that is formed around the entire (or portion) of the outer adapter 600. In at least some embodiments, the gripping member 644 can be shaped to match the shape of a corresponding portion of the adapter 114. For example, the adapter of the forty-first diagram has a straight first edge 191 and a second edge 192 opposite the first edge and curved such that the grip member 644 can be shaped to have a straight first edge The shape of 191, the other has a shape that matches the curved second edge 192. As will be appreciated, the outer adapter (or docking station) can include one or both of the ridge element 640 and the grip member 644.

52A to 52D show that the docking station 5 includes a movable arm 43 for receiving a portable electronic device 1 into a cover 100 (52th E and 52nd) A specific embodiment of Figure F). In addition to the movable arm 43, the docking station 5 comprises a pair of connectors 3 having electrical contacts 11, tray 7, base receiver 9 and wires or cables 15, as described above It is described in the specific embodiments. In at least some embodiments, the movable arm 43 includes a forward extension 45 that fits over an edge of the portable electronic device 1 (the fifty-second E and fifty-fifth F) (eg, The top edge) and a lip portion 47 is in contact with the front surface of the portable electronic device 1 to assist in maintaining the portable electronic device in combination with the docking station.

The movable arm 43 is movable from an extended position (the fifty-second A picture and the fifty-second B picture) to a closed position (the fifty-second C picture and the fifty-second D picture) and any intermediate position, like It is a combined position (the fifty-second E picture and the fifty-second F picture), where the movable arm 43 combines the portable electronic device 1 and the cover 100, and maintains these components in combination with the docking station 5.

In the exemplary embodiment of the fifty-second to fifth-fifth F-figures, the movable arm 43 is coupled to a spring 750 (the fifty-second B-picture, the fifty-second D-picture, the fifty-second F map), the closed position of the fifty-second C and fifty-second D-pictures is thus biased. We will understand that other mechanical configurations, such as a pawl wheel configuration, can be used to replace the spring 750. The spring 750 resists the separation of the portable electronic device 1 and the cover 100 from the docking station 5 (as illustrated in the fifty-second E and fifty-second F diagrams). A user can extend the movable arm 43 from the tray 7 to allow a portable electronic device to be placed on the tray, and then release the movable arm to engage the movable arm with the portable electronic device to Fixed on the docking station. The user releases the portable electronic device and the cover by extending the movable arm away from the portable electronic device, the cover and the tray 7, and the portable electronic device 1 and the cover 100 are separated from the docking station 5. .

The fifty-third figure illustrates another example of the docking station 5, similar to the docking station in the forty-eighth and forty-ninth figures. The docking station 5 includes a tray 7 and a pedestal receiver 9 on which a portable electronic device 1 is placed within a hood 100. The tray 7 includes a back support surface 101 for supporting the back side of the cover 100 and a pair of support members extending from the back support surface Surface 103 (also as shown in the third, fourth, thirty-seventh and forty-seventh drawings). In at least some embodiments, the back support surface 101 and the butt support surface 103 form an included angle ranging from 90 to 130 degrees, from 90 to 120 degrees, or from 90 to 100 degrees, or equal to 90 degrees.

The docking station 5 includes a pair of connectors 3, which in the illustrated example are a female connector. The docking connector 3 includes a joint 11, which may be, for example, a biasing contact, such as a biasing pin or a biasing leaf spring, or any other suitable type of contact. The docking connector 3 also includes a ring 105 that is recessed relative to the docking support surface, as shown in the fifty-third diagram. In at least some embodiments, the ring 105 and the docking connector 3 can be asymmetrical, like an elongated D-shape, as shown in the fifty-third figure, having a straight edge and a curved edge opposite the straight edge. This configuration helps proper alignment when the cover is paired with the docking station.

The docking station 5 of the fifty-third figure is a single stand that can be placed on any suitable surface, such as a desk, shelf, bookcase, table, and the like. The fifty-fourth A and fifty-fourth B diagrams illustrate another docking station 5 having a plurality of back support surfaces 101, and a docking connector 3 including one or more docking support surfaces 103 formed in a housing 107. This may allow multiple electronic devices 1 within the cover 100 to dock within the docking station 5. One or more cables (not shown) or a connector 109 can extend from the docking station for attachment to another device, wherein the docking station is the portable electronic device and other devices, such as a charger, a computer Intermediates between other portable electronic devices, etc. In these embodiments, the cable or connector that exits the docking station can be coupled to such other devices. It will be appreciated that the docking connector of any of the docking stations disclosed herein can utilize the magnetic coupling configuration described above and can also include one or more guide pins, as described above.

Fifty-fifth A illustrates a portion of the adapter 814 and includes a male plug 816, an electrical contact 822, a magnet 878 (or ferroelectric member), and a body 828. Adapter 814 can be used Within any of the enclosures described herein, or within any of the adapters 114. Adapter 814 is formed with side skirt 116 and shelter 132 around a portion of the adapter, positioned within cover 100, as shown in FIG. In at least some embodiments, a portion of the housing 102 or the cover 132 also covers one side 893 of the body 828, and the magnet 878 exposes a portion of the electrical contact 822, similar to the thirty-ninth and forty-first views. The specific embodiment shown.

As noted above, electrical contacts 822 are electrically coupled to the electrical connectors of plug 816 using conductors (see electrical conductors 126 described above). It has been found that the configuration of the available plugs and conductors is generally not suitable for the high pressure injection molding process used to form the shell 102 of the cover 100. In this process, the adapter 814 is an insert disposed within the mold and the shell 102 of the cover 100 is cast around the adapter. It has been found that the plastic forming the shell 102 can enter the opening of the adapter 814 and can break or damage the conductor due to the high pressure of the forming process, and can also fill the interior region of a connector (if present), and The pairing is prevented from pairing with the corresponding female connector of the portable electronic device.

Thus, adapter 814 includes a sealed outer casing 875 that surrounds conductor 126 and from which plug 816 extends. The portion of the adapter that surrounds the conductors is formed using low pressure injection to form a tight seal with body 828 and plug 816 to form a sealed outer casing 875 to reduce or avoid material during subsequent high pressure injection molding process to form shell 102. Flow between these components.

A further embodiment of the fifty-seventh and fifth-seventh-seventh embodiment of the cover 900 can receive a portable electronic device 1 (forty-fifth figure) and a peripheral device 50 (fourty-fourth Fig. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the cover 100 shown in the forty-second to fourty-sixth drawings. Cover 900 may include any or all of the functions described with respect to cover 100 shown in Figures 42 through 46 or any other cover 100 described herein, unless otherwise indicated.

The cover 900 includes a shell 902 having a central panel 904, side skirts 906, lips 910, The mouth opening 912 and the internal pocket 908 that accepts the portable electronic device. In addition, the cover 900 includes a peripheral pocket 909 that defines a peripheral pocket for receiving the peripheral device 50. Peripheral pockets 909 can be formed using central panel 904 and selected portions of side skirts 906 or other portions of cover 900. Peripheral pocket 909 defines a device surface 905 and one or more side surfaces 907. In the illustrated embodiment, the peripheral pocket 909 is adjacent to the inner pocket 908, and the peripheral device 50 is insertable into the peripheral pocket 909 through the nozzle opening 912 and the inner pocket 908. As mentioned above, in other embodiments, the peripheral device can be inserted through different openings (ie, a peripheral opening). The peripheral opening can be located within the center panel 904 or within any one or more of the four sides of the side skirt 906. Additionally, as noted above, in some embodiments, the cover can receive more than one perimeter.

In addition to the male plug 916, the cover 900 includes a peripheral plug 917. A peripheral plug 917 is loaded into the input/output receptacle of the peripheral device. The perimeter plug 917 can be designed for a particular peripheral device or can be used for a variety of different devices.

Fifty-seventh and fifth-seventh B diagrams illustrate a specific embodiment of a portion of the adapter 914 that includes a male plug 916 and a peripheral plug 917, and a body 928, electrical contacts 922, magnets 978 (or ferroelectric component) and a body 928. Both electrical contacts 922 and magnets 978 are attached to the body, and male plug 916 is coupled to the body using the conductors, and male plug 916 is coupled to electrical contacts 922 by the body.

The adapter 914 also includes a bridge 929 that is attached to the body 928. Bridge 929 includes a carrier 931 on which the conductors (e.g., wires, conductive tracks, etc.) couple the electrical connectors of peripheral plug 917 to electrical contacts 922. In some embodiments, the conductors of the bridge 929 are directly attached to the exposed portions of the electrical contacts 922 through the body 928, or the conductors are coupled to the conductive vias, wires or tracks through the body 928, Electrical contact 922. in In at least some embodiments, the carrier 931 has a thickness of at least 0.4 mm to withstand the shell 902 of the high pressure injection molding cover 900. Thinner carriers can break during the injection molding process. Peripheral plug 917 includes one or more electrical connectors that are connected to internal contacts of the peripheral device. This configuration can be used to power the peripheral device through the adapter 114. In at least some embodiments, the adaptor 914 and associated conductors can be aligned such that the peripheral device provides power, data, or both to the portable electronic device via the adaptor 914. In at least some embodiments, the male plug 916 and the peripheral plug 917 can include a sealed outer casing 975, 977, as described above, to avoid or reduce the influx of plastic material during the high pressure injection molding process of the casing 902 forming the cover 900, as described above. .

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is understood that many modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the inventors propose the following patent application scope.

1‧‧‧Portable electronic device

3‧‧‧Docking connector

5‧‧‧ docking station

7‧‧‧Tray

9‧‧‧Base Receiver

15‧‧‧ cable

19‧‧‧ clip

21‧‧‧ Arm

25‧‧‧ display

100‧‧‧ protective cover

Claims (32)

A protective arrangement for an electronic device, the configuration comprising: a resilient cover comprising a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel forms an internal recess with the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening and The internal recess is in communication, wherein the internal recess is arranged and arranged to receive an electronic device; a adapter is fixedly disposed in the elastic cover, the adapter includes a male plug, and the male plug includes an extension into the a plurality of connectors disposed within the inner recess of the elastomeric cover and configured to mate with a female receptacle of the device, and including a contactor having an outer side adjacent the resilient cover and electrically coupled to the plug a plurality of contacts of the one or more connectors; and a hard case disposed and arranged to be placed around at least a portion of the elastic protective cover and including an opening through which the contactor of the adapter can extend This opening. The configuration of claim 1, wherein the hard case further comprises a plurality of corner openings, and the elastic cover may comprise a plurality of corner portions disposed and arranged to protrude from the corner openings of the hard case. The configuration of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the hard case further comprises at least one button opening, and the elastic cover comprises at least one soft button disposed and arranged to open from the at least one button of the hard case protruding. The configuration of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hard shell comprises a skirt disposed and arranged to extend around at least a portion of the mouth opening or around the entire opening. A protection configuration for an electronic device, the configuration comprising: a hard case disposed and arranged to be placed around at least a portion of the electronic device and including an opening for allowing access to an input/output receptacle of the electronic device; a resilient cover including a panel and surrounding the panel a skirt, wherein an inner recess is formed between the panel and the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening in communication with the inner pocket, wherein the inner pocket is disposed and arranged to receive the inner portion disposed in the hard shell An electronic device; and a connector fixedly disposed in the elastic cover, the adapter comprising a male plug, the male plug extending into the inner recess of the elastic cover and configured to pass through the hard case a plurality of connectors having openings adapted to the input/output receptacle of the device, and including a contact having a plurality of connectors externally adjacent to the resilient cover and electrically coupled to the plug Contacts. The configuration of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the elastic cover further comprises a positioning interface defining a ring of the contactor surrounding the adapter to guide the contactor of the adapter Properly paired with an external connector, wherein the positioning interface selectively includes a magnetic coupling component, the magnetic coupling component being located adjacent to the contactor in the elastic cover, wherein the magnetic coupling component comprises a magnetic material or a One of the magnetic attraction materials. A docking system comprising: a protection configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and a pair of sockets, comprising a tray, the tray being arranged to receive the protection configuration, and a pair of connectors comprising a plurality of contacts To connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts of the contactor. A docking system that includes: a protective cover comprising a resilient protective casing comprising a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel forms an internal recess with the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening to communicate with the internal pocket, wherein The internal recess is arranged and arranged to receive an electronic device, and an adapter is fixedly disposed in the housing, the adapter includes a male plug, the male plug including the inner recess extending into the housing and configured a plurality of connectors mating with a female socket of the device, and including a contactor including a plurality of contacts adjacent to the exterior of the housing and electrically coupled to the one or more connectors of the plug And a pair of sockets, including a tray, the tray is configured to receive the cover, a movable arm coupled to the tray, and a pair of connectors, the docking connector being disposed opposite the movable arm and including a plurality of connectors a point positioned to be coupled to one or more of the plurality of contacts of the contactor, wherein the movable arm is disposed and arranged to lie with the arm at an extended position of the arm extending away from the tray Movable between a closed position of the tray. The docking system of claim 8 wherein the movable arm includes a forward extending portion disposed and arranged to fit on an edge of a portable electronic device mounted on the tray of the docking station The front extension selectively includes a lip disposed and arranged to contact the front surface of a portable electronic device received on the tray of the docking station. The docking system of any one of claims 8 or 9 wherein the docking station comprises a bullet a spring coupled to the movable arm and biased in the closed position. The docking system of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the cover further comprises a positioning interface, the positioning interface is located on the casing and defines a ring of the contactor surrounding the adapter, and the docking seat further A pedestal receiver is provided, the pedestal receiver being configured to mate with the locating interface of the hood, wherein the locating interface selectively defines an asymmetrical ring, and the pedestal receiver defines an asymmetrical ring, Arranged to be adjacent to the ring of the positioning interface when the pedestal receiver is mated with the locating interface. The docking system of any one of clauses 8 to 11, wherein the cover further comprises a positioning interface, the positioning interface is located on the casing and defines a ring of the contactor surrounding the adapter, and the docking seat further Included in the pedestal receiver, the pedestal receiver is configured to mate with the positioning interface of the hood, wherein the positioning interface and the pedestal receiver comprise a female portion, and the positioning interface receives the pedestal The other of the devices contains a male portion that is complementary to the parent portion. A docking system comprising: a protective cover comprising an elastic protective cover, comprising a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel forms an internal recess with the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening and the interior a recessed communication, wherein the internal recess is disposed and arranged to receive an electronic device, and an adapter is fixedly disposed in the housing, the adapter includes a male plug, the male plug including the extension extending into the housing a plurality of connectors disposed within the inner pocket and configured to mate with a female socket of the device, and including a contactor including a plurality of contacts external to the housing and electrically coupled to the one or more connectors of the plug; and an external adapter disposed and arranged to be attached to the adapter of the cover and including The housing is coupled to a plurality of contacts disposed within the housing and positioned to connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts of the contactor. The docking system of claim 13, wherein the outer adapter further comprises at least one ridge element, and the adapter of the cover comprises at least one pawl disposed and arranged to receive the outer adapter The at least one ridge member, such that the external adapter can be coupled to the protective cover and retain the coupling, wherein the docking system selectively further includes a tab extending from one of the at least one ridge member Coming out and arranged to be arranged to separate one of the at least one raised element from the pawl of the adapter of the cover when pressed. The docking system of any one of clauses 13 or 14, wherein the outer adapter further comprises at least one gripping member extending from a remaining portion of the outer adapter and arranged and arranged The adapter of the cover is grasped when the outer adapter is coupled to the adapter of the hood, wherein the at least one grip member selectively includes two grip members that are opposite one another. The docking system of claim 15, wherein the adapter of the cover defines a ring around the contactor in the adapter to guide the contactor of the adapter to be properly paired to an external connector, And the ring defines an asymmetrical shape having a straight edge and a curved edge opposite the straight edge, wherein one of the two gripping members selectively has a shape that matches the straight edge of the loop And the other of the two grip members has a shape that matches the curved edge of the ring. A docking station includes: a pedestal receiver configured to receive a plurality of electronic devices, wherein each of the electronic devices is located in a removable cover having a male connector, the pedestal receiver comprising a plurality of a back support surface for supporting a back surface of the removable cover and the electronic device, and including a plurality of docking support surfaces, each of the docking support surfaces extending away from a corresponding one of the back support surfaces; and a plurality of female connectors Each of the female connectors is disposed within a corresponding one of the docking support surfaces of the pedestal receiver and includes a plurality of contacts coupled to one or more of the plurality of contacts of the electronic device Each of the female connectors defines a loop to direct the male connector of the removable cover to properly mate to the female connector of the docking station. The docking system of claim 17, wherein the docking support surface forms an angle with the back support surface, ranging between 90 and 135 degrees. A docking station according to any one of clauses 17 or 18, wherein the rings of the female connectors have an asymmetrical shape, wherein the selective asymmetrical shape comprises a straight edge and a curved edge opposite the straight edge . The docking station of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein each of the female connectors further comprises a magnetic connecting component, the magnetic connecting component being located in the connector, wherein the magnetic connecting component comprises a magnetic material Or one of the magnetic attraction materials. The docking station of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the contacts of the female connectors are biased contacts, and the offset is when the removable cover and the electronic device have been received. The crimp point moves. A protective cover for an electronic device, the protective cover comprising: An elastic protective casing comprising a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein an inner recess and a peripheral recess are formed between the panel and the skirt, and the skirt forms a mouth opening to communicate with the inner recess, wherein the skirt The internal pockets are arranged and arranged to receive an electronic device, and the peripheral pockets are arranged and arranged to receive a peripheral device; and a adapter is fixed in the casing, the adapter comprises: a body; a contactor comprising a plurality of contacts adjacent to an outer portion of the housing and disposed on or extending from the body; a male plug fixed to the housing and including a plurality of connectors, and the connector a female socket matching configuration of the electronic device extends into the internal recess; a plurality of first conductors extending through the housing and electrically coupling the contacts of the contactor with the connectors of the male plug One or more; a peripheral plug secured to the housing and including at least one connector extending into the peripheral pocket in a configuration that matches a female receptacle of the peripheral device; and a bridge The carrier includes a carrier coupled to the body and a plurality of second conductors, the second conductors extending along the carrier and electrically coupling the contacts of the contactor and the connectors of the peripheral plug One or more. The protective cover of claim 22, wherein the adapter further comprises a sealed outer casing surrounding the plurality of first conductors and adjacent to the body of the contactor, wherein the contactor has a sealed outer casing The male plug that extends out. A protective cover according to any one of claims 22 or 23, wherein the adapter further comprises A sealed housing surrounds a portion of the bridge and includes a plurality of second conductors having the peripheral plug extending from the sealed housing. A protective cover according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the peripheral pocket is adjacent to the inner recess of the shell such that the peripheral device is insertable into the peripheral pocket through the mouth and the inner recess. A protective cover according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the cover is defined in a peripheral opening in the panel or the skirt, the peripheral opening being disposed and arranged to allow the peripheral device to be inserted into the peripheral pocket. A protective cover according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the carrier has a thickness of at least 0.4 mm. A protective cover for an electronic device, the protective cover comprising: a resilient protective cover comprising a panel and a skirt surrounding the panel, wherein the panel and the skirt form an internal recess and a peripheral recess, and The skirt forms a mouth opening in communication with the internal pocket, wherein the internal pocket is arranged and arranged to receive an electronic device, and the peripheral pocket is arranged and arranged to receive a peripheral device; and a adapter is fixed In the casing, the adapter comprises: a body; a contactor comprising a plurality of contacts adjacent to the exterior of the casing and disposed on the body; a male plug fixed to the casing and comprising a plurality of a connector extending into the internal pocket of the housing in a configuration that mates with a female socket of the electronic device; A sealed outer casing surrounding the plurality of first conductors and adjacent the body of the contactor, wherein the contactor has the male plug extending from the sealed outer casing. A protective cover according to any one of claims 22 to 28, further comprising a positioning interface on the casing and defining a ring of the contactor surrounding the adapter to guide the connector of the adapter correctly Mounted to an external connector wherein the ring selectively defines an asymmetrical shape. The protective cover of claim 29, wherein the positioning interface comprises a magnetic connecting element located in the housing adjacent to the contactor, wherein the magnetic connecting element comprises one of a magnetic material or a magnetic attracting material. A docking system comprising: a protective cover according to any one of claims 22 to 30; and a pair of sockets, comprising a tray, the tray being arranged to receive the protective cover, and a pair of connectors comprising a plurality of contacts To connect with one or more of the plurality of contacts of the contactor. The docking system of claim 31, wherein the cover further comprises a positioning interface, the positioning interface is located on the casing and defines a ring of the contactor surrounding the adapter, and the docking seat further comprises a base A receiver is provided to match the positioning interface of the cover.