Patent · US Expired

Cradle assembly for portable computing devices and method

US5751546A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
6References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 21, 1996
Grant dateMay 12, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 21, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/1656
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

This invention comprises a cradle assembly for supporting a portable electronic device. The assembly includes a base constructed and arranged to receive the portable electronic device. The assembly also includes a first mating member pivotally carried on the base and configured to mate with a complementary mating member of the device. A second mating member is also included, and is configured in spaced apart relation with the first mating member and movably carried on the base, the first and second mating members cooperating to releasably retain the device therealong. In another form, the invention comprises a base, a mating member carried in movable relation on the base, and an electrical connector configured to engage with a complementary electrical connector on a device after it is mated with the mating member via a complementary mating member. In yet another form, the assembly includes a portable electronic device having first and second mating members for mating and demating with complementary base mating members. In even yet another form, the invention comprises a method for removably retaining a portable electronic device to a cradle assembly.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.