Replaceable personal digital assistant cradle for a telephone
View Patent ↗A telephone set includes a cradle for receiving a selected electronic device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The cradle comprises a cradle base and a cradle cover coupled to the cradle base. The cradle cover includes a support for selectively securing the selected electronic device thereto. Means for coupling the cradle to the telephone set, which preferably comprises a snap device, is provided. A connector is coupled to the cradle in order to enable communication between the selected electronic device and the telephone set. The cradle can be selectively removed from the telephone set by decoupling the cradle base from the telephone set.
1. A telephone set having a cradle, said cradle comprising:
a cradle base;
a cradle cover coupled to said cradle base, and cradle cover including a support for selectively securing a selected electronic device to said cradle cover;
a connector coupled to said cradle, said connector for enabling communication between said selected electronic device and said telephone set;
a recess for locating said cradle in a housing of said telephone set; and
means for coupling said cradle to said telephone set housing, comprising a snap device projecting from a sidewall of said cradle cover, said snap device for mating with a slot provided in a corresponding sidewall of said recess,
said cradle for connecting intermediate said telephone set housing and said electronic device, wherein said cradle can be selectively removed from said telephone set housing by decoupling said cradle base from said telephone set housing.
2. A telephone set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said snap device comprises a flexible portion having at least one projection that extends outwardly from said flexible portion to engage said slot.
3. A telephone set as claimed in claim 2 , wherein further means for coupling said cradle to said recess is provided, said further means for coupling comprises at least one projection extending from an opposing sidewall of said cradle cover, said at least one projection for mating with a slot provided in a second corresponding sidewall of said recess, said second corresponding sidewall being opposed to said corresponding sidewall of said cradle cover.
4. A telephone set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said selected electronic device is a personal digital assistant.
5. A telephone set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said selected electronic device is selected from the group comprising: data acquisition devices, cameras and portable telephones.
6. An interchangeable cradle for securing an electronic device to a telephone set, comprising:
a cradle body for receiving said electronic device, said cradle body being sized for mounting in a recess provided in a housing of said telephone set;
a first connector dimensioned to electrically mate with a counterpart connector on said electronic device;
a second connector dimensioned to electrically mate with a further connector on said telephone set; and
means for releasably coupling said cradle body to said telephone set, comprising a snap device projecting from a sidewall of said cradle body, said snap device for mating with a slot provided in a corresponding sidewall of said recess such that said cradle connects intermediate said electronic device and said telephone set.
7. An interchangeable cradle as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said snap device comprises a flexible portion having at least one projection that extends outwardly from said flexible portion to engage said slot.
8. An interchangeable cradle as claimed in claim 7 , wherein further means for coupling said cradle body to said recess is provided, said further means for coupling comprises at least one projection extending from an opposing sidewall of said cradle body cover, said at least one projection for mating with a slot provided in a second corresponding sidewall of said recess, said second corresponding sidewall being opposed to said corresponding sidewall of said cradle cover.
9. An interchangeable cradle as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said electronic device is a personal digital assistant.
10. An interchangeable cradle as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said electronic device is selected from the group comprising: data acquisition devices, cameras and portable telephones.
11. An interchangeable cradle as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said cradle body further comprises a base, a cover coupled to said base and a pocket for supporting said electronic device in said cradle, wherein said first and second connectors are enclosed within said cover and said base.