IP Library Granted Patent US 8,853,998
Granted Patent B2
US 8,853,998 · App. 13/304,911 · Granted Oct 7, 2014

Portable electronic device dock having a connector movable in response to a magnetic force

Inventors: Leonardo Aldana (Waterloo, CA); Ming-Lun Dave Ma (Kitchener, CA)
Assignee: Blackberry Limited
G06F1/1632
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,853,998
App. No.
13/304,911
Granted
Oct 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dock for receiving a portable electronic device, including: a housing comprising an aperture; a support coupled to an inner wall of the housing; and a charging connector received in the support and movable relative to the housing for charging the portable electronic device when the charging connector extends through the aperture, wiring of the charging connector for electrically communicating with a power source; wherein the charging connector is movable relative to the housing in response to a magnetic force.

Claims (21)

1. A dock for receiving a portable electronic device, comprising:

a housing comprising an aperture;

a support coupled to an inner wall of the housing; and

a charging connector comprising a sleeve at least partly surrounding electrical contacts of the charging connector, the sleeve comprising a ferrous material separated from the electrical contacts by electrical insulation, the charging connector received in the support and movable relative to the housing for charging the portable electronic device when the charging connector extends through the aperture, wiring of the charging connector for electrically communicating with a power source;

wherein the charging connector is movable relative to the housing in response to a magnetic force.

2. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sleeve comprises an enlarged base that is larger than the aperture to limit movement of the charging connector through the aperture.

3. A dock as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the enlarged base of the sleeve is biased toward a stowed position in which the enlarged base abuts a base of the support.

4. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the charging connector is in an extended position when charging and is biased toward a stowed position under the weight of the charging connector when not charging.

5. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , comprising a first data connector, a second data connector and the charging connector received in the support.

6. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the charging connector is also a data connector.

7. A dock as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the first data connector is a micro USB connector and the second data connector is a micro HDMI connector.

8. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a clearance is provided between the charging connector and a wall defining the aperture and movement of the charging connector relative to the housing is limited by the wall.

9. A dock as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the support is a support assembly comprising a spring component received in a support tray, the first connector, second connector and charging connector being received in the spring component.

10. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the wiring comprises flexible cables.

11. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the support comprises lugs for receiving screws to couple the support to the housing.

12. A dock as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the aperture extends through a seat of the housing.

13. A connector assembly for a dock, the connector assembly comprising:

a support for coupling to an inner wall of the dock; and

a charging connector comprising a sleeve at least partially surrounding electrical contacts of the charging connector, the sleeve comprising a ferrous material separated from the electrical contacts by electrical insulation, the charging connector received in the support and movable relative to the dock in response to a magnetic force, the charging connector for charging a portable electronic device when the charging connector extends through an aperture of the dock, wiring of the charging connector for electrically communicating with a power source.

14. A connector assembly as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the sleeve comprises an enlarged base that is larger than the aperture for limiting movement of the charging connector through the aperture.

15. A connector assembly as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the enlarged base of the sleeve is biased toward a stowed position in which the enlarged base abuts a base of the support.

Assignments (4)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 19, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064271/0199 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2023
From: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
To: MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 064104/0103 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 9, 2014
From: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
To: BLACKBERRY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 033283/0679 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 14, 2012
From: ALDANA, LEONARDO; MA, MING-LUN DAVE
To: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
Reel/Frame 027701/0779 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61503450 · Jun 30, 2011
Related Publication 20130002193A1 · Jan 3, 2013