IP Library Granted Patent US 8,391,021
Granted Patent B2
US 8,391,021 · App. 12/766,441 · Granted Mar 5, 2013

Portable electronic apparatus connector assembly

Inventors: Gregory Smyth (Toronto, CA); Benjamin James Cullen (London, GB); Edward Anthony Hackett (Tolworth Surbiton, GB)
Assignee: Psion Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,391,021
App. No.
12/766,441
Granted
Mar 5, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A portable electronic apparatus comprises a body having a surface with at least one open channel for receiving a connector assembly; an electrical interface on the body and configured to receive power and/or communicate data with an electrical interface of a compatible device; a connector assembly seated in the open channel and comprising at least one rail having a longitudinal member with a recess configured to engage a tooth of a locking arm of the compatible device; and a fastener removably fastening the rail to the body.

Claims (20)

1. A portable electronic apparatus comprising

(a) a body having a pair of surfaces each with an open channel for receiving a connector assembly;

(b) a user interface on the main body;

(c) circuitry in the body and communicative with the user interface;

(d) an electrical interface on the body and communicative with the circuitry and configured to receive power or communicate data or both with an electrical interface of a compatible device;

(e) a connector assembly seated in the open channels and comprising a pair of rails, each rail having a longitudinal member in one of the open channels, each longitudinal member having at least one recess configured to engage a tooth of a locking arm of the compatible device; and

(f) a fastener removably fastening the rail to the body; and

wherein each open channel extends along a respective side surface of the body and along a portion of a bottom surface of the body, and the connector assembly comprises a pair of rails each seated in a respective open channel and each having a longitudinal member and a lateral member extending from one end of the longitudinal member.

2. A portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lateral member of each rail comprises a alignment pin borehole configured to engage an alignment pin of the compatible device when the electrical interfaces of the portable electronic apparatus and compatible device are in contact.

3. A portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fastener is a screw and the longitudinal member and open channel each further comprise a borehole, the boreholes being aligned when the rail is seated in the open channel and the screw is threadable through the boreholes thereby securing the rail to the body.

4. A kit comprising

(a) a portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ; and

(b) a charging adapter comprising an electrical interface and at least one locking arm with a tooth configured to engage the recess of the rail such that the electrical interfaces of the charging adapter and the portable electronic apparatus are maintained in contact.

5. A kit as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the charging adapter further comprises a pair of locking arms each with a tooth configured to engage the recess of a respective rail.

6. A kit as claimed in claim 5 further comprising the portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and wherein the charging adapter further comprises a pair of alignment pins that align with and engage the alignment pin boreholes of the connector assembly when the electrical interfaces of the portable electronic apparatus and the charging adapter are in contact.

7. A kit comprising

(a) a portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one of the pair of rails comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced recesses in the longitudinal member; and

(b) a docking cradle having an electrical interface and at least one locking arm with a pair of spaced teeth configured to engage the pair of recesses in one of the pair of side rails such that the electrical interfaces of the docking cradle and the portable electronic apparatus are maintained in contact.

8. A kit as claimed in claim 7 wherein both of the pair of rails comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced recesses in the longitudinal member and wherein the docking cradle further comprises a pair of locking arms each with a pair of teeth configured to engage the pair of recesses of a respective rail.

9. A kit as claimed in claim 8 further comprising the portable electronic apparatus as claimed in claim 2 and wherein the docking cradle further comprises a pair of alignment pins that align with and engage the alignment pin boreholes of the connector assembly when the electrical interfaces of the portable electronic apparatus and the docking cradle are in contact.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 17, 2012
From: PSION TEKLOGIX INC.
To: PSION INC.
Reel/Frame 029000/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2010
From: SMYTH, GREGORY; CULLEN, BENJAMIN JAMES; HACKETT, EDWARD ANTHONY
To: PSION TEKLOGIX INC
Reel/Frame 024638/0059 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110261546A1 · Oct 27, 2011