Docking station with ruggedized case
A docking station for an electronic device that is contained within a case, in which the case includes a retractable connector access panel at least partially overlying a portion of a connector port of the electronic device, includes a base to support the electronic device. An electrical connector is coupled to the base and positioned to receive the connector port of the electronic device. A retraction member is coupled to the base and positioned to contact the connector access panel to retract the panel to at least partially expose the connector port during docking of the electronic device.
1. A docking station for an electronic device contained within a case, the case including a retractable connector access panel at least partially overlying a portion of a connector port of the electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a base to support the electronic device;
an electrical connector coupled to the base and positioned to receive the connector port of the electronic device; and
a retraction member coupled to the base and positioned to contact the connector access panel to retract the panel to at least partially expose the connector port during docking of the electronic device.
2. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the retraction member is pivotally coupled to the base.
3. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the retraction member moves from a first position to a second position upon contact with the case during docking of the electronic device.
4. The docking station of claim 1 , wherein the retraction member further includes a receiving surface positioned to contact the connector access panel during docking of the electronic device.
5. The docking station of claim 4 , wherein the receiving surface defines a receptacle sized to hold the connector access panel.
6. The docking station of claim 4 , wherein the retraction member further includes a contact surface separate from the receiving surface to contact an external surface of the case during docking of the electronic device to pivot the retraction member.
7. The docking station of claim 6 wherein the contact surface comprises a pair of arms extending away from the base.
8. The docking station of claim 4 , wherein the receiving surface comprises an arm extending away from the base.
9. The docking station of claim 8 , wherein the pair of arms comprising the contact surface are disposed on opposite sides of the arm comprising the receiving surface.
10. A docking station for an electronic device contained within a case, the case including a retractable connector access panel at least partially overlying a portion of a connector port of the electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a base to support the electronic device;
an electrical connector coupled to the base and positioned to receive the connector port of the electronic device; and
a retraction member coupled to the base and biased to contact the connector access panel to retract the panel and at least partially expose the connector port during docking of the electronic device.
11. The docking station of claim 10 , wherein the retraction member contacts an external surface of the case during docking of the electronic device to pivot the retraction member.
12. The docking station of claim 11 , wherein the retraction member further includes a receiving surface positioned to contact the connector access panel during docking of the electronic device.
13. The docking station of claim 12 , wherein the retraction member further includes a contact surface separate from the receiving surface to contact the external surface of the case during docking of the electronic device to pivot the retraction member.
14. The docking station of claim 13 , wherein the contact surface comprises a pair of arms extending away from the base.
15. The docking station of claim 14 , wherein the receiving surface comprises an arm extending away from the base.
16. The docking station of claim 10 , wherein the retraction member is pivotally coupled to the base.
17. A docking station for an electronic device contained within a case, the case including a retractable connector access panel at least partially overlying a portion of a connector port of the electronic device, the docking station comprising:
a base to support the electronic device;
an electrical connector coupled to the base and positioned to receive the connector port of the electronic device; and
a retraction member pivotally coupled to the base and having a first portion positioned to contact the connector access panel to retract the panel and at least partially expose the connector port during docking of the electronic device and a second portion positioned to contact the case at a point separate from the panel to pivot the retraction member during docking of the electronic device.
18. The docking station of claim 17 , wherein the retraction member is biased to contact the connector access panel during docking of the electronic device.
19. The docking station of claim 17 , wherein the first portion is shaped to receive and hold the connector access panel during docking of the electronic device.
20. The docking station of claim 17 , wherein the second portion comprises a pair of arms extending away from the base.
21. The docking station of claim 17 , wherein the first portion comprises an arm extending away from the base.