Adapter for charging cradle and system thereof

Abstract

An adapter for a charging cradle includes: a peripheral wall defining a channel between a first end and a second end; a first device interface on an inner surface of the peripheral wall, the first device interface in communication with the first end, the first device interface configured to receive a first mobile device configuration and align the first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface on an inner surface of the peripheral wall, the second device interface in communication with the second end, the second device interface configured to receive a second mobile device configuration and align the second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; and a cradle interface on an outer surface of the peripheral wall and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of (i) a first orientation to expose the connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector via the second end of the channel.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Devices such as tablet computers, smart phones, and the like may include rechargeable batteries and / or external communication interfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and the like. Such devices may be placed in a cradle having charging and / or communication capabilities, such as to recharge the batteries, exchange data with the device, etc. Devices may have a variety of shapes and / or sizes, which may require a corresponding variety of cradles to accommodate them. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, are incorporated into and form part of the specification together with the following detailed description, and are used to further illustrate embodiments of the concepts including the claimed invention and to explain the various principles and advantages of these embodiments.

[0003] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an exploded view of a mobile computing device and a corresponding cover.

[0004] Figure 2 is shown in assembled state Figure 1 Illustration of the device and cover.

[0005] Figure 3 is an illustration of a reversible charging cradle adapter system.

[0006] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Illustration of an exploded view of a system.

[0007] Figure 5 Is shown separately Figure 3 An illustration of an adapter for a system.

[0008] Figure 6 It contains Figure 2 Equipment and coverings Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the system.

[0009] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Illustration of a bottom edge of a device and another device.

[0010] Figure 8 is constructed to accommodate Figure 7 Schematic diagram of a charging cradle adapter system for a device showing a first configuration.

[0011] Fig. 9 It is in the second structure Figure 8 Illustration of a charging cradle adapter system.

[0012] The skilled person will understand that the elements in the drawings are shown for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the size of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of the present utility model.

[0013] Where appropriate, apparatus and method components are represented by conventional symbols in the drawings, and only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the invention are shown to avoid obscuring the present disclosure with details that would be apparent to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The examples disclosed herein relate to an adapter for a charging cradle, comprising: a peripheral wall defining a channel extending between an open first end and an opposite open second end; a first device interface located on an inner surface of the peripheral wall, the first device interface communicating with the first end of the channel, the first device interface configured to receive a first mobile device structure and align the first mobile device structure with the charging cradle; a second device interface located on the inner surface of the peripheral wall, the second device interface communicating with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive a second mobile device structure and align the second mobile device structure with the charging cradle; a cradle interface, the cradle interface being on an outer surface of the peripheral wall and configured to connect the adapter to the charging cradle in one of two orientations: (i) a first orientation so as to expose a connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation so as to expose the connector via the second end of the channel.

[0015] In another example, the first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton, and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton.

[0016] In another example, the first device interface includes a first surface contour of the inner surface that matches the outer contour of the first device configuration, and wherein the second device interface includes a second surface contour of the inner surface that matches the outer contour of the second device configuration.

[0017] In another example, the first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the interior surface.

[0018] In another example, the length of the portion of the peripheral wall on the adapter having the first device interface is greater than the length of the remaining portion of the peripheral wall.

[0019] In another example, the adapter further includes a boundary wall extending through the channel between the first end and the second end, wherein the boundary wall includes an opening for receiving a connector of the charging cradle.

[0020] In another example, the first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage with an edge of the first device structure, and wherein the second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite the first side to engage with an edge of the second device structure.

[0021] In another example, the cradle interface includes: a first edge of a peripheral wall at a first end, the first edge being configured to rest against a housing of the charging cradle in a first orientation; and a second edge of the peripheral wall at a second end, the second edge being configured to rest against the housing of the charging cradle in a second orientation.

[0022] In another example, the cradle interface includes a tab extending from an outer surface configured to engage a corresponding ridge of the charging cradle.

[0023] In another example, the portion of the perimeter wall that carries the tab is flexible to allow the tab to disengage from the ridge to remove the adapter from the charging cradle.

[0024] In another example, the mobile device has a first length or a second length, and wherein the cradle interface is configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of: (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length.

[0025] Additional examples disclosed herein relate to a system comprising: a charging cradle including a channel in which a connector is disposed; and an adapter comprising: a peripheral wall defining the channel extending between an open first end and an opposite open second end; a first device interface on an inner surface of the peripheral wall, the first device interface communicating with the first end of the channel, the first device interface configured to receive a first mobile device structure and align the first mobile device structure with the charging cradle; a second device interface on the inner surface of the peripheral wall, the second device interface communicating with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive a second mobile device structure and align the second mobile device structure with the charging cradle; a cradle interface on an outer surface of the peripheral wall and configured to connect the adapter to the charging cradle in one of the following orientations: (i) a first orientation so as to expose the connector of the charging cradle via the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation so as to expose the connector via the second end of the channel.

[0026] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton, and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton.

[0027] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the first device interface includes a first surface contour of the inner surface, the first surface contour matches the outer contour of the first device structure, and wherein the second device interface includes a second surface contour of the inner surface, the second surface contour matches the outer contour of the second device structure.

[0028] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the interior surface.

[0029] In another example of the system disclosed herein, a length of a portion of the perimeter wall having the first device interface thereon is greater than a length of a remaining portion of the perimeter wall.

[0030] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the adapter further includes a boundary wall extending through the channel between the first end and the second end, and wherein the boundary wall includes an opening for receiving a connector of the charging cradle.

[0031] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage with an edge of the first device structure, and wherein the second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite to the first side to engage with an edge of the second device structure.

[0032] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the charging cradle includes a ridge extending into the channel, and wherein the cradle interface includes a tab extending from the outer surface, the tab configured to engage the ridge.

[0033] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the mobile device has a first length or a second length, and wherein the cradle interface is configured to connect the adapter to the charging cradle at one of: (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length.

[0034] In another example of the system disclosed herein, the cradle interface is configured to reversibly couple the adapter to the cradle in one of a first orientation and a second orientation.

[0035] Figure 1A mobile computing device 100, such as a tablet computer, is shown. The device 100 includes a housing that supports various other components of the device 100, such as a display 104. The housing also supports internal components of the device 100, such as a processor, data storage devices, and the like. The housing may also support a rechargeable battery that is configured to provide power to the display 104 and other components of the device 100. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the battery can be recharged by providing power to the device 100 from an external power source. In some embodiments, the external source includes a charging cradle. The cradle may include one or both of a power source and data communication capabilities for the device 100, for example, enabling the device 100 to communicate with another computing device (not shown) via the cradle.

[0036] The device 100 includes a connector 108 on an outer surface thereof, enabling the device 100 to receive power from a cradle as described above, and / or to establish communications via such a cradle. In this example, the connector 108 is located on a bottom edge 112 of the device 100. The connector 108 may have various forms, including, for example, Figure 1 A set of electrical contacts as shown, for example, engage with corresponding spring pins of the bracket. In other examples, the connector 108 may include a port (e.g., a USB Type-C port or the like) configured to engage with a corresponding connector of the bracket. In some examples, as shown, the device 100 may include one or more positioning recesses 110 adjacent to the connector 108 to help an operator align the connector 108 with a corresponding connector on the bracket.

[0037] To recharge and / or establish communication via the cradle, the device 100 is supported relative to the cradle so that the connector 108 is aligned with a corresponding connector of the cradle. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that movement of the device 100 relative to the cradle may result in a disruption of the connection between the device and the cradle, and / or may damage the connector 108 or a corresponding connector of the cradle. Therefore, the cradle may include various guide surfaces or other structural elements to limit the movement of the device 100 when the device 100 is placed on the cradle. However, such structural elements may prevent the cradle from engaging with a different device or device 100 when equipped with certain accessories.

[0038] In particular, the device 100 can be operated or operated in a component including a protective cover 116, which is also referred to as an exoskeleton. The assembly of the cover 116 with the device 100 can be referred to as a device configuration. In other examples, the device 100 can be operated in another configuration without the cover 116 (i.e., only the device 100). The cover 116 includes an opening 120 that exposes the connector 108 when the cover 116 is fixed to the housing of the device 100. However, although the connector 108 remains exposed, the device configuration including the device 100 with the cover 116 fixed thereto may be incompatible with some brackets because the outer profile of such a configuration is sufficiently different from the outer profile of the device 100 alone that the structural elements of the above-mentioned brackets may not be able to receive the assembly of the device 100 and the cover 116.

[0039] For example, the outer contour of the device 100 alone (ie, without the cover 116) can be defined in part by the outer dimensions of the device 100, such as the thickness 124 of the device 100 at the bottom edge 112, the length 128 of the device 100, etc. Figure 2 , the outer profile of the device 100 with the cover 116 installed is defined by the thickness 200 of the bottom edge 204 of the cover 116, which is greater than the thickness 124. In addition, the outer profile of the device 100 with the cover 116 can be defined by a length 208 that is greater than the length 128. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other external attributes can distinguish an assembly consisting of the device 100 and the cover 116 from a construction consisting of only the device 100.

[0040] Differences between thicknesses 124 and 200, lengths 128 and 208, and / or other properties as described above may prevent some brackets from accommodating a single device 100 as well as accommodating a device 100 with a cover 116. Instead, multiple brackets may be deployed to accommodate the different mobile device configurations described above. However, deploying multiple brackets, for example, with different physical configurations suitable for different device configurations, may increase the cost and complexity associated with a fleet of devices such as device 100.

[0041] Figure 3 A reversible charging cradle adapter system 300 is shown. The system 300 enables a cradle 304 to accommodate more than one device configuration. For example, the system 300 enables the cradle 304 to accommodate a device 100 alone and an assembly of the device 100 including a cover 116 mounted thereon. Typically, as discussed in detail below, the cradle 304 includes a connector 308 configured to engage with the connector 108 of the device 100 to provide power to the device 100 and / or enable communication between the device 100 and another computing device (not shown). The connector 308 may include a positioning post 309 or a positioning post 309 configured to engage with the device 100. Figure 1The bracket 304 may be mounted on a bracket base 310 that contains power hardware and the like. In some examples, the base 310 supports a plurality of brackets having the features described herein in connection with the bracket 304. That is, the base 310 is disposed relative to the bracket 304. Figure 3 The illustration may be elongated and include different interfaces for multiple brackets 304.

[0042] The system 300 also includes at least one adapter 312. The bracket 304 is structurally configured to align and retain the adapter 312, rather than being structurally configured to align and limit the movement of the device 100 itself, either alone or in combination with the cover 116. The adapter 312 also includes a structural element that defines a bracket interface, which enables the adapter 312 to be detachably connected to the bracket 304 in a manner that limits the movement of the adapter 312 relative to the bracket 304. In addition, the adapter 312 includes different device interfaces, each of which is configured to receive and align different device structures (e.g., a separate device 100, and a device 100 with a cover 116) relative to the bracket 304. In other words, the adapter 312 provides a structural intermediary between the bracket 304 and more than one device structure. The adapter 312 is removable from the bracket 304 and can be connected to the bracket 304 in different orientations. In each orientation, one of the above-mentioned device interfaces is active, while the other device interface is inactive. The active one-device interface aligns the device 100 with the cradle 304 so that the connectors 108 and 308 are in contact. The active one-device interface also limits movement of the device 100, e.g., substantially eliminates movement of the device 100 in directions other than direction 316, in which the device 100 is inserted into and removed from the cradle 304. When the system 300 is in use, the direction 316 is generally a vertical direction.

[0043] Go to Figure 4 , the adapter 312 is shown separated from the bracket 304. The adapter 312 includes a perimeter wall 400 that defines the perimeter of the adapter 312. In the illustrated example, the perimeter wall 400 includes a first side wall 400-1 and a second side wall 400-2, and extends between an open first end 404 and an open second end 408 of the adapter 312. The perimeter wall 400 also defines a channel 412 extending between the ends 404 and 408. As will be apparent in the following discussion, different portions of the channel 412 are configured to receive the device 100 (with or without the cover 116, depending on the portion of the channel 412). Portions of the channel 412 can be divided by a boundary wall 414 that extends between the perimeter walls 400-1 and 400-2 and is substantially perpendicular to the perimeter walls 400-1 and 400-2.

[0044] More specifically, the adapter 312 includes a first device interface on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 400 that communicates with the first end 404 (e.g., in a portion of the channel 412 adjacent to the first end 404), and a second device interface on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 400 that communicates with the second end 408. In other words, the device interfaces are in opposite portions of the channel 412 and exposed through opposite ends of the peripheral wall 400. In general, each device interface is configured to receive a corresponding device configuration (e.g., a separate device 100, and a device 100 with a cover 116 installed) and align it with the charging cradle 304.

[0045] In the example shown, each device interface includes a mating surface having a corresponding surface profile. Specifically, the first device interface includes a mating surface 416-1, which extends into the channel 412 and has a profile that matches the outer profile of at least a portion of the corresponding device structure. In this example, the profile of the surface 416-1 matches the outer profile of the device 100 with the cover 116 installed, which will be described later. At the same time, the second device interface includes a mating surface 416-2, which extends into the channel 412 and has a profile that matches the outer profile of at least a portion of another device structure (in this case, only the device 100). Each device interface may also include other structural features, which will be discussed in further detail below. As Figure 4 As shown, the portion of the adapter 312 including the engagement surface 416 may have a greater length (i.e., the distance between the ends 404 and 408) than the remainder of the adapter 312, such that the adapter 312 is generally T-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement surface 416 is located on a common side of the adapter 312, defining the T-shape of the adapter 312. In other examples, the engagement surface 416 of each interface may be located on opposite sides of the adapter 312, thereby forming an S-shaped adapter. In other examples, the adapter 312 may include an elongated portion having the engagement surface 416 on both sides thereof, thereby forming an H-shaped adapter.

[0046] The adapter 312 can be removably connected to the cradle 304 in one of two orientations. In each orientation, one device interface is active and capable of receiving a device 100. Figure 4 The orientation shown (which is also Figure 3 416-1 is in an active position. That is, the end 404 adjacent to the engagement surface 416-1 faces outward (e.g., upward) from the bracket 304, and the connector 308 of the bracket 304 is exposed to the first end 404 of the channel 412 via the opening 420 in the boundary wall 414. Figure 4When coupled to the cradle 304 in the illustrated orientation, the first device interface is thus able to receive the device 100 via the first end 404 of the channel 412 and align the connector 108 with the connector 308. On the other hand, in the illustrated orientation, the second device interface is inactive because the second end 408 of the channel 412 faces downward, toward the cradle 304. Therefore, the connector 308 is not exposed to the second end 408, and the device 100 cannot be received via the second end 408.

[0047] The adapter 312 can be coupled to the bracket 304 in any of the above orientations via a bracket interface on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 400. The bracket interface includes one or more structural elements on the peripheral wall 400 that removably engage with complementary structural elements of the bracket 304 to limit the movement of the adapter 312 relative to the bracket 304.

[0048] In the example shown, the bracket interface includes central portions 424-1 and 424-2 of the side walls 400-1 and 400-2, each of which carries one or more protrusions, such as tabs 428. The bracket interface is reversible because the bracket interface engages the bracket 304 in any of the above-mentioned orientations. Therefore, in this example, the adapter 312 includes a different tab 428 or a pair of tabs 428 adjacent to each of the ends 404 and 408. At least a subset of the tabs 428 engages the bracket 304 in each orientation. In other examples, the same set of tabs 428 or other protrusions can engage the bracket 304 in any orientation. The adapter 312 can include a visual indicator 430, such as describing the device configuration corresponding to each device interface. Therefore, the indicator 430 shown indicates which end 404 or 408 of the adapter 312 should be placed facing upward (away from the bracket 304) to accommodate which device configuration.

[0049] At the same time, the bracket 304 includes an adapter interface configured to engage with the above-mentioned bracket interface of the adapter 312. Specifically, in the example shown, the bracket 304 includes a channel extending from the floor surface 432 to the upper end 436 defined by, for example, the side walls 440-1 and 440-2. The inner surface 444 of the side wall 440 (the inner surface 444-2 is Figure 4 4 (see FIG. 4 ) is configured to engage with a corresponding central portion 424 of the adapter 312, for example, via a rib 448 extending into the channel of the bracket 304. The adapter interface of the bracket 304 may also include an alignment structure, such as a fin 452 extending from a central post 456 of the carrier connector 308 into the channel. The fin 452 may engage with a corresponding guide wall 458 of the adapter 312 to align the adapter 312 during coupling to the bracket 304.

[0050] As will now be apparent, when the adapter 312 is inserted into the channel of the bracket 304, the ends 408 of the perimeter wall 400 (specifically at the center portion 424) rest on the floor surface 432, wherein the center portion 424 engages the inner surface 444 of the bracket 304. In addition, at least a subset of the tabs 428 can engage with corresponding ridges 460 extending into the channel of the bracket 304 to retain the adapter 312 within the channel. The center portion 424 can be sufficiently flexible to be deformed (e.g., by a user) to disengage the tabs 428 from the ridges 460, thereby allowing the adapter 312 to be removed.

[0051] Figure 5 Shown in a first orientation (on the left, and corresponding to Figure 4 The embodiment of the present invention provides a separate adapter 312 for each of the first and second orientations (on the right side). Figure 5 As shown, the two orientations of the adapter 312 are opposite to each other, each being inverted relative to the other. Figure 5 As shown, engagement surfaces 416-1 and 416-2 have different surface profiles. In particular, the profile of surface 416-2 defines a narrower portion of channel 412 than the profile of surface 416-1. Surface 416-2 is shaped and dimensioned to engage with device 100 alone, while surface 416-1 is shaped and dimensioned to engage with device 100 and cover 116 together.

[0052] Additional features of the above device interfaces are also available in Figure 5 4. In particular, each device interface can include one or more protrusions on the boundary wall 414. For example, the adapter 312 can include one or more posts 500 and / or one or more struts 504 extending from one side of the boundary wall 414 to engage with the device 100 and / or the cover 116. The opposite side of the boundary wall 414 can include a different set of protrusions, such as a ledge 508, to engage with the device 100. In addition, the boundary wall 414 can include additional openings 512 therethrough, for example to accommodate features of the cover 116 (such as corners thereof) that would otherwise impact the boundary wall 414.

[0053] Figure 6An adapter 312 is shown coupled to the cradle 304 to place the above-described first device interface (e.g., engagement surface 416-1) in an active orientation. The device 100 with the cover 116 is then inserted into the adapter 312, which aligns the connector 108 of the device 100 with the connector 308 of the cradle 304 and restricts movement of the device 100 relative to the cradle 304. It will be apparent that the system 300 can be reconfigured to accommodate a separate device 100 (i.e., without the cover 116) by removing the device 100, detaching the adapter 312 from the cradle 304, reversing the orientation of the adapter 312, and reconnecting the adapter 312 to the cradle 304.

[0054] Adapter 312 as described above may be specific to a given set of device configurations. For example, adapter 312 may enable bracket 304 to accommodate a single device 100 and accommodate device 100 with cover 116, but a separate adapter may be provided for another device and corresponding cover. The other device may, for example, be a larger or smaller version of device 100, such as having a greater length than length 128, but having the same thickness.

[0055] In other embodiments, system 300 may include an adapter configured to accommodate not only device configurations that include and exclude covers such as cover 116, but also device configurations having a variety of different device sizes. For example, display 104 of device 100 may have a size of eight inches (e.g., measured diagonally). An adapter capable of accommodating four different device configurations may be provided: two configurations are shown above (i.e., device 100 and device 100 with cover 116), a third configuration includes a 10-inch version of device 100, and a fourth configuration includes a 10-inch device with a corresponding cover.

[0056] Reference Figure 7 , showing the bottom edge 112 of device 100 and connector 108. In addition, bottom edge 712 of a larger device 700 (e.g., the above-described 10-inch version of device 100) is also shown. Device 700 includes connector 708, which may be identical in structure to connector 108, but is located at a different distance from either side of bottom edge 712 than the distance between connector 108 and the sides of bottom edge 112.

[0057] To accommodate devices 100 and 700, for example, with or without corresponding covers, the adapter can be provided with a cradle interface configured to couple the adapter to cradle 304 in either of two different positions. Figure 8 and 9An exemplary adapter 812 is shown that shares certain features with the adapter 312 described above, and includes additional features that enable connection to the bracket 304 in two different positions. In particular, the adapter 812 includes an opening 820 similar to the opening 420 of the adapter 312, the length of the opening 820 being greater than the length of the connector 308. Thus, the bracket interface of the adapter 812 can be connected to the bracket 304 in at least two different positions. Figure 8 The first position shown accommodates the device 700, while Fig. 9 The second position shown accommodates the device 100. In the first position ( Figure 8 ), the connector 308 is located at the first end 824 of the opening 820 (e.g., adjacent to the first end 824), leaving the second end 824 of the opening 820 disconnected from the connector 308. Fig. 9 ), the adapter 812 is displaced along the direction 832 to engage the connector 308 with the second end 828 and disengage the first end 824 from the connector 308.

[0058] In some examples, the adapter 812 can also be configured to be coupled to the bracket 304 at other locations other than the above-mentioned locations. That is, in some examples, the adapter 812 can be coupled so that both ends 824 and 828 are disengaged from the connector 308, for example, to accommodate a Figure 7 The device shown has a length between the length of device 100 and 700.

[0059] As described above, the adapter 812 is reversible to accommodate device configurations with and without a cover. In other implementations, the adapter 812 need not be reversible, but can be configured to accommodate only devices of different lengths without a cover.

[0060] In the foregoing description, specific embodiments have been described. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this teaching.

[0061] Benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any (one or more) elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to appear or become more obvious should not be construed as key, required, or essential features or elements of any or all claims. The present invention is limited solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

[0062] In addition, in this document, the relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. can be used only to distinguish an entity or action from another entity or action, without requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. The term "include", "it includes", "have", "it has", "include", "it includes", "contain", "it contains" or any other variant thereof is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such as including, having, the process, method, article or equipment of the element list not only including those elements, but also including other elements that are not clearly listed or inherent to such process, method, article or equipment. In the absence of more constraints, the element starting with "include ... one", "have ... one", "include ... one", "contain ... one" does not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or equipment including, having, containing, containing the element. Unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, the terms "one (a)" and "an (an)" are limited to one or more. The terms "substantially," "essentially," "approximately," "about," or any other versions thereof are defined as approximating what one of ordinary skill in the art understands, and in one non-limiting embodiment, are defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment to be within 5%, in another embodiment to be within 1%, and in another embodiment to be within 0.5%. The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined to be connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain manner is configured in at least that manner, but may also be configured in ways not listed.

[0063] Certain expressions may be used herein to list combinations of elements. Examples of such expressions include: "at least one of A, B, and C"; "one or more of A, B, and C"; "at least one of A, B, or C"; "one or more of A, B, or C". Unless expressly stated otherwise, the above expressions include any combination of A and / or B and / or C.

[0064] It should be understood that some embodiments may include one or more special-purpose processors (or "processing devices"), such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, custom processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including software and firmware) that control one or more processors to implement some, most, or all of the functions of the methods and / or devices described herein in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits. Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine without stored program instructions, or by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), where each function or some combination of certain functions is implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches may be used.

[0065] In addition, embodiments may be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer-readable code for programming a computer (e.g., including a processor) to perform the methods described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, ROMs (read-only memories), PROMs (programmable read-only memories), EPROMs (erasable programmable read-only memories), EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read-only memories), and flash memories. In addition, it is expected that a person of ordinary skill, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will easily produce such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation, despite the fact that a great deal of effort and many design choices may be expended, such as prompted by available time, current technology, and economic considerations.

[0066] An abstract of the present disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It should be understood that the submission of the abstract is not intended to interpret or limit the scope and meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing detailed description, it can be seen that various features are combined together in various embodiments in order to simplify the present disclosure. The disclosed method should not be interpreted as reflecting the intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than those explicitly described in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, the subject matter of the present utility model lies in less than all the features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the following claims are incorporated herein into the detailed description, and each claim itself may serve as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

1. An adapter for a charging bracket, characterized in that: The adapter comprises: a peripheral wall defining a passage extending between an open first end and an opposite open second end; a first device interface located on an inner surface of the perimeter wall, the first device interface communicating with the first end of the passageway, the first device interface configured to receive a first mobile device configuration and align the first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface located on the inner surface of the perimeter wall, the second device interface communicating with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive a second mobile device configuration and align the second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; and a cradle interface on an outer surface of the peripheral wall and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of two orientations: (i) a first orientation to expose a connector of the charging cradle through a first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector through the second end of the channel.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton; and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first device interface comprises a first surface contour of the inner surface, the first surface contour matching an outer contour of the first device configuration; and Wherein, the second device interface includes a second surface contour of the inner surface, and the second surface contour matches an outer contour of the second device structure.

4. The adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the inner surface.

5. The adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length of the portion of the peripheral wall having the first device interface thereon is greater than the length of the remaining portion of the peripheral wall.

6. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included is a boundary wall extending through the passage between the first end and the second end; Wherein, the boundary wall includes an opening for receiving the connector of the charging bracket.

7. The adapter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage an edge of the first device structure; and The second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite to the first side to engage with an edge of the second device structure.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket interface comprises: a first edge of the perimeter wall at the first end, the first edge configured to rest against a housing of the charging cradle in the first orientation; and A second edge of the perimeter wall at the second end is configured to rest against a housing of the charging cradle in the second orientation.

9. The adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cradle interface includes a tab extending from the outer surface, the tab being configured to engage a corresponding ridge of the charging cradle.

10. The adapter according to claim 9, characterized in that The portion of the perimeter wall carrying the tab is flexible to disengage the tab from the ridge to remove the adapter from the charging cradle.

11. The adapter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The mobile device has a first length or a second length; and Wherein, the cradle interface is configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of the following positions: (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length.

12. A system, characterized in that: The system comprises: a charging cradle including a channel having a connector disposed therein; and Adapter, including: a peripheral wall defining a passage extending between an open first end and an opposite open second end; a first device interface located on an inner surface of the perimeter wall, the first device interface communicating with the first end of the passageway, the first device interface configured to receive a first mobile device configuration and align the first mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; a second device interface located on the inner surface of the perimeter wall, the second device interface communicating with the second end of the channel, the second device interface configured to receive a second mobile device configuration and align the second mobile device configuration with the charging cradle; and a cradle interface located on an outer surface of the peripheral wall and configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of two orientations: (i) a first orientation to expose the connector of the charging cradle through the first end of the channel, and (ii) a second orientation to expose the connector through the second end of the channel.

13. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The first mobile device configuration includes a mobile device and an exoskeleton; and wherein the second mobile device configuration consists of the mobile device excluding the exoskeleton.

14. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The first device interface comprises a first surface contour of the inner surface, the first surface contour matching an outer contour of the first device configuration; and Wherein, the second device interface includes a second surface contour of the inner surface, and the second surface contour matches an outer contour of the second device structure.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The first device interface and the second device interface are on a common side of the inner surface.

16. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The length of the portion of the peripheral wall having the first device interface thereon is greater than the length of the remaining portion of the peripheral wall.

17. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The adapter further includes a boundary wall extending through the passage between the first end and the second end; and Wherein, the boundary wall includes an opening for receiving the connector of the charging bracket.

18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The first device interface includes a first protrusion extending from a first side of the boundary wall to engage an edge of the first device structure; and The second device interface includes a second protrusion extending from a second side of the boundary wall opposite to the first side to engage with an edge of the second device structure.

19. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The charging cradle includes a ridge extending into the channel; and Wherein, the bracket interface includes a tab extending from the outer surface, and the tab is configured to engage with the ridge.

20. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The mobile device has a first length or a second length; and Wherein, the cradle interface is configured to couple the adapter to the charging cradle in one of the following positions: (i) a first position corresponding to the first length, or (ii) a second position corresponding to the second length.

21. The system according to claim 12, characterized in that The cradle interface is configured to reversibly couple the adapter to the cradle in one of the first orientation and the second orientation.

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