Recharge apparatus for holding the rechargeable device

[0002] This application incorporates by reference Taiwanese application Ser. No. 089205575, Filed Apr. 7, 2000.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates in general to a recharge apparatus, and more particularly to the recharge apparatus that steadfastly holds a rechargeable device.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] With the rapid evolution of high technology, electronic products are being developed quickly. Recently, consumers increasingly require portable products such as the portable storage apparatus and the communication apparatus, with the most popular portable products being the cellular phone and handheld computer. The recharge apparatus also plays an important role due to the limited power supply present in the portable product. The recharge apparatus can provide power for the portable product as well as recharge the battery either simultaneously or separately. However, the contact between the product and the recharge apparatus (i.e. battery and cradle) is not tight so that the recharge quality is easily affected by careless touching or swaying of the assembly when recharging is ongoing.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a recharge apparatus able to tightly hold the rechargeable device such as a battery or hand held computer, so that the charge quality is not affected due to a careless touch or sway.

[0008] According to the objective of the invention, a recharge apparatus for holding the rechargeable device is provided for charging the rechargeable battery and devices, including storage/communication products, especially cellular phone and handheld computer. The recharge apparatus includes the cradle top and cradle base. The cradle top that is used for inserting the rechargeable devices includes the elastic gate, the battery-fixing clip, and the charge area. The elastic gate located on the upper cradle top is an opening for inserting the rechargeable battery that is capable of rebounding against pressure so that it does not clip the user's finger during operation. The elastic gate also enhances the appearance of the cradle top as well as being dust-proof Additionally, the polarity labeling area is marked within the elastic gate in order to indicate the direction for inserting the rechargeable battery. The battery-fixing clip is used for clipping the rechargeable battery tightly. The charge area is an inserting area for charging the rechargeable device and has a stand pin to hold the rechargeable device steadfastly by inserting the stand pin into the bottom of the rechargeable device. The cradle base assembled with the cradle top includes the elastic joint and recharge PCB (printed circuit board). The elastic joint is used for connecting the recharge PCB to the rechargeable battery, wherein one end of the elastic joint is designed as the upward curve to touch the rechargeable battery. When the rechargeable battery is inserted for recharging, the elastic joint is pressed downward resulting in an upward rebounding force. The rechargeable battery is then connected to the recharge PCB via the elastic joint.

[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a lateral view of a recharge apparatus for holding the rechargeable device according to the invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the recharge apparatus according to the invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional plot of the rechargeable battery;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the recharge apparatus according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional plot of the handheld computer;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of the recharge apparatus on which the handheld computer and the rechargeable battery are placed according to the invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a top view of the cradle base of the recharge apparatus according to the invention; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the recharge apparatus when the rechargeable battery is placed in the charge area according to the invention.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, which depicts a lateral view of a recharge apparatus for holding the rechargeable device according to the invention, the recharge apparatus includes a cradle top assembly that includes the cradle top 101, and the cradle base 102, wherein the cradle top 101 covers a space, and has an elastic gate 103.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, which depicts a top view of the recharge apparatus according to the invention, the charge area 202 is used for placing the rechargeable device such as storage apparatus or communication apparatus (i.e. cellular phone and the handheld computer). A stand pin 203 located within the charge area 202 is designed for steadfastly holding the rechargeable device. The function of the indicator light 204 is to exhibit the charge condition; when the light is on, charging is proceeding.

[0020] The elastic gate 103 is an opening for inserting the rechargeable battery and is capable of rebounding against pressure. When the rechargeable battery is removed from the charger, the elastic gate 103 automatically closes. Therefore, the elastic gate 103 does not clip the user's finger during operation, is dust-proof, and enhances the appearance of the cradle top. A polarity labeling area 201 is located on the surface of the elastic gate 103 in order to indicate the polarity of the rechargeable battery. Referring to FIG. 3, which depicts a three-dimensional plot of the rechargeable battery, the recharge contact area 302 is aimed at the polarity labeling area 201 and inserted into the recharge apparatus. With this convenient design, the charge direction is clearly indicated, and users don't have to check the polarity position of the rechargeable battery 301 during insertion.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, in which a sectional view of the recharge apparatus according to the invention is presented, the battery-fixing clip 401 is located underneath the elastic gate 103 and the material is preferably chosen to be a plastic film possessing a hard surface and a soft inside, such as polyethylene terephalate (PET) and Mylar. When the rechargeable battery 301 is inserted, the battery-fixing clip 401 is able to clip it tightly due to the appropriate design in terms of mechanism and material. Although a pair of the battery-fixing clips 401 is preferably chosen, the number of that is not limited herein.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 5, which depicts a three-dimensional plot of the handheld computer, the bottom of the handheld computer has a deep dimple 502. When the handheld computer is placed in the charge area 202, the stand pin 203 pierce into the deep dimple 502 and hold the handheld computer steadfastly so that the charge quality is not affected due to the careless touch or sway. A lateral view of the recharge apparatus on which the handheld computer and the rechargeable battery are placed according to the invention is presented in FIG. 6.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 7, which depicts a top view of the cradle base of the recharge apparatus according to the invention, the cradle base 102 includes the elastic joint 702 and recharge PCB 701 (printed circuit board). The elastic joint 702 is elastic and curved upward. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of the recharge apparatus when the rechargeable battery 301 is placed in the charge area 302. When the rechargeable battery 301 is inserted into the elastic gate 103, the elastic joint 702 is pressed downward, resulting in an upward rebounding force. The elastic joint 702 is capable of touching the rechargeable battery 301 closely due to its curve and elasticity, so that the rechargeable battery 301 is well connected with the recharge PCB 701 via the elastic joint 702. The number of the elastic joint 702 is preferably chosen to attain the objective of the invention, such as three; however, it is not limited.

[0024] In the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, the advantages of recharge apparatus are listed below including:

[0025] 1. The elastic gate does not clip the user's finger and the cradle top is more aesthetically pleasing and dust-proof The polarity labeling area 201 located on the surface of the elastic gate 103 readily indicates the polarity of the rechargeable battery.

[0026] 2. The battery-fixing clip is able to tightly clip the rechargeable battery so that the charge quality is not affected due to careless touch or sway.

[0027] 3. When the rechargeable device is inserted into the charge area, the stand pin tightly inserts into the deep dimple, therefore, the rechargeable device does not sway during the period of recharge.

[0028] 4. The elastic joint with one end curved upward to touch the rechargeable battery is used for connect the rechargeable battery and the recharge PCB. When the rechargeable battery is inserted to recharge, the elastic joint is pressed downward, resulting in an upward rebounding force. This prevents the rechargeable battery from poor contact during recharge.

[0029] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.