Interchangeable electronic device clip

Abstract

A portable device that comprises a built in coupling that allows various types of clips to be attached to the device. The device can be attached to different items present in different situations by using different types of attaching devices in the coupling. For example, an attaching device for clothing can be removed and one for a vehicle may be inserted. In such a way, the portable device, for example a music player, can easily be transported and conveniently used in different environments.

1 . An assembly comprising:
 a base of an electronic device, the base comprising a female docking receptacle, the female docking receptacle comprising:
 a recessed area having a width sufficient to receive a male element of an accessory; 
 a lip overhanging a first portion of the recessed area but not a second portion of the recessed area, such that the male element fits within the recessed area at the second portion of the recessed area and is aligned with the lip but not engaged by the lip in the second portion of the recessed area, 
 the lip overhanging the male element when the male element is at the first portion of the recessed area, thereby coupling the accessory to the electronic device when the male element is positioned at the first portion of the recessed area. 
   
   
   
       2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory comprises a member coupled to the male element at a first end of the member. 
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the accessory further comprises one or more springs that force a second end of the member against the base of the electronic device when the male element of the accessory is positioned under the overhanging lip. 
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the member of the accessory comprises first a surface mating feature at the second end of the member. 
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the base further comprises second surface mating feature adjacent to the first surface mating feature of the accessory. 
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second surface mating features form a serpentine path for fabric placed between the features. 
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more springs are configured such that a force required to distance the second end of the member from the base of the electronic device is in the range of 0.5 to 2 Kg. 
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the male element is made of metal. 
   
   
       9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the male element is die cast and comprises a zinc alloy. 
   
   
       10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the recess has a width of approximately 13 mm. 
   
   
       11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the male element comprises a first face disposed towards the base of the electronic device and located between a second face of the male element and the device when the device and the male element are coupled together, the male element comprising two substantially parallel ridges protruding from the first face, the substantially parallel ridges aligned substantially parallel to a direction from the second portion to the first portion. 
   
   
       12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the female docking receptacle comprises an annular retaining clip configured to engage one or more recesses within a perimeter of the male element. 
   
   
       13 . A method of coupling an electronic device to an object, the method comprising:
 providing a positioning accessory comprising a male element having a width, the width less than a width of an oblong recess within a base of the electronic device;   placing the male element within the oblong recess;   sliding the male element from a first position within the oblong recess to a second position within the oblong recess, thereby positioning the element under a lip surrounding a portion of the recess;   locking the male member in the second position.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing raised portions upon the male element, the raised portions oriented in the direction of the sliding and having a surface area not more than 10% of the surface area of the male element, the raised portions making contact with the base of the electronic device, the male member sliding along the raised portions during the step of sliding the male element. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a clipping member coupled to the male element. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a positioning device coupled to the male member. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein locking the male member comprises causing a locking member to enter a recess of the male member. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the locking member is compressed against the male member and at least a portion of the locking member enters the recess as a result of sliding the male member to the second position.