Charging Station for Portable Electronic Devices

Abstract

A charging station for portable electronic devices includes a base having a substantially vertical and forward facing wall and at least one suction cup secured to the wall to temporarily secure the portable electronic devices to the wall in a position that the portable electronic devices can be viewed and operated while recharging. When more than one suction cup is provided they can be secured in laterally spaced-apart positions so that multiple portable electronic devices can be secured side-by-side for recharging or more than one suction cup can secure a portable electronic device. The suction cups can also be secured in vertically spaced apart positions so that the suction cup can engage the portable electronic device at a desired height or so that more than one suction cup can secure the portable electronic device. The charging station can also organize mail, keys, wallets, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A station for viewing and operating a portable electronic device, said station comprising, in combination:
 a base having a forward facing front wall no more than 45 degrees from vertical;   wherein the base is configured to be supported or at least one of a vertically extending support surface and a horizontally extending support surface; and   at least one forward facing suction cup on the forward facing front wall so that the at least one suction cup can temporarily secure the portable electronic device to the forward facing front wall to limit movement of the personal electronic device in at least one lateral direction and in a position that the portable electronic device can be viewed and operated without holding the portable electronic device.   
     
     
         2 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction cup limits lateral movement of the personal electronic device in both lateral directions. 
     
     
         3 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least two of the suction cups secured to the forward facing front wall and laterally spaced apart. 
     
     
         4 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein there are at least two of the suction cups secured to the forward facing front wall and vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         5 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction cup is removable from the forward facing front wall. 
     
     
         6 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one suction cup is spaced from the forward facing front wall by a spacer. 
     
     
         7 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes at least one:
 at least one vertical and rearward facing back wall rearwardly spaced from the front wall and configured to secure the base to the vertically extending support surface; and   at least one horizontal and downward facing base wall located below the front wall and configured to support the base on the horizontally extending support surface.   
     
     
         8 . The station according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes both at least one vertical and rearward facing back wall rearwardly spaced from the front wall and configured to secure the base to the vertically extending support surface and at least one horizontal and downward facing base wall located below the front all and configured to support the base on the horizontally extending support surface so that the base can selectively rest on a tabletop and be secured to a wall. 
     
     
         9 . The station according to  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom support located, below the at least one suction cup to limit downward movement of the portable electronic device upon release of the portable electronic device from the at least one suction cup. 
     
     
         10 . The station according to  claim 9 , wherein the bottom support includes at least one flange forwardly extending from the front wall. 
     
     
         11 . A station for viewing and operating a portable electronic device, said station comprising, in combination:
 a base having a forward facing front wall no more than 45 degrees from vertical;   wherein the base is configured to be supported on at least one of a vertically extending support surface and a horizontally extending support surface; and   at least one forward facing fastener on the forward facing, front wall so that the at least one fastener can temporarily secure the portable electronic device to the forward facing front wall to limit movement of the personal electronic device in at least one lateral direction and in a position that the portable electronic device can be viewed and operated without holding the portable electronic device;   a bottom support located below the at least one fastener to limit downward movement of the portable electronic device upon release of the portable electronic device from the at least one fastener.   
     
     
         12 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fastener limits lateral movement of the personal electronic device in both lateral directions. 
     
     
         13 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein there are at least two of the fasteners secured to the forward facing front wall and laterally spaced apart. 
     
     
         14 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein there are at least two of the fasteners secured to the forward facing front wall and vertically spaced apart. 
     
     
         15 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fastener is removable from the forward facing front wall. 
     
     
         16 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fastener is spaced from the forward facing front wall by a spacer. 
     
     
         17 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the base includes at least one:
 at least one vertical and rearward facing back wall rearwardly spaced from the front wall and configured to secure the base to the vertically extending support surface; and   at least one horizontal and downward facing base wall located below the front wall and configured to support the base on the horizontally extending support surface.   
     
     
         18 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the base includes both at least one vertical and rearward facing back wall rearwardly spaced from the front wall and configured to secure the base to the vertically extending support surface and at least one horizontal and downward facing base wall located below the front wall and configured to support the base on the horizontally extending support surface so that the base can selectively rest on a tabletop and be secured to a wall. 
     
     
         19 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one fastener is a suction cup. 
     
     
         20 . The station according to  claim 11 , wherein the bottom support includes at least one flange forwardly extending from the front wall.