Motorized portable computer/expansion chassis docking system
US5313596A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 17, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F13/409
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A docking station structure is used to operatively connect a notebook computer to desktop computer peripheral devices. The docking station has an internal receiving chamber into which the portable computer may be manually inserted, an electrical connector positioned within the receiving chamber, a travel plate movably carried within the receiving chamber, a motorized drive system operative to drive the travel plate toward and away from the electrical connector, and a latch structure carried by the travel plate for movement therewith. With the travel plate in a wait position thereof, the portable computer is rearwardly inserted into the receiving chamber. In response to such insertion, the latch structure automatically locks the computer to the travel plate, and the drive system rearwardly moves the travel plate to mate the electrical connector with a corresponding connector on the computer, thereby operatively linking the computer to the peripheral devices. To remove the computer, the drive system is operated to forwardly move the drive plate and the computer to an ejection position in which the computer and docking station electrical connector structures are disconnected from one …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.