Docking device for a portable computer
US6093039A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 6, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jul 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/627
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A docking device can electrically connect to a computer connector located underneath a portable computer in order to communicate with one or more ancillary support devices. The docking device has a case and a docking connector mounted at the case. The case has a housing, and a top panel attached to the housing. The top panel has one or more openings. The top panel is positioned to subjacently support at least a portion of the portable computer. The docking connector is mounted at the case at one of the openings in the top panel. The docking connector is adapted to connect to the computer connector in the portable computer. The docking connector can be located at that one of the panel openings that will be closest to the computer connector when the portable computer lies atop the top panel. The docking device also has an engagement device mounted at the case for engaging the portable computer. The engagement device may have (a) a shaft rotatably mounted in the case, and (b) a pair of implements coupled to the shaft for reciprocation thereby. This docking device can be customized by forming a pattern of panel openings in the top panel that are customized for a specific portable compu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.