Portable computer docking station with movable docking connector
US6280212A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R2201/06
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A docking station for a portable computer has a top side from which peripheral rib structures upwardly project and form a receiving and holding area into which the computer may be lowered in preparation for docking. The receiving and holding area complementarily receives the computer, with the rib structures preventing the computer from shifting parallel to the top docking station side. A lever structure is then manually pivoted to responsively move a docking station electrical connector relative to the stationary computer into a releasably mated relationship with a corresponding connector on the computer to complete the docking process. The rotation of the docking lever also interlocks a security latch member with the computer to block its upward removal from the docking station. A Kensington lock may be used to hold the lever in its docking orientation, and thus keep the security latch interlocked with the docked computer. The computer may subsequently be undocked by simply removing the lock and pivoting the lever back to its original position to move the docking station connector out of engagement with the computer connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.