Patent · US Expired

Alignment mechanism for a computer system having a portable computer and a docking station

US6667881B2 · kind B2 · utility

44Cited by
18References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 27, 2003
Grant dateDec 23, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 27, 2023

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S439/928
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A docking station for a portable computer contains a platform and a movable guide bar connected to the docking station and extending over the platform. The guide bar is capable of guiding the portable computer into proper alignment with the docking station when the portable computer is placed on the guide bar and pressed downwardly into the platform. The guide bar may contain a thermally conductive guide protrusion capable of mating with a heat sink on the portable computer. Heat is transferred from the heat sink on the portable computer to the guide protrusion on the guide bar. The guide bar itself may also be thermally conductive, providing a further avenue for heat to be transferred from the portable computer to the docking station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.