JPH04195507A - Function extending station and information apparatus connectable to the station - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to carry both of an information apparatus and a function extending station in their connected state by unlocking between the information apparatus and the function extending station in the stored state of a handle, and only when the handle is drawn out, fast locking between both the units. CONSTITUTION:This system is provided with the handle 12 having a storing position at least a part of which is to be stored in the function extending station 1 at the time of non-carrying and a carrying position to be used by extending it at the time of carrying the station 1, an aperture part 11 formed on a contact face with the information apparatus such as a personal computer 2 and a latch member 13 for fixing the apparatus 2 connected by interlocking with the movement of the handle 12 from the storing position to the carrying position. Thereby, the apparatus 2 and the station 1 are fast locked with each other. Consequently both the apparatus 2 and station 1 can be carried in the connected state through the handle 12.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is directed to improving portability when combining an information device, such as a personal computer, and a function expansion station that connects to the information device to expand its functions and performance. It is about improvement.

[Conventional technology] Information devices such as personal computers were mainly desktop types that were used exclusively on desks, but since the introduction of laptop types that can be taken outdoors and used, they have rapidly become smaller and lighter. I'm here. Recently, there have been an increase in the number of A4 size or smaller personal computers. Even if the size is small, the core integrated circuit can be made smaller using gate array and superintegration technology, so it is possible to configure it so that basically the same software can be used. However, securing space for incorporating external storage devices such as FDDs and HDDs, and various optional boards such as modems and expansion memories results in a significant increase in size. Therefore, a function expansion station is set up that stores these auxiliary devices and expands the functions and performance when connected to a personal computer. FIG. 1 shows such a conventional example. The personal computer 2 is equipped with a display section 3 having a display such as a liquid crystal display, and a keyboard 4, and is configured to perform the minimum necessary functions as a personal computer.A function expansion station 1 is provided on the back of the personal computer 2. Data is exchanged between the two via a connector 5 connected to a connected connector (not shown). The function expansion station 1 can store an external storage device 10 such as a hard disk drive. Further, it is possible to insert an option board 8.9 such as a modem or an expansion memory into the option slot 6.7.

When the personal computer 2 is connected to the function expansion station 1, it can use various functions stored in the function expansion station 1, and can be used as a personal computer with functions similar to a desktop type.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Originally, a configuration in which a personal computer and a function expansion station are connected is assumed to be used in the same manner as a desktop type. In other words, it was intended to be used on a desk. However, as personal computers have become smaller and smaller, function expansion stations have become smaller as well. As a result, there is a demand for making it possible to carry the two devices in a connected form. Although it is small and lightweight, in order to carry the two units together while they are connected, it is necessary to avoid placing any burden on the connectors, outer case, etc. For this purpose, it is necessary to strongly lock the connection state between the personal computer and the function expansion station, but on the other hand, it is also necessary to take into consideration the fact that they can be easily separated when not carried around.

It is an object of the present invention to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements, that is, to provide a function expansion station and an information device that can be easily separated when not being carried, but can be strongly locked when carried.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the function expansion station according to claim (1) includes a connector for connecting to an information device such as a personal computer and exchanging data with the information device; A function expansion station that is equipped with a slot capable of storing various devices for expanding the functions of the information equipment, such as an external storage device or an option board, and connects with the information equipment to expand the 81 functions of the information equipment. A handle having a storage position where at least a portion of the information device is stored in the function expansion station when not being carried and a carrying position where it can be expanded and used when being carried; and an opening provided on a contact surface with the information device. A latch member is provided at the opening to fix the connected information device in conjunction with movement of the handle from the storage position to the carrying position.

Further, the information device according to claim (2) has a structure that is connected to the function expansion station according to claim (1), and when connected to the function expansion station, the information device is carried by a handle provided on the function expansion station. 8! The information device that can be connected to a function expansion station is characterized in that a latch receiving member with which the latch member engages when the handle is expanded is provided at a position corresponding to the opening of the function expansion station.

[Operation] When the portable handle of the function expansion station is pulled out when the information device and the function expansion station are connected, a latch installed in the opening on the function expansion station side provided on the contact surface between the information device and the function expansion station The members interlock and fit into the latch receiving member of the information device. As a result, the information device and the function expansion station are strongly locked, and it becomes possible to carry them in a connected state using the handle of the function expansion station.

[Example] A first example to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
This will be explained in detail using FIG.

In FIG. 2, the function expansion station 1 has two openings 11 installed on a contact surface 23 with the personal computer 2. As shown in FIG. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the opening 11 is provided with a latch member for locking the personal computer and the function expansion station. When the handle 12 is carried, it is pulled out and the handle 12 is pulled out as shown in FIG.
It is carried with direction 32 facing up. FIG. 3, which is a sectional view taken along the line A-A, shows the relationship among the handle 12, the opening 11, the latch member 13, and the personal computer 2 when the handle 12 is stored. The function expansion station 1 is located on the bottom of the outer case of the personal computer 2.
A latch portion 15 is provided corresponding to the opening portion 11 provided in the opening 11 . The latch member 13 includes a rotating shaft 14, a spring 16,
The latch member 13 has a roller 19 and rotates around a rotation shaft 14. When the handle 12 is stored, it is pressed against the latch stopper 18 side by the spring 16, so that the latch member 13 is attached to the latch portion 15 of the personal computer 2. A spring hook 17, which does not come into contact with the spring 16, is provided for hanging the spring 16.

The finger hook 24 is a recess provided to make it easier to catch a finger when pulling out the handle 12.

The handle stopper 22 is a stopper when the handle 12 is pulled out. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a state in which the handle 12 is pulled out. The slope portion 21 provided on a part of the handle 12 is connected to the roller 19 of the latch member 13.
move. Due to the movement, the latch member 13 rotates clockwise, moves into the latch portion 15 of the personal computer 2, and comes into contact with the latch receiving portion 25 to be fitted. As a result, the connection state between the personal computer 2 and the function expansion station 1 is strongly locked. At this time, the handle stopper 22 and the part 20 of the handle come into contact, so the handle will not be pulled out any further.The shape of the latch receiving part 25 and the latch member 13 of the embodiment is
This is particularly effective for external forces in the direction 32 and the X direction 31.

In addition, by providing the latch members 13 at multiple locations (
In this embodiment, the locking effect in the Z direction 33 can be improved. Although not particularly shown in the embodiment, it is possible to provide a locking structure between the personal computer and the function expansion station in addition to the lock for carrying, but this is only for reinforcing the connection during normal use, and the present invention does not normally apply. It is a lock structure independent of the time stop structure.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

Figure 5 is different from the first embodiment in how the handle is extended.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a function expansion station having a handle 26 of the type that can be rotated and pulled out from a storage position 28 to a withdrawal position 27; As in the first embodiment, an opening 11 is provided in the contact surface 23. Cross-sectional views of the BB section are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 shows the handle 26 in a retracted state. The latch member 13 rotates around the rotating shaft 14, but since the trigger portion 30 is not pressed by the handle 26, it is pressed against the latch stopper 18 by the spring 16. Therefore, since it does not come into contact with the latch section 15 of the personal computer 2, it is not locked. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the handle 26 is rotated about the rotating shaft 29 and pulled out. The trigger section 30 is pushed up by the handle 26. As a result, the latch member 13 rotates clockwise about the rotating shaft 14 and is pushed into the latch portion 15 of the personal computer 2. Then, it comes into contact with and fits into the latch receiving portion 25. This strongly locks the connection state between the personal computer 2 and the function expansion station 1. The same applies to the first embodiment, but when the handle is returned to the storage position, the latch member 13 is rotated counterclockwise by the force of the spring 16 and the lock is released.

Although the present invention has been described using the above two embodiments, the present invention is of course not limited to the embodiments and can be applied to other handle structures. Further, although the embodiment has been described in which locking is performed mechanically, it is also possible to detect the movement of the handle using a sensor and lock electrically using a solenoid or the like. Furthermore, the relationship between the personal computer and the function expansion station may be reversed, and the handle on the personal computer side may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the lock between the personal computer and the function expansion station is not established when the handle is retracted during normal use, but the lock between the personal computer and the function expansion station is strongly established only when the handle is pulled out during carrying. Since the two can be locked, it is possible to carry the two connected while they are normally easy to remove. Since the locking is performed automatically in conjunction with the handle, there is no need to forget to lock the lock, which prevents the personal computer from falling and damage to the connector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional personal computer and function expansion station. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the function expansion station of the present invention, FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional views of the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the function expansion station of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how the function expansion station is carried in a connected state. 1-11 Function expansion station 2-m-Personal computer 11-m-Opening 12.26--Handle 13-m-Latch member 25--Latch receiving member Above Applicant Seiko Epson Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Kizobe Suzuki and 1 other person Figure 5 Figure 40

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Contains a connector for connecting to information equipment such as a personal computer and exchanging data with the information equipment, and various devices for expanding the functions of the information equipment, such as an external storage device or an option board. A function expansion station is provided with a slot capable of connecting with the information device to expand the functions of the information device. A handle having a usable carrying position, an opening provided on a contact surface with the information device, and a handle located in the opening and connected in conjunction with movement of the handle from a storage position to a carrying position. A function expansion station comprising a latch member for fixing the information device. (2) Information that has a structure that connects to the function expansion station according to claim (1), and that can be connected to the function expansion station carried by a handle provided on the function expansion station when connected to the function expansion station. An information device connectable to a function expansion station, characterized in that a latch receiving member is provided at a position corresponding to the opening of the function expansion station, with which the latch member engages when the handle is expanded.