US20110075351A1 - Computer docking station - Google Patents
Computer docking station Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110075351A1 US20110075351A1 US12/570,744 US57074409A US2011075351A1 US 20110075351 A1 US20110075351 A1 US 20110075351A1 US 57074409 A US57074409 A US 57074409A US 2011075351 A1 US2011075351 A1 US 2011075351A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- computer
- arm portion
- docking station
- portable computer
- aperture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1632—External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
- G06F1/1626—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T70/00—Locks
- Y10T70/50—Special application
- Y10T70/5611—For control and machine elements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to computer docking stations.
- Portable, tablet-style computers are known for use in various industries (e.g. the medical industry).
- Such tablet-style computers commonly include an integral carrying handle formed at least in part by an aperture in the body of the computer.
- the invention provides a computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector and an aperture at least partly defining a carrying handle for the portable computer.
- the docking station includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer.
- the body further includes an arm portion sized and configured to be received in the aperture in the portable computer.
- a latching member is coupled with the arm portion and is movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the arm portion can be inserted into or removed from the aperture in the portable computer, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the arm portion cannot be removed from the aperture in the portable computer.
- An optional lock mechanism can be provided to selectively lock the latching member in the second position.
- the invention provides a computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector and an aperture.
- the docking station includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer.
- the body further includes an arm portion sized and configured to be received in the aperture in the portable computer.
- a latching member is coupled with the arm portion and is movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the arm portion can be inserted into or removed from the aperture in the portable computer, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the arm portion cannot be removed from the aperture in the portable computer.
- the latching member automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the arm portion is being inserted into the aperture of the portable computer, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the arm portion is fully inserted into the aperture of the portable computer.
- the latching member includes a cam surface engageable by the portable computer as the arm portion is being inserted into the aperture to automatically move the latching member from the second position to the first position.
- An optional lock mechanism can be provided to selectively lock the latching member in the second position.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable computer docked in a computer docking station embodying the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the computer docking station embodying the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the computer docking station of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 4 is a section view of the computer docking station taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the arm portion of the docking station of FIG. 2 shown with a latching member in a first position.
- FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the arm portion of the docking station of FIG. 2 shown with the latching member in a second position.
- FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the latching assembly and lock mechanism.
- FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the computer docking station of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a portable computer 10 docked in a docking station 14 of the present invention.
- the illustrated portable computer 10 is a tablet-style portable computer having an aperture 18 formed in and/or through the body 22 of the computer 10 to at least partially define a carrying handle 24 of the computer 10 .
- One example of such a portable tablet-style computer 10 is the Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 computer.
- the docking station 14 is operable to support and electrically couple to the computer 10 when the computer 10 is not being carried by hand.
- the docking station 14 can be mounted virtually anywhere the computer might be used, including in a room or in a vehicle. Additionally, the docking station 14 can be mounted on a movable cart, desk, or the like to render the computer 10 mobile even when docked in the docking station 14 .
- Various mounting hardware can be used to secure the docking station 14 in the appropriate manner to a support surface.
- the illustrated docking station 14 is configured to have a shape that is form-fitting to the computer 10 such that very little of the docking station 14 can be seen when the computer 10 is docked with the docking station 14 .
- the docking station 14 includes a body 28 that is primarily plastic (e.g., polycarbonate resin), but in other embodiments could be primarily metal or other suitable materials.
- the illustrated docking station 14 also includes some nylon parts, steel brackets, electrical components, and steel hardware.
- the body 28 includes a cradle portion 32 configured to support a portion of the computer 10 , and in the illustrated embodiment supports a bottom or lower portion of the computer.
- the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, and other directional terms are not intended to require any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description only.
- the cradle portion 32 includes a base wall 36 sized and configured to engage and support the lower edge of the computer 10 .
- the base wall 36 includes one or more breaks or apertures 40 formed therein.
- the apertures 40 can provide access to the supported lower edge of the computer 10 when the computer is supported in the docking station 14 .
- one aperture 40 provides access to a barcode scanning lens 42 , but can also allow a user to make electrical connections to electrical ports, connectors, and the like found in the lower edge of the computer 10 .
- the apertures 40 can additionally, or alternatively be operable to provide an alignment feature for mating with alignment features on the lower edge of the computer 10 .
- the apertures 40 can provide some resiliency or flexibility to the cradle portion 32 to facilitate insertion and removal of the computer 10 from the docking station 14 . It is to be understood that the number, location, and configuration of the apertures 40 can vary as desired, and perhaps based on the particular computer 10 to be docked.
- the base wall 36 also supports a connector 44 (see FIG. 2 ) sized and configured to electrically couple with a mating docking connector (not shown) on the computer 10 .
- a connector 44 see FIG. 2
- Grounding pins 48 also extend from the base wall 36 on opposite sides of the connector 44 to ground the computer 10 when it is docked in the docking station 14 .
- the base wall 36 transitions into opposing, generally parallel side walls 52 that further define the cradle portion 32 and engage oppositely-facing edges of the computer 10 .
- the base wall 36 and each side wall 52 , along with the transitions therebetween are sized and configured to engage and support lower edge corners of the computer 10 .
- the cradle portion 32 is also partly defined by a rear wall 56 intersecting the base wall 36 to engage and support a lower rear surface of the computer 10 when it is positioned in the cradle portion 32 .
- the illustrated rear wall 56 includes one or more alignment projections 60 sized, configured, and positioned to align with recesses (not shown) in the rear surface of the computer 10 .
- the alignment projections 60 help to obtain an aligned, snug fit of the computer 10 within the cradle portion 32 .
- the cradle portion 32 further includes at least one flange extending from the base wall 36 to engage and support a front surface of the computer 10 when it is positioned in the cradle portion 32 , thereby securing the lower portion of the computer 10 within the cradle portion 32 .
- the illustrated embodiment includes three flanges 64 a, b , and c .
- the flange 64 a extends from a central portion of the base wall 36 and has a flange portion 68 that extends in a direction generally normal to the base wall 36 .
- One or more strengthening ribs 72 can be formed on an outer surface of the flange portion 68 to provide the desired strength and rigidity to the flange 64 a .
- each flange 64 b and 64 c extend from opposite distal ends of the base wall 36 and are coupled with the respective side walls 52 .
- each flange 64 b , 64 c includes a first flange portion 76 that extends in a direction generally normal to the base wall 36 , and a second flange portion 80 that extends in a direction oblique to the base wall 36 to facilitate insertion of the computer 10 into the cradle portion.
- FIG. 4 illustrates the computer 10 in phantom lines angled relative to base wall 36 as dictated by the engagement of the front surface of the computer 10 with the second flange portions 80 . Therefore, the second flange portions 80 act as a lead-in or guiding surface during insertion of the computer 10 into the docking station 14 .
- the cradle portion 32 acts as a pivot point for the computer 10 during the docking process.
- connection module 84 is coupled with the cradle portion 32 .
- the connection module 84 includes electrical connections (e.g., a power connection 86 , a network or phone connection 88 , standard pin connections 90 for monitors, printers, and the like, and USB ports 92 ).
- the various electrical connections are electrically coupled to the computer through the connector 44 , as is well known.
- the body 28 of the docking station 14 further includes an arm portion 96 sized and configured to be received in the aperture 18 in the computer 10 .
- the arm portion 96 extends entirely through the aperture 18 , however in other embodiments, the arm portion 18 need not extend entirely through the aperture 18 , but could instead extend into the aperture 18 without extending all the way through and back out of the aperture 18 .
- a transition portion 100 of the body 28 extends between the arm portion 96 and the cradle portion 32 .
- the transition portion 100 has a front surface 104 that smoothly transitions the rear wall 56 of the cradle portion 32 into the arm portion 96 without any seams, parting lines, or other discontinuities that might collect dirt or debris.
- the front surface 104 of the illustrated transition portion 100 has a portion 108 that is generally co-planar with the rear wall 56 of the cradle portion 32 , and a portion 112 that is curved or contoured to generally conform to and receive the rear surface of the computer 10 (e.g., the rear surface itself or an integral handle strap assembly extending from the rear surface).
- the arm portion 96 includes a bottom surface 116 , which can include one or more ribs 120 extending to the front surface 104 of the transition portion 100 .
- the ribs 120 are engageable with the rear surface of the computer 10 (see FIG. 6 ) to help guide the arm portion 96 into the aperture 18 of the computer 10 .
- the ribs 120 can also provide strength and rigidity to the arm portion 96 , which can resiliently deflect somewhat relative to the transition portion 100 during insertion of the arm portion 96 into the aperture 18 of the computer 10 .
- the bottom surface 116 , and the arm portion 96 in general, are oriented to be generally parallel with the base wall 36 of the cradle portion 32 .
- the arm portion 96 extends from a remainder of the body 28 in a direction generally parallel to the base wall 36 , so as to be received in and extend through the aperture 18 , which extends through the body 22 of the computer 10 in a direction generally normal to the front surface of the computer 10 .
- the arm portion 96 also includes a top surface 124 spaced from and generally parallel to the bottom surface 116 .
- the top surface 124 and bottom surface 116 are spaced apart by a distance slightly smaller than a height of the aperture 18 .
- the illustrated top surface 124 includes a recess 126 sized and configured to receive the handle 24 of the computer 10 when the computer 10 is docked in the docking station 14 .
- Opposite side surfaces 128 of the arm portion 96 extend between the top and bottom surfaces 124 , 116 .
- a latching member 132 is coupled with the arm portion 96 and is movable between a first position relative to the arm portion 96 , in which the arm portion 96 can be inserted into or removed from the aperture 18 (see FIG. 5 ), and a second position relative to the arm portion 96 , in which the arm portion 96 cannot be removed from the aperture 18 (see FIGS. 1-4 and 6 ).
- the latching member 132 is retracted relative to and into the arm portion 96 when in the first position, and is extended relative to and from the arm portion 96 when in the second position.
- latching member 132 is illustrated as being positioned on the top surface 124 of the arm portion, the latching member 132 can alternatively be positioned on the bottom surface 116 or on the side surfaces 128 of the arm portion 96 to engage different portions of the aperture 18 .
- the latching member 132 is part of a latching assembly 136 coupled with the arm portion 96 .
- the latching assembly 136 is sandwiched between a front housing portion 138 a and a rear housing portion 138 b that together define part of the docking station 14 .
- a base 140 of the latching assembly 136 is housed within the arm portion 96 and supports the latching member 132 in a manner that permits the latching member 132 to move between the first and second positions within an aperture 142 formed in the top surface 124 .
- the latching member 132 is pivotally connected to the base 140 via a pin 144 received through a tubular portion 148 of the latching member 132 .
- the pin 144 is supported at its ends by the base 140 .
- a biasing member in the form of a compression spring 152 biases the latching member 132 relative to the base 140 and the arm portion 96 to the second, or extended position.
- a projection 156 extends from the latching member 132 through a slot 160 in the base 140 and into a corresponding slot 164 in a front surface 168 of the arm portion 96 .
- An activation member 172 is coupled to the projection 156 and is accessible to a user to manually move the latching member 132 to the first position.
- the illustrated activation member 172 is a generally disk-shaped part that can be manually pressed in a direction downwardly and to the left (as indicated by the indicia arrow 176 ) to move the latching member 132 from the second position to the first position, against the bias of the spring 152 .
- the activation member 172 can simply be the end of the projection 156 .
- latching assembly 136 is just one possible configuration that can be used with the docking station 14 .
- Other latching assemblies capable of providing a latching member movable between two positions (i.e., latched and unlatched) relative to the arm portion 96 can be substituted.
- the illustrated latching assembly 136 further includes an optional lock mechanism 180 operable to selectively lock the latching member 132 in the second, or extended position.
- an optional lock mechanism 180 operable to selectively lock the latching member 132 in the second, or extended position.
- the lock mechanism 180 is at least partially received in the arm portion 96 (via aperture 182 in the front surface 168 ), and in the illustrated embodiment is operated with a key to rotate a cam 184 .
- the cam 184 prevents the latching member 132 from moving to the first position, retracted within the arm portion 96 .
- the lock mechanism 180 is not engaged (i.e., unlocked)
- the latching member 132 is free to retract into the base 140 and into the arm portion 96 .
- Other lock mechanisms can be substituted for the illustrated key-activated lock mechanism.
- the latching member 132 is configured such that it can automatically move from the second, extended position, to the first, retracted position as the arm portion 96 is being inserted into the aperture 18 .
- the illustrated latching member 132 includes two oblique cam surfaces 188 , 192 that intersect to define a cam surface edge 196 .
- the first cam surface 188 slopes upwardly and rearwardly relative to the front surface 168 of the arm portion 96 .
- the second cam surface 192 slopes upwardly and left-to-right relative to the front surface 168 of the arm portion 96 . Therefore, the intersection of the two cam surfaces 188 and 192 define the cam surface edge 196 that slopes upwardly, rearwardly, and left-to-right relative to the front surface 168 of the arm portion 96 .
- the upper inner surface of the computer defining the aperture 18 engages the two cam surfaces 188 , 192 and the cam surface edge 196 and automatically moves the latching member 132 from the second, extended position to the first, retracted position as the arm portion 96 is inserted into the aperture 18 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the latching member 132 automatically moves from the first, retracted position, back to the second, extended position to secure the computer 10 in the docking station 14 (see FIG. 6 ). An audible “click” will be heard to confirm the latching mechanism 132 has returned to the second, extended position.
- the lock mechanism 180 can then be locked to prevent the computer 10 from being removed.
- the user can unlock the lock mechanism 180 if it had been locked.
- the user manually moves the activation member 172 in the direction illustrated in the indicia arrow 176 so that the latching mechanism 132 moves to the second, retracted position, thereby allowing the user to pivot the top of the computer 10 away from the arm portion 96 to remove the arm portion 96 from the aperture 18 .
- the undocking and removal of the computer 10 can be done with a single hand, whereby the user grabs the handle 24 as if picking the computer 10 up off a table.
- the user's thumb will be generally aligned with the activation member 172 so that the activation member 172 can be intuitively pressed by the user's thumb, and at the same time, the user can pivot the top of the computer 10 away from the arm portion 96 to remove the computer 10 from the docking station 14 .
- the user can press down directly on the latching member 132 to move the latching member 132 to the second, retracted position.
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Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to computer docking stations.
- Portable, tablet-style computers are known for use in various industries (e.g. the medical industry). Such tablet-style computers commonly include an integral carrying handle formed at least in part by an aperture in the body of the computer.
- In one embodiment, the invention provides a computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector and an aperture at least partly defining a carrying handle for the portable computer. The docking station includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer. The body further includes an arm portion sized and configured to be received in the aperture in the portable computer. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and is movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the arm portion can be inserted into or removed from the aperture in the portable computer, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the arm portion cannot be removed from the aperture in the portable computer. An optional lock mechanism can be provided to selectively lock the latching member in the second position.
- In another embodiment the invention provides a computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector and an aperture. The docking station includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer. The body further includes an arm portion sized and configured to be received in the aperture in the portable computer. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and is movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the arm portion can be inserted into or removed from the aperture in the portable computer, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the arm portion cannot be removed from the aperture in the portable computer. The latching member automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the arm portion is being inserted into the aperture of the portable computer, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the arm portion is fully inserted into the aperture of the portable computer. The latching member includes a cam surface engageable by the portable computer as the arm portion is being inserted into the aperture to automatically move the latching member from the second position to the first position. An optional lock mechanism can be provided to selectively lock the latching member in the second position.
- Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a portable computer docked in a computer docking station embodying the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the computer docking station embodying the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a front view of the computer docking station ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 4 is a section view of the computer docking station taken along line 4-4 ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the arm portion of the docking station ofFIG. 2 shown with a latching member in a first position. -
FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial view of the arm portion of the docking station ofFIG. 2 shown with the latching member in a second position. -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing the latching assembly and lock mechanism. -
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the computer docking station ofFIG. 2 . - Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
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FIG. 1 illustrates aportable computer 10 docked in adocking station 14 of the present invention. The illustratedportable computer 10 is a tablet-style portable computer having anaperture 18 formed in and/or through thebody 22 of thecomputer 10 to at least partially define acarrying handle 24 of thecomputer 10. One example of such a portable tablet-style computer 10 is the Panasonic Toughbook CF-H1 computer. - The
docking station 14 is operable to support and electrically couple to thecomputer 10 when thecomputer 10 is not being carried by hand. Thedocking station 14 can be mounted virtually anywhere the computer might be used, including in a room or in a vehicle. Additionally, thedocking station 14 can be mounted on a movable cart, desk, or the like to render thecomputer 10 mobile even when docked in thedocking station 14. Various mounting hardware (not shown) can be used to secure thedocking station 14 in the appropriate manner to a support surface. The illustrateddocking station 14 is configured to have a shape that is form-fitting to thecomputer 10 such that very little of thedocking station 14 can be seen when thecomputer 10 is docked with thedocking station 14. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2-8 , thedocking station 14 includes abody 28 that is primarily plastic (e.g., polycarbonate resin), but in other embodiments could be primarily metal or other suitable materials. The illustrateddocking station 14 also includes some nylon parts, steel brackets, electrical components, and steel hardware. Thebody 28 includes acradle portion 32 configured to support a portion of thecomputer 10, and in the illustrated embodiment supports a bottom or lower portion of the computer. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, and other directional terms are not intended to require any particular orientation, but are instead used for purposes of description only. Thecradle portion 32 includes abase wall 36 sized and configured to engage and support the lower edge of thecomputer 10. As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 8 , thebase wall 36 includes one or more breaks orapertures 40 formed therein. Theapertures 40 can provide access to the supported lower edge of thecomputer 10 when the computer is supported in thedocking station 14. As shown inFIG. 8 , oneaperture 40 provides access to abarcode scanning lens 42, but can also allow a user to make electrical connections to electrical ports, connectors, and the like found in the lower edge of thecomputer 10. Furthermore, theapertures 40 can additionally, or alternatively be operable to provide an alignment feature for mating with alignment features on the lower edge of thecomputer 10. Yet additionally, theapertures 40, by virtue of the removed material, can provide some resiliency or flexibility to thecradle portion 32 to facilitate insertion and removal of thecomputer 10 from thedocking station 14. It is to be understood that the number, location, and configuration of theapertures 40 can vary as desired, and perhaps based on theparticular computer 10 to be docked. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
base wall 36 also supports a connector 44 (seeFIG. 2 ) sized and configured to electrically couple with a mating docking connector (not shown) on thecomputer 10. The electrical coupling of computers and dockingstations using connectors 44 and the mating docking connectors on computers is well known, and will not be described further.Grounding pins 48 also extend from thebase wall 36 on opposite sides of theconnector 44 to ground thecomputer 10 when it is docked in thedocking station 14. - The
base wall 36 transitions into opposing, generallyparallel side walls 52 that further define thecradle portion 32 and engage oppositely-facing edges of thecomputer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase wall 36 and eachside wall 52, along with the transitions therebetween are sized and configured to engage and support lower edge corners of thecomputer 10. - The
cradle portion 32 is also partly defined by arear wall 56 intersecting thebase wall 36 to engage and support a lower rear surface of thecomputer 10 when it is positioned in thecradle portion 32. The illustratedrear wall 56 includes one ormore alignment projections 60 sized, configured, and positioned to align with recesses (not shown) in the rear surface of thecomputer 10. Thealignment projections 60 help to obtain an aligned, snug fit of thecomputer 10 within thecradle portion 32. - The
cradle portion 32 further includes at least one flange extending from thebase wall 36 to engage and support a front surface of thecomputer 10 when it is positioned in thecradle portion 32, thereby securing the lower portion of thecomputer 10 within thecradle portion 32. The illustrated embodiment includes threeflanges 64 a, b, and c. Theflange 64 a extends from a central portion of thebase wall 36 and has aflange portion 68 that extends in a direction generally normal to thebase wall 36. One or more strengtheningribs 72 can be formed on an outer surface of theflange portion 68 to provide the desired strength and rigidity to theflange 64 a.Flanges base wall 36 and are coupled with therespective side walls 52. As best shown inFIG. 4 , eachflange first flange portion 76 that extends in a direction generally normal to thebase wall 36, and asecond flange portion 80 that extends in a direction oblique to thebase wall 36 to facilitate insertion of thecomputer 10 into the cradle portion.FIG. 4 illustrates thecomputer 10 in phantom lines angled relative tobase wall 36 as dictated by the engagement of the front surface of thecomputer 10 with thesecond flange portions 80. Therefore, thesecond flange portions 80 act as a lead-in or guiding surface during insertion of thecomputer 10 into thedocking station 14. Thecradle portion 32 acts as a pivot point for thecomputer 10 during the docking process. - A
connection module 84 is coupled with thecradle portion 32. As best shown inFIG. 8 , theconnection module 84 includes electrical connections (e.g., apower connection 86, a network orphone connection 88,standard pin connections 90 for monitors, printers, and the like, and USB ports 92). The various electrical connections are electrically coupled to the computer through theconnector 44, as is well known. - The
body 28 of thedocking station 14 further includes anarm portion 96 sized and configured to be received in theaperture 18 in thecomputer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, thearm portion 96 extends entirely through theaperture 18, however in other embodiments, thearm portion 18 need not extend entirely through theaperture 18, but could instead extend into theaperture 18 without extending all the way through and back out of theaperture 18. - A
transition portion 100 of thebody 28 extends between thearm portion 96 and thecradle portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, thetransition portion 100 has afront surface 104 that smoothly transitions therear wall 56 of thecradle portion 32 into thearm portion 96 without any seams, parting lines, or other discontinuities that might collect dirt or debris. Thefront surface 104 of the illustratedtransition portion 100 has aportion 108 that is generally co-planar with therear wall 56 of thecradle portion 32, and aportion 112 that is curved or contoured to generally conform to and receive the rear surface of the computer 10 (e.g., the rear surface itself or an integral handle strap assembly extending from the rear surface). - The
arm portion 96 includes abottom surface 116, which can include one ormore ribs 120 extending to thefront surface 104 of thetransition portion 100. Theribs 120 are engageable with the rear surface of the computer 10 (seeFIG. 6 ) to help guide thearm portion 96 into theaperture 18 of thecomputer 10. Theribs 120 can also provide strength and rigidity to thearm portion 96, which can resiliently deflect somewhat relative to thetransition portion 100 during insertion of thearm portion 96 into theaperture 18 of thecomputer 10. Thebottom surface 116, and thearm portion 96 in general, are oriented to be generally parallel with thebase wall 36 of thecradle portion 32. In other words, thearm portion 96 extends from a remainder of thebody 28 in a direction generally parallel to thebase wall 36, so as to be received in and extend through theaperture 18, which extends through thebody 22 of thecomputer 10 in a direction generally normal to the front surface of thecomputer 10. - The
arm portion 96 also includes atop surface 124 spaced from and generally parallel to thebottom surface 116. Thetop surface 124 andbottom surface 116 are spaced apart by a distance slightly smaller than a height of theaperture 18. The illustratedtop surface 124 includes arecess 126 sized and configured to receive thehandle 24 of thecomputer 10 when thecomputer 10 is docked in thedocking station 14. Opposite side surfaces 128 of thearm portion 96 extend between the top andbottom surfaces - A latching
member 132 is coupled with thearm portion 96 and is movable between a first position relative to thearm portion 96, in which thearm portion 96 can be inserted into or removed from the aperture 18 (seeFIG. 5 ), and a second position relative to thearm portion 96, in which thearm portion 96 cannot be removed from the aperture 18 (seeFIGS. 1-4 and 6). In the illustrated embodiment, the latchingmember 132 is retracted relative to and into thearm portion 96 when in the first position, and is extended relative to and from thearm portion 96 when in the second position. While the latchingmember 132 is illustrated as being positioned on thetop surface 124 of the arm portion, the latchingmember 132 can alternatively be positioned on thebottom surface 116 or on the side surfaces 128 of thearm portion 96 to engage different portions of theaperture 18. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , the latchingmember 132 is part of a latchingassembly 136 coupled with thearm portion 96. In the illustrated embodiment, the latchingassembly 136 is sandwiched between afront housing portion 138 a and arear housing portion 138 b that together define part of thedocking station 14. Abase 140 of the latchingassembly 136 is housed within thearm portion 96 and supports the latchingmember 132 in a manner that permits the latchingmember 132 to move between the first and second positions within anaperture 142 formed in thetop surface 124. Specifically, the latchingmember 132 is pivotally connected to thebase 140 via apin 144 received through atubular portion 148 of the latchingmember 132. Thepin 144 is supported at its ends by thebase 140. A biasing member in the form of acompression spring 152 biases the latchingmember 132 relative to thebase 140 and thearm portion 96 to the second, or extended position. - A
projection 156 extends from the latchingmember 132 through aslot 160 in thebase 140 and into acorresponding slot 164 in afront surface 168 of thearm portion 96. Anactivation member 172 is coupled to theprojection 156 and is accessible to a user to manually move the latchingmember 132 to the first position. The illustratedactivation member 172 is a generally disk-shaped part that can be manually pressed in a direction downwardly and to the left (as indicated by the indicia arrow 176) to move the latchingmember 132 from the second position to the first position, against the bias of thespring 152. In other embodiments, theactivation member 172 can simply be the end of theprojection 156. It is to be understood that the illustrated latchingassembly 136 is just one possible configuration that can be used with thedocking station 14. Other latching assemblies capable of providing a latching member movable between two positions (i.e., latched and unlatched) relative to thearm portion 96 can be substituted. - The illustrated
latching assembly 136 further includes anoptional lock mechanism 180 operable to selectively lock the latchingmember 132 in the second, or extended position. When thecomputer 10 is docked in thedocking station 14 and thelock mechanism 180 locks the latchingmember 132 in the extended position, thecomputer 10 cannot be removed from thedocking station 14 because thearm portion 96 cannot be removed from within theaperture 18. Thelock mechanism 180 is at least partially received in the arm portion 96 (viaaperture 182 in the front surface 168), and in the illustrated embodiment is operated with a key to rotate acam 184. When thelock mechanism 180 is engaged (i.e., locked) to lock the latchingmember 132 in the second position, thecam 184 prevents the latchingmember 132 from moving to the first position, retracted within thearm portion 96. When thelock mechanism 180 is not engaged (i.e., unlocked), the latchingmember 132 is free to retract into thebase 140 and into thearm portion 96. Other lock mechanisms can be substituted for the illustrated key-activated lock mechanism. - The latching
member 132 is configured such that it can automatically move from the second, extended position, to the first, retracted position as thearm portion 96 is being inserted into theaperture 18. The illustrated latchingmember 132 includes two oblique cam surfaces 188, 192 that intersect to define acam surface edge 196. Thefirst cam surface 188 slopes upwardly and rearwardly relative to thefront surface 168 of thearm portion 96. Thesecond cam surface 192 slopes upwardly and left-to-right relative to thefront surface 168 of thearm portion 96. Therefore, the intersection of the twocam surfaces cam surface edge 196 that slopes upwardly, rearwardly, and left-to-right relative to thefront surface 168 of thearm portion 96. As thearm portion 96 is inserted into theaperture 18 of thecomputer 10 during docking, the upper inner surface of the computer defining theaperture 18 engages the twocam surfaces cam surface edge 196 and automatically moves the latchingmember 132 from the second, extended position to the first, retracted position as thearm portion 96 is inserted into the aperture 18 (seeFIG. 5 ). - Once the
arm portion 96 is fully inserted through theaperture 18, the latchingmember 132, under the biasing force of thespring 152, automatically moves from the first, retracted position, back to the second, extended position to secure thecomputer 10 in the docking station 14 (seeFIG. 6 ). An audible “click” will be heard to confirm thelatching mechanism 132 has returned to the second, extended position. Thelock mechanism 180 can then be locked to prevent thecomputer 10 from being removed. - To remove the
computer 10 from thedocking station 14, the user can unlock thelock mechanism 180 if it had been locked. Next, the user manually moves theactivation member 172 in the direction illustrated in theindicia arrow 176 so that thelatching mechanism 132 moves to the second, retracted position, thereby allowing the user to pivot the top of thecomputer 10 away from thearm portion 96 to remove thearm portion 96 from theaperture 18. The undocking and removal of thecomputer 10 can be done with a single hand, whereby the user grabs thehandle 24 as if picking thecomputer 10 up off a table. The user's thumb will be generally aligned with theactivation member 172 so that theactivation member 172 can be intuitively pressed by the user's thumb, and at the same time, the user can pivot the top of thecomputer 10 away from thearm portion 96 to remove thecomputer 10 from thedocking station 14. Alternatively, the user can press down directly on the latchingmember 132 to move the latchingmember 132 to the second, retracted position. - Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (23)
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/570,425 US9612616B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2012-08-09 | Computer docking station |
US15/471,820 US9964992B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2017-03-28 | Computer docking station |
US15/950,791 US10481636B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2018-04-11 | Computer docking station |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
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US13/025,430 Continuation US8315048B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2011-02-11 | Computer docking station |
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US15/471,820 Active US9964992B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2017-03-28 | Computer docking station |
US15/950,791 Active US10481636B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2018-04-11 | Computer docking station |
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US15/471,820 Active US9964992B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2017-03-28 | Computer docking station |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20180232007A1 (en) | 2018-08-16 |
US9612616B2 (en) | 2017-04-04 |
US20170199545A1 (en) | 2017-07-13 |
US10481636B2 (en) | 2019-11-19 |
US9964992B2 (en) | 2018-05-08 |
US20120300390A1 (en) | 2012-11-29 |
US20110134602A1 (en) | 2011-06-09 |
US7911779B1 (en) | 2011-03-22 |
US8315048B2 (en) | 2012-11-20 |
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