Computer docking station

A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer having a first side that defines a plane and includes a display in the plane, the docking station comprising:

• a body having a cradle portion adjacent a first end of the body and configured to support a first portion of the portable computer;
• a latching member coupled with the body adjacent a second opposite end of the body, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the cradle portion such that the latching member is operable to cooperate with the cradle portion to removably hold the portable computer in the docking station;
• an activation member that is accessible to a user to manually move the latching member from a second position, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, to a first position, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station;
• and a lock mechanism operable to selectively lock the latching member in the second position when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the latching member is movable relative to the body in a direction parallel to the plane between the first position and the second position, wherein the portable computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station, and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position as the portable computer moves past and clears the latching member as the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the body so that when in the second position, at least a portion of the latching member is exposed to view when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, and wherein the latching member and the activation member are operatively linked to a common pivot point such that when the activation member moves the latching member from the second position to the first position the activation member moves in a direction parallel to the plane toward the cradle portion.

A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer having a first side that defines a plane and includes a display in the plane, the docking station comprising:

• a body having a cradle portion adjacent a first end of the body and configured to support a first portion of the portable computer;
• a recess formed in the body adjacent a second opposite end of the body;
• a latching member coupled with the body adjacent the second end of the body and configured to engage a second portion of the computer, the latching member comprising a first portion to contact the portable computer as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station and a second portion that is configured to move in the recess, wherein the latching member is movable in a direction parallel to the plane between a first position, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, and wherein the latching member is operable to cooperate with the cradle portion to removably hold the portable computer in the docking station;
• and an activation member that is accessible to a user to manually move the latching member from the second position to the first position;
• and a lock mechanism operable to selectively lock the latching member in the second position when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the portable computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position as the portable computer moves past and clears the latching member as the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein when the activation member moves the latching member from the second position to the first position the activation member moves in a direction parallel to the plane toward the cradle portion, and wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the body so that when in the second position, at least a portion of the latching member is exposed to view when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station.