Connection between portable computer components

A releasable connection between a computer and an expansion module or peripheral component for the computer, for mating the computer and expansion module closely and connecting them together electrically, comprising,

• the computer having a bottom surface and the expansion module having an upper surface which are complementarily shaped to each other such that the two surfaces can be nested closely together,
• stationary hook means protruding from the upper surface of the expansion module near a first end of the expansion module,
• first hook receiving slot means in the lower surface of the computer, in position corresponding to the position of the stationary hook means of the expansion module, such that the stationary hook means and the hook receiving slot means can be engaged when the computer and the module are nested together,
• at least one movable hook member protruding from the upper surface of the expansion module, near a second end of the module, the movable hook member being movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, and spring means within the expansion module for biasing the movable hook member toward the engaging position,
• second hook receiving slot means in the bottom surface of the computer for receiving the movable hook member and for camming the hook member from the engaging position toward the disengaging position as the computer and expansion module are pivoted together following engagement of the stationary hook means with the computer, and including means associated with the movable hook member and the second hook receiving slot means for spring-forcing the movable hook member into a locking position in engagement with the computer when the computer and the expansion module have been moved fully into a nested position together, and
• bus connector means for automatically making a multiple-contact connection between the computer and the expansion module as the computer is brought into nesting contact with the expansion module, the bus connector means comprising
• a recess formed in the bottom of the computer;
• a door movable between open and closed positions, wherein the recess is covered in the door's closed position and uncovered in the door's open position;
• and
• means for changing the operational state of the computer when the door moves from the closed position to the open position.

A method for securing a computer to an expansion module or peripheral component for the computer, for mating the computer and expansion module closely and connecting them together electrically, comprising,

• providing on the computer a bottom surface and on the expansion module an upper surface which are complementarily shaped to each other such that the two surfaces can be nested closely together,
• holding the computer and module obliquely with respect to teach other and engaging a pair of stationary hooks at a first end of the upper surface of the module into corresponding slots in the bottom surface of the computer,
• swinging the bottom surface of the computer toward the upper surface of the module and thereby causing a bus connection automatically to be made between the computer and the module, via a bus connector extending up from the modules' upper surface and a mating bus connector within a recess in the computer's bottom surface, and
• continuing to bring the computer into nesting contact with the expansion module, until a spring-biased movable hook member extending from an integrally formed slidable bracket inside the module engages with a corresponding latching slot at a second end of the bottom surface of the computer and becomes spring-forced into a latched position to firmly and closely hold the computer in engagement with the expansion module, the bracket including a spring formed integrally with the hook member and bracket.

A releasable connection between two pieces of electronic equipment for connecting them together electrically, comprising,

• a first housing having a bottom surface and a second housing having an upper surface which are complementarily shaped to each other such that the two surfaces can be nested closely together,
• stationary hook means protruding from the upper surface of the second housing near a first end of the second housing,
• first hook receiving slot means in the lower surface of the first housing, in position corresponding to the position of the stationary hook means of the second housing, such that the stationary hook means and the hook receiving slot means can be engaged when the second and first housings, respectively, are nested together,
• at least one movable hook member protruding from the upper surface of the second housing, near a second end of the second housing, the movable hook member being movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, and spring means within the second housing for biasing the movable hook member toward the engaging position, the spring means and the hook member forming an integral element,
• second hook receiving slot means in the bottom surface of the first housing for receiving the movable hook member and for camming the hook member from the engaging position toward the disengaging position as the first housing and second housing are pivoted together following engagement of the stationary hook means with the first housing, and including means associated with the movable hook member and the second hook receiving hook receiving slot means for spring-forcing the movable hook member into a locking position in engagement with the first housing, when the first and second housings have been moved fully into a nested position together, and
• means for automatically making an electrical connection between the first and second housings as the first housing is brought into nesting contact with the second housing.

A releasable connection between two pieces of electronic equipment for connecting them together electrically, comprising,

• a first housing having a bottom surface and a second housing having an upper surface which are complementarily shaped to each other such that the two surfaces can be nested closely together,
• stationary hook means protruding from the upper surface of the second housing near a first end of the second housing,
• first hook receiving slot means in the lower surface of the first housing, in position corresponding to the position of the stationary hook means of the second housing, such that the stationary hook means and the hook receiving slot means can be engaged when the second and first housings, respectively, are nested together,
• at least one movable hook member protruding from the upper surface of the second housing, near a second end of the second housing, the movable hook member being movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, and spring means within the second housing for biasing the movable hook member toward the engaging position,
• second hook receiving slot means in the bottom surface of the first housing for receiving the movable hook member and for camming the hook member from the engaging position toward the disengaging position as the first and second housings are pivoted together following engagement of the stationary hook means with the first housing, and including means associated with the movable hook member and the second hook receiving slot means for spring-forcing the movable hook member into a locking position in engagement with the first housing when the first and second housings have been moved fully into a nested position together, and
• means for automatically making an electrical connection between the first and second housings as the first housing is brought into nesting contact with the second housing, the means for automatically making an electrical connection comprising:
• a recess formed in the bottom of the first housing;
• a door movable between open and closed positions, wherein the recess is covered in the door's closed position and uncovered in the door's open position;
• and
• means for changing the operational state of the electronic equipment when the door moves from the closed position to the open position.