US 5,687,060 A · Vertically oriented docking station apparatus for a portable computer

Abstract

A specially designed stand structure is used to vertically support a docking station housing, and an associated portable computer removably coupled thereto, to substantially reduce the vertical footprint of the overall docking station system. The stand structure includes a base portion having a recessed area for receiving and supporting a section of the docking station housing, and a pivotally mounted vertical holding wall structure with a transverse lower receiving platform. The vertical holding wall structure is spaced apart from and faces a vertical guide surface of the docking station housing, with the platform extending toward the guide surface. When the vertically oriented portable computer is placed on the platform the weight of the computer thereon pivots the vertical wall structure toward the guide surface, and a horizontally adjustable section of the vertical wall structure engages the facing vertical side of the computer and presses the opposite vertical side thereof against the guide surface to thereby horizontally align the computer docking connector with the mating connector on the docking station housing as the computer is pushed toward the docking station connector. The platform is spring-supported in a manner permitting vertical computer/docking station connector misalignments to be compensated for, and to relieve vertical stress on the mated computer and docking station connectors.

Claims28

Dependent claims

Computer docking apparatus comprising a stand structure configured to support a computer docking station of the type having an electrical connector and a guide structure along which a portable computer may be moved into docked coupling with the electrical connector, said stand structure having:

a receiving portion upon which a portable computer may be placed;
and
a holding portion movable in response to placement of the portable computer on said receiving portion to engage the portable computer and hold the portable computer against the docking station guide structure for movement therealong into docked coupling with the electrical connector.

Computer docking apparatus comprising a stand structure for use with a docking station having a an electrical connector, and a guide structure along which a portable computer may be moved into docked coupling with the electrical connector, said stand structure including:

a base portion configured to operatively support the docking station;
a holding structure secured to said base portion for pivotal movement relative thereto toward the guide structure of the docking station to a support position in which said holding structure faces the guide structure in a spaced apart relationship therewith, and away from the guide structure to a receiving position, and
a receiving structure, upon which a portable computer may be placed, said receiving structure being secured to said holding structure for pivotal motion therewith relative to said base portion and being operative, in response to placement of the portable computer thereon when said holding structure is in said receiving position, to forcibly pivot said holding structure from said receiving position thereof to said support position thereof in a manner permitting said holding structure to engage the portable computer and hold the portable computer against the guide structure of the docking station to facilitate the movement of the portable computer therealong into docked coupling with the docking station electrical connector.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vertically oriented docking station apparatus for a portable computer

Life of this patent

Vertically oriented docking station apparatus for a portable computer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28