Docking station for a portable computer providing rotational movement of the computer's viewable screen in three different planes
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsCharles William Hall, Julian Dominick Rizzi, John Arthur Stubecki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A portable computer docking station that is capable of allowing rotational movement of the computer's viewable screen in at least three different planes, thereby facilitating viewing and other utilization (e.g., using a pen) of the screen within a motor vehicle. The docking station defined herein is provided with a means for heating the portable computer when the computer is positioned in the docking station's holder portion. The heated holder portion effectively solves the problem of maintaining a portable computer at an operable temperature in cold environments. A vehicular computer assembly is also provided.
Claims22
A docking station for a portable computer having a viewable screen, said docking station comprising:
- a base portion;
- and
- a holder portion positioned on said base portion and adapted for holding said portable computer therein, said holder portion being rotationally adjustable in at least three different planes and including a first bracket assembly rotationally adjustable on said base portion in one of said three different planes and a second bracket assembly rotationally adjustable in a second of said three different planes substantially perpendicular to said one of said planes in which said first bracket assembly is rotationally adjustable.
The docking station of claim 11 wherein said means for heating said portable computer includes a resistance heating element mounted on said holder portion.
A vehicular computer assembly comprising:
- a portable computer including a viewable screen;
- a base portion adapted for being positioned within a motor vehicle;
- and
- a holder portion positioned on said base portion and including means for holding said portable computer therein such that said viewable screen of said portable computer can be rotationally adjusted in at least three different planes, said holder portion further including a first bracket assembly rotationally adjustable on said base portion in one of said three different planes and a second bracket assembly rotationally adjustable in a second of said three different planes substantially perpendicular to said one of said planes in which said first bracket assembly is rotationally adjustable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.