Portable computer docking station with movable docking connector

A docking station for use in operatively coupling a portable computer to a desktop computer peripheral device, the portable computer having a base housing and a first electrical docking connector structure, said docking station comprising:

• a docking station housing with a top wall atop which the portable computer base housing may be supported, said top wall having peripheral side edge portions;
• a holding structure associated with said top wall and operative to stationarily restrain the supported portable computer against appreciable movement relative to said docking station housing parallel to said top wall, said holding structure including upwardly projecting rib structures disposed on said peripheral side edge portions and bounding with said top wall an open-topped receiving area configured to downwardly and complementarily receive the portable computer base housing;
• a second electrical docking connector structure releasably mateable with the first electrical docking connector structure and carried by said docking station housing for movement relative thereto toward and away from said receiving area;
• a force exerting structure linked to said second electrical docking connector structure and operative to selectively drive it relative to said docking station housing into and out of mating engagement with the first electrical docking connector structure of the supportable portable computer when it is stationarily restrained on said top wall by said holding structure;
• and
• a security latch member linked to said second electrical docking connector structure for driven movement therewith relative to said docking station housing, said security latch member being operative to engage the stationarily supported portable computer and releasably prevent its upward removal from said receiving area when said second electrical docking connector structure is releasably mated with the first electrical docking connector structure.

A method of operatively coupling a portable computer to a desktop computer peripheral device, the portable computer having a first electrical docking connector structure thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a docking station having a housing portion and a second electrical docking connector structure carried by said housing portion for movement relative thereto and being releasably mateable with said first electrical docking connector structure, and a force exerting structure operative to move said second electrical docking connector structure relative to said housing portion;
• supporting said portable computer on a wall of said housing portion;
• restraining the supported portable computer against appreciable movement relative to said housing portion parallel to said wall;
• and
• using said force exerting structure to move said second electrical docking connector structure toward the stationarily supported portable computer in a manner releasably mating said second electrical docking connector structure with said first electrical docking connector structure.