Alignment mechanism for computer system having a portable computer and docking station

A docking station for a portable computer having a computer connector, said docking station comprising:

• a housing having a docking connector;
• a platform having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side, said platform joined at said back side to said housing;
• said platform having an elevated rail for guiding said portable computer into a proper alignment with said housing of said docking station when said portable
• computer is placed on said platform and slid towards said housing so that said computer connector lines up with and connects to said docking connector;
• a second elevated rail for guiding said portable computer into said proper alignment with said housing of said docking station when said portable computer is placed on said platform and slid towards said housing so that said computer connector lines up with and connects to said docking connector;
• wherein said docking connector is substantially centered between said left side and said right side of said platform
• wherein said elevated rail is between said docking connector and said left side of said platform, and wherein said second elevated rail is between said docking connector and said right side of said platform;
• a left rotatable bumper at the left side of the platform;
• a right rotatable bumper at the right side of the platform;
• and
• said left rotatable bumper and said right rotatable bumper being of sufficient height to prevent said portable computer from sliding off the left side or right side of the platform.

A computer system comprising a docking station and a portable computer, said portable computer having a front edge, a back edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a computer connector on said back edge, said docking station further comprising:

• a housing having a docking connector;
• a platform having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side, said platform joined at said back side to said housing;
• said platform further comprising an elevated rail;
• said portable computer further comprising:
• a base unit having a top portion and a bottom portion;
• a display unit connected to the top portion of said base unit;
• said bottom portion of said base unit of said portable computer further comprising a recessed groove;
• and
• said elevated rail on said docking station interacting with said recessed groove on said portable computer to guide said portable computer into a proper alignment with said housing of said docking station when said portable computer is placed on said platform and slid towards said housing so that said computer connector lines up with and connects to said docking connector;
• wherein the recessed groove is flared at the back edge of the portable computer.

A computer system comprising a docking station and a portable computer, said portable computer having a front edge, a back edge, a left edge, a right edge, and a computer connector on said back edge, said docking station further comprising:

• a housing having a docking connector;
• a platform having a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side, said platform joined at said back side to said housing;
• said platform further comprising an elevated rail;
• said portable computer further comprising:
• a base unit having a top portion and a bottom portion;
• a display unit connected to the top portion of said base unit;
• said bottom portion of said base unit of said portable computer further comprising a recessed groove;
• and
• said elevated rail on said docking station interacting with said recessed groove on said portable computer to guide said portable computer into a proper alignment with said housing of said docking station when said portable computer is placed on said platform and slid towards said housing so that said computer connector lines up with and connects to said docking connector;
• wherein the elevated rail abuts the housing.