Portable computer docking station with protected connector
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorsJohn R. Sterner, Charles W. Singleton, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The docking station includes one or more ramps which receive the computer during docking. The ramps are elevated so as to shield a docking connector of the docking station during reception of the computer. With the computer positioned on the ramps, the ramps are lowered to bring the computer into engagement with the station's docking connector. The computer is secured in the docked position by any of a coupling force between docking connectors, a latching action applied to the ramps, or a latching action applied to the computer.
Claims27
A docking station in combination with a portable computer, the docking station comprising:
- a docking connector for engaging a corresponding connector of the portable computer;
- a ramp which moves between an elevated position for receiving the portable computer and a lower position at which the docking connector engages the corresponding connector;
- and
- an actuator which locks the ramp in the elevated position above a height of the docking connector, the actuator including a movable portion protruding along the ramp, wherein a movement of the protruding portion, as by the computer during a docking operation, causes the actuator to unlock the ramp.
A docking station in combination with a portable computer, the docking station comprising:
- a docking connector for engaging a corresponding connector of the portable computer;
- a ramp which moves between an elevated position for receiving the portable computer and a lower position at which the docking connector engages the corresponding connector;
- and
- a movable locking mechanism located apart from the ramp and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position the locking mechanism holds the computer in a docked position.
A method for docking a portable computer to a docking station, comprising the steps of:
- sliding a computer along a docking station ramp, the ramp locked in an elevated position protecting a docking station docking connector from the received computer, the docking station connector extending to a height lower than the ramp;
- contacting a release mechanism along the ramp with the computer during said sliding to actuate release of the ramp out of a locked position;
- lowering the ramp;
- and
- engaging the docking station docking connector with a computer docking connector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.