Communication device for a handheld computer

A communication device for a handheld computer, the communication device comprising:

• an electrical connector;
• and
• a coupling mechanism including at least a first arm adapted to engage an opening on a back face of the housing portion, wherein the first arm is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the second position, the first arm is insertable into the opening on the back face of the housing portion, and the electrical connector is not in contact with the connector of the handheld computer, and wherein when the first arm is inserted into the opening of the handheld computer and the first arm is moved into the first position, the electrical connector is forced into contact with the connector of the handheld computer;
• wherein the coupling mechanism includes a spring to provide a bias of the first arm when the first arm is moved from the first position to the second position;
• and
• wherein the coupling mechanism is configured so that the first arm is in the first position until moved into the second position to insert the first arm into the opening of the back face of the handheld computer, and the bias of the first arm in the second position enables the first arm to release from the second position into the first position to create an active contact between the electrical connector and the connector of the handheld computer.

A communication device structure for a plurality of handheld computers, the communication device structure comprising:

• a plurality of communication devices, each communication device being coupleable to a corresponding handheld computer in the plurality of handheld computers;
• a mounting structure to secure the plurality of communication devices to a common surface;
• and
• wherein each communication device comprises:
• an electrical connector;
• a support structure that is oriented to support the corresponding handheld computer in at least a partially upright position;
• and
• a coupling mechanism that is moveable on the support structure along an axis Z corresponding to the at least partially upright position, wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least a first arm to engage an opening on a back face of a housing portion of the corresponding handheld computer, the at least first arm being moveable in order to direct the housing portion towards the electrical connector while maintaining contact between the electrical connector and a connector of the corresponding handheld computer.

A communication device for a handhold computer, the communication device comprising:

• a means for establishing an electrical connection between the communication device and the handheld computer;
• a means for supporting the handheld computer in at least a partially upright position;
• and
• a coupling means for coupling the handheld computer to the communication device by directing a housing portion of the handheld computer towards the electrical connection means so as to create a force for maintaining the electrical connection means, wherein the coupling means is moveable on the support means along an axis Z corresponding to the at least partially upright position, and wherein the coupling means includes at least a first engagement means for engaging an opening on a back face of the housing portion of the handheld computer, wherein the engagement means is moveable along the axis Z to create the force.

A communication device for a handheld computer, the communication device comprising:

• an electrical connector;
• and
• a support structure that is oriented to support the handheld computer in at least a partially upright position;
• a coupling mechanism that is moveable on the support structure along an axis Z corresponding to the at least partially upright position, wherein the coupling mechanism includes at least a first arm that is to (i) insert into and be withdrawn from an opening on a back face of a housing portion and (ii) be positionable along the axis Z in order to permit coupling and decoupling of the handheld computer from the support structure, wherein the at least first arm can be inserted into the opening and be positioned along the axis Z so as to maintain contact between the electrical connector and a connector of the handheld computer and to resist any movement of the handheld computer that would disrupt contact between the electrical connector and the connector of the handheld computer.

A communication device for a handheld computer, the communication device comprising:

• an electrical connector;
• and
• a coupling mechanism configured to direct a housing portion of the handheld computer towards the electrical connector while maintaining contact between the electrical connector and a connector of the handheld computer;
• wherein the coupling mechanism includes a member and one or more arms, and wherein the one or more arms extend from the member to engage one or more corresponding openings on the back face of the housing portion;
• wherein the coupling mechanism includes an elongated spring that connects the member to the base structure of the communication device;
• wherein the member is moveable between a first position and a second position, the second position corresponding to the elongated spring being stretched, and wherein in the second position, the one or more arms are each insertable into the corresponding openings in the back face of the housing portion;
• wherein subsequently the member is releasable from the second position to the first position so as to cause the electrical connector to be forced into contact with the connector of the handheld computer.