Motorized horizontal docking station having integrated locking mechanism
AssigneeHenge Docks LLC
InventorMatthew Leigh Vroom
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm includes a block-side portion and a follower portion. The block-side portion can have a first end connected to the connector block. The follower portion can be connected to a second end of the block-side portion with a linear clutch. The linear clutch can include a bolt, a spring, and two sliding members. The bolt can pass through the block-side portion and the follower portion. A force on an end of the arm can cause the clutch to slip allowing the follower portion to move independently of the block-side portion. A sensor can detect a slippage of the linear clutch.
Claims20
A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the sliding arm comprising:
- a block-side portion of the arm having a first end connected to the connector block;
- a follower portion of the arm;
- and
- a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
- wherein the linear clutch is operable to constrain the block-side portion and the follower portion to move together and, when a force on the linear clutch exceeds a limit, allow the block-side portion to move independently of the follower portion.
A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm comprising:
- a block-side portion having a first end connected to the connector block;
- a follower portion;
- a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
- a bolt of the linear clutch;
- a bottom slider member of the linear clutch;
- a top slider member of the linear clutch;
- a spring of the linear clutch;
- a cutout in the block-side portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch;
- and
- a slot in the follower portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch.
A sliding arm for use with a docking station having a connector block with a plurality of plugs, the arm comprising:
- a block-side portion having a first end connected to the connector block;
- a follower portion;
- a linear clutch connecting a second end of the block-side portion to the follower portion;
- a sensor associated with the linear clutch, the sensor configured to detect a slippage of the linear clutch;
- a bolt of the linear clutch;
- a bottom slider member of the linear clutch;
- a top slider member of the linear clutch;
- a spring of the linear clutch;
- a cutout in the block-side portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch;
- and
- a slot in the follower portion for receiving the bolt of the linear clutch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.