Computer system with multiple-connector apparatus

• US 20050157459A1
• Filed: 01/15/2004
• Published: 07/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hoffer, Cary J., Yin, Memphis-Zhihong
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,262 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.20
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/0825 the ejection arrangement being of the push-push kind

Abstract

A computer system comprises a multiple-connector apparatus. The multiple-connector apparatus can be retracted into the computer system.

Claims

1. A computer system, comprising:

a sidewall having an aperture therethrough; and

a multiple-connector apparatus disposed to pass at least partially through the aperture, able to be positioned in a retracted position to conceal at least one of the connectors inside the computer system and in an extended position in which at least one of the connectors is accessible outside of the computer system.

2. A computer system as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

a push-push mechanism facilitating movement of the multiple-connector apparatus.

3. A computer system comprising:

a housing having a top side and a sidewall; and

a port connector apparatus having a plurality of port connectors arranged in a plane substantially parallel to the top side and adapted to receive mating connectors in a direction substantially parallel to the sidewall.

4. A computer system as defined in claim 3 wherein:

the sidewall has an aperture; and

the port connector apparatus includes an extension/retraction mechanism that enables the port connector apparatus to be extended and retracted through the aperture.

5. A computer system comprising:

a housing means having an aperture; and

a means for changing a total number of port connectors exposed outside of the housing means;

and wherein the changing means enables a plurality of the port connectors to move back and forth through the aperture.

6. A computer system as defined in claim 5 further comprising:

a means for holding the port connectors in a retracted position relative to the housing; and

a means for releasing the port connectors from the retracted position relative to the housing.

7. A computer system comprising:

a housing; and

a connector tray connected to the housing and having a plurality of port connectors;

and wherein more port connectors are accessible when the connector tray is extended at least partially outside the housing than when the tray is retracted within the housing.

8. A port connector mechanism for use in a computer system comprising:

a plurality of port connectors disposed in a connector tray; and

an extension/retraction mechanism that locks the connector tray in a retracted position until released therefrom and enables the released connector tray to extend to an extended position.

9. A port connector mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein:

the extension/retraction mechanism comprises a push-push mechanism.

10. A port connector mechanism as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

an actuator button that, upon activation, causes the extension/retraction mechanism to release the connector tray from the retracted position.

11. A method for changing a number of accessible port connectors of a computer system comprising:

providing the computer system with a multiple-connector tray in a retracted position relative to a housing of the computer system, the multiple-connector tray having at least one connector inaccessible in the retracted position; and

extending the multiple-connector tray to an extended position relative to the housing in which the connector is accessible

12. A method as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

releasing the multiple-connector tray from the retracted position.

13. A method as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

retracting the multiple-connector tray back to the retracted position.

14. A computer system, comprising:

a retractable multiple-connector apparatus.

15. A computer system as defined in claim 14 further comprising:

a housing;

and wherein the retractable multiple-connector apparatus is integrated with the housing.

16. A computer system as defined in claim 14 wherein:

the retractable multiple-connector apparatus retracts entirely into the computer system.

17. A computer system as defined in claim 14 further comprising:

a housing;

and wherein the retractable multiple-connector apparatus retracts within the housing to a position at which a remote side of the retractable multiple-connector apparatus is flush with a wall of the housing.

18. A computer system as defined in claim 14 further comprising:

a housing;

and wherein the retractable multiple-connector apparatus comprises a portion that pivots relative to the housing upon being extended from the housing.

19. A computer system as defined in claim 18 wherein:

the portion of the retractable multiple-connector apparatus pivots to a vertical position relative to the housing.

20. A computer system as defined in claim 19 wherein:

the retractable multiple-connector apparatus further comprises a plurality of connectors accessible from a side away from the housing of the computer system.