COMPUTER DOCKING STATION FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20090213536A1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gamber-Johnson LLC
• Original Assignee: L&P Property Management Company (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lewandowski, Jason M., Sullivan, Chad D.
• Granted Patent: US 7,978,466 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.430
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0075 using a containment or docking space
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/105 the handle being a pushbutton E05B13/103 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 1/14 the handle or member moving essentially towards or away from the plane of the wing or frame
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that has a docking connector includes a body having a support portion configured to support the portable computer, and a main connector moveable relative to the body between an engaged position in which the main connector is engageable with the docking connector, and a disengaged position. The computer docking station also includes a frame coupled to the body and the main connector. The frame is movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position. The computer docking station further includes a subframe coupled to the frame. The subframe is movable with the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable relative to the frame from the second position to a third position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

Claims

1. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the computer docking station comprising:

a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer;

a main connector moveable relative to the body between an engaged position in which the main connector is engageable with the docking connector, and a disengaged position;

a frame coupled to the body and the main connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position; and

a subframe coupled to the frame, the subframe movable with the frame from the first position to the second position and movable relative to the frame from the second position to a third position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

2. The computer docking station of claim 1, further comprising a first biasing member having one end coupled to the frame and an opposite end coupled to the subframe, wherein the subframe is moved from the second position to the third position against a bias of the first biasing member, and wherein the first biasing member biases the frame toward the subframe when the subframe is in the third position.

3. The computer docking station of claim 2, further comprising a second biasing member having one end coupled to the body and an opposite end coupled to the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the first position.

4. The computer docking station of claim 3, wherein the first biasing member is stiffer than the second biasing member.

5. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the frame slides generally linearly relative to the body between the first and second positions, and wherein the subframe slides generally linearly relative to the body between the second and third positions.

6. The computer docking station of claim 5, wherein the body includes a back portion extending upwardly from the support portion and at least partially defining an opening through which the main connector extends when in the engaged position, wherein the support portion defines a front surface located substantially opposite the back portion, and wherein the frame and the subframe slide toward the front surface as the frame and the subframe move from the first position to the second position.

7. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the subframe includes a handle to facilitate movement of the frame and the subframe between the first, second, and third positions.

8. The computer docking station of claim 7, wherein the body defines an outer surface, wherein the handle is recessed relative to the outer surface when the subframe is in the first and second positions, and wherein the handle is substantially flush with the outer surface when the subframe is in the third position.

9. The computer docking station of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism coupled to the body, wherein a portion of the latching mechanism engages the subframe upon movement of the subframe to the third position to releasably hold the subframe in the third position.

10. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the frame is slidably coupled to the body, wherein the subframe is slidably coupled to the frame, and wherein the frame carries the subframe.

11. The computer docking station of claim 1, further comprising an interlock having a first end portion coupled to the body and a second end portion substantially opposite the first end portion and movable relative to the body, wherein the second end portion engages the frame to inhibit movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, and wherein the second end portion is moved out of engagement with the frame when the portable computer is positioned on the support surface.

12. The computer docking station of claim 11, wherein the interlock includes a leaf spring and a projection that extends through an opening in the support portion, and the frame includes an interlock cutout, wherein the second end portion is moveable into and out of engagement with the interlock cutout in response to movement of the projection through the opening, and wherein the second end portion is biased into engagement with the interlock cutout.

13. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein movement of the subframe to the third position applies a biasing force to the main connector tending to resist movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

14. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer, the computer docking station comprising:

a body including a support portion that defines a support surface configured to support the portable computer;

a main connector moveably coupled to the body for movement between an engaged position in which at least a portion of the main connector is positioned above the support surface, and a disengaged position;

a frame coupled to the body and the main connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position; and

an interlock including

a first end portion coupled to the body,

a second end portion substantially opposite the first end portion and movable relative to the body, the second end portion engaging the frame to inhibit movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, and

a projection extending through the support surface of the body, the projection configured to be actuated by the portable computer when the portable computer is positioned on the support surface to move the second end portion out of engagement with the frame.

15. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the frame defines a notch formed along an edge of the frame, wherein the second end portion of the interlock fits within the notch to inhibit movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, and wherein the second end portion is moved out of the notch when the portable computer actuates the projection.

16. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the interlock includes a leaf spring having the first end portion and the second end portion, and wherein the leaf spring biases the second end portion into engagement with the frame.

17. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the interlock further includes a fastener coupling the first end portion to the body.

18. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the frame slides generally linearly relative to the body between the first and second positions.

19. The computer docking station of claim 14, further comprising a subframe coupled to the frame, wherein the subframe is movable with the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable relative to the frame from the second position to a third position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

20. The computer docking station of claim 19, further comprising:

a first biasing member coupled between the frame and the subframe, the subframe being moved from the second position to the third position against a bias of the first biasing member, the first biasing member biasing the frame toward the subframe and resisting movement of the main connector away from the engaged position when the subframe is in the third position, and

a second biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, the second biasing member biasing the frame toward the first position,

wherein the first biasing member is stiffer than the second biasing member.

21. The computer docking station of claim 19, further comprising a latching mechanism coupled to the body, wherein a portion of the latching mechanism engages the subframe when the subframe is moved to the third position to releasably hold the subframe in the third position.

22. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer, the computer docking station comprising:

a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer;

a main connector moveable with respect to the body between an engaged position in which at least a portion of the main connector is positioned above the support portion, and a disengaged position;

a frame coupled to the body and the main connector, the frame movable generally linearly relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position, the frame defining a notch formed along an edge of the frame;

a subframe carried by and movable with the frame between the first position and the second position and movable generally linearly relative to the frame from the second position to a third position;

a first biasing member coupled between the frame and the subframe, the subframe being moved from the second position to the third position against a bias of the first biasing member, the first biasing member biasing the frame toward the subframe and resisting movement of the main connector away from the engaged position when the subframe is in the third position;

a second biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, the second biasing member biasing the frame toward the first position, the first biasing member being stiffer than the second biasing member; and

an interlock including

a first end portion coupled to the body,

a second end portion substantially opposite the first end portion and movable relative to the body, the second end portion fitting within the notch in the frame to inhibit movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, and

a projection extending through the support portion of the body, the projection configured to be actuated by the portable computer when the portable computer is positioned on the support portion to move the second end portion out of the notch in the frame.

23. The computer docking station of claim 22, wherein the body includes a back portion extending upwardly from the support portion and at least partially defining an opening, wherein the support portion defines a front surface located substantially opposite the back portion, and wherein the frame and the subframe slide toward the front surface as the frame and the subframe move from the first position to the second position.

24. The computer docking station of claim 22, wherein the subframe includes a handle and the body defines an outer surface, wherein the handle is recessed relative to the outer surface when the subframe is in the first and second positions, and wherein the handle is substantially flush with the outer surface when the subframe is in the third position.

25. The computer docking station of claim 22, wherein the interlock further includes

a leaf spring having the first end portion and the second end portion, the leaf spring biasing the second end portion into the notch in the frame, and

a fastener coupling the first end portion of the leaf spring to the body.

26. The computer docking station of claim 22, further comprising a latching mechanism coupled to the body, wherein a portion of the latching mechanism engages the subframe upon movement of the subframe to the third position to releasably hold the subframe in the third position.

27. The computer docking station of claim 26, wherein the latching mechanism is releasable and wherein upon release of the latching mechanism the first biasing member and the second biasing member cooperate to move the subframe relative to the body and relative to the frame from the third position to the first position, and the second biasing member moves the frame relative to the body from the second position to the first position.

28. The computer docking station of claim 22, wherein the subframe includes a handle for movement of the frame and the subframe between the first position and the second position and for movement of the subframe relative to the frame to the third position, wherein movement of the frame and the subframe from the first position to the second position using the handle overcomes a bias of the second biasing member, and wherein movement of the subframe to the third position using the handle overcomes the bias of the first biasing member.