Attach a Mobile Mouse to Your Laptop

• US 20090244836A1
• Filed: 03/31/2008
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: McLoughlin, Padraig, Leng, Tung-Lin, O'Keefe, Denis
• Application Number:
  US12/059,929
• Publication Number:
  US 20090244836A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.580
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• 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 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/039 Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads

Abstract

A docking system which can be used with any laptop, and can allow a mouse or other peripheral device to attach to the back surface of the laptop screen, such as the top of the display when closed. A docking piece is attached to the flat surface of the laptop by means of an adhesive or other mechanism. The mouse or other accessory includes a docking element which engages the docking piece with a restraining force applied. A flat tool to remove the docking piece when it is no longer desired to be used.

Claims

1. A docking system for attaching an accessory to a laptop computer, comprising:

a docking piece attachable to a flat surface of the laptop;

an accessory; and

a docking element attachable to said accessory to engage the docking piece with a restraining force applied.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said accessory is a computer mouse.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said docking piece attaches to said laptop computer with an adhering material.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said docking piece attaches to said laptop computer with a hook that engages one of a display edge and a peripheral slot.

5. The docking system of claim 1 wherein said docking element includes a pair of spring loaded clamps for providing said restraining force.

6. The docking system of claim 1 wherein said docking element includes a resilient material for providing said restraining force.

7. The docking system of claim 1 wherein said docking element includes a magnet for providing said restraining force.

8. The docking system of claim 1 wherein said docking element includes an adhering mechanism for providing said restraining force.

9. The docking system of claim 8 wherein said adhering mechanism comprises a plurality of suction cups.

10. The docking system of claim 8 wherein said adhering mechanism comprises a reusable adhesive.

11. The docking system of claim 8 wherein said adhering mechanism comprises Gecko hair.

12. The docking system of claim 1 wherein said docking element includes a bendable wire for providing said restraining force.

13. The docking system of claim 1 further comprising:

an on/off switch on a portion of said accessory which engages said docking piece; and

an element on said docking piece which engages said on/off switch to turn off power to said accessory when it is docked on said docking piece.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

wherein said docking piece includes a mushroom shaped element; and

wherein said docking element includes

a slot for engaging said mushroom shaped element, and

a resilient piece for applying a clamping force to said mushroom shaped element.

15. The docking system of claim 1 further comprising:

a removal tool having a bottom surface shaped to engage said docking piece, and top surfaces shaped to allow rotating engagement by the fingers of a user.

16. A docking system for attaching an computer mouse to a laptop computer, comprising:

a docking piece attachable to a flat surface of the laptop with an adhering material;

an computer mouse;

a docking element attached to said computer mouse to engage the docking piece with a restraining force applied;

an on/off switch on a portion of said computer mouse which engages said docking piece; and

an element on said docking piece which engages said on/off switch to turn off power to said computer mouse when it is docked on said docking piece.