COMPUTER DOCKING STATION FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20110128689A1
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Published: 06/02/2011
• 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: Sullivan, Chad D., Lewandowski, Jason M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,098,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• 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 handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position;

a first biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, wherein the first biasing member biases the frame toward the first position; and

a second biasing member coupled between the handle and the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the second position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

2. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the first biasing member is stiffer than the second biasing member.

3. 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 handle slides generally linearly relative to the body to move the frame between the first and second positions.

4. The computer docking station of claim 3, 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 handle slide toward the front surface as the frame moves from the first position to the second position.

5. The computer docking station of claim 4, wherein the body defines an outer surface, wherein the handle is recessed relative to the outer surface when the frame is in the first position and the handle is substantially flush with the outer surface when the frame is in the second position.

6. 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 handle upon movement of the frame to the second position to releasably hold the frame in the second position.

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

8. 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.

9. The computer docking station of claim 8, 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.

10. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the support portion defines a front surface and movement of the handle towards the front surface applies a biasing force to the main connector tending to resist movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

11. 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 handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame between the first position and the second position;

a first biasing member coupled between the frame and the handle, the first biasing member biasing the frame toward the handle and resisting movement of the main connector away from the engaged position when the frame is in the second 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.

12. The computer docking station of claim 11, 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 handle slide toward the front surface as the frame moves from the first position to the second position.

13. The computer docking station of claim 11, wherein the body defines an outer surface and the handle is recessed relative to the outer surface when the frame is in the first position and the handle is substantially flush with the outer surface when the frame is in the third position.

14. The computer docking station of claim 11, 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.

15. The computer docking station of claim 11, further comprising a latching mechanism coupled to the body, wherein a portion of the latching mechanism engages the handle upon movement of the frame to the second position to releasably hold the frame in the second position.

16. The computer docking station of claim 15, 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 frame relative to the body from the second 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.

17. The computer docking station of claim 11, wherein movement of the frame and from the first position to the second position using the handle overcomes a bias of the second and first biasing members.

18. 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 handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable to a third position relative to the frame after the frame has moved to the second position and the main connector is in the engaged position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

19. The computer docking station of claim 18 further comprising a first biasing member coupled between the handle and the frame, wherein when the handle is in the third position the first biasing member biases the frame toward the second position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.

20. The computer docking station of claim 19 further comprising a second biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the first position.