Computer Docking Station

• US 20200133368A1
• Filed: 01/02/2020
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
• Original Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
• Inventors: Volek, Robert, Bender, Steve, Wong, David
• Granted Patent: US 10,901,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A computer docking station devised to save desktop space while also eliminating the presence of permanent cables that can clutter the work surface is disclosed. The computer docking station utilizes a split design, with a lower dock subassembly positioned beneath the work surface for housing the permanent cables necessary for the computer workstation to operate and an upper dock subassembly comprising one or more data ports positioned on top of the work surface. A monitor arm mount can be attached to, or integrated into, the upper dock subassembly, thereby alleviating the need for a separate monitor arm mount without negatively impacting the docking station'"'"'s footprint.

Claims

1. A computer docking station comprising:

a) an upper dock subassembly adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface, the upper dock subassembly comprising;

i) a data port hub comprising a hub cover, a hub base, and an upper subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) having one or more active data ports, wherein the hub cover is attached to the hub base to form an upper dock housing for the upper subassembly PCBA; and

ii) a monitor arm mount positioned adjacent to the data port hub and extending vertically therefrom;

b) a lower dock subassembly operatively connected to the upper dock subassembly and adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface, the lower dock subassembly comprising a lower subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) positioned within a lower dock housing, wherein the lower subassembly PCBA comprises one or more passive data ports.

2. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises a mounting plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the data port hub is adapted to be releasably attached to the top surface of the mounting plate.

3. The computer docking station of claim 2, wherein the mounting plate comprises first and second pins protruding from the top surface of the mounting plate.

4. The computer docking station of claim 3, wherein the hub base comprises first and second key slots, wherein the first key slot is adapted to receive the first pin and the second key slot is adapted to receive the second pin when the removable data port hub is positioned adjacent to the mounting plate.

5. The computer docking station of claim 4, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises first and second L-shaped lock tabs, wherein the first and second L-shaped lock tabs each define a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the horizontal portions of the first and second L-shaped lock tabs are each attached to a rear portion of the mounting plate, and wherein the vertical portions of the first and second L-shaped lock tabs are each releasably attached to a rear portion of the hub cover of the data port hub.

6. The computer docking station of claim 5, wherein the one or more active data ports comprise a first active data port, a second active data port, and a third active data port.

7. The computer docking station of claim 6, wherein the first active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

8. The computer docking station of claim 6, wherein the second active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

9. The computer docking station of claim 6, wherein the third active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

10. The computer docking station of claim 5, wherein the one or more passive data ports comprise a first passive data port, a second passive data port, and a third passive data port.

11. The computer docking station of claim 10, wherein the first passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

12. The computer docking station of claim 10, wherein the second passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

13. The computer docking station of claim 10, wherein the third passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

14. A computer docking station comprising:

a) a bracket having an upper portion and a lower portion;

b) an upper dock subassembly coupled to the upper portion of the bracket and adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface, the upper dock subassembly comprising;

i) a mounting plate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

ii) a data port hub releasably coupled to the top surface of the mounting plate, wherein the data port hub comprises a hub cover, a hub base, and an upper subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) positioned between the hub cover and hub base, wherein the upper subassembly PCBA comprises one or more active data ports;

c) a lower dock subassembly coupled to the lower portion of the bracket and adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface, the lower dock subassembly comprising a lower subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) positioned within a lower dock housing, wherein the lower subassembly PCBA comprises one or more passive data ports.

15. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the mounting plate comprises first and second pins protruding from the top surface of the mounting plate.

16. The computer docking station of claim 15, wherein the hub base comprises first and second key slots, wherein the first key slot is adapted to receive the first pin and the second key slot is adapted to receive the second pin when the removable data port hub is positioned adjacent to the mounting plate.

17. The computer docking station of claim 16, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises first and second L-shaped lock tabs, wherein the first and second L-shaped lock tabs each define a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, wherein the horizontal portions of the first and second L-shaped lock tabs are each attached to a rear portion of the mounting plate, and wherein the vertical portions of the first and second L-shaped lock tabs are each releasably attached to a rear portion of the hub cover of the data port hub.

18. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises a monitor arm mount attached to the mounting plate.

19. The computer docking station of claim 18, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises a spacer positioned between the monitor arm mount and the mounting plate.

20. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the lower dock subassembly further comprises a clamp support attached to the lower portion of the bracket.