Apparatus for connecting computer components

• US 4,788,658 A
• Filed: 07/03/1986
• Issued: 11/29/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Hanebuth
• Inventors: Hanebuth, Charles E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Gareth D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Viet Q.
• Application Number:
  US06/881,974
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: D14/111, D14/100, D14/106, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/708, 364/709
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613

Abstract

This invention relates primarily to a new apparatus that can be used to electrically and/or physically connect computer components. More particularly, the present invention is directed to apparatus which can be used to quickly and easily connect a small portable computer to peripheral equipment such as a modem, mass storage device, printer, display or the like.

Claims

1. Apparatus for temporarily mechanically containing and electrically connecting plural computer components together into a unitary assembly, comprising:

(a) a portable lap-top computer module, said computer module including a first housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a front surface, opposite side surfaces and a back surface, one of said surfaces including a first electrical connector member;

(b) a first peripheral equipment assembly, said assembly including a second housing defining a U-shaped channel for receiving and containing said lap-top computer module within said U-shaped channel, and at least one peripheral component contained within said second housing and capable of being used in conjunction with said lap-top computer; and

(c) said first peripheral equipment assembly including means receiving said first electrical connector for electrically coupling said lap-top computer with said peripheral equipment assembly for transmission of power and data representing signals between said lap-top computer and said peripheral equipment assembly when said lap-top computer is fitted into said U-shaped channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lap-top computer contains a plurality of components including processing means, memory means, display means, and data entry means each of which are electrically connected to said first connector.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for receiving said first electrical connector comprises a second connector for electrically connecting the peripheral components contained within said second housing to said first connector member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said U-shaped channel is dimensioned for properly aligning the lap-top computer and the peripheral equipment assembly so that said first connector and said second connector mate with one another.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 and further including an alignment pin associated with the peripheral equipment assembly and a corresponding pin receiving bore associated with the lap-top computer.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 and further including:

(a) a second peripheral equipment assembly comprised of a third housing and at least one additional peripheral component electrically connected to said lap-top computer and said second peripheral equipment assembly dimensioned to fit together within said U-shaped channel of said first peripheral equipment assembly; and

(b) means for electrically connecting said second peripheral equipment assembly to said lap-top computer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first peripheral equipment assembly includes printing means, memory means and display means.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first peripheral equipment assembly includes printing means and memory means.