Expansion device for expanding functions of compact electronic apparatus
First Claim
1. An electronic system comprising:
- a first electronic apparatus having a first fitting portion and an engaging portion provided at the first fitting portion;
a second electronic apparatus having a second fitting portion; and
a coupling unit for mechanically coupling the first and second electronic apparatus, the coupling unit including a first portion removably fitted to the first fitting portion, a second portion removably fitted to the second fitting portion, and a lock mechanism for locking the first portion of the coupling unit in the first fitting portion,the locking mechanism including;
a lock member movable between an engaging position wherein the lock member engages the engaging portion of the first electronic apparatus so as to lock the first portion in the first fitting portion and a disengaging position wherein the lock member disengages from the engaging portion to allow the first portion of the coupling unit to be removed from the first fitting portion,an operating member connected to the lock member, for moving the lock member between the engaging the disengaging positions, the operating member being movable between a lock position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the engaging position and a release position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the disengaging position, anda holding mechanism for temporarily holding the operating member in the release position when the operating member is moved from the lock position to the release position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An expansion device includes a box-like device body and a second battery pack. The body includes a hard disc drive therein, a fitting recess open to the outer surface of the body, power-receiving terminals provided in the fitting recess and connected to the hard disc drive, and a second connector adapted to be connected to a first connector of a personal computer. The second battery pack is designed to be removably mounted in a battery mount portion, in place of a battery pack of the computer, and includes a coupling portion removably fitted in the fitting portion, and first and second power-supply terminals. When the second battery pack is mounted in the mount portion while the coupling portion is fitted in the fitting recess, the device body is coupled to the computer in a state where the second connector is connected to the first connector and the first and second power-supply terminals contact power-receiving terminals of the computer and the power-receiving terminals of the device body.
21 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An electronic system comprising:
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a first electronic apparatus having a first fitting portion and an engaging portion provided at the first fitting portion; a second electronic apparatus having a second fitting portion; and a coupling unit for mechanically coupling the first and second electronic apparatus, the coupling unit including a first portion removably fitted to the first fitting portion, a second portion removably fitted to the second fitting portion, and a lock mechanism for locking the first portion of the coupling unit in the first fitting portion, the locking mechanism including; a lock member movable between an engaging position wherein the lock member engages the engaging portion of the first electronic apparatus so as to lock the first portion in the first fitting portion and a disengaging position wherein the lock member disengages from the engaging portion to allow the first portion of the coupling unit to be removed from the first fitting portion, an operating member connected to the lock member, for moving the lock member between the engaging the disengaging positions, the operating member being movable between a lock position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the engaging position and a release position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the disengaging position, and a holding mechanism for temporarily holding the operating member in the release position when the operating member is moved from the lock position to the release position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An electronic system comprising:
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an electronic apparatus having a battery mount portion and an engaging portion provided in the battery mount portion; an expanding apparatus for expanding functions of the electronic apparatus, the expanding apparatus having a fitting portion; and a battery pack for supplying electric power to the electronic apparatus and expanding apparatus and for mechanically coupling the electronic apparatus and expanding apparatus, the battery pack including a first portion removably fitted in the battery mount portion, a second portion removably fitted to the fitting portion, and a lock mechanism for locking the first portion of the battery pack in the battery mount portion, the locking mechanism including; a lock member movable between an engaging position wherein the lock member engages the engaging portion of the first electronic apparatus so as to lock the first portion in the battery mount portion and a disengaging position wherein the lock member disengages from the engaging portion to allow the first portion of the battery pack to be removed from the battery mount portion, an operating member connected to the lock member, for moving the lock member between the engaging and disengaging positions, the operating member being movable between a lock position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the engaging position, a release position wherein the operating member moves the lock member to the disengaging position, and an unlock position, and a holding mechanism for holding the operating member in the release position when the operating member is moved from the lock position to the release position and for releasing the hold of the operating member when the operating member is moved from the release position to the unlock position. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification