Apparatus for retaining and electrically interconnecting multiple devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for retaining and electrically interconnecting a portable computing device and a peripheral device, comprising:
- a first compartment defined by a pair of sidewalls each having a retaining rib thereon, a floor and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a portable computing device slid laterally through the entrance, the retaining ribs extending over a portion of the computing device to prevent the computing device from lifting out of the compartment;
a second compartment also defined by a pair of sidewalls each having a retaining rib thereon, a floor and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a peripheral device slid laterally through the entrance; and
a connecting unit mounted between the sidewalls and separating the first and second compartments for electrically interconnecting a portable computing device within the first compartment with a peripheral device within the second compartment, the connecting unit including a first connector for electrically connecting the unit to the portable computing device as the portable computing device is slid laterally within the first compartment against the first connector and a second connector for electrically connecting the unit to the peripheral device as the peripheral device is slid laterally within the second compartment against the second connector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retaining apparatus includes a first compartment for removably receiving a portable computing device and a second compartment for removably retaining a peripheral device. A bulkhead between the two compartments includes electrical connectors for interconnecting such devices when mounted within their respective compartments. The compartments are preferably formed from a single enclosure to provide rigidity to the retaining apparatus. The bulkhead connectors are sized and shaped to connect to complementary connectors on the devices when the devices are slidably inserted into their compartments. Various openings and other connectors are also provided within the retaining apparatus to allow access to connectors, slots and other features of the devices while they are mounted therein. In addition, another electrical connector is provided in the bulkhead for enabling a peripheral device outside the apparatus to be connected to the computing device.
84 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for retaining and electrically interconnecting a portable computing device and a peripheral device, comprising:
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a first compartment defined by a pair of sidewalls each having a retaining rib thereon, a floor and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a portable computing device slid laterally through the entrance, the retaining ribs extending over a portion of the computing device to prevent the computing device from lifting out of the compartment; a second compartment also defined by a pair of sidewalls each having a retaining rib thereon, a floor and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a peripheral device slid laterally through the entrance; and a connecting unit mounted between the sidewalls and separating the first and second compartments for electrically interconnecting a portable computing device within the first compartment with a peripheral device within the second compartment, the connecting unit including a first connector for electrically connecting the unit to the portable computing device as the portable computing device is slid laterally within the first compartment against the first connector and a second connector for electrically connecting the unit to the peripheral device as the peripheral device is slid laterally within the second compartment against the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus for retaining and interconnecting a portable computing device and a peripheral device, comprising:
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a first compartment having sidewalls and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a portable computing device slid laterally therein, the computing device having a connector therein; a second compartment substantially longitudinally aligned with the first compartment and having sidewalls and a lateral entrance for slidably retaining a peripheral device slid laterally therein, the peripheral device having a connector therein; and a connecting unit having a first connector and a second connector for interconnecting the portable computing device to the peripheral device, the connecting unit located between the compartments, the first connector positioned for connecting to the computing device connector as the computing device is slid laterally through the lateral entrance of the first compartment against the first connector and the second connector positioned for connecting to the peripheral device connector as the peripheral device is slid laterally through the lateral entrance of the second compartment against the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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a portable computing device; a peripheral device for connection to the portable computing device; and a retaining device for rigidly retaining together the portable computing device and the peripheral device, the device comprising a pair of sidewalls, a floor and a connecting unit mounted between the sidewalls to define a first compartment having a lateral entrance on one side of the connecting unit for slidably retaining the computing device and a second compartment having a lateral entrance on an opposite side of the connecting unit for slidably retaining the peripheral device, the connecting unit including a first connector connecting to the computing device and a second connector connecting to the peripheral device as each device is slid laterally through the lateral entrance of its respective compartment against the first or second connectors. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification