Port replicator

• US 5,460,547 A
• Filed: 08/10/1993
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zenith Data Systems Corp. (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Schindler, Jeffrey, Belt, Steven, Stobert, Norman
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US08/104,950
• Time in Patent Office: 805 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/650-654, 439/133, 364/708
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

A port replicator is disclosed that provides for the efficient connecting and disconnecting of peripheral devices to a computer. A replicator port connector is provided on a portable computer that duplicates the pins of a other peripheral connectors on the computers. The housing of the port replicator is attached by spring clips to the computer which covers the other peripheral connectors replicated by the port replicator. The replicated connectors are then reproduced on the connector housing. Cables for peripheral devices can remain connected to the connector housing but be connected to and disconnected from the computer in a single action.

Claims

1. A port replicator for connecting multiple peripheral devices to a computer having a plurality of peripheral ports, each peripheral port electrically connected to an individual electrical connector for connection to an external peripheral device and to a first common electrical connector, the port replicator comprising:

a housing removably attachable to the computer;

a plurality of peripheral device ports of various different types, mounted on the housing, each peripheral device port connected to an individual electrical connector for connection to an external peripheral device; and

a computer port, carried by the housing, said computer port electrically connected to a second common electrical connector coupled to each of said individual electrical connectors and adapted to releasably mate with the first common electrical connector mounted on the computer to enable external peripheral devices coupled to the individual electrical connectors to communicate with the computer.

2. The port replicator recited in claim 1, further including means for preventing connection of peripheral devices to said plurality of individual electrical connectors mounted on the computer when said second common electrical connector is mated with said first common electrical connector.

3. The port replicator recited in claim 2, wherein said preventing means includes means for physically blocking said individual electrical connectors on said computer when said second common electrical connector is mated with said first common electrical connector.

4. The port replicator recited in claim 1, further including means for securing the housing to said computer.

5. The port replicator recited in claim 4, wherein said securing means includes attachable and detachable spring biased clips mounted on said housing, adapted to engage said computer.

6. The port replicator recited in claim 1, further including means for filtering radio frequency radiation.

7. A system for connecting multiple peripheral devices to a computer having a housing, comprising:

a plurality of peripheral device ports of various different types mounted on the computer housing, each peripheral device port connected to an individual electrical connector carried by said computer housing;

a first common electrical connector carried by the computer housing, electrically coupled to each of said individual electrical connectors;

a port replicator having a housing, removably attachable to the computer, and a plurality of peripheral device ports of various different types, each peripheral device port electrically coupled to an individual electrical connector carried by the port replicator housing; and

a computer port carried by the port replicator housing, electrically connected to a second common electrical connector and electrically coupled to each of said individual electrical connectors, said second common electrical connector carried by the port replicator housing and adapted to releasably mate with said first common electrical connector.

8. The system for connecting multiple peripheral devices to a computer as recited in claim 7, wherein said various different types of peripheral device ports include a parallel port.