Portable computer field kit

• US 5,552,957 A
• Filed: 09/09/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Brown, George T., Hermansen, David R., Rizzi, Julian D., Ritinski, Edward R., Reynolds, Dennis P., Coppola, Vincent M., Wormsbecher, Paul A., Sherman, John H., Goodman, Walter A., Hatton, Charles R., Podmajersky, David J., Grebe, Frank V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US08/303,916
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, 346/145, D14/106
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

Portable computer field kit with a companion docking station. A packaging structure supports a portable computer and printer in a standard carrying case. A rectangular frame includes first and second wells which receive the computer and printer. The first well includes a receptacle assembly which supports a sliding receptacle for engagement with a connector on the computer. An I/O box on the frame connects the computer through the receptacle to an external computer. A docking station is used to support the tablet in an office environment. The docking station includes a computer support hinged to a base. The computer support may be positioned at a plurality of angles with respect to the base. The computer support has a receptacle for engaging a connector of the computer. An I/O box on the base is connected to the receptacle permitting communication between the computer and external computer peripheral devices.

Claims

1. A packaging structure for a portable computer system comprising:

a carrying case;

a rectangular frame structure within said carrying case which provides a well having interior side walls which support a portable computer;

a multi-pin receptacle at an end of said well within said rectangular frame structure for receiving a complementary connector on said computer, said multi-pin receptacle being slidably supported to said frame for movement into and out of engagement with said connector;

a retaining member on said rectangular frame opposite said receptacle which retains an opposite end of said computer when said computer connector is engaged in said receptacle; and

,

an input/output box supported on said rectangular frame, connected to said multi-pin receptacle which provides connection to said computer.

2. The packaging structure of claim 1 further comprising a second well adjacent said first well for supporting a printer.

3. The packaging structure of claim 2, wherein said second well is divided into first and second compartments, one of said compartments providing a paper tray which feeds paper to said printer.

4. The packaging structure of claim 2, wherein said second well includes a partition which separates said second well into upper and lower compartments.

5. The packaging structure of claim 4, further comprising a modem supported in said carrying case having a telephone line connection and a connection to said input/output box.

6. A packaging structure for storing a portable computing system comprising:

a carrying case;

a generally rectangular frame supported by shock absorbing supports within said carrying case, said rectangular frame including first and second wells for receiving a computer and printer, respectively, said first well including;

(a) side walls which support said computer;

(b) a receptacle supported for sliding movement at one end of said first well for engaging and disengaging a connector on one end of said computer;

(c) a retainer on an opposite end of said first well for retaining an opposite end of said computer when said receptacle engages said computer;

said second well having a partition which provides an upper and lower compartment, said upper compartment supporting said printer, said lower compartment forming a paper tray for supplying paper to said printer; and

,

an input/output connector box supported on said rectangular frame, connected to said receptacle for connecting said computer to an outside resource.

7. The packaging structure of claim 6, wherein said second well includes a power supply which provides power to said printer.

8. The packaging structure of claim 7 further comprising a modem supported in said carrying case.

9. The packaging structure of claim 6, wherein said rectangular frame includes an opening adjacent said lower compartment for feeding paper from said paper tray to said printer.

10. The packaging structure of claim 6, wherein said rectangular frame includes a battery holder for supporting at least one battery to said rectangular frame.

11. A packaging structure for supporting a computer system comprising:

a carrying case;

a substantially rectangular frame having exterior dimensions complementary to the inside dimensions of said carrying case, said frame having a well which receives a computer;

a receptacle assembly at one end of said well, said receptacle assembly including;

a receptacle supported on a slide which moves in the plane of said computer for connecting with a connector of said computer;

a handle connected to said receptacle for forcing said receptacle into engagement with said computer connector; and

,

a retaining member at an opposite end of said well for retaining said computer from moving when said receptacle is being engaged with said connector.

12. The packaging structure of claim 11, wherein said frame contains a second well which receives a printer.

13. The packaging structure of claim 11 further comprising shock damping means for supporting said rectangular frame in said carrying case.

14. The packaging structure of claim 11 wherein said second well includes a paper tray which supplies paper to said printer.

15. The packaging structure of claim 11 wherein said slide is supported by first and second guides connected to side walls of said well.

16. The packaging structure of claim 15 wherein said handle is pivotally connected to said receptacle and includes first and second arms which engage stationary openings in said frame during engagement of said receptacle with said connector.