Compact docking station for portable computer
First Claim
1. A docking station for a portable computer, comprising:
- a lower mounting bracket including attachment means for attaching said mounting bracket to a base;
an upper mounting bracket providing a generally planar computer support surface for removably supporting a portable computer, said upper mounting bracket being pivotably connected to said lower mounting bracket such that said upper mounting bracket is moveable between a computer use position wherein said support surface extends generally parallel and adjacent to said lower mounting bracket, and a computer attachment/removal position wherein said support surface extends upwardly away from said lower mounting bracket; and
a computer port replicating device attached to said upper mounting bracket adjacent said computer support surface, said port replicating device having;
power input means for receiving power from a power supply;
at least one data input/output port; and
connector means for electrically connecting the portable computer with said power input means and said at least one data input/output port, said connector means being engageable with mating connector means provided on the portable computer, by positioning the portable computer on the computer support surface and moving the computer against said port replicating device, and disengageable from the mating connector means by moving said computer away from said port replicating device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compact docking station for a portable computer includes a mounting bracket assembly for supporting together as a compact unit a computer port replicating device, a DC power supply and a light for illuminating the work area of the computer. The mounting bracket assembly includes lower and upper mounting brackets that are pivotably connected to each other. The lower mounting bracket can be directly mounted on a support base such as a vehicle console. The upper mounting bracket provides a computer support surface and carries the port replicating device adjacent thereto. The upper mounting bracket is pivotable between a generally horizontal computer use position, and an upwardly angled computer removal/attachment position. This arrangement allows the computer to be positioned for use in a limited space, with minimal handling and clutter.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A docking station for a portable computer, comprising:
-
a lower mounting bracket including attachment means for attaching said mounting bracket to a base; an upper mounting bracket providing a generally planar computer support surface for removably supporting a portable computer, said upper mounting bracket being pivotably connected to said lower mounting bracket such that said upper mounting bracket is moveable between a computer use position wherein said support surface extends generally parallel and adjacent to said lower mounting bracket, and a computer attachment/removal position wherein said support surface extends upwardly away from said lower mounting bracket; and a computer port replicating device attached to said upper mounting bracket adjacent said computer support surface, said port replicating device having; power input means for receiving power from a power supply; at least one data input/output port; and connector means for electrically connecting the portable computer with said power input means and said at least one data input/output port, said connector means being engageable with mating connector means provided on the portable computer, by positioning the portable computer on the computer support surface and moving the computer against said port replicating device, and disengageable from the mating connector means by moving said computer away from said port replicating device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A mounting bracket assembly for removably supporting a portable computer in a confined space, said bracket assembly comprising:
-
a lower mounting bracket having mounting means for mounting said bracket assembly to a base; an upper mounting bracket providing a generally planar computer support surface for removably supporting a portable computer, said upper mounting bracket being pivotably connected to said lower mounting bracket such that said upper mounting bracket is moveable between a computer use position wherein said support surface extends generally parallel and adjacent to said lower mounting bracket, and a computer attachment/removal position wherein said support surface extends upwardly away from said lower mounting bracket; and a clip for removably securing the computer to said upper mounting bracket and releasably maintaining said upper mounting bracket in said computer use position, said clip comprising a lower arm portion attached to said lower mounting bracket and an upper arm portion extending above said upper mounting bracket for engagement with a computer positioned on said computer support surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A docking station for a portable computer, comprising:
-
a bracket assembly including attachment means for attaching said bracket assembly to a base, and a generally planar computer support surface for removably supporting a portable computer; a computer port replicating device attached to said bracket assembly adjacent said computer support surface, said port replicating device having; power input means for receiving power from a power supply; at least one data input/output port; and connector means for electrically connecting the portable computer with said power input means and said at least one data input/output port, said connector means being engageable with mating connector means provided on the portable computer, by positioning the portable computer on the computer support surface and moving the computer against said port replicating device, and disengageable from the mating connector means by moving said computer away from said port replicating device; a DC power supply attached to said bracket assembly for providing power to said port replicating device; and an electric light assembly attached to said bracket assembly for illuminating the work area of a portable computer supported on said computer support surface. - View Dependent Claims (22)
-
Specification