Secured snap-on cover for a computer system docking station

• US 6,061,234 A
• Filed: 03/15/1999
• Issued: 05/09/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Mullen, Cassius J., West, Jefferson Blake, Broder, Damon
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/270,492
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/727, 361/683, 361/726, 361/679, 361/725, 361/732, 361/740, 361/747, 361/685, 361/731, 70/33, 70/38 R, 395/186, 332/332.1, 332/333, 292/137, 439/638, 439/928, 312/223.2, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.41
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members

Abstract

A docking station for a computer system includes a tray having a support surface for supporting the computer system, and an undersurface opposite the support surface. The tray includes a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface. A housing cover includes a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the computer system. A housing cover is mounted on the support surface and includes a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface. A latching device is mounted adjacent the undersurface. A protrusion member is adjacent the undersurface and is connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.

Claims

1. A docking station comprising:

a tray having a surface for supporting a computer and an opening formed through the surface;

a housing cover mounted on the surface of the tray, the housing cover including a receiver extending through the opening; and

a latching device mounted within the tray including a protrusion movable for engaging and releasing the receiver.

2. The docking station as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the housing cover.

3. The docking station as defined in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of slots formed in the tray for receiving the tabs.

4. The docking station as defined in claim 3 wherein the receiver includes a slot formed therein for engagement with the protrusion.

5. The docking station as defined in claim 4 wherein the receiver is adjacent one of the tabs.

6. The docking station as defined in claim 4 wherein the receiver includes reinforcement members connecting the receiver to the housing cover.

7. The docking station as defined in claim 4, further comprising an undersurface opposite the support surface.

8. The docking station as defined in claim 7 wherein the slot of the receiver is adjacent the undersurface.

9. The docking station as defined in claim 8 wherein the protrusion moves adjacent the undersurface.

10. A docking station for a computer system comprising:

a tray having a support surface for supporting a portable computer and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface;

a housing cover mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a pair of receivers extending through the openings; and

a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface and including a pair of protrusions movable into and out of engagement with the receivers.

11. The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the snap tabs engage the undersurface.

12. The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the housing cover has multiple snap tabs on one side thereof and multiple snap tabs on another side thereof, opposite the one side.

13. The docking station as defined in claim 12 wherein the pair of receivers extend from the one side of the housing cover.

14. The docking station as defined in claim 13 wherein the pair of receivers are adjacent the multiple snap tabs on the one side of the housing cover.

15. The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the pair of receivers each include a slot formed therein for engagement with a respective one of the protrusions.

16. The docking station as defined in claim 15 wherein each slot is positioned adjacent the undersurface.

17. A computer system secured to a docking station comprising:

a portable computer including the computer system;

a tray having a support surface for supporting the portable computer, and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface;

a housing cover including a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the portable computer, the housing cover being mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface;

a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface; and

a protrusion member adjacent the undersurface and connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.

18. The computer system as defined in claim 17 wherein the receiver includes a slot formed therein for engagement with the protrusion.

19. The computer system as defined in claim 17 wherein the snap tabs include a hook for engagement with the undersurface.

20. A method of securing a computer system on a docking station comprising the steps of:

mounting a housing cover on a support surface of the docking station to cover a printed circuit board and a security device, a receiver on the housing cover extending through an opening formed in the support surface, and terminating adjacent an opposite side of the support surface;

mounting a latching device on the docking station, the latching device coupled to the security device and including a protrusion movable adjacent the opposite side; and

moving the latching device to extend the protrusion into engagement with the receiver for securing the housing cover to the support surface.