Portable computer ejection mechanism for docking devices

• US 6,069,790 A
• Filed: 01/27/1998
• Issued: 05/30/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Ozias, Orin, Twiss, Robert Gregory, Howell, Bryan, Jaggers, Chris, Skilman, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Benjamin R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Jagdish
• Application Number:
  US09/014,191
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 361/686, 361/685, 361/684, 361/683, 361/754, 361/679, 361/725, 361/726, 361/732, 361/740, 361/747, 361/798, 361/759, 361/801, 364/708.1, 292/222, 292/117, 292/98, 292/224, 292/200, 292/49, 439/155, 439/160, 439/159, 439/157, 439/152, 211/26
• US Class Current: 361/679.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62933 Comprising exclusively pivoting lever
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0928 Operating means

Abstract

A docking device includes a latch for secured engagement with a portable notebook computer. A computer release and eject arm is pivotably mounted in the docking device. The arm includes an elongated body having a handle on one end. A single manual movement of the handle causes the arm to move about a pivot mount on the arm. A first cam surface formed on the arm moves the latch to an unlatch position. A second cam surface maintains the latch in position as the arm continues to pivot. An eject finger extending from the arm, engages the notebook computer and urges the computer away from the docking device for separating engagement of the computer connector and the docking device connector.

Claims

1. A computer system comprising:

a housing;

a microprocessor mounted in the housing;

an input device coupled to provide input to the microprocessor;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;

a memory device coupled to the microprocessor;

a docking tray supporting the housing;

a docking device mounted on the tray;

a pivotable latch extending from the docking device into the housing, the latch having a cam end in the docking device and a hook end opposite the cam end;

an arm pivotally mounted in the docking device;

a resilient member mounted in the docking device, the resilient member connected to the cam end of the latch for urging the latch into engagement with the arm;

the arm includig a handle formed on a first end of the arm;

a pivot mount formed between the first end of the arm and a second end of the arm;

an eject finger extending radially outwardly from the pivot mount;

a first cam surface formed on the second end of the arm opposite the first end for engagement with the cam end of the latch to move the hook end to an unlatch position; and

a second cam surface contiguous with and extending angularly relative to the first cam for engagement with the cam end to maintain the hook end in the unlatch position while the eject finger is pivotally moved to extend from the docking device.

3. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the eject finger is adjacent the pivot mount.

4. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the eject finger extends radially outwardly from the pivot mount.

5. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the docking device includes a connector adjacent the eject finger.

6. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the docking device has a slot formed therein and the eject finger extends through the slot.

7. The device as defined in claim 5 wherein the docking device has a slot formed therein and the eject finger extends through the slot.

8. The device as defined in claim 1 wherein the arm simultaneously moves the latch and the eject finger.

2. A device for docking a portable computer comprising:

a docking tray;

a docking device mounted on the tray;

a pivotable latch extending from the docking device, the latch having a cam end in the docking device and a hook end opposite the cam end;

an arm pivotally mounted in the docking device;

a resilient member mounted in the docking device, the resilient member connected to the cam end of the latch for urging the latch into engagement with the arm;

the arm including a handle formed on a first end of the arm;

a pivot mount formed between the first end of the arm and a second end of the arm;

an eject finger extending radially outwardly from the pivot mount;

a first cam surface formed on the second end of the arm opposite the first end for engagement with the cam end of the latch to move the hook end to an unlatch position; and

a second cam surface contiguous with and extending angularly relative to the first cam surface for engagement with the cam end to maintain the hook end in the unlatch position while the eject finger is pivotally moved to extend from the docking device.