Wedge-shaped port replicator for portable computer

• US 6,724,623 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2002
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Baucom, Allan Scott, Bovio, Michele
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/201,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20020181199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 637 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-686, 710/303, 710/304, 320/107, 320/113, 439/159, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.45
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 2023/049 Desk stand for laptop computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A docking unit for a portable computer has a wedge-shaped. As a result, a portable computer, which has been installed on the docking unit, is inclined toward the user. This places the keyboard of the portable computer at a more comfortable angle for typing. Thus, the portable computer'"'"'s keyboard remains usable even when it is installed on the docking unit. Moreover, the wedge-shape need not substantially raise the height of the keyboards since the leading edge is relatively thin, keeping the computer'"'"'s keyboard as a comfortable height.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a portable computer having a first electrical connector disposed on a bottom portion of the portable computer and communications port connectors disposed on a rear portion of the portable computer; and

a docking unit having a second electrical connector disposed on a top portion of the docking unit, wherein the rear side of the docking unit is substantially coextensive with the rear side of the portable computer, and wherein the docking unit comprises a wall extending upward adjacent to the rear side of the portable computer to prevent access to the communications port connectors of the portable computer when the portable computer is installed on the docking unit.

2. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the docking unit is a port replicator.

3. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises replicated port connectors which replicate communication ports of the portable computer enabling the portable computer to be disconnected from peripheral devices connected to replicated port connectors of the docking unit by disconnecting the portable computer from the docking unit.

4. The portable computer system described in claim 3, comprising replicated parallel port and serial port connectors which function as replicated parallel and serial ports of the portable computer.

5. The portable computer system as described in claim 3, further comprising a replicated mouse port connector, keyboard port connector, and video port connector which function as a replicated mouse port, keyboard port, and video port of the portable computer.

6. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the communications port connectors are electrically coupled to the replicated port connectors via the first and second electrical connectors when the portable computer is installed on the docking unit.

7. The portable computer system as described in claim 6, wherein the second electrical connector of the docking unit mates with the first electrical connector of the portable computer as the portable computer is pivotally installed on the docking unit.

8. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the wall comprises a thin member that is displaced outward relative to the communication port connectors of the portable computer when the portable computer is installed on the docking unit to prevent direct access to the communications ports by a user.

9. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises a battery charger for charging a battery of the portable computer.

10. The portable computer system as described in claim 1, wherein the docking unit receives the portable computer by pivoting the portable computer toward the docking unit.

11. The portable computer system as described in claim 10, wherein the docking unit inclines the portable computer.

12. The portable computer system as described in claim 10, wherein the portable computer comprises a cover and wherein the projection of the docking unit closes the cover as the portable computer is hinged toward the docking unit.

13. A base, comprising:

a housing adapted to receive a portable commuter, wherein the housing has a rear side that is substantially coplanar with a rear side of the portable computer;

an electrical connector disposed on a top portion of the housing, wherein the housing is adapted to receive a portable computer having a corresponding electrical connector disposed on a bottom portion of the portable computer and a plurality of electrical connectors disposed on a rear portion of the portable computer; and

a projection extending upward from the housing to form a wall to prevent access to the plurality of electrical connectors disposed on the rear portion of the portable computer when the portable computer is disposed on the base.

14. The base as recited in claim 13, wherein the projection closes a movable cover over the plurality of electrical connectors as the portable computer is disposed on the base.

15. The base as recited in claim 13, wherein the base receives the portable computer by pivoting the portable computer toward the base.

16. The base as recited in claim 15, wherein the docking unit inclines the portable computer to enable the docking unit to have a footprint smeller than the portable computer.

17. The base as recited in claim 13, wherein the projection comprises a thin member that is displaced outward relative to the rear side of the portable computer.

18. A method of assembling a portable computer system, comprising the act of:

disposing a front portion of a portable computer on a docking unit; and

pivoting the portable computer toward the docking unit to connect an electrical connector disposed on a bottom portion of a portable computer to a corresponding electrical connector disposed on a top portion of a docking unit, whereupon a projection extending upward from the docking unit is disposed adjacent to at least one communication port disposed on a rear portion of the portable computer to obstruct access to the at least one communication port.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising connecting a cable to a communications port disposed on the rear of the docking unit to electrically couple an external device to the portable computer.