Portable-type information apparatus

• US 6,948,966 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kambayashi, Ko, Hidesawa, Shigeru
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US09/988,161
• Publication Number:
  US 20020027770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 439/357, 439/359, 439/362, 439/364, 439/368, 439/610, 439/638
• US Class Current: 439/362
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1677 for detecting open or closed state or particular intermediate positions assumed by movable parts of the enclosure, e.g. detection of display lid position with respect to main body in a laptop, detection of opening of the cover of battery compartment
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals

Abstract

A notebook type personal computer has a common connector detachably connected to a mating connector of a connection unit, or replicator, which further has plural connectors affording detachable connections to plural peripheral units. One or more fastener units, carried by the connector unit, provide for detachably but rigidly affixing the connector unit to the notebook type personal computer. An alternative connector box accommodates one or more batteries while affording connections through the common connector and the plural first connectors to peripheral units and yet another alternative connector box houses only batteries and is connectable through a mating connector to the common connector of the personal computer to afford extended operating time.

Claims

1. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of first connectors mounted in the housing affording connections to respective peripheral units;

a second connector mounted in the housing and a part thereof projecting from a front surface of the detachable connector unit and affording a detachable connection to the electronic apparatus;

a pair of fasteners incorporated in the connector unit with said first connectors arranged therebetween and operable independently of each other to detachably fix the housing to the electronic apparatus, the length of the housing with the pair of fasteners incorporated therein being substantially equal to the overall length of the detachable connector unit, wherein each of the pair of fasteners comprises a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.

2. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus comprising:

a plurality of first connectors affording connections to respective peripheral units;

a second connector detachably connectable to the electronic apparatus; and

a pair of fasteners, operable independently of each other to detachably fix the detachable connector unit to the electronic apparatus, mounted in the vicinity of respective, spaced end walls of the detachable connector unit and each of the pair of fasteners comprises

a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from a front surface of the detachable connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.

3. The detachable connector unit of claim 2, wherein each of said pair of fasteners further comprises a fastener housing, connected to the connector unit and having an interior, and a coil spring within the interior urging the threaded shaft outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connector unit.

4. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a housing having front and rear surfaces and a height no greater than a thickness of the electronic apparatus;

a plurality of first connectors, accessible at the rear surface of the housing, detachably connectable to respective peripheral units;

a second connector mounted on the front surface of the housing and detachably connectable to a mating, third connector mounted on a rear surface of the electronic apparatus by positioning the housing with the front surface thereof in parallel, spaced relationship with the rear surface of the electronic housing and with the second connector aligned with the mating, third connector and moving the housing in a direction toward the rear surface of the electronic housing so as to position the respective, parallel surfaces in contiguous relationship and thereby to connect the second and third connectors;

a pair of fasteners mounted in the housing with said first connectors arranged therebetween and having respective fastening shafts extending resiliently from, and transversely to, the front surface of the housing and disposed therein so as to be aligned with corresponding mating fasteners in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus when the respective second and third connectors are aligned, each threaded shaft being axially moveable between retracted and extended positions projecting from the front surface of the connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins; and

the fastening shafts being resiliently biased by corresponding springs to project from the front surface of the housing and being operable independently of each other to contact and resiliently engage the corresponding mating fasteners in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus and, by rotation of the fastening shafts, to be securely engaged therewith to maintain the contiguous relationship of the respective, parallel surfaces.

5. The detachable connector unit of claim 4, wherein:

each of said fastening shafts has a screw thread on at least a first portion thereof projecting from the front surface of the housing and an integral second portion extending into a main body of the fastener; and

the main body receives therein a variable length part of the second portion of the fastening shaft, resiliently biasing same by a first force in a first direction to normally cause the screw thread first portion to project from the front surface of the housing and, further, receives an increasing part of the second portion therein, due to axial movement of the fastening shaft in response to a second force, greater than the first force and in an opposite, second direction, being applied thereto.

6. The detachable connector unit of claim 5, wherein each of said fastening shafts furthermore has an enlarged disk disposed thereon, of a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft and disposed so as to render an arcuate portion of the disk accessible through an opening in the respective end wall of the housing for manual rotation by an operator.

7. The detachable connector unit of claim 5, wherein:

each mating fastener is a mating, female threaded unit receiving the threaded end of the respective fastening shaft.

8. A combination, comprising:

an electronic apparatus, comprising;

an apparatus housing having a surface defining a width of the apparatus housing and a height corresponding to a thickness of the housing, and

a common connector disposed in the surface; and

a detachable connector unit for the electronic apparatus, comprising;

a connector housing having a corresponding width,

a plurality of first connectors mounted in the housing affording connections to respective peripheral units,

a second connector mounted in the housing and affording a detachable connection to the electronic apparatus, and

a pair of fasteners incorporated in the connector unit with said first connectors arranged therebetween, operable independently of each other to detachably fix the housing to the electronic apparatus, the length of the housing with the fasteners incorporated therein being substantially equal to the overall length of the detachable connector unit wherein each of the pair of fasteners comprises a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connecter unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is net attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.

9. A combination, comprising:

an electronic apparatus, comprising;

an apparatus housing having a surface defining a width of the apparatus housing and a height corresponding to a thickness of the housing, and

a common connecter disposed in the surface; and

a detachable connector unit for the electronic apparatus, comprising;

a connector housing having a corresponding width,

a plurality of first connectors affording connections to respective peripheral units,

a second connector detachably connectable to the electronic apparatus, and

a pair of fasteners, operable independently of each other to detachably fix the detachable connector unit to the electronic apparatus, mounted in the vicinity of respective, spaced end walls of the detachable connector unit and each of the pair of fasteners comprises a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connecter unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.

10. The detachable connector unit of claim 9, wherein each of said pair of fasteners further comprises a fastener housing, connected to the connector unit and having an interior, and a coil spring within the interior urging the threaded shaft outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connector unit.

11. A combination, comprising:

an electronic apparatus, comprising;

a connector housing having a surface defining a width of the housing and a height corresponding to a thickness of the housing and a corresponding width, and

a common connector disposed in the surface; and

a detachable connector unit for the electronic apparatus, comprising;

a housing having front and rear surfaces and a height no greater than a thickness of the electronic apparatus,

a plurality of first connectors, accessible at the rear surface of the housing, detachably connectable to respective peripheral units,

a second connector mounted on the front surface of the housing and detachably connectable to a mating, third connector mounted on a rear surface of the electronic apparatus by positioning the housing with the front surface thereof in parallel, spaced relationship with the rear surface of the electronic housing and with the second connector aligned with the mating, third connector and moving the housing in a direction toward the rear surface of the electronic housing so as to position the respective, parallel surfaces in contiguous relationship and thereby to connect the second and third connectors,

a pair of fasteners mounted in the housing with said first connectors arranged therebetween and having respective fastening shafts extending resiliently from, and transversely to, the front surface of the housing and disposed therein so as to be aligned with corresponding mating fasteners in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus, when the respective second and third connectors are aligned and a length of a part of each fastening shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from the front surface of the connector unit;

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins; and

the fastening shafts being resiliently biased by the corresponding fasteners to project from the front surface of the housing and being operable independently of each other to contact and resiliently engage the corresponding mating fasteners in the rear surface of the electronic apparatus and, by rotation of the fastening shafts, to be securely engaged therewith to maintain the contiguous relationship of the respective, parallel surfaces.

12. The detachable connector unit of claim 11, wherein:

each of said fastening shafts has a screw thread on at least a first portion thereof projecting from the front surface of the housing and an integral second portion extending into the respective fastener; and

each of the pair of fasteners receives the second portion of the respective fastening shaft, resiliently biasing same to normally project from the front surface of the housing and to be retracted therein, within a limited extent of axial movement of the fastening shaft.

13. The detachable connector unit of claim 12, wherein each of said fastening shafts furthermore has an enlarged disk disposed thereon, of a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft and disposed so as to render an arcuate portion of the disk accessible through an opening in the respective end wall of the housing for manual rotation by an operator.

14. The detachable connector unit of claim 12, wherein:

each mating fastener is a mating, female threaded unit receiving the threaded end of the respective fastening shaft.

15. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of first connectors mounted in the housing affording connections to respective plural peripheral units;

a common, second connector mounted in the housing and having plural terminals therein, connected through respective, separate conduction paths within the housing to respective said first connectors and affording a detachable connection to respective, plural terminals of a common, third connector of the electronic apparatus, the plural terminals of the common, third connector being connected to corresponding circuits of the electronic apparatus; and

a pair of fasteners incorporated in the connector unit with said first connectors arranged therebetween, operable independently of each other to detachably fix the housing to the electronic apparatus wherein each of the pair of fasteners comprises a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from a front surface of the detachable connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.

16. A detachable connector unit for an electronic apparatus, comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of first connectors mounted in the housing affording connections to respective plural peripheral units;

a common, second connector mounted in the housing and having plural terminals therein, connected through respective, separate conduction paths within the housing to respective said first connectors affording a detachable connection to respective, plural terminals of a common, third connector of the electronic apparatus the respective, plural terminals of the common, third connector being connected to corresponding circuits of the electronic apparatus; and

a pair of fasteners operable independently of each other to detachably fix the detachable connector unit to the electronic apparatus, mounted in the vicinity of respective, spaced end walls of the detachable connector unit and each of the pair of fasteners comprises a threaded shaft axially movable between retracted and extended positions projecting outwardly from the front surface of the detachable connector unit; and

the second connector further comprises guide pins projecting outwardly by a fixed length from the front surface of the detachable connector unit and, in a state in which the connector unit is not attached to the electronic apparatus, the length of an outwardly projecting portion of each threaded shaft, in the retracted position, being shorter than the fixed length of the outwardly projecting guide pins.