Functional expansion apparatus and method for attaching electronic apparatus to the functional expansion apparatus

• US 6,952,343 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2003
• Issued: 10/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Sato, Masahiko
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, YEAN HSI
• Application Number:
  US10/452,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20030227746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-681, 361/683, 361/686
• US Class Current: 361/679.57
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A functional expansion apparatus for connecting an electronic apparatus having a first connector, to an external apparatus that expands a function of the electronic apparatus includes a frame movable between a first position and a second position, a connector cover including a second connector connectible to the first connector, the connector cover moving with the frame so that the first and second connectors are connected to each other when the frame is located at the first position, and the first and second connectors are disconnected from each other when the frame is located at the second position, and a lock part for locking the electronic apparatus when the frame is located at the first position, and for unlocking the electronic apparatus when the frame is located at the second position.

Claims

1. A functional expansion apparatus for connecting an electronic apparatus having a first connector, to an external apparatus that expands a function of the electronic apparatus, said functional expansion apparatus comprising:

a frame movable between a first position and a second position;

a connector cover including a second connector connectible to the first connector, said connector cover moving with said frame so that the first and second connectors are connected to each other when said frame is located at the first position, and the first and second connectors are disconnected from each other when said frame is located at the second position; and

a lock part that locks the electronic apparatus in a case where said frame is located at the first position, and for unlocking the electronic apparatus in a case where said frame is located at the second position;

wherein said frame has a groove that moves said connector cover close to and apart from the electronic apparatus, and said connector cover has a projection that moves along the groove.

2. A functional expansion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus has a LAN connector, and said functional expansion apparatus further comprises a shield member that covers the LAN connector when the electronic apparatus is attached to said functional expansion apparatus.

3. A functional expansion apparatus for connecting an electronic apparatus having a first connector, to an external apparatus that expands a function of the electronic apparatus, said functional expansion apparatus comprising:

a frame movable between a first position and a second position;

a connector cover including a second connector connectible to the first connector, said connector cover moving with said frame so that the first and second connectors are connected to each other when said frame is located at the first position, and the first and second connectors are disconnected from each other when said frame is located at the second position; and

a lock part that locks the electronic apparatus in a case where said frame is located at the first position, and for unlocking the electronic apparatus in a case where said frame is located at the second position;

wherein the electronic apparatus has a LAN connector, and said functional expansion apparatus further comprises a shield member that covers the LAN connector when the electronic apparatus is attached to said functional expansion apparatus.

4. A functional expansion apparatus that connects an electronic apparatus having a first connector, to an external apparatus that expands a function of the electronic apparatus, said functional expansion apparatus comprising

a base connectible with the external apparatus;

and

an electronic apparatus fixing part that is connectible to the electronic apparatus, and includes a second connector connectible to the first connector, said electronic apparatus fixing Part being coupled to said base rotatable around the second connector;

wherein said electronic apparatus fixing part includes;

a housing to which the electronic apparatus is attached;

a stopper formed on said housing; and

an approximately annular friction plate that is fixed onto said housing and has plural elastically deformable first projections, and

wherein said base includes;

a second projection that contacts the stopper and restricts a movement of the stopper, the second projection having a concave part engageable with the first projection; and

a stand onto which the second projection is fixed, said stand being fixed rotatably onto the friction plate.

5. A functional expansion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the friction plate has a hollow part, through which a cable that connects the second connector and the base to each other passes.

6. A function expansion apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the stopper includes three first stoppers that are annularly arranged at an interval of 120 degrees, and three second stoppers that are annularly arranged at an interval of 120 degrees, wherein the first and second stoppers are offset by 90 degrees.

7. A functional expansion apparatus that connects first and second electronic apparatus having different lengths, to an external apparatus that expands a function of the electronic apparatus, said functional expansion apparatus comprising:

a guide, movable between first and second positions and used to mount and incline the electronic apparatus in an attempt to attach the electronic apparatus to the functional expansion apparatus, said guide guiding the first electronic apparatus when said guide is located at the first position, and guiding the second electronic apparatus when said guide is located at the second position; and

a holding part that holds said guide at the first and second positions;

wherein the first and second electronic apparatuses include different battery parts with different lengths.