Docking station for personal computer having base member and pivotally attached cradle member

• US 7,556,521 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Issued: 07/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Manufacturing UK Ltd. (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Tempus Computers Limited
• Inventors: Abram, Richard Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US10/593,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20070291446A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 439/341, 439/142, 439/372, 439/928, 361/686, 361/683, 361/684, 361/685, 361/679.41, 361/679.42, 361/679.43, 361/679.44, 361/679.45
• US Class Current: 439/341
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A computer docking apparatus for use with a portable computer, particularly in vehicles, having a cradle member suitable for receiving a portable computer and a closure member, and electrical connector assembly that operably makes power and/or data transfer connections to the computer, the connector assembly being attached to the closure member the position of which may be changed such that the computer may be inserted into or removed from the cradle when the closure member is in a first position and moving the closure member from this first position to a second position causes the electrical connector assembly to engage the computer to allow power and/or data-transfer connections between the docking apparatus and the computer.

Claims

1. A computer docking apparatus for use with a portable computer comprising a cradle member suitable for receiving a portable computer and a base member;

an electrical contactor assembly configured to operably engage a corresponding terminal on a computer and attached to the base member;

adjustment means that allow the position of the base member to be changed relative to the cradle member from a first position to a second position, such that the portable computer may be inserted into or removed from the cradle member when in the first position, and wherein moving the base member relative to the cradle member from the first position to the second position causes the electrical contactor assembly to engage the computer to allow the establishment of power and/or data-transfer connections between the docking apparatus and the computer, wherein the cradle member has alignment means that ensure that when the portable computer is fully inserted within the cradle member that the electrical contactor assembly is accurately aligned with a corresponding terminal on the computer, and wherein the alignment means comprises an aperture in the cradle member at least partly surrounded by a guide wall such that in use the electrical contactor assembly is guided by the wall when the base member is moved relative to the cradle member from the first position to the second position, and further wherein the contactor assembly is resiliently mounted with respect to the base member.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the adjustment means comprises mechanical or electro-mechanical means.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the adjustment means comprises a pivotal connection between the cradle member and the base member.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base member comprises an under-side tray.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the underside tray has locking means for securing the underside tray to the cradle member in a closed position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cradle member comprises a main outer body member and an insert member made at least in part of plastics material, carbon-fibre, rubber or a similar materials that avoid undue wear to the outer case of the portable computer due to repeated insertion and removal.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the alignment means comprise guide members located on the inside of the cradle member.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrical contactor assembly comprises a slide mount attached to the cradle member either directly or indirectly and biasing means that, in use, bias the mount in a direction towards the corresponding terminal of the portable computer.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the slide mount comprise at least one bore in the slide mount with a pin dimensioned to closely slide within the bore and the biasing means comprises a spring.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cradle member is fixable to a mounting so that in use the base member is movable and the cradle member is static.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base member is fixed to a mounting so that in use the cradle member moves and the base member is static.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising closure means that either allow or prevent the portable computer to be inserted within the cradle.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the closure means is securable in the second position by means of a high security lock to deter theft.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the electrical contactor assembly engages a corresponding terminal on the side, rear or underside of the portable computer.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1 used in a vehicle.

16. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the cradle member has alignment means that ensure that when a portable computer is fully inserted within the cradle that the electrical contactor assembly is accurately aligned with a corresponding terminal on the computer and the alignment means comprise guide members located on the insert member.

17. A computer docking apparatus for use with a portable computer comprising:

a cradle member suitable for receiving and housing a portable computer;

a base member; and

an electrical connector assembly operably configured to engage a corresponding terminal on the personal computer, the connector assembly being attached to the base member wherein adjustment means are further provided that allow the position of the base member to be changed relative to the cradle member from a first position to a second position such that moving from the first position to the second position both closes the apparatus such that the portable computer cannot be removed from within the apparatus and causes the electrical connector assembly to engage the computer to allow power and/or data-transfer connections between the docking apparatus and the computer, and wherein the apparatus is configured such that a partial receiving of the portable computer in the cradle member may prevent the base member moving relative to the cradle member from the first position to the second position.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the adjustment means comprises a pivotable connection between the cradle member and the base member.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the cradle member has alignment means to ensure that when a portable computer is fully inserted within the cradle the electrical contactor assembly is accurately aligned with a corresponding terminal on the computer.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the alignment means comprise guide members located on the inside of the cradle member.