Portable device docking station

• US 7,573,706 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Issued: 08/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: National Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong; Hung V
• Application Number:
  US11/496,643
• Publication Number:
  US 20080002351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 710/303, 714/52, 714/805, 62/32, 713/300, 361679-687, 361724-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5009 For portable articles

Abstract

An external expanding apparatus or “docking station” operable with a portable computer device of a type having a display unit having a display screen on an inner surface thereof and a hard shell backing surface opposite thereof and pivotally mounted on a substantially rigid casing having a pair of locating holes adjacent to opposite corners of a substantially planar bottom surface thereof, and an input/output (I/O) connector positioned on a back plane thereof with a pair of positioning apertures provided on opposite sides thereof.

Claims

1. An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a bearing surface structured for receiving the portable electronic device;

an expansion connector connectable with the portable electronic device;

an expansion connector drive mechanism structured for moving the expansion connector relative to the bearing surface between a disengaged position and an engaged position, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising a linearly movable, unitary frame having opposing ends and a handle fixed to the frame, the linearly movable frame being slidably coupled to the apparatus body and adapted for linear movement of the expansion connector relative to the bearing surface thereof, wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector when the expansion connector is moved relative to the bearing surface, wherein the handle is positioned beneath the bearing surface and does not extend beyond the outer surface of the apparatus body, and wherein the handle and the expansion connector are positioned on opposing ends of the frame; and

a safety catch operable between the frame and an aperture communicating with the bearing surface, the safety catch being movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing mechanism coupled for urging the expansion connector toward the disengaged position, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism is positioned substantially parallel to the linear movement of the frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one biasing mechanism has a fixed end and a movable end, wherein the fixed end is positioned closer to the expansion connector than the movable end.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a catch mechanism operable for retaining the frame in the engaged position of the expansion connector.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the handle is further non-pivoting.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the safety catch comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein when the safety catch is in the engaged position the first portion extends from the aperture communicating with the bearing surface and the second portion engages with the frame.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein when the safety catch is in the disengaged position the first portion is depressed relative to the bearing surface and the second portion is disengaged from the frame.

8. An external expanding apparatus operable with a portable computer, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

a body portion adapted for mounting to an external support structure, the body portion having an outer surface, the outer surface comprising a bearing surface and a guide mechanism on an inner face thereof opposite from the bearing surface, and a passage through the bearing plate communicating between the inner and outer faces thereof and positioned between a front edge of the bearing surface and a rear edge thereof;

an expansion connector drive mechanism being movably coupled to the guide mechanism for moving relative to the inner face of the bearing plate, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising;

a substantially rigid unitary frame comprising a follower mechanism structured to cooperate with the guide mechanism on the inner face of the bearing plate for moving the frame substantially linearly relative thereto,

an expansion connector coupled to a first end of the frame,

a handle positioned adjacent to a second end of the frame that is opposite to the first end, wherein the handle is positioned beneath the bearing surface, and

a security portion positioned opposite from the passage through the bearing plate and further comprising a safety catch opening therethrough;

a safety catch operable between the safety catch opening of the security portion of the frame and the passage through the bearing plate and being further biased toward the bearing plate, the safety catch comprising a sensing portion sized to pass through the passage through the bearing plate and being substantially aligned therewith, and a latching portion sized to pass into the safety catch opening of the security portion;

wherein the frame of the expansion connector drive mechanism is further movable between;

a disengaged position having the expansion connector spaced away from the bearing plate and the rear edge of the bearing surface and having the safety catch opening of the security portion being substantially aligned with the latching portion of the safety catch and substantially engaged therewith, and

an engaged position having the expansion connector positioned adjacent to the bearing plate and the rear edge of the bearing surface and having the safety catch opening of the security portion being substantially misaligned with the latching portion of the safety catch and disengaged therefrom.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the frame further comprises a substantially planar interface surface having the follower mechanism formed therein.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the guide mechanism further comprises a guide positioned on the inner face of the bearing plate;

and

the follower mechanism further comprises a substantially linear slot formed in the frame of the expansion connector drive mechanism, the slot having the guide received therein in slidable relationship therewith.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the handle is further fixedly positioned adjacent to the second end of the frame and is linearly movable in combination therewith, and wherein the handle does not extend beyond the outer surface of the body portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the expansion connector and the handle are fixedly positioned on opposing ends of the frame.

13. An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body comprising a bearing surface on which the portable electronic device is to be placed, and a connector presentation surface adjacent to one edge of the bearing surface;

an expansion connector connectable with the portable electronic device; and

an expansion connector drive mechanism coupled for moving the expansion connector along a linear drive axis relative to the connector presentation surface between a disengaged position spaced away from the bearing surface and an engaged position extended over the bearing surface, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising;

a movable unitary frame that is movably coupled to the apparatus body for linear motion relative to the bearing surface between the connector presentation surface and an opposing front portion of the bearing surface, the frame being coupled to the expansion connector, an integral security portion formed with a safety catch slot opening therethrough, and a linearly movable handle positioned on an opposing end of the frame from the expansion connector, and

a releasable safety catch operable between the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame and a sensor aperture communicating with the bearing surface, the safety catch being movable between a locked position having a sensing portion thereof received through the sensor aperture and extended above the bearing surface and having a locking portion thereof substantially interlocked with the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame, and an unlocked position having the sensing portion thereof substantially retracted relative to the bearing surface and having the locking portion thereof disengaged from the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector when the expansion connector is moved relative to the connector presentation surface.

15. An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body comprising a bearing surface structured for receiving the portable electronic device, and further comprising a linear guide positioned opposite from the bearing surface;

an expansion connector connectable with the portable electronic device;

a linearly movable frame comprising a linearly movable handle, wherein the handle and the expansion connector are fixedly positioned on opposing ends of the frame, the movable frame being movably coupled to the linear guide of the apparatus body for moving the frame linearly relative to the bearing surface thereof between a disengaged position having the expansion connector linearly spaced away from the bearing surface of the apparatus body, and an engaged position having the expansion connector positioned adjacent to the bearing surface of the apparatus body; and

an engagement latch coupled to the apparatus body and being engageable with the frame in the engaged position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector when the expansion connector is moved relative to the bearing surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one biasing member coupled between the expansion connector frame and the apparatus body, the at least one biasing member urging the expansion connector away from the bearing surface of the apparatus body, and wherein the at least one biasing member is positioned substantially parallel to the linear movement of the frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least one biasing member has a fixed end and a movable end, wherein the fixed end is position closer to the expansion connector than the movable end.

19. An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body being further adapted for mounting to an external support structure and comprising a connector presentation surface adjacent to a rear portion of an outer bearing surface and rotated away therefrom, the outer bearing surface being configured and arranged to receive the portable electronic device;

an expansion connector connectable with the portable electronic device;

an expansion connector drive mechanism coupled for moving the expansion connector relative to an inner surface of the apparatus body opposite from the bearing surface thereof along a first linear direction between a disengaged position retracted away from the bearing surface into an opening in the connector presentation surface and an engaged position extended from the opening in the connector presentation surface toward the bearing surface, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising;

a slidable frame that is movably coupled to the apparatus body for linear motion along the first linear direction relative to the bearing surface between the rear portion thereof and an opposing front portion of the bearing surface opposite therefrom, the frame comprising a first end with the expansion connector mounted thereon, a security portion formed with a safety catch receiver, a linearly movable handle portion proximate to a second end thereof and positioned adjacent to the front portion of the bearing surface of the apparatus body opposite from the expansion connector presentation surface thereof and operable substantially along the first linear direction, and a latch receiver adjacent to the handle,

at least one biasing member extended along the first linear direction and coupled between a portion of the frame and a portion of the apparatus body spaced away therefrom, and

a releasable safety catch operable between the safety catch receiver of the security portion of the frame and a sensor aperture communicating with the bearing surface, the safety catch being resiliently biased toward a locked position having a sensing portion thereof received through the sensor aperture and compressibly extended from the bearing surface, and a locking portion thereof engaged with the safety catch receiver of the security portion of the frame, and an unlocked position having the sensing portion thereof resiliently compressed relative to the bearing surface and having the locking portion thereof disengaged from the safety catch receiver of the security portion of the frame; and

a resiliently biased latch mounted on a portion of the apparatus body and engageable with the latch receiver of the frame.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the handle is further positioned beneath the bearing surface and does not extend beyond an outer surface of the apparatus body.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector when the expansion connector is moved relative to the bearing surface.

22. An external expanding apparatus operable with a portable computer, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

a body comprising mating upper and lower body portions, the lower body portion being adapted for mounting to an external support structure, and the upper body portion further comprising;

a substantially rigid bearing plate formed with an approximately rectangular computer bearing surface on an outer face thereof,

an integral housing portion positioned adjacent to a rear portion of the bearing surface and further comprising a cavity extended rearward of the bearing surface, and an expansion connector presentation surface projected above the bearing surface and having an opening thereinto facing the bearing surface and opening into the rearward extended cavity,

a receiver structure fixedly positioned adjacent to a front portion of the bearing surface opposite from the housing portion and the expansion connector presentation surface thereof,

a guide mechanism provided on an inner surface of the bearing plate opposite from the bearing surface thereof;

the guide mechanism further comprising one or more hubs projected from the inner surface of the bearing plate, and

a clearance passage through the bearing plate communicating between the inner and outer surfaces thereof and positioned between the front and rear portions of the bearing surface;

an expansion connector drive mechanism being movably coupled to the guide mechanism for moving relative to the inner face of the bearing plate, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising;

a substantially rigid unitary frame comprising first and second opposite ends thereof and a lateral ear portion, and further comprising a follower mechanism structured to cooperate with the guide mechanism on the inner face of the bearing plate for moving the frame relative thereto,

an expansion connector mounting seat positioned adjacent to the first end of the frame and being adapted for mounting of an expansion connector thereto,

a security portion positioned opposite from the clearance passage through the bearing plate and further comprising a safety catch receiver formed therein,

a handle fixed to the adjacent to the second end thereof opposite from the connector seat, wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector mounting seat when the expansion connector mounting seat is moved relative to the bearing surface, and

a frame engagement catch;

a safety catch operable between the safety catch receiver of the security portion of the frame and the clearance passage through the bearing plate and biased toward the bearing plate, the safety catch having a sensing portion sized to pass through the clearance passage through the bearing plate and being substantially aligned therewith, and a latching portion sized to be received into the safety catch receiver of the security portion;

wherein the frame of the expansion connector drive mechanism is further movable between;

a disengaged position having the expansion connector mounting seat positioned within the cavity in the housing portion of the upper body portion and having the safety catch receiver of the security portion being substantially misaligned with the safety catch engagement space of the security portion thereof, and

an engaged position having the expansion connector mounting seat positioned adjacent to the rear portion of the bearing surflice and having the safety catch receiver of the security portion being substantially aligned with the second latching portion of the safety catch;

at least one disengagement spring coupled between the lateral ear portion of the frame and an interior portion of the upper body portion, the spring resiliently biasing the frame toward the first disengaged position; and

a latch coupled to at least one of the upper and lower body portions and engageable with the frame engagement catch of the frame when the frame is in the engaged position thereof

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the expansion connector drive mechanism is further adapted for being coupled to the guide mechanism for only linear motion relative to the inner face of the bearing plate.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the handle is linearly movable.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising an expansion connector coupled to the expansion connector mounting seat of the frame.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the at least one disengagement spring is positioned substantially parallel to the linear movement of the frame.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the disengagement spring further comprises a tension spring.

28. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the at least one disengagement spring further comprises a fixed end and a movable end, wherein the fixed end is positioned closer to the expansion connector than the movable end.

29. An external expanding apparatus for electrically coupling with an electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising:

an apparatus body comprising a substantially planar surface configured and arranged to receive the electronic device, the substantially planar surface having a front portion and an opposing rear portion;

an expansion connector positioned adjacent to the rear portion of the substantially planar surface, the expansion connector configured and arranged to electrically couple with the electronic device; and

a drive mechanism coupled to the expansion connector, the drive mechanism configured and arranged for transitioning between an engaged position wherein the expansion connector is electrically coupleable to the electronic device, and a disengaged position wherein the expansion connector is not electrically coupleable to the electronic device, the drive mechanism comprising

a frame having the expansion connector positioned thereon and being positioned beneath the substantially planar surface, the frame configured and arranged to slide linearly along a linear direction of travel relative to the planar surface from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and

a handle fixedly coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is movable in a linear direction of travel that is substantially parallel to the linear direction of travel of the frame.

30. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, further comprising a safety mechanism configured and arranged for preventing the drive mechanism from transitioning to the engaged position when the electronic device is not properly seated on the substantially planar surface of the apparatus body.

31. The external expanding apparatus of claim 30, wherein the safety mechanism further comprises a safety catch comprising a sensing portion and a latching portion, the sensing portion extending at least partially through a safety aperture through the apparatus body and communicating with the substantially planar surface and the latching portion extending in proximity to the frame, the safety catch configured and arranged for transitioning between a first position whereby the frame is slidable and a second position whereby the frame is prevented from sliding by the latching portion.

32. The external expanding apparatus of claim 31, wherein when the safety catch is in the first position thereof the sensing portion is substantially flush with the substantially planar surface of the apparatus body and the latching portion does not obstruct the sliding of the frame, and wherein when the safety catch is in the second position the sensing portion extends outward beyond the substantially planar surface and the latching portion prevents the frame from sliding.

33. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, wherein sliding the frame along the linear direction of travel thereof towards the front portion of the substantially planar surface transitions the drive mechanism to the engaged position, and sliding the frame towards the rear portion of the substantially planar surface transitions the drive mechanism to the disengaged position.

34. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, wherein the frame comprises at least one biasing mechanism that is adapted to urge the frame towards the disengaged position.

35. The external expanding apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism is positioned substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the frame.

36. The external expanding apparatus of claim 35, wherein the at least one biasing mechanism has a fixed end and a movable end, wherein the fixed end is positioned closer to the expansion connector than the movable end.

37. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, wherein the handle and the expansion connector are fixedly positioned adjacent to substantially opposing ends of the frame.

38. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, wherein the handle is non-pivoting relative to the frame.

39. The external expanding apparatus of claim 29, wherein the handle maintains a constant position relative to the expansion connector during the transitioning of the drive mechanism between the engaged and disengaged positions.