Powered docking station

• US 7,839,118 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey D Carnevali
• Inventors: Carnevali, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso; Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhanu; Samuel
• Application Number:
  US11/789,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20080270664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 320/107, 320/110, 320/115, 361/679.02, 361/679.09, 361/679.29
• US Class Current: 320/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A docking station apparatus having a support tray with a support surface between opposing first and second faces and at least partially surrounded by a fence portion; a clamp with a jaw portion extended from a sled portion, the sled portion slidable relative to the support surface of the support tray between a substantially retracted position having the jaw portion substantially adjacent to the first face and a substantially expanded position having the jaw portion substantially spaced away there from; an electrical interface support with a jaw portion extended from a sled portion, the sled portion slidable relative to the support surface of the support tray between a substantially retracted position having the jaw portion substantially adjacent to the second face and a substantially expanded position having the jaw portion substantially spaced away there from; and a novel linkage mechanism mechanically linking the clamp with the electrical interface support.

Claims

1. A quick release docking station apparatus for portable electronics devices having one or more charging or input/output (I/O) interface ports, the docking station apparatus comprising:

a) a substantially rigid support tray having a support surface between opposing first and second faces and at least partially surrounded by a fence portion;

b) a clamp having a jaw portion extended from a clamp sled portion, the clamp sled portion being slidable relative to the support surface of the support tray between a substantially retracted position having the jaw portion of the clamp substantially adjacent to the first face and a substantially expanded position having the jaw portion of the clamp substantially spaced away there from;

c) an electrical interface support having a jaw portion extended from an electrical interface support sled portion, the electrical interface support sled portion being slidable relative to the support surface of the support tray between a substantially retracted position having the jaw portion of the electrical interface support substantially adjacent to the second face and a substantially expanded position having the jaw portion of the electrical interface support substantially spaced away there from; and

d) a linkage mechanism mechanically linking the clamp with the electrical interface support, the linkage mechanism comprising;

i) a slip connector slidably coupled to the sled portion of a first one of the clamp and the electrical interface support for sliding lengthwise thereof between the jaw portion of the first one of the clamp and the electrical interface support and a tail portion thereof opposite from the jaw portion thereof,

ii) a resilient biasing mechanism operable between the slip connector and a first portion of the sled,

iii) a stop mechanism operable between the slip connector and a second portion of the sled, and

iv) a lever mechanism pivotably coupled between the slip connector and a second one of the clamp and the electrical interface support; and

e) wherein the clamp and the electrical interface support are operable in three different relationships with the support tray;

i) a substantially expanded relationship wherein;

1) the clamp is arranged in the substantially expanded position thereof,

2) responsive to the substantially expanded position of the clamp, the linkage mechanism is responsively configured in a first positive driving relationship with the electrical interface support having the resilient biasing mechanism in a substantially expanded configuration between the slip connector and the first portion of the sled, and the stop mechanism substantially engaged between the slip connector the second portion of the sled,

3) the lever mechanism is rotated in a substantially expanded orientation relative to the clamp and the electrical interface support, and

4) the electrical interface support is arranged in the substantially expanded position thereof;

ii) a substantially engaged relationship wherein;

1) the clamp is arranged in the substantially retracted position thereof,

2) responsive to the substantially retracted position of the clamp, the linkage mechanism is configured in a first resiliently urging relationship with the electrical interface support having the resilient biasing mechanism in a partially compressed configuration between the substantially expanded configuration and a substantially compressed configuration thereof,

3) the lever mechanism is rotated in a substantially retracted orientation relative to the clamp and the electrical interface support, and

4) the electrical interface support is arranged in the substantially retracted position thereof; and

iii) a semi-engaged relationship wherein;

1) the clamp is arranged in the substantially retracted position thereof,

2) responsive to the substantially retracted position of the clamp, the linkage mechanism is configured in a second resiliently urging relationship with the electrical interface support having the resilient biasing mechanism in the substantially compressed configuration thereof between the slip connector and the first portion of the sled and the stop mechanism substantially disengaged between the slip connector the second portion of the sled, and

3) the electrical interface support is resiliently arranged in the substantially expanded position thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slip connector is further slidably coupled to the sled portion of the clamp;

the lever mechanism pivotably coupled between the slip connector and the electrical interface support; and

in the semi-engaged relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the lever mechanism is rotated in the substantially expanded orientation relative to the clamp and the electrical interface support.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the slip connector is further slidably coupled to the sled portion of the electrical interface support;

the lever mechanism pivotably coupled between the slip connector and the clamp; and

in the semi-engaged relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the lever mechanism is rotated in the substantially retracted orientation relative to the clamp and the electrical interface support.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, in the substantially engaged relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the stop mechanism is further substantially disengaged between the slip connector the second portion of the sled.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resilient expansion mechanism coupled between the clamp and the support tray, wherein:

in the substantially expanded relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the expansion mechanism is substantially expanded between the clamp and the support tray;

in the substantially engaged relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the expansion mechanism is substantially compressed between the clamp and the support tray; and

in the semi-engaged relationship of the clamp and the electrical interface support, the expansion mechanism is substantially compressed between the clamp and the support tray.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a restraining mechanism coupled between the clamp and the support tray, wherein:

in the substantially expanded condition of the expansion mechanism, the restraining mechanism is released and the expansion mechanism is substantially relieved between the clamp and the support tray; and

in the substantially engaged condition of the expansion mechanism, the restraining mechanism is engaged between the clamp and the support tray and the expansion mechanism is substantially restrained between the clamp and the support tray.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamp and the electrical interface support are operable in a fourth different semi-unclamped relationship with the support tray wherein:

1) the clamp is arranged in a semi-expanded position between the substantially retracted and substantially expanded positions thereof, and

2) responsive to the semi-expanded position of the clamp, the resilient biasing mechanism of the linkage mechanism is responsively configured in a semi-expanded configuration between the partially compressed and substantially expanded configurations thereof, and the first portion of the sled, and the stop mechanism substantially engaged between the slip connector the second portion of the sled, and

3) the electrical interface support is arranged in the substantially retracted position thereof.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lever mechanism is further unevenly pivotably coupled between the slip connector and one of clamp and the electrical interface support.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an expansion limiter structured for limiting spacing between the second face of the support tray and the jaw portion of the electrical interface support in the substantially expanded position thereof.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the jaw portion further comprises a biasing mechanism positioned adjacent to an inner surface thereof.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector structured for electrically interfacing with the device, the electrical connector being supported on the jaw portion of the electrical interface support and extended from an inner surface thereof.

12. A quick release docking station apparatus for portable electronics devices having one or more charging or input/output (I/O) interface ports, the docking station apparatus comprising:

a substantially rigid support tray having means for supporting the device relative to opposing first and second faces thereof;

clamping means for substantially securely clamping the device relative to the support tray;

electrical interface means for electrically interfacing with the device;

supporting means for securely supporting the electrical interface means relative to the second face of the support tray; and

linking means for mechanically linking a positioning of the supporting means with a positioning of the clamping means, the linking means comprising;

i) means for expanding the supporting means in a substantially fully expanded position spaced away from the second face of the support tray in response to expanding the clamping means in a substantially fully expanded position spaced away from the first face of the support tray,

ii) means for retracting the supporting means into a substantially fully retracted position adjacent to the second face of the support tray in response to retracting the clamping means in a substantially fully retracted position adjacent to the first face of the support tray, and

iii) decoupling means for decoupling the means for expanding the supporting means from the retracting of the clamping means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising means for resiliently expanding the clamping means relative to the second face.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a restraining means for restraining the clamping means relative to the second face.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the decoupling means further comprises means for decoupling the means for retracting the supporting means from a partial expanding of the clamping means relative to the first face between the substantially fully retracted position and the substantially fully expanded position.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the clamping means further comprises the decoupling means.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the supporting means further comprises the decoupling means.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the linking means further comprises levering means for levering the supporting means into the substantially fully expanded position in response to the expanding the clamping means into the substantially fully expanded position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the levering means is further unevenly coupled between the clamping means and the supporting means.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising expansion limiting means for limiting the means for spacing the supporting means away from the second face.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising biasing means operable relative to an inner surface of the clamping means directed toward the first face.

22. A quick release docking station apparatus for portable computers and other portable electronics devices having one or more input/output (I/O) communication interface ports, the docking station apparatus comprising:

a) a substantially rigid support tray structured for securely supporting the device, the support tray comprising;

i) an interior support portion,

ii) at least a partial guard rail extended exterior of at least a portion of the interior support portion,

iii) a partial peripheral retention portion spaced away from and opposing at least a portion of the interior support portion adjacent to a first face of the support tray,

iv) at least a partial web portion interconnecting the retention portion with a portion of the interior support portion, the web portion formed with clearance there through at least in a position corresponding to at least one communication interface port of the device, and

v) first and second substantially parallel slide guides formed adjacent to the interior support portion and at least partially extended substantially between the first face of the support tray and a second face thereof opposite from the first face;

b) a substantially rigid compression clamp slide portion comprising;

i) an elongate clamp sled portion slidably coupled with the first slide guide for moving relative to the second face of the support tray, and

ii) a clamp jaw portion extended adjacent to a first end of the clamp sled portion, the jaw portion formed with retention lip spaced above and substantially opposing the clamp sled portion;

c) a clamp expansion mechanism operable between the compression clamp slide portion and a stop portion of the support tray;

d) an electrical connector mounted on a substantially rigid connector carrier slide portion, the connector carrier slide portion comprising;

i) an elongate carrier sled portion slidably coupled with the second slide guide for moving relative to the first face of the support tray, and

ii) a carrier jaw portion extended adjacent to a first end of the carrier sled portion, the carrier jaw portion formed with retention lip spaced above and substantially opposing the carrier sled portion and having the electrical connector positioned thereon with an electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector extended from an inner surface thereof along the carrier sled portion toward the support tray;

e) a linkage mechanism coupled between the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion, the linkage mechanism being substantially responsive to the compression clamp slide portion;

f) one or more guide mechanisms formed between the connector carrier slide portion and the support tray, and

g) the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion operable in three different relationships with the support tray;

i) an expanded relationship wherein;

1) the compression clamp slide portion is arranged in a substantially expanded position relative to the support tray having the clamp sled portion extended on the first slide guide and the clamp jaw portion spaced away from the second face of the support tray,

2) the clamp expansion mechanism is substantially expanded between the compression clamp slide portion and the stop portion of the support tray,

3) the connector carrier slide portion is arranged in a substantially expanded position relative to the support tray having the carrier sled portion extended on the second slide guide, the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion spaced away from the first face of the support tray with the electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector withdrawn relative thereto, and the guides at least partially disengaged from the corresponding guide ways in the web portion of the support tray, and

4) responsive to the substantially expanded arrangement of the compression clamp slide portion, the linkage mechanism is responsively configured in a first positive driving relationship with the connector carrier slide portion for actively arranging the connector carrier slide portion in its substantially expanded position,

ii) an engaged relationship wherein;

1) the compression clamp slide portion is arranged in a substantially retracted position relative to the support tray having the clamp sled portion retracted on the first slide guide and substantially engaged therewith and the clamp jaw portion adjacent to the second face of the support tray,

2) the clamp expansion mechanism is substantially compressed between the compression clamp slide portion and a stop portion of the support tray, and

3) responsive to the substantially retracted arrangement of the compression clamp slide portion, the linkage mechanism is responsively configured in a second resiliently urging relationship with the connector carrier slide portion for resiliently urging the connector carrier slide portion toward a substantially retracted position relative to the support tray having the carrier sled portion retracted on the second slide guide and substantially engaged therewith, and the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion adjacent to the first face of the support tray with the guides substantially engaged with the guide ways in the web portion thereof and the electrical interconnect portion extended substantially through the clearance aperture thereof, and

iii) a semi-engaged relationship wherein;

1) the compression clamp slide portion is arranged in the substantially retracted position relative to the support tray,

2) the clamp expansion mechanism is substantially compressed between the compression clamp slide portion and a stop portion of the support tray,

3) responsive to the substantially retracted position of the compression clamp slide portion, the linkage mechanism is responsively configured in a second resiliently urging relationship with the connector carrier slide portion for resiliently urging the connector carrier slide portion toward its substantially retracted position relative to the support tray, and

4) the connector carrier slide portion is resiliently retractably arranged in the substantially expanded position thereof relative to the support tray having the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion spaced away from the first face of the support tray with the electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector withdrawn relative thereto, and the guides at least partially disengaged from the corresponding guide ways in the web portion of the support tray.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a latch mechanism operable for retaining the compression clamp slide portion in the substantially retracted position relative to the support tray.

24. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the elongate clamp sled portion of the compression clamp slide portion further comprises an expansion channel formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, the expansion channel being formed with a first internal stop portion positioned adjacent to the clamp jaw portion and a second internal stop portion spaced apart from the first internal stop portion;

and

the linkage mechanism further comprises;

i) a slip connector shorter than the expansion channel and slidable therein, the slip connector having a first reaction portion facing toward and spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel and forming a return spring gap there between, and a second reaction portion opposite from the first reaction portion and facing toward the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel;

ii) a connector return spring residing within the return spring gap;

iii) a control lever formed with a rotation portion being rotatable coupled to a fulcrum mechanism positioned adjacent to the interior support portion of the support tray between the first and second slide guides;

iv) a first pivotable coupling between the slip connector and the control lever of the fulcrum mechanism; and

v) a second pivotable coupling between the control lever and the carrier sled portion of the connector carrier slide portion.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the linkage mechanism is operable in three different relationships with the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion, wherein:

a) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the expanded relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion arranged in their respective substantially expanded positions relative to the support tray;

i) the return spring gap is substantially maximized between the first reaction portion and the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is substantially engaged in an operative relationship with the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel,

ii) the connector return spring is substantially expanded within the substantially maximized return spring gap, and

iii) the control lever is rotated in a first direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for urging the connector carrier slide portion toward its substantially expanded position relative to the support tray;

b) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the semi-engaged relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion arranged in its substantially retracted position relative to the support tray and the connector carrier slide portion resiliently retractably arranged in its substantially expanded position relative to the support tray;

i) the return spring gap is substantially minimized between the first reaction portion and the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is disengaged from the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel and spaced away therefrom,

ii) the connector return spring is substantially compressed within the substantially minimized return spring gap, and

iii) the control lever is rotated in the first direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for tending to contract the return spring gap and compress the connector return spring therein; and

c) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the engaged relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion arranged in their respective substantially engaged positions relative to the support tray;

i) the return spring gap is substantially normalized between the substantially maximized and substantially minimized return spring gaps,

ii) the connector return spring is partially compressed within the substantially normalized return spring gap, and

iii) the control lever is rotated in a second direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism opposite from the first direction for tending to contract the return spring gap and partially compress the connector return spring therein.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein, when the return spring gap is substantially semi-expanded between the substantially maximized and substantially normalized return spring gaps, the second reaction portion of the slip connector is further spaced away from the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel;

and

the linkage mechanism is further operable in a fourth different relationship with the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion wherein,

when the connector carrier slide portion resiliently expandably arranged in the substantially retracted position thereof relative to the support tray, and the compression clamp slide portion arranged in a semi-expanded position relative to the support tray between the substantially expanded and retracted positions thereof;

i) the return spring gap is semi-expanded between the substantially normalized and substantially maximized return spring gaps, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is disengaged from but positioned adjacent to the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel,

ii) the connector return spring is semi-expanded within the semi-expanded return spring gap, and

iii) the control lever is rotated in the second direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for urging the connector carrier slide portion toward the substantially engaged position thereof relative to the support tray.

27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the elongate carrier sled portion of the connector carrier slide portion further comprises an expansion channel formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, the expansion channel being formed with opposing first and second internal stop portions with the second internal stop portion positioned adjacent to the carrier jaw portion and the first internal stop portion spaced apart from the second internal stop portion toward a tail portion of the elongate carrier sled portion distal from the carrier jaw portion;

and

the linkage mechanism further comprises;

i) a slip connector shorter than the expansion channel and slidable therein, the slip connector having a first reaction portion facing toward and spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel and forming a return spring gap there between, and a second reaction portion opposite from the first reaction portion and facing toward the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel;

ii) a connector return spring residing within the return spring gap;

iii) a control lever formed with a rotation portion being rotatable coupled to a fulcrum mechanism positioned adjacent to the interior support portion of the support tray between the first and second slide guides;

iv) a first pivotable coupling between the slip connector and the control lever of the fulcrum mechanism; and

v) a second pivotable coupling between the control lever and the carrier sled portion of the connector carrier slide portion.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the linkage mechanism is operable in three different relationships with the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion, wherein:

a) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the expanded relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion arranged in their respective substantially expanded positions relative to the support tray;

i) the control lever is rotated in a first direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for urging the connector carrier slide portion toward its substantially expanded position relative to the support tray and tending to expand the return spring gap,

ii) the return spring gap is substantially maximized between the first reaction portion and the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is substantially engaged in an operative relationship with the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and

iii) the connector return spring is substantially expanded within the substantially maximized return spring gap;

b) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the semi-engaged relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion arranged in its substantially retracted position relative to the support tray and the connector carrier slide portion resiliently retractably arranged in its substantially expanded position relative to the support tray;

i) the control lever is rotated in a second direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism opposite from the first direction for tending to contract the return spring gap and compress the connector return spring therein,

ii) the return spring gap is substantially minimized between the first reaction portion and the first internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is disengaged from the operative relationship with the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel and spaced away therefrom, and

iii) the connector return spring is substantially compressed within the substantially minimized return spring gap; and

c) when the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion are in the engaged relationship with the support tray having the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion arranged in their respective substantially engaged positions relative to the support tray;

i) the control lever is rotated in the second direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for tending to contract the return spring gap and compress the connector return spring therein,

ii) the return spring gap is substantially normalized between the substantially maximized and substantially minimized return spring gaps, and

iii) the connector return spring is partially compressed within the substantially normalized return spring gap.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein, when the return spring gap is substantially semi-expanded between the substantially maximized and substantially normalized return spring gaps, the second reaction portion of the slip connector is further spaced away from the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel;

and

the linkage mechanism is further operable in a fourth different relationship with the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion wherein, when the connector carrier slide portion resiliently expandably arranged in its substantially retracted position relative to the support tray, and the compression clamp slide portion arranged in a semi-expanded position relative to the support tray between its substantially expanded and retracted positions;

i) the control lever is rotated in the first direction relative to the position of the fulcrum mechanism for tending to expand the return spring gap and partially relieve the connector return spring therein,

ii) the return spring gap is semi-expanded between the substantially normalized and substantially maximized return spring gaps, and the second reaction portion of the slip connector is disengaged from but positioned adjacent to the second internal stop portion of the expansion channel, and

iii) the connector return spring is semi-expanded within the semi-expanded return spring gap for urging the connector carrier slide portion toward its substantially engaged position relative to the support tray.

30. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the linkage mechanism is further coupled between the support tray and each of the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion and is further unevenly spaced there between.

31. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising an expansion limiting mechanism operable in the substantially expanded position of the connector carrier slide portion relative to the support tray for limiting spacing of the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion away from the first face of the support tray.

32. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the compression clamp slide portion further comprises a biasing mechanism operable relative to an inner surface of the clamp jaw portion thereof.

33. A quick release docking station apparatus for portable computers and other portable electronics devices having one or more input/output (I/O) communication interface ports, the docking station apparatus comprising:

a) a substantially rigid support tray structured for securely supporting the device, the support tray comprising;

i) an interior support portion,

ii) at least a partial guard rail extended exterior of at least a portion of the interior support portion,

iii) a partial peripheral retention portion spaced away from and opposing at least a portion of the interior support portion adjacent to a first face of the support tray,

iv) at least a partial web portion interconnecting the retention portion with a portion of the interior support portion, the web portion formed with a clearance aperture there through at least in a position corresponding to at least one communication interface port of the device,

v) a pair of spaced apart guide ways formed in the web portion and arranged on opposite sides of the clearance aperture between the interior support portion and the retention portion, and

vi) first and second substantially parallel slide guides formed adjacent to the interior support portion and at least partially extended substantially between the first face of the support tray and a second face thereof opposite from the first face;

b) a fulcrum positioned adjacent to the interior support portion between the first and second slide guides and spaced further from first slide guide than from second slide guide;

c) a substantially rigid compression clamp slide portion comprising;

i) an elongate clamp sled portion slidably coupled with the first slide guide for moving relative to the second face of the support tray,

ii) a clamp jaw portion extended adjacent to a first end of the clamp sled portion, the jaw portion formed with a retention lip spaced above and substantially opposing the clamp sled portion, and

iii) first and second substantially parallel expansion channels formed in the clamp sled portion and substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis thereof, the first expansion channel having an internal stop portion adjacent to the clamp jaw portion, the second expansion channel having first and second internal stop portions adjacent to opposite ends thereof with the first internal stop portion being adjacent to the clamp jaw portion and the second internal stop portion being spaced away from the first stop portion;

d) a clamp expansion spring residing within the first expansion channel of the clamp sled portion and operable between the internal stop portion thereof and a stop portion of the support tray spaced away from the second face thereof;

e) a slip connector shorter than the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion and slidable therein, the slip connector having a first reaction portion facing toward and spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the second expansion channel and forming a nominal return spring gap there between, and a second reaction portion opposite from the first reaction portion and facing toward the second internal stop portion of the second expansion channel;

f) a connector return spring residing within the return spring gap formed in the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion, and in a partially compressed state substantially filling the nominal return spring gap;

g) an electrical connector mounted on a substantially rigid connector carrier slide portion, the connector carrier slide portion comprising;

i) an elongate carrier sled portion slidably coupled with the second slide guide for moving relative to the first face of the support tray, and

ii) a carrier jaw portion extended adjacent to a first end of the carrier sled portion, the carrier jaw portion formed with a retention lip spaced above and substantially opposing the carrier sled portion and having the electrical connector positioned thereon with an electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector extended from an inner surface thereof along the carrier sled portion toward the support tray, and a pair of spaced apart carrier jaw guides arranged on opposite sides of the electrical connector in positions corresponding to the spaced apart guide ways in the web portion of the support tray and sized to enter there into;

h) a control lever formed with a rotation portion being rotatable on the fulcrum, the control lever having first and second lever arms extending from the rotation portion with the first lever arm being longer than the second lever arm;

i) a first drive pin rotatably coupling the first longer lever arm of the control lever to the slip connector within the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion of the compression clamp slide portion;

j) a second drive pin rotatably coupling the second shorter arm of the control lever to the carrier sled portion of the connector carrier slide portion;

k) a latch mechanism operable between the compression clamp slide portion and the support tray for retaining the compression clamp slide portion relative to the support tray; and

l) the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion being operable in three relationships with the support tray;

i) an expanded relationship wherein;

1) the latch mechanism is operatively disengaged from the compression clamp slide,

2) the compression clamp slide portion is in a substantially expanded position relative to the support tray having the clamp sled portion extended on the first slide guide and the clamp jaw portion spaced away from the second face of the support tray,

3) the clamp expansion spring is substantially expanded in the first expansion channel of the clamp sled portion between the internal stop portion thereof and the stop portion of the support tray,

4) the slip connector is positioned in within the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion with the first reaction portion thereof spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the second expansion channel and forming the return spring gap there between, and the second reaction portion thereof substantially contacting the second internal stop portion of the second expansion channel,

5) the connector return spring is substantially expanded within the return spring gap,

6) the control lever is rotated on the fulcrum in a substantially expanded position relative to the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion having the first longer lever arm rotated away from the first face of the support tray and toward the opposite second face, and the second shorter lever arm rotated toward the first face of the support tray and away from the opposite second face, and

7) the connector carrier slide portion is in a substantially expanded position relative to the support tray having the carrier sled portion extended on the second slide guide, the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion spaced away from the first face of the support tray with the electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector withdrawn relative thereto, and the carrier jaw guides at least partially disengaged from the corresponding guide ways in the web portion of the support tray;

ii) an engaged relationship wherein;

1) the compression clamp slide portion is in a substantially retracted position relative to the support tray having the clamp sled portion retracted on the first slide guide and substantially engaged therewith and the clamp jaw portion adjacent to the second face of the support tray,

2) the clamp expansion spring is substantially compressed in the first expansion channel of the clamp sled portion between the internal stop portion thereof and the stop portion of the support tray,

3) the latch mechanism is operatively engaged with the compression clamp slide,

4) the slip connector is positioned in within the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion with the first reaction portion thereof spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the second expansion channel and forming the return spring gap there between, and the second reaction portion thereof spaced away from the second internal stop portion of the second expansion channel,

5) the connector return spring is partially compressed within the return spring gap,

6) the control lever is rotated on the fulcrum to a substantially neutral position relative to the compression clamp slide portion and the connector carrier slide portion having the first longer and second shorter lever arms each rotated to a respective neutral position between the first and second faces of the support tray, and

7) the connector carrier slide portion is in a substantially retracted position relative to the support tray having the carrier sled portion retracted on the second slide guide and substantially engaged therewith, and the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion adjacent to the first face of the support tray with the carrier jaw guides substantially engaged with the guide ways in the web portion thereof and the electrical interconnect portion extended substantially through the clearance aperture thereof; and

iii) a semi-engaged relationship wherein;

1) the compression clamp slide portion is in the substantially retracted position relative to the support tray,

2) the clamp expansion spring is substantially compressed in the first expansion channel of the clamp sled portion between the internal stop portion thereof and the stop portion of the support tray,

3) the latch mechanism is operatively engaged with the compression clamp slide,

4) the slip connector is positioned in within the second expansion channel of the clamp sled portion with the first reaction portion thereof spaced away from the first internal stop portion of the second expansion channel and forming the return spring gap there between, and the second reaction portion thereof spaced away from the second internal stop portion of the second expansion channel,

5) the connector return spring is substantially compressed within the return spring gap,

6) the control lever is rotated on the fulcrum to a substantially neutral position with the first longer and second shorter lever arms each rotated to a respective neutral position between the first and second faces of the support tray, and

7) the connector carrier slide portion is in the substantially expanded position relative to the support tray having the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion spaced away from the first face of the support tray with the electrical interconnect portion of the electrical connector withdrawn relative thereto, and the carrier jaw guides at least partially disengaged from the corresponding guide ways in the web portion of the support tray.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising an expansion limiting mechanism operable in the substantially expanded position of the connector carrier slide portion relative to the support tray for limiting spacing of the inner surface of the carrier jaw portion away from the first face of the support tray.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the expansion limiting mechanism is further operable between the slip connector and the first internal stop portion of the second expansion channel for spacing the slip connector a minimum distance away from the first internal stop portion.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the compression clamp slide portion further comprises a biasing mechanism operable relative to an inner surface of the clamp jaw portion thereof.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein at least one of the first and second slide guides further comprises a guide channel structured to slidingly receive thereinto one of the clamp sled portion of the compression clamp slide portion and the carrier sled portion of the connector carrier slide portion.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the support tray further comprises a radio frequency (RF) antenna interconnect switch positioned adjacent to the second face thereof, the switch having an electrical contact projected therefrom, the electrical contact being structured as a spring plunger operable substantially perpendicular to the interior support portion of the support tray and being further structured for electrical coupling to an antenna interconnect cable.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising an antenna interconnect cable electrically coupled to the electrical contact.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a radio frequency (RF) antenna electrically coupled to the antenna interconnect cable.

41. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the interior support portion further comprises a partial peripheral support lip spaced above a floor portion of the support tray having the first and second slide guides formed thereof.