Computer docking station
First Claim
1. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the docking station comprising:
- a body havinga cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer; and
an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion; and
a latching member coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station;
wherein the latching member automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station; and
wherein the latching member includes a cam surface engageable by the portable computer as the portable computer is being inserted into the docking station to automatically move the latching member from the second position to the first position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer docking station includes a body having a cradle portion configured to support a portion of a portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with a docking connector of the portable computer. The body further includes an arm portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The latching member includes a cam surface and automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the docking station comprising:
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a body having a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer; and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion; and a latching member coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station; wherein the latching member automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station; and wherein the latching member includes a cam surface engageable by the portable computer as the portable computer is being inserted into the docking station to automatically move the latching member from the second position to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the docking station comprising:
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a body having a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer and having a connector operable to electrically couple with the docking connector of the portable computer; and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion; and a latching member coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first, retracted position within the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second, extended position from the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station; a biasing member biasing the latching member toward the second position; an activation member manually operable to move the latching member to the first position; and a lock mechanism operable to selectively lock the latching member in the second position; wherein the latching member automatically moves from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station, and automatically moves from the first position to the second position once the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station; and wherein the latching member includes a cam surface engageable by the portable computer as the portable computer is being inserted into the docking station to automatically move the latching member from the second position to the first position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification