Computer docking station

• US 9,804,652 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2016
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
• Original Assignee: Humanscale Corporation
• Inventors: Volek, Robert, Bender, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Cunningham, Xanthia C
• Application Number:
  US15/179,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20170060209A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction

Abstract

A computer docking station devised to save desktop space while also eliminating the presence of permanent cables that can clutter the work surface is disclosed. The computer docking station utilizes a split design, with a lower dock subassembly positioned beneath the work surface for housing the permanent cables necessary for the computer workstation to operate and an upper dock subassembly comprising one or more data ports positioned on top of the work surface. A monitor arm mount can be attached to, or integrated into, the upper dock subassembly, thereby alleviating the need for a separate monitor arm mount without negatively impacting the docking station'"'"'s footprint.

Claims

1. A computer docking station comprising:

a) an upper dock subassembly adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface, the upper dock subassembly comprising a data port hub having one or more active data ports;

b) a lower dock subassembly adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface, the lower dock subassembly comprising a housing having one or more passive data ports;

c) a bracket connecting the lower dock subassembly to the upper dock subassembly;

d) one or more bridge cables operatively connecting the one or more active data ports of the upper dock subassembly to the one or more passive data ports of the lower dock subassembly; and

e) a cable management enclosure attached to the lower dock subassembly, the cable management enclosure comprising an upper cable housing mated to a lower lid, with the upper cable housing and lower lid each comprising one or more hooks.

2. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the one or more active data ports comprise a first active data port, a second active data port, and a third active data port.

3. The computer docking station of claim 2, wherein the first active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

4. The computer docking station of claim 3, wherein the second active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

5. The computer docking station of claim 4, wherein the third active data port is selected from a group consisting of an audio port, a USB data port, and a USB charging port.

6. The computer docking station of claim 5, wherein the one or more passive data ports comprise a first passive data port, a second passive data port, and a third passive data port.

7. The computer docking station of claim 6, wherein the first passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

8. The computer docking station of claim 7, wherein the second passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

9. The computer docking station of claim 8, wherein the third passive data port is selected from the group consisting of an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, an HDMI connector, a DVI connector, a USB port, and a DC power connector.

10. The computer docking station of claim 9, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises a monitor arm mount attached to the data port hub.

11. The computer docking station of claim 10, wherein the lower dock subassembly further comprises a screw threadingly engaged with a clamp bracket.

12. The computer docking station of claim 9, wherein the upper dock subassembly further comprises a monitor arm mount integrally formed into a top portion of the data port hub.

13. The computer docking station of claim 12, wherein the lower dock subassembly further comprises a screw threadingly engaged with a clamp bracket.

14. The computer docking station of claim 1, wherein the first active data port is an audio port, the second active data port is a USB data port, and the third active data port is a USB charging port.

15. The computer docking station of claim 14, wherein the first passive data port is an Ethernet connector, the second passive data port is a USB data port, and the third passive data port is a DC power connector.

16. The computer docking station of claim 15, wherein the one or more active data ports further comprise a fourth active data port and a fifth active data port, the fourth active data port and the fifth active data port each being selected from the group consisting of a USB data port and a USB charging port.

17. The computer docking station of claim 16, wherein the one or more passive data ports further comprise a fourth passive data port and a fifth passive data port, the fourth passive data port and the fifth passive data port each being selected from the group consisting of a USB data port, an Ethernet connector, a display port connector, a DVI connector, and a USB charging port.

18. A computer docking station comprising:

a) an upper dock subassembly adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface, the upper dock subassembly comprising a data port hub having one or more active data ports;

b) a lower dock subassembly adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface, the lower dock subassembly comprising a housing having one or more passive data ports;

c) one or more bridge cables operatively connecting the one or more active data ports of the upper dock subassembly to the one or more passive data ports of the lower dock subassembly; and

d) a cable management enclosure attached to the lower dock subassembly, the cable management enclosure comprising an upper cable housing mated to a lower lid, with the upper cable housing and lower lid each comprising one or more hooks.

19. A computer docking station comprising:

a) an upper dock subassembly adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface, the upper dock subassembly comprising one or more active data ports;

b) a lower dock subassembly adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface, the lower dock subassembly comprising one or more passive data ports operatively connected to the one or more active data ports;

c) a bracket connecting the lower dock subassembly to the upper dock subassembly; and

d) a cable management enclosure attached to the lower dock subassembly, the cable management enclosure comprising an upper cable housing mated to a lower lid, with the upper cable housing and lower lid each comprising one or more hooks.