Computer docking station
First Claim
1. A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer, the docking station comprising:
- a body havinga cradle portion configured to support a first portion of the portable computer;
an arm portion spaced in a first direction away from the cradle portion; and
a latching member coupled with the body and spaced away from the cradle portion in the first direction, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the arm portion such that the latching member is operable to cooperate with the arm portion to removably hold the portable computer in the docking station,wherein the latching member is movable relative to the arm portion between a first position, in which the portable computer can be inserted into or removed from the docking station, and a second position, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station,wherein the portable computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position in a second direction toward the cradle portion that is opposite to the first direction as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction away from the cradle portion as the portable computer moves past and clears the latching member as the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer includes a body with a cradle portion configured to support a portion of the portable computer, and an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion. A latching member is coupled with the arm portion and movable between a first position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer can be removed from the docking station, and a second position relative to the arm portion, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station. The computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position, in a direction toward the cradle portion, as the computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position, in a direction away from the cradle portion, as the 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 a portable computer, the docking station comprising:
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a body having a cradle portion configured to support a first portion of the portable computer; an arm portion spaced in a first direction away from the cradle portion; and a latching member coupled with the body and spaced away from the cradle portion in the first direction, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the arm portion such that the latching member is operable to cooperate with the arm portion to removably hold the portable computer in the docking station, wherein the latching member is movable relative to the arm portion between a first position, in which the portable computer can be inserted into or removed from the docking station, and a second position, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the portable computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position in a second direction toward the cradle portion that is opposite to the first direction as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position in the first direction away from the cradle portion as the portable computer moves past and clears the latching member as the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20)
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12. A computer docking station for supporting a portable computer having a first side that defines a plane and includes a display, the docking station comprising:
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a body having a cradle portion configured to support a first portion of the portable computer; an arm portion spaced from the cradle portion, wherein the arm portion does not translate with respect to the cradle portion; and a latching member coupled with the body, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the arm portion such that the latching member is operable to cooperate with the arm portion to removably hold the portable computer in the docking station, wherein the latching member is movable relative to the arm portion between a first position, in which the portable computer can be inserted into or removed from the docking station, and a second position, in which the portable computer cannot be removed from the docking station when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the portable computer moves the latching member from the second position to the first position as the portable computer is inserted into the docking station and the latching member automatically moves from the first position to the second position as the portable computer moves past and clears the latching member as the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, wherein the latching member is positioned relative to the body so that when in the second position, the latching member engages a portion of a surface of the portable computer that is parallel to or in the plane and on the first side of the portable computer so that at least a portion of the latching member is exposed to view when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station, and wherein the latching member includes an activation portion that is accessible to a user to manually move the latching member to the first position; and a lock mechanism operable to selectively lock the latching member in the second position when the portable computer is fully inserted into the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification