Computer docking station for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the computer docking station comprising:
- a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer;
a main connector moveable relative to the body between an engaged position in which the main connector is engageable with the docking connector, and a disengaged position;
a frame coupled to the body and the main connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position; and
a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position;
a first biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, wherein the first biasing member biases the frame toward the first position; and
a second biasing member coupled between the handle and the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the second position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that has a docking connector includes a body having a support portion configured to support the portable computer, and a main connector moveable relative to the body between an engaged position in which the main connector is engageable with the docking connector, and a disengaged position. The computer docking station also includes a frame coupled to the body and the main connector. The frame is movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position. The computer docking station further includes a subframe coupled to the frame. The subframe is movable with the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable relative to the frame from the second position to a third position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position.
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Citations
33 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 computer docking station comprising:
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a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer; a main connector moveable relative to the body between an engaged position in which the main connector is engageable with the docking connector, and a disengaged position; a frame coupled to the body and the main connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main connector is in the engaged position; and a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position; a first biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, wherein the first biasing member biases the frame toward the first position; and a second biasing member coupled between the handle and the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the second position to inhibit movement of the main connector away from the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer, the computer docking station comprising:
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a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer; a main connector to facilitate coupling peripheral components to the portable computer, the connector being moveable with respect to the body between an engaged position, in which at least a portion of the main moveable connector is positioned above the support portion, and a disengaged position; a frame coupled to the body and the main moveable connector, the frame movable generally linearly relative to the body between a first position, in which the main moveable connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main moveable connector is in the engaged position, the frame defining a notch formed along an edge of the frame; a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame between the first position and the second position; a first biasing member coupled between the frame and the handle, the first biasing member biasing the frame toward the handle and resisting movement of the main moveable connector away from the engaged position when the frame is in the second position; a second biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, the second biasing member biasing the frame toward the first position, the first biasing member being stiffer than the second biasing member; and an interlock including a first end portion coupled to the body, a second end portion substantially opposite the first end portion and movable relative to the body, the second end portion fitting within the notch in the frame to inhibit movement of the frame from the first position to the second position, and a projection extending through the support portion of the body, the projection configured to be actuated by the portable computer when the portable computer is positioned on the support portion to move the second end portion out of the notch in the frame. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer that includes a docking connector, the computer docking station comprising:
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a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer; a main connector to facilitate coupling peripheral components to the portable computer, the connector being moveable relative to the body between an engaged position, in which the main moveable connector is engageable with the docking connector portable computer, and a disengaged position; a frame coupled to the body and the main moveable connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the main moveable connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the main moveable connector is in the engaged position; and a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable to a third position relative to the frame after the frame has moved to the second position and the main moveable connector is in the engaged position to inhibit movement of the main moveable connector away from the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer, the computer docking station comprising:
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a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer; a connector for coupling to the portable computer, the connector being moveable relative to the body between an engaged position, in which the moveable connector is engageable with the portable computer, and a disengaged position; a frame coupled to the body and the moveable connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the moveable connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the moveable connector is in the engaged position; and a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position; a first biasing member coupled between the body and the frame, wherein the first biasing member biases the frame toward the first position; and a second biasing member coupled between the handle and the frame, wherein the second biasing member biases the frame toward the second position to inhibit movement of the moveable connector away from the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A computer docking station for supporting and electrically coupling to a portable computer, the computer docking station comprising:
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a body including a support portion configured to support the portable computer; a connector for coupling to the portable computer, the connector being moveable relative to the body between an engaged position, in which the moveable connector is engageable with the portable computer, and a disengaged position; a frame coupled to the body and the moveable connector, the frame movable relative to the body between a first position, in which the moveable connector is in the disengaged position, and a second position, in which the moveable connector is in the engaged position; and a handle coupled to the frame, wherein the handle is operable to move the frame from the first position to the second position and is movable to a third position relative to the frame after the frame has moved to the second position and the moveable connector is in the engaged position to inhibit movement of the moveable connector away from the engaged position. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification