Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Enclosed compartment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-23
2001-08-28
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Enclosed compartment
C296S037800
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279977
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a mounting for retaining a computer within a vehicle, and for providing support functions to the computer, commonly referred to as a computer dock. In particular, the present invention relates to a mounting or computer dock which, when not in use, stores the computer in the armrest of a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technological advances in the semiconductor industry have resulted in very powerful computers being available in small sizes. The notebook computer can contain the computing capabilities of a larger PC, but the small size of such devices has limitations. One obvious limitation is battery power. A battery operated computer is useable for only a short time without recharging or replacing batteries. Small computers also require support facilities if they are to read CD ROMs, receive e-mail or interact with global positioning systems with the capabilities of a typical desk mounted computer.
My prior patent application Ser. No. 09/425,924 filed Oct. 25, 1999, disclosed an automobile mounted computer dock for providing support to a notebook computer. With the aid of the dock of my prior application, a notebook computer can perform all the functions which can be performed by on a home mounted PC's. The devise, as disclosed, however, was intended for use in the dashboard of a vehicle. The mounting of a computer to the dashboard, however, renders it unusable to passengers in the rear seat. Since a driver must direct his full attention to operating a moving vehicle, it would be desirable to have a dock which would render the computer usable by the passengers in the vehicle, including those in the rear seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, the present invention is embodied in a mounting for retaining a computer for use in the armrest of an automobile. The mounting, or dock, of the present invention has an enclosure defined by the outer surface of the armrest, the enclosure having a forward opening and a rearward opening and a passage extending through the enclosure connecting the two openings. A tray is mounted on a slide assembly for movement between three positions. In the first position the tray is forward of the forward opening, in the second position the tray is rearward of the rearward opening, and the third position the tray is within the enclosure. The tray has mounting devices, such as holes or clamps for retaining the notebook computer. Within the tray are electronic support functions for use with the computer and cables are provided to attach the functions available in the tray, or dock, to the computer.
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patent: 6020654 (2000-02-01), Chutorash
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Coletta Lori L.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Marsh Robert L.
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