Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – And including appurtenant means for supporting other structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-14
2003-05-06
Luebke, Renee (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
And including appurtenant means for supporting other structure
C439S357000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06558189
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of connectors. In particular, the invention relates to connectors for handheld computers and accessory devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 20
is a handheld computer
400
. Examples of handheld computers include PALM PILOT, PALM III, PALM V, PALM VII, PALM m100, and other devices that use PALM OS, an operating system for appliances. Other types of handheld computers operate a WINDOWS OS, including WINDOWS POCKET PC and WINDOWS CE. Still further, handheld computers such as mobile phones may operate applications and browsers for cell-phones using a wireless access protocol (WAP) and languages such as Handheld device Markup Language (HDML), Wireless Markup Language (WML), and Compact Hypertext Transfer Protocol (CHTML).
The handheld computer
400
includes a front panel
402
extending between a top
406
and a bottom
408
. The front panel
402
includes a display
410
. The display
410
may be touch-sensitive, to enable users to enter input using a stylus or other pointed that contacts display
410
. A plurality of mechanical actuators (such as buttons)
415
reside on the front panel
410
. The actuators may also be used to open applications, navigate and enter input. A navigation or scroll button
416
may be used to configure information appearing on the display.
FIG. 21
illustrates a back panel
422
of the handheld computer
400
. The back panel
422
includes a connector
425
. The connector
425
may be used to connect the handheld computer
400
to an accessory device
450
(See FIG.
22
). Examples of accessory devices include communication cradles and cradles, battery rechargers, and other resources having external power, memory, and/or processing resources. In particular, the communication cradles may be used to synchronize information on the handheld computer
400
with information on a personal computer.
FIG. 22
illustrates a communication cradle
450
for use with a handheld computer. The accessory device includes a connector
455
to connect with the connector
425
of the handheld computer
400
. The cradle
450
includes a platform
460
to support the bottom
408
handheld computer
400
. A back surface
462
supports the back panel
422
of the handheld computer
400
. A cable
465
extends a cable connector
468
to another computer system, such as a personal computer. The handheld computer can pass and receive information through connector
425
and connector
455
. The information can be extended to the personal computer via cable
465
and cable connector
468
.
In general, handheld computer
400
rests on cradle
450
. The handheld computer
400
needs to be lifted upwards from the platform
460
before being decoupled from cradle
450
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A connector assembly is provided for use with a handheld computing system. The connector assembly includes a first connector including a plurality of contact elements. The first connector is adapted to reside on a handheld computer. A first coupling structure resides on the handheld computer and includes a first aperture. A second connector includes a second plurality of contact elements. The second connector is configured to reside on a cradle for a portable computer and is matable to the first connector. A latch member is configured to extend from the cradle into the first aperture to couple the cradle to the handheld computer. The latch member may bias to engage the first aperture. The latch member is positioned relative to the first connector and the second connector to create a moment that directs at least a portion of the handheld computer towards remaining on the cradle.
An advantage provided under an embodiment of the invention is that the handheld computer is provided a more secure and stable relationship with the cradle. When the handheld computer is on the cradle, the user can more easily contact the touch-sensitive display to enter information or manipulate input buttons, while reducing the possibility that the user's contact will knock the handheld computer off the cradle. Furthermore, the secure relationship between the handheld computer and cradle provides a tactile feedback to indicate to a user that the connectors of the handheld computer and cradle are properly aligned and connected.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5052943 (1991-10-01), Davis
patent: 5220270 (1993-06-01), Peickert
patent: 5387134 (1995-02-01), Bryce et al.
patent: 5627727 (1997-05-01), Aguilera et al.
patent: 6042414 (2000-03-01), Kunert
patent: 6071141 (2000-06-01), Semmeling et al.
patent: 6108200 (2000-08-01), Fullerton
patent: 6115248 (2000-09-01), Canova et al.
patent: 6283777 (2001-09-01), Canova et al.
patent: 6398577 (2002-06-01), Simmel et al.
Fuhs Eric
Groebe Daniel P.
Hickman Palermo & Truong & Becker LLP
Luebke Renee
Mahamedi Van
Nguyen Phuong-Chi
Palm Inc.
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