Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Retaining means with distinct movement-actuating means to...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-11-20
Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Retaining means with distinct movement-actuating means to...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319034
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an interface station capable of connecting a portable electronic apparatus such as an electronic wrist watch to a personal computer. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a connection means capable of simply detaching such a portable electronic apparatus with the interface station.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a conventional interface station used to connect a portable electronic apparatus to an external information processing apparatus, a concave connecting portion is required to be formed in the portable electronic apparatus itself as a fixing means for connecting the interface station to the portable electronic apparatus.
Also, such a portable electronic apparatus is mounted/detached to/from this conventional interface station by utilizing elasticity of a fixing member provided on a portion of this interface station.
However, the above-described conventional interface station has such a problem in that since the concave portion must be formed in the portable electronic apparatus, there is a limitation in designing of this interface station. Also, when the portable electronic apparatus is removed, or detached from the conventional interface station, there is another problem. That is, unless the portable electronic apparatus is detached from the interface station while depressing this portable electronic apparatus, this portable electronic apparatus jumps out from the interface station, so that the portable electronic apparatus itself is scratched.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and has an object to provide a connection apparatus capable of simply mounting/detaching a portable electronic apparatus on/from an interface station.
To achieve the above object, an interface station according to an aspect of the present invention is featured by being arranged by employing: an operation member moved by being externally manipulated to attach or detach a portable electronic apparatus to the interface station; a movable member moved in association with the movement of the operation member; a supporting member for supporting a portable electronic apparatus; and a first connecting terminal provided on the movable member, for electrically connecting the portable electronic apparatus; wherein the portable electronic apparatus is held by both the supporting member and the movable member, so that the portable electronic apparatus may be electrically connected via the interface station to an external information processing apparatus.
In accordance with the interface station with employment of the above-described arrangement, both the fixing means and the concave portion functioning as the mounting/detaching means of the conventional structure can be omitted from the portable electronic apparatus. As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the portable electronic apparatus can be improved. Also, the portable electronic apparatus can be mounted/detached on/from the interface station without scratching this portable electronic apparatus. Moreover, since the operability of this interface station can be improved, the portable electronic apparatus can be simply connected with this interface station.
The interface station according to the present invention is arranged in such a manner that when the operation member is manipulated, the movable member and the first connecting terminal are moved in association with the movement of this operation member to permit a portable electronic apparatus to be mounted and detached from the interface station. As a consequence, the portable electronic apparatus can be easily mounted/detached on/from this interface station. At the same time, when the portable electronic apparatus is mounted on the interface station, the electrical connection can be established between the portable electronic apparatus and interface station.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5292267 (1994-03-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5919055 (1999-07-01), Hattori
patent: 3127934 (1991-12-01), None
Fujita Kazuhiro
Takakura Takayo
Adams & Wilks
Patel Tulsidas
Prasad Chandrika
Seiko Instruments Inc.
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