Portable computer docking station with removable support shelf a

Details Portable computer docking station with removable support shelf a Portable computer docking station with removable support shelf a

1996-08-05

1997-12-02

Phillips, Michael W.

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

361687, 108108, G06F 116, G06F 120, H05K 710, H05K 720

Patent

active

056942923

ABSTRACT:
A docking station has a removable guide and support shelf along which a portable computer may be slid into operatively coupled engagement with the docking station. By using a vertical side portion of the shelf as a horizontal computer guide, and appropriately positioning the computer docking connector relative to the corresponding guided computer surface, the shelf enables the same docking station to be used with portable computers having different geometric configurations. Alternatively, a differently configured portable computer may be operatively coupled to the docking station by replacing the shelf with a differently configured guide and support shelf. The removable shelf is provided with a mounting latch structure for removably retaining it on the docking station, and a security latch structure that automatically engages the computer during its docking movement. When docked, the computer rests atop three mutually spaced vertical projections formed on the top side of the base wall portion of the shelf. This forms a cooling air passageway between the bottom of the computer and the top side of the shelf. A fan in the docking station draws ambient air through this passageway and then flows the air downwardly through cooling slots in the shelf before exhausting the air back to ambient. The fan also draws ambient cooling air downwardly through a gap between the rear side of the docked computer and a facing connection area of the docking station.

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patent: 5535093 (1996-07-01), Noguchi et al.
patent: 5592886 (1997-01-01), Williams et al.

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