US5644471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable dock for a portable electronic device
Assignee: Intermec IP Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-14
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Granted: 1997-07-01
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Expires: 2016-05-14
Abstract
Abstract An improved device for docking a first electrical apparatus, having a first apparatus connector, such as a portable interchangeable data terminal, to a second electrical apparatus having a second apparatus connector, such as a vehicle mount. The device includes a portable dock for selectively receiving the data terminal. The dock includes a laterally extending base having a first dock connector, a second dock connector, and first guides extending transversely from each end of the base. Similarly, the second electrical apparatus has transversely extending second guides. The first guides are configured to operably guide the first dock connector to matingly connect with the first apparatus connector as the first apparatus is received by the dock and, similarly, the second guides are configured to operably guide the second dock connector to matingly connect with the second apparatus connector as the dock is received by the second electrical apparatus, such that information is processable between the first electrical apparatus and the second electrical apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Darald R. Schultz
- 👤 Arvin D. Danielson
- 👤 Alan G. Bunte
- 👤 Richard A. Sherman
- 👤 Robert B. Jaeger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:34
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/02; B; B60; B60R; B60R11/00; B60R11/02; B60R11/0241; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/163; G06F1/1632; G06F1/26; G06F1/28; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0022; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10544; G06K7/10554; G06K7/10564; G06K7/10574; G06K7/10584; G06K7/10594; G06K7/10683; G06K7/10702; G06K7/10712; G06K7/10722; G06K7/10732; G06K7/10792; G06K7/10801; G06K7/10811; G06K7/10821; G06K7/10841; G06K7/10851; G06K7/10881; G06K7/12; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/343; G07G; G07G1/00; G07G1/0036; G07G1/0045; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/22; H04; H04L; H04L1/00; H04L1/0001; H04L1/0023; H04L1/0025; H04L1/0032; H04L1/12; H04L1/16; H04L1/1607; H04L1/1671; H04L1/1685; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; B60R11/0229; B60R11/0235; B60R2011/0042; B60R2011/0049; B60R2011/0064; B60R2011/0075; B60R2011/0078; G06F2200/00; G06F2200/16; G06F2200/163; G06F2200/1632; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B2001/3894; H04M; H04M7/00; H04M7/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for connecting a plurality of different hand-held electrical devices, each having a device connector, said apparatus comprising: a vehicle dock having a dock connector and first side panels; and a portable adapter having second side panels, a first connector, and a second connector electrically interconnected to said first connector; said portable adapter configured to be physically received alongside said first side panels by said vehicle dock such that said first connector electrically communicates with said dock connector; said portable adapter further configured to physically receive each of the plurality of different hand-held electrical devices alongside said second side panels such that said second connector electrically communicates with the device connector of the respective electrical device received therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for connecting a plurality of different hand-held electrical devices, each having a device connector, said apparatus comprising: a vehicle dock having a dock connector and first side panels; and a portable adapter having second side panels, a first connector, and a second connector electrically interconnected to said first connector; said portable adapter configured to be physically received alongside said first side panels by said vehicle dock such that said first connector electrically communicates with said dock connector; said portable adapter further configured to physically receive each of the plurality of different hand-held electrical devices alongside said second side panels such that said second connector electrically communicates with the device connector of the respective electrical device received therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
194 words
A docking system comprising: (a) a pen-based hand-held terminal having opposing first sides and a first electrical connector; (b) a second electrical apparatus having a pair of extending side panels and a second electrical connector; (c) a dock having: (1) a first connecting mechanism for physically and electrically connecting said dock to said pen-based hand-held terminal wherein said first connecting mechanism is releasably and matingly engageable with said first electrical connector, (2) a second connecting mechanism for physically and electrically connecting said dock to said second electrical apparatus wherein said second connecting mechanism is electrically connected with said first connecting mechanism and is releasably and matingly engageable with said second electrical connector, and (3) a first guide mechanism for guiding said first connecting mechanism into said mating engagement with said first electrical connector wherein said guide mechanism includes a pair of opposing side pieces adapted to extend along said opposing first sides of said pen-based hand-held terminal, and a second guide mechanism for guiding said second connecting mechanism into mating engagement with said second electrical connector; and (d) wherein said pair of extending side panels are adapted to extend along sides of said dock.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
194 words
A docking system comprising: (a) a pen-based hand-held terminal having opposing first sides and a first electrical connector; (b) a second electrical apparatus having a pair of extending side panels and a second electrical connector; (c) a dock having: (1) a first connecting mechanism for physically and electrically connecting said dock to said pen-based hand-held terminal wherein said first connecting mechanism is releasably and matingly engageable with said first electrical connector, (2) a second connecting mechanism for physically and electrically connecting said dock to said second electrical apparatus wherein said second connecting mechanism is electrically connected with said first connecting mechanism and is releasably and matingly engageable with said second electrical connector, and (3) a first guide mechanism for guiding said first connecting mechanism into said mating engagement with said first electrical connector wherein said guide mechanism includes a pair of opposing side pieces adapted to extend along said opposing first sides of said pen-based hand-held terminal, and a second guide mechanism for guiding said second connecting mechanism into mating engagement with said second electrical connector; and (d) wherein said pair of extending side panels are adapted to extend along sides of said dock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |