US6061234A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Secured snap-on cover for a computer system docking station
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1999-03-15
•
Granted: 2000-05-09
•
Expires: 2019-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A docking station for a computer system includes a tray having a support surface for supporting the computer system, and an undersurface opposite the support surface. The tray includes a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface. A housing cover includes a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the computer system. A housing cover is mounted on the support surface and includes a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface. A latching device is mounted adjacent the undersurface. A protrusion member is adjacent the undersurface and is connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Damon Broder
- 👤 Cassius J. Mullen
- 👤 Jefferson Blake West
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/10; H05K5/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A docking station comprising: a tray having a surface for supporting a computer and an opening formed through the surface; a housing cover mounted on the surface of the tray, the housing cover including a receiver extending through the opening; and a latching device mounted within the tray including a protrusion movable for engaging and releasing the receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A docking station comprising: a tray having a surface for supporting a computer and an opening formed through the surface; a housing cover mounted on the surface of the tray, the housing cover including a receiver extending through the opening; and a latching device mounted within the tray including a protrusion movable for engaging and releasing the receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The docking station as defined in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of tabs extending from the housing cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The docking station as defined in claim 2 further comprising a plurality of slots formed in the tray for receiving the tabs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The docking station as defined in claim 3 wherein the receiver includes a slot formed therein for engagement with the protrusion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The docking station as defined in claim 4 wherein the receiver is adjacent one of the tabs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The docking station as defined in claim 4 wherein the receiver includes reinforcement members connecting the receiver to the housing cover.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The docking station as defined in claim 4, further comprising an undersurface opposite the support surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The docking station as defined in claim 7 wherein the slot of the receiver is adjacent the undersurface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The docking station as defined in claim 8 wherein the protrusion moves adjacent the undersurface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
88 words
A docking station for a computer system comprising: a tray having a support surface for supporting a portable computer and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface; a housing cover mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a pair of receivers extending through the openings; and a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface and including a pair of protrusions movable into and out of engagement with the receivers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A docking station for a computer system comprising: a tray having a support surface for supporting a portable computer and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface; a housing cover mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a pair of receivers extending through the openings; and a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface and including a pair of protrusions movable into and out of engagement with the receivers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the snap tabs engage the undersurface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the housing cover has multiple snap tabs on one side thereof and multiple snap tabs on another side thereof, opposite the one side.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The docking station as defined in claim 12 wherein the pair of receivers extend from the one side of the housing cover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The docking station as defined in claim 13 wherein the pair of receivers are adjacent the multiple snap tabs on the one side of the housing cover.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The docking station as defined in claim 10 wherein the pair of receivers each include a slot formed therein for engagement with a respective one of the protrusions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The docking station as defined in claim 15 wherein each slot is positioned adjacent the undersurface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
123 words
A computer system secured to a docking station comprising: a portable computer including the computer system; a tray having a support surface for supporting the portable computer, and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface; a housing cover including a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the portable computer, the housing cover being mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface; a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface; and a protrusion member adjacent the undersurface and connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
123 words
A computer system secured to a docking station comprising: a portable computer including the computer system; a tray having a support surface for supporting the portable computer, and an undersurface opposite the support surface, the tray including a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface; a housing cover including a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the portable computer, the housing cover being mounted on the support surface and including a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface; a latching device mounted adjacent the undersurface; and a protrusion member adjacent the undersurface and connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system as defined in claim 17 wherein the receiver includes a slot formed therein for engagement with the protrusion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system as defined in claim 17 wherein the snap tabs include a hook for engagement with the undersurface.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of securing a computer system on a docking station comprising the steps of: mounting a housing cover on a support surface of the docking station to cover a printed circuit board and a security device, a receiver on the housing cover extending through an opening formed in the support surface, and terminating adjacent an opposite side of the support surface; mounting a latching device on the docking station, the latching device coupled to the security device and including a protrusion movable adjacent the opposite side; and moving the latching device to extend the protrusion into engagement with the receiver for securing the housing cover to the support surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of securing a computer system on a docking station comprising the steps of: mounting a housing cover on a support surface of the docking station to cover a printed circuit board and a security device, a receiver on the housing cover extending through an opening formed in the support surface, and terminating adjacent an opposite side of the support surface; mounting a latching device on the docking station, the latching device coupled to the security device and including a protrusion movable adjacent the opposite side; and moving the latching device to extend the protrusion into engagement with the receiver for securing the housing cover to the support surface.
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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) | 2003-05-09 | 2003-11-08 | 2004-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-09 | 2007-11-08 | 2008-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-09 | 2011-11-08 | 2012-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |