US6091602A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer docking station for horizontal or vertical positioning
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1996-10-03
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2016-10-03
Abstract
Abstract A computer docking station for docking a portable computer has an enclosure with a top, a bottom, a front, a back, and two opposing sides. A docking slot is formed between the top and bottom of the enclosure and is continuously open to the front and to one of the sides of the enclosure. The docking slot is sized to receive the portable computer, which may be inserted from the front, side, or diagonally. The docking slot has a width and depth such that the portable computer projects from the front and side of the docking station when docked. In this manner, modules exposed on the front and side of the portable computer are both equally accessible when the portable computer is docked. The docking station may be oriented horizontally or vertically according to user preference. A detachable foot can be employed to help support the docking station in the vertical position. The docking station has an electronic interface port to electronically interconnect with the portable computer when the portable computer is docked. The interface couples the portable computer to a primary circuit card, such as a PCI bus card, mounted within the docking station. The circuit card is aligned in a front to back orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacques H. Helot
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:09
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/10; F16M11/20; F16M11/22; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1632; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A computer docking station for docking a portable computer, comprising: an enclosure having a front, a back, a first side and a second side; and a docking slot formed in the enclosure to receive the portable computer, the docking slot having a slot front dimension and a slot side dimension, the portable computer having a computer front having a computer front dimension, and a first computer side having a computer side dimension; and wherein the entire computer front and the entire first computer side are visible and accessible from the slot front and the slot side when docked, such that the portable computer can be removed from the docking slot from the front of the enclosure and from the first side of the enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A computer docking station for docking a portable computer, comprising: an enclosure having a front, a back, a first side and a second side; and a docking slot formed in the enclosure to receive the portable computer, the docking slot having a slot front dimension and a slot side dimension, the portable computer having a computer front having a computer front dimension, and a first computer side having a computer side dimension; and wherein the entire computer front and the entire first computer side are visible and accessible from the slot front and the slot side when docked, such that the portable computer can be removed from the docking slot from the front of the enclosure and from the first side of the enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the enclosure can be positioned both horizontally and vertically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electronic interface port to electronically interconnect with the portable computer when the portable computer is docked.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising a circuit board mounted within the enclosure and oriented in a front to back alignment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer assembly, comprising: a docking station having an enclosure with a front, a back, a first side and a second side, the docking station having a docking slot formed in the enclosure to receive a portable computer, the docking slot having a slot front dimension and a slot side dimension; and the portable computer having a computer front having a computer front dimension, and a first computer side having a computer side dimension, the portable computer sized to be received within the docking slot of the enclosure, the portable computer having a compatible electronic interface port which couples to the port of the docking station when the portable computer is docked, and the entire portable computer front and the entire first computer side are visible and accessible from the slot front and the slot side when docked, such that the portable computer can be removed from the docking slot from the front of the enclosure and from the first side of the enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
164 words
A computer assembly, comprising: a docking station having an enclosure with a front, a back, a first side and a second side, the docking station having a docking slot formed in the enclosure to receive a portable computer, the docking slot having a slot front dimension and a slot side dimension; and the portable computer having a computer front having a computer front dimension, and a first computer side having a computer side dimension, the portable computer sized to be received within the docking slot of the enclosure, the portable computer having a compatible electronic interface port which couples to the port of the docking station when the portable computer is docked, and the entire portable computer front and the entire first computer side are visible and accessible from the slot front and the slot side when docked, such that the portable computer can be removed from the docking slot from the front of the enclosure and from the first side of the enclosure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the enclosure can be positioned both horizontally and vertically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the portable computer can be slid into the docking slot at an angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the docking station has a circuit board mounted within the enclosure and oriented in a front to back alignment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the docking slot has a shallow width and depth in comparison to dimensions of the portable computer so that the portable computer projects from the docking station in both the front and the side directions when docked.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one detachable foot sized to attach to the enclosure to support the enclosure in a vertical position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 10, wherein the foot has a guide groove which aligns with the docking slot to guide the portable computer into the enclosure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the slot front dimension is less than the computer front dimension, such that the portable computer project from the enclosure first side.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the slot side dimension is less that the computer side dimension, such that the portable computer projects from the enclosure front.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A computer docking station as recited in claim 1, wherein the slot front dimension is less than the computer front dimension, and the slot side dimension is less than the first computer side dimension, such that the portable computer projects from the enclosure front and the enclosure first side.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the docking station has at least one detachable foot sized to attach to the enclosure to support the enclosure in a vertical position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the foot has a guide groove which aligns with the docking slot to guide the portable computer into the enclosure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the slot front dimension is less than the computer front dimension, such that the portable computer projects from the enclosure first side.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the slot side dimension is less that the computer side dimension, such that the portable computer projects from the enclosure front.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
A computer assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the slot front dimension is less than the computer front dimension, and the slot side dimension is less than the first computer side dimension, such that the portable computer projects from the enclosure front and the enclosure first side.
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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) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |