Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Justin Carl Lind

Scott Douglas Bowers

John S Campbell

Joseph Benjamin Gault

Anthony Ernest Hillyerd

John Stephen Campbell

A computing device is described. The computing device includes a first portion with a protrusion and a second portion separably connected to the first portion. The second portion has a receptacle. An undocking assist mechanism is configured to separate the first portion from the second portion when the protrusion is at least partially inserted into the receptacle. An actuator is configured to actuate the undocking assist mechanism. Methods of use are also described.

Undocking assist mechanisms and methods of use

Aspects described herein generally relate to a capture connector an actuated locking device. The actuator mechanism includes a capture connector having a body and at least one contact element connectable to the body, wherein each contact element comprises a first contact surface extending in a first direction and a second contact surface extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The actuator mechanism further includes a shape memory wire extending in a third direction adjacent to the capture connector, and at least one termination component fixedly coupled to the shape memory wire. The shape memory wire has at least one of a first actuation state and a second actuation state, and in the first actuation state, the shape memory wire generates an actuator force in the third direction, which is normal or oblique to the first direction of the first contact surface.

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Issaquah, WA, United States of America

Justin Carl Lind