Manual docking apparatus having latch and drive mechanism for a portable

Abstract

An expansion base structure is provided with a manual docking system useable to releasably connect a portable computer to desktop computer peripherals such as a keyboard, printer and monitor, via a first electrical connector carried by a rear portion of the base structure. The docking system includes a moveable latch and drive structure that is driveably linked to a manually pivotable control lever. Docking is initiated by placing the computer on a support deck portion of the expansion base and then pushing the computer rearwardly into latched engagement with the latch and drive structure, with latch arm portions thereof received and locked within holes in the rear side wall of the computer. The computer may be operatively docked by then pushing the computer further rearwardly until an electrical connector on its rear side mates with an electrical connector on the expansion base, or by pivoting the lever to cause the latch arms to rearwardly pull the computer to effect this connector mating. To undock the computer the lever is rotated in the opposite direction to decouple the latch arms from the computer and to force a drive plate portion of the docking structure forwardly against the rear side of the computer to forcibly disengage the two electrical connectors.