The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 17, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 08, 1995
Jeffrey Doss, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Roy Kenneth Fischer, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Randall Ronald Toltzman, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Christopher Harold Davey, Tempe, AZ (US);
Electronics Accessory Specialists International, Scottsdale, AZ (US);
Abstract
A docking module can electrically connect a portable computer to a plurality of ancillary support devices. Engagement devices can alternately pull and push the portable computer relative to the housing. A sliding deck projects from the housing and is adapted to underlie and pull the portable computer toward the housing. The module has a plurality of electrically interconnected connectors mounted on panels on opposite sides of a housing. These panels are separately mounted at front and rear openings in the housing. A standard blank panel can have holes formed in it in a variety connector patterns to accommodate a variety of portable computers. Accordingly, the module is readily adapted to a portable computer by selecting a mounting pattern for the connectors on one of the panels, without a need to modify the housing. Also the docking module can be customized by using a standard reciprocating mechanism and selecting a customized mating implement to attach to the reciprocating mechanism.