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:
Feb. 08, 2000
Filed:
Jan. 27, 1998
Bryan Howell, Austin, TX (US);
John W Lai, San Francisco, CA (US);
Bryan Hunter, Meridian, ID (US);
Peter Skilman, San Carlos, CA (US);
Steve Gluskoter, Austin, TX (US);
Dell U.S.A., L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
A docking tray includes first guides for receiving a first docking device of a first size and second guides for receiving a second docking device of a second size. Contacts are provided adjacent the first and second guides. A display and control area is provided on the tray, remote from the guides, and is electrically connected to the contacts. The first and second docking devices each have contacts which matingly engage the tray contacts to provide communication with the display and control area. Grip members are formed on opposite sides of the tray and extend inwardly into the tray. The tray has a low profile and includes a surface having a tilt angle of less than two degrees.