Patent ID: 6123557
Filing Date: 2000-09-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An automatic opening mechanism for a docking station connector cover of a portable computer, for connecting a first connector slot of the portable computer to a second connector slot of a docking station, comprising:(a) a boss projecting from the docking station;(b) a computer cover including:an activation hole defined through the computer cover, the activation hole being shaped and sized for receiving the boss therethrough,a slot opening defined through the computer cover for exposing the first connector slot of the portable computer therethrough,a connecting bar slideably mounted on the computer cover to be slideable in a first direction, the connecting bar having a first end, a second end, and a first hook, the first end being adapted so as to slide the connecting bar when the boss of the docking station projects through the activation hole of the computer cover to contact the first end,a first biasing means having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the second end of the connecting bar, the second end being attached to the computer cover,a docking connector cover for covering the first connector slot, the docking connector cover slideably supported on the computer cover to be slideable in a second direction, the docking connector cover further including a second hook adapted to be selectively engageable with the first hook of the connecting bar, anda second biasing means having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the second hook, the second end being attached to the computer cover;wherein, as the boss of the docking station projects through the activation hole of the computer cover, the boss contacts the first end thereby causing the connecting bar to slide in the first direction to disengage the first hook from the second hook of the docking connector cover, further causing the docking connector cover to be pulled by the second biasing means into an open position.