Patent ID: 6264484
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: G06F,H01R

Abstract:
A docking station for a notebook computer having a bottom side provided with a downwardly oriented docking connector, said docking station comprising:a housing having a top side provided with an upwardly oriented electrical connector adapted for mating with the docking connector of the notebook computer in a vertical direction;an ejector member mounted in said housing and movable upwardly and downwardly between an ejecting position in which said ejector member abuts against the bottom side of the notebook computer and applies an upward pushing force to the notebook computer, and a retracting position, in which said ejector member moves away from the bottom side of the notebook computer;a rotary shaft mounted in said housing and coupled to said ejector member, said rotary shaft being rotatable in a first direction for moving said ejector member to said ejecting position and in a second direction opposite to the first direction for moving said ejector member to said retracting position;an operating member mounted on said housing and coupled to said rotary shaft, said operating member being operable from an exterior of said housing for rotating said rotary shaft in the first and second directions, wherein said rotary shaft includes a U-shaped section with opposite ends, and a lateral section connected to one of said ends of said U-shaped section, said rotary shaft being rotatable relative to said housing about an axis of said lateral section, said ejector member being mounted on said U-shaped section and being movable between the ejecting and retracting position when said rotary shaft is rotated.