Patent Publication Number: US-2012025051-A1

Title: Docking station and positioning apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-170411, filed Jul. 29, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to a docking station and a positioning apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Docking stations to be used in electronic devices are known that comprise a positioning mechanism with protrudable-retractable pins. 
     Regarding such docking stations, there is a demand for preventing the occurrence of malfunction such as those in which the protrudable-retractable pins get unlocked by mistake. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective view of a docking station according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary perspective view of a state where an electronic device is mounted on the docking station in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating a positioning mechanism included in the docking station and an electronic device which is yet to be mounted on the docking station in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station and the electronic device mounted on the docking station in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary exploded perspective view for schematically illustrating a positioning mechanism included in a docking station according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 6A  is an exemplary side view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station in a state where pins and operation elements are at protruding positions in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is an exemplary side view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station in a state where the pins and the operation elements are at retracted positions in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exemplary plan view for schematically illustrating a portion in the positioning mechanism included in the docking station where an interlocking member and an eject lever are connected, with the eject lever yet to be operated in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is an exemplary plan view for schematically illustrating the portion in the positioning mechanism included in the docking station where the interlocking member and the eject lever are connected, with the eject lever already operated in the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating a positioning mechanism included in a docking station and an electronic device which is yet to be mounted on the docking station according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 9A  is an exemplary plan view of the positioning mechanism included in the docking station in a state where operation elements are yet to be pressed in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is an exemplary plan view of the positioning mechanism included in the docking station in a state where the operation elements are already pressed in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station and the electronic device in a state where the operation elements are pressed by the electronic device and interlocking members are released from the lock applied by second locking mechanisms in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station and the electronic device in a state where the operation elements are further pressed by the electronic device and pins are released from the lock applied by locking mechanisms in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary vertical cross-sectional view for schematically illustrating the positioning mechanism included in the docking station and the electronic device mounted on the docking station in the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 13A  is an exemplary plan view of a positioning mechanism included in a docking station in a state where operation elements are yet to be pressed according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 13B  is an exemplary plan view of the positioning mechanism included in the docking station in a state where the operation elements are already pressed in the fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is an exemplary plan view for schematically illustrating a docking station according to a fifth embodiment; and 
         FIG. 15  is an exemplary side view for schematically illustrating a pin unit to be mounted on the docking station in the fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, a docking station comprises a main body, a pin, an operation element, a locking mechanism, and a lock releasing mechanism. An electronic device is mounted on the main body. The pin is supported on the main body in a protrudable-retractable manner. The operation element is supported on the main body in a protrudable-retractable manner. The locking mechanism is configured to lock the pin in a protruding position. The lock releasing mechanism is configured to unlock the pin locked by the locking mechanism in response to the pressing of the operation element in a direction in which the operation element is retracted by the electronic device. A tip of the pin in the protruding position is located at a higher level than a tip of the operation element in a protruding position. The operation element is located adjacent to the pin. 
     In exemplary and non-limiting embodiments described below, like constituent elements are referred to by like reference numerals, and repetition is avoided in the explanation of such constituent elements. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to a first embodiment, a docking station  1  functioning as a positioning apparatus comprises a main body  2  having the appearance of an elongated and flat rectangular parallelepiped. The main body  2  comprises a housing  2   a  as its outer block. The docking station  1  is used in a state where the main body  2  is placed on a placing member such as a desk. As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the housing  2   a  houses a circuit board  4  having electronic components such as a connector  3  mounted thereon and houses a portion of a positioning mechanism  5 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the first embodiment, a notebook personal computer  6  as an example of an electronic device has a rear margin portion  6   a  on the rear side in the depth direction of the personal computer  6 . The rear margin portion  6   a  is placed on a top wall  2   b  of the housing  2   a  of the docking station  1 . Besides, the personal computer  6  has a front margin portion  6   b  on the front side in the depth direction of the personal computer  6 . The front margin portion  6   b  is directly placed on a placing member such as a desk. Thus, the personal computer  6  is placed on the placing member in a tilted manner in which the rear margin portion  6   a  on the rear side in the depth direction is raised by the docking station  1 . From  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is clear that the main body  2  of the docking station  1  of the first embodiment has an elongated shape along the width direction of the personal computer  6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of through holes  2   c  are formed on the top wall  2   b  of the housing  2   a  of the main body  2 . Through the through holes  2   c , the connector  3  functioning as a joining member, positioning pins  7 , and operation elements  8  protrude from an upper face  2   d  of the top wall  2   b . On the upper face  2   d  are provided protrusions  5   a  and recesses  5   b  that fit or engage with convex-concave portions (not illustrated) formed on a rear face  6   c  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the personal computer  6 . With the pins  7  and the operation elements  8 , the protrusions  5   a  and the recesses  5   b  also constitute the positioning mechanism  5 . When the personal computer  6  is correctly placed on the main body  2 , the connector  3  is connected to a connector  6   d  (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) located on the rear face  6   c  of the personal computer  6 . 
     On a side wall  2   e  of the housing  2   a  is located an eject lever  9  that serves as an operating member. When operated by the user, the eject lever  9  moves rotationally in the direction away from the side wall  2   e . Due to that movement, eject pins  10 , which move together with the eject lever  9  via an interlocking member (not illustrated) housed in the housing  2   a , protrude from the upper face  2   d  through the through holes  2   c  and push up the rear face  6   c  of the personal computer  6 . As a result, the personal computer  6  moves away from the upper face  2   d  of the main body  2 . At that time, the connector  3  and the connector  6   d  of the personal computer  6  are disconnected from each other. 
     The connection of the connectors  3  and  6   d  enables the personal computer  6  to receive power supply from the docking station  1  for recharging a built-in battery and performing operations. Besides, through the connectors  3  and  6   d , the personal computer  6  communicates various types of signals (communication signals, image signals, audio signals) with the docking station  1 . 
     The personal computer  6  comprises a flat rectangular first main body  6 A and a flat rectangular second main body  6 B. The first main body  6 A and the second main body  6 B are connected via a hinge mechanism  6   e  to be relatively rotatable about a rotation axis Ax between an open state (not illustrated) and a folded state illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The first main body  6 A is provided with input modules such as a keyboard, or click buttons, or a pointing device (not illustrated), while the second main body  6 B is provided with a display panel (not illustrated) such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a display device (component). In the open state of the personal computer  6 , the keyboard, the pointing device, the click buttons, and the display screen of the display panel are exposed to the user so that the user can use them. On the other hand, in the folded state, the keyboard, the pointing device, the click buttons, and the display panel are hidden by the housing. In the first embodiment, even while being mounted on the docking station  1 , the personal computer  6  can be opened for use by the user. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the pins  7  constituting part of the positioning mechanism  5  are arranged on both sides, one on either side, in the longitudinal direction of the connector  3 . In the first embodiment, the pins  7  function not only as positioning members for positioning the personal computer  6  but also as protective members for protecting the connector  3 . In that regard, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , tips (fore-ends)  7   a  of the pins  7  in the protruding position are positioned at a higher level than a tip  3   a  of the connector  3 . This prevents the bottom wall of the personal computer  6  and other components from coming in contact with the connector  3 . 
     However, if the configuration is such that the pins  7  are housed in recesses  6   f  formed on the rear face  6   c  of the personal computer  6  as protruding higher than the connector  3 , the recesses  6   f  need to be deeper. If the recesses  6   f  are deeper, then the space inside a housing  6   g  of the personal computer  6  becomes narrow. That may cause inconveniences such as a decrease in the degree of freedom in the layout of the electronic components or a circuit board  6   h  inside the housing  6   g , or a decrease in the mounting density of the electronic components. With regard to that issue, in the first embodiment, the pins  7  are configured to be protrudable-retractable so that they can be housed in the recesses  6   f  as being retracted (immersed state). That makes it possible to form the recesses  6   f  to be shallower. 
     To achieve the protruding-retracting motion of each pin  7  in the first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the housing  2   a  are provided a locking mechanism  11 , which locks the corresponding pin  7  in the protruding position, and a lock releasing mechanism  12 , which unlocks the corresponding pin  7  locked by the locking mechanism  11 . The lock releasing mechanisms  12  release the respective pins  7  from the locked state, which is forced by the respective locking mechanisms  11 , in response to the pressing of the operation elements  8  in a direction in which it is retracted by the personal computer  6  as a component. That is, in the normal state, the locking mechanisms  11  retain the tips  7   a  of the pins  7  in the protruding position at a higher level than the tip  3   a  of the connector  3 . As the personal computer  6  is moved closer to the main body  2 , the operation elements  8  is pressed by the rear face  6   c  (a bottom wall  6   i ) of the personal computer  6  and the lock releasing mechanisms  12  make the pins  7  retract. 
     However, consider a case when a component (in the first embodiment, the personal computer  6 ) to be mounted (or to be placed, to be abutted, or to be connected) is out of alignment or is tilted with respect to the main body  2  and does not come close the docking station  1  with a correct position or a correct orientation, or consider a case when the operation elements  8  are accidentally pressed by an object other than the component to be mounted or accidentally pressed by the fingers of the user. In such cases, it is desirable that the pins  7  do not retract as much as possible. In that regard, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the operation elements  8  are located adjacent to the pins  7  and the tips  7   a  of the pins  7  in the protruding position are located at a higher level than tips  8   a  of the operation elements  8  in the protruding position. That makes it possible to prevent the operation elements  8  from being accidentally pressed. That is, if the operation elements  8  and the pins  7  are positioned apart from each other, there is a possibility that the operation elements  8  are accidentally pressed by an out-of-alignment component or by a tilted component, which may lead to retraction of the pins  7 . On the other hand, in the first embodiment, since the operation elements  8  and the pins  7  are adjacently located, the pins  7  prevent the operation elements  8  from being pressed by a component or by another object. 
     More specifically, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the operation elements  8  are formed to be in the shape of bottomed cylinders with upward openings (i.e., with openings along the normal direction of the upper face  2   d  of the main body  2 ). In contrast, the pins  7  are formed to be in the shape of bottomed cylinders with downward openings (i.e., with openings along the opposite direction to the normal direction of the upper face  2   d  of the main body  2 ) and are housed inside the cylinders of the respective operation elements  8  in a vertically slidable manner. Thus, in the first embodiment, the operation elements  8  not only are located adjacent to the pins  7  but also encircle the periphery of the pins  7 . Meanwhile, the pins  7  and the operation elements  8  can be made of a metallic material or a synthetic resin material. 
     The operation elements  8  are supported in a vertically movable manner on the housing  2   a  of the main body  2 . The operation elements  8  are not only biased upward (i.e., in the protruding direction) with respect to the main body  2  or with respect to the respective pins  7  by biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated) but are also prevented from protruding further upward than their protruding positions illustrated in  FIG. 3  by latching mechanisms (not illustrated). Similarly, the pins  7  are not only biased upward (i.e., in the protruding direction) with respect to the main body  2  or with respect to the respective the operation elements  8  by biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated) but are also prevented from protruding further upward than their protruding positions illustrated in  FIG. 3  by latching mechanisms (not illustrated). 
     The locking mechanism  11  comprises a plurality of arms  11   a  that are fixed to, for example, the housing  2   a  of the main body  2  and that extend upward, and a locking portion  11   b  formed at the fore-ends of the arms  11   a . The arms  11   a  pass through a through hole  8   c  formed in a bottom wall  8   b  of the corresponding operation element  8 , while the locking portion  11   b  is arranged inside the cylinder of the corresponding operation element  8  as protruding in the outward radial direction at the end of the arms  11   a . The arms  11   a  are biased along the outward radial direction due to their own elasticity or due to biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated). The arms  11   a  are locked at the inner peripheral face (the bottom wall  8   b ) of the corresponding through hole  8   c  in such a way that they cannot not move in the outward radial direction farther than the positions illustrated in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in the normal state when the operation elements  8  are not pressed, the arms  11   a  extend in the outward radial direction and the locking portion  11   b  does not enter an inner cylinder  7   b  of the corresponding pin  7  but remains positioned beneath a bottom face  7   c  of the corresponding pin  7 . Thus, in this normal state, the locking portion  11   b  prevents the corresponding pin  7  from moving downward (i.e., moving in the retracting direction). That is, each pin  7  is retained in the protruding position by the corresponding locking mechanism  11 . 
     The arm  11   a  has a tilted portion  11   c  that extends in the outward radial direction toward downward. The tilted portions  11   c  are formed beneath the bottom wall  8   b  of the corresponding operation element  8 . Thus, when the operation elements  8  move downward upon being pressed, the bottom wall  8   b  of each operation element  8  presses the tilted portions  11   c  of the corresponding arms  11   a  in the inward radial direction, and thereby the arms  11   a  and the locking portion  11   b  of each locking mechanism  11  move in the inward radial direction. Thus, the locking portion  11   b  can enter the inner cylinder  7   b  of the corresponding pin  7 , and the corresponding pin  7  can move downward (i.e., retract). As a result, the restriction on the downward movement of the pins  7  applied by the locking portion  11   b  is lifted. That is, the pins  7  are released from the lock by the respective locking mechanisms  11  as being in the protruding position. In the first embodiment, the bottom wall  8   b  of each operation element  8  and the tilted portions  11   c  of the arms  11   a  corresponding to the operation element  8  constitute the lock releasing mechanism  12 . 
     In the state illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the tips  7   a  of the pins  7  that are locked by the respective locking mechanisms  11  as being in the protruding position are located at a higher level than the tip  3   a  of the connector  3 . In that state, when the user holds the personal computer  6  with his/her hands and moves it down to the correct position (correctly-determined position), each pin  7  is inserted in the corresponding recess  6   f  and, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , margin portions  6   j  of the recesses  6   f  in the bottom wall  6   i  of the personal computer  6  press the operation elements  8  upward. As a result, the pins  7  are released from the lock by the respective locking mechanisms  11  as being in the protruding position. Hence, the pins  7  become retractable. When the personal computer  6  is moved down to the position at which it is placed on the main body  2 , the connector  6   d  is connected to the connector  3 . Then, each pin  7  retracts upon being pressed by a bottom wall  6   k  of the corresponding recess  6   f.    
     As described above, according to the first embodiment, the operation elements  8  are located adjacent to the pins  7  and the tips  7   a  of the pins  7  in the protruding position are located at a higher level than the tips  8   a  of the operation elements  8  in the protruding position. Therefore, the pins  7  prevent the operation elements  8  from being accidentally pressed by another component or object. Moreover, since each pin  7  and the corresponding operation element  8  are passed through the same through hole  2   c , it becomes possible to reduce the time and efforts needed to manufacture the docking station  1 . Besides, regarding the pins  7 , the operation elements  8 , the locking mechanisms  11 , the lock releasing mechanisms  12 , and the supporting members (not illustrated), configuring a module (not illustrated) by integrating those constituent elements further reduces the time and efforts needed to manufacture the docking station  1 . 
     Moreover, according to the first embodiment, each operation element  8  encircles the periphery of the corresponding pin  7 . Hence, when the main body  2  and the personal computer  6  are correctly positioned, the margin portions  6   j  of the recesses  6   f  in the bottom wall  6   i  of the personal computer  6  press the operation elements  8  downward. In the correctly-positioned state, the operation elements  8  are pressed by the personal computer  6  with relative ease, while in the incorrectly-positioned state, the pins  7  prevent the operation elements  8  from being accidentally pressed. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 to 7 , according to a second embodiment, a docking station  1 A comprises pins  7 A and operation elements  8 A constituting a positioning mechanism  5 A and comprises an interlocking member  13 A that operates together with the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A. The interlocking member  13 A is housed in a transversely lying manner (in the direction perpendicular to the protruding-retracting direction of the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A) inside the housing of the main body (not illustrated) of the docking station  1 A. Moreover, the interlocking member  13 A is formed to be belt-like and plate-like in shape from a synthetic resin material or a metallic material, and is reciprocatably supported on the main body in the longitudinal direction (transverse direction) thereof. In the second embodiment too, the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A are supported on the main body in a protrudable-retractable manner, and are biased in their protruding directions. A locking mechanism (not illustrated) is located to prevent the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A from moving upward than the respective predetermined protruding positions. In the protruding position, the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A protrude from the upper face of the main body. The main body prevents the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A from moving in the transverse direction. In  FIGS. 5 to 7 , for the sake of convenience in explanation, the pin  7 A and the corresponding operation element  8  are illustrated to be slightly spaced apart. However, in practice, each pin  7 A and the corresponding operation element  8  are located in a mutually adjacent manner. More specifically, for example, by shifting the positions of the pins  7 A and the respective operation elements  8  in the direction perpendicular to the plane of paper of  FIG. 6 , the pins  7 A and the respective operation elements  8  can be located adjacent in the direction perpendicular to the plane of paper of  FIG. 6 . 
     In the interlocking member  13 A, tilted portions  13   b  are formed on a top face  13   a  at the positions facing the operation elements  8 A. At the lower ends of the operation elements  8 A, tilted portions  8   d  are formed that slide into the tilted portions  13   b . Thus, a downward pressing operation on the operation elements  8 A is transformed into the movement in the longitudinal direction (in the second direction, rightward movement) of the interlocking member  13 A due to the sliding of the tilted portions  8   d  into the tilted portions  13   b.    
     Each pin  7 A comprises a slider  7   d , which is housed in a longitudinally slidable manner in a through hole  13   c  that is formed correspondingly in a rail portion  13   d  of the interlocking member  13 A. Each rail portion  13   d  is formed in between the upper end and the lower end of a tilted portion  13   e , which is formed on the interlocking member  13 A corresponding to each pin  7 A. In the second embodiment, the tilted portions  13   e  are tilted downward and leftward in  FIGS. 5 and 6  as with the tilted portions  13   b  corresponding to the operation elements  8 A. 
     In such a configuration, when the operation elements  8 A are pressed downward by a component such as the personal computer  6  (see  FIG. 2 ), the tilted portions  13   e  move rightward in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . As a result, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B , the tilted portions  13   e  move to the right side thereby enabling the respective pins  7 A to retract downward. Within the movable range of the tilted portions  13   e , the sliders  7   d  of the respective pins  7 A can slide inside the through holes  13   c  formed in the respective rail portions  13   d . Thus, in the second embodiment, upper ends  13   f  of the rail portions  13   d  correspond to the locking mechanisms  11  for locking the pins  7 A in the protruding position, while the tilted portions  8   d  of the operation elements  8 A, the tilted portions  13   b  of the interlocking member  13 A into which the tilted portions  8   d  can slide, and the interlocking member  13 A collectively correspond to the lock releasing mechanisms  12 . 
     Moreover, in the second embodiment, the pins  7 A and operation elements  8 A serve as eject pins. That is, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the interlocking member  13 A is connected to the eject lever  9  via a linking mechanism  14 . The linking mechanism  14  is configured from a slider  13   g  of the interlocking member  13 A and a rail portion  9   b  on the eject level  9  in which an elongated through hole  9   a  is formed for housing the slider  13   g  in a longitudinally movable manner. When the user rotates the eject lever  9  around a rotation center C from the position illustrated in  FIG. 7A  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 7B , the interlocking member  13 A moves leftward in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Consequently, the tilted portions  13   b  and  13   e  on the interlocking member  13 A respectively press the tilted portions  8   d  of the operation elements  8 A and the tilted portions  7   e  of the pins  7 A, and thereby the operation elements  8 A and the pins  7 A protrude upward as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . The protruding pins  7 A and the protruding operation elements  8 A push up the rear face  6   c  (the bottom wall  6   i ) of the personal computer  6 . As a result, the personal computer  6  moves away from the main body. In the second embodiment, since the pins  7 A and the operation elements  8 A can be used as eject pins, the configuration becomes simpler as compared to a configuration in which eject pins are separately provided. This reduces the time and efforts needed to manufacture the docking station  1 A. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 12 , according to a third embodiment, a docking station  1 B comprises pins  7 B and operation elements  8 B constituting a positioning mechanism  5 B and comprises interlocking members  13 B that operate together with the pins  7 B and the operation elements  8 B. The interlocking members  13 B are housed in a transversely lying manner (in the direction perpendicular to the protruding-retracting direction of the pins  7 B and the operation elements  8 B) inside the housing  2   a  of a main body  2 B of the docking station  1 B. In the third embodiment, the interlocking members  13 B are formed to be belt-like and plate-like in shape, and are reciprocatably supported on the main body  2 B in the longitudinal direction (transverse direction) thereof. In the third embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the docking station  1 B comprises two combinations of the pins  7 B, the operation elements  8 B, and the interlocking members  13 B arranged in point symmetry. The two interlocking members  13 B are located on both sides in the short direction of the connector  3  and extend along the longitudinal direction of the connector  3 . Meanwhile, the pins  7 B and the operation elements  8 B are restricted from lateral movement by the main body  2 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the operation elements  8 B are formed to be cylindrical in shape, while the pins  7 B are formed to be columnar in shape and are housed in a vertically reciprocatable manner inside the cylinders of the respective operation elements  8 B. Thus, in the third embodiment also, the operation elements  8  not only are located adjacent to the pins  7 B but also encircle the periphery of the pins  7 B. 
     The operation elements  8 B are supported in a vertically movable manner on, for example, the housing  2   a  of the main body  2 B. The operation elements  8 B are not only biased upward (i.e., in the protruding direction) with respect to the main body  2 B or with respect to the respective pins  7  by biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated) but are also prevented from protruding further upward than their protruding positions illustrated in  FIG. 8  by latching mechanisms (not illustrated). Similarly, the pins  7 B are not only biased upward (i.e., in the protruding direction) with respect to the main body  2 B or with respect to the respective operation elements  8 B by biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated) but are also prevented from protruding further upward than their protruding positions illustrated in  FIG. 8  by latching mechanisms (not illustrated). 
     Locking mechanisms  11 B to lock the pins  7 B in the protruding position comprise part of the interlocking members  13 B. In the third embodiment, one end in the longitudinal direction of each interlocking member  13 B serves as an engaging portion  13   h  that restricts the corresponding pin  7 B from being pressed toward the inside of the housing  2   a  (downward, in the retracting direction). At the lower end of each pin  7 B, a notch opening toward the lower side as well as toward the outside is formed as a portion for engagement  7   f  with which the corresponding engaging portion  13   h  engages. Besides, at the lower end of each operation element  8 B, a notch  8   i  opening toward the lower side is formed to avoid interference with the corresponding engaging portion  13   h . In the third embodiment, the engaging portions  13   h  correspond to the locking mechanisms  11 B. The interlocking members  13 B are biased by biasing mechanisms such as coil springs (not illustrated) in the direction in which the engaging portions  13   h  of the locking mechanisms  11 B enter the portions for engagement  7   f.    
     Lock releasing mechanisms  12 B to release the pins  7 B from the locked state applied by the locking mechanisms  11 B also comprise part of the interlocking members  13 B. In the third embodiment, on the other end in the longitudinal direction of each interlocking member  13 B, the lock releasing mechanism  12 B is formed that, with downward movement of the corresponding operation element  8 B, moves the corresponding engaging portion  13   h  in the outward radial direction, i.e., in the direction of releasing the engagement between the corresponding engaging portion  13   h  and the portion for engagement  7   f . On each lock releasing mechanism  12 B, a tilted portion  8   e  is formed below a protrusion  8   f  that protrudes from the lower end of the corresponding operation element  8 B in the outward radial direction. The more the engaging portion  13   h  of each interlocking member  13 B moves away from the corresponding portion for engagement  7   f  (i.e., moves in the right direction regarding the lower interlocking member  13 B illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , or moves in the left direction regarding the upper interlocking member  13 B illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 9B ), the more it tilts toward the protruding direction of the corresponding operation element  8 B (i.e., tilts upward). Meanwhile, each protrusion  8   f  extends along the axial direction of the corresponding operation element  8 B and, in the third embodiment, is located over the area from the lower end to the upper end of the corresponding operation element  8 B. On the other hand, at the bottom of a protrusion  13   m  that protrudes from the other end of each interlocking member  13 B toward the inward radial direction of the corresponding operation element  8 B, a tilted portion  13   k  is formed that slides from opposite at the lower side of the corresponding tilted portion  8   e . In such a configuration, when the operation elements  8 B retract to the inside of the housing  2   a  upon being pressed, the interlocking members  13 B move in the longitudinal direction due to the sliding of the tilted portions  8   e  and  13   k , and the engaging portions  13   h  move away from the respective portions for engagement  7   f . Hence, in the third embodiment, the tilted portions  8   e  and  13   k  correspond to the lock releasing mechanisms  12 B. Meanwhile, each interlocking member  13 B corresponds to a second interlocking member. 
     As is clear from  FIG. 9 , in the third embodiment, a pair of the pin  7 B and the corresponding adjacent operation element  8 B is located on both sides the longitudinal direction in such a way that the connector  3  is sandwiched therebetween. Besides, in the third embodiment, the lock of one of the two pins  7 B (e.g., the pin  7 B on the left side in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) is released via one of the interlocking members  13 B (e.g., the lower interlocking member  13 B in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) when the operation element  8 B located adjacent to the other of the two pins  7 B (e.g., the pin  7 B on the right side in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) is pressed. Similarly, the lock of the other of the two pins  7 B (e.g., the pin  7 B on the right side in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) is released via one of the interlocking members  13 B (e.g., the upper interlocking member  13 B in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) when the operation element  8 B located adjacent to the other pin  7 B (e.g., the pin  7 B on the left side in  FIG. 9A  or  9 B) is pressed. Due to such a configuration, if only one of the operation elements  8 B is locally and accidentally pressed by a component, an objet, or a finger, the pin  7 B located adjacent to that pressed operation element  8 B is not unlocked. For this reason, it becomes possible to further prevent the situation in which local and accidental pressing leads to retraction of the operation element  8 B and the corresponding pin  7 B, and eventually the connector  3  is affected. Besides, regarding the component (in the third embodiment, the personal computer  6 ) to be mounted (or to be placed, to be abutted, or to be connected), since the two pins  7 B are unlocked when both of the operation elements  8 B are pressed, the possibility of any malfunctioning condition is eliminated. That is, in the third embodiment, the two pins  7 B in the protruding position are unlocked only when both the operation elements  8 B are pressed. Such a configuration enables prevention of accidental unlocking of the pins  7 B. 
     Moreover, in the third embodiment, regarding one of the two operation elements  8 B (first operation element  8 B), the movement of the corresponding interlocking member  13 B that occurs due to the pressing of the first operation element  8 B is controlled by the other operation element (second operation element  8 B). More specifically, at that end of the interlocking member  13 B on which the engaging portion  13   h  is formed, a portion for engagement  13   j  is formed in the transverse direction (perpendicular to the exit direction of the engaging portion  13   h ). Besides, on the corresponding operation element  8 B, an engaging portion  8   g  is formed for engaging the portion for engagement  13   j  in the exit direction of the engaging portion  13   h . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the operation elements  8 B move downward upon being pressed, the portions for engagement  13   j  are released from engagement by the respective engaging portions  8   g . Thus, in the third embodiment, each engaging portion  8   g  and the corresponding portion for engagement  13   j  constitute a second locking mechanism  15 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the operation elements  8 B are slightly pressed, the second locking mechanisms  15 B are unlocked first. Thus, in the third embodiment, each operation element  8 B corresponds to a second lock releasing mechanism  16 B. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when the operation elements  8 B are further pressed, the locking mechanisms  11 B are unlocked by the respective lock releasing mechanisms  12 B. Thus, in the third embodiment, the pins  7 B are unlocked only when both the operation elements  8 B are pressed but not when only one of the operation elements  8 B is pressed. Due to such a configuration, it becomes possible to further prevent the pins  7 B from being accidentally unlocked. Moreover, in the third embodiment, to ensure that the locks applied by the locking mechanisms  11 B are released by the respective lock releasing mechanisms  12 B only after the locks applied by the second locking mechanisms  15 B are released by the respective second lock releasing mechanisms  16 B, in the normal state, the tilted portions  8   e  and  13   k  constituting each lock releasing mechanism  12 B are spaced apart from each other as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Subsequently, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , only after the locks applied by the second locking mechanisms  15 B are released by the pressing of the operation elements  8 B serving as the second lock releasing mechanisms  16 B, the tilted portions  8   e  and  13   k  constituting each lock releasing mechanism  12 B abut against each other and the sliding thereof leads to the unlocking of the pins  7 B locked by the respective locking mechanisms  11 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 11 , when the personal computer  6  is moved close to the main body  2 B, the sliding of the tilted portions  8   e  and  13   k  constituting each lock releasing mechanism  12 B causes the protrusion  13   m  of the corresponding interlocking member  13 B to move by a predetermined distance in the transverse direction. As a result, with respect to the protrusion  8   f  of each operation element  8 B, the corresponding protrusion  13   m  moves around to the opposite side of the engaging portion  13   h  so that the protrusions  13   m  and  8   f  are engaged in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding interlocking member  13 B. Thus, in the third embodiment, when the locks applied by the locking mechanisms  11  are released by the respective lock releasing mechanisms  12 , the protrusions  8   f  prevent the respective protrusions  13   m , i.e., the respective interlocking members  13 B, from moving toward the respective engaging portions  13   h . As a result, the released state does not return to the locking state applied by the locking mechanisms  11 B. Besides, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when the operation elements  8 B are pressed downward while the protrusions  13   m  and the respective protrusions  8   f  are in the engaged state, a sliding surface  13   n  of each protrusion  13   m  and a sliding surface  8   h  of the corresponding protrusion  8   f  slide against each other. 
     When the user moves the personal computer  6  closer to the main body  2 B, the bottom wall  6   i  is placed on the top wall  2   b  and the connectors  3  and  6   d  are connected as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The pins  7 B are housed in the respective recesses  6   f , and the tip  7   a  of each pin  7 B abuts against the bottom wall  6   k  of the corresponding recess  6   f.    
     According to the third embodiment, each lock releasing mechanism  12 B releases the lock of the corresponding pin  7 B locked by the corresponding locking mechanism  11 B in response to the pressing of the operation element  8 B that is located adjacent to the other pin  7 B than the pin  7 B under consideration. Hence, even if one of the operation elements  8 B is locally and accidentally pressed, the pin  7 B located adjacent to that pressed operation element  8 B is not unlocked. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the situation in which local and accidental pressing leads to retraction of the operation element  8 B and the corresponding pin  7 B, and eventually causes interference between the connector  3  and, for example, a component, an objet, or a finger. 
     Moreover, in the third embodiment, the second locking mechanisms  15 B control the interlocking operation of the respective interlocking members  13 B, which use the respective lock releasing mechanisms  12 B to release the lock on the respective pins  7 B in conjunction with the pressing of one of the operation elements  8 B (e.g., first operation element  8 B). Then, the second lock releasing mechanisms  16 B release the lock of the interlocking members  13 B, which have been locked by the respective second locking mechanisms  15 B, in response to the pressing of the other operation element  8 B (e.g., second operation element  8 B). Thus, each pin  7 B is unlocked only when both of the first operation element  8 B and the second operation element  8 B are pressed. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the situation in which local and accidental pressing of one of the operation elements  8 B leads to retraction of the pins  7 B, and eventually causes interference between the connector  3  and, for example, a component, an objet, or a finger. 
     According to a fourth embodiment, a docking station  1 C illustrated in  FIG. 13  comprises pins  7 C, operation elements  8 C, locking mechanisms  11 C, a lock releasing mechanism  12 C, and a second lock releasing mechanism  16 C, which are respectively identical to the pins  7 B, the operation elements  8 B, the locking mechanisms  11 B, the lock releasing mechanisms  12 B, and the second lock releasing mechanisms  16 B according to the third embodiment. However, in the fourth embodiment, the locking mechanisms  11 C corresponding to the two pins  7 C are provided to a single interlocking member  13 C. Moreover, the lock releasing mechanism  12 C is provided to only one of the two operation elements  8 C, while a second locking mechanism  15 C and the second lock releasing mechanism  16 C are provided to the other operation element  8 C. The locking mechanisms  11 C comprise the engaging portions  13   h  that are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the interlocking member  13 C and the portions for engagement  7   f  formed on the pins  7 C corresponding to the engaging portions  13   h . The lock releasing mechanism  12 C comprises the tilted portion  8   e  that is formed on the protrusion  8   f  of one of the two operation elements  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the right side) and the tilted portion  13   k  that is formed correspondingly to the tilted portion  8   e  on the protrusion  13   m  of the interlocking member  13 C. The second locking mechanism  15 C comprises the engaging portion  8   g  formed on one of the two operation elements  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the left side) and the portion for engagement  13   j  formed correspondingly to the engaging portion  8   g  on the interlocking member  13 C. The second lock releasing mechanism  16 C comprises the operation element  8 C on which the lock releasing mechanism  12 C is not located (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the left side). In the fourth embodiment also, each pin  7 C and the corresponding operation element  8 C constitute a portion of a positioning mechanism  5 C. 
     According to the fourth embodiment, the plurality of pins  7 C (in the fourth embodiment, the two pins  7 C) locked by the respective locking mechanisms  11 C are unlocked by the lock releasing mechanism  12 C when one of the two operation elements  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the right side) is pressed. However, the interlocking member  13 C locked by the second locking mechanism  15 C is unlocked by the second lock releasing mechanism  16 C when the other of the two operation elements  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the left side) is pressed. Hence, only when both the operation elements  8 C are pressed, the lock releasing mechanism  12 C operates effectively and releases the lock of the respective pins  7 C locked by the locking mechanisms  11 C. However, when only one of the two operation elements  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the right side) is pressed or when only the other operation element  8 C (in  FIG. 13 , the operation element  8 C on the left side) is pressed, the pins  7 C locked by the respective locking mechanisms  11 C are not unlocked. Thus, in the fourth embodiment also, each pin  7 C is unlocked only when both of the first operation element  8 C and the second operation element  8 C are pressed. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the situation in which local and accidental pressing of one of the operation elements  8 C leads to retraction of the pins  7 C, and eventually causes interference between the connector  3  and, for example, a component, an objet, or a finger. Moreover, in the fourth embodiment, the functions identical to those described in the third embodiment can be executed with a smaller number of components. 
     According to a fifth embodiment, in a docking station  1 D illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a main body  2 D has a plurality of recesses  18  formed therein as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . In each recess  18 , a pin unit  17 D illustrated in  FIG. 15  can be detachably inserted. Each pin unit  17 D comprises a pin  7 D and an operation element  8 D, and constitutes a portion of a positioning mechanism  5 D. Depending on which of a plurality of personal computers  19 A to  19 C is to be mounted on the docking station  1 D, the user can alter the recesses  18  for inserting the pin units  17 D. As a result, the same docking station  1 D can be shared among the personal computers  19 A to  19 C. The pin unit  17 D illustrated as an example in  FIG. 15  can also be configured in such a way that a housing  17   a  houses the pin  7 , the operation element  8 , the locking mechanism  11 , and the lock releasing mechanism  12  described in the first embodiment. In this case, the housing  17   a  is inserted in one of the recesses  18  and is fixed to the docking station  1 D. Meanwhile, on the periphery of the housing  17   a  is formed an elastically deformable protrusion  17   b . According to the fifth embodiment, even with a configuration in which detachably-insertable pins (individual components) are used instead of the pin units  17 D, the docking station  1 D can be shared among a plurality of electronic devices. 
     While the above embodiments are described as being applied to a docking station used for docking a notebook personal computer, they may be applicable to a docking station or a positioning apparatus for other electronic device such as a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartbook, a smartphone, and a cellular phone. 
     Regarding the docking station, the positioning mechanism, the electronic device, the personal computer, the component, the main body, the pin, the operation element, the locking mechanism, the lock releasing mechanism, the second locking mechanism, the second lock releasing mechanism, the interlocking member, the operating member, the positioning mechanism, and the mounting portion, the specifications (operating method, structure, shape, material, size, length, width, number, arrangement, position, operating direction, approaching/receding direction, etc.) can be suitably modified. Besides, on the main body, the pins and the operation elements can be supported either directly or indirectly via a predetermined member. 
     Moreover, the various modules of the systems described herein can be implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers. While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may share some or all of the same underlying logic or code. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.