Patent Description:
A docking station allows laptop computers to become a substitute for a desktop computer without sacrificing the mobile computing functionality of the machine. For example, port replicator-type docking stations allow multiple peripherals-such as a keyboard, a printer, a mouse, and/or one or more monitors-to be connected to the laptop simultaneously by simply connecting the laptop to the docking station. Thus, the user can get access to an external full-sized keyboard, standard mouse, full-size monitor(s), a printer/scanner and a wired network connection when working in the office environment. Ergonomic positioning of the external keyboard and monitor allow the user to assume a more comfortable, neutral posture at the workstation, thus reducing the musculoskeletal stress typically associated with the prolonged use of laptop computers.

In a typical office configuration, the docking station will be located on the work surface to allow the user to easily connect the laptop to the dock. However, while this location provides the convenience of a quick and easy connection to the laptop, the docking station can take up valuable workspace, regardless of whether a vertical stand-alone docking station or a horizontal style docking station is utilized. Moreover, current generation docking stations positioned on the work surface leave the permanent cables exposed on the work surface, creating a cluttered work environment. <CIT> discloses a computer docking station. <CIT> discloses a docking mechanism for locking and undocking multiple electronic instruments.

Aspects, embodiments and examples of the present disclosure which do not fall under the scope of the appended claims do not form part of the invention and are merely provided for illustrative purposes. The invention disclosed herein is directed to a computer docking station devised to save desktop space while also eliminating the presence of permanent cables that can clutter the work surface. Whereas prior art computer docking stations typically are unitary units that take up valuable space on the work surface, the computer docking station of the present invention significantly reduces the docking station's desktop footprint by utilizing a split design, with a lower dock subassembly positioned beneath the work surface for housing the permanent cables necessary for the computer workstation to operate, and an upper dock subassembly comprising one or more data ports positioned on top of the work surface. In certain embodiments, a monitor arm mount can also be integrated into the upper dock subassembly, thereby alleviating the need for a separate monitor arm mount without negatively impacting the docking station's footprint. The split-design computer docking station of the present invention provides for improved accessibility to commonly used ports such as universal serial bus (USB) ports, high-speed charging port(s) and audio/microphone ports, while eliminating unsightly permanent cables (e.g., power, video, and network cables) from the desktop, which not only improves aesthetics and the amount of available desk space, but also eliminates the safety hazard of having cables on the work surface and prevents users from intentionally or unintentionally tampering with permanent cables.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every possible implementation. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, which are not true to scale, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate further various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with the present invention:.

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

As used herein, the terms "a" or "an" are defined as one or more than one. The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. The terms "including," "having," or "featuring," as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein, the term "about" or "approximately" applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. Relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, right and left, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.

Described now are exemplary embodiments of the present invention. An exemplary embodiment of the computer docking station is depicted in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the computer docking station <NUM> can comprise an upper dock subassembly <NUM> connected to a lower dock subassembly <NUM>. The upper dock subassembly <NUM> is designed to house active data port connectors (i.e., frequently connected/disconnected), while the lower dock subassembly <NUM> is designed to house passive data port connectors (i.e., infrequently connected/disconnected). The upper dock subassembly <NUM> can include a data port hub <NUM>, a monitor arm mount <NUM>, and a bracket <NUM>. The monitor arm mount <NUM> is preferably attached or integrated into the top of the data port hub <NUM>, while the bracket <NUM> is preferably attached to the rear or bottom of the data port hub <NUM>. The lower dock subassembly <NUM> can include a lower subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM> positioned within a lower dock housing <NUM>. A means for securing the lower dock subassembly <NUM> to the bottom of a work surface <NUM> can comprise a clamp support or bracket <NUM> and a screw <NUM>. The lower dock housing <NUM> and clamp support <NUM> can be attached to the bracket <NUM> of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> with one or more fasteners. Meanwhile, the screw <NUM> is threadingly engaged with the clamp support <NUM>. In order to secure the computer docking station <NUM> to a work surface or table <NUM>, the user can rotate the screw <NUM> until the screw's distal end comes into contact with the underside of the work surface <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, the lower dock housing <NUM> of the lower dock subassembly <NUM> is attached to the bracket <NUM> of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> with a sufficient space in-between to accommodate a work surface <NUM> of varying thicknesses.

A variety of alternative mechanisms can be utilized to mount the lower dock subassembly <NUM> and the upper dock subassembly <NUM> to the work surface. For example, in a first alternative embodiment, the clamp support <NUM> and screw <NUM> can be replaced with a fixed bracket that permanently attaches the computer docking station <NUM> to the work surface. In a second alternative embodiment, the clamp support <NUM> and screw <NUM> can be replaced with a means for removably mounting the computer docking station <NUM> to a slat wall. In a third alternative embodiment, the computer docking station <NUM> can utilize separate brackets to mount the lower dock subassembly <NUM> and the upper dock subassembly <NUM> to the work surface, thereby allowing for greater flexibility in mounting locations for each subassembly. In a fourth alternative embodiment, the upper dock subassembly <NUM> can be secured to the work surface, while the lower dock subassembly <NUM> is free hanging from a flexible connector to the upper dock subassembly <NUM>, thereby allowing the user to quickly adjust the positioning of the lower dock subassembly <NUM> relative to the upper dock subassembly <NUM>. While <FIG> depict the upper and lower dock subassemblies <NUM>,<NUM> positioned in a horizontal orientation, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that either or both of the dock subassemblies <NUM>,<NUM> can alternatively be positioned in a vertical orientation.

The active data port connectors of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> can be linked to the internal components of the lower dock subassembly <NUM> via one or more bridge cables <NUM>. In a preferred embodiment, a single bridge cable <NUM> is utilized to connect the active data port connectors of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> to the internal components of the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, multiple bridge cables <NUM> can be utilized to link the various data ports, or the bridge cable(s) <NUM> can be replaced with wireless connection.

Referring now to <FIG>, the upper dock subassembly <NUM> can feature a data port hub <NUM>, a monitor arm mount <NUM>, a bracket <NUM>, and one or more data ports <NUM>-<NUM>. The data port hub <NUM> can comprise a hub cover 21a attached to a hub base 21c for housing an upper subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) <NUM>, while also providing sufficient rigidity to support the weight of one or more monitors attached to the upper dock subassembly <NUM>. The hub cover 21a the hub base 21c, the bracket <NUM>, and the monitor arm mount <NUM> can be connected with one or more fasteners <NUM>, can be molded with snap-fit joints, or can be attached by any other means known in the art. In certain embodiments, a bracket cover <NUM> can be utilized to secure and hide the one or more bridge cables <NUM> linking the active data port connectors of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> to the internal components of the lower dock subassembly <NUM>.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the upper subassembly PCBA <NUM> can feature an indicator light <NUM> and one or more data ports <NUM>-<NUM>. The indicator light <NUM> functions to provide the user feedback regarding the operation status of the computer docking station <NUM>. Data port <NUM> can be an audio combo jack port, while data ports <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> preferably are USB-A <NUM> SS (SuperSpeed, <NUM>. 9A) data ports which allow users to connect USB peripherals and mobile devices to the user's laptop via the computer docking station <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, data port <NUM> is a USB <NUM> BC <NUM> (<NUM>. 5A) charging port, while data ports <NUM> and <NUM> are USB-C ports capable to be used for both connectivity and power. Data port <NUM> can comprise a USB <NUM> B-Type upstream connector port designed to be linked to the user's laptop. The USB <NUM> B-Type upstream connector port <NUM> allows for the transfer of data, video and audio information between the computer and peripherals through the computer docking station <NUM>, as well as the transfer of power when USB C-Type connector cables are utilized. In alternative embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily acknowledge that the locations and types of data ports <NUM>-<NUM> can easily be modified to adapt to changing technologies and uses of the data ports. For example, the back of the data port hub can be used to accommodate one or more of the data ports <NUM>-<NUM>. In certain embodiments the upper subassembly PCBA <NUM> can also feature a wireless charging platform for mobile devices.

Referring now to <FIG>, the lower dock subassembly <NUM> of the lower dock subassembly <NUM> can comprise a clamp foot 41a, a top member 41b and a bottom member 41c. The clamp foot 41a is attached to the top member 41b, while the top member 41b is attached to the bottom member 41c to provide a housing for the lower subassembly PCBA <NUM>. The clamp foot 41a, the top member 41b and the bottom member 41c can be connected with one or more fasteners <NUM>, can be molded with snap-fit joints, or can be attached by any other means known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in <FIG>, the lower subassembly PCBA <NUM> features one or more power and data ports <NUM>-<NUM>. Data port <NUM> can comprise a RJ45 <NUM> Mbit Ethernet connector for providing the user's laptop with a wired internet connection through the computer docking station <NUM>. Data port <NUM> can comprise a Display Port connector and data port <NUM> can comprise an HDMI connector for allowing monitor(s) to be connected to the computer docking station <NUM>. Alternatively, these data port could be a DVI, HDMI or USB-C type connectors/ports. Data ports 54a-c can be USB-A <NUM> SS (SuperSpeed, <NUM>. 9A) data ports which allow users to connect USB peripherals to the user's laptop via the computer docking station <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, data ports 54a-c can be any type of USB port, including but not limited to USB <NUM> BC <NUM> (<NUM>. 5A) charging ports and USB-C ports.

Referring now to <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment data port <NUM> can comprise a DC power connector through which power is supplied to the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. Data port <NUM> can comprise USB-A <NUM> SS data bridge cable connector capable of being mated to the bridge cable <NUM> for transferring data between the upper subassembly PCBA <NUM> of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> and the lower subassembly PCBA <NUM> of the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. Alternatively, Data port <NUM> can comprise a USB-C connector or can be replaced with a wireless communication mechanism. Data port <NUM> can comprise a USB-A mini <NUM> audio combo bridge cable connector or a USB-C port/connector to allow the transfer of audio data between the upper dock subassembly <NUM> and the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. Lastly, data port <NUM> can comprise a DC power bridge cable connector, or alternatively a USB-C connector, for providing power to the upper dock subassembly <NUM> and attached laptop.

Referring now to <FIG>, the computer docking station <NUM> can further comprise a cable management enclosure <NUM> attached to either, or both, sides of the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. The cable management enclosure <NUM> features an upper cable housing <NUM> mated with snap joints to a lower lid <NUM>. The upper housing <NUM> preferably has three internal hooks allowing the user to wrap any cable slack around the hooks for storage within the cable management enclosure <NUM>. Adhesive or mechanical-based fastening strips <NUM> (e.g., hook and loop fasteners) can be utilized to secure the upper cable housing <NUM> to the undersurface of the work surface <NUM>. The cable management enclosure <NUM> may also contain an alignment tab <NUM> for aligning and securing the cable housing <NUM> to the lower dock subassembly <NUM> of the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. A flexible hinge insert <NUM> can be utilized to releasably connect the lower lid <NUM> to the cable housing <NUM> so as to allow a user to access the cable management enclosure <NUM> by folding down the lower lid <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an alternative embodiment of a computer docking station <NUM> is depicted. The computer docking station <NUM> features an upper dock subassembly <NUM> having a removable data port hub <NUM>. By having a data port hub <NUM> that can be selectively detached from the remainder of the upper dock subassembly <NUM>, the computer docking station <NUM> provides users the benefit of more easily removing the upper subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 210b (e.g., for repair or replacement) without having to disassemble the entire computer docking station and attached peripherals. The computer docking station <NUM> also provides users the benefit of more easily removing the upper subassembly PCBA) 210b for updating the hardware or firmware and allowing a migration path for when technology is obsoleted/outdated and need to be replaced with new standards.

The computer docking station <NUM> depicted in <FIG> may comprise an upper dock subassembly <NUM> operatively connected to a lower dock subassembly <NUM>. The upper dock subassembly <NUM> is designed to house active data port connectors (i.e., frequently connected/disconnected ports such as data ports <NUM>-<NUM>), while the lower dock subassembly <NUM> is designed to house passive data port connectors (i.e., infrequently connected/disconnected). The upper dock subassembly <NUM> can be operatively connected to the lower dock subassembly via a bridge cable <NUM> (e.g., see <FIG> and <FIG>) or via a wireless connection. In the embodiment depicted in <FIG>, a bracket <NUM> is utilized to connect the upper dock subassembly <NUM> to the lower dock subassembly <NUM>. A clamp or other known attachment mechanism can be utilized to secure both subassemblies to a work surface or table <NUM>.

The upper dock subassembly <NUM> can include a removable data port hub <NUM> and a mounting plate <NUM>. The removable data port hub <NUM> is designed to be releasably coupled to the mounting plate <NUM>. A monitor arm mount <NUM> can be either attached to, or integrated into, the top of mounting plate <NUM>, while an upper portion of the bracket <NUM> is preferably attached to the rear or bottom of the mounting plate <NUM>. A monitor arm <NUM> can be connected to the monitor arm mount <NUM>, with one or more computer monitors <NUM> mounted to the monitor arm <NUM>. A mouse <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a laptop <NUM> and other computer peripherals may be connected to the active data port connectors (data ports <NUM>-<NUM>) of the removable data port hub <NUM> or lower dock subassembly <NUM>.

Still referring to <FIG>, the removable data port hub <NUM> can comprise a hub cover 210a, an upper subassembly PCBA 210b, and a hub base 210c. Alternatively, the removable data port hub <NUM> can comprise a hub cover 210a and an upper subassembly PCBA 210b. One or more fasteners can be used to connect the hub cover 210a to the hub base 210c, thereby forming a housing for the upper subassembly PCBA 210b. The upper subassembly PCBA 210b can comprise one or more data ports <NUM>-<NUM> accessible through apertures in the hub cover 210a. In one embodiment, a bracket <NUM> and first and second L-shaped lock tabs 227a, 227b can be attached to the mounting plate <NUM>. Both the bracket <NUM> and the first and second L-shaped lock tabs 227a, 227b can be attached to the mounting plate <NUM> via fasteners or other means known in the art. A pad <NUM> optionally can be mounted below the mounting plate <NUM> to protect the work surface <NUM>. A spacer <NUM> optionally can be mounted above the mounting plate <NUM> to provide a mounting point for the monitor arm mount <NUM>. An upper bracket cover 226a and a lower bracket cover 226b can be positioned adjacent to the bracket <NUM> to cover the fasteners connecting the underlying components of the upper dock subassembly <NUM>.

The lower dock subassembly <NUM> depicted in <FIG> is similar in function and design to the lower dock subassembly <NUM> depicted in <FIG>. The lower dock subassembly <NUM> can include a lower subassembly PCBA <NUM> positioned within a lower dock housing <NUM>. A means for securing the lower dock subassembly <NUM> to the bottom of a work surface <NUM> can comprise a clamp support or bracket <NUM> and one or more screws <NUM>. The lower dock subassembly <NUM> and clamp support <NUM> can be attached to the lower portion of the bracket <NUM> with one or more fasteners. Meanwhile, the screws <NUM> can each have a clamp foot <NUM> attached to their distal end for engaging the bottom of the work surface <NUM>. In order to secure the computer docking station <NUM> to a work surface or table <NUM>, the user can threadingly engage the screws <NUM> with the threaded apertures in the clamp support <NUM> and then rotate the screw <NUM> until the screw's distal end comes into contact with the underside of the work surface <NUM>.

The removable data port hub <NUM> can be mated to the mounting plate <NUM> by placing the data port hub <NUM> adjacent to the mounting plate <NUM> and then causing the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to engage the eye portion of the respective key slots <NUM>, <NUM>. To lock the data port hub <NUM> into position, the data port hub <NUM> can then be slid towards the bracket <NUM> to cause the pins <NUM>, <NUM> to move into the slot portion of the key slots <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby mating the data port hub <NUM> to the mounting plate <NUM>. To lock the data port hub <NUM> into the mated position, the first and second fasteners 228a, 228b can be extended through apertures in the first and second lock tabs 227a, 227b to engage threaded apertures in the rear portion of the hub cover <NUM>. The active data port connectors of the upper dock subassembly <NUM> then can be linked to the internal components of the lower dock subassembly <NUM> by coupling the bridge cable <NUM> to the upper subassembly PCBA 210b of the removable data port hub <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, multiple bridge cables <NUM> can be utilized to link the various data ports, or the bridge cable(s) <NUM> can be replaced with wireless connection.

Claim 1:
A computer docking station (<NUM>) comprising:
a) a bracket (<NUM>) having an upper portion and a lower portion;
b) an upper dock subassembly (<NUM>) coupled to the upper portion of the bracket (<NUM>) and adapted to be positioned on top of a work surface (<NUM>), the upper dock (<NUM>) subassembly comprising: a data port hub (<NUM>), wherein the data port hub (<NUM>) comprises a hub cover (210a), a hub base (210c), and an upper subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) (210b) positioned between the hub cover (210a) and hub base (210c), wherein the upper subassembly PCBA (210b) comprises one or more active data ports (<NUM>-<NUM>); and
c) a lower dock subassembly (<NUM>) coupled to the lower portion of the bracket (<NUM>) and adapted to be positioned beneath the work surface (<NUM>), the lower dock subassembly (<NUM>) comprising a lower subassembly printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) (<NUM>) positioned within a lower dock housing (<NUM>), wherein the lower subassembly PCBA (<NUM>) comprises one or more passive data ports (<NUM>-<NUM>),
characterized in that the upper dock assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a mounting plate (<NUM>) having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the data port hub (<NUM>) of the upper dock subassembly (<NUM>) is releasably coupled to the top surface of the mounting plate (<NUM>), and the bottom of the mounting plate (<NUM>) is coupled to the upper portion of the bracket (<NUM>).