Patent ID: 7894180

Claim:
An external expanding apparatus for expanding the function of a portable electronic device, the external expanding apparatus comprising: an apparatus body comprising a bearing surface on which the portable electronic device is to be placed, and a connector presentation surface adjacent to one edge of the bearing surface; an expansion connector connectable with the portable electronic device; and an expansion connector drive mechanism coupled for moving the expansion connector along a linear drive axis relative to the connector presentation surface between a disengaged position spaced away from the bearing surface and an engaged position extended over the bearing surface, the expansion connector drive mechanism comprising: a movable unitary frame that is movably coupled to the apparatus body for linear motion relative to the bearing surface between the connector presentation surface and an opposing front portion of the bearing surface, the frame being coupled to the expansion connector, an integral security portion formed with a safety catch slot opening therethrough, and a linearly movable handle positioned on an opposing end of the frame from the expansion connector, and a releasable safety catch operable between the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame and a sensor aperture communicating with the bearing surface, the safety catch being movable between a locked position having a sensing portion thereof received through the sensor aperture and extended above the bearing surface and having a locking portion thereof substantially interlocked with the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame, and an unlocked position having the sensing portion thereof substantially retracted relative to the bearing surface and having the locking portion thereof disengaged from the safety catch slot opening through the security portion of the frame; and a peripheral device connector presentation surface formed on the apparatus body and having one or more interface connectors adapted to connect to one or more different peripheral devices, one or more of the interface connectors being, electrically interfaced to the expansion connector.