초록 ▼

A hand held portable computer is secured to a peripheral computer component or expansion module in a snap-on arrangement which automatically effects engagement of bus connectors between the two components. The hand held computer has four openings in its back or under side. Two of the slot-like openi

A hand held portable computer is secured to a peripheral computer component or expansion module in a snap-on arrangement which automatically effects engagement of bus connectors between the two components. The hand held computer has four openings in its back or under side. Two of the slot-like openings have fittings within them or are so shaped as to receive L-shaped or hook-shaped brackets of the peripheral component. The brackets may be inserted in the slot openings when the computer and the expansion module are held obliquely angled with respect to each other. The computer is then swung down until its back or under side engages against the top of the peripheral component, whereupon a pair of protruding hook members extending at the top surface of the peripheral component engage the computer and snap into locking engagement in the adjacent slot openings. The bus connection is made when the two components are brought together.

대표청구항 ▼

A releasable connection between a computer and an expansion module or peripheral component for the computer, for mating the computer and expansion module closely and connecting them together electrically, comprising, the computer having a bottom surface and the expansion module having an upper surfa

A releasable connection between a computer and an expansion module or peripheral component for the computer, for mating the computer and expansion module closely and connecting them together electrically, comprising, the computer having a bottom surface and the expansion module having an upper surface which are complementarily shaped to each other such that the two surfaces can be nested closely together, stationary hook means protruding from the upper surface of the expansion module near a first end of the expansion module, first hook receiving slot means in the lower surface of the computer, in position corresponding to the position of the stationary hook means of the expansion module, such that the stationary hook means and the hook slot means can be engaged when the computer and the module are nested together, at least one movable hook member protruding from the upper surface of the expansion module, near a second end of the module, said movable hook member being movable between an engaging position and a disengaging position, and spring means within the expansion module for biasing the movable hook member toward the engaging position, the spring means and the hook member forming an integral element, second hook receiving slot means in the bottom surface of the computer for receiving the movable hook member for camming the hook member from the engaging position toward the disengaging position as the computer and expansion module are pivoted together following engagement of the stationary hook means with the computer, and including means associated with the movable hook member and the second hook receiving slot means for spring-forcing the movable hook member into a locking position in engagement with the computer when the computer and the expansion module have been moved fully into a nested position, and bus connector means for automatically making a multiple-contact connection between the computer and the expansion module as the computer is brought into nesting contact with the expansion module.