Patent Application
20050201054
Many computer systems include processing circuitry for performing various computer functions such as receiving and generating data and executing programs to perform specific tasks. These computer systems also often include one or more peripheral devices that the processing circuitry may read data from, write data to, or otherwise control to enhance and/or expand the function of the processing circuitry. Examples of peripheral devices include a wireless receiver to allow the processing circuitry to read data generated by a mouse and/or keyboard, a wireless transmitter to allow the circuitry to write data to a printer and/or a personal data assistant, a memory card reader to allow the circuitry to read data from a portable memory card, and a connector module, such as a network hub, to allow the processing circuitry to communicate with another computer system.
Unfortunately, locating more than two peripheral devices on top of the housing 12 can be problematic. The area on top of the housing 12 is often limited. Because each peripheral device is typically placed directly on the housing 12, the number of peripheral devices one can set on the housing is often limited to two. Furthermore, the cables 18 and 20 coupling the devices to the interface 22 occupy a portion of the area on top of the housing 12 and, thus, further reduce the area available to support additional devices.
Stacking the peripheral devices 14 and 16 on top of each other may be a solution to this problem, but stacking the devices can also be problematic. Stacking the devices 14 and 16 typically includes placing a first device on the housing, and then placing a second device on the first device. If a third device is included in the system, the additional device may be placed on top of the second device, and so on for additional devices. Unfortunately, when the devices are stacked on top of each other, one can accidentally contact and knock the devices above the first device, and especially the top device, off the stack with one's arm, hand or some other object and, thus, damage the device, the other devices in the stack, the cables and/or the interface 22.
In one aspect of the invention, a coupler for releasably mounting a computer peripheral device to another device includes a first portion operable to engage the computer peripheral device, and a second portion operable to engage the other device. In another aspect of the invention, a computer peripheral device includes a connector operable to mount the computer peripheral device to another device. With the coupler, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device as compared to one placing the other device on top of the computer peripheral device as discussed in the background section. Similarly, with the connector, the computer peripheral device may more securely support the other device. Furthermore, with the coupler, connector, or both, one may generate a stack including three or more peripheral devices of a computer system by mounting each additional device to an adjacent device in the stack. Thus, a housing of the computer system may support more peripheral devices.
The computer system 30 also includes processing circuitry (not shown) for performing various computer functions such as receiving and generating data and executing programs to perform specific tasks, and a housing 44 to protect the circuitry disposed in the housing. Two cables 46 and 48 couple the first and second peripheral devices 34 and 36, respectively, to an interface 50 so that the processing circuitry can read data from, write data to, and otherwise control the devices.
With the coupler 32, one may releasably mount the second device 36 to the first device 34 to more securely support the second device with the first device, as compared to placing the second device on the first device as discussed above in conjunction with
Other embodiments are contemplated. For example, two or more couplers 32 may mount the second device 36 to the first device 34. In another example, a coupler 32 may mount the first device 34 to the computer system's housing 44. This may be desirable to more securely support the first device 34 with the housing 44, and thus further reduce the risk that the first and second devices will be knocked off the housing and damaged. In yet another example, Velcro® (not shown) may mount the second device 36 to the first device 34. In yet another example, a clamp (not shown) may mount the second device 36 to the first device 34 by wrapping around the first and second devices.
The coupler 32 includes a body 38, and coupling element 52 to releasably fasten the body to the peripheral devices 34 and 36. In one embodiment, the coupling element 52 includes a first portion 49 which may be inserted into a connector 54 (here a receptacle) of the first device 34, and a second portion 51 which may be inserted into a connector 56 (here a receptacle) of the second device 36 to releasably fasten the body 38 to the devices. The coupling element 52 may include a first flange 58 that has a thickness 60 slightly larger than the height 62 of the receptacle 54, and is sized to be insertable into the receptacle. With the first flange's thickness 60 slightly larger than the receptacle's height 62, the first flange 58 may be wedged into the receptacle 54 to releasably fasten the first device 34 to the body 38. Thus, friction between the first flange 58 and the receptacle's walls 64 can secure the first device 34 to the coupler 32. Likewise, the coupling element 52 may include a second flange 66 that has a thickness 68 slightly larger than the height 70 of the receptacle 56, and is sized to be insertable into the receptacle. Furthermore, the second flange 66 may be wedged into the receptacle 56 to releasably fasten the second device 36 to the body 38, and thus friction between the second flange 66 and the receptacle's walls 72 can secure the second device to the coupler 32.
Other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the coupling element 52 may include a receptacle sized to receive a flange (not shown) of the device 54 or 56. In another example, the coupling element 52 may include a hook (not shown) insertable into a cavity of a receptacle (not shown) of the device 54 or 56 to secure the device to the coupler 32. In yet another example, the coupling element 52 may be inserted into a receptacle (not shown) of the device 54 or 56 and secured to a device with Velcro®.
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Other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the first and second flanges 58 and 66 may extend from the bottom 74 and top 76, respectively, at angles other than 90°, such as 45° or 60°. In another example, the first and second flanges 58 and 66 may extend from other portions of the body 38, such as the middle. In yet another example, the first flange 58 may include two or more sub-flanges (not shown) each extending from a respective portion of the bottom 74, and the second flange 66 may include two or more sub-flanges (not shown) each extending from a respective portion of the top 76. For example, the first flange 58 may include a sub-flange extending from a portion of the bottom 74 that is located adjacent the handle 40, and another sub-flange extending from a portion of the bottom that is located at an end of the coupler 32 opposite to the handle 40. In such an embodiment, the bottom 74 may include a portion that does not have a sub-flange extending from it. The second flange 66 may be similarly configured.
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Other embodiments are contemplated. For example, the handle 40 may include a flange (not shown) that one may hook with one's finger or other object. In another example, the handle 40 may have another shape, such as curvilinear, elliptic, or spherical.
The preceding discussion is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
