Abstract: A swivel support base apparatus is disclosed. One embodiment of the swivel support base apparatus includes a frame, a swivel mechanism, said swivel mechanism including a foot having a defined frictional coefficient that enables rotation of the frame and impedes translational movement of the foot, and secondary feet connected to the frame and disposed in locations surrounding the swivel mechanism, said secondary feet having a lower frictional coefficient than the foot.

Abstract: An interactive multi media system comprising a display capable of displaying multi media information, one or more input central devices capable of enabling one or more users to interact with the multi media information and characterized by an interactive engine including an application programmer's interface having a format interpreter capable of enabling a programmer to combine multiple multi media formats for display on the display.

Abstract: A swivel support base apparatus is disclosed. One embodiment of the swivel support base apparatus includes a frame, a swivel mechanism, said swivel mechanism including a foot having a defined frictional coefficient that enables rotation of the frame and impedes translational movement of the foot, and secondary feet connected to the frame and disposed in locations surrounding the swivel mechanism, said secondary feet having a lower frictional coefficient than the foot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lighting fixture that functionally provides a mold for creating a light diffuser from ice, a stand upon which to display the created light diffuser (including a shaped-surface support element to stabilize the light diffuser as it de-solidifies), a collection element to collect and contain the melted light diffuser material, and a support and containing system for a light source that, in use, is surrounded by the light diffuser.

Abstract: An ergonomic docking station for a portable computer that enables the use of the portable computer display while docked and raises and orients the portable computer display to within a desirable ergonomic position and viewing range. The docking station includes a housing formed by an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion for housing a printed circuit board, wherein the upper housing portion is generally J-shaped for receiving the portable computer and the lower housing portion is generally rectangular but includes downwardly extending supports for orienting the docking station at a predetermined angle from a table top, desk top, or the like. The docking station further includes an ejection mechanism within the housing for disengaging the portable computer from the docking station. The ejection mechanism includes solenoid-type ejectors housed within the housing and activating electromagnets located within the lower housing portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for use in a personal computer having a chassis with an electrical interface configured to form a connection with an electrical apparatus that extends externally from the chassis, an electrical connector protection device. The protection device comprises an electrical connector guard movably coupled to the chassis adjacent the interface to move between a retracted storage position and an extended guard position with respect to the chassis. The electrical connector guard, when in the extended guard position, is configured to guard and protect the electrical interface and the electrical apparatus from sustaining damage when the two are connected together by extending under a portion of the electrical apparatus, to thereby guard and protect the electrical interface and the electrical apparatus from sustaining damage.

Abstract: A docking apparatus for docking selected portable computers, each of the portable computers having a portable computer connector positioned on its rear end. The docking apparatus comprises a base having a first end and a second end, with an electronics enclosure positioned on the base between the first end and the second end. The electronics enclosure has a first end positioned to extend generally perpendicularly from a first side to a second side of the base and generally perpendicularly upwardly from the base to form a wall with a docking apparatus connector being positioned on the wall and configured to matingly engage the portable computer connector. A receiver for at least one of the portable computers is positioned on the base and configured to matingly engage the bottom and the first and second sides of at least one portable computer to position the portable computer for mating engagement of the portable computer connector and the docking apparatus connector.

Abstract: A portable computer desktop docking system includes a base structure, a port replicator, a shroud and a monitor stand. The base structure is horizontally supportable on a desktop and has an upwardly and rearwardly sloping top side with the port replicator being mounted on a rear section thereof. To dock the computer, it is manually slid rearwardly along the top side of the base structure until a rear side connector on the computer is forcibly mated with a front side connector on the port replicator. The port replicator has a rear side connectable to desktop peripheral device electrical cables. The shroud structure snaps onto a rear side of the base structure, conceals port replicator end portions of the cables, and groups the cables so that they exit the shroud structure in a horizontally central rear side portion thereof. The monitor stand has a monitor support platform from which four support legs depend.