Abstract: A torsion system for a portable computer including a base and cover pivotally connected to the base for movement between a closed position and an open position. The cover has a free end and a pivotally connected end. A pair of spaced apart hinge components are mounted on the pivotally connected end of the cover between a first side and a second side of the cover. A first frame portion is mounted in the first side of the cover and a second frame portion is mounted in the second side of the cover. A torsion member interconnects the pair of hinge components and the first and second frame portions. The torsion member has a closed cross-section.

Abstract: A docking apparatus for docking selected portable computers which provides coarse and medium alignment between the docking connector of the computer system and the docking connector of a docking station mounted on a docking tray by providing rails having oppositely facing upright flat faces on a docking tray and notches formed in the underside of the chassis, the notches having corresponding oppositely facing upright flat faces and opposing sloping sidewalls for urging the flat face of the rails toward the flat faces of the notches. The notches are preferably wider at the leading edge of the chassis, away from the connector than at the trailing edge, close to the chassis and the rails are preferably spaced further apart at the leading edge of the tray than they are close to the docking station.

Abstract: A computer including a microprocessor, an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor and a memory coupled to the microprocessor to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A heat pipe including spaced apart condenser regions and an evaporator region disposed between the condenser regions is provided. The evaporator region is positioned adjacent the microprocessor. A first heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a first one of the condenser regions. A second heat dissipating device is attached to the heat pipe adjacent to a second one of the condenser regions. The second heat dissipating device is of a different type than the first heat dissipating device. The reliability and effectiveness of the cooling apparatus are greatly increased through the use of a heat pipe having two condenser regions that are attached to different types of heat dissipating bodies.

Abstract: A docking station for a computer system includes a tray having a support surface for supporting the computer system, and an undersurface opposite the support surface. The tray includes a plurality of openings formed therein connecting the support surface and the undersurface. A housing cover includes a security device extending therefrom for engagement with the computer system. A housing cover is mounted on the support surface and includes a plurality of snap tabs and a receiver extending through the openings and terminating adjacent the undersurface. A latching device is mounted adjacent the undersurface. A protrusion member is adjacent the undersurface and is connected for movement with the latching device into and out of engagement with the receiver.

Abstract: A docking station adapter for portable computer media modules is described. In one embodiment, the docking station adapter includes a housing that is inserted into a expansion bay of a docking station and into which a media module is inserted, a flexible printed circuit ("FPC") including the necessary connectors for adapting a connector of the media module to a connector of the docking station disposed within the expansion bay, a mechanism for ejecting and removing the module from the adapter, and a mechanism for ejecting and removing the adapter from the expansion bay.

Abstract: A computer in which a hard drive-carrier assembly is mounted in the computer enclosure and includes a housing defining a space, and a hard drive mounted in the space. The dimensions of the space are slightly less that the corresponding exterior dimensions of the hard drive to provide an interference fit between the hard drive and the housing. The housing is mounted in a cage formed by a plurality of articulated arms and a flexible connector is provided that connects the hard drive to the computer's motherboard.

Abstract: An inkjet printer applies ink from one or more printheads to media which is supported by a screen platen. The screen platen allows transfer of heat by radiation and convection from a heat generator unit to pre-printing portion of the print zone, an ink-applying portion of the print zone, and a post-printing portion of the print zone.

Abstract: A carriage support system for a computer driven printer/plotter employs a slider rod and a slider bar mounted parallel to each other on a printer chassis wherein the bar supports the front side of a printer carriage and the rod supports the rear side of the carriage thus eliminating expensive centerless ground carriage support rods. The slider bar also has a plurality of dual edge paper pinch wheels supported thereon which are biased into engagement with the paper or other medium on which printing takes place by a plurality of springs integrally formed from a single member affixed to the slider bar.

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.

Abstract: A carriage support system for a computer driven printer/plotter employs a slider rod and a slider bar mounted parallel to each other on a printer chassis wherein the bar supports the front side of a printer carriage and the rod supports the rear side of the carriage thus eliminating expensive centerless ground carriage support rods. The slider bar also has a plurality of dual edge paper pinch wheels supported thereon which are biased into engagement with the paper or other medium on which printing takes place by a plurality of springs integrally formed from a single member affixed to the slider bar.

Abstract: A carriage support system for a computer driven printer/plotter employs a slider rod and a slider bar mounted parallel to each other on a printer chassis wherein the bar supports the front side of a printer carriage and the rod supports the rear side of the carriage thus eliminating expensive centerless ground carriage support rods. The slider bar also has a plurality of dual edge paper pinch wheels supported thereon which are biased into engagement with the paper or other medium on which printing takes place by a plurality of springs integrally formed from a single member affixed to the slider bar.