Abstract: A card retention mechanism comprises a first and second brackets. The first and second brackets are mountable to a circuit board. Further, the first and second brackets are adapted to retain a circuit card therebetween. The second bracket comprises an exposed region that exposes an electrical contact of the card to be exposed to enable electrical connection of a conductor thereto.

Abstract: A card retention mechanism comprises a first and second brackets. The first and second brackets are mountable to a circuit board. Further, the first and second brackets are adapted to retain a circuit card therebetween. The second bracket comprises an exposed region that exposes an electrical contact of the card to be exposed to enable electrical connection of a conductor thereto.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system comprises a computer housing, a device removably mounted to the computer housing, a removable component coupled to the computer housing under the device, and a power switch coupled to the removable component and responsive to separation of the device from the computer housing.

Abstract: A battery for a dockable electronic device is provided. The battery includes a housing having a recess, and at least one battery cell disposed in the housing. The recess of the housing is operable to receive a docking station platform when the dockable electronic device is docked at the docking station while the housing is coupled to a bottom surface of the dockable electronic device.

Abstract: A technique that facilitates the removal of a battery module from a variety of electronic devices, such as portable computers. The technique utilizes a latch having a lifting mechanism that forces the battery module to a lifted position. Upon reaching the lifted position, retention features on the lift mechanism and the battery module engage to hold the battery module in the lifted position. At this lifted position, the battery module is readily gripped and removed.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system for holding a component in a device comprising: a latch feature that is connected to one of the component and the device and has a tang and a cavity; a latch module that is connected to the other of the device and the component and has a first pin that interacts with the tang and a second pin that moves between a first position and a second position, wherein the first position is within the latch module, and the second position is within the cavity; and wherein the first pin and the second pin are connected with each other such that a movement of the first pin causes the second pin to change from one of the first position and the second position to the other of the first position and the second position.

Abstract: One embodiment is a system for mounting a component in a computer system comprising a bracket having a plurality of access ports that permit the component to be secured to the bracket, and having a plurality of mounting points that permit the bracket to be secured to the computer system; a cavity in the computer system formed to receive the bracket with the component and having a plurality of mounting posts, each of which corresponds with a respective mounting point of the plurality of the mounting points; and a cover that is formed to fit over the cavity and having a plurality of access points, each of which corresponds with a respective mounting point and a respective mounting post, wherein the plurality of access points permits each respective mounting point to be secured to the respective mounting post through the associated access point.

Abstract: One exemplary docking station has a surface for receiving a portable computer, with a wall and a latch projecting from the receiving surface. The latch is movable towards and away from the wall, is resiliently biased towards the wall, and has an overhang that can engage a striker plate of a portable computer when the latch is moved towards the wall, so that the overhang restrains the striker plate against movement away from the receiving surface. The overhang can release the striker plate when the latch is moved away from the wall. A release actuator operable by a user engages the latch so that operation of the release actuator causes the latch to move away from the wall.

Abstract: A portable computer having an external bay with a multiport connector. The portable computer comprises a base coupled to a display module. The display module has a backcover with a bay area for receiving a variety of electronic device modules.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage undocking mechanism for a system having a portable computing device dockable with a docking device. The multistage undocking mechanism may be disposed in either the portable computing device or the docking device. In a first stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a latch assembly to unlatch the portable computing device from the docking device. In a second stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a lifter assembly to separate the portable computing device from the docking device at least partially via a manual force applied by the user. The lifter assembly may have one or more spring-loaded lifter mechanisms, such as a spring-loaded lifter having sufficient force to support the portable computing device but insufficient to separate male/female connections between the portable computing device and the docking device.

Abstract: An electronic device having a spill-resistant keyboard. The device utilizes a keyboard having a stiff support layer to which the plurality of keys are mounted. The stiff support layer cooperates with one or more water impermeable layers that reduce or prevent the flow-through of water or other liquids inadvertently spilled over the keyboard.

Abstract: A portable computer having an external bay with a multiport connector. The portable computer comprises a base coupled to a display module. The display module has a backcover with a bay area for receiving a variety of electronic device modules.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a portable computer, incorporates a removable cover. The cover is readily removed without tools and provides access to a variety of components that may require servicing, substitution, component upgrades, etc. The component cover utilizes a variety of retention features that provide stability while permitting easy attachment and opening of the cover.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage undocking mechanism for a system having a portable computing device dockable with a docking device. The multistage undocking mechanism may be disposed in either the portable computing device or the docking device. In a first stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a latch assembly to unlatch the portable computing device from the docking device. In a second stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a lifter assembly to separate the portable computing device from the docking device at least partially via a manual force applied by the user. The lifter assembly may have one or more spring-loaded lifter mechanisms, such as a spring-loaded lifter having sufficient force to support the portable computing device but insufficient to separate male/female connections between the portable computing device and the docking device.

Abstract: A technique that facilitates the removal of a battery module from a variety of electronic devices, such as portable computers. The technique utilizes a latch having a lifting mechanism that forces the battery module to a lifted position. Upon reaching the lifted position, retention features on the lift mechanism and the battery module engage to hold the battery module in the lifted position. At this lifted position, the battery module is readily gripped and removed.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage security system and method for physically securing a portable computing device and an attachable expansion device together or separately to an external fixture, such as a desk. A security structure, such as an internal lock structure, is disposed in one of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device. An external device-to-fixture fastener is interlockable with the security structure in one of a plurality interlock stages, which facilitate separate or joint security of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device using the one security structure. For example, the security structure may have first and second lock slots to lock the attachable expansion device to the external fixture, while the second lock slot also has an internal trigger mechanism to interlock the portable computing device to the attachable expansion device.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage undocking mechanism for a system having a portable computing device dockable with a docking device. The multistage undocking mechanism may be disposed in either the portable computing device or the docking device. In a first stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a latch assembly to unlatch the portable computing device from the docking device. In a second stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a lifter assembly to separate the portable computing device from the docking device at least partially via a manual force applied by the user. The lifter assembly may have one or more spring-loaded lifter mechanisms, such as a spring-loaded lifter having sufficient force to support the portable computing device but insufficient to separate male/female connections between the portable computing device and the docking device.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage undocking mechanism for a system having a portable computing device dockable with a docking device. The multistage undocking mechanism may be disposed in either the portable computing device or the docking device. In a first stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a latch assembly to unlatch the portable computing device from the docking device. In a second stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a lifter assembly to separate the portable computing device from the docking device at least partially via a manual force applied by the user. The lifter assembly may have one or more spring-loaded lifter mechanisms, such as a spring-loaded lifter having sufficient force to support the portable computing device but insufficient to separate male/female connections between the portable computing device and the docking device.

Abstract: A technique that facilitates the removal of a battery module from a variety of electronic devices, such as portable computers. The technique utilizes a latch having a lifting mechanism that forces the battery module to a lifted position. Upon reaching the lifted position, retention features on the lift mechanism and the battery module engage to hold the battery module in the lifted position. At this lifted position, the battery module is readily gripped and removed.

Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage security system and method for physically securing a portable computing device and an attachable expansion device together or separately to an external fixture, such as a desk. A security structure, such as an internal lock structure, is disposed in one of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device. An external device-to-fixture fastener is interlockable with the security structure in one of a plurality interlock stages, which facilitate separate or joint security of the portable computing device and the attachable expansion device using the one security structure. For example, the security structure may have first and second lock slots to lock the attachable expansion device to the external fixture, while the second lock slot also has an internal trigger mechanism to interlock the portable computing device to the attachable expansion device.