Portable electronic apparatus having expansion connector covered by pivotally mounted upper and lower covers having laterally extending guide portions

Claim 1

An electronic system comprising: a portable electronic apparatus having a connector panel mounting a first expansion connector; a cover unit for covering the first expansion connector, and mounted to the portable electronic apparatus, the cover unit having an upper cover pivotably supported on the cover unit for movement between a closed position covering an upper half portion of the first expansion connector and an opened position exposing the upper half portion of the first expansion connector and a lower cover pivotably supported on the cover unit for movement between a closed position covering a lower half portion of the first expansion connector and an opened position exposing the lower half portion of the first expansion connector, the upper cover having a laterally extending first guide portion, and the lower cover having a laterally extending second guide portion cooperating with the first guide portion to form a guide opening therebetween; an external expansion unit having a connector mounting surface and a second expansion connector mounted on the connector mounting surface, and the external expansion unit detachably electrically connected to the portable electronic apparatus through connection of the first and second expansion connectors; and a cover opening member projecting from the connector mounting surface in laterally spaced relation to the second expansion connector, the cover opening member having an upper portion for pushing the first guide portion and a lower portion for pushing the second guide portion, the first and second covers being pivoted from their closed positions to their opened positions upon the first and second guide portions being pushed by engagement with the cover opening member during insertion through the guide opening to enable connection between the first and second expansion connectors.