Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-06
2001-03-13
Thompson, Gregory (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S726000, C248S918000, C345S905000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201688
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for securing a display housing to a base of a laptop computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Laptop computers are portable computers that generally operate from either external or portable power sources. Conventional laptop computers typically have a base pivotally connected to a display housing. The base typically includes a primary input device, such as a keyboard, and a secondary input device, such as a computer mouse, roller ball or touch pad. The display housing typically includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other type of display. To access the keyboard and the display, a user positions the base on a surface (e.g., the user's lap or a fixed surface) and opens the computer by pivoting the display housing away from the base. To close and easily transport the computer after use, the user pivots the display housing toward the base and secures the housing to the base.
In conventional laptop computers, the display housing is generally relatively small so that the laptop computer can be easily transported. One drawback with this arrangement is that text and graphics on the display may be difficult to visually discern. Accordingly, it may be difficult to use the laptop computer.
One means for addressing this drawback is to enlarge the size of the display housing while keeping the size of the base approximately the same. Accordingly, the display can be made larger and easier to read without unnecessarily increasing the weight of the computer by also increasing the size of the base. However, one drawback with this approach is that it may be difficult to latch or otherwise secure the oversized display housing to the base. For example, it may be difficult to latch a display that overhangs the base without using a relatively complex mechanism that can be cumbersome and/or heavy. Another drawback is that the portion of the oversized display that overhangs the base is exposed even when the laptop computer is closed. Accordingly, the display may be susceptible to damage when the laptop computer is transported.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward laptop computers and latches for laptop computers. In one aspect of the invention, the laptop computer has a base with a widthwise dimension, a first depthwise dimension, and a thickness. The laptop computer can further include a display housing having a second depthwise dimension that exceeds the first depthwise dimension of the base. The display housing can be pivotally coupled to the base and movable relative to the base between a stowed position in which a first surface of the display housing faces the base and an unstowed position in which the first surface is accessible to a user. The laptop computer further can include a latch member coupled to at least one of the display housing and the base. The latch member can include an engaging portion that is movable between a secured position and an unsecured position. The engaging portion is removably engaged with the other of the display housing and the base when the latch member is in the secured position to secure the display housing to the base.
The latch member can have several different configurations. For example, in one aspect of the invention, the latch member can be slidably coupled to the display housing. In a further aspect of the invention, the latch member can include a cavity that receives a corresponding projection of the base, or the latch member can include a projection that is removably received by a corresponding cavity of the base when the latch member is in the secured position. In another aspect of the invention, the latch member can be pivotably coupled to either the display housing or the base to engage the other of the display housing and the base when the latch member is in the secured position.
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Catalog Item “New Dell® Latitude® CPi,” Dell® Business Catalog, Jul. 1998, pp. 14-15.
Edmonds Lea
Micron Electronics Inc.
Perkins Coie LLP
Thompson Gregory
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