Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-11-20
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S727000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a keyboard engaging structure for a portable computer, and in particular to a keyboard engaging structure capable of hiding a keyboard fixing unit, which fixes a keyboard to a main body, and facilitating the upgrading of a certain unit such as a module, etc.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 1
is a perspective view illustrating a conventional notebook PC (Personal Computer), and
FIG. 2
is a perspective view illustrating a part of a conventional notebook PC.
As shown therein, the conventional notebook PC includes a main body
10
, and a cover
20
tiltably engaged to a portion of the main body
10
for covering the upper portion of the main body
10
.
A keyboard
30
is installed on the upper portion of the main body
10
, and a display unit
21
is installed at an inner side of the cover
20
.
A module type modem card
40
, a memory
50
and a CPU
60
are installed inside the main body
10
below the keyboard
30
for performing various functions. These parts may be upgraded or changed.
In the conventional notebook PC, a part exchange portion (not shown) (e.g., a removable piece) is formed on a bottom portion or a lateral surface of the notebook PC, so that a certain part is installed via the part exchanging portion (not shown).
However, in the conventional notebook PC, parts are not easily exchanged or upgraded via the part exchanging portion (not shown). The strength and design of the notebook PC may be affected by the part exchanging portion (not shown).
Therefore, recently, as shown in
FIG. 2
, the keyboard
30
is detachable from the keyboard
30
so that it is possible to easily install or exchange a certain part after removing the keyboard
30
.
In other words, the modem card
40
, the memory
50
and the CPU
60
are installed below the keyboard
30
, so that it is possible to upgrade a certain part by removing the keyboard
30
.
Conventionally, a certain knob (not shown) or latch (not shown) is installed at the main body
10
for thereby fixing the keyboard
30
, so that the keyboard
30
is not disengaged from the main body
10
after the above-described parts are installed.
FIG. 3
illustrates a conventional keyboard engaging structure for a notebook PC. As shown therein, a protrusion
31
is formed at one side of the keyboard
30
, and a groove
11
for receiving the protrusion
31
therein is formed at the main body
10
. A latch
12
, which is movable along the groove
11
, is formed to prevent the protrusion
31
from escaping from the groove
11
by supporting the protrusion
31
.
In the above-described conventional keyboard engaging structure for a notebook PC, the keyboard
30
is fixed to the main body
10
using the latch
12
.
The above-described construction will be explained in detail. The modem card
40
, the memory
50
and the CPU
60
are installed in the interior of the main body
10
, and then the keyboard
30
is installed at the main body
10
.
At this time, the protrusion
31
of the keyboard
30
is placed into the groove of the main body
10
, and then the latch
12
is moved to contain the upper portion of the protrusion
31
of the keyboard
30
. In this manner, the engaging operation of the keyboard
30
is completed.
When disengaging the keyboard
30
from the main body
10
, the above-described operation is performed in the reverse sequence.
However, in the conventional keyboard engaging structure for a notebook PC, it is difficult to install a keyboard at the main board. In addition, since an engaging structure is formed on the upper portion of the keyboard deck, a good design of the notebook PC cannot be obtained.
In addition, when disengaging the keyboard from the main body, the locked state is unlocked by moving the small latch, and the keyboard is typically removed using an additional special tool. When re-engaging the keyboard, it is difficult to locate a small size latch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboard engaging structure for a notebook PC which is capable of facilitating upgrading a module installed in the interior of the notebook PC.
To achieve the above objects, there is provided a keyboard engaging structure for a notebook PC which includes a portable computer main body, a keyboard having one end engaged with the main body, a moveable latch in the main body to retain an opposite end of the keyboard, a slidable switch extending through a surface of the main body with which a user may retract the moveable latch, and a connecting assembly connected to the slidable switch and the moveable latch to transfer movement therebetween.
Additional advantages, objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from the description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5966284 (1999-10-01), Youn et al.
An Byeong Duk
Jin Byoung Yoon
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Chang Yean-Hsi
LG Electronics Inc.
Picard Leo P.
LandOfFree
Keyboard engaging structure for notebook PC does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Keyboard engaging structure for notebook PC, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Keyboard engaging structure for notebook PC will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2613230