Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Control circuits for electromagnetic devices – Systems for magnetizing – demagnetizing – or controlling the...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-21
2002-04-02
Sherry, Michael J. (Department: 2836)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Control circuits for electromagnetic devices
Systems for magnetizing, demagnetizing, or controlling the...
C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06366440
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic closure mechanism, more particularly to a magnetic closure mechanism for a portable computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1
illustrates a portable computer with a conventional closure unit. The portable computer includes a main housing part
2
having rear and front ends
22
,
20
, and a display housing part
1
having a pivot end
12
connected pivotally to the rear end
22
of the main housing part
2
and a free end
10
opposite to the pivot end
12
. The display housing part
1
has an engaging piece
11
extending from the free end
10
and formed with an inner engaging groove
111
. The front end
20
of the main housing part
2
has a vertically extending indentation
21
disposed at a position corresponding to the engaging piece
11
for receiving the engaging piece
11
. An engaging ridge
211
extends horizontally in the indentation
21
for engaging the engaging groove
111
when the display housing part
1
is in a closed position. The engaging piece
11
is forcible so as to disengage the engaging ridge
211
from the engaging groove
111
to permit movement of the display housing part
1
from the closed position to an open position.
However, after being in use for a period of time, wearing of the engaging ridge
211
can easily occur and can lead to unsteady engagement between the engaging ridge
211
and the engaging groove
111
.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a durable magnetic closure mechanism that can ensure closing and that can facilitate operating of a portable computer.
According to the present invention, a magnetic closure mechanism is adapted for use with a portable computer. The portable computer has a first housing part and a second housing part connected pivotally to the first housing part. The first housing part has a first major surface. The second housing part has a second major surface that confronts the first major surface when the second housing part is in a closed position. The magnetic closure mechanism includes a first magnet unit, a second magnet unit and a control unit.
The first magnet unit is adapted to be provided on the first major surface.
The second magnet unit is adapted to be provided on the second major surface at a position corresponding to the first magnet unit.
The control unit is adapted to be provided on the second housing part. The control unit is connected to the second magnet unit and is operable selectively so as to enable the second magnet unit to attract with the first magnet unit, thereby retaining the second housing part in the closed position, and so as to enable the second magnet unit to repel from the first magnet unit, thereby facilitating movement of the second housing part to an open position away from the first housing part.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5351812 (1994-10-01), Eagon
patent: 5917968 (1999-06-01), Wood
patent: 5996831 (1999-12-01), Teok
patent: 6044473 (2000-03-01), Kim
patent: 6115239 (2000-09-01), Kim
patent: 6122152 (2000-09-01), Goto et al.
patent: 6243819 (2001-06-01), Jung
Compal Electronics Inc.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Sherry Michael J.
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