Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-28
2001-03-27
Tolin, Gerald (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S725000, C312S223100, C312S223200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06208504
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application entitled PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING A RETRACTABLE HANDLE and earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 28
th
of Apr. 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 8996/1997, an application entitled PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING A RETRACTABLE HANDLE and earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 30
th
of Sep. 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 27149/1997, and an application entitled PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING A RETRACTABLE HANDLE and earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 9
th
of Sep. 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. 46285/1997.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a portable computer having a handle and, more particularly, to a portable computer having a retractable handle disposed on a main body of the portable computer, the handle maintaining a retracted state when not in use and able to be projected by the user for convenient portability of the computer.
2. Related Art
Portable computers generally come with a carrying case at the time of purchase. The portable computer is placed inside the carrying case so that it can be transported from one place to another. Although users utilize such a carrying case when transporting their portable computers long distances, it is common for users to carry their portable computers as is (without the use of a carrying case) when moving their computers only a short distance.
Prior carrying cases for portable computers have several drawbacks. For example, such carrying cases add extra weight and bulk to the portable computer, and cause an increase in the overall cost of the portable computer. Furthermore, most users avoid the complicated process of locating the carrying case, placing the portable computer therein, and fastening the carrying case when carrying the portable computer over short distances. Instead, such users simply transport the portable computer by carrying the same as is. In such cases, the computer can be easily dropped by the user, and this can result in significant damage to the computer.
To remedy these problems, portable computers have been designed with a handle attached directly to the computer. However, such structures obstruct the use of the computer as the handle protrudes from the main body, and can detract from the overall attractiveness of the portable computer.
The following patents are considered to be representative of the prior art, and are burdened by the disadvantages set forth herein: U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,668 to Barrus et al., entitled Portable Computer Having A Pivotally Mounted Combined Handle And Power Source, U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,258 to Barrus et al., entitled Computer Accessory Including A Pivotably Mounted Combined Handle And Power Source And Associated Method Of Manufacturing, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,373 to Kumar et al, entitled Protective Case For Portable Computer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,922 to Butcher, entitled Portable Computer Carry Case Assembly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,300 to Leung, entitled Portable Computer With A Detachable Handle Including A Battery, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,926 to Jeong, entitled Handle For Electronic Equipment, U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,198 to Gruenberg et al., entitled Handle Latch Assembly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,365 to Hsieh, entitled Portable Computer System, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,261 to Fuhs, entitled Retractable Handle And Latch For Portable Computers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,231 to Yamaguchi et al., entitled Carrying Case, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,496 to Murez, entitled Portable Computer Enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer having a retractable handle which can be projected for carrying the computer and retracted when the computer is in use, thereby providing the user with a convenient means to transport the portable computer over long and short distances.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable computer including a main body inside of which a main board and various peripherals are mounted, a handle mounted to the main body, a display portion rotatably mounted to the main body and which outputs information on a screen for the user to view, and an indented portion concavely formed on a position of the main body corresponding to a location of the handle, the indented portion being formed such that the handle does not protrude outward when the same is not in use.
The main body includes a plurality of handle receptors forming cavities.
The handle receptors are formed by: first and second plates disposed inwardly from an outer edge of a top case of the main body and to the right and left of the indented portion, respectively, the first plate having a first handle stopper formed with a semicircular groove in a center portion thereof, and the second plate having a second handle stopper formed with a semicircular groove in a center portion thereof; and third and fourth plates disposed inwardly from an outer edge of a bottom case of the main body and to the right and left of the indented portion, respectively, the third plate having a third handle stopper formed with a semicircular groove in a center portion thereof, and the fourth plate having a fourth handle stopper formed with a semicircular groove in a center portion thereof
The first and second plates of the top case correspond to a position of the third and fourth plates of the bottom case, respectively, the first handle stopper of the first plate corresponding to a position of the third handle stopper of the third plate, and the second handle stopper of the second plate corresponding to a position of the fourth handle stopper of the fourth plate.
Further, catch portions are formed on ends of the handle, and the catch portions are positioned in the cavities formed by handle receptors by passing through holes formed by the semicircular grooves of the first and third handle stoppers and by the semicircular grooves of the second and fourth handle stoppers. Reinforcing members are inserted into the catch portions of the handle to provide additional support to the same.
In another aspect, the reinforcing member is formed as a single plate extending across an entire length of the handle and substantially covered by the same. The reinforcing member includes a plurality of grooves provided on ends thereof, the grooves fitting over corresponding protrusions formed in a mold during the molding process, and a plurality of apertures formed in the reinforcing member such that material, while in a liquid state, can fully penetrate an underside of the reinforcing member and fill the mold. Further, the reinforcing member is arcuate such that the handle maintains this shape and a predetermined degree of elasticity.
In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a portable computer including: a main body inside of which a main board and various peripherals are mounted and having a plurality of handle stoppers, each handle stopper having a hole and the handle stoppers forming cavities; a handle mounted to the main body and having catch portions formed on opposite ends thereof, the catch portions being positioned in the cavities formed by the handle stoppers; a display portion rotatably mounted to the main body and which outputs information on a screen for the user to view; and an indented portion concavely formed on a position of the main body corresponding to a location of the handle, the indented portion being formed such that the handle does not protrude outward when the same is not in use.
In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a portable computer including: a handle, on each end of which is formed a catch portion; and a main body having two handle stoppers provided at predetermined locations, the handle stoppers forming holes through which the catch portions of the handle are inserted. In addition, the
Cho Keon-Young
Kim Joong-seup
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Duong Hung Van
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Tolin Gerald
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