Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-13
2001-11-13
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S679090, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317314
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reinforced housing for a module unit of a portable computer, more particularly to a housing which is light weight and has a variable appearance and which can be produced at a lower material cost, and to a portable computer module that uses the reinforced housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known to form a conventional portable computer housing from an aluminum-magnesium alloy to provide sufficient strength to resist deformation due to accidental collision. Generally, the keyboard housing and the display housing of the conventional portable computer are entirely made from sheets of the aluminum-magnesium alloy. The material cost of the portable computer is thus relatively high, and the weight of the portable computer is relatively heavy. In addition, with the use of the aluminum-magnesium alloy, the conventional portable computer is provided with an appearance which is non-changeable. It is not possible for the user to change the appearance of the portable computer based on his or her preference or according to the occasion on which the portable computer is used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to provide a reinforced housing for a module unit of a portable computer to overcome the aforementioned problems encountered in the conventional portable computer housing.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a keyboard module of a portable computer that uses the reinforced housing of the present invention.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a display module of a portable computer that uses the reinforced housing of the present invention.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a housing for a module unit of a portable computer includes a surrounding wall member and a cover member. The surrounding wall member includes a rectangular surrounding wall, and a partition disposed in and spanning a rectangular area confined by the surrounding wall. The partition cooperates with the surrounding wall to form a first receiving space with a first open end, and a second receiving space with a second open end. The partition is formed with an opening for intercommunicating the first and second receiving spaces. The cover member is formed separately from and is mounted on the surrounding wall member at the first open end of the first receiving space to cover the first receiving space. The first receiving space is adapted to receive a circuit board therein. The second receiving space is adapted to receive the module unit therein. Electrical connection between the module unit and the circuit board can be established via an electrical conductor unit that is extended through the opening in the partition.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a keyboard module of a portable computer includes a keyboard housing, a main computer board, a keyboard unit, and an electrical conductor unit. The keyboard housing includes a surrounding wall member and a cover member. The surrounding wall member includes a rectangular surrounding wall, and a partition disposed in and spanning a rectangular area confined by the surrounding wall. The partition cooperates with the surrounding wall to form an upper receiving space with a top open end, and a lower receiving space with a bottom open end. The partition is formed with an opening for intercommunicating the upper and lower receiving spaces. The cover member is formed separately from and is mounted on the surrounding wall member at the bottom open end of the lower receiving space to cover the lower receiving space. The main computer board is mounted in the lower receiving space. The keyboard unit is retained in the upper receiving space, and is accessible via the top open end of the upper receiving space. The electrical conductor unit is disposed in the housing, and extends through the opening in the partition. The electrical conductor unit establishes electrical connection between the keyboard unit and the main computer board.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a display module of a portable computer includes a display housing, a circuit board, a liquid crystal display panel, and an electrical conductor unit. The display module includes a display housing, a circuit board, a liquid crystal display panel and an electrical conductor unit. The display housing includes a surrounding wall member and a cover member. The surrounding wall member includes a rectangular surrounding wall, and a partition disposed in and spanning a rectangular area confined by the surrounding wall. The partition cooperates with the surrounding wall to form a front receiving space with a front open end, and a rear receiving space with a rear open end. The partition is formed with an opening for intercommunicating the front and rear receiving spaces. The cover member is formed separately from and is mounted on the surrounding wall member at the rear open end of the rear receiving space to cover the rear receiving space. The circuit board is mounted in the rear receiving space. The liquid crystal display panel is retained in the front receiving space, and is visible via the front open end of the front receiving space. The electrical conductor unit is disposed in the housing, and extends through the opening in the partition. The electrical conductor unit establishes electrical connection between the display panel and the circuit board.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5268816 (1993-12-01), Abell, Jr. et al.
patent: 6101088 (2000-08-01), Nakajima et al.
Chou Ming-Hsun
Kung Shao-Tsu
Chang Yean-Hsi
Compal Electronics Inc.
Picard Leo P.
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
LandOfFree
Reinforced housing for a module of a portable computer does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Reinforced housing for a module of a portable computer, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Reinforced housing for a module of a portable computer will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2586896