Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-30
2003-01-14
Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2109)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C016S340000, C280S624000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06507485
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to hinge mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge mechanism which is suitable for use in a portable computing device such as a notebook computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advances in technology have enabled the size of personal computers to decrease. As a result, the use of portable computers such as notebook, or laptop, computers and notepad computers is rapidly increasing. The portability of notebook computers and notepad computers enables a user to keep his or her computer readily accessible such that computing resources are effectively always at hand. By way of example, a notebook computer running on a battery pack enables a user to access computational resources without the need for external sources of electricity.
Many portable computers are configured such that a display screen of the computer pivots, or rotates, with respect to the base of the computer.
FIG. 1A
is a diagrammatic representation of a portable computer or, more specifically, a notebook computer. A notebook computer
102
generally includes a display section
106
and a base section
110
. Display section
106
typically includes a display screen
114
, while base section
110
often includes an input/output device such as a keyboard
118
, and houses a central processing unit and memory devices (not shown).
Notebook computer
102
typically includes connectors or ports (not shown) which enable notebook computer
102
to communicate with external sources and peripheral devices. Such connectors or ports may enable notebook computer
102
to communicate with, for example, a computer network, a printer, a serial device such as a mouse, a scanner, and a docking station. Connectors or ports may also enable notebook computer
102
to interface with a power source, e.g., an electrical outlet.
Connectors and ports associated with notebook computer
102
are often located at the rear of base section
110
. Often, connectors and ports are covered by doors in order to protect the connectors and ports, e.g., from damage while notebook computer
102
is being transported.
FIG. 1B
is a diagrammatic representation of the back of notebook computer
102
of FIG.
1
A. As shown, doors
130
,
132
are located at the rear of base section
110
, and are arranged to cover connectors and ports when closed. In general, doors
130
,
132
are arranged to pivot about a z-axis
136
to open and to close.
Typically, hinges are used to rotationally couple doors
130
,
132
to base section
110
. Hinges used to couple doors
130
to base section
110
are generally either “external” hinges
138
, i.e., hinges which are at least partially located outside of the profile of base section
110
, or hidden hinges (not shown). Door
130
is shown as including external hinges
138
which effectively place the axis of rotation of door
130
outside of the profile, or outline, of base section
110
at all times. That is, external hinges
138
are always at least partially outside the outline of base section
110
, regardless of whether door
130
is in an open position or a closed position. External hinges
138
increase the overall thickness of notebook computer
102
, and may affect the physical stability of notebook computer
102
when notebook computer
102
is placed on a flat surface. By way of example, unless rubber pads or similar structures are added to the underside of base section
110
to compensate for the thickness of external hinges
138
, notebook computer
102
may generally rest at an angle due to the thickness of external hinges
138
. Further, external hinges
138
are often considered to be aesthetically non-pleasing.
Door
132
includes hidden or “internal” hinges (not shown) which effectively place the axis of rotation of door
132
inside the profile of base section
110
. The use of internal hinges enables door
132
to open out from base section
110
, and typically does not affect the thickness of notebook computer
102
, i.e., internal hinges generally do not increase the profile of base section
110
. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the placement of internal hinges within the profile of base section
110
generally requires the presence of relatively significant openings or gaps
142
in door
132
or in base section
110
(not shown), or in both door
132
and base section
110
. Gaps
142
enable door
132
to rotate with respect to the internal hinges. While internal hinges generally have no affect on the profile of base section
110
, the presence of gaps
142
is often undesirable due at least in part to the fact that items may become lodged in gaps
142
. In addition, gaps
142
may cause connectors and ports, as well as other components associated with base section
110
, to be exposed to materials, e.g., dust particles, or moisture. Additionally, gaps
142
may be considered as being unpleasing to the eye.
Therefore, what is needed is a hinge mechanism for use with a door of a notebook computer which does not extend the profile of the notebook computer or require significant gaps between the door and the adjoining base section of the notebook computer. That is, what is desired is an internal hinge mechanism which enables the door to pivot without requiring the existence of a substantive between the door and the base section.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism that is suitable for use in a portable computing device. According to one aspect of the present invention, a hinge mechanism that is used with a door in a portable computing device includes a spring coil, a stopper, and a pivot arm. The spring coil has a compressive state, e.g., the spring coil may be compressed or decompressed. The pivot arm is coupled to the stopper, and includes a first section as well as a second section. The first section is arranged to be positioned substantially within the spring coil, and the second section is arranged to be coupled to the door. Translational motion of the pivot arm causes the stopper to cause the compressive state of the spring coil to change.
In one embodiment, the translational motion of the pivot arm causes the stopper to cause the spring coil to compress. In such an embodiment, a portable computing device which includes the hinge mechanism may also include a frame that is arranged to cooperate with the stopper to cause the spring coil to compress. For example, the spring coil may be compressed between the stopper and the frame.
A hinge mechanism of the present invention which enables a door of a computing device to open and close with respect to the computing device enables the components of the hinge mechanism to remain substantially within the footprint, e.g., outline or trace, of a base section of the computing device when the door is closed. The door has an axis of rotation which is defined with respect to the hinge mechanism, and may be translationally moved out of the footprint of the base section in order to enable the door to rotate about the axis when the axis is effectively outside of the footprint of the base section. Such an internal hinge mechanism generally does not affect the overall profile of the computing device, and enables the door to be opened and closed substantially without necessitating a relatively large opening to be cut into the door or into the base section near the door.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a computing device includes a display section and a base section which are in commuunication. The base section includes a frame, a door, and a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism is arranged to couple the frame and the door such that the door may move with respect to the frame. The hinge mechanism is further arranged to translate when the door rotates with respect to an axis. In one embodiment, when the door is in a first position with respect to the frame, the axis passes through the base section, and when the door is in a second position with respect to the frame,
Apple Computer Inc.
Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
Duong Hung Van
Schuberg Darren
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