Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-16
2001-10-30
Tolin, Gerald (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S689000, C361S689000, C292S018000, C292S209000, C312S223100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310766
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all rights accruing thereto under 35 U.S.C. §119 through my patent application entitled
Latching Apparatus and Portable Computer Having the Same
earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 15th day of March 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 1997/04857.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a latch assembly and, more specifically, to a latch assembly for a portable computer that secures a display panel to a main body housing the computer.
2. Background Art
Portable computers having a keyboard and flat panel type of display have become increasingly popular. This type of portable computer may be constructed using both a base and a display panel. The display panel is pivotally mounted on a base that contains a microcomputer. A latch assembly is provided to protect the display panel from being damaged when the portable computer is transported or is not in use. When the display panel is folded down onto the base, the latch assembly allows the display panel to be secured to the base. The latch assembly may be constructed of a latch, a seat, and a push button. The latch and the push button are provided on an internal side surface of the display panel, and the seat is provided on a top surface of the base. The latch may be operated by manually depressing a button.
Different techniques for securing a display panel to a base are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,966 to Kobayashi entitled
Apparatus Including a Rotatable Latch Mechanism Having an Attaching Structure for Holding a Movable Member in a Closed Position
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,154 to Hosoi entitled
Portable Electronic Apparatus With a Latch Mechanism Including an Interlock
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,107 to Howell entitled
Hidden Latch Hook for Portable Personal Computer and the Like
, U.S. Pat. No. 4,758,031 to Wolf entitled
Retractable Safety Latch for Cases
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,576,929 to Uchiyama entitled
Structure Having a Latch Mechanism Engaging an Intermediate Coverandan Outer Cover and Lifting the Intermediate Cover by Deformation of Elastic Member
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,036 to Lin entitled
Portable Computer With Tillable Keyboard Structure Having Releasably Engageable Latch Assembly Members
, U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,496 to Murez entitled
Portable Computer Enclosure
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,168,429 to Hosoi entitled
Electronic Apparatus Having a Slidable Pawl for Removably Connecting a Display Housing to a Base Housing
, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,296 to Satou entitled
Electronic Apparatus With Hinged Display and Latch Mechanism for Releasably Latching Display in Closed Position
. I have found that contemporary art does not provide a securing technique that is relatively simple to assemble and resistant to wear. Sometimes a latch will not release properly from the main body because the latch assembly has become worn and dysfunctional. Installing a latch assembly is often inconvenient to because of the complicated structure of the latch assembly.
As such, I believe it may be possible to improve on the prior art by providing a device for securing a display panel to a main body that is easier to assemble because the latching assembly simply slides into position inside of the display panel, that has a simple design, that is less subject to wear, and is economical to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved latch assembly for a portable computer.
It is another object to provide a latch assembly for a portable computer that is simpler to incorporate into the manufacture of portable computers because the latching assembly simply slides into position inside of the display panel without needing any additional fasteners to be secured in place.
It is still another object to provide a latch assembly for a portable computer that has superior wear characteristics that allow the latch assembly to have an increased lifespan.
It is yet another object to provide a latch assembly that can be economically manufactured.
To achieve these and other objects, a device for securely engaging a display panel to a base while in a closed position is provided for use with a portable computer that may be constructed of both a base and a display panel that is pivotally mounted on the base. The base and the display panel combine to form the chassis of the portable computer. The device for engaging the display panel and the base in a closed position prevents the display panel from being damaged when the portable computer is being moved, stored, or shipped. The device has a recess for mounting a latching assembly. The latching assembly supports a latch that secures the display panel to the base when the cover is in a folded down, or closed or recessed, position. The latch assembly is received in a recess that is formed in the display panel. A seat is formed on the base that corresponds to the opening on the cover. To secure the display panel and the base in a closed position, the latch assembly is inserted into the recess and then coupled to the seat or seating area on the base. A catch is integrally formed with the latch assembly, and allows the latch assembly to be securely mounted in the recess. An elastic member is fastened to the latch assembly to prevent the latch from detaching without the manual application of pressure on a button by a user.
According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a portable computer having a base containing a microcomputer has a pivotally mounted display panel. The display panel may be constructed with a front housing and a back housing. A recess is integrally formed with the back housing and an opening is located on the front surface of the front housing. A seat or seating area is formed on the top surface of the base that corresponds to the opening. A latch assembly is inserted into the recess. A catch is integrally formed with the latch assembly to allow the latch assembly to a be mounted to the recess. An elastic member is integrally formed with the body to allow the latch to be removed from the cavity in the seating recess in the base when manual pressure is applied to the button area.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3709538 (1973-01-01), Seitz et al.
patent: 4294496 (1981-10-01), Murez
patent: 4758031 (1988-07-01), Wolf
patent: 4828299 (1989-05-01), Poe
patent: 5168429 (1992-12-01), Hosoi
patent: 5198966 (1993-03-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5255154 (1993-10-01), Hosoi et al.
patent: 5490036 (1996-02-01), Lin et al.
patent: 5497296 (1996-03-01), Satou et al.
patent: 5576929 (1996-11-01), Uchiyama et al.
patent: 5580107 (1996-12-01), Howell
patent: 5644469 (1997-07-01), Shioya et al.
patent: 5761030 (1998-06-01), Roscoe
patent: 5764480 (1998-06-01), Crump et al.
Bui Tung Minh
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Tolin Gerald
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