Portable computer of multifunction type

• US 20040042168A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Choi, Dong Joon, Park, Joung Sea, Yang, Myeong Kyoo
• Granted Patent: US 6,788,532 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/685
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 13/0825 the ejection arrangement being of the push-push kind
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/123 Mounting arrangements of constructional parts onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus (e.g. a portable computer) including a peripheral device (e.g. a hard disk) and a bracket. The bracket may be configured to rigidly attach the peripheral device to the apparatus. Further, the bracket may be configured to guide the peripheral device into electrical contact with the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a peripheral device; and

a bracket, wherein the bracket is configured to;

rigidly attach the peripheral device to the apparatus; and

guide the peripheral device into electrical contact with the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a hard disk.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a computer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the computer is a portable computer.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the computer has a display with a viewable area greater than 10 inches in at least one dimension.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the bracket comprises at least one groove; and

the at least one groove is configured to receive at least one protrusion of the peripheral device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the peripheral device travels in a first direction then a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction along the at least one groove.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the groove is L shaped.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the peripheral device is in direct electrical contact with the apparatus when the at least one protrusion of the peripheral device is positioned at an end of the at least one groove.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface between the apparatus and the peripheral device is a rigid direct connection between the apparatus and the peripheral device.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a computer;

a hard disk; and

means for rigidly attaching the hard disk to the computer and guiding the hard disk into electrical contact with the computer.

12. A portable computer comprising a HDD attaching/detaching unit comprising:

a HDD bracket configured to receive a HDD and fastened to a rear cover;

the HDD configured with a connector for connection, wherein the HDD is configured to attach to and detach from the HDD bracket; and

a plurality of attaching/detaching protuberances and attaching/detaching protuberance guiding grooves formed corresponding to each other on both sides of the HDD and the HDD bracket, respectively, wherein the attaching/detaching protuberance guiding grooves are formed in a “

L”

shape so that the attaching/detaching protuberances are joined into the attaching/detaching protuberance guiding grooves in a sliding manner.

13. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the attaching/detaching protuberance guiding grooves of the HDD bracket are formed on the HDD bracket, and the attaching/detaching protuberances are formed on the HDD.

14. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the HDD is in direct electrical contact with the portable computer when at least one protuberance of the HDD is positioned at an end of the corresponding groove.

15. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein a length of the HDD bracket is a sum of a length of the HDD and a length of the attaching/detaching protuberance guiding groove of a “

L”

shape.

16. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the attaching/detaching protuberances projected on an outer side of the HDD are formed in a screw joining manner, so that sticking strength between the HDD bracket and the HDD is variable depending on adjustment of a screw length.

17. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the HDD attaching/detaching unit further comprises a HDD cover configured with a detachment preventing threshold positioned on a rear end of the HDD in order to cover the HDD joined to the HDD bracket and to prevent the connecter connection from being disconnected.

18. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the HDD bracket and the HDD cover are joined to the rear cover in a manner of a hook and a hook hooking groove.

19. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein the HDD attaching/detaching unit comprises:

an insulating film configured to insulate the HDD joined to the HDD bracket;

a film fixing plate exposed to the outside at a first side, having a second opposing attached to the insulating film, and right and left sides joined to a guiding protuberance of the HDD, wherein the film fixing plate is joined to a back side of the HDD.

20. The portable computer according to claim 19, wherein the HDD attaching/detaching unit further comprises a HDD cover joined to an exterior of the HDD bracket on the rear cover, wherein the HDD cover includes a detachment preventing threshold on an inner rear portion configured to contact with a rear portion of the HDD to prevent the HDD received in the HDD bracket from moving in a backward direction.

21. The portable computer according to claim 19, wherein the HDD attaching/detaching unit further comprises a separating knob attached to the film fixing plate for separating the HDD.

22. The portable computer according to claim 21, wherein the separating knob is attached to the insulating film by a first side and has a second side exposed to the outside.

23. The portable computer according to claim 12, wherein an interface between the portable computer and the HDD is configured to be a rigid direct connection between the HDD and the portable computer.