Portable workstation computer

• US 20040085718A1
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rugged Portable Computers, LLC
• Original Assignee: Maxvision Corporation
• Inventors: Imsand, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,002,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/681
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1607 Arrangements to support accessories mechanically attached to the display housing G06F1/1603, G06F1/1605 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1615 with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel

Abstract

A portable workstation computer is disclosed. The computer includes a display assembly adapted to be mounted between a frontal concave member and a rearward concave member. A keyboard, mouse, and accessories may be stored in the frontal concave member. Processing, memory, and storage components are housed in the rearward concave member. The display assembly may be interposed between the frontal concave member and the rearward concave member in a briefcase configuration, forming a casing for the computer. A dual display embodiment is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

processing, storage, and input/output components; and

removably attachable sections, said sections comprising;

a first display assembly comprising a first display frame;

a second display assembly comprising a second display frame, one side of the second display frame adapted to mate with the front side of the first display frame;

a frontal concave member having a rearward opening adapted to mate with the other side of the second display frame;

a rearward concave member having a frontal opening adapted to mate with the back side of the first display frame;

such that the first and second display assemblies may be interposed between the frontal concave member and the rearward concave member, forming a casing for the computer.

2. The computer of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one gate, the gate having a frontal edge and a rearward edge and being slidably mounted to the rearward concave member, such that the gate may move from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position; and

wherein

the first display frame comprises a rearwardly opening slot on its back side, the rearward slot positioned and sized to accept the frontal edge of the gate and a first display fastener proximate to the slot for releasably securing the frontal edge of the gate when inserted into the slot;

so that the first display frame secured to the gate moves with the gate from its retracted position to its extended position.

3. The computer of claim 2, wherein the gate comprises a cam cut and the fastener comprises a retractable pin having a shank terminating into a cam follower, the cam follower adapted to fit within the cam cut and being of a smaller diameter than the shank, the shank engaging the mounting bracket and the cam follower engaging the cam cut.

4. The computer of claim 3, further comprising a rearward fastener mounted through the rearward concave member proximate and generally normal to the gate and wherein said gate comprises a hole, the hole adapted to receive the rearward fastener and thereby lock the gate into a fixed position.

5. The computer of claim 2, wherein

the frontal concave member comprises an elongated mounting bracket;

the second display frame comprises a slot extending from one side through to the other side of said frame, said slot sized to receive the mounting bracket, and a second display fastener mounted proximate and normal to the slot; and

the first display frame comprises a frontal slot on its front side sized to receive the mounting bracket such that the mounting bracket may be inserted through the slot on the second display frame and into the slot on the first display frame and the first and second display fasteners may engage the mounting bracket so inserted.

6. The computer of claim 5, wherein the mounting bracket of the frontal concave member comprises an aperture which may be engaged by the second display fastener on the second display frame, such that the second display frame and the frontal concave member may form an A-frame.

7. The computer of claim 5, wherein the frontal concave member comprises storage compartments for storing computer accessories.

8. The computer of claim 7, further comprising a keyboard, a mouse, and a removable cover adapted to fit the opening of the frontal concave member and wherein the keyboard and mouse may be stored within the frontal member and held in position by the cover.

9. The computer of claim 6, further comprising a display stand for the second display.

10. The computer of claim 5, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said at least one gate is slidably mounted to the at least one side wall, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

11. The computer of claim 2, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said at least one gate is slidably mounted to the at least one side wall, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

12. The computer of claim 1, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components mounted within the rearward concave member;

and further comprising at least one gate being slidably mounted to the at least one side wall movable from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

13. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a mounting plate attached to said rearward concave member proximate its opening, whereby an enclosure is formed in which the processing, storage, and input/output components are mounted.

14. The computer of claim 13 wherein said rearward concave member comprises a midsection and an endcap.

15. The computer of claim 1, further comprising means for slidably mounting the first display assembly to the rearward concave member such that the first display assembly may be reciprocated from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position.

16. The computer of claim 15 further comprising means for adjusting the height and angle of the first display assembly.

17. The computer of claim 15 further comprising means for securing the frontal concave member to the first and second display assemblies.

18. The computer of claim 17 wherein said securing means may secure the second display assembly and frontal concave member together in an A-frame configuration.

19. The computer of claim 15, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said slidable means cover said portals when retracted and allow access to said portals when extended.

20. The computer of claim 1, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said slidable means cover said portals when retracted and allow access to said portals when extended.

21. A computer comprising:

processing, storage, and input/output components; and

removably attachable sections, said sections comprising;

a first display assembly comprising a first display frame;

a second display assembly comprising a second display frame, one side of the second display frame adapted to mate with the front side of the first display frame;

a frontal concave member having a rearward opening adapted to mate with the other side of the second display frame;

a rearward concave member having a frontal opening adapted to mate with the back side of the first display frame, the rearward member comprising;

a mounting plate attached thereto proximate its opening, whereby an enclosure is formed in which the processing, storage, and input/output components are mounted;

portals rearward of the mounting plate for accessing the input/output components; and

a pair of gates slidably mounted to the rearward concave member, the first display assembly attached to the gates, the gates sliding from a rearward retracted position in which the portals are covered to a forward extended position in which the portals are accessible;

such that the first and second display assemblies may be interposed between the frontal concave member and the rearward concave member, forming a casing for the computer.

22. The computer of claim 21 wherein said rearward concave member comprises a midsection and an endcap.

23. A housing for a computer comprising removably attachable sections, said sections comprising:

a first display assembly comprising a first display frame;

a second display assembly comprising a second display frame, one side of the second display frame adapted to mate with the front side of the first display frame;

a frontal concave member having a rearward opening adapted to mate with the other side of the second display frame;

a rearward concave member having a frontal opening adapted to mate with the back side of the first display frame;

such that the first and second display assemblies may be interposed between the frontal concave member and the rearward concave member, forming a casing for the computer.

24. The housing of claim 23, further comprising:

at least one gate, the gate having a frontal edge and a rearward edge and being slidably mounted to the rearward concave member, such that the gate may move from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position; and

wherein

the first display frame comprises a rearwardly opening slot on its back side, the rearward slot positioned and sized to accept the frontal edge of the gate and a first display fastener proximate to the slot for releasably securing the frontal edge of the gate when inserted into the slot;

so that the first display frame secured to the gate moves with the gate from its retracted position to its extended position.

25. The housing of claim 24, wherein the gate comprises a cam cut and the fastener comprises a retractable pin having a shank terminating into a cam follower, the cam follower adapted to fit within the cam cut and being of a smaller diameter than the shank, the shank engaging the mounting bracket and the cam follower engaging the cam cut.

26. The housing of claim 25, further comprising a rearward fastener mounted through the rearward concave member proximate and generally normal to the gate and wherein said gate comprises a hole, the hole adapted to receive the rearward fastener and thereby lock the gate into a fixed position.

27. The housing of claim 24, wherein

the frontal concave member comprises an elongated mounting bracket;

the second display frame comprises a slot extending from one side through to the other side of said frame, said slot sized to receive the mounting bracket, and a second display fastener mounted proximate and normal to the slot; and

the first display frame comprises a frontal slot on its front side sized to receive the mounting bracket such that the mounting bracket may be inserted through the slot on the second display frame and into the slot on the first display frame and the first and second display fasteners may engage the mounting bracket so inserted.

28. The housing of claim 27, wherein the mounting bracket of the frontal concave member comprises an aperture which may be engaged by the second display fastener on the second display frame, such that the second display frame and the frontal concave member may form an A-frame.

29. The housing of claim 27, wherein the frontal concave member comprises storage compartments for storing computer accessories.

30. The housing of claim 27, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing computer components to be mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said at least one gate is slidably mounted to the at least one side wall, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

31. The housing of claim 24, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing computer components to be mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said at least one gate is slidably mounted to the at least one side wall, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

32. The housing of claim 23, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing computer components to be mounted within the rearward concave member;

and further comprising at least one gate being slidably mounted to the at least one side wall from a from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position, such that the portals are covered by the gate in its rearward retracted position and the portals are accessible when the gate is in its forward extended position.

33. The housing of claim 23 further comprising a mounting plate attached to said rearward concave member proximate its opening, whereby an enclosure is formed in which computer components may be mounted.

34. The housing of claim 33 wherein said rearward concave member comprises a midsection and an endcap.

35. The housing of claim 23, further comprising means for slidably mounting the first display assembly to the rearward concave member such that the first display assembly may be reciprocated from a rearward retracted position to a forward extended position.

36. The housing of claim 35 further comprising means for adjusting the height and angle of the second display assembly.

37. The housing of claim 35 further comprising means for securing the frontal concave member to the first and second display assemblies.

38. The housing of claim 37 wherein said securing means may secure the second display assembly and frontal concave member together in an A-frame configuration.

39. The housing of claim 35, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing computer components to be mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said slidable means cover said portals when retracted and allow access to said portals when extended.

40. The housing of claim 23, wherein the rearward concave member comprises a rearward end cap and top, bottom, and side walls, at least one side wall having portals for accessing input and output components to be mounted within the rearward concave member;

and wherein said slidable means cover said portals when retracted and allow access to said portals when extended.