Multimedia device for portable computers

• US 20050168924A1
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inventec Corporation
• Inventors: Liu, Ming-Yuan, Wu, Yaz-Tzung
• Granted Patent: US 7,453,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.580
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera

Abstract

A multimedia device adopted for use on portable computers is movably mounted on a portable computer which consistS of a first member and a second member that are openable and foldable relative to each other. When the portable computer is opened, the multimedia device may be turned to a use position. The multimedia device has a latch member turnable to latch and couple the first and second members in a closed condition when they are moved to close to each other for folding.

Claims

1. A multimedia device for portable computers which consists of a first member and a second member that are openable and foldable relative to each other comprising a latch member in the folding direction of the portable computer,

wherein the multimedia device is movably mounted on the first member, and is turnable to a use position when the first member and the second member are opened, the latch member being turnable to a closed position to latch the second member when the first member and the second member are moved close to each other for folding.

2. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the latch member has a through aperture to allow a connection line of the multimedia device to run through to electrically connected to the portable computer.

3. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the multimedia device is a video camera.

4. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the multimedia device is an audio equipment.

5. The multimedia device of claim 1, wherein the latch member is located on the multimedia device in a linear moving manner.

6. The multimedia device of claim 1 further having an elastic member connecting to the latch member.

7. The multimedia device of claim 6, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

8. The multimedia device of claim 6, wherein the latch member has a hook exposed outside the multimedia device.

9. The multimedia device of claim 8, wherein the multimedia device has a notch corresponding to the hook.

10. The multimedia device of claim 1 further having a bucking member located on one side of the multimedia device connecting to the latch member to control moving conditions of the latch member.

11. The multimedia device of claim 10, wherein the bucking member has one side forming a plurality of ridges to receive forces from users.

12. A multimedia device for portable computers which consists of a host body and a display panel that are openable and foldable relative to each other, the multimedia device comprising:

a case having a housing compartment for housing a plurality of electronic elements needed for operations, and a pivotal member on one side thereof, the pivotal member having a distal end forming a spherical section to allow the case to be pivotally mounted on the display panel and to be turned freely thereon; and

a latch member located in the housing compartment having a hook exposed outside the case and being connected to an elastic member to allow the latch member to be moved relative to the case;

wherein the hook latches the host body when the display panel is folded over the host body to keep the display panel and the host body closed in normal conditions.

13. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the latch member is movable linearly relative to the case.

14. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the elastic member is a spring.

15. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the case has a notch corresponding to the hook to expose the hook.

16. The multimedia device of claim 12 further having a bucking member located on one side of the case connecting to the latch member to control moving conditions of the latch member.

17. The multimedia device of claim 16, wherein the bucking member has one side forming a plurality of ridges to receive forces from users.

18. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the pivotal member has a through aperture to allow a connection line of the multimedia device to run through to electrically connected to the host body.

19. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the multimedia device is a video camera.

20. The multimedia device of claim 12, wherein the multimedia device is an audio equipment.