Latch device in portable computer

• US 20050236848A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Hyong-Kon
• Granted Patent: US 7,082,035 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 292/251.500
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/16 Devices holding the wing by magnetic or electromagnetic attraction E05C17/56 takes precedence
• 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: Y10T 292/11 Magnetic

Abstract

The present invention relates to a latch device for a portable computer, a portable computer having same and methods thereof. Embodiments of a latch device for a portable computer having a display, which operates to be folded onto or unfolded with respect to a main body, can include first and second magnetic members correspondingly provided at one of the display and the main body, respectively. A magnetic force of the first and second magnetic members can be exerted therebetween when the display is folded onto the main body to cause the display to be engaged with the main body.

Claims

1. A latch device for a portable computer having a display configured to be folded and unfolded about a hinge with respect to a main body of the portable computer, the latch device comprising:

a magnet provided at an inner portion of one of the display or the main body; and

a magnetic member provided at an inner portion of the other of the main body or the display corresponding to the inner portion of the display or the main body provided with the magnet,

wherein the magnet is configured to exert a magnetic force on the magnetic member when the display is folded onto the main body so as to cause the display to be engaged with the main body.

2. The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnetic member is one selected from the group of a metal plate, a magnet having a polarity opposite to that of the magnet, an electromagnetic device, a magnetic device or conductive materials.

3. The latch device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnet is seated in a holder in which only one side is open.

4. The latch device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetic member comprising a metal plate is configured to be positioned on a support to be installed in close contact with an inner surface of a case defining an external surface of the display or the main body.

5. The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet and the magnetic member are provided at front ends of the display and the main body, respectively, such that the magnet and the magnetic member are in close contact with inner surfaces of cases defining external surfaces of the display and the main body, respectively.

6. The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one pair comprising the magnet and the magnetic member is provided.

7. The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet is configured to be installed within a seating portion formed on an inner surface of a case defining an external surface of the display or the main body.

8. The latch device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a shield plate configured to shield the magnet installed within the seating portion.

9. The latch device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shield plate is configured to be fastened to a fastening boss formed in the seating portion by a fastener, and wherein a pressing protrusion formed on an inner surface of the shield plate is configured to press and hold the magnet in position.

10. The latch device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shield plate is made of a material capable of preventing the magnetic force of the magnet from penetrating therethrough.

11. The latch device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least one catching hook and at least one guide boss formed on the seating portion with the magnetic member seated therein, wherein at least one catching hole formed in the cover is configured to engage the at least one catching hook, and at least one guide hole formed in the cover is configured to receive the at least one guide boss.

12. The latch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the magnet is configured to be installed within a seating portion formed on an inner surface of a case defining an external surface of the display or main body, and to be shielded by a cover made of a non-conductive material to reduce the magnetic force of the magnet impinging thereon.

13. A latch device, comprising:

a first body portion and a second body portion coupled together to move between an open position and a closed position;

a first member installed in the first body portion;

a second member installed in the second body portion, wherein the first and second member are configured to engage each other using a magnetic force to maintain the first and second body portions in the closed position.

14. The latch device of claim 13, wherein the first member and the second member respectively include at least one magnet and at least one magnetic member, wherein a position of said at least one magnetic member on the second body portion corresponds to a position of said at least one magnet installed on the first body portion so as to draw the first and second body portions together and maintain the first and second body portions in an engaged position relative to one another in the closed position, and to disengage the first and second body portions upon application of a force in excess of a magnetic force between said at least one magnet and the at least one magnetic member.

15. The latch device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one magnet is configured to be installed within a seating portion provided in the first body portion and wherein the first body portion has a gap corresponding to each of said at least one magnet.

16. The latch device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said at least one magnetic member comprises a metal plate configured to be positioned on a support provided in the second body portion.

17. The latch device as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a shield plate configured to shield said at least one magnet installed within the seating portion.

18. The latch device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the shield plate comprises a material capable of reducing the magnetic force of said at least one magnet from penetrating therethrough.

19. The latch device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the shield plate is made of a non-conductive material to reduce the magnetic force of the magnet impinging thereon.

20. The latch device as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a pressing protrusion configured to press and to hold the at least one magnet in position.

21. The latch device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said at least one magnetic member is configured to be installed within a seating portion provided in the second body portion, and to be shielded by a cover.

22. The latch device as claimed in claim 21, further comprising at least one catching hook and at least one guide boss formed on the seating portion with said at least one magnetic member seated therein, wherein at least one catching hole formed in the cover is configured to engage said at least one catching hook, and at least one guide hole formed in the cover is configured to receive said at least one guide boss.

23. The latch device as claimed in claims 13, wherein the first member and the second member can be electromagnetic, magnetic or conductive material.

24. A portable computer comprising the latch device of claim 13.

25. A latch device for a portable computer having a display configured to be folded and unfolded with respect to a main body of the portable computer, the latch device comprising:

a first magnetic member proximate to an inner portion of a case of the display; and

a second magnetic member proximate to an inner portion of a case of the main body and positioned on the case of the main body so as to correspond to a position of the magnet on the case of the display when the display is folded with respect to the main body,

wherein the magnetic members are configured to exert a magnetic force on the each other when the display is folded with respect to the main body so as to maintain a folded position of the display with respect to the main body.

26. The latch device for a portable computer of claim 25, wherein the inner portion has a gap corresponding to a magnet installed in the display.

27. The latch device for a portable computer of claim 25, wherein one of the first and second magnetic members can be electromagnetic, magnetic or conductive material.

28. A method of assembling a portable computer, comprising:

coupling a first body portion and a second body portion together to move between an open position and a closed position;

providing a first member in the first body portion;

providing a second member in the second body portion, wherein the first and second member are configured to engage each other using a magnetic force to maintain the first and second body portions in the closed position.