Portable personal computing system

• US 4,736,332 A
• Filed: 04/26/1985
• Issued: 04/05/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Crease, Pierre L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shaw, Dale M.
• Application Number:
  US06/727,944
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708, 364/705, 361/393-395
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1667 Arrangements for adjusting the tilt angle of the integrated keyboard independently from the main body adjusting the tilt angle integrally with the main body G06F1/166

Abstract

A portable personal computing system which is especially adaptable for use in a container like an attache case. When the container is opened to an operating position, a keyboard unit, a display unit, and a read/write unit like a disc drive unit are positioned ready for use by an operator. Special mounting members for these units are used to automatically position these units for operation when the container is opened.

Claims

1. A portable computing system comprising:

a container having first and second sections, a hinge, and first and second support members enabling said first and second sections to be moved between a closed position for transporting said computing system and an open position for operating said computing system;

said hinge and aaid first and second support members also enabling said first and second sections to be secured together in said closed position and to be held in said open position when moved thereto;

a keyboard unit and first mounting means for mounting said keyboard unit in said container;

a display unit and second mounting means for mounting said display unit to said first and second support members in said containers;

at least one read/write unit for receiving and writing data, and third mounting means for mounting said read/write unit in said container;

said first, second, and third mounting means being effective to present said keyboard unit, said display unit, and said read/write unit, respectively, in operating positions when said first and second sections are moved from said closed position to said open position;

means for computing; and

means for coupling said keyboard unit, said display unit, said read/write unit, and said computing means to provide said computing system;

said keyboard unit being mounted in said first section by said first mounting means, and said first section becoming a base for said system when said first and second sections are moved to said open position for operating said computing system;

said container having the appearance of an attache case; and

said third mounting means utilizing gravity to move said read/write unit into said operating position as said first and second sections are moved to said open position.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 in which said hinge and said first and second support members include holding means for holding said first and second sections in said open position;

said display unit being generally planar and said second mounting means being coupled to said first and second support members to move said display unit from a first position in which said display unit is parallel to said first section when said container is in said closed position to a second position in which said display unit is positioned at a viewing angle relative to an operator using said keyboard unit when said container is in said open position.

3. The system as claimed in claim 2 in which said third mounting means includes a supporting chamber for supporting said read/write unit therein and means for pivotally mounting said supporting chamber in said second section between inoperative and operative positions therein whereby said supporting chamber is moved by gravity to said operative position when said container is in said open position to thereby present said read/write unit for use.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 in which said means for pivotally mounting said supporting chamber in said second section also includes means for limiting the movement of said supporting chamber away from said inoperative position to said operative position.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 in which said read/write unit is a disk unit and said supporting chamber also includes a compartment for storing discs associated with said disc unit.

6. A portable computing system comprising:

a container having first and second sections, a hinge,

and first and second support members enabling said first and second sections to be moved between a closed position for transporting said computing system and an open position for operating said computing system;

said hinge and said first and second support members also enabling said first and second sections to be secured together in said closed position and to be held in said open position when moved thereto;

a keyboard unit and first mounting means for mounting said keyboard unit in said container;

a display unit and second mounting means for mounting said display unit to said first and second support members in said container;

at least one read/write unit for receiving and writing data, and third mounting means for mounting said read/write unit in said container;

said first, second, and third mounting means being effective to prevent said keyboard unit, said display unit, and said read/write unit, respectively, in operating positions when said first and second sections are moved from said closed position to said open position;

means for computing; and

means for coupling said keyboard unit, said display unit, said read/write unit, and said computing means to provide said computing system;

said keyboard unit being mounted in said first section by said first mounting means, and said first section becoming a base for said system when said first and second sections are moved to said open position for operating said computing system;

said hinge and said first and second support members including holding means for holding said first and second sections in said open position;

said display unit being generally planar and said second mounting means being coupled to said first and second support members to move said display unit from a first position in which said display unit is parallel to said first section when said container is in said closed position to a second position in which said display unit is positioned at a viewing angle relative to an operator using said keyboard unit when said container is in said open position;

said third mounting means including a supporting chamber for supporting said read/write unit therein and means for pivotally mounting said supporting chamber in said second section between inoperative and operative positions therein whereby said supporting chamber is moved by gravity to said operative position when said container is in said open position to thereby present said read/write unit for use;

said means for pivotally mounting said supporting chamber in said second section also including means for limiting the movement of said supporting chamber away from said inoperative position to said operative position;

said read/write unit being a disk unit and said supporting chamber also including a compartment for storing discs associated with said disc unit;

said first mounting means including a hinge for pivotally joining said keyboard unit at one side thereof to said first section and also including adjustment means for changing the angle of said keyboard unit relative to an operator using said keyboard unit when said container is in said open position.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6 in which said container has the appearance of an attache case having a deep section and a lid section;

said first and second sections of said container corresponding to said lid and deep sections, respectively.