Display attachment apparatus

• US 4,749,364 A
• Filed: 04/07/1987
• Issued: 06/07/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Wang Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Dayton, Douglas C., Arney, Michel D.
• Primary Examiner(s): McQuade, John
• Application Number:
  US07/036,161
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 339/75 R, 339/75 M, 339/91 R, D14/106, D14/113, D14/114, D14/115, 340/700, 340/711, 439/345, 439/372
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use

Abstract

Apparatus for removably attaching display apparatus such as an LCD screen to electrical apparatus. The attachment apparatus provides for electrical and mechanical attachment and detachment of the display apparatus in a single operation. When the display apparatus is detached, the attachment apparatus also provides for attachment of different display apparatus to the electrical apparatus. The attachment apparatus consists of a socket including a male electrical connector and a plug including a female electrical connector. When the plug is inserted into the socket, the male and female electrical connectors are connected, thereby providing power and signals to the display apparatus. The plug is held in the socket by means of a lever-actuated friction mechanism.

Claims

1. Apparatus for retaining a plug in a socket having a recess to receive the plug comprising:

a cam pivotably connected to the plug;

a first lever having one end fixedly connected to the cam;

a second lever pivotably connected to the plug;

engaging means connected to the second lever; and

elastic means connecting the cam and the second lever and providing the sole means by which motion is transferred between the cam and the second lever for acting on the second lever when the first lever pivots the cam to urge the engaging means against a wall of the recess and acting on the cam to hold the cam in pivoted position when the engaging means is urged against the wall.

2. A portable computer comprising:

a base for housing a Central Processing Unit, (CPU), for processing data and an input means for entering data into the CPU,

display means for viewing data associated with the CPU including plug means, and

rotatable socket means pivotably coupled to the base including engaging means for mating with said plug means in a mechanical union for supporting the display means and providing for rotatable movement relative to the base,

said socket means including first electrical connector means electrically coupled to the base for coupling electrical power and signals between the base and the electrical connector means,

said plug means including second electrical connector means coupled to the display means for coupling electrical power and signals between the first electrical connector means and the display means,

whereby the display means and base are mechanically and electrically coupled and decoupled from each other, respectively, by mating and separating the plug means and the socket means.