Arrangement of components in a laptop computer system

• US 4,903,222 A
• Filed: 10/14/1988
• Issued: 02/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Mitchell, Thomas, Bushman, Douglas C., Carter, R. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Harkcom, Gary V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mai, Tan V.
• Application Number:
  US07/257,952
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708, 364/709.1, 361/391
• US Class Current: 361/679.12
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A portable computer system with the full functionality of a desktop computer is designed so that components are arranged in a highly space efficient manner. The main system unit includes a removable keyboard, a fold-up display screen, floppy and fixed disk drives, and an internal modem, and has both external AC and internal battery power supplies. The system further includes a desktop expansion base into which the main system unit can be inserted, providing additional functionality for the main system unit. The components of the system are arranged to provide a convenient and efficient user interface.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

first housing means for containing a first set of computer components and a plurality of signal wires, said first housing means having a rectangular prism shape with substantially planar front, back, top, bottom and side faces;

said first housing means having an access slot in said front planar face;

said first set of computer components including a floppy disk drive, said floppy disk drive being positioned to allow for the insertion of floppy disks in said floppy disk drive through said access slot;

said first set of computer components further including a hard disk drive, said hard disk drive also being mounted in the front of said first housing means;

said first housing means having first and second indicator means mounted on said front planar face for indicating read or write access to said floppy disk drive and said hard disk drive;

an AC power supply for supplying power to said first set of computer components, and a battery power supply for supplying power to said first set of computer components, said battery power supply having a substantially rectangular prism shape;

said first housing means having a rectangular opening in said top planar face for receiving said battery power supply, said rectangular opening being formed to allow said battery power supply to be flush with said top planar face, said battery power supply having clasping means for holding said power supply in said rectangular opening;

a display screeen having substantially planar first and second faces;

hinging means coupling said display screen to said top planar face of said first housing means, said hinging means allowing said display screen to be moved either to upright positions or to a folded position;

keyboard means coupled to said first housing means via a cable, said keyboard means having adjustable rear support means capable of being folded flush with the surface of said keyboard;

said hinging means defining a channel running along said top planar surface of said first housing means generally between said side faces of said first housing means, said channel being sized to receive said cable when said keyboard is placed on the said top planar face of said first housing means, and being disposed directly above said battery power supply and immediately adjacent to said hinging means and said channel;

second housing means containing a plurality of signal wires, having a substantially rectangular prism shape and having a substantially rectangular recess for receiving said first housing means;

said first housing means and said second housing means having complementary coupling means which electrically couple said plurality of signal wires inside said first housing means with said plurality of signal wires inside said second housing means when said first housing means is inserted into said recess in said second housing means.