Structure of a device casing

• US 4,961,126 A
• Filed: 06/30/1989
• Issued: 10/02/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Suzuki, Hiroyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Gregory D.
• Application Number:
  US07/375,337
• Time in Patent Office: 459 Days
• Field of Search: 235/145 R, 340/712, 340/714, 340/734, 361/380, 361/394, 361/395, 361/398, 361/399, 361/413, 439/31, 439/164, 439/165, 364/708
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1679 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/919 Adjustably orientable video screen support

Abstract

A device casing, wherein a first casing component for containing a display panel and a second casing component for containing a keyboard can be openably/closably connected. The first and second casing components have hinge storing sections at their mutually facing sides. A hinge member has a groove for insertion of a flexible connection member for electrically connecting the display panel and the keyboard. The hinge member and the first casing component are coupled such that the first casing component is rotatable about a first support shaft provided on the hinge member. The hinge member and the second casing component are coupled such that the second casing component is rotatable about a second support shaft provided on the hinge member. Since both casing components are rotated relative to the hinge member about the different support shafts, the angle of bending of the connection member, which is bent in accordance with the opening/closing of the device casing, can be reduced to half, and the durability of the connection member can be enhanced. Furthermore, since the connection member is not exposed to the outside, the reliability of the device casing can be increased, and the external appearance of the device casing is very pleasing.

Claims

1. A device casing structure, comprising:

first casing means for carrying a given electronic part, said first casing means having a hinge storing section at one end portion thereof;

second casing means for carrying a given electronic part, said second casing means having a hinge storing section at one end portion thereof which faces said first casing means;

flexible connection member means for connecting said electronic part carried by said first casing means and said electronic part carried by said second casing means;

hinge member means comprising a pair of hinge portions, at least one of which has a groove for inserting said flexible connection member means, said hinge member means being arranged within said hinge storing sections of said first and said second casing means, for connecting said first casing means and said second casing means so as to be rotatable relative to each other;

a first support shaft, arranged in said hinge storing section of said first casing means, for rotatably connecting said first casing means and said hinge member means; and

a second support shaft, arranged in said hinge storing section of said second casing means, for rotatably connecting said second casing means and said hinge member means;

wherein said second casing means comprises an upper casing portion and a lower casing portion, and a keyboard is contained between said upper and said lower casing portions.

2. The device casing structure according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second support shafts are formed as a one piece structure having a U-shaped figure.

3. The device casing structure according to claim 1, wherein said first support shaft and said second support shaft are formed on said first casing means and said second casing means, respectively.

4. The device casing structure according to claim 1, wherein said first casing means is provided with inclination retaining mechanism means for stopping the rotation of said first casing means relative to said hinge member means, when said first casing means is rotated around said first shaft through a predetermined angle relative to said hinge member means, thus keeping said first casing means in an inclined position with respect to said second casing means.

5. The device casing structure according to claim 4, wherein said inclination retaining mechanism means includes a cam member slidably attached to the first casing means, and elastic means for pushing out the cam member toward said hinge member means.

6. The device casing structure according to claim 5, wherein said hinge member means has a flange projecting in a lateral direction of said hinge member means, said cam member being brought into contact with said flange, thereby to stop the rotation of said first casing means.

7. The device casing structure according to claim 4, wherein said inclination retaining mechanism means includes a pair of ratchets which are mutually engageable and disengageable, and one of the ratchets is provided on said first casing means and the other of said ratchets is provided on said hinge member means.

8. The device casing structure according to claim 7, wherein one of said ratchets is slidably provided on said first support shaft and is pressed on the other ratchet by elastic means.

9. The device casing structure according to claim 8, wherein said other ratchet is formed as part of either one of said first casing means and said hinge member means.

10. A device casing structure, comprising:

first casing means for containing a display panel;

second casing means for containing a keyboard;

flexible connection member means for electrically connecting said display panel and said keyboard;

hinge member means for connecting said first casing means and said second casing means for rotation relative to one another, said hinge member means having a groove for insertion of said connection member means;

first coupling means for rotatably coupling said first casing means and said hinge member means; and

second coupling means for rotatably coupling said second casing means and said hinge member means;

rotation preventing means for preventing further relative rotation of the second casing means and said hinge member means when the second casing mans and said hinge member means are rotated relative to one another in an opening direction from a closed state to a predetermined angle; and

inclination retaining mechanism means for applying a load on said first casing means and said hinge member means which are rotatable relative to one another;

wherein, in a state in which said hinge member means is rotated relative to said second casing means through said predetermined angle and further rotation of said hinge member means in the opening direction is prevented by said rotation preventing means, said inclination retaining mechanism means applies said load to said first casing means to that said first casing means is held in an inclined position at said predetermined angle with respect to said second casing means; and

wherein said inclination retaining mechanism means includes a cam member slidably provided on said first casing means, and elastic means for pushing out said cam member toward said hinge member means.

11. A device casing structure, comprising:

first casing means for containing a display panel;

second casing means for containing a keyboard;

flexible connection member means for electrically connecting said display panel and said keyboard;

hinge member means for connecting said first casing means and said second casing means for rotation relative to one another, said hinge member means having a groove for insertion of said connection member means;

first coupling means for rotatably coupling said first casing means and said hinge member means; and

second coupling means for rotatably coupling said second casing means and said hinge member means;

rotation preventing means for preventing further relative rotation of the second casing means and said hinge member means when the second casing means and said hinge member means are rotated relative to one another in an opening direction from a closed state to a predetermined angle; and

inclination retaining mechanism means for applying a load on said first casing means and said hinge member means which are rotatable relative to one another;

wherein, in a state in which said hinge member means is rotated relative to said second casing means through predetermined angle and further rotation of said hinge member means in the opening direction is prevented by said rotation preventing means, said inclination retaining mechanism means applies said load to said first casing means so that said first casing means is held in an inclined position at said predetermined angle with respect to said second casing means; and

wherein said inclination retaining mechanism means includes a pair of ratchets which are mutually engageable and disengageable, and one of said ratchets is provided on said first casing means, and the other of said ratchets is provided on said hinge member means.