Foldable electronic apparatus having a display inclinable relative to a keyboard with balance stabilization

• US 5,126,725 A
• Filed: 04/25/1990
• Issued: 06/30/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Casio Computer Company Limited
• Inventors: Yanagisawa, Yutaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US07/514,418
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 340/700, 340/711, 340/706, 340/709, 340/710, 364/708, 312/208, 312/323, 341/22, 235/441, 235/449, 235/488, 235/490, 235/492, 235/1 D, 400/691, 361/398, 361/399, 361/394, 361/395, 361/392
• US Class Current: 345/168
• 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0216 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A small electronic apparatus employs a first case for storing a display panel and a second case for storing a keyboard which are foldably coupled to each other. The apparatus also includes an inclination mechanism for retaining the first case at an inclined plane with respect to the second case to see the display panel clearly. The first case is provided with a memory card insertion case, a metal plate, and a membrane of the keyboard. A plurality of openings are formed in an upper portion of the card insertion case. Openings are respectively positioned at upper portions of electronic parts disposed in the case to reduce the thickness of the apparatus. The metal plate is disposed on the upper portion of the card insertion case for reinforcing it. With a thin construction, the apparatus keeps the balance on a desk, even if the first case is inclined to an outward plane of the second case.

Claims

1. A foldable electronic apparatus comprising:

key input case means for storing a keyboard therein, and said key input case means having a card receiving space for receiving and storing a memory card to be inserted therein, said key input case means including an enclosure for enclosing a received memory card from all sides except one side of the memory card;

a keyboard in said key input case means;

a connector disposed in said memory card receiving space for electrically connecting said received memory card with an electronic part stored in said key input case means, said enclosure of said key input case means including a cavity in which an opening is formed, at least a portion of said connector being in said opening;

a weight member comprising a thin reinforcing plate mounted on the cavity of said enclosure, so as to cover said opening, for reinforcing said cavity of said enclosure and for serving as a weight for maintaining said key input case means in a substantially horizontal operative position;

display case means for storing a display panel and having a size covering substantially a complete surface of said key input case means; and

coupling means for hingedly coupling said display case means with said key input case means and for retaining said display case means in position at an inclined plane which is adjustable to any angle between 90° and

180°

relative to said key input case means,

whereby said key input case means is maintained in said substantially horizontal operative position and keeps a balance even at said inclined plane position of said display case means relative to said key input case means, without any external applied force.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said key input case means includes a lower case and a support case for forming said cavity of said enclosure and having said opening formed therein.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said thin reinforcing plate includes a metal plate.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said electronic part is disposed in a space between said lower case and said support case, and another opening is formed in said support case for storing a portion of said electronic part.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said thin reinforcing plate has a size for covering substantially all the surface of said support case.

6. An electronic apparatus comprising:

input panel means having means for inputting data, said input panel means including;

a support case having a cavity and an opening,

a lower case coupled with said support case so as to form a memory card rest space,

a connector at least partially disposed in said memory card receiving space, a portion of said connector being in said opening of said support case,

a weight member comprising a reinforcing plate mounted on said cavity of said support case for covering substantially an entire surface of said cavity, and

a keyboard mounted on said reinforcing plate;

said reinforcing plate serving as a weight for maintaining input panel means and said keyboard in a substantially horizontal operative position;

display panel means for displaying data inputted from said keyboard, and including a display panel and case means for mounting said display panel thereon;

coupling means for foldably coupling said display panel means to said input panel means and for retaining said display panel means in position at an inclined plane which is adjustable to any angle between 90° and

180°

relative said input panel means; and

flexible connector means for electrically connecting said keyboard with said display panel by way of said coupling means,

whereby said input panel means and said keyboard are maintained in said substantially horizontal operative position and keep a balance even at said inclined plane of said display panel means without any external applied force.