Collapsibly segmented display screens for computers or the like

• US 5,128,662 A
• Filed: 10/20/1989
• Issued: 07/07/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen J. Failla
• Original Assignee: Stephen J. Failla
• Inventors: Failla, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oberley, Alvin E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Darin
• Application Number:
  US07/424,547
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 340/716, 340/711, 340/717, 340/700, 340/752, 340/784, 340/793, 340/754, 340/815.12, 340/815.23, 350/334, 350/335, 248/917, 248/924
• US Class Current: 345/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• 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 1/1624 with sliding enclosures, e.g. sliding keyboard or display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1683 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 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/924 Adjustable size
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/905 Display device with housing structure

Abstract

A collapsible, storable information display screen for use with an electronic information processing device is disclosed which alleviates many of the problems associated with the smaller display screens. The display screen, when in use, is assembled in an electrically interconnected, mechanically stable, predetermined array, and when not in use, may be disassembled from said array and collapsed for compact storage.

Claims

1. In combination, a portable computer and an associated visual information display screen adapted to be easily collapsible for storage and transportation wherein:

said portable computer is of the type adapted to be hand carried by the user for operation in temporary locations, and to supply information bearing electronic signals for generating a visual display on said screen, and having electrical connection means adapted to supply substantially all of said information-bearing electronic signals to said visual information display screen;

said display screen is adapted to receive said information-bearing electronic signals from said portable computer and to visually display said information born by said signals;

said screen further comprising;

a plurality of segments, each having a back, a front and at least three sides and each adapted to be abuttably disposed adjacent at least one other segment in side-to-side relation;

electronically actuatable visual information display means carried by each said segment and disposed on the front thereof;

first electrical connection means associated with each said segment for conductively connecting said segment to at least one other segment;

second electrical connection means associated with at least one said segment for conductively cooperating with said electrical connection means of said portable computer;

first mechanical connection means associated with each said segment for supportably connecting said segment to at least one other segment;

second mechanical connection means associated with one or more of said segments for supportably connecting all of said segments to said portable computer;

said first electrical connection means and said first mechanical connection means each being so constructed that said plurality of segments may when in use in association with said portable computer be interconnectably and supportably arranged in a predetermined array and may when not in use be disarranged from said array and rearranged in compact relation for storage and transportation;

whereby said screen is adapted for attachment to and portable use with said portable computer.

2. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said portable portable computer further comprises means for receiving and storing said plurality of segments when said plurality is not in use and has been rearranged in said compact relation.

3. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first electrical connection means is so constructed as to disengageably connect said segment to at least one other segment.

4. A combination as in claim 1 wherein said first electrical connection means is so constructed as to articulably connect said segment to at least one other segment.

5. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical connection means is so constructed as to disengageably connect said segment to at least one other segment.

6. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical connection means is so constructed as to articulably connect said segment to at least one other said segment.

7. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first electrical connection means is carried by the back of said segment.

8. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first electrical connection means is carried by at least one side of said segment.

9. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical connection means is carried by the back of said segment.

10. A combination as in claim 1, wherein said first mechanical connection means is carried by at least one side of said segment.

11. A combination as in claim 1, wherein at least one segment of said plurality has four sides arranged rectangularly.

12. A combination as in claim 1, wherein at least one segment of said plurality has three sides, of which at least two are rectilinear.