Portable computer with a level and angular position adjustable LCD assembly

• US 5,255,214 A
• Filed: 09/11/1992
• Issued: 10/19/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hsi-Kuang Ma
• Original Assignee: Hsi-Kuang Ma
• Inventors: Ma, Hsi-Kuang
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Tan V.
• Application Number:
  US07/943,694
• Time in Patent Office: 403 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708, 364/705.03, 400/83, 400/680, 361/393, 340/707
• US Class Current: 361/679.06
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/10 around a horizontal axis F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2021 around a horizontal axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/00 Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles heads thereof F16M11/02 ; undercarriages thereof F16M11/20 ; adapted to be stuck in the ground A45F3/44 ; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles supports for measuring instruments G01D11/30; supports for casings of remote control switching devices H01H9/025
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/162 changing, e.g. reversing, the face orientation of the screen with a two degrees of freedom mechanism, e.g. for folding into tablet PC like position or orienting towards the direction opposite to the user to show to a second user
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer includes a mainframe having a keyboard on the top, a revolving shaft having two spaced perpendicular stub rods pivotably retained in two spaced notches on an elongated block on the mainframe by elastic packing elements and two spaced perpendicular supports adjacent to two opposite ends thereof, and an LCDA (liquid crystal display) screen framed by a channel frame and pivotably retained between the two perpendicular supports by elastic packing elements. Therefore, the LCD screen can be adjusted to any of plural various level positions and any of plural various angular positions relative to the mainframe. The LCD screen receives input signals from the keyboard as well as input signals from a pen base input device.

Claims

1. A portable computer of the type including a mainframe, a keyboard on the mainframe, a liquid crystal display assembly having a front screen and a back side, and means for electrically interconnecting the mainframe to the liquid crystal display assembly, the improvement comprising:

a) the liquid crystal display assembly including a pair of opposed longitudinal edges, a pair of opposed transverse edges, and a channel extending along each transverse edge;

b) a mainframe including a rear edge and an elongate block extending upwardly from the rear edge, the elongate block having a pair of spaced notches adjacent opposite ends thereof;

c) a revolving shaft including a pair of perpendicular stub rods, the stub rods being secured within the spaced notches for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis;

d) a pair of perpendicular supports extending outwardly from the revolving shaft adjacent opposite ends thereof, each support including an inwardly extending transverse pivot shaft, the transverse pivot shafts being secured to the transverse edges of the liquid crystal display assembly substantially midway between and defining a second pivot axis parallel to the opposed longitudinal edges of the display assembly;

e) the first pivot axis permitting the display assembly to be positioned in any of plural various angular positions and the second pivot axis permitting the display assembly to be positioned in any of plural various level positions relative to the mainframe for receiving input signals from the keyboard; and

the first and second pivot axis further permitting the display assembly to be folded against the mainframe in a first position with the front screen facing outwardly from the mainframe for receiving input signals from a pen base input device, and in a second position with the front screen facing inwardly towards the mainframe for closing the computer, and the supports being received within the channels when the display assembly is in both the first and second folded positions.

2. The portable computer of claim 1 further including:

a) a first elastic packing means for securing the stub rods within the spaced notches for pivotal movement; and

b) a second elastic packing means for securing the transverse pivot shafts to the transverse edges of the liquid crystal display assembly.