Portable computer system with integral carrying case

• US 5,835,344 A
• Filed: 09/18/1996
• Issued: 11/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Alexander, Forrest Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/715,198
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 206/305, 206/320, 150/165, 190/102, 190/119, 190/900-903, 312/208.1, 361/680-687, 400/715, 248/118.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.46
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer

Abstract

A portable computer is housed in an integral multi-purpose carrying case. The case protects the portable computer against damage when closed, yet the case is easily opened for use of the computer while in the case. Ergonomic wrist and arm support are provided to a user of the computer when by the case when it is opened. The case also furnishes dissipation of heat from the computer during use while it is resting on a user'"'"'s lap.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

a processor board having at least one microprocessor mounted thereon for processing data;

a housing containing said processor board;

a data display for displaying data processed by said microprocessor;

a display panel containing said data display;

a case having said housing fitted therein;

said case having;

a lower case body with a receptacle formed therein to fittingly receive said housing; and

a case cover movable mounted with said lower case body to open and close said case;

said case cover having said display panel mounted therein, and including

a release mechanism for allowing movement of said display panel with respect to said case cover.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein:

said case has an opening formed therein adjacent to said receptacle for access to apply force to remove said housing from said receptacle.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1, further includes an I/O device in said housing for connecting said microprocessor to an external data input;

and

wherein said case has a data input port formed therein for passage of a connector connecting said I/O device to external data input.

4. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said external data input is modem.

5. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said external data input is a infrared signal source.

6. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said I/O device in said housing connects said microprocessor to an external data output and wherein a port in said case provides passage of a connector connecting said I/O device to said external data output and wherein said external data output is a modem.

7. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said I/O device in said housing connects said microprocessor to an external data output and wherein a port in said case provides passage of connector connecting said I/O device to said external data output and wherein said external data output is a loudspeaker.

8. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said I/O device in said housing connects said microprocessor to an external data output and wherein a port in said case provides passage of a connector connecting said I/O device to said external data output and wherein said external data output is a multimedia video display.

9. The portable computer system of claim 3, wherein said I/0 device in said housing connects said microprocessor to an external data output and wherein a port in said case provided passage of a connector connecting said I/O device to said external data output and wherein said external data output is a microphone.

10. The portable computer system claim 3, wherein said I/O device in said housing connects said microprocessor to an external data output and wherein a port in said case provides passage of a connector connecting said I/O device to said external data output and wherein said external data output is a headphone.

11. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein said computer system includes:

an air outlet in said housing venting heat from said housing; and

wherein;

said case has an air outlet past formed in said receptacle aligned with said housing air outlet for venting heat from said housing externally of said case.

12. The portable computer system of claim 1, further including;

a connector mechanism for attaching said case cover to said lower case body.

13. The portable computer system of claim 1 further including:

said case cover having a release port formed in it adjacent said display panel release mechanism.

14. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein said case includes:

a support shelf extending forward from said receptacle to support a computer user'"'"'s forearms while using the computer.

15. The portable computer system of claim 14, wherein:

said support shelf has a carrying handle formed therein.

16. The portable computer system of claim 14, further including:

a storage tray formed in said support shelf.

17. The portable computer system of claim 16, further including:

a movable cover for opening and closing said storage tray.

18. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein said case includes:

a storage tray formed in said case extending forward from said receptacle.

19. The portable computer system of claim 18, further including:

movable cover for opening and closing said storage tray.

20. The portable computer system of claim 19, wherein:

said movable cover has a padded upper surface.

21. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein:

said case has a carrying handle mounted therewith.

22. A portable computer system comprising:

a processor board having at least one microprocessor mounted thereon for processing data;

a data display for displaying data processed by said microprocessor;

a housing comprising;

a lower body containing said processor board; and

a display panel containing said data display, said display panel connected to the lower body; and

a case comprising a lower case body and a case cover, said case including;

said lower case body having said housing lower body fitted therein;

said case cover having said display panel fitted therein,

and

said display panel including a release mechanism for allowing movement of said display panel with respect to said case cover.