Lap top computer system with elevating port cover

• US 6,002,581 A
• Filed: 08/19/1997
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway 2000, Inc. (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lindsey, Todd D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sparks, Donald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Reed, John D.
• Application Number:
  US08/916,756
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/726, 361/727, 361/680, 364/708.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle

Abstract

A computer system is provided having a door which hinges about an axis. The door provides a cover for the computer ports, which also seals the ports from the environment. The door has a plurality of detents which allows the door to adjustably elevate the computer system. Alternatively, the door can be stowed under the computer system, where it does not interfere with other cables or cords proximately located.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

a computer body encompassing the computer, the computer body supporting a keyboard in a first top surface of the computer body;

a plurality of ports coupled to a rear surface of the body;

the rear surface of the computer body having a cutout therein;

a lower surface of the body having a cutout therein; and

a door member for covering the ports, the door member rotatably coupled to the rear side of the body for covering the ports in a closed position and having at least one open position, the door member substantially planar, the door member having substantially the same shape as the cutouts so that the door member fits securely within both said cutouts; and

a plurality of projections disposed on an inner surface of the computer body for frictionally engaging a surface of the door member, at least one of said projections maintaining the door member in a closed position substantially enclosed within the rear surface cutout, at least one of said projections maintaining the door member in an open position substantially enclosed within the lower surface cutout.

2. The portable computer system according to claim 1, further comprising a rotating member disposed at each end of the door member and a spring assembly for frictionally engaging the rotating member.

3. The portable computer system according to claim 2, wherein the spring assembly for frictionally engaging the rotating member comprises a biased pin forcibly engaged with the rotating member.

4. The portable computer system according to claim 3, wherein the rotating member has at least one detent therein for engaging said pin in a seated relationship, such that the computer body is elevated when the pin is engaged with the detent.

5. The portable computer system according to claim 4, wherein the rotating member has a plurality of detents therein in a spaced apart relationship.

6. The portable computer system according to claim 2, wherein the spring assembly for frictionally engaging the rotating member comprises a leaf spring assembly forcibly engaged with the rotating member.

7. The portable computer system according to claim 1, wherein the door member extends substantially across the rear side of the computer body.

8. The portable computer system according to claim 1, wherein the door member has at least one cutout on a surface of the door member.