Removable hand-grips for a portable pen-based computer

• US 6,028,765 A
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Xplore Technologies Corporation (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Swindler, Danny, Groh, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/063,322
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/726, 361/679, 312/244, 312/223.2, 312/223.1, 248/609, 248/222.11, 248/634, 248/918, 248/633, 248/205.5, 248/206.1, 174/138 G, 206/305
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0252 for personal computers, e.g. laptops, notebooks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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

Abstract

A pen-based portable computer, or pen-tablet computer, for use with a vehicular docking station that allows for the exchange or replacement of components thereof without the need for returning the computer to the manufacturer, is provided with exterior, removable grips that not only provide a gripping function, but also provide shock-absorption and protection exteriorly of the computer-housing. Each grip may be selectively removed from attachment to the computer-housing, in order to allow access to the interior of the housing for repair and maintenance. Four such removable grips are provided, where each grip is provided with an actuable lever for removably locking the grip to a portion of the computer housing, with each actuable lever being capable of movement away from such locking engagement in order to allow removal thereof from the housing.

Claims

1. In a portable computer having a main housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, an top edge-surface, and a bottom edge-surface, the improvement comprising:

a plurality of exteriorly-mounted, removable grip means for mating with at least some of said surfaces of said main housing;

each said grip means comprising releasable locking means for releasably locking the respective said grip means to a portion of said main housing.

2. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a locking element, and releasing means for releasing said locking element;

at least one said surface of said main housing having cooperating means for cooperating with said locking element for locking the respective said grip means to said main housing.

3. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of exteriorly-mounted, removable grip means comprises four said grip means, a first said grip means being mounted on said first side surface at a top portion thereof, a second said grip means being mounted on said first side surface at a bottom portion thereof, a third said grip means being mounted on said second side surface at a top portion thereof, and a fourth said grip means being mounted on said second side surface at a bottom portion thereof.

4. The portable computer according to claim 3, further comprising cooperating means in said lower surface of said computer housing in close proximity to each of said first and second side surfaces for cooperating with said locking means for locking said grip means to said main housing.

5. The portable computer according to claim 4, wherein said cooperating means comprises a first cutout and a second cutout in said lower surface of said computer housing in close proximity to said first side surface for mating with said locking means of said first and second grip means, and a third cutout and a fourth cutout in said lower surface of said computer housing in close proximity to said second side surface for mating with said locking means of said third and fourth grip means.

6. The portable computer according to claim 2, wherein said releasing means for releasing said locking element comprises a lever arm, and a fulcrum means forming part of said lever arm, said lever arm being pivotal about said fulcrum means for disengaging said locking element from said cooperating means, whereby said grip means may be removed from its connection to said housing.

7. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein each said grip means comprises an inner structural frame, and an outer, resilient shock-absorbing element, whereby said outer shock-absorbing layer of each said grip means absorbs shock and forces when the computer is dropped.

8. The portable computer according to claim 7, wherein each said outer shock-absorbing element of each said grip means comprises a cavity for receiving a respective said locking means therein.

9. The portable computer according to claim 8, wherein each said releasable locking means comprises a locking element, and releasing means for releasing said locking element;

at least one said surface of said main housing having cooperating means for cooperating with said locking element for locking the respective said grip means to said main housing, said releasing means for releasing said locking element comprising a lever arm, and a fulcrum means forming part of said lever arm, said lever arm being pivotal about said fulcrum means for disengaging said locking element from said cooperating means, whereby said grip means may be removed from its connection to said housing.

10. The portable computer according to claim 9, wherein said inner structural frame comprises at least four pairs of slots, one said pair for one said locking means;

each said pair of slots passing therethrough a respective said locking element and fulcrum portion of a said locking means, whereby the respective said locking element is allowed to interact with a respective said cooperating means of said housing;

said outer shock-absorbing element biasing each said locking element into locking engagement with a respective said cooperating means.

11. The portable computer according to claim 10, wherein said lever arm further comprises a head-end by which said lever arm may be pivoted about said fulcrum portion.

12. The portable computer according to claim 9, wherein said fulcrum portion and said locking element are integrally formed with said lever arm to form one piece.

13. The portable computer according to claim 3, wherein each of said grip means comprises a first, U-shaped open end by which the respective said grip means is slid onto a respective said side surface, and a second, closed end;

said first open ends of said first and second grip means being in abutting engagement against each other on said first side surface, and said first open ends of said third and fourth grip means being in abutting engagement against each other on said second side surface;

each said grip means comprising tongue means, and said main housing of said portable computer having a plurality of grooves formed in said upper and lower surfaces thereof in which said tongue means fit for sliding said grip means onto said main housing.

14. The portable computer according to claim 13, wherein each said second closed end is exteriorly convex-shaped in order to reduce and dissipate shock and forces upon dropping of the computer on a surface.

15. The portable computer according to claim 3, wherein said fourth grip means comprises a cutout section in operative alignment with a power harness of the housing of the computer, in order to allow access to the power harness.

16. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein each said grip means comprises an outer shock-absorbing layer for shock-absorption and force-dissipation.

17. A removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device, such as a computer, comprising:

a main body portion having a first closed end, and a second open end, said second open end being used to slide said main body portion over an edge surface of a housing of a portable device;

said main body portion comprising an inner frame, and an outer resilient, shock-absorbing jacket overlaying said inner frame;

releasable locking means for locking said main body portion to an edge-surface of a housing of a portable device;

said outer jacket comprising a seat in which is seated said locking means;

said inner frame comprising cutout means for allowing a portion of said releasable locking means seated in said seat of said outer jacket to project therethrough, in order allow the locking means to mate with a cooperating means located on the housing of the portable device.

18. The removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device according to claim 17, wherein said inner frame is made of metal, and said outer jacket is made of resilient material;

said outer jacket inherently providing a biasing force to said releasable locking means for urging said locking means into locking engagement with cooperating means when said main body portion is mounted to a housing of a portable device.

19. The removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device according to claim 17, wherein said releasable locking means comprises a locking element, and releasing means for releasing said locking element;

said releasing means for releasing said locking element comprising a lever arm, and a fulcrum means forming part of said lever arm for providing a fulcrum about which said lever arm may be pivoted, said lever arm being pivotal about said fulcrum means for disengaging said locking element from a cooperating means in a housing of a portable device when said main body portion is mounted to a housing of a portable device, whereby said fulcrum means is in abutting contact against a portion of the housing;

said cutout means of said inner frame comprising a pair of cutouts through which project said fulcrum means and said locking element.

20. The removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device according to claim 19, wherein said lever arm comprises a head-end for use in pivoting said lever arm about said fulcrum means, whereby upon pressing a portion of said outer jacket opposite said head-end, said head-end is forced to move in order to pivot said lever arm about said fulcrum means to thereby remove said locking element from its engagement with a cooperating means of a housing of a portable device.

21. The removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device according to claim 19, in combination with a portable device, said portable device being a portable computer having a main housing;

said main housing comprising cooperating means for engaging with said locking element to lock said main body portion to said main housing of said portable computer.

22. The removable hand-grip for use with a housing of a portable device according to claim 17, wherein said inner frame comprises tongue means for sliding engagement in a groove formed in one of the surfaces of a main housing of a portable computer for sliding said main body portion thereon.

23. A method of releasably securing a removable hand-grip to a housing of a portable device, such as a computer, which hand-grip comprises an inner frame and an outer resilient, shock-absorbing jacket overlaying the inner frame, and releasable locking means for locking the hand-grip to cooperating means of a portion of the housing of a portable device, said method comprising:

(a) sliding the hand-grip over an edge-surface of a housing of the portable device;

(b) releasably locking the hand-grip to the housing of the portable device by the releasable locking means;

(c) said step (b) comprising applying a biasing force to the locking means to urge the locking means into locking engagement with the cooperating means of the housing;

(d) said step of applying a biasing force being inherently performed by the outer resilient, shock-absorbing jacket overlaying the inner frame of the hand-grip.

24. The method of releasably securing a removable hand-grip to a housing of a portable device according to claim 23, wherein the releasable locking means is mounted interiorly of the outer resilient, shock-absorbing jacket and comprises a locking element, and releasing means for releasing the locking element, the releasing means for releasing the locking element comprising a pivotal lever arm, further comprising:

(e) releasing the locking means from its engagement with the cooperating means of the housing of the portable device; and

(f) after said step (e), removing the hand-grip from the housing of the portable device.

25. The method of releasably securing a removable hand-grip to a housing of a portable device according to claim 24, wherein said step (e) comprises applying manual pressure to a portion of the outer resilient, shock-absorbing jacket of the hand-grip at a portion thereof opposite an end of the lever arm of the locking means to thereby pivot the lever arm about in order to thereby remove the locking element from its engagement with a cooperating means of a housing of a portable device.

26. In a portable computer having a main housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a top edge-surface, and a bottom edge-surface, the improvement comprising:

exteriorly-mounted, shock-absorbing grip means for covering at least some of said surfaces of said main housing;

said grip means being made at least partially of shock-absorbing and force-absorbing material in order to protect said main housing from falls, jolts, and shocks;

said grip means being removably mounted to said main housing to allow for the easy and fast removal of said grip means therefrom, whereby the opening up of said main housing to access the interior components mounted in said main housing may be achieved.

27. The portable computer according to claim 26, wherein said grip means comprises four said grip means, a first said grip means being mounted on said first side surface at a top portion thereof, a second said grip means being mounted on said first side surface at a bottom portion thereof, a third said grip means being mounted on said second side surface at a top portion thereof, and a fourth said grip means being mounted on said second side surface at a bottom portion thereof;

each said grip means having an open end by which the respective said grip means is slid onto the respective said side surface, each said grip means being slidably mounted on a respective said side surface for providing easy removal when access to the interior of said main housing is desired.

28. The portable computer according to claim 26, wherein said grip means comprises an inner structural frame, and an outer, resilient shock-absorbing element, whereby said outer shock-absorbing layer of each said grip means absorbs shock and forces when the computer is dropped.

29. In a portable computer having a main housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a top edge-surface, and a bottom edge-surface, the improvement comprising:

exteriorly-mounted, shock-absorbing grip means for covering at least some of said surfaces of said main housing;

said grip means being made at least partially of shock-absorbing and force-absorbing material in order to protect said main housing from falls, jolts, and shocks;

said grip means comprising an inner structural frame, and an outer, resilient shock-absorbing element, whereby said outer shock-absorbing layer of each said grip means absorbs shock and forces when the computer is dropped.

30. In a portable computer having a main housing comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a top edge-surface, and a bottom edge-surface, the improvement comprising:

exteriorly-mounted, shock-absorbing grip means for covering at least some of said surfaces of said main housing;

said grip means being made at least partially of shock-absorbing and force-absorbing material in order to protect said main housing from falls, jolts, and shocks;

said grip means comprising a first portion mounted on said first side surface, and a second portion mounted on said second side surface, each said grip means having an opening by which the respective said grip means is slid onto the respective said side surface;

each said grip means being slidably mounted about a respective said side surface for providing easy removal when access to the interior of said main housing is desired.

31. The portable computer according to claim 30, wherein said first portion of said grip means comprises a first section mounted on said first side surface at a top portion thereof, a second section mounted on said first side surface at a bottom portion thereof;

said second portion comprising a third section mounted on said second side surface at a top portion thereof, and a fourth section mounted on said second side surface at a bottom portion thereof;

each said sections having an open end for sliding the respective said section onto the respective said side surface.

32. The portable computer according to claim 30, wherein said main housing comprises an upper section and a lower section;

said grip means having a width at least equal to the width of said main housing for firmly holding together said upper and lower sections of said main housing;

said grip means, when removed, allowing said upper and lower sections of said main housing to be separated for accessing interior components housed in said main housing.