Hinge assembly for a portable computer

• US 6,198,625 B1
• Filed: 06/03/1999
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micro Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Leman, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/324,398
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/681, 361/680, 361/682, 162/21, 162/22--52, 163/42, 163/37, 163/03, 163/19, 163/32, 163/36, 364/708.1
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer system may include a planar hinge to enable a display unit to be folded down on top of a base unit. The planar hinge may be located near an outside edge of the display unit, accommodating a large display. The display may occupy space near the bottom of the display unit that is ordinarily occupied by a hinge assembly. The base unit may include blade connectors to conduct power and output signals to female connectors on the display unit. Alternatively, the blade connectors may be located on the display unit while the female connectors may be incorporated in the base unit.

Claims

1. A portable computer system comprising:

a display unit including a display;

a base unit coupled to the display unit;

a planar hinge coupling the base unit to the display unit;

a female electrical connector coupled to one of the base unit and the display unit; and

a blade electrical connector coupled to the other one of the base unit and the display unit, the blade electrical connector adapted to make contact with the female electrical connector to conduct signals from the base unit to the display unit; and

a cover for the planar hinge,

wherein the cover comprises a plastic cover having a slot, the plastic cover adapted to allow the planar hinge to rotate through the slot.

2. A portable computer system comprising:

a display unit including a display;

a base unit coupled to the display unit;

a planar hinge coupling the base unit to the display unit;

a female electrical connector coupled to one of the base unit and the display unit; and

a blade electrical connector coupled to the other one of the base unit and the display unit, the blade electrical connector adapted to make contact with the female electrical connector to conduct signals from the base unit to the display unit; and

a cover for the planar hinge,

wherein the cover comprises an elastic curtain for the planar hinge having two pieces, the curtain adapted to allow the planar hinge to rotate between the two pieces of the curtain.