Notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case

• US 6,229,697 B1
• Filed: 10/06/1999
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Selker, Edwin Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/414,077
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/724, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 361/680, 361/681, 361/687
• US Class Current: 361/679.09
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1628 Carrying enclosures containing additional elements, e.g. case for a laptop and a printer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads

Abstract

A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case includes a large flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module constructed into the case so that the case need not be stored separately during use. The case is secured for carrying by a slide fastener, and the angle between the display and the keyboard is adjustable by positioning of the slider in the open position. Crushable corners, an extending, protective lip, and a resilient, rugged material provide added protection for the computer while in use and while being transported. The two functional modules are electrically interconnected via inexpensive flex cable routed along the fold between opposed halves. The computer includes a removable, multipurpose writing pad that folds into the case serving as a protective cover for the keyboard in the open position, and is detachable and insertable between the flat display panel and the keyboard during transport. When opened, the writing pad is attachable by snap button to opposite ends of the computer for both left-handed and right-handed users. The writing pad provides a large, flat surface suitable for writing and for operation of an external computer pointing device such as a mouse. The detachable writing pad folds across the keyboard in the open position when the computer is not in use, and alternatively attaches to the bottom of the protective cover for carrying, or is detached and stowed between the keyboard and the flat panel display for storage.

Claims

1. A notebook computer, comprising:

a portfolio-type case of a resilient protective material folded along a line to form opposed halves defining an open position and a closed position;

structural supports disposed on the opposed halves of the portfolio-type case;

a processor-keyboard assembly attached to the structural supports disposed on one opposed half of the case;

a flat display assembly attached to the structural supports disposed on the opposite half of the case such that the two assemblies are in a notebook computer relation with one another when the case is in the open position;

an electrical cable connecting the display assembly to the processor-keyboard assembly to form a functional computer; and

a removable, multipurpose writing pad,

the functional computer being protected when the case is in the closed position and useable as a computer when the case is in the open position,

whereby the notebook computer has a rugged, attractive case which does not have to be stored in a location separate from the computer, and wherein the writing pad includes opposed retaining flaps foldable across a portion of the writing pad for retaining work papers.

2. A notebook computer, comprising:

a portfolio-type case of a resilient, protective material folded along a line to form opposed halves defining an open position and a closed position;

structural supports disposed on the opposed halves of the portfolio-type case;

a processor-keyboard assembly attached to the structural supports disposed on one opposed half of the case;

a flat display assembly attached to the structural supports disposed on the opposite half of the case such that the two assemblies are in a notebook computer relation with one another when the case is in the open position;

an electrical cable connecting the display assembly to the processor-keyboard assembly to form a functional computer; and

a removable, multipurpose writing pad,

the functional computer being protected when the case is in the closed position and useable as a computer when the case is in the open position,

whereby the notebook computer has a rugged, attractive case which does not have to be stored in a location separate from the computer, and wherein the retaining flaps are retained in a folded position by concealed magnets and magnetic material.

3. A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-tape case, comprising:

a portfolio-type case of a resilient, protective material folded along a line to form opposed halves defining an open position and a closed position;

a processor-keyboard module attached to one half of the case;

a flat display module attached to an opposed half of the case and including a large display;

an inexpensive flex cable electrically connecting the processor-keyboard module with the display module to form a functional computer;

the portfolio-type case providing structural support for maintaining the two modules in a notebook relation with one another; and

each module being attached to an opposing half such that the modules are protected when the case is in the closed position and are usable as a computer when the case is in the open position;

the two halves of the portfolio-type case being secured in the closed position by a slide fastener attached along an outer edge of the resilient, protective material;

an angle between the display module and the processor-keyboard module being adjustable by user adjustment of the slide fastener position near the fold line; and

the resilient, portfolio-type case including crushable corners and a protective lip extending beyond the attached slide fastener,

whereby the notebook computer has a rugged, attractive case that does not have to be stored separately when the computer is in use and wherein the writing pad is foldable across the processor-keyboard module for protecting the keyboard.

4. A notebook computer having a resilient, portfolio-type case, comprising:

a portfolio-type case of a resilient, protective material folded along a line to form opposed halves defining an open position and a closed position;

a processor-keyboard module attached to one half of the case;

a flat display module attached to an opposed half of the case and including a large display;

an inexpensive flex cable electrically connecting the processor-keyboard module with the display module to form a functional computer;

the portfolio-type case providing structural support for maintaining the two modules in a notebook relation with one another; and

each module being attached to an opposing half such that the modules are protected when the case is in the closed position and are usable as a computer when the case is in the open position;

the two halves of the portfolio-type case being secured in the closed position by a slide fastener attached along an outer edge of the resilient, protective material;

an angle between the display module and the processor-keyboard module being adjustable by user adjustment of the slide fastener position near the fold line; and

the resilient, portfolio-type case including crushable corners and a protective lip extending beyond the attached slide fastener,

whereby the notebook computer has a rugged, attractive case that does not have to be stored separately when the computer is in use, and wherein the writing pad is stowable between the display module and the processor-keyboard module when the protective cover is in a closed position for protecting both the display and the keyboard.

5. A notebook computer is constructed entirely within a portfolio-type case of a resilient, protective material folded along a line to form opposed halves defining open and closed positions;

the computer includes a flat-panel display module and a processor-keyboard module interconnected via inexpensive flex cable along the fold;

the protective material extends beyond the edges of the two functional modules providing both a protective lip along the edges and fold and protective, crushable corners;

a slide fastener is attached along an outer edge of the protective material to secure the computer in the closed position for transport and storage;

the slide of the fastener is user adjustable near the region of the fold for adjusting an angle between the display and the keyboard, the slide, fastener, and protective material cooperating to maintain the angle in a fixed relation once adjusted;

a removable multipurpose writing pad is attachable along either end of the computer case for use by left- and right-handed persons;

the writing pad folds into the case forming a protective barrier across the keyboard in the open position, and attaches under the computer for transport, whereby both the case and the multipurpose writing pad need not be separately stored during use.