Fold out port group for portable computer

• US 6,290,517 B1
• Filed: 08/17/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Glen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUVERNE, JEAN F
• Application Number:
  US09/375,327
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/946, 439/946.2, 439/676, 439/638, 439/344
• US Class Current: 439/131
• 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 1/1632 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/59 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members

Abstract

A notebook computer incorporating a fold out port group incorporating a plurality of I/O ports is herein provided. The port group is hingedly attached to the computer and pivots between a first, stored position and a second, extended position. In the second, extended position, the port group permits convenient access to the ports thereon and further defines a leg to elevate one end of the computer. Ports may be accessible while the port group is in the first, stored position as well. In one embodiment, the port group, while in the first position, is stored within a slot on the bottom of the computer housing. In another embodiment, the port group selectively covers the rear surface of the computer in the stored position and pivots to expose the rear surface when placed in the extended position. The port group may be interchangeable with other port groups to customize the computer for a particular market or particular application.

Claims

1. A port group for use with a portable electronic device, the port group comprising one or more ports for electrically interconnecting external equipment to the device, wherein the port group is pivotally connectable to the device for pivoting between a first, stored position and a second, extended position wherein the port group forms a leg that elevates one end of the device when in the second extended position.

2. The port group of claim 1 wherein the ports are accessible in both the first and second position.

3. A portable electronic device comprising a port group having one or more ports for electrically interconnecting external equipment to the device, wherein the port group is pivotally connectable to the device for pivoting between a first, stored position and a second, extended position wherein the port group forms a leg that elevates one end of the device when in the second extended position.

4. A portable computer system comprising:

a portable computer having;

a housing comprising a rear surface, an upper surface and a lower surface;

an input device coupled to the upper surface; and

a port group having a first plurality of ports and a second plurality of ports for electrically interconnecting the system to external equipment, wherein the port group is pivotally connected to the housing about a pivot axis for pivoting between a first, stored position and a second, extended position and further wherein the first plurality of ports are exposed in the first stored position and the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports are exposed when in the second, extended position.

5. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the lower surface of the housing further comprises a slot, the slot generally parallel with the rear surface of the housing.

6. The computer system of claim 5 wherein the port group is adapted to fit within the slot such that in the first position, the port group is nested within the slot, and in the second position, the port group extends outwardly from the lower surface to form a leg to elevate the housing.

7. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the pivot axis is located generally along the intersection of the lower surface and the rear surface of the housing.

8. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the port group is substantially the same thickness as the housing, and wherein the port group, in the first position, substantially covers the rear surface, and, in the second position, extends downwardly from the housing to form a leg to elevate the housing.

9. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the port group has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that, in the first position, includes a first side adjacent to the rear surface, a second side parallel with the upper surface, a third side opposite the first side, and a fourth side opposite the second side.

10. The computer system of claim 9 wherein the port group includes a port on at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sides.

11. The computer system of claim 4 wherein the port group is interchangeable with a second port group.

12. The computer system of claim 4 further comprising interconnecting means for electrically interconnecting the first and second plurality of ports to the housing.

13. The computer system of claim 12 wherein the interconnecting means couples the first plurality of ports to the housing when the port group is in the first position.

14. The computer system of claim 12 wherein the interconnecting means couples the second plurality of ports to the housing when the port group is in the second position.

15. The computer system of claim 12 wherein the interconnecting means is a flat ribbon cable routed proximal the pivot axis.

16. The computer system of claim 12 wherein the interconnecting means comprises a first plurality of conductors coupled to the port group and a corresponding second plurality of conductors coupled to the housing.

17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the first plurality of conductors contacts the second plurality of conductors when the port group is in the first position.

18. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the first plurality of conductors contacts the second plurality of conductors when the port group is in the second position.

19. The computer system of claim 16 wherein one or more of the first and second plurality of conductors is biased.

20. A portable computer system comprising:

a portable computer having;

a housing comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface of the housing includes a slot;

an input device coupled to the upper surface; and

a port group having a plurality of ports for electrically interconnecting the system to external equipment, wherein the port group is pivotally connected to the housing about a pivot axis for pivoting between a first, stored position in which the port group is nested within the slot, and a second, extended position, in which the port group extends outwardly from the lower surface to form a leg to elevate the housing.

21. A portable computer system comprising:

a portable computer having;

a housing comprising an upper surface and a lower surface,

an input device coupled to the upper surface; and

a port group having a plurality of ports for electrically interconnecting the system to external equipment, the port group being pivotally connected to the housing about a pivot axis for pivoting between a first, stored position and a second, extended position, wherein the port group is substantially the same thickness as the housing, and wherein the port group, in the first position, substantially covers the rear surface, and, in the second position, extends downwardly from the housing to form a leg to elevate the housing.