Fold out port group for portable computer
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
21 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.
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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.
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4. A portable computer system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A portable computer system comprising:
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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.
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21. A portable computer system comprising:
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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.
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Specification