Z-configuration structure for computers, scanners, and communications and video devices

• US 6,353,529 B1
• Filed: 11/10/1999
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Cies
• Original Assignee: Thomas Cies
• Inventors: Cies, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/437,494
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 361/687, 361/681-683, 348/794, 345/905, 248/917, 405/30
• US Class Current: 361/679.05
• 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 1/1656 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 1/1671 Special purpose buttons or auxiliary keyboards, e.g. retractable mini keypads, keypads or buttons that remain accessible at closed laptop G06F1/1666 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A multiply pivoted folding computer housing structure is disclosed which may be deployed in a generally Z-shaped configuration (“Z-computer”) applicable to portable computers as well as other computer-user interface systems such as laptop, notebook and desktop personal computers, checkout scanners, video and communication devices such as cell phones, TV and digital video players. The preferred embodiment of the Z-computer of the invention comprises at least three separate panels: a low profile keyboard base panel which supports at its back end an upright CPU panel, which in turn supports at its upper edge an elevated flat panel display. These panels are interconnected by two hinge systems and are adjustably securable by means of a lock mechanism to an improved ergonomic deployed configuration with the display at a better viewing angle. The preferred embodiment also includes a novel internal overhead keyboard illumination system, optional stabilizer legs and improved convective and radiative cooling.

Claims

1. A computer having a housing pivotally deployable by a user between a first, folded, closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded, deployed configuration for use on a support surface, comprising in operative combination:

a) a base panel housing having a rear edge, a front edge, and including a keyboard;

b) an intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge;

c) a display panel housing having a lower edge and including a flat panel display in at least one face thereof;

d) at least one of said base panel housing, said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing includes a plurality of conventional computer components, component mountings and electrical interconnectors;

e) a lower pivot assembly mounted to said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing, said lower pivot assembly having a lower hinge axis adjacent to each of said base panel housing rear edge and intermediate panel housing lower edge, to foldably connect said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing;

f) an upper pivot assembly mounted to said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing, said upper pivot assembly having an upper hinge axis adjacent each of said intermediate panel housing upper edge and display panel housing lower edge, to foldably connect said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing;

g) at least one electrical interconnector communicating between said panel housings adjacent said hinges, said at least one electrical interconnector functionally interconnecting selected ones of said plurality of computer components;

h) in said unfolded, deployed configuration;

(i) said base panel housing is supported upon said support surface;

(ii) said intermediate panel housing is deployed above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface; and

(iii) said display panel housing is deployed above said intermediate panel housing in an generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user;

i) said base panel housing, said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing fold to lie generally parallel and closely adjacent to one another in said a closed configuration; and

j) in said closed configuration said display panel housing is disposed between said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing.

2. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes a CPU.

3. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said base panel housing includes a CPU.

4. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said base panel housing is tapered so as to slope generally downwards from said rear edge to said front edge.

5. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes:

a) at least one internally-mounted heat-generating component;

b) at least one air inlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing lower edge;

c) at least one air outlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing upper edge;

d) at least one internal passage for airflow communicating between said inlet vent and said outlet vent; and

e) said passage is configured to bring said airflow into thermal contact with said heat-generating component when said computer is in said deployed configuration to cause said airflow to absorb heat from said component and to convectively cool said component by said airflow between said inlet vent and said outlet vent.

6. A computer as in claim 1, wherein at least one of said upper and lower pivot assemblies includes a user-adjustable hinge lock mechanism.

7. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes a light for keyboard illumination integrated in said panel.

8. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said base panel housing includes at least one retractable stabilizer member, said stabilizer member mounted to said base panel housing, and said stabilizer member is deployable to extend generally horizontally rearward from adjacent said rear edge of said base panel housing, so as to support said computer against rearward tip-over.

9. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said computer is a portable computer.

10. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said computer is a desk-top computer.

11. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said computer includes a cell-phone.

12. A computer as in claim 1, wherein said computer includes a product identification code scanner.

13. In a data processing user interface system for computing and communication devices having a multi-part housing which includes a plurality of conventional computer components, component mountings and electrical interconnections, a user input device, and a deployable flat panel display pivotally deployable by a user between a first folded closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded deployed configuration for use on a support surface, the improvement in said system comprising a configuration structure having:

a) a base panel housing having a rear edge, a front edge, and including said manual user input device;

b) an intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge;

c) a display panel housing having a lower edge and including at least said flat panel display;

e) a lower pivot assembly mounted to said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing to foldably connect said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing;

said lower pivot assembly has a hinge axis adjacent and substantially parallel to each of said base panel housing rear edge and intermediate panel housing lower edge;

said lower pivot assembly includes at least one electrical interconnector communicating to functionally interconnect at least one of said computer components in each of said base and intermediate panel housings;

f) an upper pivot assembly mounted to said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing to foldably connect said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing;

said upper pivot assembly has a hinge axis adjacent and substantially parallel to each of said intermediate panel housing upper edge and display panel housing lower edge;

said upper pivot assembly includes at least one electrical interconnector communicating to functionally interconnect at least one of said computer components in each of said intermediate and display panel housings;

h) in said unfolded, deployed configuration;

(i) said base panel housing is supported upon said support surface;

(ii) said intermediate panel housing is pivotally deployed above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface; and

(iii) said display panel housing is pivotally deployed from said intermediate panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface directed at an angle with respect to said user wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user in an elevated, ergonomically improved deployed configuration; and

i) in said closed configuration said display panel housing is disposed between said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing.

14. A data processing user interface system as in claim 13, wherein said base panel housing includes at least one stabilizer member, said stabilizer member is retractably mounted to said base panel housing, and said stabilizer is deployable to extend generally horizontally rearward from adjacent said rear edge of said base panel housing, so as to support said interface system against rearward tip-over.

15. A data processing user interface system as in claim 13, wherein at least one of said upper and lower pivot assemblies includes a user-adjustable hinge lock mechanism.

16. A data processing user interface system as in claim 13, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes:

a) at least one internally-mounted component which generates heat from use;

b) at least one air inlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing lower edge;

c) at least one air outlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing upper edge;

d) at least one internal passage for airflow communicating between said inlet vent and said outlet vent; and

e) said passage is configured to bring said airflow into thermal contact with said heat-generating component when said interface system is in said deployed configuration to cause said airflow to absorb heat from said component and to convectively cool said component by said airflow between said inlet vent and said outlet vent.

17. A data processing user interface system as in claim 13, wherein said manual user input device in said base panel housing is a keyboard.

18. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes a CPU.

19. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said base panel housing includes a CPU.

20. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said base panel housing, said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing fold to lie generally parallel and closely adjacent to one another in said a closed configuration.

21. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said base panel housing is tapered so as to slope generally downwards from said rear edge to said front edge.

22. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said intermediate panel housing includes a light for keyboard illumination integrated in said panel.

23. A data processing user interface system as in claim 17, wherein said interface system is portable.

24. A configuration structure for a computing or communication electronics device including a display and a CPU, wherein said device configuration structure is a three-panel housing assembly comprising:

a) a first base panel housing;

b) a second intermediate panel housing which includes;

i) at least one internally-mounted heat-generating component;

ii) at least one air inlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing lower edge;

iii) at least one air outlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing upper edge;

iv) at least one internal passage for airflow communicating between said inlet vent and said outlet vent; and

v) said passage is configured to bring said airflow into thermal contact with said heat-generating component when said computer is in said deployed configuration to cause said airflow to absorb heat from said component and to convectively cool said component by said airflow between said inlet vent and said outlet vent;

c) an upper display panel housing;

d) said device is movable between a closed position and a deployed, use position;

e) said base and display panel housings being hinged to said intermediate panel housing at opposed adjacent marginal edges of said intermediate panel housing, so that said device, in its deployed, use position is generally Z-shaped viewed in side elevation;

f) in said deployed, use position said panel housings are adjustable horizontally and vertically with respect for each other to provide improved ergonomic viewing; and

g) in said closed position, said display panel housing is folded to be disposed adjacent said intermediate panel housing.

25. An electronics device as in claim 24, wherein said device is a computer.

26. An electronics device as in claim 25, wherein said computer is portable.

27. An electronics device as in claim 24, wherein said device is a communications device.

28. An electronics device as in claim 27, wherein said device is a cell phone.

29. An electronics device as in claim 24, wherein said device is a video display device.

30. An electronics device as in claim 29, wherein said device is a one of a digital video player, a CD player and a television.

31. An electronics device as in claim 24, wherein said device is personal digital assistant.

32. A method of deployably mounting a flat panel display on an electronic device for improved ergonomic viewing by a device user, said electronic device including a plurality of electronic components and a base panel housing for supporting said electronic device on a support surface, said base panel housing having, relative to said viewer, a front edge proximate to said viewer and a rear edge distal to said viewer, said method comprising the steps of:

a) pivotally mounting an intermediate panel housing from said base panel housing at a first pivot, said intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge, said first pivot being adjacent said rear edge of said base panel housing and said lower edge of said intermediate panel housing;

b) pivotally mounting a display panel housing from said intermediate panel housing at a second pivot, said display panel housing having a lower edge, said second pivot being adjacent said upper edge of said intermediate panel housing and said lower edge of said display panel housing said display panel being pivotable distally, relative to the viewer, back of the plane defined by said intermediate panel;

c) mounting said flat panel display on said display panel housing and functionally electrically interconnecting said flat panel display with selected ones of said plurality of electronic components; and

d) pivoting said electronic device panels between a first folded closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded deployed configuration upon said support surface;

said pivoting to said unfolded, deployed configuration including the steps of;

(i) supporting said base panel housing upon said support surface with the front edge proximate to the viewer;

(ii) pivotally rotating said intermediate panel housing above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface at an angle generally toward said viewer; and

(iii) pivotally rotating said display panel housing from said intermediate panel housing to be directed at an angle with respect to said user wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user in an elevated, ergonomically improved position, generally Z-shaped in side elevation.