Hinge assembly for a portable computer

• US 6,359,774 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2001
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Leman, Michael V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US09/758,672
• Time in Patent Office: 432 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 361/682, 361/680, 361/686, 162/21, 162/52, 163/42, 163/37, 163/03, 163/19, 163/32, 163/36
• 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 having a display, the display having a first side boundary and a second side boundary, the display unit having a first region outside the first side boundary of the display and a second region outside the second side boundary of the display;

a base unit; and

a hinge pivotably coupling the display unit to the base unit, the hinge comprising a generally planar member and a slot adapted to receive the generally planar member, wherein the hinge is mounted to a lower portion of the first region, the hinge having a width less than a width of the first region,

wherein the slot is defined in one of the display unit and the base unit and the generally planar member is attached to the other one of the display unit and the base unit.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the display has a bottom boundary, the hinge staying clear of a region of the display unit below the bottom boundary to provide additional space for the display.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1, further comprising a second hinge having a second generally planar member and a second slot adapted to receive the second generally planar member, the second hinge being mounted to a lower portion of the second region, the second hinge having a width less than a width to the second region.

4. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the generally planar member is rotatably received in the slot.

5. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the hinge is positioned in the first region between the first side boundary of the display and an outer side edge of the display unit.

6. The portable computer system of claim 1, wherein the generally planar member is a flat member.

7. The portable computer system of claim 6, wherein the flat member has a width less than a width of the first region.

8. A portable computer system comprising:

a display unit having a display, the display having a first side boundary and a second side boundary, the display unit having a first region outside the first side boundary of the display and a second region outside the second side boundary of the display;

a base unit;

a hinge pivotably coupling the display unit to the base unit, the hinge comprising a generally planar member and a slot adapted to receive the generally planar member, wherein the hinge is mounted to a lower portion of the first region, the hinge having a width less than a width of the first region; and

a blade connector mechanism electrically coupling the display unit to the base unit,

wherein the blade connector mechanism comprises a female connector coupled to one of the display unit and base unit, and a blade connector coupled to the other one of the display unit and base unit, the female and male connectors adapted to engage each other to provide electrical connection.

9. A portable computer system comprising:

a display unit having a display, the display having a first side boundary and a second side boundary, the display unit having a first region outside the first side boundary of the display and a second region outside the second side boundary of the display;

a base unit;

a hinge pivotably coupling the display unit to the base unit, the hinge comprising a generally planar member and a slot adapted to receive the generally planar member, wherein the hinge is mounted to a lower portion of the first region, the hinge having a width less than a width of the first region; and

a blade connector mechanism electrically coupling the display unit to the base unit,

wherein the blade connector mechanism comprises a plurality of female connectors coupled to one of the display unit and base unit, and a plurality of blade connectors coupled to the other one of the display unit and base unit, corresponding female and male connectors adapted to engage each other to provide electrical connection.

10. A portable computer system comprising:

a display unit having a display, the display having a side edge;

a base unit; and

a hinge pivotably coupling the display unit and the base unit, the hinge comprising a gap, a planar member rotatably received in the gap, and a cover for the gap,

wherein the cover comprises a slot to enable rotating movement of the planar member.

11. The portable computer system of claim 10, wherein the display unit has a first region defined between the side edge and an outer side edge of the display unit, the hinge being mounted to a lower portion of the first region, the hinge being positioned in its entirety within a width defined by the first region.

12. The portable computer system of claim 10, wherein the display has a bottom edge and the display unit has a space below the bottom edge of the display, the hinge located outside the space below the bottom edge to provide additional space for the display.

13. A portable computer system, comprising:

a display unit having a display, the display having a first side edge, and the display unit having a first outer side edge;

a base unit; and

a hinge pivotably coupling the display unit and the base unit, the hinge attached to a lower portion of the display unit, the hinge being positioned entirely within a width defined between the first side edge of the display and the first outer side edge of the display unit,

wherein the hinge comprises a generally planar member and a slot adapted to receive the generally planar member, the slot being defined in one of the display unit and the base unit and the generally planar member defined in the other one of the display unit and base unit.

14. The portable computer system of claim 13, wherein the hinge is attached to a region of the display unit between the first side edge of the display and the first outer side edge of the display unit.

15. The portable computer system of claim 13, wherein the display has a second side edge and the display unit has a second outer side edge, the portable computer system further comprising a second hinge attached to the lower portion of the display unit, the second hinge being positioned entirely between the second side edge of the display and the second outer side edge of the display unit.

16. A method comprising:

providing a display unit having a display, the display having a first side edge and the display unit having a first outer side edge;

providing a base unit;

pivotably attaching the display unit to the base unit with a hinge;

positioning the hinge entirely within a width defined between the first side edge of the display and the first outer side edge of the display unit;

providing the hinge with a generally planar member and a slot to receive the generally planar member; and

providing the generally planar member in one of the display unit and base unit and providing the slot in the other one of the display unit and base unit.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein positioning the hinge comprises positioning the hinge outside a lower region of the display unit below a bottom edge of the display to provide more space for the display.