User configured palm rests for a portable computer system

• US 6,385,037 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Kirchoff, Paul Andrew, Howell, Bryan Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/742,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20010038524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681, 361/683, 361/685, 361/724-727, 345/169, 345/179, 235/462, 364/146, 248/118.1, 248/118.3, 248/441.8, 400/483, 400/485
• US Class Current: 361/679.55
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer system has an enclosure including a base with a first surface and a microprocessor mounted in the enclosure. A keyboard is mounted in the base of the enclosure and is coupled to provide input to the microprocessor. A mass storage is coupled to the microprocessor and a display is coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller. A system memory is coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor. A support member is attached to the enclosure and at least a portion of the support member extends from the first surface of the enclosure adjacent the keyboard.

Claims

1. A portable computer system, comprising:

an enclosure including a base having a first surface and a plurality of openings formed therein;

a keyboard mounted in the base of the enclosure, the keyboard having a plurality of keys extending from the first surface;

a plurality of support members, each support member extending through a respective opening and including a flange engaged with the enclosure adjacent the opening, and at least a portion of the support members extending from the first surface of the enclosure adjacent the keyboard; and

a contoured surface formed on each support member, the support members being adjustably positionable in their respective openings, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.

2. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the support members are formed of a resilient material.

3. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the support members include a bladder, the bladder being at least partially filled with a viscous material.

4. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure includes a plurality of edges and wherein at least a portion of the support members extend from a respective adjacent edge of the enclosure.

5. The portable computer system of claim 1 further comprising a bezel attached to the enclosure, each of the support members extending through a respective opening in the bezel.

6. The portable computer system of claim 2 wherein each support member includes a first portion having a first resiliency and a second portion having a second resiliency, the first resiliency being different than the second resiliency.

7. The portable computer system of claim 3 wherein the bladder includes a plurality of cells.

8. The portable computer system of claim 1 wherein the contoured surface of each support member approximates a mating surface of a particular keyboard user'"'"'s anatomy.

9. The portable computer system of claim 5 wherein the bezel secures the support members to the enclosure.

10. The portable computer system of claim 5 wherein the bezel is removably attached to the enclosure.

11. The portable computer system of claim 5 wherein the bezel is pivotally attached to the enclosure.

12. The portable computer system of claim 6 wherein the first portion includes a bladder, the bladder being at least partially filled with a viscous material.

13. The portable computer system of claim 6 wherein the first portion is a foam material.

14. The portable computer system of claim 7 wherein the support members are removably attached to the enclosure.

15. The portable computer system of claim 12 wherein the viscous material is a gel-type material.

16. The portable computer system of claim 12 wherein the bladder includes a plurality of cells.

17. A computer system, comprising:

an enclosure including a base having a first surface and a plurality of openings formed therein;

a microprocessor mounted in the enclosure;

an input device coupled to provide input to the microprocessor, the input device mounted in the base of the enclosure;

a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a display coupled to the microprocessor by a video controller;

a system memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor;

a plurality of support members, each support member extending through a respective opening and including a flange engaged with the enclosure adjacent the opening and at least a portion of each support member extending from the first surface of the enclosure adjacent the input device; and

a contoured surface formed on each support member, the support members being adjustably positionable in their respective openings, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.

18. A user-configured computer, comprising:

a computer housing having an exterior surface formed of a first material, the first material having a first color and a first texture;

a keyboard mounted on a portion of the exterior surface;

a palm rest area adjacent the keyboard; and

at least one customer configured palm rest component detachably mounted on the palm rest area via a flange, the palm rest component having a contoured surface and being formed of a second material different from the first material and having a second color and a second texture, different from the first color and the first texture.

19. The computer as defined in claim 18 wherein the exterior surface includes an opening formed therein for receiving the palm rest component and engaging the flange, the palm rest component being adjustably positionable in the opening, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.

20. A method of user-configuring a computer comprising:

forming a computer housing including an exterior surface of a first material having a first color and a first texture;

mounting a keyboard on a portion of the exterior surface;

providing a palm rest area adjacent the keyboard;

forming a user configured palm rest component of a second material different from the first material and having a second color and a second texture, different from the first color and the first texture;

forming a flange and a contoured surface on the palm rest component; and

detachably mounting the palm rest component on the palm rest area.

21. The method as defined in claim 20 further comprising:

forming an opening in the exterior surface;

adjustably positioning the palm rest component in the opening; and

engaging the flange adjacent the opening, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.

22. A method of configuring a personalized ergonomic and aesthetic computer component comprising:

forming a computer housing including an exterior surface of a first material having a first color;

providing a palm rest area on the exterior surface;

forming a palm rest component including an ergonomically and aesthetically selected second material different from the first material, the second material having a second color, different from the first color;

forming a flange and a contoured surface on the palm rest component; and

detachably mounting the palm rest component on the palm rest area.

23. The method as defined in claim 22 further comprising:

forming an opening in the exterior surface;

adjustably positioning the palm rest component in the opening; and

engaging the flange adjacent the opening, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.

24. A user-configured computer, comprising:

a computer housing having an exterior surface formed from a first material, the first material having a first color and a first texture; and

a user-configurable member including a flange and a contoured surface detachably mounted on the computer housing and having an exterior surface, the exterior surface of the user configurable member formed of a second material different from the first material and having a second color and a second texture, different from the first color and the first texture.

25. The computer as defined in claim 24 therein the exterior surface includes an opening formed therein for receiving the user configurable member and engaging the flange, the user configurable member being adjustably positionable in the opening, whereby the contoured surface is adjustably positionable.