Nested flip cover lid for a hand-held computing system

• US 6,483,697 B1
• Filed: 05/29/2001
• Issued: 11/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Huy, Hulick, Troy, Shiozaki, Steven, Jenks, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/870,264
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-687, 361/724-727, 604/294, 281/36, 206/305, 190/109, 190/903, 364/708
• US Class Current: 361/679.3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• 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 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 190/903 Zipper

Abstract

One embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a nested flip cover lid for a portable computing system such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). Specifically, the nested flip cover lid includes an accessory rail spine, a hinge and a rigid material that is fabricated to nest within the top cover parameter bevels surrounding the display device of the portable computing system. Therefore, the nested flip cover of the portable computing system is designed and fabricated in order to add a minimal amount of thickness (e.g., 1 millimeter) to the overall portable computing system package. Furthermore, the nested flip cover may also be integrated with a latching mechanism in order to secure the nested flip cover closed when the portable computing system is not being used. In this manner, the latching mechanism keeps the nested flip cover aligned with the outer parameter of the portable computing system.

Claims

1. A flip cover for covering a portion of a front surface of a portable computing system, said flip cover comprising:

an apparatus for attaching to said portable computing system;

a hinge material attached to said apparatus; and

a material forming a raised area that is for nesting within display parameter bevels of a top cover of said portable computing system, wherein said material is attached to said hinge material.

2. The flip cover as described in claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a rail spine.

3. The flip cover as described in claim 1 wherein said hinge material is selected from a leather, a nylon, a rubber, a thermo-plastic urethane (TPU) and a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE).

4. The flip cover as described in claim 1 wherein said material comprises a rigid material.

5. The flip cover as described in claim 1 further comprising a latching mechanism for securing said flip cover to said top cover of said portable computing system.

6. The flip cover as described in claim 1 wherein said portable computing system comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

7. The flip cover as described in claim 4 wherein said rigid material is selected from a plastic, a polycarbonite, a metal, an alloy and a nylon.

8. The flip cover as described in claim 5 wherein said portable computing system comprises a latching point for receiving said latching mechanism.

9. The flip cover as described in claim 5 wherein said latching mechanism is selected from a pliable material and a micro-latch.

10. The flip cover as described in claim 9 wherein said pliable material is selected from a Mylar, a plastic and a nylon.

11. A removable flip cover for covering a portion of a front surface of a portable computing system, said removable flip cover comprising:

an apparatus for attaching to said portable computing system;

a hinge material attached to said apparatus; and

a material forming a raised area that is for nesting within display parameter bevels of a top cover of said portable computing system, wherein said material is attached to a surface of said hinge material;

wherein said removable flip cover is for removably attaching to said portable computing system to cover said portion of said front surface.

12. The removable flip cover as described in claim 11 wherein said apparatus comprises a rail spine.

13. The removable flip cover as described in claim 11 wherein said hinge material is selected from a leather, a nylon, a rubber, a thermo-plastic urethane (TPU) and a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE).

14. The removable flip cover as described in claim 11 wherein said material comprises a rigid material.

15. The removable flip cover as described in claim 11 further comprising a latching mechanism for securing said removable flip cover to said top cover of said portable computing system.

16. The removable flip cover as described in claim 11 wherein said portable computing system comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).

17. The removable flip cover as described in claim 14 wherein said rigid material is selected from a plastic, a polycarbonite, a metal, an alloy and a nylon.

18. The removable flip cover as described in claim 15 wherein said portable computing system comprises a latching point for receiving said latching mechanism.

19. The removable flip cover as described in claim 15 wherein said latching mechanism is selected from a pliable material and a micro-latch.

20. The removable flip cover as described in claim 19 wherein said pliable material is selected from a Mylar®

, a plastic and a nylon.

21. A flip cover for covering a portion of a front surface of a personal digital assistant, said flip cover comprising:

an apparatus for attaching to said personal digital assistant;

a hinge material attached to said apparatus; and

a material forming a raised area that is for nesting within display parameter bevels of a top cover of said personal digital assistant, wherein said material is attached to said hinge material.

22. The flip cover as described in claim 21 wherein said apparatus comprises a rail spine.

23. The flip cover as described in claim 21 wherein said hinge material is selected from a leather, a nylon, a rubber, a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) and a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE).

24. The flip cover as described in claim 21 wherein said material comprises a rigid material.

25. The flip cover as described in claim 21 further comprising a latching mechanism for securing said flip cover to said top cover of said personal digital assistant.

26. The flip cover as described in claim 24 wherein said rigid material is selected from a plastic, a polycarbonite, a metal, an alloy and a nylon.

27. The flip cover as described in claim 25 wherein said personal digital assistant comprises a latching point for receiving said latching mechanism.

28. The flip cover as described in claim 25 wherein said latching mechanism is selected from a pliable material and a micro-latch.

29. The flip cover as described in claim 27 wherein said latching point comprises a recess within said top cover of said personal digital assistant.

30. The flip cover as described in claim 28 wherein said pliable material is selected from a Mylar®

, a plastic and a nylon.