Portable computer with top mounted optical drive

• US 6,621,691 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Howell, Bryan Franklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/901,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20030011975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679-686, D14/315, D14/319, D14/337, D14/336, D14/442, D14/325, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 369/2, 710/48, 349/58
• US Class Current: 361/679.33
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/165 the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer includes a base member and a lid member attached to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position. A display is mounted on a first side of the lid member positioned adjacent the base member when the lid member is in the closed position. An optical drive is mounted on a second side of the lid member opposite the first side.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a base member;

a single lid member attached to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a display mounted in an internal surface of the lid member; and

an optical drive mounted in a recess formed in an external surface of the lid member opposite the internal surface and positioned to be accessible without moving the lid member to the open position.

2. The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the display is positioned adjacent the base member when the lid member is in the closed position and the optical drive is mounted in the external surface of the lid member.

3. The portable computer as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

an access door mounted on the external surface of the lid member and movable for covering the recess.

4. The portable computer as defined in claim 3 further comprising:

control function members mounted on the lid member for controlling functions of the optical drive.

5. The portable computer as defined in claim 3 wherein the lid member is pivotally attached to the base member and the access door is pivotally mounted on the lid member.

6. The portable computer as defined in claim 3 further comprising:

another optical drive mounted in the base member.

7. A portable computer system comprising:

a chassis having a base member and a single lid member;

a microprocessor mounted in the chassis;

a storage coupled to the microprocessor;

a video controller coupled to the microprocessor;

a memory coupled to the microprocessor;

the lid member being attached to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a display mounted in a recess formed in an internal surface of the lid member; and

an optical drive mounted in an external surface of the lid member opposite the internal surface and positioned to be accessible without moving the lid member to the open position.

8. The portable computer as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

an access door mounted on the external surface of the lid member and movable for covering the recess.

9. The portable computer as defined in claim 8 further comprising:

control function members mounted on the lid member for controlling functions of the optical drive.

10. The portable computer as defined in claim 7 further comprising:

a compact disc access door mounted on the external surface of the lid member adjacent the optical drive and movable between an open position and a closed position.

11. A portable computer comprising:

a base member;

a single lid member attached to the base member and movable between a closed position and an open position;

a display mounted in an internal surface of the lid member positioned adjacent the base member when the lid member is in the closed position; and

an optical drive mounted in a recess formed in an external surface of the lid member opposite the internal surface.

12. The portable computer as defined in claim 11 wherein the optical drive is accessible without moving the lid member to the open position.

13. The portable computer as defined in claim 11 wherein the lid member is pivotally attached to the base member and an optical drive access door is pivotally mounted on the lid member.

14. The portable computer as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

another drive mounted in the base member.

15. A method of providing access to a drive in a portable computer comprising:

providing a base member;

attaching a single lid member to the base member, the lid member being movable between a closed position and an open position;

mounting a display on an internal surface of the lid member;

providing a recess in an external surface of the lid member, opposite the internal surface;

mounting an optical drive in the recess; and

covering the recess with a movable access door.