All-in-one personal computer with tool-less quick-release features for various elements thereof including a reusable thin film transistor monitor

• US 6,680,843 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2002
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Rutledge, James Stephen, Leonard, Brian Hargrove, Farrow, Timothy Samuel, Swansey, John David, Rasa, Bruce Wayne, Lawrence, Mark John, Herring, Dean Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Anthony Q.
• Application Number:
  US10/118,809
• Publication Number:
  US 20030063432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 361/681-683, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 395/169, 395/905
• US Class Current: 361/679.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor

Abstract

A unitary personal computer system in information handling elements of the system such as the central processor, associated memory, drives and options such as modems or network interface cards are housed in a common housing with the display or monitor. Provision is made for access to the information handling elements of the system by release of manually actuable latches and the like and for mounting of the information handling elements in ways which facilitate orderly and attractive use, such as by providing smooth transitions between stowed and active positions and ready adjustment of positions.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a support assembly,

a data display housing,

information handling elements mounted in said display housing,

a data display mounted in said housing and operatively connected with said information handling elements, and

a linkage mounting said display housing on said support assembly for positional adjustment,

said housing having a cage to hold a drive receiving removable computer readable media and mounted for movement between a stowed position disposed within said housing and an accessible position extending from said housing and a damping mechanism interposed between said cage and said housing to guide cage movement in smooth linear translation, said damping mechanism having a pair of engaged gear sets arranged with the engaged gears of each set displaced rotationally by one half tooth pitch from the other set.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 where in said support assembly is formed of a thin embossed metallic sheet material having elongate deformations imparting enhanced structural rigidity.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an electrically actuable latch securing said cage in the stowed position and electrically operable to release said cage for movement to the accessible position enabling insertion and removal of computer readable media.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a back cover distal from said data display and mounted for movement between closed and opened positions, a manually actuable latch securing said back cover in closed position and manipulable to release said back cover for movement to the opened position enabling access to said information handling elements, and shielding in said back cover which suppresses emission of radio frequency interference signals.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 herein said support assembly has an adapter plate and further comprising a support arm affixed to a supporting surface, said support arm and adapter plate cooperating to enable ready joining and disjoining thereof.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a back cover distal from said data display, and further comprising a tubular cable trough removably attached to said back cover and enclosing cables which connect said information handling elements with accessory devices.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a back cover distal from said data display and mounted for movement between closed and opened positions, and a manually actuable latch securing said back cover in closed position and manipulable to release said back cover for movement to the opened position enabling access to said information handling elements, and further wherein said housing has a cage to hold a drive with non-removable computer readable media and mounted for movement between secured and removed positions at a location accessible when said back cover is in the opened position, and a manually actuable latch securing said cage in secured position and manipulable to release said cage for movement to the removed position.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing has a back cover distal from said data display and mounted for movement between closed and opened positions, and a manually actuable latch securing said back cover in closed position and manipulable to release said back cover for movement to the opened position enabling access to said information handling elements, said housing further having a card retaining clip mounted adjacent an option card connector for movement between a card holding position and a card releasing position and disposed to be restrained against movement to the card releasing position when said back cover is in the close position.

9. Apparatus comprising:

a support assembly having a front and a rear,

a data display housing,

information handling elements mounted in said display housing,

a data display mounted in said housing and operatively connected with said information handling elements, and

a linkage mounting said display housing to the rear of said support assembly for positional adjustment, said housing being arranged to extend above the front of said support assembly, where said data display is mounted,

said housing having a cage holding a drive receiving removable computer readable media which cage is mounted for movement between a stowed position disposed within said housing behind said data display and an accessible position extending from said housing below said data display and having an electrically actuable latch securing said cage in the stowed position which is electrically operable to release said cage for movement to the accessible position enabling insertion and removal ot computer readable media.

10. Apparatus comprising:

a support arm affixed to a supporting surface,

a support assembly formed of a thin embossed metallic sheet material having elongate deformations imparting enhanced structural rigidity and having an adapter plate secured to said support arm,

said support arm and adapter plate cooperating to enable ready joining and disjoining thereof,

a data display housing,

information handling elements mounted in said display housing including a connector receiving an option card,

a data display mounted in said housing and operatively connected with said information handling elements,

a linkage mounting said display housing on said base for positional adjustment, and

a tubular cable trough removably attached to said back cover and enclosing cables which connect said information handling elements with accessory devices,

said housing having a back cover distal from said data display and mounted for movement between closed and opened positions, and manually actuable latch securing said back cover in closed position and manipulable to release said back cover for movement to the opened position enabling access to said information handling elements and integrally formed shielding suppressing emission of radio frequency interference signals,

said housing further having a first cage to hold a drive receiving removable computer readable media and mounted for movement between a stowed position disposed within said housing and an accessible position extending from said housing, an electrically actuable latch securing said first cage in the stowed position and electrically operable to release said cage for movement to the accessible position enabling insertion and removal of computer readable media, and a damping mechanism interposed between said first cage and said housing to guide cage movement in smooth linear translation, said damping mechanism having a pair of engaged gear sets arranged with the engaged gears of each set displaced rotationally by one half tooth pitch from the other set,

said housing further having a second cage to hold a drive with a non-removable computer readable media and mounted for movement between secured and removed positions at a location accessible when said back cover is in the opened position, and a manually actuable latch securing said second cage in secured position end manipulable to release said second cage for movement to the removed position,

said housing further having a card retaining clip mounted adjacent said connector for movement between a card holding position and a card releasing position and disposed to be restrained against movement to the card releasing position when said back cover is in the closed position.