Portable computer equipped with add-on battery

• US 6,956,734 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2003
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ohnishi, Masuo, Shin, Takahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/359,612
• Publication Number:
  US 20030112592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-868, 361724-727, 307/150, 307/62, 320/111, 320/112, 320/114
• 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 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1635 Details related to the integration of battery packs and other power supplies such as fuel cells or integrated AC adapter
• 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 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle

Abstract

A portable computer includes a portable computer body having an upper surface, a lower surface and a lower front edge thereof. An add-on battery is detachable mounted on the lower surface of the portable computer body and has a wedge-shaped portion corresponding to a wedge-like space which is defined between the lower surface of the portable computer body and a surface on which the portable computer body is placed, when the portable computer body is placed to be inclined about the lower front edge of the portable computer body. The portable computer body is, when it is equipped with the add-on battery, inclined in such a manner that the upper surface of the portable computer body is lower at a front edge thereof.

Claims

1. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

releasable latching elements engaged by relatively moving the portable computer body and the battery in a sequence of a first connecting direction, transverse to the lower main surface of the computer body and the upper surface of the battery, to position same in a juxtaposed and aligned relationship, and a second connecting direction, parallel to the juxtaposed lower main surface of the portable computer body and upper surface of the battery and transverse to the front and rear edges, to connect same.

2. A portable computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the second connecting direction corresponds to movement of the battery in a direction from the rear edge and toward the front edge of the portable computer body.

3. A portable computer as recited in claim 1, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

a moveable pawl resiliently urged to an extended position, projecting from the upper surface of the battery, and moved into a recessed position when the upper main surface of the portable computer body is juxtaposed on the upper surface of the battery; and

a recess in the lower main surface of the portable computer body into which the movable pawl projects, in the extended position thereof and when aligned with the recess, as the battery is moved in the second connecting direction to connect same; and

the pawl being movable, against the resilient urging, to the recessed position thereof and thereby enabling moving the battery relatively to the computer in a reverse sequence of second and first disconnecting directions, respectively opposite to the second and first connecting directions, to disconnect same.

4. A portable computer as recited in claim 3, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

a pair of the moveable pawls, disposed at spaced positions along a selected one of the front and rear edges of the upper surface of the battery.

5. A portable computer as recited in claim 4, further comprising:

a pair of projecting pawls fixedly mounted on the battery adjacent the selected edge of the upper surface thereof and each having a transverse portion, transverse to the upper surface of the battery and a lateral portion, parallel to the upper surface of the battery; and

the portable computer body further having a pair of recesses In the rear edge thereof, aligned with the lateral portions of the respective projecting pawls and into which recesses the corresponding, aligned lateral portions are moved as the battery and portable computer body are moved in the first connecting direction to the juxtaposed and aligned relationship, to connect same.

6. A portable computer as recited in claim 5, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

at least first and second recessed surface portions of the upper surface of the battery respectively extending inwardly in a lateral direction, from opposite end surfaces of the battery, and inwardly from the other of the front and rear edges of the battery, transverse to the lateral direction;

at least first and second lateral pawls extending in the lateral direction from the upper main surface and toward the corresponding opposite end surfaces of the battery so as to define respective first and second open slots relatively to the corresponding first and second recessed surface portions;

the portable computer body further comprises a recessed area of the lower main surface of the portable computer body, disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the front and rear edges of the lower main surface thereof and disposed centrally of a distance in a lateral direction between opposite ends of the portable computer body; and

at least first and second pawls extending in the lateral direction from the lower main surface and arranged in mating relationship with the respective, at least first and second lateral pawls of the battery so as to be disposed in off-set relationship therewith when the battery and the portable computer body are moved relatively in the first connecting direction and so as to be disposed in aligned and interlocking relationship as the battery and computer body are moved in the second connecting direction to connect same.

7. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

the battery includes a latch and the portable computer body further has a mating recess therein, extending from the rear edge thereof toward the front edge thereof and parallel to the upper and lower main surfaces thereof and into which the latch of the battery extends when the battery is connected to the portable computer body.

8. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

the portable computer body is rotated about the front edge at the lower main surface thereof, relatively to the support surface, through an acute angle so as to detachably connect the battery, at the upper surface thereof, to the lower main surface of the portable computer body, adjacent the rear edge thereof.

9. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported;

the lower main surface of the portable computer body forms a wedge-shaped space, relatively to the support surface; and

the battery is disposed in a portion of the wedge-shaped space, when connected with the portable computer body.

10. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported;

front and rear surfaces of the portable computer body joining the upper and lower main surfaces thereof at corresponding upper and lower, front and rear edges; and

elements respectively on the upper surface of the battery and on the lower main surface of the portable computer body defining an L-shaped engaging path extending in a first direction transverse to, and through which, the respective upper and lower main surfaces of the battery and the portable computer body are movable from a spaced relationship to an engaging relationship, and in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the respective upper and lower main surfaces, to connect the battery with the portable computer body.

11. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported;

front and rear surfaces of the portable computer body joining the upper and lower main surfaces thereof at corresponding upper and lower, front and rear edges; and

the portable computer body and the battery having mating engaging elements whereby the battery is movable relatively to the portable computer body in a first direction, transverse to the spaced and parallel, respective upper and lower main surfaces thereof, into contact with the lower main surface of the portable computer body and thereafter is movable relatively to the portable computer body in a second direction, parallel to the respective upper and lower main surfaces thereof and transverse to the first direction, to connect the battery with the portable computer body.

12. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

releasable latching elements engaged by relatively moving the portable computer body and the housing in a sequence of a first connecting direction, transverse to the lower main surface of the computer body and the upper surface of the housing, to position same in a juxtaposed and aligned relationship, and a second connecting direction, parallel to the juxtaposed lower main surface of the portable computer body and upper surface of the housing and transverse to the front and rear edges, to connect same.

13. A portable computer as recited in claim 12, wherein the second connecting direction corresponds to movement of the housing in a direction from the rear edge and toward the front edge of the portable computer body.

14. A portable computer as recited in claim 12, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

a moveable pawl resiliently urged to an extended position, projecting from the upper surface of the housing, and moved into a recessed position when the upper main surface of the portable computer body is juxtaposed on the upper surface of the housing; and

a recess in the lower main surface of the portable computer body into which the movable pawl projects, in the extended position thereof and when aligned with the recess, as the housing is moved in the second connecting direction to connect same; and

the pawl being movable, against the resilient urging, to the recessed position thereof and thereby enabling moving the housing relatively to the computer in a reverse sequence of second and first disconnecting directions, respectively opposite to the second and first connecting directions, to disconnect same.

15. A portable computer as recited in claim 14, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

a pair of the moveable pawls, disposed at spaced positions along a selected one of the front and rear edges of the upper surface of the housing.

16. A portable computer as recited in claim 15, further comprising:

a pair of projecting pawls fixedly mounted on the housing adjacent the selected edge of the upper surface thereof and each having a transverse portion, transverse to the upper surface of the housing and a lateral portion, parallel to the upper surface of the housing; and

the portable computer body further having a pair of recesses in the rear edge thereof, aligned with the lateral portions of the respective projecting pawls and into which recesses the corresponding, aligned lateral portions are moved as the housing and portable computer body are moved in the first connecting direction to the juxtaposed and aligned relationship, to connect same.

17. A portable computer as recited in claim 16, wherein the releasable latching elements further comprise:

at least first and second recessed surface portions of the upper surface of the housing respectively extending inwardly in a lateral direction, from opposite end surfaces of the housing, and inwardly from the other of the front and rear edges of the housing, transverse to the lateral direction;

at least first and second lateral pawls extending in the lateral direction from the upper main surface and toward the corresponding opposite end surfaces of the housing so as to define respective first and second open slots relatively to the corresponding first and second recessed surface portions;

the portable computer body further comprises a recessed area of the lower main surface of the portable computer body, disposed adjacent a corresponding one of the front and rear edges of the lower main surface thereof and disposed centrally of a distance in a lateral direction between opposite ends of the portable computer body; and

at least first and second pawls extending in the lateral direction from the lower main surface and arranged in mating relationship with the respective, at least first and second lateral pawls of the housing so as to be disposed in off-set relationship therewith when the housing and the portable computer body are moved relatively in the first connecting direction and so as to be disposed in aligned and interlocking relationship as the housing and computer body are moved in the second connecting direction to connect same.

18. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

the housing further includes a latch and the portable computer body further has a mating recess therein, extending from the rear edge thereof toward the front edge thereof and parallel to the upper and lower main surfaces thereof and into which the latch of the housing extends when the housing is connected to the portable computer body.

19. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported; and

the portable computer body is rotated about the front edge at the lower main surface thereof, relatively to the support surface, through an acute angle so as to detachably connect the housing, at the upper surface thereof, to the lower main surface of the portable computer body, adjacent the rear edge thereof.

20. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported;

the lower main surface of the portable computer body forms a wedge-shaped space, relatively to the support surface; and

the housing is disposed in a portion of the wedge-shaped space, when connected with the portable computer body.

21. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported;

front and rear surfaces of the portable computer body joining the upper and lower main surfaces thereof at corresponding upper and lower, front and rear edges; and

elements respectively on the upper surface of the housing and on the lower main surface of the portable computer body defining an L-shaped engaging path extending in a first direction transverse to, and through which, the respective upper and lower main surfaces of the housing and the portable computer body are movable from a spaced relationship to an engaging relationship, and in a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the respective upper and lower main surfaces, to connect the housing with the portable computer body.

22. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported;

front and rear surfaces of the portable computer body joining the upper and lower main surfaces thereof at corresponding upper and lower, front and rear edges; and

the portable computer body and the housing having mating engaging elements whereby the housing is movable relatively to the portable computer body in a first direction, transverse to the spaced and parallel, respective upper and lower main surfaces thereof, Into contact with the lower main surface of the portable computer body and thereafter is movable relatively to the portable computer body in a second direction, parallel to the respective upper and lower main surfaces thereof and transverse to the first direction, to connect the housing with the portable computer body.

23. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges; and

a battery detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the battery detachably connected thereto, is supported, wherein;

the lower main surface of the portable computer body defines an acute angle relatively to the support surface when connected with the battery, and

the upper and lower surfaces of the battery are relatively, angularly inclined at an acute angle corresponding to the acute angle of the lower main surface of the portable computer body to the support surface, when supported on the battery.

24. A portable computer supportable on a support surface, comprising:

a portable computer body having upper and lower main surfaces joined by corresponding front and rear edges;

a housing detachably connectable at an upper surface thereof to the lower main surface of the portable computer body adjacent the rear edge thereof and maintaining the rear edge elevated with respect to the front edge, relatively to a support surface on which the portable computer body, with the housing detachably connected thereto, is supported, wherein;

the lower main surface of the portable computer body defines an acute angle relatively to the support surface when connected with the battery, and

the upper and lower surfaces of the battery are relatively, angularly inclined at an acute angle corresponding to the acute angle of the lower main surface of the portable computer body to the support surface, when supported on the battery.