Device foot incorporating lid-actuated extension member

• US 6,961,240 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Janicek, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Datskovskiy, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/631,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024822A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 361680-687, 361692-699, 361702-715, 292/42, 292/148, 292/151, 292/307.R, 70/58, 70/57, 70/85, 220/241, 220/326, 312/271, 248/688, 248/685, 248/923, 248/917, 163/66, 206/45.2, 206/45.23, 206/305, 206/320
• US Class Current: 361/679.46
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/00 Additional features or accessories of hinges edge protecting devices E06B3/88
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/208 for metal cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• 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 1/166 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
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/1025 Padlock or seal catch
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/50 Special application

Abstract

A lid actuated device foot lifts a device to facilitate cooling. The device foot includes a device lid, and at least one lifting cam coupled to the device lid through a hinge. The lifting cam rotates about the hinge on an axis and has an eccentric contact surface capable of contacting a supporting surface. The device is thus lifted when the device lid is moved to a first position corresponding to an operational state thereby rotating the lifting cam about the axis. The contact surface is non-lifting when the device lid is in a second position corresponding to a non-operational state of the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for lifting a device to facilitate cooling, the apparatus comprising:

a device lid;

a device base; and

at least one lifting cam coupled to the device lid and the device base through a hinge;

wherein the lifting cam is configured to be capable of rotating about the hinge on an axis, the lifting cam having at least an eccentric contact surface capable of contacting a supporting surface when the device is placed thereon so as to lift the device upon the device lid being moved to a first position rotating the lifting cam about the axis;

wherein the first position corresponds to an operational state of the device, the contact surface being non-lifting when the device lid is moved to a second position corresponding to a non-operational state of the device.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a key coupled to the hinge and the lifting cam wherein the key fixably couples the lifting cam to the hinge.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting cam is molded into the device lid.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting cam is separate from the device lid.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting cam comprises at least one of the following shapes:

circular, oval, and elliptical.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.

9. A computer assembly, comprising:

device lid; and

at least one lifting cam molded into the device lid;

wherein the lifting cam is configured to be capable of rotating about an axis, the lifting cam having at least an eccentric contact surface capable of contacting a supporting surface upon a device associated with the computer assembly being placed thereon so as to lift the device in response to the device lid being moved to a first position rotating the lifting cam about the axis;

wherein the first position corresponds to an operational state of the device, the contact surface being non-lifting when the device lid is moved to a second position corresponding to a non-operational state of the device.

10. The computer assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting cam comprises at least one of the following shapes:

circular, oval, and elliptical.

11. The computer assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the device lid.

12. The computer assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the device lid.

13. A lid actuated device foot for lifting a device to facilitate cooling, the device foot comprising:

a device lid; and

at least one lifting cam coupled to the device lid through a hinge

wherein the lifting cam is configured to be capable of rotating about an axis, the lifting cam having at least an eccentric contact surface capable of contacting a supporting surface upon a device associated with the computer assembly being placed thereon so as to lift the device in response to the device lid being moved to a first position rotating the lifting cam about the axis;

wherein the first position corresponds to an operational state of the device, the contact surface being non-lifting when the device lid is moved to a second position corresponding to a non-operational state of the device.

14. The device foot as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a key coupled to the hinge and the lifting cam wherein the key fixably couples the lifting cam to the hinge.

15. The device foot as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lifting cam is molded into the device lid.

16. The device foot as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lifting cam is separate from the device lid.

17. The device foot as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lifting cam comprises at least one of the following shapes:

circular, oval, and elliptical.

18. The device foot as claimed in claim 13, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.

19. The device foot as claimed in claim 15, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.

20. The device foot as claimed in claim 16, wherein the lifting cam extends along a substantial portion of the hinge.