Encasement for handheld computer

• US 7,099,149 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Krieger, John William, Lewis, Randall Clark
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang, Yean-Hsi
• Application Number:
  US10/897,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20040257758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 361/681, 361/683
• 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 1/166 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: G06F 2200/1634 Integrated protective display lid, e.g. for touch-sensitive display in handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0208 characterized by the relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4438 Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/142 Constructional details of the terminal equipment, e.g. arrangements of the camera and the display
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A handheld computer comprises a generally rectangular housing and a cover movably connected thereto by a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a tubular member or arm that has one end fixedly (non-rotatably) secured to an edge of the cover and an opposite end pivotally coupled to an edge of the cover. The hinge assembly enables the cover to be moved to at least three different positions. The cover provides a different function in each position. The hinge assembly comprises a pin and slot arrangement.

Claims

1. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing; and

a cover movably connected to the housing by a hinge assembly that enables the cover to be moved to at least three different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position,

wherein the hinge assembly comprises a pin and slot arrangement, the pin and slot arrangement having a pin connected to the cover and a corresponding slot formed along an edge of the housing, the pin and slot arrangement permitting rotation of the cover about an axis extending along the edge of the housing, wherein the pin is configured for slidable engagement with the slot, and the pin is connected to the cover by a tubular member extending transversely to the edge of the housing, the tubular member permitting rotation of the cover about an axis extending through the tubular member.

2. The handheld computer claim 1, wherein the pin and slot arrangement allows the cover to be detached and reattached.

3. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing; and

a cover movably connected to the housing by a unitary hinge assembly that enables the cover to be moved to at least two different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position,

wherein the unitary hinge assembly comprises an arm having a tubular member extending transversely to the edge of the housing with one end of the tubular member connected to the cover and an opposite end terminating in a transversely extending pin, the pin being configured to removably engage a groove formed along an edge of the housing.

4. The handheld computer of claim 3, wherein the unitary hinge assembly permits the cover to be detached and reattached.

5. The handheld computer of claim 3, wherein the unitary hinge assembly permits the cover to be moved to at least three different positions including a closed position, an open position and a stand position.

6. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing; and

a cover movably connected to the housing by a hinge assembly that enables the cover to be rotated about at least two orthogonal axes;

wherein the hinge assembly comprises a pin and slot arrangement, and wherein the pin is configured for slidable engagement with the slot;

wherein the cover is rotatable about two different axes to at least three different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position;

wherein the hinge assembly enables the cover to assume a closed position, an open position, and a stand position; and

wherein the cover in the closed position is configured to protect a display screen, the cover in the open position is configured to permit access to the display screen without increasing a footprint of the computer, and the cover in the stand position forms an outrigger for maintaining the housing in an inclined position when placed on a horizontal surface.

7. The handheld computer of claim 6, wherein a first axis extends along an edge of the housing and a second axis extends transversely to the edge of the housing.

8. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing;

a cover; and

means for pivotally coupling the cover to the housing for rotation about two orthogonal axes;

wherein the pivotal coupling means comprises a rod and slot arrangement, and wherein the pin is configured for removable engagement with the slot

wherein the pivotal coupling means enables the cover to move between at least three different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position

wherein the pivotal coupling means enables the cover to move between a closed position, an open position, and a stand position; and

wherein the cover in the closed position is configured to protect a display screen, the cover in the open position is configured to permit access to the display screen without increasing a footprint of the computer, and the cover in the stand position forms an outrigger for maintaining the housing in an inclined position when placed on a horizontal surface.

9. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing; and

a cover movably connected to the housing by a hinge assembly that enables the cover to be rotated about at least two orthogonal axes,

wherein the hinge assembly comprises a pin and slot arrangement;

wherein the cover is rotatable about two different axes to at least three different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position;

wherein the hinge assembly enables the cover to assume a closed position, an open position, and a stand position; and

wherein the cover in the closed position is configured to protect a display screen, the cover in the open position is configured to permit access to the display screen without increasing a footprint of the computer, and the cover in the stand position forms an outrigger for maintaining the housing in an inclined position when placed on a horizontal surface.

10. A handheld computer, comprising:

a housing;

a cover; and

means for pivotally coupling the cover to the housing for rotation about two orthogonal axes,

wherein the pivotal coupling means comprises a rod and slot arrangement;

wherein the pivotal coupling means enables the cover to move between at least three different positions, the cover providing a different function in each position;

wherein the pivotal coupling means enables the cover to move between a closed position, an open position, and a stand position; and

wherein the cover in the closed position is configured to protect a display screen, the cover in the open position is configured to permit access to the display screen without increasing a footprint of the computer, and the cover in the stand position forms an outrigger for maintaining the housing in an inclined position when placed on a horizontal surface.