Stylus fixing structure for a portable computer

• US 7,102,627 B2
• Filed: 05/01/2003
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Original Assignee: Quanta Computer
• Inventors: Lan, Shih-Hwa, Yang, Kuo-Chang
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): DHARIA, PRABODH M
• Application Number:
  US10/426,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20040118743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-179, 178 1901- 1907, 401/131, 401/258, 206/701, 382/69, 402/79, 361/692
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer

Abstract

A fixing structure is employed to secure a stylus in a portable computer. The fixing structure has a storage slot, an attachment means, a latch and an elastic apparatus. An attachment means mounted on a stylus has an engraved notch. The latch embedded in the storage slot fits in the engraved notch of the attachment means to prevent the stylus from slipping out of the storage slot. The latch is pushed by the elastic apparatus.

Claims

1. A stylus fixing structure in a portable computer comprising:

an attachment means mounted near a tail end of a stylus, the attachment means having an engraved notch inside thereof;

a slot, installed in said portable computer, employed to hold said stylus;

a latch, mounted adjacent to said slot, said latch being employed to clamp said stylus in said slot by fitting into said engraved notch; and

an elastic apparatus, one end thereof being fixed to said portable computer and another end thereof being connected to said latch, wherein said elastic apparatus provides a force for pushing said latch to fit into said engraved notch.

2. The fixing structure of claim 1, wherein said attachment means further comprises a sliding edge, guiding said latch to fit into said engraved notch.

3. The fixing structure of claim 1, wherein said elastic apparatus comprises a spring, a metal elastic apparatus, or plastic elastic apparatus.

4. The fixing structure of claim 1, wherein said slot is installed in a mainframe portion of said portable computer.

5. The fixing structure of claim 1, wherein said slot is installed in an LCD portion of said portable computer.

6. The fixing structure of claim 1, wherein said latch comprises a holding member, employed to pull said latch out of said engraved notch.

7. A stylus fixing structure employed to hold a stylus in a slot of a portable computer, said fixing structure comprising:

an attachment means mounted near a tail end of the stylus, the attachment means having an engraved notch inside thereof;

an elastic apparatus, one end thereof being fixed to said portable computer; and

a latch, connected to another end of said elastic apparatus, wherein said latch is employed to clamp said stylus in said slot by fitting into said engraved notch, and said elastic apparatus provides a force for pushing said latch to fit into said engraved notch.

8. The fixing structure of claim 7, wherein said attachment means further comprises a sliding edge, guiding said latch to fit into said engraved notch.

9. The fixing structure of claim 7, wherein said elastic apparatus comprises a spring, a metal elastic apparatus, or plastic elastic apparatus.

10. The fixing structure of claim 7, wherein said latch comprises a holding member, employed to pull said latch out of said engraved notch.

11. A stylus fixing structure for use with a portable electronic device having a case with a slot for slidably receiving a stylus having a tip end and a tail end, comprising:

an attachment means, the attachment means including an elongated member that is connected to the stylus adjacent its tail end, and a notch portion that is disposed between the elongated member and the stylus;

a latch member slidably mounted on the case at a position to engage the notch portion when the stylus is in the slot; and

means for urging the latch member toward the slot.

12. The fixing structure of claim 11, wherein the notch portion has an end with a sliding edge.