Portable computer

• US 7,652,873 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2005
• Issued: 01/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Seung-woon
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards; Anthony Q
• Application Number:
  US11/203,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20060038795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,625 Days
• Field of Search: 361679-683, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 248917-924
• US Class Current: 361/679.06
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/006 for covers or panels for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/162 changing, e.g. reversing, the face orientation of the screen with a two degrees of freedom mechanism, e.g. for folding into tablet PC like position or orienting towards the direction opposite to the user to show to a second user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/92 Angular and linear video display screen support adjustment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable computer including a tablet body to accommodate a plurality of hardware components and capable of a tablet operation, an input unit body to input data to the tablet body; and one link including a first end rotatably coupled to a rear of the tablet body and a second end rotatably coupled to a back of the input unit body, the tablet body alternating between a tablet operation position in which the tablet body is folded on the input unit body while the link is interposed between the rear of the tablet body and an upper surface of the input unit body, and an exposed position in which the tablet body coupled with the link is spaced from the input unit body and the input unit body is externally exposed. Thus, the present invention provides a portable computer which enables a user to rotate a tablet body and which has an attractive and slim outer appearance.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a tablet body to accommodate a plurality of hardware components and that is capable of a tablet operation;

an input unit body to input data into the tablet body; and

one link having a first end rotatably coupled to a rear of the tablet body and a second end tiltably coupled to a back of the input unit body, wherein

the tablet body alternates between a tablet operation position in which the tablet body is folded on the input unit body while the link is interposed between the rear of the tablet body and an upper surface of the input unit body, and an exposed position in which the tablet body coupled with the link is spaced from the input unit body and the upper surface of the input unit body is externally exposed to input data,

wherein the tablet body is movable from the tablet operation position to the exposed position if a front of the tablet body is pushed toward the second end of the one link and a back of the tablet body is lifted up with respect to the input unit body.

2. The portable computer according to claim 1, wherein the tablet body is detachably coupled to the input unit body.

3. The portable computer according to claim 2, further comprising a coupling unit provided in a coupling portion between the link and the tablet main body and detachably coupling the tablet body to the input unit body, wherein

the coupling unit comprises a projection provided in one of the tablet body and the link, and a rotation plate rotatably provided in the other one and formed with a rotation projection to be locked to the projection.

4. The portable computer according to claim 3, further comprising a latch provided to slide in the input unit body, interlocking with the rotation plate, and rotating the rotation plate to cause the rotation projection to be locked to and released from the projection.

5. The portable computer according to claim 4, wherein the rotation plate is formed with a rotation guide projection,

the link is formed with a projection guide elongated hole in which the rotation guide projection is inserted, and

the latch is formed with a rotation guide elongated hole in which the rotation guide projection inserted in the projection guide elongated hole in the tablet operation position is guided.

6. The portable computer according to claim 5, further comprising a lever rotatably provided in the input unit body, connected to the latch, and allowing the latch to slide in the input unit body.

7. The portable computer according to claim 6, wherein

the latch is formed with a lever projection, and the lever comprises a grip exposed to the outside of the input unit body, and a lever guide extending from the grip and stopped by the lever projection in the input unit body.

8. The portable computer according to claim 7, further comprising:

a guide provided in the input unit body and guiding the latch to slide; and

a stopper assembly connecting the guide with the latch.

9. The portable computer according to claim 8, further comprising a first spring including a first end coupled to the input unit body and a second end coupled to the latch, and exerting an elastic force to the latch.

10. The portable computer according to claim 1, further comprising a locking unit provided between the link and the input unit body and allowing the link to be locked to and released from the input unit body.

11. The portable computer according to claim 10, wherein the locking unit comprises a locking hole provided in one of the link and the input unit body, and a locker provided to slide in the other and including a hook to be locked to the locking hole.

12. The portable computer according to claim 11, further comprising a knob provided to slide in the input unit body, connected to the locker, and making the locker to slide.

13. The portable computer according to claim 12, further comprising:

a first hinge rotatably connecting the link and the input unit body; and

a second hinge rotatably connecting the link and the tablet body at a position spaced from the first hinge.

14. The portable computer according to claim 13, further comprising a supporting unit rotatably coupled to the link by the second hinge, wherein the supporting unit is formed with the locking hole to which the hook is locked in the tablet operation position.

15. The portable computer according to claim 14, wherein the first hinge comprises:

a pair of first hinge shafts;

a first link shaft supporter provided in the link and supporting a first side of each first hinge shaft; and

a first main shaft supporter provided in the input unit body and supporting a second side of each first hinge shaft,

each first hinge shaft comprising a first main hinge shaft and a first link hinge shaft, which are rotatably coupled to each other.

16. The portable computer according to claim 14, wherein the second hinge comprises:

a pair of second hinge shafts;

a second link shaft supporter provided in the link and supporting a first side of each second hinge shaft; and

a second main shaft supporter provided in the supporting unit and supporting a second side of each second hinge shaft,

each second hinge shaft comprising a second main hinge shaft and a second link hinge shaft, which are rotatably coupled to each other.

17. The portable computer according to claim 16, wherein the input unit body comprises a link accommodating portion to accommodate the link at the tablet operation position.

18. The portable computer according to claim 17, wherein the link comprises a connector assembly electrically connecting the tablet body with the input unit body.

19. The portable computer according to claim 18, further comprising a second spring including a first end coupled to the input unit body and a second end coupled to the locker, and exerting an elastic force to the locker.

20. The portable computer according to claim 9, further comprising a locking unit provided between the link and the input unit body and allowing the link to be locked to and released from the input unit body.

21. The portable computer according to claim 20, wherein the locking unit comprises a locking hole provided in one of the link and the input unit body, and a locker provided to slide in the other and having a hook to be locked to the locking hole.

22. A portable computer comprising:

a first portion including a display;

a second portion including an input; and

a single link having a first end rotatably coupled to the first portion and a second end tiltably coupling to the second portion, the link allowing a first position in which a back of the first portion is flush against the second portion and the display faces externally, and a second position in which a back of the first portion is at a distance from the second portion to operate the input,

wherein the first portion is movable from the first position to the second position if a front of the first portion is pushed toward the second end of the single link and a back of the first portion is lifted up with respect to the second portion.