Keyboard lighting device

• US 8,926,111 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Weng, Chung-Kuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUMEBO, TSION M
• Application Number:
  US12/971,599
• Publication Number:
  US 20120155062A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 362/197, 362/23, 362/269, 362/427, 362/109, 362/85, 362/253, 362/421, 362/418
• US Class Current: 362/85
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0052 Audio or video equipment, e.g. televisions, telephones, cameras or computers; Remote control devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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

Abstract

A portable computer includes a user interface portion and a screen portion that has a substantially planar surface rotatably coupled to the user interface portion. At least one light fixture is positionably mounted to the screen portion in a stowage position or in a functional position. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a spring member. In the stowage position, the spring member is compressed, and the light fixture is flush with the substantial planar surface. In the functional position, the spring member is relaxed, and the light fixture illuminates the user interface portion. In some embodiments, the light fixture includes a swivel member that enables 360° rotation of the light fixture.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising:

a. a user interface portion;

b. a screen portion having a substantially planar surface rotatably coupled to the user interface portion, wherein the screen portion comprises at least one light fixture positionably mounted to the screen portion, wherein the at least one light fixture includes;

i. a housing;

ii. a spring member affixed to the housing, wherein the spring member includes a U-bend region, wherein an interior surface portion of the U-bend region receives a section of the screen portion to hold the at least one light fixture in a functional position;

iii. a latch member configured to be actuated by a user by depressing a portion of the latching member; and

iv. a latching protrusion configured as a stop against the spring member when the latching protrusion comes to rest against the housing.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture comprises an LED.

3. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture is positionably mounted in one of a stowage position and the functional position.

4. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein when in a stowage position, the at least one light fixture is flush with the substantially planar surface, and when in the functional position, the at least one light fixture illuminates the user interface portion.

5. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture comprises a lens positioned laterally to a face of the housing.

6. The portable computer of claim 5, wherein the lens is for diffusing light provided by a light emitting source.

7. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the spring member is relaxed in the functional position and is compressed in a stowage position.

8. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the latch member is for fixing the at least one light fixture in a stowage position.

9. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture is configured to angle at 60°

with respect to the planar surface of the screen portion.

10. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the contact area of the latch member and the housing is distal to the spring member.

11. The portable computer of claim 1, wherein the at least one light fixture includes a first light fixture and a second light fixture.

12. A portable computer comprising:

a. a user interface portion comprising a keyboard and a pointer device;

b. a screen portion hingedly coupled to the user interface portion; and

c. a lighting fixture positionably coupled to the screen portion, the lighting fixture having;

i. a housing to house an LED for providing light when a top portion of the housing opens away from the screen portion;

ii. a spring member coupled at a bottom portion of the housing, the spring member for affixing the position of the lighting fixture in one of a stowage position and a functional position, wherein the spring member is compressed in a stowage position and relaxed in a functional position, wherein the LED is directed toward the user interface portion in a functional position, wherein the spring member includes a U-bend region, wherein an interior surface portion of the U-bend region receives a section of the screen portion to hold the lighting fixture in the functional position; and

iii. a latch member for holding the position of the lighting fixture in a stowage position by providing a counter force to the compressed spring member.

13. A portable computer comprising:

a. a user interface portion comprising a keyboard and a pointer device;

b. a screen portion hingedly coupled to the user interface portion; and

c. a lighting fixture positionably coupled to the screen portion, the lighting fixture having;

i. an LED for providing light;

ii. a concave housing including;

(1) an interlocking portion around a circumferential edge of the concave housing; and

(2) at least one stop;

iii. a swivel mounted lens for diffusing the light provided by the LED, wherein the interlocking portion is for receiving the swivel mounted lens; and

iv. a bracket having an opening, the opening having a diameter less than a diameter of the lens for retaining the lens in position and effectuating a swivel motion of the swivel mounted lens through the opening, wherein the bracket comes in contact with the at least one stop to stop unwanted motion of the concave housing.

14. The portable computer of claim 13, wherein the concave housing enables 360 degree rotation of the light fixture.