Portable computer with strap connectors

• US 6,163,450 A
• Filed: 03/25/1998
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Young-Won
• Primary Examiner(s): Tolin, Gerald
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US09/047,520
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/600, 361/641, 361/679, 248/688, 248/188.1, 248/188.4, 224/614, 224/615, 224/616, 224/930, 224/257, 174/50, 292/DIG. 30, 294/145
• US Class Current: 361/679.27
• 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 1/1656 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 1/166 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

Abstract

A portable computer is provided that has a monitor pivotally mounted onto a main body. The base of the main body have holes that can receive a fastener. On the sides of the main body are receptacles that are positioned near a corresponding hole in the base of the main body of the computer.

An L-shaped member forms a connector that allows a strap to be attached to the portable computer to allow the computer to be more easily transported. The L shaped member has a bore on one leg and a boss on the other leg. To attach the connector the boss is inserted into a receptacle in the side of the main body and the bore of the connector is aligned over a hole in the base of the main body. Then, a fastener is inserted through the bore and into the hole in the base of the main body.

On a portion of the connector is a bail shaped member that forms a chute between the member and the connector. A strap can be attached to the bail shaped member to simplify the transporting of the portable computer. Additionally, the bail shaped member can be used to tilt the portable computer up at an angle more convenient for use by a user.

With the connectors of the present invention it is possible to more quickly ready a portable computer for transport and possible to eliminate the need for a separate tilting device. Additionally, by looping the strap around one'"'"'s neck, a user can use the portable computer while walking without fear of dropping the computer. This design is ideal for operating the portable computer while performing multiple short distance moves. If a user is in a hurry, the strap need not be removed during use and the portable computer can simply be slung over a shoulder when quick movement is again required.

Claims

1. A portable computer, comprising:

a main body having a rectangular shape, a base, four sides, and a receptacle in one side, said main body having a keyboard, a memory and a central processing unit;

a cover pivotally connecting to said main body and supporting a variable visual display unit driven by said central processing unit;

a connector being attachable to said main body, comprising;

an L-shaped member contacting both said base and one side of said main body;

a boss being engageable with said receptacle in said main body;

a bore being penetrated by a fastener that is inserted into said base of said main body; and

a handle forming a chute between said handle and said L-shaped member;

said connector being attachable to said main body by inserting said boss of said connector into said receptacle of said main body and inserting a fastener through said bore in said connector and into said main body of said portable computer; and

a shoulder strap being attachable to said handle of said connector.

2. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprised of said main body having four of said receptacle.

3. The portable computer of claim 2, further comprised of at least two of said connector being attached to said portable computer.

4. The portable computer of claim 3, further comprised of said fastener corresponding to any one of a bolt, rivet, and a screw.

5. The portable computer of claim 4, further comprised of said base of said main body having a hollow to receive said fastener after said fastener is inserted through said bore in said connector, said hollow having a bushing to improve the wear properties of said main body.

6. The portable computer of claim 1, further comprised of said connector being usable as a tilting device to support said portable computer at an angle relative to a surface supporting said portable computer.

7. An electrical apparatus, comprising:

a main body having a rectangular shape, a base, four sides, and a receptacle in one side, said main body housing a plurality of circuitry;

a connector being attachable to said main body, comprising;

an L-shaped member contacting both said base and one side of said main body;

a boss being engageable with said receptacle in said main body;

a bore being penetrated by a fastener that is inserted into said base of said main body; and

a handle forming a chute between said handle and said L-shaped member; and

a shoulder strap being attachable to said handle of said connector.

8. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, further comprised of said electrical apparatus being a portable computer, said main body having a keyboard, a memory and a central processing unit;

and

a cover pivotally connecting to said main body and supporting a variable visual display unit driven by said central processing unit.

9. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, further comprised of said connector being attachable to said main body by inserting said boss of said connector into said receptacle of said main body and inserting a fastener through said bore in said connector and into said main body of said electrical apparatus.

10. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, further comprised of said main body having four of said receptacle.

11. The electrical apparatus of claim 10, further comprised of at least two of said connector being attached to said electrical apparatus.

12. The electrical apparatus of claim 11, further comprised of said fastener corresponding to any one of a bolt, rivet, and a screw.

13. The electrical apparatus of claim 12, further comprised of said base of said main body having a hollow to receive said fastener after said fastener is inserted through said bore in said connector, said hollow having a bushing to improve the wear properties of said main body.

14. The electrical apparatus of claim 7, further comprised of said connector being usable as a tilting device to support said electrical apparatus at an angle relative to a surface supporting said electrical apparatus.

15. A portable computer, comprising:

a main body having a base, four sides and a receptacle formed in said main body, said main body having a keyboard, a memory and a central processing unit;

a cover pivotally connecting to said main body and supporting a variable visual display unit driven by said central processing unit;

a connector being attachable to said base of said main body said connector comprising;

a bent member contacting both said base and one side of said main body;

a boss being engageable with said receptacle of said main body;

a bore being penetrated by a fastener that s inserted into said base of said main body; and

a handle forming a chute between said handle and said bent member, and a shoulder strap being attachable to said connector.

16. The portable computer of claim 15, with said main body further comprising said receptacle being positioned in one side to engage said connector.

17. The portable computer of claim 15, with said bent member comprising an L-shaped member.

18. The portable computer of claim 17, further comprised of said connector being attachable to said main body by inserting said boss of said connector into said receptacle of said main body and inserting a fastener through said bore in said connector and into said main body of said portable computer.

19. The portable computer of claim 18, further comprised of said base having four of both said hollow and said receptacle.

20. The portable computer of claim 19, further comprised of at least two of said connector being attached to said portable computer.

21. The portable computer of claim 18, further comprised of said connector being usable as a tilting device to support said portable computer at an angle relative to a surface supporting said portable computer.

22. The portable computer of claim 21, further comprised of said base of said main body having a hollow to receive said fastener after said fastener is inserted through said bore in said connector, said hollow having a bushing to improve the wear properties of said main body.