Case for portable display devices

• US 7,032,984 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Si Han Kim
• Original Assignee: Si Han Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Jang Ho, Kim, Hyung Nyun, Kim, Si Han
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Lanna
• Application Number:
  US10/049,011
• Publication Number:
  US 20020104769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,735 Days
• Field of Search: 312/7.2, 312/223.2, 162/51, 493/83
• US Class Current: 312/7.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• 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 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1641 the display being formed by a plurality of foldable display components G06F1/1647 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: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/30 in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell controlling light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. electro-optical or magneto-optical cell, G02F1/00

Abstract

A case for a portable display device is provided which can realize a large-sized screen by interconnecting a plurality of display elements. When the display elements are unfolded, the adjacent sides of the display elements closely contact each other, thereby minimizing the non-display area. When the display elements are folded, the outer surface of the display elements can be protected. The case includes a foldable panel housing receiving at least two flat display panel elements. The panel housing is provided with an opening such that when the panel housing is unfolded, the adjacent sides of the fiat display elements closes contact each other. The case further includes a hinge supporting member for providing the folding/unfolding operation of the panel housing and a cover for covering a side of the flat display elements, which is exposed through the opening, to protect the display elements.

Claims

1. A case for a portable display device, comprising:

a foldable panel housing receiving at least two flat panel display elements, the flat panel display elements forming a co-planar, essentially continuous display, when the panel housing is unfolded;

a folding support member for supporting a folding operation of the panel housing;

a cover means for covering the adjacent sidewalls of the flat panel display elements when the panel housing is folded; and

a sliding guide means for guiding the cover means behind the folding part of the panel housing when the panel housing is unfolded.

2. A case of claim 1 further comprising fixing means for fixing the cover means, the fixing means being an elastic member.

3. A case of claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises shock-absorbing means mounted on an inner surface of the cover means.

4. A case of claim 1 wherein the cover means comprises a center cover for covering the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements and bendable side covers extending from both sides of the center cover, the center cover being received in a shelter formed on the panel housing when the panel housing is unfolded.

5. A case of claim 4 wherein a flexible connecting member is disposed between the center cover and the side covers.

6. A case of claim 4 wherein the cover means further comprises a cover mounted on upper and lower portion of the center cover.

7. A case of claim 4 wherein the cover means further comprises a hinge shaft projected from the side covers and coupled to the panel housing.

8. A case of claim 4 further comprising cover-folding means for folding the cover means to the shelter when the panel housing is folded and unfolded.

9. A case of claim 8 wherein the cover-folding means comprises an elastic member coupled between an inner wall of the shelter and the side covers.

10. A case of claim 8 wherein the cover-folding means comprises a stopper for preventing the side covers from rotating outward.

11. A case of claim 8 wherein the cover-folding means comprises a guide projection formed on the side covers and a guide groove for guiding an inward rotation of the guide projection to the shelter.

12. A case of claim 4 wherein the side covers include plural unit covers between which connecting portions are formed so that the side covers are bendable.

13. A case of claim 4 wherein the side cover is formed of a flexible sheet.

14. A case of claim 1 wherein the cover means is designed to be flexible and received in a shelter of the panel housing, the shelter receiving the cover means so that the cover means is not exposed outside when the panel housing is unfolded.

15. A case for a portable display device, comprising:

a foldable panel housing receiving at least two flat panel display elements, the flat panel display elements forming a co-planar, essentially continuous display, when the panel housing is unfolded;

a folding support member for supporting a folding operation of the panel housing; and

a cover means for covering the adjacent sidewalls of the flat panel display elements when the panel housing is folded;

wherein the panel housing is provided with a space in which the cover means is received when the panel housing is folded, the space being located on an inner or outer side of the panel housing.