U.S. patent application number 09/764374 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-24 for portable information apparatus having a display unit comprising a housing and a display contained in the housing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Itakura, Hiroaki, Nakajima, Yuji.
Application Number | 20010001591 09/764374 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17593840 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001591 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakajima, Yuji ; et
al. |
May 24, 2001 |
Portable information apparatus having a display unit comprising a
housing and a display contained in the housing
Abstract
A portable information apparatus comprising a main body and a
display unit rotatably supported by the main body. The display unit
comprises a display device and a display housing made of synthetic
resin. The display device has a screen. The display housing
contains the display device and has first and second side portions
spaced apart in a widthwise direction. A pair of support members
made of metal are secured to an inner surface of the display
housing. Both support members extend along the first and second
side portions of the display housing, respectively, supporting the
display device at the first and second side portions of the display
housing.
Inventors: |
Nakajima, Yuji; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Itakura, Hiroaki; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT &
DUNNER LLP
1300 I STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
|
Family ID: |
17593840 |
Appl. No.: |
09/764374 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09764374 |
Jan 19, 2001 |
|
|
|
08950759 |
Oct 15, 1997 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.27 ;
361/679.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1683 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101; G06F 1/1681 20130101;
Y10S 248/917 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/683 ;
361/680; 361/681 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16; H05K
007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 1996 |
JP |
8-278189 |
Claims
1. A portable information apparatus comprising: a main body; a
display unit rotatably supported by said main body and comprising a
display device and a display housing, said display device having a
screen, and said display housing containing the display device and
having first and second side portions; and a pair of support
members made of metal, secured to an inner surface of said display
housing, extending along the first and second side portions of said
display housing, respectively, and supporting said display device
at the first and second side portions of said display housing.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display housing
has a bottom wall and side walls protruding from edges of the
bottom wall in a substantially at right angles to the bottom wall,
and each of said support members has a first part opposing said
bottom wall and supporting said display device and a second part
connected to the first part and opposing the side walls.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said support members
have substantially the same length as the first and second side
portions of said display housing.
4. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the side walls of
said display housing have a plurality of seats supporting the
second parts of said support members, and the second parts of said
support members are fastened to the seats by screws.
5. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display device
has a periphery opposing a periphery of said display housing and a
plurality of support strips on the periphery, the bottom wall of
said display housing has a plurality bosses opposing the support
strips, and said support strips are fastened to the bosses by
screws.
6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first part of
each support member has a plurality of seats which are interposed
between said support strips and said bosses, and said support
strips are fastened to said bosses by said screws.
7. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an inner surface of
the bottom wall of said display housing is covered with a
conductive layer, a conductive spring is interposed between the
inner surface of said bottom wall and said support members,
electrically connecting the conductive layer to said support
members.
8. portable information apparatus comprising: a main body; a pair
of hinge devices; a display unit rotatably coupled to said main
body by said hinge devices and comprising a display device and a
display housing, said display device having a screen, and said
display housing containing the display device and having first and
second side portions spaced apart in a widthwise direction, a third
side portion extending between one end of said first side portion
and one end of said second side portion, and a fourth side portion
extending between the other end of said first side portion and the
other end of said second side portion; and a pair of support
members made of metal, secured to an inner surface of said display
housing, extending along at least the first and second side
portions of said display housing, respectively, and supporting said
display device at said display housing.
9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said hinge devices
are spaced apart in a widthwise direction of said display housing,
and each of said hinge devices comprises a first bracket secured to
said main body, a second bracket secured to said display housing,
and a hinge shaft extending between the first and second
brackets.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second brackets
of said hinge devices are formed integral with said support
members, respectively.
11. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of said support
members has an extension which extends toward the third or fourth
side portion of said display housing.
12. A portable information apparatus comprising: a main body; a
display unit comprising a display device and a display housing,
said display device having a screen, and said display housing
containing the display device and having first and second side
portions spaced apart in a widthwise direction; and a hinge device
coupling said display unit rotatably to said main body, said hinge
device comprising a first bracket secured to said main body, a
second bracket secured to said display housing, a hinge shaft
extending between the first and second brackets, and said second
bracket has an extension extending toward the first or second side
portion of said display housing and securing said display device to
said display housing.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display
housing has a bottom wall and side walls protruding from edges of
the bottom wall in a substantially at right angles to the bottom
wall, and the extension of said second bracket has a first part
opposing said bottom wall and supporting said display device and a
second part connected to the first part and opposing the side
walls.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the side walls of
said display housing have a plurality of seats supporting the
second parts of said support members, and the second parts of said
support members are fastened to the seats by screws.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said display device
has a periphery opposing a periphery of said display housing and a
plurality of support strips on the periphery, the bottom wall of
said display housing has a plurality bosses opposing the support
strips, and said support strips are fastened to the bosses by
screws.
16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the first part of
each support member has a plurality of seats which are interposed
between said support strips and said bosses, and said support
strips are fastened to said bosses by said screws.
17. A portable information apparatus comprising: a main body; a
hinge device; a display unit rotatably coupled to said main body by
said hinge device and comprising a display device and a display
housing, said display device having a screen, and said display
housing containing the display device and having first and second
side portions and to which said display device is secured; and a
pair of reinforcing members made of metal, secured to an inner
surface of said display housing, extending along the first and
second side portions of said display housing, respectively.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said display
housing has a bottom wall and side walls protruding from edges of
the bottom wall in a substantially at right angles to the bottom
wall, each of said reinforcing members has a first part opposing
said bottom wall and a second part connected to the first part and
opposing the side walls, and said display device abuts on the first
part of each reinforcing member.
19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said display device
has a plurality of support strips extending toward the side walls
of said display housing, the bottom wall of said display housing
has a plurality of bosses opposing the support strips, and the
first part of each reinforcing member has a plurality of seats
interposed between the support strips and the bosses, and the
support strips and the seats are secured to the bosses by
screws.
20. A portable information apparatus comprising: a main body; a
display unit rotatably coupled to said main body and comprising a
display device and a display housing, said display device having a
screen, and said display housing containing the display device and
having first and second side portions spaced apart in a widthwise
direction, a third side portion extending between one end of said
first side portion and one end of said second side portion, and a
fourth side portion extending between the other end of said first
side portion and the other end of said second side portion; and a
support member made of metal, secured to an inner surface of said
display housing, and comprising a pair of vertical members
extending along the first and second side portions of said display
housing, respectively, and a pair of horizontal members extending
along the third and fourth side portions of said display housing,
respectively, and supporting said display device at said display
housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable information
apparatus such as a portable computer, and more particularly to a
structure for securing a display device in a housing made of
synthetic resin.
[0002] A portable computer comprises a main body and a display
unit. The main body has a keyboard. The display unit comprises a
liquid crystal display (LCD) and a display housing. The LCD has a
screen. The display housing is made of synthetic resin and contains
the LCD. The housing is connected to the main body by a hinge
device. It can be rotated to a closed position where it covers the
keyboard from above and to an opened position where it exposes the
keyboard.
[0003] The display housing is a flat rectangular box. It comprises
a rectangular bottom wall and four side walls. The side walls stand
from the four edges of the bottom wall, respectively. The bottom
wall is slightly larger than the LCD and has four bosses at the
four corners. Each boss has a screw hole. The LCD has through holes
in its peripheral edge. The LCD is fitted in the display housing,
with the holes axially aligned with the screw holes of the bosses.
Screws pass through the holes into the screw holes, thus fastening
the LCD to the bottom wall of the display housing.
[0004] Recently it is demanded in the market that portable
computers be as small and light as possible. To meet the demand,
the wall thickness of the main body and display housing thinner is
reduced. It is strongly demanded that the LCD have a larger screen
so that the user may see data more clearly. To fulfill this demand,
the LCD is made as large as possible, provided that it can be
fitted in the display housing. This means that the LCD occupies
almost all space in the display housing.
[0005] Here arises a problem. As mentioned above, the display
housing is made of synthetic resin, and its bottom wall is thin to
render the portable computer as small and light as possible. The
bottom wall of the housing is inevitably not rigid, and may be
deformed, bending or warping, as the housing is rotated from the
closed position to the opened position., or vice versa.
[0006] Insufficiently rigid, the bottom wall of the display housing
may be deformed when the user rotates the housing by an angle to a
specific position so that he or she may see the data clearly. If
this happens, the bottom wall will exert a force on the LCD.
Consequently, color shading will occur on the LCD screen or a
stripe pattern will appear thereon.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a portable
information apparatus having a display unit comprising a display
housing and a display device contained in the display housing,
wherein the display housing has a relatively small wall thickness
but is rigid enough to hold the display device firmly and not to
deformed when the display unit is rotated to any position.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a portable information apparatus comprising: a main body;
a display unit rotatably supported by the main body and comprising
a display device and a display housing, the display device having a
screen, and the display housing containing the display device and
having first and second side portions; and a pair of support
members made of metal, secured to an inner surface of the display
housing, extending along the first and second side portions of the
display housing, respectively, and supporting the display device at
the first and second side portions of the display housing.
[0009] According to a second aspect of this invention, there is
provided a portable information apparatus comprising: a main body;
a pair of hinge devices; a display unit rotatably coupled to the
main body by the hinge devices and comprising a display device and
a display housing, the display device having a screen, and the
display housing containing the display device and having first and
second side portions spaced apart in a widthwise direction, a third
side portion extending between one end of the first side portion
and one end of the second side portion, and a fourth side portion
extending between the other end of the first side portion and the
other end of the second side portion; and a pair of support members
made of metal, secured to an inner surface of the display housing,
extending along at least the first and second side portions of the
display housing, respectively, and supporting the display device at
the display housing.
[0010] The support members made of metal extend along the first and
second side portions of the display housing, and reinforce the
display housing from within. The display housing is therefore
sufficiently rigid and would not be deformed when the display unit
is rotated.
[0011] Made of metal and interposed between the display device and
the display housing, the support members hold the display device
firmly and steadily. The load applied on the display housing is
smaller than in the case where the display device is coupled
directly to the display housing. No excessive force is exerted on
the display device when the display unit is rotated. No color
shading will occur on the display screen. Nor will a stripe pattern
appear on the display screen.
[0012] According to a third aspect of this invention, there is
provided a portable information apparatus comprising: a main body;
a display unit comprising a display device and a display housing,
the display device having a screen, and the display housing
containing the display device and having first and second side
portions spaced apart in a widthwise direction; and a hinge device
coupling the display unit rotatably to the main body, the hinge
device comprising a first bracket secured to the main body, a
second bracket secured to the display housing, a hinge shaft
extending between the first and second brackets, and the second
bracket has an extension extending toward the first or second side
portion of the display housing and securing the display device to
the display housing.
[0013] In this apparatus, the second bracket reinforces both the
first and second side portions of the display housing, from within.
The display housing is therefore sufficiently rigid. It would not
be deformed when the display unit is rotated.
[0014] Interposed between the display device and the display
housing, the extension extending from the second bracket holds the
display device firmly and steadily. The load applied to the display
housing is smaller than in the case where the display device is
coupled directly to the display housing. No excessive force is
exerted on the display device when the display unit is rotated. No
color shading will occur on the display screen. Nor will a stripe
pattern appear on the display screen.
[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is
provided a portable information apparatus comprising: a main body;
a hinge device; a display unit rotatably coupled to the main body
by the hinge device and comprising a display device and a display
housing, the display device having a screen, and the display
housing containing the display device and having first and second
side portions and to which the display device is secured; and a
pair of reinforcing members made of metal, secured to an inner
surface of the display housing, extending along the first and
second side portions of the display housing, respectively.
[0016] In this apparatus, the reinforcing members made of metal
reinforce both the first and second side portions of the display
housing, from within. The display housing is therefore sufficiently
rigid. The display housing would not be deformed when the display
unit is rotated.
[0017] Secured to the first and second side portions of the display
housing, thus reinforced, is the display device. The display device
is therefore held firmly and steadily. No excessive force is
exerted on the display housing when the display unit is rotated. No
color shading will occur on the display screen. Nor will a stripe
pattern appear on the display screen.
[0018] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a portable information apparatus comprising: a main
body; a display unit rotatably coupled to the main body and
comprising a display device and a display housing, the display
device having a screen, and the display housing containing the
display device and having first and second side portions spaced
apart in a widthwise direction, a third side portion extending
between one end of the first side portion and one end of the second
side portion, and a fourth side extending between the other end of
the first side portion and the other end of the second side
portion; and a support member made of metal, secured to an inner
surface of the display housing, and comprising a pair of vertical
members extending along the first and second side portions of the
display housing, respectively, and a pair of horizontal members
extending along the third and fourth side portions of the display
housing, respectively, and supporting the display device at the
display housing.
[0019] In this apparatus, the support member made of metal
reinforce the four side portions of the display housing, from
within. The display housing is therefore sufficiently rigid. The
display housing would not be deformed when the display unit is
rotated.
[0020] Interposed between the display device and the display
housing, the support member holds the display device firmly and
steadily. The load applied to the display housing is smaller than
in the case where the display device is coupled directly to the
display housing. No excessive force is exerted on the display
device when the display unit is rotated. No color shading will
occur on the display screen. Nor will a stripe pattern appear on
the display screen.
[0021] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the
general description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments give below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer which is
a first embodiment of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the internal structure
coupling the main body and the display unit of the portable
computer;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the display cover of the computer,
showing the hinge device and the LCD support;
[0026] FIG. 3B is a side view of the display cover, showing the
hinge device connected to the cover;
[0027] FIG. 4A is a right side view of the display cover and upper
housing which are coupled together by the hinge device;
[0028] FIG. 4B is a left side view of the display cover and upper
housing which are coupled together by the hinge device;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the display cover and upper housing
which are coupled together by the hinge device;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the rear-left corner of
the main body and the left leg of the display housing, which are
connected by the hinge device;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the rear-right corner
of the main body and the right leg of the display housing, which
are connected by the hinge device;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a sectional view for explaining how the display
unit is coupled to the main body at the left leg of the display
housing, in the first embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 9A is a sectional view taken along line 9A-9A in FIG.
8;
[0034] FIG. 9B is a sectional view taken along line 9b-9B in FIG.
8; FIG. 9C is a sectional view taken along line 9C-9C in FIG.
8;
[0035] FIG. 10A is a plan view of one of the grounding leaf springs
provided in the first embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 10B is a sectional view taken along line 10A-10A in
FIG. 10A;
[0037] FIG. 10C is a sectional view showing the spring member
fastened to the LCD support;
[0038] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the display cover of the computer
according to a second embodiment of the invention, illustrating the
hinge device and the LCD support;
[0039] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the display cover of the computer
according to a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating the
hinge device and the LCD support;
[0040] FIG. 13 is a sectional view for explaining how the display
unit is coupled to the main body at the left leg of the display
housing, in the third embodiment of the invention; and
[0041] FIG. 14 is a plan view of the display cover of the computer
according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, illustrating the
hinge device and the LCD support.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0042] A portable computer which is the first embodiment of the
present invention will be described, with reference to FIGS. 1 to
10C.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable computer 1
which is an A4-size, book-type computer. The computer 1 comprises a
main body 2 and a display unit 3. The display unit 3 is connected
to the main body 2.
[0044] The main body 2 has a housing 4 made of synthetic resin. The
housing 4 is a flat rectangular box; it is composed of a
rectangular bottom wall 5a, a rectangular top wall 5b and four side
walls 5c. The bottom wall 5a and the top wall 5b are parallel to
each other, opposing each other. The side walls 5c extend from the
four edges of the bottom wall 5a to the four edges of the top wall
5b, respectively. Circuit boards, a hard disk drive, and the like
are provided in the housing 4.
[0045] The housing 4 is divided into a lower housing 4a and an
upper housing 4b. The lower housing 4a has the above-mentioned
bottom wall 5a, while the upper housing 4b has the above-mentioned
top wall 5b. A keyboard 6 and a pair of click-switch buttons 7a and
7b are mounted on the top wall 5b.
[0046] Two projections 8a and 8b protrude upwards from the rear end
of the top wall 5b. The projections 8a and 8b are spaced apart in
the widthwise direction of the housing 4. They have a side wall 23a
each, as seen from FIG. 8 which shows the projection 8a only. The
side walls 23a of the projections 8a and 8b oppose each other and
are formed integral with the top wall 5b of the housing 4. The side
walls 23a have a through hole 23b each. The top wall 5b and the
side walls 23a constitute a display support 23, which is the rear
part of the housing 4.
[0047] As seen from FIG. 2, the display unit 3 comprises a display
housing 10 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 provided in the
housing 10. The display housing 10 is made of synthetic resin. The
LCD 11 is composed of a display panel 11a and a frame 11b. The
panel 11a has a rectangular screen. The frame 11b surrounds and
holds the panel 11a. The display housing 10 is composed of a
display cover 12 and a display mask 13 coupled to the cover 12. The
housing 10 is shaped like a flat box.
[0048] As FIG. 3A shows, the display cover 12 has a bottom wall 14
and four side walls 15a to 15d. The bottom wall 14 is a flat
rectangular plate and as large as the top wall 5b of the
above-mentioned housing 4. The side walls 15a to 15d extend upwards
from the four edges of the bottom wall 14, at substantially right
angles thereto. The first and second side walls 15a and 15b are
spaced apart in the widthwise direction of the display housing 10.
The third side wall 15c extends between one end of the first side
wall 15a and one end of the second side wall 15b. The fourth side
wall 15d extends between the other end of the first side wall 15a
and the other end of the second side wall 15b. The side walls 15c
and 15d extend in the widthwise direction of the display housing
10. As shown in FIG. 10C, the inner surfaces of the bottom wall 14
and the side walls 15a to 15d are covered with a conductive layer
14a such as a plated layer. The conductive layer 14a is a shield
against the noise generated by the LCD 11.
[0049] The display mask 13 has a front wall 16 and side walls 17
connected to the front wall 16. The front wall 16 opposes the
bottom wall 14 of the display cover 12. The wall 16 has a
rectangular opening 18 which is slightly smaller than the wall 16.
The side walls 17 are connected to the side walls 15a to 15d of the
display cover 12.
[0050] The display housing 10 has a hollow support 19. The support
19 is provided on the fourth side wall 15d and extends in the
widthwise direction of the display housing 10. The support 19 rests
on the display support 23, interposed between the projections 8a
and 8b. The support 19 has a pair of side walls 24a, which oppose
the side walls 23a of the projections 8a and 8b, respectively. The
side walls 24a have a through hole 24b each. The holes 24b of the
walls 24a are coaxial with the through holes 23b of the side walls
23a of the projections 8a and 8b.
[0051] The display housing 10 is rotatably coupled to the housing 4
by two hinge devices 21 and 22. Both hinge devices 21 and 22 are
made of metal and spaced from each other in the widthwise direction
of the housing 4.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 3A, 4A, 6 and 8, the first hinge device 21
connects the left end of the support 19 of the display housing 10
to the left end of the housing 4. The device 21 comprises a two
brackets 26 and 27 and a hinge shaft 25. The hinge shaft 25
horizontally extends through the through holes 23b and 24b. The
shaft 25 has its first and second end portions inserted in the
projection 8a and the support 19, respectively. The first bracket
26 is rotatably mounted on the first end portion of the hinge shaft
25. The first bracket 26 is located within the housing 4 and
fastened thereto by screws. The second bracket 27 is fixed to the
second end portion of the shaft 25 and located within the support
19.
[0053] The second bracket 27 of the first hinge device 21 comprises
three plates 27a to 27c which are formed integral. The first plate
27a is fastened to the second end portion of the shaft 25 and
extends parallel to the side walls 24a. The second plate 27b is
connected to the first plate 27a and opposes the bottom wall 14 of
the display cover 12. The plate 27b is fastened to the bottom wall
14 by a screw 28. The third plate 27c is connected to the first
plate 27a and extends along the fourth side wall 15d of the display
cover 12 of the display housing 10. That is, the third plate 27c
extends in the widthwise direction of the display housing 10.
[0054] As FIGS. 3A, 4B and 7 show, the second hinge device 22
connects the right end of the housing 4 to the right end of the
support 19 of the display housing 10. The device 22 is identical to
the first hinge device 21 in terms of basic structure. The same
components as those of the first hinge device 21 are designated at
the same reference numerals in the drawing and will not be
described in detail.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the second bracket 27 of the
first hinge device 21 is reinforced by an LCD support 29a, and the
second bracket 27 of the second hinge device 22 is reinforced by an
LCD support 29b. The LCD supports 29a and 29b are connected to the
third plate 27c. Both LCD supports 29a and 29b are parallel to the
bottom wall 14 of the display cover 12. In other words, they extend
along the bottom wall 14. The LCD support 29a is an elongate strip,
extending along the first side wall 15a of the display cover 12.
The LCD support 29b is an elongate strip, too, extending along the
second side wall 15b of the display cover 12. The LCD supports 29a
and 29b are almost as long as the first and second side walls 15a
and 15b, respectively. In the display housing 14, the LCD supports
29a and 29b extend in the depthwise direction of the housing 14 and
are located symmetrically at the left and right sides,
respectively.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the first LCD support 29a is
composed of two parts 31 and 32, and so is the second LCD support
29b. The first part 31 has three holes 31a, which are spaced apart
in the lengthwise direction of the LCD supports 29a and 29b. The
first part 31 opposes the bottom wall 14 of the display cover 12,
and the second part 32 opposes the first and second side walls 15a
and 15b of the display cover 12. Hence, the LCD supports 29a and
29b have an L-shaped cross section and are, therefore rigid.
[0057] As FIGS. 3A and 8 show, the LCD supports 29a and 29b have
two seats 33 each. The seats 33 are set apart in the lengthwise
direction of the first part 31. As seen from FIG. 9B, the seats 33
are located farther than the first part 31 from the bottom wall 14.
The seats 33 have a through hole 34 each. The display cover 12 has
a plurality of bosses 35. The bosses 35 are provided in the corner
defined by the bottom wall 14 and side walls 15a and 15b of the
display cover 12. Each boss 35 has a distal surface 35a exposed to
the interior of the display cover 12. A screw hole 35b is made in
the distal surface 35a. The bosses 35 are aligned with the seats 33
of the hinge brackets 26 and 27, and the screw holes 35b of the
bosses 35 are aligned with the through holes 34 of the seats
33.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, the second parts 32 of the hinge
brackets 26 and 27 have two screw holes 36 each. The screw holes 36
are located near the seats 33. The walls 15a and 15b of the display
cover 12 have two seats 38 each. These seats 38 project inwards
from the side walls 15a and 15b. The distal ends of the seats 38
abut on the second parts 32 of the hinge brackets 26 and 27. Each
seat 38 has a through hole 39, which extends through the side wall
(15a or 15b) and opens to the outside of the display cover 12. The
side walls 15a and 15b have two recesses 37 each, in their outer
surfaces. The recesses 37 are aligned with the seats 38. A through
hole 39 is made in the bottom of each recess 37. Screws 41 pass
through the holes 39 and are set in engagement with the screw holes
35b of the bosses 35. The hinge brackets 26 and 27 are thereby
fastened to the side walls 15a and 15b of the display cover 12. The
heads of the screws 41 are placed in the recesses 37 of the side
walls 15a and 15b.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 9B, the frame 11b of the LCD 11 faces the
first to third side walls 15a to 15c of the display cover 12. The
frame 11b has a plurality of support strips 11c. Some of the
support strips 11c extend toward the first side wall 15a, and the
remaining support strips 11c toward the second side wall 15b. The
projections 11c have one through hole 46 each. They overlap the
seats 33 of the LCD supports 29a and 29b, with the through holes 46
axially aligned with the through holes 34 of the seats 33. Screws
47 pass through the holes 46 and the holes 34 and driven into the
screw holes 35b of the bosses 35. The LCD frame 11b is thereby
pressed onto the first parts 31 of the LCD supports 29a and 29b. As
a result, the LCD 11 is fastened to the display cover 12, with the
first parts 31 interposed between the LCD 11 and the cover 12.
[0060] The display mask 13 is connected to the display cover 12,
securing the LCD 11 to the display cover 12. The mask 13 covers the
frame 11b, the screws 47 and the frame 11b. The screen of the
display panel 11a is exposed through the rectangular opening 18 of
the display mask 13. The screen is therefore be seen from outside
the display housing 10.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3A, two grounding leaf springs 43 are
attached to the first parts 31 of the LCD supports 29a and 29,
respectively. The springs 43 are made of metal which is
electrically conductive. As FIG. 10B shows, each grounding leaf
spring 43 is composed of two contact plates 43a and 43b and a
connecting plate 43c. The plate 43c connects the contact plates 43a
and 43b. Both contact plates 43a and 43b extend parallel to each
other, in the lengthwise direction of the LCD supports 29a and 29b.
As seen from FIG. 10A, the second contact plate 43b has a width W2
greater than the width W1 of the first contact plate 43a.
[0062] The first contact plate 43a has three engagement strips 44.
The strips 44 are cutouts of the plate 43a, spaced part in the
lengthwise direction of the plate 43a. They extend slantwise with
respect to the second contact plate 43b and can elastically deform
toward the first contact plate 43a. The strips 44 are fitted in the
three holes 31a of the LCD supports 29a and 29b.
[0063] The second contact plate 43b has a number of elongated
contacts 45 which are spaced apart in the lengthwise direction of
the second contact plate 43b. The contacts 45 are cutouts of the
second contact plate 43b. They extend slantwise, each increasingly
spaced from the contact plate 43b toward its distal end, and can
elastically deform toward the second contact plate 43b.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 10C, the second contact plate 43b of
either grounding leaf spring 43 is inserted in the gap 42 between
the first pate 31 of one LCD support (29a or 29b) and the bottom
wall 14 of the display cover 12. The contacts 45 are thereby set,
at their distal ends, in contact with the conductive layer 14a
provided on the bottom wall 14. The first contact plate 43a is
thereby located above the first part 31 of the LCD support.
Elastically deformed, the engagement strips 44 of the first contact
plate 43a are fit in the holes 31a of the LCD support. Both
grounding leaf springs 43 are thereby secured to the LCD supports
29a and 29b, respectively, and electrically connect the LCD
supports 29a and 29b to the conductive layer 14a provided on the
bottom wall 14.
[0065] As described above, the second bracket 27 of the first hinge
device 21 has the LCD support 29a, and the second bracket 27 of the
second hinge device 22 has the LCD support 29b. The LCD supports
29a and 29b extend along the first and second side walls 15a and
15b of the display cover 12 and are connected to the side walls 15a
and 15b and also to the bottom wall 14. The LCD supports 29a and
29b reinforce the display cover 12 from within. The display cover
12 is therefore sufficiently rigid through its wall thickness is
relatively small. Hence, the display housing 10 would not be
deformed when rotated to the opened position or the closed
position.
[0066] The frame 11b of the LCD 11 is secured to the bosses 35
provided on the bottom wall 14 of the display cover 12 and overlaps
the first parts 31 of the LCD supports 29a and 29b. Namely, the LCD
11 is supported by the LCD supports 29a and 29b. Since both
supports 29a and 29b are made of metal and rigid, they receive
almost all weight of the LCD 11. Only a small part of the weight of
the LCD 11 acts on the bottom wall 14. The LCD 11 is more firmly
held than in the conventional portable computer wherein the bottom
wall of the display cover supports the LCD. Hence, the LCD is not
twisted when the display unit 3 is rotated. No color shading will
occur on the LCD panel 11a. Nor will a stripe pattern appear on the
LCD panel 11a.
[0067] As indicated above, the LCD supports 29a and 29b extend
along the first and second side walls 15a and 15b of the display
cover 12. This means that the outer edges of the LCD 11 are very
close to the side walls 15a and 15b, forming almost no space
between the outer edges of the LCD 11, one the one hand, and the
side walls 15a and 15b, on the other. The LCD 11 can therefore be
expanded in the widthwise direction of the display housing 10,
without enlarging the display housing 10. In other words, the
display panel 10a can be larger, providing a larger screen.
[0068] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment
described above. A portable computer according to the second
embodiment will be described, with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is
a plan view of the display cover of the portable computer.
[0069] The second embodiment is identical in structure to the first
embodiment, except for the shape of the LCD supports 29a and 29b.
The components identical or similar to those of the display cover
of the first embodiment are designated at the same reference
numerals in FIG. 11 and will not be described in detail.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the LCD supports 29a and 29b have
extensions 61a and 61b, respectively. The extensions 61a and 61b
are located, with one end located close to the distal ends of the
first parts 31 of the LCD supports 29a and 29b. They extend along
the third side wall 15c and oppose the bottom wall 14. Their
display ends are close to each other and fastened to the bottom
wall 14 by screws 62. Both extensions 61a and 61b overlap the frame
11b of the LCD 11.
[0071] The extensions 61a and 61b reinforce that part of the bottom
wall 14 which is connected to the third side wall 15c. The display
cover 12 is therefore more rigid than otherwise. Ultimately, the
display housing 10 of the portable computer 1 is more rigid than
its counterpart of the first embodiment.
[0072] Having the extensions 61a and 61b extending in the widthwise
direction of the display housing 10, the LCD supports 29a and 29b
hold the LCD 11 more firmly than their counterparts of the first
embodiment. Thus, the supports 29a and 29b serve to secure the LCD
11 to the display cover 12 more steadily.
[0073] A portable computer which is the third embodiment of this
invention will be described, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0074] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the display cover 12 of the third
embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sectional view explaining how the display
unit 3 is coupled to the main body 2 at the left leg of the display
housing 10. As seen from FIGS. 12 and 13, the LCD supports 29a and
29b are made of metal pates 71a and 71b which have been cut from
the second hinge bracket 27. Except for this feature the display
cover 12 is identical to its counterpart of the first
embodiment.
[0075] Also in the third embodiment, the LCD 11 can be expanded in
the widthwise direction of the display housing 10, without
enlarging the display housing 10. Hence, the display housing 10
would not be deformed when rotated to the opened position or the
closed position.
[0076] A portable computer which is the fourth embodiment of the
present invention will be described, with reference to FIG. 14.
FIG. 14 shows the display cover 12 of the fourth embodiment. The
fourth embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for
the structure which reinforces the display cover 12.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 14, an LCD support 81 made of metal is
provided on the bottom wall 14 of the display cover 12. The LCD
support 81 is composed of two vertical members 82a and 82b and two
horizontal members 83a and 83b. The members 82a, 82b, 83a and 83c
are connected together, forming an integral component. The vertical
members 82a and 82b extend along the first and second side walls
15a and 15b of the display cover 12, respectively. These members
82a and 82b are identical in structure to the LCD supports 29a and
29b provided in the first to third embodiments.
[0078] The horizontal members 83a and 83b are provided between the
vertical members 82a and 82b. The first horizontal member 83a
extends along the third side wall 15c of the display cover 12 and
faces the bottom wall 14. The second horizontal member 83b extends
along the support 19 and faces the bottom wall 14 of the display
cover 12. The horizontal members 83a and 83b are secured at their
middle portions to the bottom wall 14 by means of screws 85. The
LCD support 81 is therefore shaped like a frame, surrounding the
LCD 11. The frame 11b of the LCD 11 is laid on the LCD support
81.
[0079] Since the LCD support 81 surrounds the LCD 11, it reinforces
the display cover 12. The display housing 10 is therefore more
rigid than otherwise. Moreover, since the LCD support 81 contacts
all periphery of the LCD 11, it hold the LCD 11 more steadily.
[0080] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
of scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *