U.S. patent application number 11/006194 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-28 for flat-panel display mounting system for portable computer.
Invention is credited to Bovio, Michele, Frame, Robert C..
Application Number | 20050088810 11/006194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33541721 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050088810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bovio, Michele ; et
al. |
April 28, 2005 |
Flat-panel display mounting system for portable computer
Abstract
A flat-panel display with fixtures in its side walls to enable
support by lateral mounting members is disclosed. The advantage of
this approach, in which the fixtures are essentially rotated around
to the sides of the flat-panel display, is the reduction in the
portion of the portable computer's top cover that is not the active
display. In practice, this results in an increase in the size of
the display that may be housed in the same-sized top cover. In
order to accommodate the lateral mounting of the flat-panel
display, metal brackets are used. These brackets extend from the
base unit hinges and cradle the display. This adds torsional
rigidity, but also removes the requirement that the back must be
structural. Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top
cover may be achieved by extending the ends of the display's
fluorescent back-light beyond or through the metal rim that
surrounds the display.
Inventors: |
Bovio, Michele; (Boston,
MA) ; Frame, Robert C.; (Westboro, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TRASK BRITT
P.O. BOX 2550
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84110
US
|
Family ID: |
33541721 |
Appl. No.: |
11/006194 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11006194 |
Dec 6, 2004 |
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08822438 |
Mar 21, 1997 |
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6838810 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 248/923 20130101;
Y10S 345/905 20130101; G06F 1/165 20130101; G06F 1/1637 20130101;
G06F 1/1616 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/681 |
International
Class: |
G06F 001/16 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A folding top cover for a portable computer, the top cover
comprising: pivotal couplings that connect the top cover to a base
unit; metal brackets that extend from the pivotal couplings; a
flat-panel display held between the metal brackets; and a plastic
back behind the metal brackets and extending around the flat-panel
display.
2. The folding top cover described in claim 1, further comprising
mounting members engaging the flat-panel display, metal brackets,
and plastic back.
3. The folding top cover described in claim 2, wherein the mounting
members terminate in the side walls of the flat-panel display.
4. The folding top cover described in claim 2, wherein the mounting
members comprise bolts that extend through the metal brackets and
plastic back and engage bosses in the flat-panel display.
5. The folding top cover described in claim 1, wherein the plastic
back provides no substantial rigid support for the top cover.
6. A cover for a flat-panel display comprising: a cover having at
least one hole extending therethrough, the cover for housing at
least a portion of a flat-panel display; a bracket member having at
least one first hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and
-at least one second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel
display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally
therein, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of
the bracket member using at least one mounting member extending
through the at least one first hole formed laterally through a
portion of the bracket member and engaging at least a portion of
the at least one hole of the flat-panel display for mounting the
flat-panel display to the bracket member.
7. The cover of claim 6, wherein the bracket member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a
second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the at least one first hole is
formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at least
one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket
member.
9. The cover of claim 6, wherein the flat-panel display includes a
display panel and a back.
10. The cover of claim 9, wherein the flat-panel display further
includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.
11. The cover of claim 6, wherein the flat-panel display includes a
display panel, a back and a rim extending around the display panel
and the back.
12. The cover of claim 6, wherein the cover includes a
sidewall.
13. The cover of claim 12, wherein the bracket member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction for
extending in the direction of the side wall of the cover being
spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a
second direction therefrom.
14. The cover of claim 13, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
15. The cover of claim 14, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
16. The cover of claim 15, wherein the another mounting member
extends through the hole in the cover and into at least a portion
of the at least one second hole in the bracket member for mounting
the flat-panel display in the cover.
17. The cover of claim 6, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
18. The cover of claim 17, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
19. The cover of claim 18, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into the cover.
20. The cover of claim 13, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
21. The cover of claim 20, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
22. The cover system of claim 21, wherein the bezel further
includes a portion for extending into the cover to be located
between the side wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket
member.
23. A cover for a flat-panel display comprising: a bracket member
for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover, the bracket member
having at least one first hole formed laterally through a portion
thereof and at least one second hole formed therethrough; and a
flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed
laterally therein, the flat-panel display secured to at least a
portion of the bracket member using at least one mounting member
extending through the at least one first hole formed laterally
through a portion of the bracket member and engaging at least a
portion of the at least one hole of the flat-panel display for
mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member.
24. The cover of claim 23, wherein the bracket member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a
second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
25. The cover of claim 24, wherein the at least one first hole is
formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at least
one second hole is formed in the second portion of the bracket
member.
26. The cover of claim 23, wherein the flat-panel display includes
a display panel and a back.
27. The cover of claim 26, wherein the flat-panel display further
includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.
28. The cover of claim 23, wherein the flat-panel display includes
a display panel, a back and a rim extending around the display
panel and the back.
29. The cover of claim 23, wherein the cover includes a
sidewall.
30. The cover of claim 29, wherein the bracket member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction for
extending in the direction of the side wall of the cover being
spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a
second direction therefrom.
31. The cover of claim 30, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
32. The cover of claim 31, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
33. The cover of claim 32, wherein the another mounting member is
for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
34. The cover of claim 23, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
35. The cover of claim 29, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
36. The cover of claim 35, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover.
37. The cover of claim 36, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.
38. An assembly for a cover for a flat-panel display, a mounting
system comprising: a bracket member for mounting the flat-panel
display in a cover, the bracket member having at least one first
hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and at least one
second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display including
a back, a display panel, and a rim extending around the back,
display panel, and the rim, the back having at least one hole
formed laterally therein, the flat-panel display secured to at
least a portion of the bracket member using at least one mounting
member extending through the at least one first hole formed
laterally through a portion of the bracket member and engaging at
least a portion of the at least one hole of the flat-panel display
for mounting the flat-panel display to the bracket member.
39. The assembly of claim 38, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and
a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
40. The assembly of claim 39, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
bracket member.
41. The assembly of claim 38, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
42. The assembly of claim 38, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for
extending in the direction of the side wall of the cover being
spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a
second direction therefrom.
43. The assembly of claim 42, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
44. The assembly of claim 43, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
45. The assembly of claim 44, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
46. The assembly of claim 38, wherein a bezel may be used to cover
a portion of the flat panel display.
47. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
48. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover.
49. The assembly of claim 48, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.
50. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display in a cover, the
assembly comprising: a bracket member for mounting the flat-panel
display in a cover, the bracket member having at least one first
hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and at least one
second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display including
a back having at least one hole formed laterally therein, the
flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of the bracket
member using at least one mounting member extending through the at
least one first hole formed laterally through a portion of the
bracket member and engaging at least a portion of the at least one
hole of the flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display
to the bracket member.
51. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and
a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
52. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
bracket member.
53. The assembly of claim 52, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
54. The assembly of claim 53, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for
extending in the direction of the side wall of the cover being
spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a
second direction therefrom.
55. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
56. The assembly of claim 55, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
57. The assembly of claim 56, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
58. The assembly of claim 57, wherein a bezel may be used to cover
a portion of the flat panel display.
59. The assembly of claim 58, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
60. The assembly of claim 59, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover.
61. The assembly of claim 60, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover to be located between a 'side
wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.
62. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel and a back.
63. The assembly of claim 62, wherein the flat-panel display
further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the
back.
64. The assembly of claim 50, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel, a back and a rim extending around the
display panel and the back.
65. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display in a cover, the
assembly comprising: a flat-panel display including a back having
at least one hole formed laterally therein and a display panel, the
flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of a bracket
member by using at least one mounting member extending through a
first hole formed laterally through a portion of the bracket member
and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the
flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the
bracket member for mounting the assembly in a cover for a
computer.
66. The assembly of claim 65, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction and
a second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
67. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
bracket member.
68. The assembly of claim 67, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
69. The assembly of claim 68, wherein the bracket member comprises
a member having a first portion extending in a first direction for
extending in the direction of the side wall of the cover being
spaced therefrom and a second portion extending orthogonally in a
second direction therefrom.
70. The assembly of claim 69, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
71. The assembly of claim 69, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
72. The assembly of claim 71, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
73. The assembly of claim 65, wherein a bezel may be used to cover
a portion of the flat panel display.
74. The assembly of claim 73, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
75. The assembly of claim 74, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover.
76. The assembly of claim 65, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a cover to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.
77. The assembly of claim 65, wherein the flat-panel display
further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the
back.
78. An assembly of a mounting system for a flat-panel display in a
cover for a computer, the mounting system comprising: a cover
including a back and a side wall extending around at least a
portion of the back, the side wall having at least one hole
extending therethrough, the top cover configured for housing a
flat-panel display; a bracket member having a first hole and a
second hole; a flat-panel display including a back having at least
one hole formed laterally therein configured for mounting the
flat-panel display in the top cover using mounting members engaging
at least a portion of the first hole in the bracket member and at
least a portion of the hole of the flat-panel display and engaging
the hole in the cover.
79. An assembly for a flat-panel display in a cover for a computer
comprising: a cover including a back and a side wall extending
around at least a portion of the back, the side wall having at
least one hole extending therethrough, the top cover configured for
housing a flat-panel display of a computer therein; and a
flat-panel display including a back having at least one hole formed
laterally therein configured for mounting the flat-panel display in
the top cover using a mounting member engaging at least a portion
of the hole of the flat-panel display and engaging the hole in the
cover.
80. An assembly for a flat-panel display in a cover for a portable
computer comprising: a flat-panel display having a plurality of
edges including at least a hole formed laterally therein configured
for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover of a portable
computer, the cover having a back and a side wall extending
therearound having at least a hole therethrough; and a lateral
mounting member extending laterally from the at least one hole in
the side wall of the top cover engaging at least-a portion of the
hole in plurality of edges of the flat-panel display.
81. The assembly claim 80, wherein the flat-panel display has
another hole formed laterally therein and another mounting member
extending thereinto.
82. The assembly of claim 80, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a bolt that engages a boss in the flat-panel display.
83. The assembly of claim 80, wherein the cover comprises a plastic
back, pivotal couplings connecting the cover to a base unit, and at
least one metal bracket that extends from the pivotal couplings,
the lateral mounting member engaging the metal bracket and the
plastic back.
84. The assembly of claim 80, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a bolt that passes through the bracket and the plastic
back to engage a boss in the flat-panel display.
85. The assembly of claim 80, wherein the plastic back does not
substantially contribute to the rigidity of the cover.
86. The assembly of claim 80, wherein the flat-panel display
comprises a display panel, a display rim extending around a
perimeter of the display, and a display back; and the lateral
mounting member comprises a bolt that engages a boss in the display
back of the flat-panel display, behind the rim.
87. An assembly for a flat-panel display for a cover for a portable
computer comprising: lateral mounting members extending from the
cover to engage side walls of the flat-panel display, wherein the
cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the
cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends
from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging
the metal bracket and the plastic back.
88. An assembly for a flat-panel display for a cover for a portable
computer comprising: lateral mounting members extending from the
cover to engage side walls of the flat-panel display, wherein the
cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the
cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends
from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging
the metal bracket and the plastic back, and , wherein the lateral
mounting members comprise bolts that pass through the bracket and
the plastic back to engage bosses in the flat-panel display.
89. An assembly for a flat-panel display for cover for a portable
computer comprising: lateral mounting members extending from the
cover to engage side walls of the flat-panel display, wherein the
cover comprises a plastic back, pivotal couplings connecting the
cover to a base unit, and at least one metal bracket that extends
from the pivotal couplings, the lateral mounting members engaging
the metal bracket and the plastic back, wherein the plastic back
does not substantially contribute to the rigidity of the cover.
90. An assembly for a display for a cover for a computer
comprising: a cover including a back and a side wall extending
around at least a portion of the back, the side wall having at
least one hole extending laterally therethrough, the cover
configured for closing over the base of a computer; and a display
including at least one hole formed laterally therein configured for
mounting the display in the cover using mounting members engaging
at least a portion of the at least one hole of the side wall of the
cover and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of
the display .
91. The assembly in claim 90, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
92. An assembly for a display for a cover for the base of a
computer, the mounting system comprising: a display having an
active area and having a plurality of side walls, the display
including a plurality of holes formed laterally in the plurality of
side walls, the display configured for mounting in a top cover to
cover a base of a computer; and lateral mounting members extending
laterally between the top cover and the display, the lateral
mounting members engaging the plurality of holes formed laterally
in at the plurality of side walls of the display.
93. The assembly in claim 92, wherein the lateral mounting members
extend through at least two holes in one of a side wall and the
plurality of side walls of the cover.
94. The assembly in claim 92, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise bolts that engage bosses in the display.
95. The assembly in claim 92, wherein the top cover comprises: a
back having a side wall extending around a portion of the back,
pivotal couplings connecting the cover to a base unit, and at least
one bracket having a portion that extends from the pivotal
couplings; and the lateral mounting members engage portions of the
at least one bracket and the back.
96. The assembly in claim 95, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise thread fasteners configured for passing through the at
least one bracket and the back to engage bosses in the display.
97. The assembly in claim 95, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise pins configured for passing through the at least one
bracket and the back to engage bosses in the display.
98. The assembly in claim 95, wherein the side wall of the back
substantially contributes to the rigidity of the top cover.
99. The assembly in claim 92, wherein the display comprises: a
display panel; a display rim extending around a perimeter of the
display; a display back.
100. The assembly in claim 99, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise threaded fasteners configured to engage bosses in the back
of the display.
101. The assembly in claim 99, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise pins configured to engage bosses in the display back of
the display, behind the rim.
102. The assembly in claim 99, wherein the lateral mounting members
comprise pins configured to engage the display and the side wall of
the top cover.
103. The assembly in claim 92, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
104. An assembly for a display for a cover for a base unit for a
computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, a
back, a plurality of side walls forming the circumference of the
display panel, and a hole extending laterally into a side wall of
the display panel; a cover including a back and a side wall
extending around a portion of the back, the side wall having a hole
extending laterally therethrough, the cover for closing over a base
unit of a computer; and a lateral mounting member configured for
engaging at least a portion of the hole in the side wall of the
cover and engaging at least a portion of the hole of the display
panel.
105. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a screw.
106. The assembly of claim 104, wherein a plurality of edges of
display panel are located within the side wall extending around a
portion of the cover.
107. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of the display
panel, the rim having a hole therethrough.
108. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a member configured for engaging at least a portion of
the hole in the side wall of the cover, configured for extending
through the hole in the rim, and configured for engaging at least a
portion of the hole of the display panel.
109. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a threaded fastener.
110. The assembly of claim 104, wherein the lateral mounting member
comprises a pin.
111. The assembly of claim 104, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
112. An assembly for a display for a cover for a base unit for a
computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, a
back, a plurality of side walls forming the circumference of the
display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into
the plurality of side walls of the display panel; a cover including
a back and a side wall extending around a portion of the back, the
side wall having a plurality of holes extending laterally
therethrough, the cover covering a base unit of a computer; and a
plurality of lateral mounting members configured for engaging at
least a portions of the holes in the side walls of the cover and
engaging at least a portions of the holes of the display panel.
113. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the plurality of lateral
mounting members comprises threaded fasteners.
114. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the plurality of holes in a
plurality of edges of display panel are located within the back of
the display panel.
115. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of the display
panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
116. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the plurality of lateral
mounting members include each member configured for engaging at
least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes in the side
wall of the cover, configured for extending through a hole of the
plurality of holes of the rim, and configured for engaging at least
a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display
panel.
117. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the lateral mounting
members comprises threaded fasteners.
118. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the lateral mounting
members comprise members engaging a non-threaded hole in the
display panel.
119. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the cover includes pivotal
couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of a
computer, at least one other lateral mounting member, and at least
one bracket configured to have a portion extending from a pivotal
coupling, the at least one other lateral mounting member engaging
at least a portion of the at least one bracket.
120. The assembly of claim 112, wherein the cover includes at least
one bracket including at least one pin configured to engage at
least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending
laterally into a plurality of edges of the display panel.
121. The assembly of claim 112, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
122. An assembly for a display for a cover for a base unit for a
computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, a
back, a plurality of side walls forming the circumference of the
display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at
least two opposed edges of the a plurality of side walls of the
display panel; a cover including a back having a side wall
extending around a portion of the back, the side wall having a
plurality of holes extending laterally therethrough, pivotal
couplings configured to connect the cover to a base unit of a
computer for closing thereover, a plurality of brackets, each
bracket having a hole extending laterally through a portion
thereof, each bracket configured to have a portion to connect with
a portion of the pivotal couplings; and a plurality of lateral
mounting members, each lateral mounting member configured for
engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes in
the side walls of the cover, engaging at least a portion of a hole
of the plurality of holes of the display panel, and extending
through the one hole in each bracket of the plurality of
brackets.
123. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the lateral mounting
members comprise threaded fasteners.
124. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of the display
panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
125. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the plurality of lateral
mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a
non-threaded hole in the display panel.
126. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the cover includes a
bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a
portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally
into a plurality of edges of the display panel.
127. The assembly of claim 122, wherein the side wall of the cover
includes a side wall configured to extend around a plurality of
sides of the back.
128. The assembly of claim 122, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
129. The assembly of claim 128, wherein the bezel includes a
portion extending between the plurality of brackets.
130. An assembly for a display for a cover for a base unit for a
computer comprising: a display panel including an active area, a
back, a plurality of side walls forming the circumference of the
display panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at
least two opposed edges of the a plurality of side walls of the
display panel; a cover including a back having a side wall
extending around a portion of the back, couplings configured to
connect the cover to a base unit of a computer for closing
thereover, a plurality of brackets, each bracket having a hole
extending laterally through a portion thereof, each bracket
configured to have a portion to connect with a portion of the
couplings; and a plurality of lateral mounting members, each
lateral mounting member configured for engaging at least a portion
of a hole of the plurality of holes of the display panel and
extending through the one hole in each bracket of the plurality of
brackets.
131. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the lateral mounting
members comprise threaded fasteners.
132. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of the display
panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
133. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the plurality of lateral
mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a
non-threaded hole in the display panel.
134. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the cover includes a
bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a
portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally
into a plurality of edges of the display panel.
135. The assembly of claim 130, wherein the side wall of the cover
includes a side wall configured to extend around a plurality of
sides of the back.
136. The assembly of claim 130, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
137. The assembly of claim 136, wherein the bezel includes a
portion extending between the plurality of brackets.
138. An assembly for mounting a flat-panel display for a computer
in a cover, the assembly comprising: a bracket member for mounting
the flat-panel display in a cover, the bracket member having at
least one first hole extending through a portion thereof and at
least one second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display
including a back having at least one mounting member extending
laterally therefrom, the flat-panel display secured to at least a
portion of the bracket member using at least one mounting member
extending through the at least one first hole formed laterally
through a portion of the bracket member for mounting the flat-panel
display to the bracket member.
139. The assembly of claim 138, wherein the bracket member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second
direction therefrom.
140. The assembly of claim 139, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the bracket member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
bracket member.
141. The assembly of claim 140, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
142. The assembly of claim 141, wherein the bracket member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction for extending in the direction of the side wall of the
cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending
orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
143. The assembly of claim 142, wherein the bracket member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
144. The assembly of claim 143, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
145. The assembly of claim 144, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
146. The assembly of claim 145, wherein a bezel may be used to
cover a portion of the flat panel display.
147. The assembly of claim 146, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
148. The assembly of claim 147, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a cover.
149. The assembly of claim 148, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a cover to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the bracket member.
150. The assembly of claim 138, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel and a back.
151. The assembly of claim 150, wherein the flat-panel display
further includes a rim extending around the display panel and the
back.
152. The assembly of claim 138, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel, a back and a rim extending around the
display panel and the back.
153. An assembly for a display in a cover for a computer
comprising: a display panel including an active area, a back, a
plurality of side walls forming the circumference of the display
panel, and a plurality of holes extending laterally into at least
two opposed edges of the a plurality of side walls of the display
panel; a cover including a back having a side wall extending around
a portion of the back, couplings configured to connect the cover to
a base unit of a computer for closing thereover, a plurality of
brackets, each bracket having a hole extending laterally through a
portion thereof, each bracket configured to have a portion to
connect with a portion of the couplings; and a plurality of lateral
mounting members, each lateral mounting member configured for
engaging at least a portion of a hole of the plurality of holes of
the display panel using an interference fit therewith and extending
through the one hole in each bracket of the plurality of
brackets.
154. The assembly of claim 153, wherein the lateral mounting
members comprise pins.
155. The assembly of claim 153, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a rim extending around the circumference of the display
panel, the rim having a plurality of holes therethrough.
156. The assembly of claim 153, wherein the plurality of lateral
mounting members includes each member configured for engaging a
non-threaded hole in the display panel.
157. The assembly of claim 153, wherein the cover includes a
bracket having at least one pin configured to engage at least a
portion of a hole of the plurality of holes extending laterally
into a plurality of edges of the display panel.
158. The assembly of claim 153, wherein the side wall of the cover
includes a side wall configured to extend around a plurality of
sides of the back.
159. The assembly of claim 153, further comprising: a bezel
configured for covering a portion of the display panel.
160. The assembly of claim 159, wherein the bezel includes a
portion extending between the plurality of brackets.
161. A cover for a flat-panel display comprising: a cover having at
least one hole extending therethrough, the cover for housing at
least a portion of a flat-panel display; a support member having at
least one first hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and
at least one second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel
display including a back having at least one hole formed laterally
therein, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion of
the support member using at least one mounting member extending
through the at least one first hole formed laterally through a
portion of the support member and engaging at least a portion of
the at least one hole of the flat-panel display for mounting the
flat-panel display to the support member.
162. The cover of claim 161, wherein the support member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a
second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
163. The cover of claim 162, wherein the at least one first hole is
formed in the first portion of the mounting member and the at least
one second hole is formed in the second portion of the support
member.
164. The cover of claim 161, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel and a back.
165. The cover of claim 164, wherein the flat-panel display further
includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.
166. The cover of claim 161, wherein the flat-panel display
includes a display panel, a back and a rim extending around the
display panel and the back.
167. The cover of claim 161, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
168. The cover of claim 167, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
169. The cover of claim 168, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into the cover.
170. The cover of claim 169, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
171. The cover of claim 170, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
172. The cover of claim 171, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into the cover to be located between the side
wall thereof and the first portion of the support member.
173. An assembly for a cover for a flat-panel display, a mounting
system comprising: a support member for mounting the flat-panel
display in a cover, the support member having at least one first
hole formed laterally through a portion thereof and at least one
second hole formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display including
a back, a display panel, and a rim extending around the back,
display panel, and the rim, the back having at least one hole
formed laterally therein, the flat-panel display secured to at
least a portion of the support member using at least one mounting
member extending through the at least one first hole formed
laterally through a portion of the support member and engaging at
least a portion of the at least one hole of the flat-panel display
for mounting the flat-panel display to the support member.
174. The assembly of claim 173, wherein the support member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second
direction therefrom.
175. The assembly of claim 173, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the support member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
support member.
176. The assembly of claim 173, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
177. The assembly of claim 173, wherein the support member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction for extending in the direction of the side wall of the
cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending
orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
178. The assembly of claim 177, wherein the support member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
179. The assembly of claim 178, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
180. The assembly of claim 179, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the cover and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the bracket
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the cover.
181. The assembly of claim 173, wherein a bezel may be used to
cover a portion of the flat panel display.
182. The assembly of claim 181, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a cover.
183. The assembly of claim 182, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a cover.
184. The assembly of claim 183, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a cover to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the support member.
185. A back for enclosing a portion of a flat-panel display
comprising: a back for housing at least a portion of a flat-panel
display; a support member having at least one first hole formed
laterally through a portion thereof and at least one second hole
formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display including a back
having at least one hole formed laterally therein, the flat-panel
display secured to at least a portion of the support member using
at least one mounting member extending through the at least one
first hole formed laterally through a portion of the support member
and engaging at least a portion of the at least one hole of the
flat-panel display for mounting the flat-panel display to the
support member.
186. The back of claim 185, wherein the support member comprises a
member having a first portion extending in a first direction and a
second portion extending orthogonally in a second direction
therefrom.
187. The back of claim 186, wherein the at least one first hole is
formed in the first portion of the support member and the at least
one second hole is formed in the second portion of the support
member.
188. The back of claim 185, wherein the flat-panel display includes
a display panel and a back.
189. The back of claim 188, wherein the flat-panel display further
includes a rim extending around the display panel and the back.
190. The back of claim 185, wherein the flat-panel display includes
a display panel, a back and a rim extending around the display
panel and the back.
191. The back of claim 185, further comprising a bezel having a
portion covering a portion of the flat panel display.
192. The back of claim 191, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of the cover.
193. The back of claim 192, wherein the bezel further includes a
portion for extending into a portion of the back.
194. An assembly for a back for a flat-panel display, a mounting
system comprising: a support member for mounting the flat-panel
display in a portion back for covering a portion of the flat-panel
display, the support member having at least one first hole formed
laterally through a portion thereof and at least one second hole
formed therethrough; and a flat-panel display including a back, a
display panel, and a rim extending around the back, display panel,
and the rim, the flat-panel display secured to at least a portion
of the support member using at least one mounting member extending
through the at least one first hole formed laterally through a
portion of the support member and engaging at least a portion of
the at least one hole of the flat-panel display for mounting the
flat-panel display to the support member.
195. The assembly of claim 194, wherein the support member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction and a second portion extending orthogonally in a second
direction therefrom.
196. The assembly of claim 194, wherein the at least one first hole
is formed in the first portion of the support member and the at
least one second hole is formed in the second portion of the
support member.
197. The assembly of claim 194, wherein a cover includes a
sidewall.
198. The assembly of claim 194, wherein the support member
comprises a member having a first portion extending in a first
direction for extending in the direction of the side wall of the
cover being spaced therefrom and a second portion extending
orthogonally in a second direction therefrom.
199. The assembly of claim 198, wherein the support member further
includes the at least one first hole located in the first portion
and the at least one second hole located in the second portion.
200. The assembly of claim 199, further comprising another mounting
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the back.
201. The assembly of claim 200, wherein the another mounting member
is for mounting the flat-panel display in a cover having a portion
thereof extending through a hole in the back and extending into at
least a portion of the at least one second hole in the support
member for mounting the flat-panel display in the back.
202. The assembly of claim 194, wherein a bezel may be used to
cover a portion of the flat panel display.
203. The assembly of claim 202, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for abutting a portion of a sidewall of a back.
204. The assembly of claim 203, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a back.
205. The assembly of claim 203, wherein the bezel further includes
a portion for extending into a back to be located between a side
wall thereof and the first portion of the support member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
08/822,438, filed Mar. 21, 1997, pending.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Portable computers almost universally have a top cover that
pivots to open or close over a base unit. The top cover typically
houses a flat-panel display, and the base unit has a keyboard and,
many times, some form of pointing device.
[0003] In most cases, the flat-panel display is supported in the
top cover by securing it to a plastic back or rear portion of the
top cover. Usually, the flat-panel display has four or more holes
around its periphery; bolts extend orthogonally to the face of the
display, through the holes, to engage bosses, which are integral
with the back. The plastic back is typically structural in nature,
being manufactured from a rigid plastic. When connected together,
the flat-panel display and the plastic back provide necessary
rigidity to the top cover.
[0004] The selection of the flat-panel display in portable
computers is generally driven by two competing concerns. On one
hand, with the availability of ever-larger flat-panel displays,
there is a desire to incorporate those displays into newer portable
computer designs. Running contrary to this, however, is the desire
to limit the overall dimensions of the computers to enhance their
portability. For example, it is common to design portable computers
with outside dimensions limited to approximately 8.times.11". These
dimensions are characteristic of notebook-sized computers.
[0005] Various innovations have come about to increase the active
or viewing area of the flat-panel display as a proportion of the
total surface area of the top cover to obtain larger displays
without increasing the computer's overall dimensions. For example,
it is known to fold the driving and other peripheral circuitry
around to the back of the flat-panel display. This results in a
display panel whose surface area is almost entirely active except
for the width of the metal rim that holds the display together and
the bolt holes that are used to attach the flat-panel display to
the plastic back.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The problem with prior art configurations is the fact that
they fail to recognize that the size of the top cover- need not be
large enough to accommodate the bolt holes. According to the
present invention, the flat-panel display is provided with fixtures
in the display's side walls to provide for its support by lateral
mounting members. The advantage of this approach, in which the bolt
holes are essentially rotated around to the sides of the flat-panel
display, is the reduction in the portion of the portable computer's
top cover that is not an active display. In practice, this results
in an increase of six millimeters or more in the size display that
may be housed in the same-sized top cover.
[0007] In specific embodiments, the lateral mounting members
comprise bolts that engage bosses in the flat-panel display.
[0008] Further reductions in the inactive portions of the top cover
may be achieved by extending the ends of the display's fluorescent
back-light beyond or through the metal rim that surrounds the
display. This allows the rim to be even thinner.
[0009] Also-according to the invention, in order to accommodate the
lateral mounting of the flat-panel display, metal brackets are
used. These brackets extend from the base unit hinges and cradle
the display. This adds torsional rigidity, but also removes the
requirement that the back must be structural. As a result, the back
can simply be a thin, molded cosmetic rear cover for the computer's
top cover.
[0010] In specific embodiments, the lateral mounting members, or
bolts, pass through the brackets and the plastic back to engage the
bosses, thus binding the elements to each other.
[0011] The above and other features of the invention including
various novel details of construction and combinations of parts,
and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the
claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device
embodying the -invention are shown by way of illustration and not
as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of
this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments
without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the accompanying drawings, reference characters refer to
the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale; emphasis has instead been placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Of the drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer
according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the top cover of the portable
computer according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive top cover;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a corner of an
inventive flat-panel display.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a personal computer 10 constructed
according to the principles of the present invention. Generally,
the computer 10 has a top cover 100 that is connected by hinges
112, or otherwise pivotally attached, to a base unit 12. The top
cover 100 houses a flat-panel display 114 and a second, much
smaller, status display 116, which typically provides information
concerning remaining battery life, disk drive operation, and other
house-keeping functions. The base unit 12 has keyboard 14 and a
pointing device 16, a touch pad in the illustrated embodiment. A
power switch 18 and disk drive door 20 are located on the side of
the base unit 12.
[0018] The overall dimensions of the particular embodiment
illustrated when closed are about 8.5 inches wide by 12 inches
long, which dimensions also apply to the top cover 100 and base
unit 12 separately. The total closed height is over two inches,
with the height of the top cover 100 being approximately 0.5
inches.
[0019] The unique characteristics of the present invention are
evident in the ratio between the total surface area of the top
cover 100 and the surface area of the active or viewable area of
the display 114. The active area of the display illustrated is 14.1
inches, diagonally. Consequently, it consumes over 90% of the top
cover's total area.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the mounting technique for the display
114 in the top cover 100, Structurally, the top cover 100 comprises
a back 118. This component is almost universally constructed from
plastic and forms the top outer shell of the portable computer 10
when the top cover 100 is closed. The back 118 is rectangular in
shape and forms essentially a tub around the other elements of the
top cover. The proximal wall 120 of the back is not present,
however, to accommodate the hinge connection to the base unit.
[0021] In many prior art designs, the back 118 of the top cover 100
provided significant structural support to the back cover. This
fact was evident by the existence of spines or ridges, which are
integral with the back, that added rigidity. It is also common to
bolt the display to the back by placing bosses in the back during
molding. In the present embodiment, only the side walls of the back
118 contribute to the back's bending rigidity, and the back overall
has little torsional rigidity.
[0022] Rigidity, especially torsional, is added to the top cover by
right and left metal brackets 122, 124 that are located in the
back. The proximal portion of each bracket 122, 124 connects to
respective right and left hinge elements 126, 128 that are adapted
to cooperate with corresponding hinge elements in the base unit 12.
The brackets 122, 124 are each aligned against respective side
walls 130, 132 of the back 118. The cross-section of each bracket
is essentially "L"-shaped, the shorter legs 134, 136 extending
orthogonally away from the planar inner surface of the back 118 and
abutting the back's side walls 130, 132. Two holes 138, 140 in each
bracket are sized to accommodate bolts 148, 150, two millimeters in
diameter, and the holes align with corresponding holes 142, 144
through the sidewalls 130, 132 of the back 118. Preferably, the
outer surfaces of the back's side walls 130, 132 have slight
depressions 146 to recess head of the bolts 148, 150.
[0023] The flat-panel display 114 (not shown) comprises a large
active area 152 that is defined by the transparent top window of
the display 114. The top window is clamped to the panel's plastic
back (not shown in this figure) by a metal rim 154 that extends
around the display's circumference, defining the display's bottom
(180), left (181), top (182), and right (183) side walls. Holes
156, 158, formed in the metal rim 154, align with the holes in the
brackets and back when the display is installed. The four bolts
148, 150 extend through the back 118, brackets 122, 124 to engage
bosses held in the display 114 behind the metal rim 154.
[0024] A plastic bezel 160 snap fits over the display onto the
back. The bezel's rim extends inward hiding the display's metal
rim.
[0025] FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view further illustrating the back
cover's construction. As discussed previously, each of the four
bolts 148, 150 extends through the back 118 and corresponding
vertical legs 134, 136 of the brackets 122, 124. The bolts 148, 150
further extend through the metal rim 154 of the display to engage
corresponding threaded bosses 162 held in the plastic back 164 of
the display. Also shown is the snap-fit arrangement of the plastic
bezel 160 to the back 118.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of one of the lower outer comers
of the flat-panel display 114 illustrating another innovation of
the invention that enables a more compact display. Usually, the
length of the fluorescent back-light plus the thickness of the
display's metal rim dictate the overall width of the display. The
light emitting portion of the fluorescent light must be as wide as
the active area of the display, but electrodes on the end of the
light are wider than the small peripheral inactive portion of the
display.
[0027] According to the present invention, circular cut-outs 166
are formed in the metal rim 154 to allow the ends of the
fluorescent back-light 168 to extend slightly beyond the outer
surface of the rim 154. As a result, the overall width of the
display is no wider than the critical length of the fluorescent
back-light 168. In effect, twice the thickness of the metal rim,
since cut-outs 166 are provided for both ends of the light 168, is
removed from the overall width of the display without any loss in
active area. Defined another way, the inactive portions on both
sides of the display are each decreased by the thickness of the
metal rim 154 by enabling the ends of the back-light 168 to extend
beyond the rim.
[0028] In other embodiments of the invention, the bolts 148, 150
may be replaced with pins that extend through the back 118 and
brackets 122,124 to engage non-threaded holes in the side walls
180-183 of the display 114, possibly using an interference fit.
Alternatively, these pins could be integral with the metal brackets
122,124. In this later case, it may be desirable to have the
display 114 to snap fit with the pins, to facilitate the
manufacturing process.
[0029] In still another embodiment, pins extend outward from the
display 114, possibly integral with the metal rim 154 to engage the
brackets 122, 124 with an arrangement. This configuration has an
advantage, because there is no need to accommodate holes in the
display, which could affect the display's electrical design.
[0030] In still other embodiments, mounting could be accomplished
off of the top and bottom side walls 180, 182 of the display 114.
In this case, lateral mounting members that cooperate with these
side walls would be used to replace the mounting fixtures on the
right and left side walls 181, 183, or in addition to those
fixtures.
[0031] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in
form and details may be made therein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *