System and method for pivotably securing display housing to computer system
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorCharles A. Sellers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A computer having a base and a display. The display is pivotable relative to the base. The computer has a securing mechanism that pivotably secures the display to the base. The securing mechanism produces a force that opposes pivotal motion of the display. The securing mechanism also has a clutch operator that is operable to prevent the force from opposing the pivotal motion of the display.
Claims24
A system, comprising:
- a base;
- a display coupled to the base, such that the display is rotatable relative to the base about an axis of rotation;
- a clutch disposed at the axis of rotation, wherein the clutch is engageable to resist rotation of the display relative to the base about the axis of rotation;
- and
- an operator coupled to the clutch and actuatable by a single hand of a user to facilitate simultaneous disengagement of the clutch and rotation of the display relative to the base about the axis of rotation.
An electronic device, comprising:
- a rotatable display having an axis of rotation;
- a rotational resistance mechanism coupled to the rotatable display to provide a resistive force against rotation of the rotatable display about the axis of rotation;
- and
- a resistance release coupled to the rotational resistance mechanism and engageable at a position offset from the axis of rotation.
A method of providing an electronic device, comprising:
- providing a rotatable display having an axis of rotation;
- providing a rotational resistance mechanism coupleable to the rotatable display to provide a resistive force against rotation of the rotatable display about the axis of rotation;
- and
- providing a resistance release coupleable to the rotational resistance mechanism and engageable at a position offset from the axis of rotation.
A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:
- engaging a rotational resistance mechanism about an axis of rotation of a rotatable display to oppose rotation of the display relative to a base portion;
- and
- switchably releasing the rotational resistance mechanism in response to user actuation of an operator mounted at a position offset from the axis of rotation and coupled to the rotational resistance mechanism.
An electronic device, comprising:
- means for engaging a rotational resistance mechanism about an axis of rotation of a rotatable display;
- and
- means for switchably releasing the rotational resistance mechanism at a position offset from the axis of rotation.
A portable computer, comprising:
- a component housing;
- a display;
- a hinge assembly coupling the display to the component housing, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a clutch assembly;
- and
- a clutch operator coupled to the clutch assembly and having a first position at which the clutch assembly is engaged and a second position at which the clutch assembly is substantially disengaged, wherein the clutch operator is mounted away from an axis of rotation of the hinge assembly to facilitate a single-handed operation of the clutch operator and rotation of the display.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.