US 5,339,213 A · Portable computer touch pad attachment

Abstract

A device and a method for attaching a touch pad to a portable computer comprises a tray for holding the touch pad securely, a rail guide attachable to the underside of the computer, and a pair of rails, to which the tray is attached, slidably disposed in slots in the rail guide. The tray, and thus the touch pad, may slide to a location under the computer where it is not exposed or may slide from under the computer so that the touch pad is exposed. The tray may be pivoted so that the touch pad more directly faces the user. Support arms may be engaged between the tray and the rails to maintain the touch pad in the tilted position. Feet may be used to support the computer above a surface to furnish space for the attachment device. Cable guides may be provided as part of the rail guide and feet to guide the touch pad cable to the proper computer port and to relieve strain on the cable.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A device for attaching a computer input touch pad to a portable computer having a generally flat underside, comprising

a tray for receiving and holding the touch pad, the tray comprising a top plate and a bottom plate that fit together, one on top of the other, to enclose and securely hold the touch pad, said top plate having openings to expose buttons, pads, and the like for operating the touch pad, and said bottom plate having a recess for receiving components that extend from the touch pad and a tab that is graspable for moving the tray and touch pad between the location under the computer and the exposed location;
and
means for attaching the tray to the underside of the portable computer, and for allowing movement of the tray, and thus the touch pad, between a location under the computer where the touch pad operating surface is not exposed, and a location from under the computer where the touch pad operating surface is exposed.

A method for attaching a computer input touch pad to a portable computer having a generally flat underside comprising

(a) providing a tray for receiving and holding the touch pad the tray including a top plate and a bottom plate that fit together, one on top of the other, to enclose and securely hold the touch pad, the top plate being provided with openings to expose buttons, pads, and the like for operating the touch pad, and said bottom plate being provided with a recess for receiving components pad that extend from the touch pad and a tab that is graspable for moving the tray and touch pad between a location under the computer and an exposed location;
and
(b) providing means for attaching the tray to the underside of the portable computer, and for allowing movement of the tray, and thus the touch pad, between the location under the computer where the touch pad operating surface is not exposed, and the location from under the computer where the touch pad operating surface is exposed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Portable computer touch pad attachment

Life of this patent

Portable computer touch pad attachment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16