Hinge system for a portable computer
AssigneeCompaq Computer Corporation
InventorsMichele Bovio, Jitender Kanjiram
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The hinge system for a portable computer for pivotably securing a top cover to a base unit includes a first base unit hinge member for mounting to the base unit. The first base unit hinge member has proximal and distal mounting portions which are angled relative to each other. The proximal and distal mounting portions are each securable to a surface of the base unit for distributing stress exerted on the base unit by the first base unit hinge member. A first pivoting top cover hinge assembly is secured to the first base unit hinge member. The first top cover hinge assembly mounts to the top cover.
Claims16
A portable computer comprising:
- a top cover;
- a base unit;
- a first base unit hinge member secured to the base unit, the first base unit hinge member having proximal and distal mounting portions which are angled relative to each other, the proximal and distal mounting portions securing the first base unit hinge member to a surface of the base unit for distributing stress exerted on the base unit by the first base unit hinge member;
- and
- a first pivoting top cover hinge assembly secured to the first base unit hinge member and to the top cover, the first pivoting top cover hinge assembly comprising a lower pivoting piece mounted to the first base unit hinge member and pivotably secured to an elongate stiffening member, the elongate stiffening member being secured to the top cover to stiffen the top cover.
A hinge system for a portable computer for pivotably securing a top cover having a length and width to a base unit comprising:
- a first base unit hinge member secured to the base unit;
- and
- a first pivoting top cover hinge assembly secured to the top cover and to the first base unit hinge member and comprising:
- a lower piece, secured to the first base unit hinge member, the lower piece comprising a tongue for insertion into a cavity within the first base unit hinge member and a mounting flange for securing to a top surface of the first base unit hinge member, the tongue being secured to the first base unit hinge member by a first fastener and the mounting flange being secured to the first base unit hinge member by a second fastener, the first and second fasteners being oriented at right angles to each other;
- and
- an elongate stiffening member, the elongate stiffening member being secured to the top cover to stiffen the top cover and pivotably secured to the lower piece, the elongate stiffening member extending along substantially all of the length of the top cover.
A method of pivotably securing a top cover to a base unit in a portable computer comprising the steps of:
- mounting a first base unit hinge member to the base unit, the first base unit hinge member having proximal and distal mounting portions which are angled substantially at a right angle relative to each other and each mounting portion securing the first base unit hinge member to a surface of the base unit for distributing stress exerted on the base unit by the first base unit hinge member;
- mounting a first pivoting top cover hinge assembly to the top cover, the first pivoting top cover hinge assembly being secured to the first base unit hinge member and having an elongate stiffening member extending along a side edge of the top cover;
- the elongate stiffening member being secured to the top cover to stiffen the top cover;
- providing the first pivoting top cover hinge assembly with a lower pivoting piece mounted to the first base unit hinge member and pivotably secured to the elongate stiffening member;
- and
- pivotably mounting the lower pivoting piece to an upper pivoting piece with a shaft, the upper pivoting piece being secured to the elongate stiffening member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.