Apparatus and method for connecting and articulating display in a portable computer having multiple display orientations

A portable information device comprising:

• a base including a keyboard;
• a display member having a front surface including a screen for displaying information;
• display member attachment means including an arm portion for attaching said display member to said base such that said screen is positionable in any one of at least first, second, and third configurations;
• said first configuration providing display and touch-sensitive operational control without access to a physical keyboard or keyboard operational control;
• said second configuration providing display and keyboard operational control;
• and
• said third configuration providing display and wireless operational control only without any physical keyboard or other keyboard operational control;
• said display member attachment means further including:
• a slip joint extending along an axis of rotation of said base into said arm portion;
• a flexible printed circuit ribbon connector having a plurality of electrical conductors extending between base and said arm joined at substantially right angles;
• said printed circuit ribbon connector having a substantially right angle bend in the region of said slip joint;
• and
• said printed circuit ribbon being threaded through a path from said base into said arm via said slip joint which minimizes stresses exerted on said ribbon during rotation of said arm;
• said stress minimizing path including providing a complete first loop formed in said ribbon as said ribbon enters said base from said arm, said first loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said arm is pivoted relative to said base, preventing said electrical conductors from rubbing or crimping.

In a portable computer, a method of routing a flexible printed circuit ribbon connector having a plurality of electrical traces between first and second members joined at substantially right angles and having relative rotational movement, said method comprising:

• providing a slip joint along an axis of rotation of said first member into said second member;
• forming said printed circuit ribbon connector to have a substantially right angle bend in the region of said slip joint;
• and
• threading said ribbon through a path from said first member into said second member via said slip joint which minimizes stresses exerted on said ribbon during rotation of said members;
• said stress minimizing path including providing a complete first loop formed in said ribbon as said ribbon enters said second portion from said first portion, said first loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said second member is pivoted relative to said first member, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping.

A portable computer of the type having a base portion and a display portion pivotally attached via a pivotal attachment to said base portion, electronic components disposed in each of said base portion and display portion being coupled for communication of electrical signals via conductors passing through said pivotal attachment;

• said portable computer characterized in that:
• said conductors include at least one flexible printed circuit ribbon connector having a plurality of electrical traces routed through a slip joint extending along an axis of rotation of said pivotal attachment between said base portion and said display portion at substantially right angles and having relative rotational movement;
• said printed circuit ribbon connector having a substantially right angle bend in the region of said slip joint;
• and
• said printed circuit ribbon being threaded through a path from said first base portion into said display portion via said slip joint which minimizes stresses exerted on said ribbon during rotation of said display portion relative to said base portion;
• said stress minimizing path including providing a complete first loop formed in said ribbon as said ribbon enters said display portion from said base portion, said first loop selectively becoming tighter and looser as said display portion is pivoted relative to said base portion, preventing said electrical connectors from crimping and from rubbing.