Z-configuration structure for computers, scanners, and communications and video devices

In a data processing user interface system for computing and communication devices having a multi-part housing which includes a plurality of conventional computer components, component mountings and electrical interconnections, a user input device, and a deployable flat panel display pivotally deployable by a user between a first folded closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded deployed configuration for use on a support surface, the improvement in said system comprising a configuration structure having:

• a) a base panel housing having a rear edge, a front edge, and including said manual user input device;
• b) an intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge;
• c) a display panel housing having a lower edge and including at least said flat panel display;
• e) a lower pivot assembly mounted to said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing to foldably connect said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing;
• said lower pivot assembly has a hinge axis adjacent and substantially parallel to each of said base panel housing rear edge and intermediate panel housing lower edge;
• said lower pivot assembly includes at least one electrical interconnector communicating to functionally interconnect at least one of said computer components in each of said base and intermediate panel housings;
• f) an upper pivot assembly mounted to said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing to foldably connect said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing;
• said upper pivot assembly has a hinge axis adjacent and substantially parallel to each of said intermediate panel housing upper edge and display panel housing lower edge;
• said upper pivot assembly includes at least one electrical interconnector communicating to functionally interconnect at least one of said computer components in each of said intermediate and display panel housings;
• h) in said unfolded, deployed configuration:
• (i) said base panel housing is supported upon said support surface;
• (ii) said intermediate panel housing is pivotally deployed above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface;
• and
• (iii) said display panel housing is pivotally deployed from said intermediate panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface directed at an angle with respect to said user wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user in an elevated, ergonomically improved deployed configuration;
• and
• i) in said closed configuration said display panel housing is disposed between said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing.

A configuration structure for a computing or communication electronics device including a display and a CPU, wherein said device configuration structure is a three-panel housing assembly comprising:

• a) a first base panel housing;
• b) a second intermediate panel housing which includes:
• i) at least one internally-mounted heat-generating component;
• ii) at least one air inlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing lower edge;
• iii) at least one air outlet vent adjacent said intermediate panel housing upper edge;
• iv) at least one internal passage for airflow communicating between said inlet vent and said outlet vent;
• and
• v) said passage is configured to bring said airflow into thermal contact with said heat-generating component when said computer is in said deployed configuration to cause said airflow to absorb heat from said component and to convectively cool said component by said airflow between said inlet vent and said outlet vent;
• c) an upper display panel housing;
• d) said device is movable between a closed position and a deployed, use position;
• e) said base and display panel housings being hinged to said intermediate panel housing at opposed adjacent marginal edges of said intermediate panel housing, so that said device, in its deployed, use position is generally Z-shaped viewed in side elevation;
• f) in said deployed, use position said panel housings are adjustable horizontally and vertically with respect for each other to provide improved ergonomic viewing;
• and
• g) in said closed position, said display panel housing is folded to be disposed adjacent said intermediate panel housing.

A method of deployably mounting a flat panel display on an electronic device for improved ergonomic viewing by a device user, said electronic device including a plurality of electronic components and a base panel housing for supporting said electronic device on a support surface, said base panel housing having, relative to said viewer, a front edge proximate to said viewer and a rear edge distal to said viewer, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) pivotally mounting an intermediate panel housing from said base panel housing at a first pivot, said intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge, said first pivot being adjacent said rear edge of said base panel housing and said lower edge of said intermediate panel housing;
• b) pivotally mounting a display panel housing from said intermediate panel housing at a second pivot, said display panel housing having a lower edge, said second pivot being adjacent said upper edge of said intermediate panel housing and said lower edge of said display panel housing said display panel being pivotable distally, relative to the viewer, back of the plane defined by said intermediate panel;
• c) mounting said flat panel display on said display panel housing and functionally electrically interconnecting said flat panel display with selected ones of said plurality of electronic components;
• and
• d) pivoting said electronic device panels between a first folded closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded deployed configuration upon said support surface;
• said pivoting to said unfolded, deployed configuration including the steps of:
• (i) supporting said base panel housing upon said support surface with the front edge proximate to the viewer;
• (ii) pivotally rotating said intermediate panel housing above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface at an angle generally toward said viewer;
• and
• (iii) pivotally rotating said display panel housing from said intermediate panel housing to be directed at an angle with respect to said user wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user in an elevated, ergonomically improved position, generally Z-shaped in side elevation.