Technique for minimizing the height of a portable computer
US5768093A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 12, 1995 |
| Grant date | Jun 16, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/1666
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique for minimizing the height of a portable PC comprising a lid and a base when the lid is in a closed position is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the lid of the PC is rotatably connected to the base in such a manner that, when the lid is in a closed position, a bezel for retaining a display within the lid depresses one or more keys positioned along the periphery of a keyboard disposed on the base, thereby reducing the height of the PC in an amount equal to the distance the keys are depressed. In one embodiment, the keys depressed by the bezel are only depressed so far as to leave a slight gap between the top surfaces of the nondepressed keys and the surface of the display, thereby preventing the nondepressed keys from scratching the surface of the display. In an alternative embodiment, the display is fabricated from or coated with a scratch-resistant material. In this embodiment, the gap between the keys and the display may be eliminated such that the display is permitted to contact, and perhaps partially depress, the keys that are not in contact with the bezel, thereby further minimizing the height of the PC.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.