_
`Umted States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`HllllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllllll111111111111!
`U8005267123A
`[11] Patent Number:
`
`5,267,123
`
` -
`
`Boothroyd et a1.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`[54] CASE FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER
`HAVING DISPLAY ACCESSIBLE WHEN LID
`IS CLOSED OVER THE KEYBOARD
`.
`Inventors= Allen Boothroyd, Little Shelford;
`Martin Jackson, Withersfield, both
`of England
`
`[75]
`
`‘
`’
`[73] Ass1gnee: E0 Europe Limited, Cambndge,
`-
`-
`united ngdom
`
`.
`[2” Appl‘ No"
`[22] PCT Filed:
`
`835’426
`NOV. 12’ 1990
`
`[86] PCT No“
`§ 371 Date:
`8 102(e) Date:
`
`PCT/GB90/01710
`Feb. 24, 1992
`Feb. 24, 1992
`
`[87] PCT Pub. No.: WO91/07716
`'
`PCT Pub. Date: May 30, 1991
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`[30]
`Nov. 10, 1989 [GB] United Kingdom ................. 8925425
`
`[51]
`
`1111. C1.5 ......................... HOSK 5/03; HOSK 7/16;
`G06F 1/ 16
`
`[56}
`
`[52] US. Cl. .................................... 361/680; 361/681;
`403/61; 403/116; 16/361; 439/31; 206/305
`[58] Field of Search ..................... 364/708; 312/223.2;
`403/61, 85, 116; 16/360, 361; 248/917—923;
`439/27, 28, 31; 206/305; 361/380, 390—395, 399
`_
`References Cited
`Us. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,438,458
`3/1984 Miinscher ....................... 248/917 X
`6/1985 Benton .................... 235/379
`4,523,087
`
`..... 340/700 X
`1/ 1988 Cross1and e1 31.
`.
`4,720,781
`
`8/1989 Hwang ................ 364/708 x
`4,861,970
`5,002,184
`3/1971 Lloyd .................................. 206/305
`Primary Examiner—Leo P. Picard
`Assistant Examiner—Michael W. Phillips
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lee, Mann, Smith,
`McWilliams, Sweene & 011150
`y
`n
`ABSTRACT
`{57]
`A computer case having a base (10) incorporating a
`keyboard (14) which in the closed condition of the case
`is covered by a lid (12) having its display uppermost, the
`case opening by a mechanism enabling the lid to slide
`rearwardly and “line relatively ‘0 “16 base 5° 35 ‘0
`present the display forwardly behind the keyboard.
`
`13 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`12
`
`
`
`PX 1019
`
`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner — Kyocera
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`Fig. 1
`! ~ =========~~ 1210
`Fig.2
`
`rt
`
`I"
`
`,.- 16
`
`/
`
`14
`
`I ~v-
`~
`I
`I
`I
`
`Fig.4
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`10
`
`12
`
`Fig.3
`
`16
`
`30~
`
`14
`
`18
`
`10
`
`Fig. 5
`
`22
`
`16
`
`Fig. 6
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`32
`
`34
`
`44
`
`40
`
`42
`
`Fig. 7
`
`~~ 938
`
`Fig. 78
`
`Fig. 7C
`
`Fig. 70 44
`
`Fig. 7A
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`Fig. 8
`
`Fig. 9
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`52
`
`12
`
`Fig. 10
`
`10
`
`54
`
`Fig. 11
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`Fig. 12A
`
`66
`
`68
`
`58
`
`Fig.12B
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`68
`
`66
`
`~56
`
`-----70
`
`12
`
`Fig. 1ZC
`74
`
`72
`
`Fig. 120
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`5,267,123
`
`84
`
`Fig.13
`
`Fig. 138
`
`Fig. 14
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_9
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,267,123
`
`CASE FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER HAVING
`DISPLAY ACCESSIBLE WHEN LID IS CLOSED
`OVER THE KEYBOARD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to a case housing a computer
`and of the kind having a base incorporating a computer
`keyboard and a lid openable and closable relative to the
`base and incorpora ing a computer display. Such cased
`computers are gener lly intended to be portable, and
`may be of relatively small dimensions.
`
`2
`If desired, the display can be made transparent, with
`a small source of power built into the lid if necessary, so
`that when the connection between the lid and the base
`is a separable connection, the lid can be detached to
`5 enable the display to be used in an overhead projector
`or similar apparatus for projecting the display onto a
`screen.
`Again the lid may include appropriate circuitry and
`addressing means to enable the lid to be used as a porta(cid:173)
`tO ble computing aid when detached from the base.
`It will be appreciated that an advantage of the cased
`computer of the invention is that the display is visible
`even when the case is closed. However, the back of the
`display is protected, being on the underside adjacent the
`base in the closed condition of the case. The back of the
`display can thus be equipped to carry out additional
`functions when the lid is open.
`Thus, an addressing means for the display, in the form
`of a miniature second keyboard or a socket into which
`a miniature keyboard can be plugged, may be provided
`on the back of the display.
`Thus, according to another aspect of the invention, in
`a cased computer of the kind described, and wherein the
`back of the display is on the i side in the closed condi-
`25 tion of the case, the lid is provided on the back with
`communication means for use in communicating with
`other computers or the like. Such communication
`means may be constituted, for example, by hidden con-
`nectors, or by infra-red diodes for use in a connection(cid:173)
`less network.
`Preferably, however, a stylus in the form of a light
`pen is provided for interrogating the display on the lid,
`possibly to enter and edit data. The light pen may be
`garaged in a recess at one edge of the base or the lid,
`preferably being garaged in the lid when the lid is sepa(cid:173)
`rable from the base.
`Either the base or the lid may have a flap-type door
`on the lid allowing access to the light pen.
`Normal communication between the base and the lid
`may be by means of an infra-red link, thus avoiding the
`need for connecting cable between the base and the lid,
`except possibly for a power link, which can also be
`avoided if the lid is equipped with its own battery
`source.
`Alternatively, communication between the base and
`the lid may be by means of a multi-way plug and socket
`adapted to be engaged or disengaged when the lid is
`fitted to or separated from the base. In a preferred ar(cid:173)
`rangement, in both the plug and the socket, the electri(cid:173)
`cal contacts are recessed behind the plane of the front
`face of said plug or socket through which the contacts
`are exposed. In this way, risk of shorting between the
`contacts is avoided when the base and lid are separated
`and the plug and socket are exposed. Most desirably,
`the plug and socket are able to rotate relative to one
`another whilst maintaining cooperation between the
`contacts, thereby to maintain communication between
`the base and the lid when the lid is moved between its
`open and closed positions.
`Especially when the display is of relatively fragile
`glass or the like, the computer case may include a flexi(cid:173)
`ble wrap-around cover secured to the rear underside of
`the base to be wrappable around the closed case so as to
`overlie the lid and being unwrappable and foldable to
`the underside of the case to enable the computer to be
`used.
`According to still another aspect of the invention,
`there is provided a computer case of the kind described,
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
`Computer cases of the above-described kind are well
`known, wherein, when the case is open, the keyboard is
`made available at the upper surface of the base and the
`display is visible on the inner surface of the lid, said lid
`hinging open into a position in which it makes an obtuse 20
`angle with the base. Thus, assuming the base is placed
`on a generally horizontal support and the lid opened,
`the display is visible in an inclined plane sloping back
`from the base.
`
`THE INVENTION
`According to one aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a computer case of the kind described
`wherein the display is incorporated in the lid to be
`visible at the outer surface thereof when the lid is closed 30
`against the top of the base, and the lid is movably
`mounted to the base to open to a position in which the
`display on said outer surface is visible in an inclined
`plane sloping back upwardly from the base.
`The arrangement in accordance with the invention 35
`has the advantage that the keyboard may be protected
`and rendered inactive when the lid is closed.
`In a preferred arrangement, the keyboard occupies
`only the front part of the width of the base from front to
`back, and in the open position the lid slopes back up- 40
`wardly from the base just to the rear of the keyboard.
`The connection between the base and the lid is thereby
`able to include a hinged support which is accommo(cid:173)
`dated between the base and the lid when the case is
`closed and which acts as a stay between the lid and the 45
`part of the base to the rear of the keyboard when the lid
`is open. Thus, in this preferred arrangement, the front
`edge of the lid (when the lid is closed) is slidably con(cid:173)
`nected to the base, as by means of a guide-pin/track
`construction, and the above-described supporting stay 50
`is arranged to cause the lid to assume an increasing
`inclined position as the lid is pushed rearwardly on its
`slidable connection to the base. The angle of inclination
`chosen for the lid in its open position may be selectable
`by such means as a friction stop or detent means in the 55
`track for the guide pin.
`The preferred arrangement is preferably such that, in
`the open condition of the lid, the area occupied by the
`cased computer, when seen in plan view, is not to any
`substantial extent larger than the plan area occupied by 60
`the closed case.
`Preferably, the connection between the lid and the
`base is a separable connection, whereby the lid can be
`detached from the base. Thus, in one arrangement, the
`lid has a hinge pin detachably engaging with a socket at 65
`the adjacent end of the stay, and the front end of the
`track has a socket with which the track-engaging pin on
`the lid detachably engages.
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_10
`
`

`

`5,267,123
`
`3
`wherein at least one of the base and the lid has a flap(cid:173)
`type door of plastics material for enabling access o a
`computer accessory or an accessory socket, the door
`being integrally formed with a hinge produced by mo(cid:173)
`lecular orientation of the plastics material such that the 5
`chain molecules are orientated transverse to the hinge
`axis. The flap-type door may, for example, be used to
`cover a recess housing a light pen. The door may have
`a latch formed by integral edge pips which deform to be
`received behind the edge of the opening in which the 10
`door is hinged in order to hold the door closed.
`
`20
`
`4
`of the support, to the base or to the lid, may also include
`a pin and slot connection.
`The arrangement is such that the support 24 acts as a
`stay for the lid 12 and thereby the display 16 in the open
`condition of the case, thus producing a robust and stable
`triangular configuration. A friction stop or mechanical
`detent means could be employed to enable the angle of
`the display to be adjustable.
`It will be noted from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 4
`that the plan area of the open case is not substantially
`greater than the plan area of the closed case, which is
`advantageous when the computer is to be used in a
`confined space, e.g. on the tray of an aeroplane seat.
`Moreover, the display is visible and usable, even when
`the case is closed.
`If desired, the display can be of a transparent type,
`and the lid can be made detachable, to enable the dis(cid:173)
`play to be used in an optical projection means. If neces(cid:173)
`sary, the lid may incorporate a secondary source of
`power to maintain the display when the lid is detached.
`Moreover, as the back of the lid is protected in the
`closed condition of the case, it may incorporate hidden
`connectors, or possibly infra-red diodes for a connec(cid:173)
`tionless network. It will be appreciated that this is not
`possible with a cased computer wherein the lid hinges
`open in a conventional manner, i.e. in analogous manner
`to a clamshell, because in the closed condition the base
`of the display is exposed. Clearly the present invention
`also overcomes the problem of possible instability
`which arises when a cased computer with a convention(cid:173)
`ally hinging lid is open.
`FIGS. 7 and 7A show one possible manner in which
`the base and the lid may detachably connect with one
`another. Identical arrangements are employed on both
`35 sides of the computer case.
`The lid 12 is provided on its side edge with two pips
`or pins 32, 33, one pin 32 at the front and one pin 33
`approximately mid-way front to back. The base 10 is
`provided with a track 34 open at its front end 36 and
`closed at its rear end 38, and to the rear of the track with
`a support or stay 40 hinged to the base at its rear end 42.
`Adjacent the front end of the stay, and just to the rear
`of the closed end 38 of the track 34, the base is provided
`with a guide slot 42 which leads to a-claw 44 (FIG. 7A)
`at the front end of the stay.
`Accordingly, in order to attach the lid to the base, the
`lid is offered downwardly and rearwardly onto the base
`so that the front pin 32 on the lid enters the front end of
`the track 34 and the pin 33 enters the guide slot 42.
`Subsequently, when the lid 12 is pushed rearwardly
`relative to the base 10, the pin 33 snap fits into the claw
`44 to form a hinge between the front end of the stay 40
`and the lid. The lid 12 can be detached from the base 10
`by reversing the action.
`In FIG. 7A, reference 45 denotes a strain relief slot.
`Although not clear from the figures, the entire track
`and stay interconnecting mechanism is preferably com(cid:173)
`pletely hidden when the lid is fully closed. Moreover,
`although not shown, a releasable latch may be incorpo-
`rated for holding the computer case in its closed posi(cid:173)
`tion.
`The advantage of the described arrangement is that
`the display unit 12 is completely separable from the base
`unit 10 to provide a smaller, portable unit consisting
`simply of the display and a basic. miniature computer
`built into the lid. When additional facilities are required,
`such as a disc drive and/or full keyboard, the display
`unit is readily attached to the base unit. The base unit
`
`25
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
`A computer case in accordance with the invention
`will now be exemplified with reference to the embodi- 15
`ment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 shows a cased computer in plan view, with the
`casing closed;
`FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively show the closed casing
`from the front and the side;
`FIG. 4 shows the cased computer in plan view, with
`the casing open;
`FIG. 5 shows the open casing from the side;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional of an end of the
`cased computer;
`FIGS. 7 through 7D show details of the hinging
`assembly of the base and the lid;
`FIGS. 8 and 9 show the computer case when
`equipped with a light pen;
`FIG. 10 shows the computer case equipped with an 30
`infra-red housing;
`FIG. 11 shows an alternative communicating means
`between the base and the lid;
`FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C and 12D show det.ails of a
`multi-way connector;
`FIGS. 13, 13A and 13B shows a flap door construc(cid:173)
`tion; and
`FIG. 14 shows the computer case fitted with a soft
`cover.
`The general principle of the invention will first be 40
`described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the draw(cid:173)
`ings, and further details then described with reference
`to subsequent figures.
`A cased computer consists of a computer casing hav(cid:173)
`ing a base 10 and a lid 12. The base 10 incorporates a 45
`keyboard 14 accessible at the upper surface of the base
`when the case is open. The lid 12 incorporates a display
`16, such as an LCD display, which contrary to usual
`practice is visible at the upper surface of the lid in the
`closed condition of the case (see FIG. 1). It is to be 50
`noted that the keyboard 14 occupies only the front part
`of the width of the base 10 from front to back, the base
`also incorporating the CPU and a source of power
`(batteries).
`When the lid 12 is opened, it both slides rearwardly 55
`and turns upwardly and forwardly (see arrows 30) to
`the position shown in FIG. S so that the display 16 is
`nonvisible, from the front, in an inclined plane sloping
`upwardly and rearwardly from the base 10, with the
`bottom edge 18 of the lid just to the rear of the key- 60
`board 14.
`The required opening movement of the lid is obtained
`by means of guide pins 20 located at the front corners of
`the lid 12, engaging in tracks 22 running from front to
`back in the side faces of the base, together with a hinged 65
`support or stay 24 pivotally connected between the
`back of the lid 12 and the rear part of the base 10 (see
`FIGS. 4 and 6). At least one of the pivotal connections
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_11
`
`

`

`5,267,123
`
`60
`
`5
`10, whether or not the display unit 12 is fitted thereto,
`may be connected to a mains power supply, telephone
`and existing computer facilities, and these connections
`are left undisturbed when the display unit is separated
`from the base unit.
`When detached, the display unit may be used as a
`basic computer by virtue of facilities provided, for ex(cid:173)
`ample, on the back of the display, including a suitable
`addressing means.
`One convenient form of addressing means is shown in 10
`FIG. 8, and consists of a stylus in the form of a light pen
`46 which can be used to address the display unit 12 via
`its screen, and possibly to enter and edit data.
`The light pen 46 is housed in an elongate recess 48 in
`the back edge of the display unit or lid 12, the recess 15
`being closable to conceal the light pen by means of a
`flap door SO which is later described.
`Instead of being garaged in the lid 12, the light pen
`could be garaged in an edge recess of the base 10, al(cid:173)
`though garaging in the edge of the lid is preferred when 20
`the lid is separable from the base, as already described
`with reference to FIG. 8. For completeness, FIG. 9
`shows the computer case with a light pen 47 garaged in
`a closable recess 49 in the base unit 10.
`Communication between the base unit 10 and the 25
`display unit 12 may be effected in several ways. FIG. 10
`shows the computer case in rear view, when equipped
`with an infra-red housing 52, enabling the base unit 10
`and the display unit 12 to communicate without the use
`of physical connections. Equipping both the base unit 30
`10 and the display unit 12 with an infra-red link would
`enable either such unit to communicate with other com(cid:173)
`puter units which are similarly equipped.
`FIG. 11 shows in diagrammatic manner an intercon(cid:173)
`nection between the base unit and the display unit by 35
`means of a multi-way cable 54 and a multi-way connec(cid:173)
`tor 56. Detail of the multi-way connector is shown in
`FIGS. 12A and 12B.
`Referring to FIG. 11 first, a multi-way cable 54 lead(cid:173)
`ing from the base unit connects to one part 56 of a plug 40
`and socket connector which is incorporated in the front
`edge of a hinge support or plate 58 which interconnects
`the hinged stays 40 which operate between the base and
`the lid. The claws receiving the front pins of the lid can
`be seen at 44 and the rear pivot points of the stays are 45
`again referenced 42. The other part of the connector is
`incorporated in the edge of the display unit.
`The form taken by the multi-way connector 56 in the
`front edge of the hinge plate 58 is shown in FIGS. 12A
`and 12B. It comprises a series of circular castellations or 50
`spacers 66 of electrically insulating material carrying on
`their side surfaces circular contacts 68 which are re(cid:173)
`cessed inwardly of the outer edge plane or periphery of
`the connector. This can be seen both in the perspective
`view of FIG. 12A and in the side view of FIG. 12B. As 55
`indicated in FIG. 12C, a mating connector 70 is pro(cid:173)
`vided on the edge of the display unit 12, this connector
`also having contacts 72 recessed on its castellations or
`pins 74 inwardly of the peripheral plane of the connec(cid:173)
`tor.
`When the display unit is interconnected with the base
`unit, the connector 70 on the display unit 12 automati(cid:173)
`cally mates with the connector 56 to establish communi(cid:173)
`cation between the base unit and the display unit, which
`communication is maintained in all relative positions of 65
`the interconnected base and display units, as
`the
`contacts of the respective connectors rotate relative to
`one another with a self cleaning action.
`
`6
`More importantly, however, the recessing of the
`contacts of both connectors 56, 70 minimizes the risk of
`short-circuiting of contacts occurring when the display
`unit is separated from the base unit, for example due to
`5 laying the display unit down on a surface which is elec(cid:173)
`trically conductive, such as a wet surface.
`FIG. 13 shows details of a flap door construction
`which may be employed, for example, to cover the
`recess in which the above-described light pen is housed,
`but alternatively may be employed to cover access to an
`auxiliary socket on the computer base or lid.
`This flap door is made of plastics material, more espe-
`cially polypropylene, and has a part 76 provided with
`fixing points 78.at which it can be attached to the com(cid:173)
`puter case (base or lid), and a flap 80 connected to the
`part 76 by an integral hinge 82. The hinge 82 may be
`formed, as shown, by lines of weakening in the plastics
`material, between the part 76 and the flap 80.
`Most preferably, however, or additionally, the hinge
`82 is formed, during production of the flap door, by
`molecular orientation of the polypropylene molecules
`at least in the region of the hinge, in particular so that
`the long molecule chains lie perpendicular or at least
`substantially transverse to the axis about which the
`hinge is to be operable. The door is molded flat, and its
`natural tendency due to molecular orientation is to
`return to its flat state. Thus, when closed, the door tries
`to open to its open flat condition. However, the door
`flap 80 is provided at its outer edge with a pair of pips
`84 which deform to engage under the edge of the open(cid:173)
`ing in which the door is fitted, thereby to lock the door
`closed. The door can thus be released by pressing in(cid:173)
`wardly and downwardly on the door in the region of\
`the pips.
`Finally, FIG. 14 shows the computer case equipped
`with a soft cover 86. This is attached to the underside of
`the rear of the base 10 and is wrappable, as shown in the
`drawing, over the lid 12, and in particular over the
`display, to fasten, by means of a catch 88 along the front
`edge of said cover, to the front face of the closed com-
`puter case. The cover is important to protect the display
`screen, which may be of a fragile material such as glass.
`However, it is readily unwrapped .and folded to be out
`of the way behind and/or beneath the base of the com(cid:173)
`puter case when the computer is in use.
`Various modifications of the above described and
`illustrated arrangement are possible within the scope of
`the invention. Although not shown, the keyboard may
`alternatively be a computer peripheral or other piece of
`apparatus such as a CD-R om drive or DA T mechanism,
`which is revealed when the case is opened. Likewise in
`place of a light pen position sensing probe, an electro(cid:173)
`static or electromagnetic stylus may be employed in
`conjunction with a suitable grid of conductors associ(cid:173)
`ated with the screen display, or the display screen may
`be coated with a resistive film and a conductive probe
`employed; and the term light pen as used herein is to be
`construed to mean any position sensing probe.
`We claim:
`1. A computer comprising:
`a base having a front and a rear;
`a keyboard carried by the base;
`a lid having a front and a back and a closed position
`in which said lid covers the keyboard;
`a display means carried by the lid and having a view(cid:173)
`ing surface exposed in the closed position of the lid;
`and
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_12
`
`

`

`7
`mounting means movably mounting the lid to the
`base to enable movement of the lid into an open
`position, said mounting means comprising means
`by which the lid can be displaced rearwardly rela(cid:173)
`tive to the base and the back of the lid lifted so that 5
`in its open position the lid is disposed in an inclined
`position uncovering and to the rear of the keyboard
`with the viewing surface of the display means fac(cid:173)
`ing forwardly.
`2. A computer according to claim 1, wherein, in the 10
`open condition of the lid, the area occupied by the
`computer, when seen in plan view, is not to any substan(cid:173)
`tial extent greater than the plan area occupied by the
`closed case.
`3. A computer according to claim 1, wherein the 15
`connection between the lid and the base is a separable
`connection, whereby the lid can be detached from the
`base.
`4. A computer according to claim 3, in which com(cid:173)
`munication between the lid and the base is by means of 20
`a multi-way plug and socket adapted to be engaged or
`disengaged when the lid is fitted to or separated from
`the base.
`5. A computer according to claim 4, wherein, in both
`the plug and the socket, the electrical contacts are re- 25
`cessed behind the plane of the front face of said plug or
`socket through which the contacts are exposed.
`6. A computer according to claim 4, in which the
`plug and socket are able to rotate relative to one an(cid:173)
`other whilst maintaining cooperation between the 30
`contacts, thereby to maintain communication between
`the base and the lid when the lid is moved between its
`open and closed positions.
`7. A computer according to claim 1, having a flexible
`wrap-around cover secured to the rear underside of the 35
`base to be wrappable around the closed case so as to
`overlie the lid and being unwrappable and foldable to
`the underside of the case to enable the computer to be
`used.
`8. A computer according to claim 1 wherein the 40
`mounting means comprises, on each side of the case, a
`track on the base and a pin on the lid slidably cooperat(cid:173)
`ing with said track, whereby the front of the lid is
`guided for movement in the front to back direction of
`the base, and a hinged stay pivotally connected at one 45
`end to the base and at the other end to the lid, whereby
`the back of the lid is guided for upward and rearward
`movement relative to the base when the front of the lid
`is moved rearwardly.
`
`8
`9. A computer according to claim 8, in which the lid
`has a hinge pin detachably engaging with a socket at the
`adjacent end of the stay, and the front end of the track
`has a socket with which the pin on the lid detachably
`engages.
`10. A computer according to claim 1, wherein the
`mounting means comprises:
`track means by which the lid is displaceable rear(cid:173)
`wardly relative to the base; and
`lifting means by which the back of the lid is liftable
`relative to the base.
`11. A computer according to claim 10, wherein the
`lifting means is automatically operable when the lid is
`displaced rearwardly.
`12. A computer comprising a display incorporated in
`a lid, the display being incorporated such that the dis(cid:173)
`play is visible at an outer surface of the lid when the lid
`is closed against and covers a base for the computer, the
`lid being movably mounted on the base to open to a
`position in which the display on said outer surface is
`visible in an inclined plane sloping back upwardly from
`the base, the base and the lid including a connection
`comprising, on each side of the case, a track on the base
`and a pin on the lid slidably cooperating with said track,
`whereby the front of the lid is guided for movement in
`a front-to-back direction of the base, and further includ(cid:173)
`ing a hinged stay pivotally connected at one end to the
`base and at its other end to the lid, whereby the back of
`the lid is guided for upward and rearward movement
`relative to the base when the front of the lid is moved
`rearwardly.
`13. A portable computer comprising:
`a housing;
`a keyboard carried by said housing; and
`display means having a viewing surface and an op(cid:173)
`posing surface;
`means coupling said display means to said housing for
`enabling movement of the display means from a
`closed position in which the display means covers
`the keyboard with said opposing surface adjacent
`said keyboard and an open position in which the
`keyboard is uncovered and the display means is
`positioned rearwardly of the keyboard at a viewing
`angle;
`said coupling means comprising means for guiding
`the display means rearwardly of the housing and
`also tilting the display means relative to the hous(cid:173)
`ing.
`• • • • •
`
`5,267,123
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Kyocera PX 1019_13
`
`