llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllll
`USOO5196993A
`nu Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,196,993
`* Mar. 23, 1993
`
`4,624,434 11/1986 Lake, Jr. et a1. .................... 248/454
`4,683,465
`7/1987 Lake, Jr. et al.
`340/700
`4,749,364 6/1988 Arney et al.
`364/708 X
`4,926,365 5/1990 Hsieh ......
`364/708
`4,971,406 11/1990 Hanson . . .... .
`. .... 340/711
`4,978,949 12/1990 I-lerron et al.
`...................... 340/711
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3143932
`5/1983 Fed. Rep. of Germany ...... 358/254
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`
`
`IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Mar. 1987, vol. 29,
`No. 10, pp. 4273-4274, “Removable Liquid Crystal
`Display For a Personal Computer".
`Primary Examiner—Leo P. Picard
`A33[5;am Exam[ne,_.Michae1w_ phmgps
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—John J. McCoimack; Mark T.
`Starr
`}
`‘‘BSm‘‘Cr
`57]
`A portable computer having a base housmg and a re-
`movable display pivotably mounted thereon, the dis-
`play being removable from the base housing to be made
`free-standing on pivotable support feet, while having a
`removable electrical cable to the base housing.
`
`_
`United States Patent
`Herron et al.
`
`[19]
`
`[54] REMOVABLE STAND ALONE DISPLAY
`FOR L,A_pTop c0MpU'n;R
`
`[75]
`Inventors: Matthew A. Herron; Dennis J. Boyle,
`both of Menlo Park, Calif.
`[731 Assigneei Unisys Com, Dem“, Mich‘
`[ ‘ ] Notice:
`The portion of the term ofthis patent
`subsequent to Dec, 19, 2007 has been
`"‘S°“"‘“°d'
`
`_
`
`[62]
`
`[21] Appl‘ No’: 684’-755
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 15, 1991
`R 1
`.
`. A '
`‘
`e “ed U S
`_
`_
`.
`pphcamm Dam
`Division of Ser. No. 319,157, Mar. 6, 1989, Pat. No.
`5'028~°25'
`Int. Cl.5 .......................... HOSK 7/10; G06F 1/00
`[51]
`
`[52] U.S. Cl. .. . ..
`.... . .... .. . . . ... .. 361/393' 361/380;
`248/923’; 312/107
`[5s} Field of Search ................ 364/703; 243/454, 135,
`248/9l7, 918, 919, 921, 922, 923; 361/380, 392,
`393, 394, 395, 399; 312/107; 340/700, 711, 784
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,528,597 7/1985 Klein et al.
`
`......................... 358/254
`
`20 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`EXHIBIT
`Petitioner - Kyocera
`
`PX 1022
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`5,196,993
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_2
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 16
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`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_3
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`Kyocera PX 1022_3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_4
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`
`
` ' 7/ 7°
`§§A§
`
`4%
`
`
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_5
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_6
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`Kyocera PX 1022_6
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
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`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_7
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`Kyocera PX 1022_7
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`F/63//.
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_8
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 8 of 16
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`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_9
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`Kyocera PX 1022_9
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 9 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`In pm
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_10
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_10
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
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`5,196,993
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`.§v
`.1.
`[II
`
`II
`
`!
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`Kyocera PX 1022_11
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_11
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`3991392
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`Kyocera PX 1022_12
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_12
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`F16328.
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`Kyocera PX 1022_13
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mat. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
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`“°
`
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`‘
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`Kyocera PX 1022_14
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 14 of 16
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`5,196,993
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`Kyocera PX 1022_15
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`Kyocera PX 1022_15
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_16
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 23, 1993
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
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`5,196,993
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_1?
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`Kyocera PX 1022_17
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`

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`5,196,993
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`that is organized for utilization with the central process-
`ing unit while either directly connected thereto or de-
`tached and positioned remotely therefrom. The display
`assembly incorporates locking apparatus comprising
`lever-operated, cam-actuated locking members which,
`in one position, effectively and to the base, respectively,
`and wherein the torsion rod contains a torsional pre-
`stress effective to counterbalance the gravitational ef-
`fect of the pivotable member in its respective angular
`positions. A friction brake operates with the described
`organization to retain the housing in its respective angu-
`lar positions.
`Consequently, by equipping the display housing of a
`lap-top computer with the particular pivot control ap-
`paratus, the display housing can be maintained in any
`one of an unlimited number of angular positions within
`a prescribed range, thereby enabling the user to utilize
`the apparatus with the display disposed in any angular
`position. The user can thereby adjust the display in
`order to satisfy demands of comfort or, alternatively,
`the display can be adjusted to eliminate glare or other-
`wise compensate for prevailing light conditions in the
`computer’s locus of use. As a result of the latter capabil-
`ity, therefore, the light demands imposed on the com-
`puter are significantly reduced thereby permitting use
`in the display of a liquid crystal display medium which
`enhances the compactness of this overall housing as-
`sembly.
`For a better understanding of the invention, its oper-
`ating advantages and the specific objectives obtained by
`its use, reference should be made to the accompanying
`drawings and description which relate to a preferred
`embodiment thereof.
`
`REMOVABLE STAND ALONE DISPLAY FOR
`LAPTOP COMPUTER
`
`This is a division, of application Ser. No. 07/319157
`filed Mar. 6, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,025.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to personal computer
`apparatus. More particularly, the invention concerns
`portable computer apparatus of the type commonly
`termed, “lap-top” computers.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Lap-top computers are characterized by design de-
`mands that are unique as compared with personal or
`other computers of conventional design. Most impor-
`tantly, in addition to being durable, they must be of
`compact construction in order that they will be suffi-
`ciently small and of light weight to enable their being
`readily carried, held and manipulated for lap-top use.
`Also, due the portable nature of the apparatus, recogni-
`tion must be given to the fact that the computer will be
`employed in locations presenting diverse positional
`requirements and operational demands that must be
`accommodated. Furthermore, it is desirable that such
`apparatus be sufficiently versatile in design as to enable
`utilization also as a desk top apparatus. Consequently,
`the apparatus must be readily convertible from one
`form of apparatus to the other.
`The development of a computer apparatus capable of
`satisfying the above demands has been difficult
`to
`achieve, in part due to an inability to arrive at compact
`mechanism for enabling the graphics display housing to
`be adjustably positioned in various angularly spaced
`positions to an extent necessary to permit use of the
`apparatus in various locations and under diverse light-
`ing conditions. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,624,434
`and 4,683,465 granted on Nov. 25, 1986 and Jul. 28,
`1987, respectively, to delicate and exposed elements of
`the combination, i.e., the movable keys, is more prone
`to damage thereby rendering it undesirable to permit it
`to be frequently moved when the keys are exposed.
`It is to the amelioration of this problem therefore, to
`which the present invention is directed.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, there is provided a lap top computer
`apparatus the design of which incorporates features that
`are embodied int he following patent applications that
`are filed concurrently herewith and that are assigned to
`the assignee hereof‘. These applications include:
`Ser. No. 07/319,199 for “Display Fastening Rods”,
`now abandoned;
`Ser. No. 07/319,157 for “Torsion Bar and Band
`Brake”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,025;
`Ser. No. 07/319,156 for “Contact Strip-to-Flex Bush-
`ing Connector”, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,763;
`Ser. No. 07/319,179 for “Locking Arrangement for
`Battery Pack”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,465;
`Ser. No. 07/319,180 for “Three-Position Closure
`Panel”, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,889; and
`Ser. No. 07/319,200 for “Docking Module”; now
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,128.
`Accordingly, the present invention provides for a
`computer apparatus adapted for utility either as a porta-
`ble, lap-top apparatus or, alternatively, as a desk-top
`installation. The apparatus includes a display assembly
`
`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`65
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric representation of a personal
`computer apparatus incorporating the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is an isometric representation of the personal V
`computer apparatus of FIG. 1 in the closed condition;
`FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric representation of the
`personal computer apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating the
`principal subassemblies thereof;
`FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the computer
`chassis with the rear closure panel closed;
`FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view similar to FIG. 4 but
`showing the rear closure panel horizontal;
`FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric view of the computer
`display;
`FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the computer display
`with the back cover partially cut away;
`FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the
`display housing taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of the display housing;
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the
`display housing taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 3;
`FIG. 11 is a partial plan view of the display base and
`display housing with the backing covers removed;
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged isometric view of the circuit
`strip and connector employed in the computer display;
`FIG. 13 is a partial plan view of the circuit strip and
`connector of FIG. 12;
`FIG. 14 is a partial sectional elevational view of the
`circuit strip and connector taken along line 14-14 of
`FIG. 13;
`FIG. 15 is a partial sectional elevational view similar
`to FIG. 14 showing the condition of the circuit strip and
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_18
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_18
`
`

`
`5,196,993
`
`4
`pack 16 and the docking module 18 is detachable from
`the CPU 12in order to enhance the versatility of appli-
`cation of the computer apparatus 10.
`
`3
`connector with the display housing in the closed posi-
`tion;
`FIG. 16 is an isometric representation of the com-
`puter display in the detached, free-standing condition;
`FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the detached
`computer display;
`FIG. 18 is a front elevational view of the computer
`display base;
`FIG. 19 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of
`the computer display base taken along line 19—19 of 10
`FIG. 18;
`FIG. 20 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in
`section,
`illustrating the computer display mounting
`connection to the chassis;
`FIG. 21 is view taken along line 21--21 of FIG. 20;
`FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the battery pack;
`FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of the battery pack;
`FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the computer chas-
`SIS;
`FIG. 25 is an enlarged partial elevational view, partly
`in section, illustrating the battery pack latch mecha-
`msm;
`FIG. 26 is a partial top plan View of the latch mecha-
`nism of FIG. 25;
`FIG. 27 is an isometric view of the latch mechanism
`actuator slide;
`FIG. 28 is a partial rear elevational view of the com-
`puter apparatus with its rear end elevated;
`FIG. 29 is a partial side elevational view of the com-
`puter apparatus with its rear end elevated;
`FIG. 30 is a partial side sectional view of the rear side
`of the chassis and closure panel;
`FIG. 31 is a partial plan view taken along line 31-31
`of FIG. 30;
`FIG. 32 is a front elevational view of the docking
`module;
`FIG. 33 is a rear elevational view of the docking
`module;
`FIG. 34 is a plan view of the docking module with
`parts broken away to illustrate the toggle latching
`mechanisms;
`FIG. 35 is an exploded isometric view illustrating the
`principal components parts of a toggle latching mecha-
`nism utilized with the docking module of FIG. 32;
`FIG. 36 is a view taken along line 36-36 of FIG. 32
`illustrating one form of a docking module connector
`mounting;
`FIG. 37 is a view taken along line 37—37 of FIG. 32
`illustrating another form of docking module connector
`mounting; and
`FIGS. 38 to 41 are partial plan views of the docking
`module and computer chassis illustrating various stages
`of the mounting procedure.
`DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`Central Processing Unit (CPU)
`
`The CPU 12 comprises a metal casing structure form-
`ing a chassis or housing 20 containing a plurality of
`components, many of which are not germane to the
`present
`invention, as for example, data processing
`means, such as one or more microprocessor or mi-
`crocomputer chips; a small random access memory; and
`means for electrically connecting the various compo-
`nents of the computer. Electric power to the computer
`is derived from the battery pack 16 during the lap-top
`mode of operation, while, for operating during the desk-
`top mode, power can be input from a house source of
`electric power.
`The chassis 20 is formed of generally rectangularly
`positioned front and rear walls 22 and 24 and left and
`right side walls, 26 and 28, respectively, that extend
`between, and interconnect, a bottom wall 30 and a top
`wall 32. As shown best in FIG. 1, the top wall 32 has a
`stepped configuration containing a keyboard 34 in the
`forward portion thereof and mounting the display 14 at
`a slightly elevated position in the rearward portion. A
`disc access opening 36 is disposed in the right side wall
`28 with a depressible disc release actuator 38 conve-
`niently located adjacent thereto.
`The rear side wall 24 of the chassis 20 (FIG. 4) is
`provided with a pivotally mounted single pole power
`switch 40 located adjacent the left side wall 26. Adja-
`cent the switch 40 and closed by a closure cover 42 is a
`region 44 in which the connectors for various periph-
`eral equipment are contained. Such connectors include
`various female connectors, 46 through 54, having multi-
`ple prongs for connection with mating connectors of
`individual pieces of peripheral equipment, or with an
`assemblage of such connectors, such as contained in the
`docking module 18, discussed in detail hereinafter.
`The bottom surface 34 of the CPU 12 may be pro-
`vided with a plurality of resilient feet 229 to cushion
`engagement of the chassis 20 with a support surface
`when the battery pack 16 is removed.
`
`Display
`
`As is well known, the display 14 in such apparatus
`provides the output of computer graphics to the opera-
`tor. In the described organization the display 14 is of the
`liquid crystal-type being contained in a display housing
`60. The display housing 60 is connected to the rearward
`portion of the top wall 32 of the CPU 12 via a base or
`jamb 62 that is adapted for releasable attachment to the
`CPU.‘ The display housing 60 is connected to the base
`62 for pivotal movement between a position, shown in
`FIG. 2 as being essentially horizontal,
`in which the
`housing effectively covers and encloses, via a skirt 61,
`the computer top wall 32 in order to protect the key-
`board 34. From the horizontal attitude the housing 60 is
`pivotable to a maximum angularly extended position for
`graphics display, shown in FIG. 1 to be approximately
`135 degrees angularly displaced from the first position.
`Position control means, as described hereinafter, enable
`the display housing 60 to be retained in any angular
`position between the horizontal position and its maxi-
`mum extended position. Releasable latches 64, each
`having an associated actuator 66, are retained in the left
`and right side walls, 26 and 28, for releasably securing
`the display housing 60 in its closed position.
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_19
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`With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the
`drawings there is shown a computer apparatus 10 par-
`ticularly adapted for utilization alternately as a portable,
`so-called lap-top computer, or as a desk-top computer.
`The computer organization comprises four main sub-
`assemblies; namely a central processing unit (CPU) 12,
`a display 14, a battery pack 16 and a docking module 18.
`The display 14 is mounted for pivotal movement with
`respect to the CPU 12 and, as shown in FIG. 2, when
`closed forms part of the computer enclosure structure.
`As explained in greater detail hereinafter, each of the
`sub-assemblies,
`including the display 14,
`the battery
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`65
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`Kyocera PX 1022_19
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`5,196,993
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`6
`openings 98 and the aforementioned tool threadedly
`attached to the end of the respective fastening pins 94
`for their withdrawal from the openings in which they
`are disposed. Following withdrawal of the pins 94, the
`panels 68 and 70 can be manipulated with respect to
`each other thereby disengaging the lips 82 and 84 and
`permitting the panels to be separated.
`
`5
`With reference to FIG. 6 the display housing 60 com-
`prises an assembly of oppositely disposed metal panels
`formed of cast aluminum or magnesium-alloy and in-
`cluding front panel 68 and rear panel 70. Interposed
`between the panels 68 and 70 in sandwiched relation
`thereto, are a forwardly positioned liquid crystal dis-
`play (LCD) plate 72 and an electric luminescent panel
`74 therebehind. Surrounding the LCD plate 72 are
`rectangularly arranged printed circuit boards 76 that
`form part of the electrical connection between the CPU
`12 and the display 14. The sub-assembly consisting of
`the plate 72 and circuit boards 76 are resiliently cush-
`ioned by generally U-shaped shock mounts 78 disposed
`substantially at the intersecting comers of the sub-
`assembly and adapted to be received into seats 80 inte-
`grally formed on the interior surface of the front panel
`68
`
`The panels 68 and 70 that form the display housing 60
`are retained in assembled relation by a connection ar-
`rangement that comprises the interengagement of oppo-
`sitely directed lips 82 and 84 (FIG. 8) that extend along
`the longitudinal edges of the respective panels that form
`the upper or free side of the display 14. The connection
`arrangement further includes along each of the remain-
`ing three sides of the housing 60 the provision on the
`oppositely facing, interior surfaces of the front and rear
`panels 68 and 70 of alternately spaced projections 86
`containing longitudinal recesses 88. The projections 86
`on the rear panel 70 are integrally formed along the
`intumed panel edge 90 to face inwardly therefrom. The
`projections 86 on the front panel 68, however, are
`formed as part of an integrally formed strip 92 spaced
`inwardly from the panel edge and upstanding from the
`interior surface of the panel with the projections 86
`being disposed on the outwardly facing side of the strip.
`The projections 86 on the respective panels are on
`alternate spacing and organized to be mutually interfit-
`ting when the panels are brought together in assembled
`relation. The recesses 88 in the respective projections
`86, moreover, are so arranged as to be axially aligned
`upon assembly of the panels so as to form an elongated
`opening for reception of a straight, elongated fastening
`pin 94. The fastening pins 94 are of a diameter to be
`snugly received in the elongated opening formed by the
`aligned recesses 88. The pins 94, at their rear ends, are
`provided with threads 95 that permit them to be at-
`tached to a tool (not shown) by which they can be
`rotated as they are inserted into their associated elon-
`gated opening. Rotating the pins in this manner facili-
`tates their insertion and extension along the elongated
`openings. To further facilitate passage of the pins 94
`through these openings their leading ends may be
`pointed as shown at 97 in FIG. 9.
`In order to improve the appearance of the assembly
`about the locus of the terminal end of each pin 94 a
`closure plug 96 may be installed to cover the threaded
`end of each pin 94 by resilient engagement with the wall
`of a counterbore 98 formed in the panels. The plugs 96
`are each sized to substantially fill the respective coun-
`terbores 98 and are located at the bottom ends of the
`respective side edges of the display housing 60 and at
`one end along the bottom or pivot side of the housing.
`These openings 98, as shown, are formed by semi-cylin-
`drical segments in the respective panels 68 and 70 and
`are completed when the panels are brought together
`upon assembly.
`When it is desired to disassemble the housing 60, the
`closure plugs 96 are first removed from the respective
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`Display Position Control
`
`The display housing 60 is joumalled for pivotal
`movement in the base or jamb 62, the latter being com-
`prised of a metal casting containing integrally formed
`journals 100 and 102 (FIG. 11) disposed at opposite
`ends thereof and a cast metal cover 63 (not shown in
`FIG. 11) that closes the casting. In the journal 100 a
`pivot shaft 104, that is fixedly secured to the display
`housing 60 and that extends from one lateral end
`thereof, serves as the pivot axle. This shaft 104 possesses
`the supplemental function of guidingly attaching a flexi-
`ble circuit strip 106 that provides the electrical connec-
`tion between the CPU 12 and the display 14, the details
`of which attachment are described hereinafter. At its
`other end the housing 60 of display 14 is pivoted in the
`journal 102 by means of a pivot sleeve 108 which forms
`part of an apparatus, indicated generally as 109, for
`controlling the angular position of the display housing
`60 with respect to the base 62. This position control
`apparatus 109 comprises an elongated cylindrical rod
`110 formed of spring steel extending end-to-end be-
`tween the lateral sides of the display assembly and re-
`ceived in a receptacle 112 formed in the display housing
`panel 68 adjacent the fastening pin 94 that secures the
`bottom edges of the housing panels 68 and 70. At one
`end the rod 110 contains a substantially perpendicular
`offset portion 114 that is received in a receptacle 116
`formed by spaced projections cast along the side por-
`tion of the front panel 68. At its other end the rod 110
`contains a substantially perpendicular offset portion 120
`that, as shown in FIG. 6, is angularly offset about 80°
`with respect to the offset portion 114. The offset portion
`120 is adapted to be received in a receptacle 122 (FIG.
`11) formed in the base 62 by cast projections. It will be
`appreciated that the respective offset end portions 114
`and 120 of the rod 110 serve to anchor opposite ends of
`the rod to the display housing 60 and base 62, respec-
`tively, so that the rod incurs torsional stressing during
`pivoting of the display housing with respect to the base.
`The rod 110 is designed to contain a torsional pre-
`stress selected such that it is essentially zero psi when
`the display housing 60 is disposed about 10‘ beyond its
`vertical position with respect to the upper surface 32 of
`the CPU 12. When the display housing 60 is angularly
`displaced on opposite sides forwardly or rearwardly of
`this position, the torsional stress developed in the rod
`110 in one direction or the other serves to counteract
`the gravitational effect of the display so as to reduce its
`efiective weight. This facilitates manual movement of
`the display 14, and also reduces the amount of braking
`force required to retain the display in its respective
`angular positions as hereinafter described. Moreover,
`by disposing the position of zero prestress slightly be-
`yond the vertical position of the housing, the stress
`profile is such that, when the latches 64 are actuated to
`release the housing 60 from the sides of the chassis 20,
`the housing will automatically spring to a slightly raised
`position above the upper surface of the chassis. This
`facilitates its being manually gripped for further manip-
`ulation.
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_20
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_20
`
`

`
`7
`As shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rod 110 telescop-
`ically receives the pivot sleeve 108 about the offset
`portion 120. The pivot sleeve 108, when assembled on
`the rod 110 extends beyond the end of the display pan-
`els, 68 and 70, and is received in the journal 122 pro-
`vided in the casting forming the base 62, wherein it is
`anchored in place by the assembly of the cover 63 and
`whereby it forms the other display pivot axle.
`Retention of the display housing 60 in its various
`angular positions is effected by a band brake 130. The
`band brake 130 is formed of resilient material, such as
`spring steel, and has a portion 132 formed as a segment
`of a cylinder that surrounds the pivot sleeve 108 about
`three-fourths of the way around its circumference. The
`brake 130 has divergent ends 134 that extend from the
`cylindrical portion 132 and, when constricted upon
`assembly of the display panels 68 and 70, cause the
`cylindrical portion to frictionally engage the pivot
`sleeve 108.
`The friction retention force generated by the band
`brake 130 is effective to retain the display 60 in any
`angular position between its initial, slightly raised, un-
`latched position and its maximum full open position,
`thereby to enable adjustment of the display in any angu-
`lar position between these positions. The display is held
`in its various angular positions principally by the fric-
`tion force developed by the cylindrical portion 132 of
`the band brake 130 on the pivot sleeve 108. The torsion
`rod 110, besides being useful in reducing the gravita-
`tional effects of the display 14 and thereby the amount
`of effort required to move it, interacts with the band
`brake 130 to reduce significantly the amount of friction
`force necessary to be generated by the hand brake for
`retaining the display. Therefore, the size of the respec-
`tive elements required to retain the display is minimized
`such that the display housing structure required for
`their containment is small.
`
`Circuit Strip Connector
`The electrical interconnection between the CPU 12
`and the display 14 is effected by a flat, flexible plastic
`circuit strip 106, of generally known construction, in
`which a plurality of electrical conductors are embed-
`ded. As shown in FIG. 11, the circuit strip 106 has one
`terminal end electrically connected to a multi-pronged
`terminal plug 138 centrally disposed in the base 62 of
`the display 14. The plug 138 is adapted for connection
`in a mating plug (not shown) that is accessible through
`opening 140 in the upper wall 32 of the CPU 12 which
`is closed by depressible, spring-biased closure covers
`142. At its other terminal end the strip 106 is adapted for
`connection to one or more of the printed circuit boards
`76.
`As shown, the strip 106 contains a pair of parallel leg
`portions 142 and 144 and a nexus portion 146. One leg
`portion 144 extends to the nexus portion 146 from the
`terminal plug 138 and is fixedly secured in a track 148
`formed in the base casting upon assembly of the base 62.
`The other leg portion 142 extends to the nexus portion
`146 of the strip from that terminal end which is con-
`nected to the circuit board 76. The leg portion 142 is
`fixedly secured between the panels 68 and 70 that form
`the display housing 60 and is adapted to undergo move-
`ment with the housing when it is pivoted about the base
`62.
`In order to retain the circuit strip 106 such that its
`respective leg portions 142 and 144 can remain fixedly
`anchored, the former in the stationary base 62 and the
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`5,196,993
`
`8
`latter in the display 14 that undergoes pivotal move-
`ment with respect to the base 62, there is provided a flex
`bushing 150 that defines the pivot shaft 104. The flex
`bushing 150 has a body having a generally cylindrical
`section 152 and a generally rectangular sided anchor
`section 154 separated by an enlarged diameter flange
`156. The bushing 1_50 is retained between the display
`housing panels 68 and 70 with the anchor section 154
`being seated in a cast receptacle in the panels so that the
`bushing remains stationary with respect to the display
`housing 60 for angular movement therewith. The cylin-
`drical section 152 of the bushing body extends from an
`opening in the housing and is mounted for pivotal
`movement in the journal 100 formed in the casting de-
`fining the display base 62. This opening is effectively
`closed by the close proximity of the flange 156 on the
`bushing body to the opening. It will be appreciated that
`the bushing body thus forms the other pivot axle for the
`display 14.
`As shown in FIG. 12, the body of bushing 150 ex-
`tends in a direction transversely of the nexus portion
`146 of the circuit strip 136, thus to grasp the strip 136
`substantially along the longitudinal axis of the leg por-
`tion 142. Grasping of the strip 106 in this manner is
`effected by the fact that the bushing body contains a
`longitudinal slot 157 produced by the body’s being fab-
`ricated in half sections that are joined by a flexible con-
`nector strip 158 that permits the sections to be folded
`upon each other. As a result of this construction, there-
`fore, the attached portion of the strip 106 is retained on
`the bushing 150 by being sandwiched between the re-
`spective half sections. The cylindrical section 152 of the
`body is formed as a recess that is shouldered at each
`end, as shown at 160, within which recess the exposed
`part of the nexus portion 146 of the circuit strip 106 is
`wound as the bushing rotates in journal 100 upon piv-
`otal movement of the display 14.
`The action of the strip 106 formed by the nexus por-
`tion I4-6 is best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, wherein
`it is evident that sufficient slack is made available in the
`strip to create an undulation or wave of sufficient longi-
`tudinal extent to permit the bushing body 150 to un-
`dergo about l35° of rotation in the journal 100 without
`applying undue tension to the strip material.
`,
`As is evident from observation of the drawing fig-
`ures, as the bushing body 150 rotates with pivotal move-
`ment of the display 14, the material forming the nexus
`portion 146 of the circuit strip 106 winds upon the re-
`duced diameter portion 152 of the bushing and is con-
`fined thereto by the shoulders 160 formed at the respec-
`tive ends of the recess. By means of this construction
`the strip material is caused to undergo controlled move-
`ment as the display 14 moves with respect to the base
`62, thereby preventing the creation of snarls in the strip
`that might create damage or breakage thereof or might,
`otherwise, cause a system malfunction.
`
`Removable Display
`
`In order to impart further versatility to the described
`computer apparatus, particularly when it is in a desk-
`top operational mode, the display 14,
`including the
`housing 60 and base 62, can be completely detached
`from the CPU chassis 20 and made to be independently
`standing. This desirable feature is obtained by the provi-
`sion, on the underside of the base 62 adjacent opposite
`ends thereof, of locking cams 162 fixedly attached to
`operating levers 164. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the
`organization is such that, when the display 14 is de-
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_21
`
`Kyocera PX 1022_21
`
`

`
`9
`tached from the CPU 12, the operating levers 164 of the
`locking cams 162 advantageously serve as support legs
`for the free standing assembly and the locking cams 162
`serve as support feet to raise the front end of the assem-
`bly with respect to its back end. In this way a greater
`degree of inclination can be imparted to the display
`housing 60, to both enhance viewing of the projected
`graphics and to improve stability of the free standing
`structure by moving its center of gravity rearwardly.
`The structural organization by which these features
`are obtained is described in connection with FIGS. 11
`and 18 through 20. FIGS. 11 and 18 depict a plan view
`and a rear view, respectively, of the base 62 on which
`the locking ca.ms 162 are mounted. As shown, the cams
`162 comprise bodies having parallel, somewhat elon-
`gated, linear sides 166 and rounded, generally circular
`ends 168. The cam bodies are integrally formed on one
`end of the respective levers 164, with the assembly
`being connected for pivotal movement via a spring-
`biased fastener 163 to the casting forming the base 62.
`When the levers 164 are in their extended positions, and
`normal to the longitudinal axis of the base 62, the sides
`166 of the cams 162 are caused to be aligned with the
`base axis. From this position, the levers 164 are rotat-
`able 90° to be received in openings 169 formed in the
`base 62, whereupon the sides 166 of the cams 162 are
`made to be disposed perpendicular to the base axis, thus
`to effect a l