Vertical docking and positioning apparatus for a portable computer

{
  "publication_number": "US6256193B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Vertical docking and positioning apparatus for a portable computer",
  "abstract": "A positioning device for supporting a portable computer that includes a base member for placing on a horizontal surface, a support plate for supporting the portable computer at an inclined position relative to the base member, a hinge that rotatably connects the base member to the support plate so that the support plate can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base member, and a lock mechanism for selectively fixing the angular position between the base member and the support plate. The portable computer, which includes a base housing having a front and rear end, a flat panel display rotatably attached to the rear end of the base housing, and a keyboard attached to a top surface of the base housing, can be supported in an inclined position directly by a support member that is rotatably attached to the front end of the base housing so that the support member can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base housing, where a lock mechanism selectively fixes the angular position between the support member and the base housing so that the support member supports the base housing at an inclined position.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A positioning device for supporting a portable computer, comprising: a base member for placing on a horizontal surface; a support plate for supporting the portable computer at an inclined position relative to the base member; a hinge that rotatably connects the base member to the support plate so that the support plate can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base member; a lock mechanism for selectively fixing the angular position between the base member and the support plate; and a cooling channel formed in the support plate, wherein when the support plate is fixed at an inclined position and the portable computer is placed on the support plate, air flows between the support plate and the portable computer through the cooling channel.",
    "2. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein the support plate further includes a fan that circulates air through the cooling channel.",
    "3. The positioning device of claim 1, wherein: the hinge system includes: base hinge protrusions formed in the base member and having an axle hole therethrough; support hinge protrusions formed in the support plate and having an axle hole therethrough; and an axle extending through the axle holes in the base member and support plate, the axle having a threaded end that engages threads formed in one of the base hinge and support hinge protrusions; wherein the lock mechanism includes: an adjustment knob attached to the axle for rotating the axle to selectively increase a compressive force between the base hinge protrusions and the support hinge protrusions.",
    "4. A positioning device for supporting a portable computer, comprising: a base member for placing on a horizontal surface; a support plate for supporting the portable computer at an inclined position relative to the base member; a hinge that rotatably connects the base member to the support plate so that the support plate can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base member; a lock mechanism for selectively fixing the angular position between the base member and the support plate; and a hollow housing attached to the support plate to form an enclosure that defines an open ended storage slot for receiving the portable computer.",
    "5. The positioning device of claim 4, wherein at least one cooling aperture is formed in the hollow housing.",
    "6. The positioning device of claim 4, further comprising: a first electrical connector attached to the enclosure to engage with an input/output connector of the portable computer when the portable computer is placed in the enclosure; and a second electrical connector attached to the base member; wherein the first and second connectors are electrically connected to each other.",
    "7. A positioning device for supporting a portable computer, comprising: a base member for placing on a horizontal surface; a support plate for supporting the portable computer at an inclined position relative to the base member; a hinge that rotatably connects the base member to the support plate so that the support plate can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base member; a lock mechanism for selectively fixing the angular position between the base member and the support plate; a second base member; and a support member attached between the first and second base members, the support member supporting the first base member above the second base member to form an open space therebetween.",
    "8. A portable computer, comprising: a base housing having a front and rear end; a flat panel display rotatably attached to the rear end of the base housing; a keyboard attached to a top surface of the base housing; a support member rotatably attached to the front end of the base housing so that the support member can be rotated between multiple angular positions relative to the base housing; and a lock mechanism for selectively fixing the angular position between the support member and the base housing so that the support member supports the base housing at an inclined position.",
    "9. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the support member is a flat plate.",
    "10. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein the support member is a U-shaped bar.",
    "11. The portable computer of claim 8, wherein: the base housing includes a first keyboard electrical connector; the keyboard is removably attached to the top surface of the base housing, the keyboard including a second keyboard electrical connector that mates with the first keyboard electrical connector when the keyboard is mounted to the base housing.",
    "12. The portable computer of claim 11, further comprising: a keyboard case with a third keyboard electrical connector; and a cable for transferring signals from the third keyboard electrical connector to the portable computer; wherein when the keyboard is placed onto the keyboard case, the second and third keyboard connectors mate together."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/101,424, filed Sep. 22, 1998, and entitled Vertical Positioning Apparatus For A Portable Computer.\n\nThis invention relates to the field of portable computers, and to devices that are used in conjunction with portable computers such as mounts and docks. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a portable computer in an inclined configuration for purposes of adjustably raising the height of the display and for cooling the computer.\n\nDefinitions\n\nThe term portable computer includes laptops and notebook computers, and some Personal Digital Assistants. Typically, these computers have a flat-panel display connected to a base by a hinge. The display is shut for transport or storage, and rotated open for use. The base may contain an integral or removable keyboard on the top surface, electronic components, printed-circuit boards, storage media, batteries, and other components. A portable computer may also feature other user-interface systems, such as a pen-based interface as in a tablet configuration, instead of, or in addition to, a keyboard.\n\nA subnotebook computer is defined as a portable computer that is de-featured to make it substantially smaller in some dimension, usually in thickness. This smaller size makes it more convenient to transport. Typically, subnotebooks do not contain a removable media drive such as a floppy drive, or other components that are less frequently used.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 1/1616",
    "A47B 2023/049",
    "A47B 23/042",
    "A47B 23/043",
    "G06F 1/1632",
    "G06F 1/166",
    "G06F 1/1669",
    "G06F 1/203",
    "Y10S 248/922"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A47B 23/04",
    "G06F 1/16",
    "G06F 1/20"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Speck Product Design Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Craig M. Janik",
    "Tony Lillios",
    "Garth Morgan",
    "Matthew Rohrbach"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1999-09-21",
  "publication_date": "2001-07-03",
  "grant_date": "2001-07-03",
  "priority_date": "1998-09-22",
  "application_number": "US-40079599-A",
  "family_id": "26798242",
  "cited_by_count": 227,
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}