Patent ID: 6108196
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: E05B,E05C,G06F,Y10T

Abstract:
A locking mechanism of a portable computer, comprising:the portable computer having a base panel supporting a keyboard and a display panel pivotally mounted on said base panel accommodating movement between the open position when the portable computer is open, and the closed position when said display panel is rotated to cover the keyboard;a latch installed in said display panel of the portable computer accommodating movement between a latched position and a released position;a slide knob operatively connected to said latch, permitting a user to move the latch between the latched position engaging a corresponding latch groove formed on said base panel to enable said display panel to be secured in the closed position, and the released position accommodating disengagement from the corresponding latch groove of said base panel to enable said display panel to be moved into the open position; andan ejection unit installed in said base panel elastically pushing said latch away from said base panel to cover the corresponding latch groove of said base panel but not protruding above said base panel when said latch is moved from the latched position to the released position, and elastically pushing said latch to secure said latch in the latched position after said latch is moved from the released position to the latched position, an upper surface of said ejector unit being in contact with a lower surface of said latch when the portable computer is closed.