Patent ID: 6064564
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A portable computer comprising:a base housing having a top side and a rear side, said top side including a wall structure;a display housing secured to a rear portion of said base housing for pivotal movement relative thereto between open and closed positions;a keyboard assembly having a generally plate-like support structure upon which a series of keys are operatively mounted; andcooperating, releasably interlockable structures on said base housing and said support structure for selectively holding said keyboard assembly on said top side of said base housing in:(1) an operating orientation in which said support structure extends along a portion of said top side of said base housing in a generally parallel relationship therewith, or(2) an access orientation in which said support structure upwardly extends generally transversely from said top side to expose said portion of said top side for base housing access purposes,said releasably interlockable structures including a projection formed on said support structure, and a slot structure formed on said wall structure of said base housing and being configured to releasably receive said projection,said slot structure having (1) a first portion extending through said wall structure generally parallel to said top side and useable to receive said projection when said keyboard assembly is in said operating orientation thereof, and (2) a second portion extending through said wall structure generally transversely to said top side and useable to receive said projection when said keyboard assembly is in said access orientation thereof.