Patent ID: 6353529
Filing Date: 2002-03-05
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A computer having a housing pivotally deployable by a user between a first, folded, closed configuration and at least a second, unfolded, deployed configuration for use on a support surface, comprising in operative combination:a) a base panel housing having a rear edge, a front edge, and including a keyboard; b) an intermediate panel housing having a lower edge and an upper edge; c) a display panel housing having a lower edge and including a flat panel display in at least one face thereof; d) at least one of said base panel housing, said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing includes a plurality of conventional computer components, component mountings and electrical interconnectors; e) a lower pivot assembly mounted to said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing, said lower pivot assembly having a lower hinge axis adjacent to each of said base panel housing rear edge and intermediate panel housing lower edge, to foldably connect said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing; f) an upper pivot assembly mounted to said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing, said upper pivot assembly having an upper hinge axis adjacent each of said intermediate panel housing upper edge and display panel housing lower edge, to foldably connect said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing; g) at least one electrical interconnector communicating between said panel housings adjacent said hinges, said at least one electrical interconnector functionally interconnecting selected ones of said plurality of computer components; h) in said unfolded, deployed configuration: (i) said base panel housing is supported upon said support surface; (ii) said intermediate panel housing is deployed above said base panel housing in a generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface; and (iii) said display panel housing is deployed above said intermediate panel housing in an generally upwardly directed angle with respect to said support surface wherein said flat panel display is viewable by said user; i) said base panel housing, said intermediate panel housing and said display panel housing fold to lie generally parallel and closely adjacent to one another in said a closed configuration; and j) in said closed configuration said display panel housing is disposed between said base panel housing and said intermediate panel housing.