Abstract:
A touch pad apparatus for a portable computer is provided. The touch pad apparatus includes a keyboard deck with a pad vent hole formed therethrough, a touch pad exposed through the pad vent hole, the touch pad receiving a signal from a user, a shield plate fastened to a bottom surface of the keyboard deck thus fixing the touch pad to the keyboard deck, the shield plate having a vent hole configured to be positioned beneath the touch pad, and a pad substrate fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck, the pad substrate having a vent hole configured to be positioned beneath the touch pad and being provided with an element for operating the touch pad. Since the touch pad apparatus for the portable computer is light, slim, simple, and compact, it is possible to minimize a space for installation and to diversify functions of the portable computer. It is also easy to install the touch pad apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly, to a touch pad apparatus for use as an input device in a portable computer 
   2. Background of the Related Art 
   A touch pad apparatus or a pointing stick is used as a pointing device which may be used instead of a mouse when a portable computer, such as a notebook computer, is transported.  FIG. 1  shows a portable computer which is provided with a conventional touch pad apparatus. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a related portable computer generally comprises a main body  1  and a display  3 . The display  3  is connected to both rear side edges of the main body  1  by hinges  5 . Thus, the display  3  may be seated on an upper surface of the main body  1  or unfolded at a predetermined angle, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The display  3  is provided with a display screen  3 ,′ such as a liquid crystal display panel. 
   The upper surface of the main body  1  is defined by a keydeck  7 . A plurality of keys  8  are arranged in the keydeck  7 . A plurality of the keys  8  are arranged in several rows on the upper surface of the main body  1 . A front end of an upper surface of the keydeck  7  defines an armrest  9  on which user&#39;s hands are seated when the user types with the keys  8 . A touch pad apparatus  10  is provided at a center of the armrest  9 . 
     FIG. 1A  is a detailed view of a portion of the related art portable computer of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the keydeck  7  is provided with a pad vent hole  11  and a button vent hole  12 . The pad vent hole  11  is substantially in the shape of a quadrangle. The button vent hole  12  is formed in the keydeck  7  in front of the pad vent hole  11 . 
   A touch pad  13  is seated in the pad vent hole  11  from below the keydeck  7 . The touch pad  13  receives information regarding position, to which a user wishes to point, by sensing a touch of a user&#39;s finger. The touch pad  13  is provided with a cable  14  and a connector  15  in order to be electrically connected to other devices. 
   A touch pad housing  16  is provided in order to fix the touch pad  13  to the keydeck  7 . The touch pad housing  16  is formed with a seating step  16 ′, in which an edge of a lower surface of the touch pad  13  is seated. 
   The touch pad housing  16  is provided with fastening bosses  17  for mounting the touch pad housing  16  to the keydeck  7 . Each of the fastening bosses  17  is formed with a fastening hole  17   h  through which a screw for fastening the touch pad housing  16  to the keydeck  7  passes. 
   A button  18  is provided at a position corresponding to the button vent hole  12  in a front end of the touch pad housing  16 . The button  18  serves to select the position information input through the touch pad  13 . A pad substrate  19  is provided with a variety of parts for operating the touch pad  13 , such as a switch  19 ′ and the like driven by the button  18 . 
   However, the aforementioned related art portable computer has at least the following problems. 
   First, the touch pad housing  16  must be used in order to fasten the touch pad  13  to the keydeck  7  and position it in the pad vent hole  11 . In addition, the pad substrate  19  additionally must be mounted under the touch pad housing  16 . Thus, there is the problem that the main body  1  is relatively thick at a portion at which the touch pad  13  is provided. That is, a relatively large space for installing the touch pad apparatus  10  is required. 
   Further, if the touch pad apparatus  10  is installed within the front end of the main body  1 , the inner space of the portable computer is small. Thus, there is the problem that parts for adding additional functions cannot be installed therein. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter. 
   In order to achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a touch pad apparatus for a portable computer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes a keyboard deck with a pad vent hole formed therethrough, a touch pad exposed through the pad vent hole, the touch pad receiving a signal from a user, a shield plate fastened to a bottom surface of the keyboard deck thus fixing the touch pad to the keyboard deck, the shield plate having a vent hole configured to be positioned beneath the touch pad, and a pad substrate fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck, the pad substrate having a vent hole configured to be positioned beneath the touch pad and being provided with an element for operating the touch pad. 
   To further achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a touch pad apparatus for a portable computer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes a keyboard deck with a pad vent hole formed therethrough, a touch pad exposed through the pad vent hole, the touch pad receiving a signal from a user, a shield plate fastened to a bottom surface of the keyboard deck thus fixing the touch pad to the keyboard deck, and a pad substrate fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck, the pad substrate having a receiver for receiving a signal for remote control and being provided with an element for operating the touch pad. 
   To further to achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a portable computer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes a main body having an external appearance defined by a keyboard deck and a bottom case, wherein a pad vent hole is formed through the keyboard deck and wherein the bottom case has a front surface in which a receiving window is formed, a touch pad exposed above the keyboard deck through the pad vent hole and configured to receive a signal from a user, a shield plate configured to be fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck thus fixing the touch pad to be exposed through the pad vent hole, and a pad substrate fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck, the pad substrate being provided with an element for operating the touch pad and a receiver for receiving a signal for remote control at a position corresponding to the receiving window. 
   To further achieve at least the above objects, in whole or in part, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a portable computer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention that includes a main body having an external appearance defined by a keyboard deck and a bottom case, wherein a button vent hole is formed through the keyboard deck and wherein the bottom case has a front surface in which a receiving window is formed, a button exposed through the button vent hole and configured to receive a signal from a user, and a pad substrate fastened to a bottom surface of the keyboard deck thus fixing the button leg of the button to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck, the pad substrate being provided with a receiver for receiving a signal for remote control at a position corresponding to the receiving window. 
   Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained as particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a related art portable computer; 
       FIG. 1A  is a detailed view of a portion of the related art portable computer of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch pad apparatus for a portable computer according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic partial perspective view of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic bottom view of a keyboard deck of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic bottom view of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Now, a touch pad apparatus for a portable computer in accordance with embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals have been used to designate like elements. 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch pad apparatus for a portable computer according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 3  is a schematic partial perspective view of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic bottom view of a keyboard deck of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is a schematic bottom view of the touch pad apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2-5 , a keyboard deck  30  defines an external appearance of an upper surface of a main body of a portable computer. A pad vent hole  31  may be formed through the keyboard deck  30  near a center of a front end thereof. The pad vent hole  31  may be in the shape of a rectangle. A button vent hole  32  may be formed through the keyboard deck  30  in front of the pad vent hole  31 . 
   A pad seating step  33  may be formed on a bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  corresponding to an edge of the pad vent hole  31 . The pad seating step  33  may be formed so that an edge of the pad vent hole  31  is surrounded with a wall having a predetermined height. Catching protrusions  34  may be formed along an outside of the pad seating step  33 . The catching protrusions  34  are portions on which a shield plate  50  may be caught. For example, in this embodiment, seven catching protrusions  34  are formed. A catching jaw may be provided on a distal end of each catching protrusion  34 . In this embodiment, the catching jaw is provided opposite to the button vent hole  32 . Some of the catching protrusions  34  may be formed on a wall defining the pad seating step  33  adjacent to the button vent hole  32 . 
   The bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  may be provided with guide ribs  35 . The guide ribs  35  serve to guide an installation position of the shield plate  50 , which will be described below. In this embodiment, the guide ribs  35  protrude in a long hexahedral shape. 
   The bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  may include a plurality of plate fastening bosses  36 . The plate fastening bosses  36  are portions to which the shield plate  50  is fastened, for example, by screws. The plate fastening bosses  36  may be provided along a front end of the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  and along portions where a keyboard is arranged. The plate fastening bosses  36 , which may protrude below the keyboard deck  30 , may protrude further than other ribs or protrusions. Further, the plate fastening bosses  36  may be provided with fastening holes for fastening, for example, screws. 
   Substrate fastening bosses  37  may be provided on a bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  corresponding to edges of the pad vent hole  31  and the button vent hole  32 . The substrate fastening bosses  37  may also be provided with fastening holes for fastening, for example, screws. In this embodiment, the substrate fastening bosses  37  are formed at both ends of a side of the button vent hole  31 . That is, apart outward from the respective catching protrusions  34  by a predetermined distance, and at a position near the button vent hole  32  corresponding to a center of a front end of the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 . 
   Composite fastening bosses  38  may be formed on the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  at positions corresponding to both side ends of the button vent hole  32 . The composite fastening bosses  38  are portions to which the shield plate  50  and a pad substrate  70  may be simultaneously fastened by, for example, screws. In this embodiment, two composite fastening bosses  38  are formed at each of both side ends of the button vent hole  32 , that is, four composite fastening bosses  38  are provided. 
   Button ribs  39  may be formed on the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  at positions corresponding to an edge of the button vent hole  32 . The button ribs  39  guide an installation position of a button  60 , which will be described below, and cause the button  60  to be temporarily assembled. In this embodiment, a pair of the button ribs  39  are provided at each of three portions of the edge of the button vent hole  32  except for a portion adjacent to the pad vent hole  31 . In this embodiment, each of the button ribs  39  is in the shape of a circular cylinder; however, other shapes may also be appropriate. 
   A guide boss  39 ′ may be provided at a position adjacent to each of the catching protrusions  34  provided at both side ends of the pad vent hole  31 . The guide bosses  39 ′ may protrude relatively more than the catching protrusions  34  and serve to simultaneously guide the seating of the shield plate  50  and the pad substrate  70  on the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 . 
   An edge of a touch pad  40  may be seated in the pad seating step  33 , so that the touch pad  40  is exposed above the keyboard deck  30  through the pad vent hole  31 . With the touch pad  40  seated in the pad seating step  33 , at least the edge of the touch pad  40  may be formed so as to protrude flush with the wall defined around the pad seating step  33 . The touch pad  40  receives necessary information by allowing a user&#39;s finger to touch a surface of the touch pad  40  and move. 
   The shield plate  50  serves to fix the touch pad  40  and simultaneously provide ground and prevent leakage of electromagnetic waves. The shield plate  50  may be manufactured, for example, by pressing a metal plate. The shield plate  50  may be formed with a vent hole portion  51 . The vent hole portion  51  may be formed at a position corresponding to the installation position of the touch pad  40 . An area of the vent hole portion  51  may be smaller than that of the touch pad  40 . 
   An edge of the vent hole portion  51  may be formed in a step shape so as to push an edge of a bottom surface of the touch pad  40 . Thus, if the shield plate  50  is fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 , the touch pad  40  is pushed by the shield plate  50  and does not float inadvertently. 
   The shield plate  50  may be formed with catching holes  52 . The catching holes  52  may be formed in a portion of the edge of the vent hole portion  51 , for example, at positions corresponding to the catching protrusions  34 . The catching protrusions  34  formed between the button vent hole  32  and the pad vent hole  31  are caught to a portion of an edge of the shield plate  50  corresponding to a portion of the edge of the vent hole portion  51  of the shield plate  50 . The catching hole  52  may have a cross sectional area relatively larger than that of the catching protrusion  34 . 
   The shield plate  50  may be provided with a ground piece  53  which extends to an inside of the vent hole portion  51 . The ground piece  53  may be electrically connected to a ground of the touch pad  40 . The ground piece  53  may be configured to be somewhat elastically deformed when coming into contact with the touch pad  40 . 
   The shield plate  50  may be formed with a plurality of guide slits  54 . The guide slits  54  may be formed in shapes and at positions corresponding to the guide ribs  35  of the keyboard deck  30 . The guide slits  54  and the guide ribs  35  serve to guide an installation position of the shield plate  50 . 
   Composite guide holes  55  may be formed through the shield plate  50  at both side ends of the vent hole portion  51 . Some of the catching protrusions  34  may be caught in the composite guide holes  55 , and the guide bosses  39 ′ pass through the composite guide holes  55 . 
   Fastening legs  57  may be formed around the edge of the shield plate  50 . Each of the fastening legs  57 , which may be formed, for example, by bending a portion of the shield plate  50  several times, may be provided with a fastening hole  57 ′. The fastening legs  57  may be formed at positions corresponding to the plate fastening bosses  36 . 
   The shield plate  50  may include composite fastening pieces  58  corresponding to the composite fastening bosses  38 . Fastening holes, through which screws for fastening the composite fastening bosses  38  may pass, may be formed through the respective composite fastening pieces  58 . 
   The button  60 , which a user presses in order for necessary information to be input, may be partially exposed outside through the button vent hole  32 . The button  60  may be provided with button bodies  62  exposed above an upper surface of the keyboard deck  30  through the button vent hole  32 . Two button bodies  62  are provided in this embodiment. 
   The button bodies  62  may be provided with a plurality of button legs  64 . The button legs  64 , which may be seated on the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 , may be configured to be elastically deformed by a user pushing the button bodies  62 . Guide holes  65  may be formed through the respective button legs  64 . The button ribs  39  are inserted into the guide holes  65 , so that the installation position of the button  60  is guided. In this embodiment, a pair of the guide holes  65  are formed through each of the button legs  64 . Pushed ribs  67  may be provided around edges of the respective guide holes  65 . The pushed ribs  67 , each of which may be formed in an annular shape, extend from the button legs  64 . The button legs  64  may be fixed to the button ribs  39  by the pad substrate  70 . 
   The pad substrate  70  is a portion in which a variety of parts of the touch pad apparatus are provided. The pad substrate  70  may be formed with a vent hole portion  71  corresponding to the vent hole portion  51  of the shield plate  50 . A plurality of fastening holes  73  may be formed through the pad substrate  70 . The fastening holes  73  may be formed at positions corresponding to the substrate fastening bosses  37  and the composite fastening bosses  38 . In this embodiment, the fastening holes  73  and guide holes  74 , which will be described below, are formed along an edge of the pad substrate  70 . Screws may be fastened to the substrate fastening bosses  37  and the composite fastening bosses  38  through the fastening holes  73 . 
   The guide holes  74  may be formed through the pad substrate  70  at positions corresponding to the guide bosses  39 ′. Distal ends of the guide bosses  39 ′ may be seated in the guide holes  74 , so as to guide an installation position of the pad substrate  70 . 
   A plurality of protruding holes  75  may be formed through the pad substrate  70 . The protruding holes  75  serve to prevent the catching protrusions  34  from interfering with the pad substrate  70 . That is, when the pad substrate  70  is fastened to the keyboard deck  30 , the pad substrate  70  does not come into close contact with the catching protrusions  34 . 
   The pad substrate  70  may be provided with a receiver  77 . The receiver  77  is a portion which receives signals for remote control. The receiver  77  may be mounted on the pad substrate  70  in a position corresponding to a front end of the keyboard deck  30 . According to dimensions of a portable computer, for example, in a case where the pad substrate  70  is positioned considerably apart from the front end of the keyboard deck  30 , the receiver  77  and the pad substrate  70  should be electrically connected to each other through an additional cable. 
   A bottom case  80  defines an external appearance of the main body of the portable computer in cooperation with the keyboard deck  30 , with the bottom case  80  defining a bottom of the main body. A portion of the bottom case  80  defining a front surface of the main body may be formed with a receiving window  82 . Optical signals for remote control may be transferred to the receiver  77  through the receiving window  82 . The receiving window  82  may be mounted with a transparent or translucent shield member  84  through which light can be transmitted. 
   Speaker windows  86  may be formed in both side ends of the receiving window  82  in the bottom case  80 . The speaker windows  86  may be provided with speaker grills  88  so that an interior of the bottom case  80  is not viewable from outside the device. 
   A speaker  90  may be provided in the bottom case  80  corresponding to portions in which the speaker windows  86  are formed. The speaker  90  may include a speaker case  92  defining an external appearance of the speaker  90  and speaker units  94  installed in the speaker case  92 . The speaker units  94  may be installed at positions corresponding to the respective speaker windows  86 , and thus partially exposed to an outside of the speaker case  92 . 
   A plurality of fastening pieces  96  for fastening the speaker  90  to the bottom case  80  may be formed around an edge of the speaker case  92 . A receiver seating portion  98  may be formed on the outside of the speaker case  92  at a position corresponding to the receiving window  82 . The receiver seating portion  98  serves to prevent the speaker case  92  and the receiver  77  from interfering with each other. The receiver seating portion  98  may be formed to be open toward upper and front portions of the speaker case  92 . 
   Hereinafter, the operation of the touch pad apparatus for a portable computer according to embodiments of the invention so constructed will be described in detail. 
   First, an assembly process of a touch pad apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described. When assembling the touch pad apparatus, it is convenient to cause the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  to face in the direction of gravity by turning over the keyboard deck  30 . 
   Next, the touch pad  40  is seated in the pad vent hole  31 . That is, an edge of the touch pad  40  is seated in the pad seating step  33  formed on an edge of the pad vent hole  31 . 
   After the touch pad  40  is seated in the pad vent hole  31 , the shield plate  50  is seated on the keyboard deck  30 . That is, guide ribs  35  are inserted into the guide slits  54 , and guide bosses  39 ′ are seated in composite guide holes  55 . Then, catching protrusions  34  are caught into catching holes  52  and composite guide holes  55 , and the portion of the edge of the shield plate  50  corresponding to the portion of the edge of the vent hole portion  51   
   In such a state, if the shield plate  50  moves somewhat in a direction opposite to a projecting direction of the catching jaws formed on the distal ends of the catching protrusions  34 , the catching protrusions  34  are caught into the catching holes  52 , the composite guide holes  55 , and the portion of the edge of the shield plate  50 . The edge of the vent hole portion  51  of the shield plate  50  pushes the edge of the touch pad  40 , so that the touch pad  40  is not allowed to move inadvertently. Then, the fastening legs  57  and the plate fastening bosses  36  are fastened, for example, by screws. 
   Next, the button  60  is seated in the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 . That is, the button ribs  39  of the keyboard deck  30  are inserted into the guide holes  65  of the button legs  64 . The button bodies  62  are exposed above the keyboard deck  30  through the button vent hole  32 . 
   Then, the pad substrate  70  is fastened to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30 . The pad substrate  70  is seated on the keyboard deck  30 , so that the guide bosses  39 ′ are inserted into the guide holes  74  of the pad substrate  70 . Then, the screws are fastened into the fastening holes  73 . While some of the screws are directly fastened into the substrate fastening bosses  37  through the fastening holes  73 , the others are fastened to the composite fastening bosses  38  through the composite fastening pieces  58  of the shield plate  50 . 
   As the pad substrate  70  is fastened to the keyboard deck  30 , the pushed ribs  67  of the button  60  are pushed by the pad substrate  70 . Thus, the button legs  64  are fixed to the bottom surface of the keyboard deck  30  by the pad substrate  70 , thus causing the button bodies  62  to float in the button vent hole  32  to some extent. Such a state where a touch pad apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is mounted to the keyboard deck  30 , as described above, is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
   Next, the bottom case  80  is mounted with the speaker  90 . The speaker  90  is fixed by causing the fastening pieces  96  of the speaker case  92  to be fastened to the bottom case  80  by, for example, screws. If the speaker  90  is fastened to the bottom case  80 , the speaker units  94  are positioned at the positions corresponding to the speaker windows  86  and the receiver seating portion  98  is positioned at the position corresponding to the receiving window  82 . 
   In the meantime, if the keyboard deck  30  and the bottom case  80  are fastened to each other while the pad substrate  70  is fastened to the keyboard deck  30 , the receiver  77  is seated on the receiver seating portion  98  of the speaker case  92 . In such a case, the receiver  77  may receive signals through the receiving window  82  of the bottom case  80 . 
   Since the receiver  77  is mounted to the pad substrate  70  without using an additional substrate or connected to the pad substrate  70  with an additional cable, it is possible to easily apply a remote control function to the portable computer. 
   A touch pad apparatus for a portable computer constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention has at least the following advantages. 
   A touch pad apparatus according to embodiments of the invention is light, slim, simple, and compact. Further, a touch pad apparatus according to embodiments of the invention is easily installed in a portable computer. Also, a touch pad apparatus according to embodiments of the invention is provided to which a remote control function is added and parts for a remote control function added to a touch pad apparatus may easily be installed. 
   Since the touch pad and the button can be fixed to the keyboard deck by mounting the shield plate and the pad substrate, the overall configuration of the touch pad apparatus can be light, slim, simple, and compact. Thus, there is the advantage that it is possible to effectively use the inner space of a portable computer. 
   Further, since the pad substrate is provided with a receiver for receiving remote control signals, an additional substrate for the receiver is not necessary. Therefore, even where the inner space of the main body of the portable computer is effectively used, it is possible to apply the remote control function to the portable computer. 
   In addition, the touch pad apparatus accordance to embodiments of the invention is completely assembled by fastening the shield plate and the pad substrate to the keyboard deck with the touch pad and the button being seated on the keyboard deck. Thus, there is the advantage that the touch pad apparatus is easily installed in a portable computer. 
   Further, the fixation and grounding of the touch pad are simultaneously performed by using the shield plate. Thus, there is the advantage that the portable computer is more smoothly grounded and the performance of electromagnetic interference shielding is improved. 
   The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.