Abstract:
The present invention is to provide a notebook computer having a mechanism for configuring the notebook computer as a desktop computer, wherein a housing thereof comprises a substantially rectangular first recess on a top operation surface of the housing adjacent the display for receiving a pivot board pivotably coupled to the display and the housing respectively; a substantially rectangular second recess on the operation surface distal from a display with a keyboard detachably received therein; and a support assembly at a rear surface of the housing including a foldable stand adapted to form an oblique angle with respect to the housing by extending on a desk.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to structure of notebook computer and more particularly to a structure of such notebook computer with improved characteristics. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The world we are living in has entered into a new era with information prosperously being developed. All kinds of electronic and mobile communication products are invented due to the fast progress in computer science and technology. The fast development of the new products not only shortens time and space distances between people in different geographical areas, but also greatly influences our daily works or lives and it is unable to be apart therefrom. In response to all kinds of new information products being developed, especially to the notebook computers, most of the users become more critical with respect to the convenience in using them. Thus, whether the notebook computers being produced in the future can provide a more convenient and effective characteristic will be an indicator to decide whether the information technology owned by one country is more advanced than other countries. 
     Conventionally, from the birth of personal computers they are placed on a supporting surface (e.g., desk) due to its bulky size, heaviness, and for ease of operation. Thus, personal computers are also called desktop computers. Such computer typically comprises a monitor, a housing with a circuit board and other associated electronic components enclosed therein, and at least one input device (e.g., mouse or keyboard). The personal computers are downsized as the progress of electronics continues. As a result, a variety of portable computers are commercially available. 
     Early days portable computers are not lightweight. For example, a portable computer may have a weight of about 7 to 14 kilograms. As to a laptop computer, it typically weights about 4 to 7 kilograms. As to currently popular notebook computers, a typical one may only weight about 1 to 4 kilograms. A notebook computer, as self-explanatory, means the computer can be easily opened or closed just like opening or closing a notebook. Hence, notebook computers are advantageous for its portability and ease of operation. The notebook computer comprises a display, a housing, and at least one cable between the display and the housing. Further, at least one hinge is provided to interconnect the display and the housing in order for the display being rested on the housing while the notebook computer is not used. For using the notebook computer, a user can pivot the hinge to position the display at an optimum angle with respect to the housing. Thereafter, the user can input data into the computer by keying a keyboard of the computer. The data is then sent to the display via the cable and shown on the screen of the display for viewing. 
     The trend of developing notebook computers is slimness, compactness, and lightweight in consideration of weight and size. Moreover, an all-in-one notebook computer is constantly being sought. Nowadays, all-in-one notebook computers are dominant type of portable computers. It is understood that the information product market is very competitive. Also, a wide variety of notebook computers are available by many companies. Hence, all notebook computer manufacturers are under great pressure for obtaining a greater share of the market. In another aspect, more types of notebook computers available from different companies mean more selection options. It is concluded that if a notebook computer manufacturer wants to win over other competitive manufacturers how to provide user friendly, multi-functional yet inexpensive all-in-one notebook computers to vast consumers should be a deciding factor. 
     As stated above, a personal computer is typically placed on a desk due to its bulky size and heaviness. As to a notebook computer, it is appropriate to carry it due to the advantages of being slim, compact, and lightweight. But it is a great financial burden for a common people to buy two computers. Fortunately, newer models of personal computers available by computer manufacturers are featured by multi-function, user-friendly operation, and all-in-one design. Thus, it is desirable among computer manufacturers to provide more attractive notebook computers for providing more operation convenience to users in order to win in the market in view of the competitive information product market. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a notebook computer having a mechanism for configuring the notebook computer as a desktop computer. A housing of the notebook computer comprises a substantially rectangular first recess on a top operation surface of the housing adjacent the display; a substantially rectangular second recess on the operation surface distal from a display with a keyboard detachably received therein; and a support assembly at a rear surface of the housing, the support assembly including a foldable stand adapted to form an oblique angle with respect to the housing by extending on a desk. 
     By utilizing this in cooperation with an appropriate operating mode, the purposes of configuring the notebook computer as a desktop computer, greatly improving functions and practicability of the notebook computer, and tailoring the needs of the competitive information product market are achieved. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of notebook computer according to the invention where the notebook computer is open; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  where a keyboard is detached; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view where a stand of a support assembly is extended to support the notebook computer; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3  where a display is open for viewing and the keyboard is detached; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a latch device of the notebook computer; and 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the notebook computer for depicting the support assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , a notebook computer in accordance with the invention comprises a housing  1 , a display  2 , and a keyboard  3 . Each component will be described in detail below. A substantially rectangular first recess  4  is formed on a top (i.e., operation surface) of the housing  1  adjacent the display  2  ( FIG. 2 ). A pivot board  5  is received in the first recess  4 . The pivot board  5  comprises two spaced apart first hinges  51  at a rearward side pivotably coupled to the display  2  and a second hinge  52  at a forward side pivotably coupled to the housing  1 . Further, a substantially rectangular second recess  6  is formed on the operation surface of the housing  1  distal from the display  2  ( FIG. 2 ). The keyboard  3  is removably received in the second recess  6 . A support assembly  7  is formed at another surface (e.g., rear side) of the housing  1 . The support assembly  7  comprises a foldable stand  71  having one end hingedly coupled to the support assembly  7  and the other end adapted to form an angle with respect to the housing  1  as it extends from the housing  1  to stand on a supporting surface. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , uses or operating modes of the invention for configuring a notebook computer as a desktop computer will now be described in detail below. 
     A first operating mode: First place the notebook computer on a desk (see  FIG. 1 ). Next, pivot the display  2  upward about the first hinges  51  until the display  2  is positioned at an optimum position and angle with respect to the housing  1 . A user then may operate the keyboard  3  to input data into the housing  1 . Next, data is sent to the display  2  from the housing  1 . Finally, data is shown on the screen of the display  2  for viewing. 
     A second operating mode: A user may pivot the display  2  about the second hinge  52  for raising height of the display  2  under the first operating mode (see  FIG. 2 ). As a result, the pivot board  5  pivots to extend from the second recess  6  until the pivot board  5  is positioned at an optimum position and angle with respect to the housing  1 . Next, pivot the display  2  upward about the first hinges  51  until the display  2  is positioned at an optimum position and angle with respect to the housing  1 . An optimum distance between the display  2  and the housing  1  can be obtained by repeating the above adjustment procedure. As an end, a user can view the display  2  at an optimum height and angle. 
     A third operating mode: A user can detach the keyboard  3  from the second recess  6  and place it on an appropriate position on the desk for operation if the user feels that the keyboard  3  mounted in the housing  1  may cause inconvenience in operation because the keyboard  3  is excessively close to the display  2  under the first or the second operating mode (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     A fourth operating mode: A user may appropriately extend the stand  71  from the housing  1  to form an optimum angle therebetween if the user feels that the viewing height of the display  2  is still not enough under the third operating mode. At this time, the notebook computer is supported on a supporting surface (e.g., desk) by both the stand  71  and the housing  1 . Next, pivot the display  2  upward about the first hinges  51  until the display  2  is positioned at an optimum position and angle with respect to the housing  1 . As an end, a user can view the display  2  at an optimum height and angle (see  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  again, in the invention a first wireless transceiver (not shown) is provided in the keyboard  3  and a second wireless transceiver (not shown) is provided in the second recess  6  respectively since, as stated above, the keyboard  3  can be detached from the second recess  6  to place on an appropriate position for operation. Signals can be transmitted and received between the keyboard  3  and the housing  1  via both the first and the second wireless transceivers. As a result, data can be correctly inputted into the computer. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 5 , in the invention a plate-shaped latch device  8  is provided within the housing  1 . The latch device  8  is disposed corresponding to the first recess  4  ( FIG. 5 ). The latch device  8  comprises an elongated latch board  81  at either side, a trigger  82  between the latch boards  81 , and an elongated finger tab  821  on top of the trigger  82  so that the finger tab  821  can be projected from an opening  53  of the pivot board  5  when the pivot board  5  is received in the first recess  4 . The latch board  81  comprises a latch member  811  at an outer end distal from the trigger  82 . The latch members  811  are projected from two opposite sides of the first recess  4  for snapping into side cavities of the pivot board  5  so as to fasten the pivot board  5  in the first recess  4 . 
     By configuring as above, a forward push of the finger tab  821  causes the trigger  82  to move the latch boards  81  toward both left and right sides of the housing  1  for disengaging the latch members  811  from the pivot board  5 . At this time, a user can pivot the display  2  upward for adjusting height and position of the display  2  relative to the housing  1 . Moreover, a resilient member (e.g., spring)  812  is anchored in a lateral tunnel of the latch member  811  of either latch board  81 . As such, a rearward movement of the finger tab  821  causes the latch members  811  to engage with the pivot board  5  to return to the original non-operating position by expanding the resilient members  812 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , in the invention a number of embodiments of the support assembly  7  are made possible as long as an optimum angle between the stand  71  and the housing  1  on a supporting surface (e.g., desk or ground) can be obtained, i.e., the housing  1  is slanted with respect to the supporting surface as the stand  71  is extended. One embodiment of the support assembly  7  will now be described in detail below. 
     The support assembly  7  comprises a plate  72  at a rear side of the notebook computer, the plate  72  including a protruded clip  73  and a resilient element (e.g., spring)  78  both on top (see  FIG. 6 ). The support assembly  7  further comprises a foldable stand  71  pivotably coupled to the plate  72 , a link  74  having one end pivotably coupled to a first pivot  75  at about center of the stand  71  and the other end pivotably coupled to a second pivot  77  at a bottom of the plate  72 , and a torsion spring  76  mounted at the second pivot  77  for biasing against the other end of the link  74 . In a case that the clip  73  is pressed left and right sliding blocks (not shown) in the plate  72  slide toward sides of the plate  72  respectively. As a result, the stand  71  is unlocked from the plate  72 . At the same time, the torsion spring  76  expands to pivot the link  74  outward for lowering one end of the stand  71 , pivotably coupled to two hinges  79  of the plate  72 , along two longitudinal grooves (not shown) of the plate  72  for extending the stand  71  until a predetermined angle between the stand  71  and the housing  1  is obtained. Hence, by utilizing the invention an optimum viewing angle and operating mode of the display  2  can be carried out. 
     In conclusion, if a notebook computer manufacturer wants to win over other competitive manufacturers how to make and use the invention should be a deciding factor. 
     While the invention has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.