Rotatable display screen for a notebook computer

A notebook computer includes a display screen rotationally attached to the base at a corner thereof. In at least one (1) embodiment, the screen is removably detachable from the base at the attachment point so as to be repositioned and then re-attached.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a rotatable display screen for a computing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As computer technology continues to develop and prices come down, laptop or notebook computers continue to become more prevalent at the office, home and school. Their portability coupled with the same computer power as some desktop computers make them very popular. However, while keyboards, screen, mice and other peripherals can be positioned exactly as one desires on desktop computer systems, notebook computers are limited in their movement as these input and output devices are fixed in position to one another.

While many users just accept these shortcomings, other users such as “garners” who participate in first person games, find such restrictions not only uncomfortable for any extended period of time, but also find that such restrictions impact their ability to play the game, resulting in lower scores. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the screen angle and position for a notebook computer can be positioned in multiple ways not currently feasible with conventional notebook computers. The development of the notebook computer with multi-axis pivoting display fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principles of the present invention provide for a notebook computer, comprising a display section which is mechanically and electrically connected to a keyboard section via an articulating arm. The articulating arm is provided with a lower pivoting joint and an upper pivoting joint. The articulating arm works in conjunction with the lower pivoting joint and the upper pivoting joint to allow the display section to be placed in any almost any position desirable to the keyboard section. This enables increased ergonomic functionality of the notebook computer. The notebook computer also comprises a keyboard section which has a keyboard and a graphical input device.

The lower pivoting joint may provide for a first range of motion which is pivotal and allows for 180 degrees of motion. The lower pivoting joint may also provide for a second range of motion which is pivotal and allows for 360 degrees of motion. The upper pivoting joint may provide for a third range of motion which is pivotal and allows for 360° degrees of motion. The articulating arm may be displayed in an upright configuration with the upper pivoting joint having a rotational bearing assembly with a 360° degree bearing surface. The rotational bearing assembly may be provided with an interior pass-through opening which allows for an interconnecting cabling to and from the display section. The interconnecting cabling may carry one or more video signals, one or more power signals, or one or more graphical positioning signals.

The articulating arm may be formed as an integral component of the rotational bearing assembly in a unitary configuration. The articulating arm may be attached as a separate component via welding, adhesive, or one or more physical fasteners. The articulating arm may also be provided with a first electrical connector while the display section is provided with a second electrical connector. The display section may be held by a plurality of first mechanical couplers which are provided on the articulating arm and which correspond to a plurality of second mechanical couplers on the display section. The first mechanical couplers may be disengaged by activation of release on a forward face of the articulating arm.

The first mechanical couplers may each be provided with a retractable coupler which engage the second mechanical couplers. The first electrical connector may be provided with a plurality of contacts as are necessary to carry each of a corresponding electrical signal as are carried by the interconnecting cabling when the first electrical connector is mated with the second electrical connector. The graphical input device may be a trackpad.

The notebook computer may further comprise an additional device selected from the group consisting of a processor, a memory, a data storage mechanism, an input port, an output port, a control switch, a sensor, a battery, a power supply, a cooling mechanism, a mechanical latch, or a mechanical structural device. The keyboard section may be placed left of a user, facing outward on a desk, while the display section is moved closer to the face of the user, thereby providing a more immersive experience. The notebook computer may be selected from the group consisting of a low-cost budget notebook computer, a business enterprise notebook computer, a gaming notebook computer, a heavy-duty industrial grade notebook computer, or a military grade notebook computer.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

2. Detailed Description of the Figures

Referring now toFIG. 1, a front view of the notebook computer10with multi-axis pivoting display, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The notebook computer10(herein also described as the “device”)10, includes a display section15and a keyboard section20. The keyboard section20would possess both a keyboard25and a graphical input device30, such as a trackpad. It is noted that other interior and exterior devices included but not limited to: processors, memory, data storage mechanisms, input ports, output ports, control switches, sensors, batteries, power supplies, cooling mechanisms, mechanical latches, mechanical structural devices, and the like would be provided as part of either the display section15and/or the keyboard section20, whose inclusion is necessary for the overall functionality of the device10. However, said devices are beyond the scope of the current teachings, and thus are not intended to limit the present invention. Additionally, various parameters such as the size of the display section15, operating system, performance parameters, and the like, are also not limited by the scope of the present invention. The teachings of the present invention can be incorporated into low cost budget notebook computers, business enterprise notebook computers, gaming notebook computers, heavy duty industrial or military grade notebook computers, or the like.

The display section15is mechanically and electrically connected to the keyboard section20via an articulating arm35. The articulating arm35is provided with a lower pivoting joint40and an upper pivoting joint45. The lower pivoting joint40provides for a first range of motion “a”50, which is pivotal in nature and allows for approximately one hundred eighty degrees (180°) of motion. It also provides for a second range of motion “b”55, also pivotal in nature and allows for approximately three hundred sixty degrees (360°) of motion. Next, the upper pivoting joint45provides for a third range of motion “c”60, which is pivotal in nature and allows for approximately three hundred sixty (360°) of motion. As such, the articulating arm35, working in conjunction with the lower pivoting joint40and the upper pivoting joint45, allow the display section15to be placed in any almost any position desirable to the keyboard section20, thus increasing the overall ergonomic functionality of the device10. One (1) possible benefit of the functionality is to place the keyboard section20to the left of the user, facing outward on a desk, while the display section15is moved closer to the face of the user, thus providing a more immersive experience, envisioned to be valued in game playing such as first-person player games.

Referring next toFIG. 2, a top view of the device10, in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This view clearly depicts the display section15, the keyboard section20, the articulating arm35, the lower pivoting joint40, and the upper pivoting joint45. The closed configuration allows for storage and transport of the device10while it occupies a minimal overall volume, not unlike a conventional notebook computer.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a side view of the device10, in a closed state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As withFIG. 2, the present view clearly depicts the display section15, the keyboard section20, the articulating arm35, the lower pivoting joint40, and the upper pivoting joint45. Also visible is various input/output ports65, as would customarily be expected. Also, the lower pivoting joint40is envisioned to be similar to conventional fixed or pivoting hinges found on conventional notebook computers with pass through cabling.

Referring next toFIG. 4, a sectional view of the device10, as seen along a line I-I, as shown inFIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The articulating arm35is displayed in an upright configuration with the upper pivoting joint45having a rotational bearing assembly70with a three hundred sixty degree (360°) bearing surface75formed as either an integral component of the rotational bearing assembly70in a unitary configuration or attached as a separate component via welding, adhesive, physical fasteners, or the like. The rotational bearing assembly70is provided with an interior pass-through opening80which allows for interconnecting cabling85to and from the display section15(as shown inFIG. 1). The interconnecting cabling85would carry video signals, power signals, graphical positioning signals (in the instance of touch sensitive display screens, along with audio signals, web cam signals, and the like depending on the specific configuration of the device10. Due to the central nature of the interior pass-through opening80, minimal stress is exerted on the interconnecting cabling85during motion defined by the third range of motion “c”60, thus allowing for long life.

Referring nowFIG. 5, a perspective view of the device10, shown in a utilized state, according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This first alternate embodiment allows for removal or separation of the display section15from the keyboard section20as shown. Such operation is typical as found in modern notebook computers which allows the display section15to function as a “tablet” computer, where all input control is made via a touchscreen. As such, all necessary computing devices included, but not limited to: processors, memory, batteries, input devices, output devices, and the like are self-contained within the display section15. When attached to the keyboard section20, other components such as the keyboard25, the graphical input device30, and auxiliary computing devices such as additional input ports, output ports, storage devices, and the like are automatically connected.

The articulating arm35is provided with a first electrical connector90while the display section15is provided with an appropriate second electrical connector95. To physically hold the display section15, at least two (2) first mechanical couplers100are provided on the articulating arm35which correspond to at least two (2) second mechanical couplers105on the display section15. The first mechanical couplers100are disengaged by the activation of a release110on the forward face of the articulating arm35. Further definition of the first electrical connector90and first mechanical couplers100will be provided herein below. It is noted that the third range of motion “c”60(as shown inFIG. 1) may or may not be retrained in the first alternate embodiment by incorporation of a lower pivoting joint40(as shown inFIG. 1) in either the articulating arm35or the display section15.

Referring toFIG. 6, a sectional view of the device10, as seen along a line II-II, as shown inFIG. 5, according to the first alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown. This view provides clearer indication of the first electrical connector90and the first mechanical couplers100. The first mechanical couplers100are each provided with a retractable coupler115which engage the second mechanical couplers105(as shown inFIG. 5). The release110in a preferred embodiment is a pushbutton. When the release110is pressed along a travel path “p”120, the retractable couplers115retract allowing for a disengagement of the display section15(as shown inFIG. 5). Additionally, the first electrical connector90is provided with multiple contacts125as necessary to carry the corresponding electrical signals as carried by the interconnecting cabling85(as shown inFIG. 4), when the first electrical connector90is mated with the second electrical connector95.

3. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the device10would be constructed in general accordance withFIG. 1throughFIG. 6. The user would procure the device10through normal procurement channels while selecting the desired operating parameters such as screen size, battery life, operating system, memory, data storage, and the like.

During utilization of the device10, the following procedure would be initiated: the display section15would be lifted upward from the keyboard section20, utilizing the lower pivoting joint40along the first range of motion “a”50; the display section15is then pivoted using the lower pivoting joint40along the second range of motion “b”55; finally, the display section15is pivoted with respect to the articulating arm35along the third range of motion “c”60with minor adjustments made to provide the best viewing experience. Operation then proceeds in a manner typical to that of a conventional notebook computer.

In the case of the first alternate embodiment, the display section15may be separated from the keyboard section20by grasping the display section15in one hand, while pressing the release110with the other to disengage the display section15for standalone tablet operation.

After use of the device10, the above-mentioned ranges of motion are reversed to close the device10as is depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, to allow for storage and transport.