Patent Publication Number: US-2007103859-A1

Title: Modification of portable computer

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates a modification of portable computer, and particularly to, for example but not limited to, a notebook computer whose bottom provided with supporting pieces which can retrieve within and protrude over the bottom and which can render the aforementioned bottom to maintain a slanting angle and a gap with respect to the residing surface.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Portable computer, notebook computer for example, is very popular in this modern society. Conventional notebook computer is usually with a lifting-up monitor and a lower seat provided with a keyboard and electronic components within the housing.  
      When we use a notebook computer and put it on, for example but not limited to, a table, the bottom of the notebook computer is placed flat on the table. Users can then lift its upper cover, i.e. monitor, and operate it just like a desktop computer.  
      This way of using a notebook computer has been practiced for years. Although the basic functions have never been compromised, the use of keyboard in this way does not comply with the requirements of ergonomics since the computer is parallel to the table face. Furthermore, the heat generated during the operation of the computer is difficult to dissipate when the computer bottom is intimately contacted with the table face. Consequently, it is necessary to provide a new design to overcome the drawbacks described above.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To meet such a demand, the applicant having a long time experience in designing, production, and marketing of technology products proposes the present invention, a modification of portable computer, as a result of numerous trials and experiments.  
      To further disclose the technical details of the present invention, please refer to the figures, wherein  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment according to the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the supporting piece of the first embodiment according to the present invention,  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the second embodiment according to the present invention,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the third embodiment according to the present invention, and  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment according to the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a modification of portable computer according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the supporting piece of the first embodiment of a modification of portable computer according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of a modification of portable computer according to the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of a modification of portable computer according to the present invention; and  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a modification of portable computer according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to FIGS.  1  to  5 , the modification of portable computer according to the present invention comprises a notebook computer  1  and a supporting piece  2 , wherein the notebook computer  1  comprises a upper cover  11  provided with a monitor therein (not shown due to the projection angle) and a lower seat  12  whose upper face is provided with a keyboard or other operational keys (not shown due to the projection angle), which are conventional prior art and will not be discussed furthermore.  
      The distinct feature of the present invention is the supporting piece  2  provided on the bottom  121  of the lower seat  12 . The supporting piece  2 , which is connected with the lower seat  12 , can retrieve within and protrude over the bottom  121 . Consequently, when the supporting piece  2  is pulled out, it can render the bottom  121  of the lower seat  12  to maintain a slanting angle and a gap with respect to the table. Therefore, the operation of the keyboard can comply with the requirements of ergonomics and the bottom  121  is not intimately contacted with the working surface.  
      To achieve the functions described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  provides a screw device as the supporting piece  2 . A screw hole  13  is provided in the notebook computer  1  for height adjustment ( FIG. 2 ). Also, two supporting pieces  2  are provided in the present embodiment to achieve better stability.  
      Referring to  FIG. 3 , the second embodiment according to the present invention provides a U-shape wire as the supporting piece  2 . A groove  122  is provided on the bottom  121  of the lower seat  12  to receive the U-shape supporting piece  2 . Two ends of the supporting piece  2  are provided with a spring, respectively, to retrieve or protrude the supporting piece  2 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 4 , the third embodiment according to the present invention provides two flat pieces as the supporting piece  2 . A slot  123  is provided on the lower seat  12  to receive the supporting piece  2  and a pivot  124  is provided on both sides of the slot  123 , respectively, to pivotally connect with the supporting piece  2 . In this way, the supporting piece  2  can also achieve the functions of retrieving within and protruding over the bottom  121 . The supporting piece  2  in the present embodiment is two short pieces.  
      Referring to  FIG. 5 , the fourth embodiment according to the present invention provides a long, narrow plate as the supporting piece  2  to achieve the functions described above.  
      Consequently, by lifting the lower seat  12  of the notebook computer  1  with the supporting piece  2 , the keyboard can maintain a slanting angle and a gap with respect to the working surface. Thus, the design complies with the requirements of ergonomics and help to dissipate the heat generated during the operation of the computer.  
      While the invention has been described with reference to the a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or variations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of this invention, which is defined by the appended claims.