Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20060138913?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2015-04-28 18:57:12
Document Index: 414063131

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 156', 'art 156', 'art 156', 'art 26', 'art 156', 'art 144', 'art 160', 'art 162', 'art 160', 'art 162', 'art 160', 'art 162', 'art 160', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'art 162', 'arts 166', 'arts 166', 'art 168', 'art 168', 'art 174', 'art 174', 'art 32', 'art 32', 'art 32', 'art 32']

Patent US20060138913 - Case for portable display devices - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe present invention is directed to a case for a portable display device that can realize a large-sized screen by interconnecting a plurality of display elements. When the display elements are unfolded, the adjacent sides of the display elements closely contact each other, thereby minimizing the non-display...http://www.google.com/patents/US20060138913?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20060138913 - Case for portable display devicesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20060138913 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 11/363,330Publication dateJun 29, 2006Filing dateFeb 27, 2006Priority dateAug 9, 2000Also published asCN1252558C, CN1383503A, EP1307805A1, EP1307805A4, US7032984, US7311366, US20020104769, WO2002017051A1Publication number11363330, 363330, US 2006/0138913 A1, US 2006/138913 A1, US 20060138913 A1, US 20060138913A1, US 2006138913 A1, US 2006138913A1, US-A1-20060138913, US-A1-2006138913, US2006/0138913A1, US2006/138913A1, US20060138913 A1, US20060138913A1, US2006138913 A1, US2006138913A1InventorsSi Kim, Jang Kim, Hyung KimOriginal AssigneeSi KimExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (3), Classifications (23), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetCase for portable display devices
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 3 to 4 are sectional views illustrating the folding operation of the first embodiment; FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively a sectional view and a perspective view illustrating cover-folding means of a case according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views illustrating another cover means of the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another example of the cover means of the first embodiment; FIGS. 10 to 12 are respectively a perspective view and sectional views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a sectional view illustrating another example of cover means of the second embodiment; FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views illustrating another example of cover means of the third embodiment; FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 20 and 21 are perspective views illustrating another example of cover means of the fourth embodiment; FIGS. 22 to 24 are views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 25 is a perspective view illustrating another example of cover means of the fifth embodiment; FIGS. 26 to 29 are views illustrating a case for a portable display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 30 is a perspective view illustrating another example of cover driving means of the sixth embodiment; and FIGS. 31 and 32 are sectional views illustrating another example of cover driving means of the sixth embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described more in detail hereinafter. First Embodiment FIGS. 1 to 4 show a case for a portable display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The inventive foldable case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10 for coupling the panel housings 6 and 8 such that the panel housings 6 and 8 can be folded on a same plane or at least 180�. The flat display elements 2 and 4 are selected from the group consisting of an LCD, an FED, a PDP, and an EL including an organic EL. The folding support 10 is preferably formed of a hinge assembly mounted on a border between the panel housings 6 and 8. The folding support 10 should be mounted on a rotational center of the panel housings 6 and 8 so that the adjacent sides of the flat panel elements 2 and 4 can be exactly located on the border between the flat panel elements 2 and 4. In addition, to minimize the non-display area, the flat display elements 2 and 4 are designed to contact each other at their one side. To realize this, a portion of sidewalls of the panel housings 6 and 8 are cut away to define an opening 12. At this point, the contacting sides of the flat display elements 2 and 4 are exposed through the opening 12 when they are folded on each other, cover means for preventing the contacting sides of the flat display elements 2 and 4 from being exposed is provided. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 preferably includes a center cover 142 for covering sidewall openings 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8, and a side cover 146 extending from both sides of the center cover 142, foldably connected by a connecting member 144. A shelter 16 is formed on the panel housings 6 and 8 and houses the cover means 14 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded. The side cover 146 is provided with a hinge shaft 148. And the hinge shaft 148 is coupled into a pin hole 18 formed on the shelter 16 of the panel housings 6 and 8 so that the cover means 14 can rotate in the shelter 16. When the cover means 14 is formed of synthetic resins, the connecting member 144 is defined by a thin part of the cover means 14 so that it can be flexibly folded. When the cover means 14 is formed of metal or other hard materials, the connecting member 144 is defined by a hinge 150 (see FIG. 5). Accordingly, the cover means 14 is designed to be easily folded and received inside the shelter 16. The shelter 16 is a space for receiving the cover means 14, being defined on a sidewall of the opening 12. That is, the shelter 16 receives the cover means 14 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded so that the cover means is not exposed outside (see FIG. 4). The cover means 14 covers the opening 12 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded (see FIG. 3), and is received in the shelter when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded (see FIG. 4). In the present invention, cover-folding means for enhancing such an operation of the cover means is provided. FIGS. 5 and 6 show preferred examples of the cover-folding means. The cover-folding means shown in FIG. 5 is formed of an elastic member 20 disposed between the inner wall 16 a of the shelter 16 and the side cover 146. The elastic member 20 biases the side cover 146 toward the inner wall 16 a of the shelter 16 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded as shown in FIG. 4 so that the cover means 14 easily rotate around the hinge shaft 148 only in a direction toward the inside. To prevent the cover means 14 from rotating in a direction toward the outside, stoppers 22 covering a part of the opening of the shelter 16 may be provided on the panel housings 6 and 8. In addition, a shock-absorbing member 152 may be further mounted on an inner wall of the cover means 14 so as to prevent the cover means 14 from directly contacting the panel housings 6 and 8. As the shock-absorbing member 152, an elastic member such as a rubber, a sponge, or other elastic resins may be used. The shock-absorbing member 152 may be formed on an entire inner surface of the cover means 14 or on only the inner surface of the center cover 142. The cover-folding means shown in FIG. 6 is defined by a guide projection 154 formed on the side cover 146 and a guide groove 24 formed on the upper and lower walls 16 b of the shelter 16. The guide groove 24 guides the innerward rotation of the guide projection 154. The guide projection 154 and the guide groove 24 functions as the stopper 22. That is, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded as shown in FIG. 4, they prevents the outward rotation of the side cover 146 while allowing for the innerward rotation, thereby realizing the receiving and rotating operation of the cover means 14 into the shelter 16. To prevent the cover means 14 from being exposed outside when the center cover 142 is formed in an arc-shape, upper and lower covers 142 a are further provided. The operation of the above-described foldable case of the portable display device is described hereinfter. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the foldable case maintains the flat panel display elements 2 and 4 being folded on each other, thereby providing the convenient carrying and reserving. At this point, the cover means 14 covers the opening 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8 and the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. When the display device is unfolded as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the cover means 14 rotates to be received in the shelter 16 while the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded. That is, as the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded, the side cover 146 rotates to move into the shelter 16. FIGS. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the case of the portable display device. In the drawings, cover means 14 covering an opening 12 of panel housings 6 and 8 includes a center cover 142′ and side cover 146′ formed on both sides of the center cover 142′ to be bendable. The side cover 146′ is formed of plural unit covers connected by connecting members 144. The connecting members 144 are formed by making the same to be thin or a hinge. The side cover 146′ is preferable formed of fabric material or resins so that it can be flexibly bent. The both ends of the side cover 146′ is received in a shelter 16. At this point, to prevent the side cover 146′ from being moved out of the shelter 16, a hook step 146′a is formed on the both ends of the side cover 146′ and a stopper 22′ on which the hook step 146′a is hooked is formed on the shelter 16. An elastic member 20 is disposed between one end of the side cover 146′ and the inner wall 16 a of the shelter 16. The elastic member 20 functions as the cover-folding means of the above embodiment. That is, the elastic member 20 biases the side cover 146′ so that the center cover 142′ closely contact the sidewall of the panel housings 6 and 8 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded (see FIG. 7), and biases the side cover 146′ vertically to that the side cover 146′ is received in the shelter 16 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, the cover means 14 covers the opening 12 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded and is completely received in the shelter 16 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded. Furthermore, in this embodiment, to prevent the cover means 14 from being inclined, as shown in FIG. 9, a mounting part 156 is formed on upper and lower portions of the center cover 142′ in a -shape. A longitudinal groove 156 a is formed on an inner surface of the mounting part 156, and a shaft projection 10 a supportably coupled to the longitudinal groove 156 a is formed on a folding supporting member 10. Accordingly, the center cover 142′ is centrally disposed by the coupling of the shaft projection 10 a and the longitudinal groove 156 a. In addition, the center cover 142 is slidable by the longitudinal groove 156 a. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded, the center cover 142′ slides to the sidewall of the panel housings 6 and 8 (i.e, to the left hand in the drawing), and as shown in FIG. 8, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded, the center cover 142′ slides to the right hand in the drawing. In addition, to prevent the mounting part 156 of the center cover 142′ from projecting out of the center cover 142′, a finalizing part 26 enclosing the mounting part 156 is formed by enlarging the panel housings 6 and 8. Second Embodiment FIGS. 10 to 12 show a case for a portable display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10′, and cover means 14. The folding support 10′ is preferably formed of a hinge assembly mounted on a border between the panel housings 6 and 8. The folding support 10′ should be mounted on a rotational center of the panel housings 6 and 8 so that the adjacent sides of the flat panel elements 2 and 4 can be exactly located on the border between the flat panel elements 2 and 4. In this embodiment, to cover the flat display elements 2 and 4 exposed through the opening 12, cover means is provided. The cover means 14 preferably includes plural unit covers 158 connected to each other by a connecting portion 144. The connecting member 144 is defined by a thin part of the cover means 14 so that it can be flexibly folded. A hinge shaft 148 is mounted on the outermost unit cover 158. Fixing means on which the hinge shaft 148 is fixed is formed on the panel housing 6. The fixing means includes a groove 28, in which the hinge shaft 148 is inserted, formed on the panel housing 6 and a hook portion 28 a for preventing the hinge shaft 148 from moving away. Accordingly, one end of the cover means 14 is fixed on the panel housing 6 while the other end is free, which is received in the shelter 16′. Therefore, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded as shown in FIG. 11, the cover means 14 covers the opening 12 and the one sidewall of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. When the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded as shown in FIG. 12, the hinge shaft 148 is fixed and the free end is moved into the shelter 16′. FIG. 13 shows the cover means 14 both ends of which are fixed. As shown in the drawing, the cover means 14 includes hinge shafts 148 respectively provided on both outermost unit covers 158. The hinge shafts 148 are supportably fixed by fixing means. The fixing means is mounted on the panel housings 6 and 8 and formed of hinge fixing member 28 b on which the hinge shafts 148 are rotatably coupled. When the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded (see a solid line in the drawing), the cover means 14 covers the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4, and when unfolded (see a broken line in the drawing), extended outside. The unit covers 158 may be connected to each other by a connecting part 144 formed of hinges. Third Embodiment FIGS. 14 to 15 show a case for a portable display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10, and cover means 14. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 for covering an opening 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8 is designed to be extended when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded and to be contracted when unfolded. That is, the cover means 14 is formed in a bellows-shape. Describing more in detail, the cover means 14 comprises a coupling part 160 having coupling means fixed on an inner surface of the sidewall of the panel housings 6 and 8 and a bellows part 162. The coupling part 160 includes a hole 160 a and a screw (not shown) coupled in the hole 160 a so as to be fixed on the inner surface of the panel housings 6 and 8. The bellows part 162 is formed of fabric, plastic or synthetic resins. The coupling part 160 may be formed of material identical to that of the bellows part 162 or a metal. Accordingly, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded as shown in FIG. 14, the cover means 14 is shrunken to cover the opening 12, and when folded as shown in FIG. 15, the cover means 14 is stretched in a state where the opening 12 is covered. FIGS. 16 and 17 show another example of the cover means 14. As shown in the drawings, the cover means 14 includes a coupling part 160, a bellows part 162, and a protecting cover 164 connected to the folding support member 10 while covering the upper and lower sides of the bellows part 162. The protecting cover 164 prevents the upper and lower sides of the bellows part 162 from being exposed when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded, while enhancing the stretch or shrink operation of the bellows part 162. That is, the protecting cover 164 includes a coupling member 164 a coupled to the folding support member 10 mounted on a rotational center of the panel housings 6 and 8, a holder 164 b coupled to the coupling member 164 a and connected to the bellows part 162, and a cover 164 c covered by the holder 164 b. The coupling member 164 a is fitted in the holder 164 b. Preferably, the cover 164 c is formed of material identical to that of the bellows part 162. Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 18 to 19 show a foldable case for a portable display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The foldable case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10, and cover means 14. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 for covering an opening 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8 is designed to be slid in more than two steps. That is, the cover means 14 is formed in a sliding protecting member for covering the opening 12 when the panel housings are folded and received in the panel housings when the panel housings are unfolded. In addition, plural unit covers may be slidably connected so that the cover means 14 can be folded in more than three steps. Describing more in detail, the cover means 14 includes first, second and third covers 166, 168 and 170. For the sliding engagement, sliding grooves 166 a and 170 a are respectively provided on the first and third covers 166 and 170, and a sliding projection 168 a engaged with the sliding grooves 166 a and 170 a is formed on the second cover 168. The sliding projection 168 a is formed on inner and outer surfaces of the second cover 168 in an opposite direction so that the first and third covers 166 and 170 performs the folding operation in the three steps. The cover means 14 is fixed on an outer surface of the sidewalls of the panel housings 6 and 8 by coupling means. In this embodiment, the coupling means includes bendable connecting parts 166 b and 170 b extending outside the first and third covers 166 and 170. The bendable connecting parts 166 b and 170 b are pivotally fixed on the panel housings 6 and 8. To receive the cover means 14, a shelter 16″ is formed in the panel housing 8. The shelter 16″ is formed of an additional panel 16″a attached on a surface of the panel housing 8. As shown in a broken line of FIG. 18, the panel 16″a may be formed on the both panel housings 6 and 8. Accordingly, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded, the cover means 14 is stretched as shown in FIG. 18 to cover the opening 12 and the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. When the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded, the cover means 14 is received in the shelter 16″. FIGS. 20 and 21 shows another example of the cover means 14. In this example, the cover means 14 includes first, second and third covers 166′, 168′ and 170′. A sliding projection 168′a of the second cover 168′ is coupled to sliding grooves 166′a and 170′a of the first and third covers 166′ and 170′. The sliding projection 168′a is formed in the inner surface of the second cover 168′ so that the first and third covers 166′ and 170′ can be received in the second cover 168′ when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded. To prevent the cover means 14 from directing in only one direction during the folding and unfolding operation, a -shaped mount part 168′b is mounted on the upper and lower portions of the second cover 168′, and a longitudinal groove 168′c is formed on an inner surface of the mount part 168′b. A shaft projection 10 a engaged with the longitudinal groove 168′c is formed on the folding support member 10. Accordingly, by the engagement of the shaft projection 10 a and the longitudinal groove 168′c, the second cover 168′ can be located on the center. As the second cover 168′ is designed to slide by the longitudinal groove 168′c, the second cover 168′ can smoothly moves to or from the sidewalls of the panel housings 6 and 8 during the folding and unfolding operation of the panel housings 6 and 8. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 is formed of three unit covers. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, when the unit cover is flexibly formed, the number of unit covers can be limited to two. Fifth Embodiment FIGS. 22 to 24 show a case for a portable display device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10, and cover means 14. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 for covering an opening 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8 is designed to enhance the unfolding operation of the panel housings. The cover means 14 is located behind the border of the panel housings. And the cover means is formed in a -shape. Describing more in detail, the cover means 14 includes a cover body 172 and a mount part 174 formed on upper and lower portions of the cover body 172, thereby defining the -shape. A longitudinal groove 174 a is formed on the mount part 174. A shaft projection 10 a is slidably coupled to the longitudinal groove 174 a. Accordingly, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded (see upper sides of FIG. 24), the cover means 14 is pushed rearward, and when folded (see lower sides of FIG. 23), is moved forward. To realize the sliding operation in only one direction, an inclined groove 174 b is formed on the both sides of the longitudinal groove 174 a. A projection 10 b engaged with the inclined groove 174 b is formed on the panel housings 6 and 8. The inclined groove 174 b and the projection 10 b allows the sidewalls of the cover means 14 to closely contact the panel housings 6 and 8. To enhance the close contact of the panel housings to the sidewalls of the cover means 14, the inclined groove 174 b may be formed in an arc-shape. When the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded, the cover means 14 covers the opening 12 and the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4 as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. At this point, the projection 10 b of the panel housings 6 and 8 is caught by a front end of the inclined groove 174 b, and the shaft projection 10 a is caught by the rear end of the longitudinal groove 174 a. When the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded to use the display device as shown in FIG. 24, the projection 10 b is moved to the rear side of the inclined groove 174 b and the shaft projection 10 a is moved to the front side of the longitudinal groove 174 a. However, the location of the cover means 14 is not varied. That is, only the projection 10 b and the shaft projection 10 a slides along the grooves 174 b and 174 a. FIG. 25 shows another example of the cover means. To prevent the panel housings 6 and 8 from being inadvertently unfolded, the cover means 14 includes a guide wall 176 enclosing the sidewalls of the panel housings 6 and 8 when they are folded. In this embodiment, two rotational bars 10 c, each one end of which coupled on the panel housings 6 and 8 and each the other end of which is coupled to a rotational shaft 10 d are mounted on the folding support member 10. The rotational shaft 10 d is located on a rotational center of the panel housings 6 and 8. In addition, to enhance the unfolding operation of the panel housings 6 and 8, a second projection 174 c is formed inside the longitudinal groove 174 a of the cover means 14, and an elastic member 30 is mounted between the second projection 174 c and the rotational shaft 10 d of the panel housings 6 and 8. The elastic member 30 biases the cover means 14 to the panel housings 6 and 8 when the case is folded or unfolded, thereby completely covers the opening 12 and the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. Sixth Embodiment FIGS. 26 to 29 show a case for a portable display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The case includes a pair of panel housings 6 and 8 for respectively receiving a pair flat display elements 2 and 4 and a folding support 10, and cover means 14. In this embodiment, the cover means 14 for supporting the flat panel display elements 2 and 4 to contact each other when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded and for covering an opening 12 of the panel housings 6 and 8 when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded is provided. In addition, cover driving means for opening and closing the cover means 14 together with the folding and unfolding operation of the panel housings 6 and 8 is further provided. The cover means 14 is designed not to interfere the close contact of the flat panel display elements of the panel housings 6 and 8. The cover driving means is formed of an elastic member or a gear. The cover means 14 of this embodiment is formed in a sheet-shape body so that it can be flexibly bent to cover the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. The cover means 14 is provided at its inner surface with concave portion 178 a and convex portion 178 b. The convex portion 178 b is formed in a rectangular panel, and the concave portion 178 a is formed in flexible connector. The cover means 14 may be formed in a bellows-shape to provide the concave and convex portions 178 a and 178 b. The cover driving means of this embodiment includes a gear part 32 a formed on an outer circumference of a first cylinder 10 e of the folding support member 10, an idle gear 32 b engaged with the gear part 32 a, and a driving gear 32 c engaged with the concave and convex portions 178 a and 178 b of the cover means 14. The idle gear 32 b and the driving gear 32 c are mounted inside the panel housing 8. Accordingly, the rotation motion of the panel housing 6 and the folding support member 10 linearly moves the cover means 14. The reference numeral 10 f indicates a second cylinder of the folding support member 10. In this embodiment, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are folded from the unfolded state (see FIGS. 26 and 27), the first cylinder 10 e rotates counterclockwise in the drawings while rotating the idle gear 32 b and the driving gear 32 c, thereby spreading the cover means 14 in the rightward direction in FIG. 27. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are completely folded, the cover means 14 covers the opening 12 and the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4. One end of the cover means 14 is fixed on the panel housing 6, and the other end of the cover means 14 is freely received in the panel housing 8 while being guided by a shelter 16″. FIG. 30 shows another example of the cover driving means. The cover driving means includes a gear part 32 a formed on the outer circumference of the first cylinder 10 e of the folding support member 10 and idle gear 32 b and driving gear 32 c engaged with the gear part 32 a. The shelter 16′ is formed in both of the panel housings 6 and 8. FIGS. 31 and 32 show another example of the cover driving means. The cover driving means does not employ the gear but uses an elastic member 34. Describing more in detail, the cover driving means includes the elastic member 34 connected between one end of the cover means 14 and the panel housing 8 in a state where the other end of the cover means 14 is fixed on the panel housing 6. The cover means 14 is formed of a sheet attachable using an adhesive. When a shelter 16′ is formed, the elastic member 34 is connected between the inner wall of the shelter 16′ and the cover means 14. Accordingly, when the panel housings 6 and 8 are unfolded, as shown in FIG. 31, the cover means 14 is received in the shelter 16′ by the elastic member 34, and when folded, is expanded to cover the opening 12 and the sidewalls of the flat panel display elements 2 and 4 while overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member 34 as shown in FIG. 32. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, since the foldable case is designed to connect the plural display elements each other, a multi information display device having one enlarged screen can be realized. Particularly, when the portable display device is unfolded, since the adjacent display elements are exactly coincided, the non-display area is minimized, thereby enhancing the display quality. In addition, since the exposed parts of the display elements can be covered by the cover means, it can be prevented that the device is damaged by outer shock. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7777415 *Nov 18, 2005Aug 17, 2010Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.Sealed, flexible flat panel displayUS8941979Mar 16, 2012Jan 27, 2015Blackberry LimitedFoldable keyboardEP2720116A1 *Oct 9, 2012Apr 16, 2014BlackBerry LimitedFoldable keyboard* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification312/223.1International ClassificationF16C11/10, A47B97/00, A47B81/00, G06F1/16, G09F9/00, F16C11/04, H04M1/02, G09F9/40, G09F9/30Cooperative ClassificationG06F1/1681, G06F1/1601, G09F9/30, G06F1/1641, G06F1/1637, G06F1/1616, G06F2200/1612European ClassificationG06F1/16P9M6, G06F1/16P9D2, G06F1/16P9D, G06F1/16P1F, G06F1/16D, G09F9/30Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionFeb 14, 2012FPExpired due to failure to pay maintenance feeEffective date: 20111225Dec 25, 2011LAPSLapse for failure to pay maintenance feesAug 1, 2011REMIMaintenance fee reminder mailedRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services