Patent ID: 7164578

Claim:
A common lock used in a dual-usage portable computer comprised of a base member and a display pivotally connected to said base member and rotated relative to said base member, said display comprising a front edge, a left-side retaining block protruded from said front edge at a left side, and a right-side retaining block protruded from said front edge at a right side, said base member comprising a front panel and a top surface, the top surface of said base member having a left-side through hole and a right-side through hole respectively corresponding to the left-side retaining block and right-side retaining block of said display, said front panel having a transverse slot disposed between said left-side through hole and said right-side through hole, the common lock comprising: an elongated operating frame bar axially slidably mounted inside said base member, said elongated operating frame bar having a middle part, a left end, a right end, and an operating portion protruded from said middle part and inserted through the transverse slot of the front panel of said base member; a left-side hook provided inside said base member, said left-side hook having a lower part pivoted to said base member, a middle part pivoted to the left end of said elongated operating frame bar, and an upper part curved upwards and terminating in a hooked portion for insertion through said left-side through hole of said base member to engage said left-side retaining block of said display; and a right-side hook provided inside said base member, said right-side hook having a middle part pivoted to said base member, a lower part pivoted to the right end of said elongated operating frame bar, and an upper part curved upwards and terminating in a hooked portion for insertion through said right-side through hole of said base member to engage said right-side retaining block of said display.