US5396399A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-purpose handle/prop for pen-based computer having overhanging front surface
Assignee: Telepad Corp
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Filing: 1994-05-11
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Granted: 1995-03-07
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Expires: 2014-05-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved handle/prop is provided for a pen-based computer wherein the handle/prop is pivotally mounted to opposite side edges of the computer. The handle/prop can be pivoted and locked into a plurality of different positions. These positions are selected to facilitate carrying the computer, supporting the computer on a flat surface in one or more inclined positions for writing and/or viewing, and holding the computer during writing. In particular, to facilitate writing on the computer screen while holding the computer, the handle/prop is mounted so that it can be swung into a recessed position behind an overlapping portion of the front display surface. This will minimize the size of the computer and minimize interference with holding the computer and writing on its screen at the same time.
Inventors
- 👤 William A. Blair
- 👤 Scott J. Dankman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16M; F16M11/00; F16M11/02; F16M11/04; F16M11/06; F16M11/10; F16M13/00; F16M13/005; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1626; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1656; G06F1/166; F16M2200/00; F16M2200/02; F16M2200/021; F16M2200/024; H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0217; H05K5/023; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S248/00; Y10S248/917; Y10S248/919; Y10S248/921; Y10S345/00; Y10S345/905; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20582; Y10T74/20612; Y10T74/20636; Y10T74/20642
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
478 words
A pen-based computer having a handle/prop, a front display surface with a screen, a top edge adjacent to the top of the front display surface, a bottom edge adjacent to the bottom of the front display surface, and first and second side edges adjacent to opposite side edges of the front display surface, wherein the improvement comprises said handle/prop having first and second portions pivotally connected to said first and second side edges of the pen-based computer and a crossbar portion connected to said first and second portions, wherein said handle/prop can be selectively located in one of: 1) a first position for carrying the pen-based computer, wherein the crossbar portion is adjacent to, and spaced apart from, said top edge of the front display surface; and 2) a second position wherein the crossbar portion is located adjacent to the bottom edge of the pen-based computer to permit hand-holding of the computer in a position for writing on the screen of the computer, wherein the distance between the crossbar portion and the bottom edge of the computer in the second position is less than the distance between the crossbar portion and the top edge of the computer in the first position, wherein said first and second portions of the handle/prop are mounted at said first and second side edges of said computer at locations closer to the top edge of the computer than to the bottom edge of the computer, wherein said pen-based computer includes a back surface opposite to said front display surface, and wherein the total area of the front display surface is greater than the total area of the back surface so that said front display surface overlaps said back surface at least at the bottom edge and the first and second side edges of the computer so that said bottom edge and the first and second side edges of the computer include a recessed portion adjacent to the back surface of the computer, wherein said first and second portions of the handle/prop are connected to the computer in the recessed portions of the first and second side edges of the computer, and wherein the handle is connected to the computer so that, in the second position, the first and second portions of the handle will be in the recessed portion of the first and second side edges, under the overlapping portion of the front display surface, and wherein the crossbar portion of the handle/prop will be in the recessed portion of the bottom edge of the computer, under the overlapping portion of the front display surface so that the handle/prop is located behind the overlapping portion of the front display surface to minimize the size of the computer and minimize interference with holding the computer and writing on a screen of the computer when a user is holding the computer in the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
478 words
A pen-based computer having a handle/prop, a front display surface with a screen, a top edge adjacent to the top of the front display surface, a bottom edge adjacent to the bottom of the front display surface, and first and second side edges adjacent to opposite side edges of the front display surface, wherein the improvement comprises said handle/prop having first and second portions pivotally connected to said first and second side edges of the pen-based computer and a crossbar portion connected to said first and second portions, wherein said handle/prop can be selectively located in one of: 1) a first position for carrying the pen-based computer, wherein the crossbar portion is adjacent to, and spaced apart from, said top edge of the front display surface; and 2) a second position wherein the crossbar portion is located adjacent to the bottom edge of the pen-based computer to permit hand-holding of the computer in a position for writing on the screen of the computer, wherein the distance between the crossbar portion and the bottom edge of the computer in the second position is less than the distance between the crossbar portion and the top edge of the computer in the first position, wherein said first and second portions of the handle/prop are mounted at said first and second side edges of said computer at locations closer to the top edge of the computer than to the bottom edge of the computer, wherein said pen-based computer includes a back surface opposite to said front display surface, and wherein the total area of the front display surface is greater than the total area of the back surface so that said front display surface overlaps said back surface at least at the bottom edge and the first and second side edges of the computer so that said bottom edge and the first and second side edges of the computer include a recessed portion adjacent to the back surface of the computer, wherein said first and second portions of the handle/prop are connected to the computer in the recessed portions of the first and second side edges of the computer, and wherein the handle is connected to the computer so that, in the second position, the first and second portions of the handle will be in the recessed portion of the first and second side edges, under the overlapping portion of the front display surface, and wherein the crossbar portion of the handle/prop will be in the recessed portion of the bottom edge of the computer, under the overlapping portion of the front display surface so that the handle/prop is located behind the overlapping portion of the front display surface to minimize the size of the computer and minimize interference with holding the computer and writing on a screen of the computer when a user is holding the computer in the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A handle/prop according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the handle/prop are substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the crossbar portion is substantially perpendicular to said first and second portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handle/prop according to claim 1, wherein the crossbar portion contacts the bottom edge of the computer in the second position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handle/prop according to claim 1, wherein in the second position the handle/prop will not be visible when the computer is viewed from the front display screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A handle/prop according to claim 1, wherein the handle/prop includes an antenna.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pen-based computer according to claim 5, wherein the antenna is embedded in the handle/prop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A pen-based computer according to claim 5, wherein the antenna is wrapped around the handle/prop.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A pen-based computer according to claim 1, further comprising a ratchet locking mechanism for locking said handle/prop into a plurality of different positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A pen-based computer according to claim 8, wherein said ratchet locking mechanism includes first and second release buttons located at points where the handle/prop pivotally connects at opposite side edges of the computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-06 | 1998-09-05 | 1999-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-06 | 2002-09-05 | 2003-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-06 | 2006-09-05 | 2007-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |