Patent US5546334A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5546334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Notebook computer system with a separable trackball
Assignee: Wistron Corp
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Filing: 1993-03-29
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Granted: 1996-08-13
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Expires: 2013-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A notebook computer system with an easily separable trackball to give the system flexibility. The system makes use of a separable keyboard to achieve the goal of installing and separating the trackball. To this end the notebook computer comprises a keyboard that is able to be at least partially separated from the system, a socket for installation of the trackball module, with the trackball module being partially captured under the keyboard when installed in the socket. A notebook computer having a socket for accommodating a trackball may alternatively be provided with a plain plate, which allows the notebook computer to work normally without the trackball.
Inventors
- 👤 Rong-Ya Hsieh
- 👤 Jinn-Maw Lin
- 👤 Chun-Yen Hong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1662; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a body formed with a socket; a keyboard rotatably engaged with the body, the keyboard being rotatable between a first position that is fully engaged with the body and a second position wherein at least a portion of the keyboard is separated from the body; and a trackball module having a locking element that engages the keyboard so that the trackball module is captured by the keyboard when the trackball is installed in the socket and the keyboard is in the first position; wherein the trackball is removable from the socket and separable from the body and the keyboard when the keyboard is in the second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a body formed with a socket; a keyboard rotatably engaged with the body, the keyboard being rotatable between a first position that is fully engaged with the body and a second position wherein at least a portion of the keyboard is separated from the body; and a trackball module having a locking element that engages the keyboard so that the trackball module is captured by the keyboard when the trackball is installed in the socket and the keyboard is in the first position; wherein the trackball is removable from the socket and separable from the body and the keyboard when the keyboard is in the second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The notebook computer system of claim 1 wherein the socket further comprises a first stabilizing means for holding the trackball in the socket.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The notebook computer system of claim 2 wherein the trackball module further comprises a second stabilizing means for engaging the first stabilizing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notebook computer system of claim 3 wherein the second stabilizing means is a recess means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notebook computer system of claim 4 wherein the recess means is a plurality of mortises.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notebook computer system of claim 2 wherein the first stabilizing means is a projection means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The notebook computer system of claim 6 wherein the projection means is a plurality of tenons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a body formed with a socket; a keyboard coupled to the body, the keyboard being movable between a first position that is fully engaged with the body and a second position wherein at least a portion of the keyboard is separated from the body; and a trackball module having a locking element that engages the keyboard so that the trackball module is captured by the keyboard when the trackball is installed in the socket and the keyboard is in the first position; wherein at least a portion of the socket extends from under the keyboard when the keyboard is in the first position, and the trackball is removable from the socket and separable from the body and the keyboard when the keyboard is in the second position; and wherein the locking element is a horizontal plate protruding out of the trackball module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a body formed with a socket; a keyboard coupled to the body, the keyboard being movable between a first position that is fully engaged with the body and a second position wherein at least a portion of the keyboard is separated from the body; and a trackball module having a locking element that engages the keyboard so that the trackball module is captured by the keyboard when the trackball is installed in the socket and the keyboard is in the first position; wherein at least a portion of the socket extends from under the keyboard when the keyboard is in the first position, and the trackball is removable from the socket and separable from the body and the keyboard when the keyboard is in the second position; and wherein the locking element is a horizontal plate protruding out of the trackball module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A notebook computer system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the keyboard is rotatably engaged with the body, and the keyboard rotates between the first position and the second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
107 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a keyboard; a normally horizontal body supporting the keyboard, the body having a normally horizontal portion with an upper surface extending in a direction away from the keyboard; the normally horizontal portion being formed with a socket extending below the upper surface; a trackball module sized to fit into the socket; and a mechanism for removably mounting the trackball module in the socket; wherein the notebook computer is operable with the trackball module when the trackball module is installed in the socket; and wherein the notebook computer is operable without the trackball module when the trackball module is removed from the socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A notebook computer system comprising: a keyboard; a normally horizontal body supporting the keyboard, the body having a normally horizontal portion with an upper surface extending in a direction away from the keyboard; the normally horizontal portion being formed with a socket extending below the upper surface; a trackball module sized to fit into the socket; and a mechanism for removably mounting the trackball module in the socket; wherein the notebook computer is operable with the trackball module when the trackball module is installed in the socket; and wherein the notebook computer is operable without the trackball module when the trackball module is removed from the socket.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10 wherein the keyboard, the body, and the trackball module include engagement portions that cooperate so as to define the mechanism.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The notebook computer system of claim 11 wherein: the keyboard is rotatably engaged with and releasably locked against the body; and the trackball module engages a bottom surface of the keyboard.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The notebook computer system of claim 11 wherein the body and the trackball module engage via a plurality of mertises and tenons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The notebook computer system of claim 13 wherein: the plurality of mortises are formed in the trackball module; and the tenons are formed on the body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10 wherein: the socket is adapted to alternatively receive a plate when the trackball module is removed; and the notebook computer is operable with the trackball module removed and the plate installed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10 further comprising: a plate sized to fit over the socket, the plate having a plate upper surface; wherein the mechanism removably receives the plate over the socket with the upper surface of the body substantially flush with the plate upper surface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the socket extends in the direction of the first upper surface beyond the keyboard.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10 further comprising a cable connector which provides for data communication between the trackball module and the body when the trackball is installed, and which is separated when the trackball module is removed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The notebook computer system of claim 10, wherein the mechanism engages the trackball so as to capture the trackball in the socket when the keyboard is positioned for use.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |