Portable computer having a modular power conversion unit

Claim 2

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer, the modular power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power to DC power, the housing having a DC output connector coupled to the assembly; and a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is configured as an internal power converter for use within the portable computer; and wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position is configured as an external power converter for use outside the portable computer.

Claim 3

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer, the modular power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power to DC power, the housing having a DC output connector coupled to the assembly; and a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is configured as an internal power converter for use within the portable computer; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position is configured as an external power converter for use outside the portable computer said DC output connector protected by said cover when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 4

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer, the modular power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power to DC power, the housing having a DC output connector coupled to the assembly; and a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is configured as an internal power converter for use within the portable computer; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position is configured as an external power converter for use outside the portable computer said DC output connector protected by said cover when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 5

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power conversion unit occupies less space when said cover is in said second position than when said cover is in said first position.

Claim 6

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot with a DC input connector, the power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power supplied to an AC input connector to DC power available at a DC output connector, said DC connector attached to the housing; a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is insertable in the module slot, and said DC output connector engages the DC input connector when the modular power conversion unit is inserted into the module slot; and wherein said DC output connector is protected by said cover when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 7

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot with a DC input connector, the power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power supplied to an AC input connector to DC power available at a DC output connector, said DC connector attached to the housing; a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is insertable in the module slot, and said DC output connector engages the DC input connector when the modular power conversion unit is inserted into the module slot; and wherein said DC output connector is protected by said cover when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 8

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cover is rotatably engaged by said housing.

Claim 9

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said housing is roughly rectangular, and said cover is roughly U-shaped.

Claim 10

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for releasably fixing said cover in said second position.

Claim 11

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 5, further comprising means for releasably fixing said cover in said first position.

Claim 12

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said fixing means comprises at least one protrusion attached to said housing and at least one socket on said cover which corresponds to and engages said at least one protrusion.

Claim 13

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said fixing means comprises at least one protrusion attached to said cover and at least one socket on said housing which corresponds to and engages said at least one protrusion.

Claim 14

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said fixing means comprises a bias means.

Claim 15

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot, the power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power to DC power; and a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit is fittingly insertable in the module slot when said cover is in said first position, and wherein the power conversion unit occupies less space when said cover is in said second position than when said cover is in said first position.

Claim 16

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot, the power conversion unit comprising: a housing containing an assembly which converts AC power to DC power; and a cover movably attached to said housing, said cover movable between a first position and a second position; wherein the power conversion unit is fittingly insertable in the module slot when said cover is in said first position, and wherein the power conversion unit occupies less space when said cover is in said second position than when said cover is in said first position.

Claim 17

A modular power conversion unit as claimed in claim 12, wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position occupies roughly 2/3 of the space occupied by the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position.

Claim 18

An improved portable computer system of the type having a plurality of modular slots, at least one of the slots having a DC input connector, the improvement comprising: a modular power conversion unit including; a housing having a DC output connector, and a cover rotatably engaged with said housing and movable between and releasably fixable at a first position and a second position, wherein said power conversion unit occupies less space with said cover in said second position than said power conversion unit with said cover in said first position, and wherein said DC output connector is protected by said cover when in said second position; wherein said power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is fittingly insertable within the slot of the portable computer so that said DC output connector engages the DC input connector of the slot.

Claim 19

An improved portable computer system of the type having a plurality of modular slots, at least one of the slots having a DC input connector, the improvement comprising: a modular power conversion unit including; a housing having a DC output connector, and a cover rotatably engaged with said housing and movable between and releasably fixable at a first position and a second position, wherein said power conversion unit occupies less space with said cover in said second position than said power conversion unit with said cover in said first position, and wherein said DC output connector is protected by said cover when in said second position; wherein said power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is fittingly insertable within the slot of the portable computer so that said DC output connector engages the DC input connector of the slot.

Claim 20

An improved portable computer system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said housing includes an AC input connector and a DC output wire connector, and wherein said AC input connector and said DC output wire connector are accessible for electrical connection when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 21

An improved portable computer system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said housing is roughly rectangular in shape having two lateral sides, and wherein said cover comprises a roughly U-shape having lateral arms, a front surface, and an extended surface perpendicular to said front surface and extending down said lateral arms, and wherein said lateral arms are roughly parallel to said lateral sides when said cover is in said first position and said second position.

Claim 22

An improved portable computer system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said housing includes a lower extended surface perpendicular to a rear surface of said housing so that said DC output connector is contained by said cover and said housing when said cover is in said second position.

Claim 23

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot with a DC input connector and an opening adapted for an AC input connector, said power conversion unit comprising: a rectangular housing having a rear surface and two lateral sides, a DC output connector on said rear surface, and an AC input connector; and a U-shaped cover having a front surface, two lateral arms, and an extended surface perpendicular and adjacent to said front surface and extending down said lateral arms, and an opening in said cover adapted for an AC input connector; wherein said cover is rotatably engaged with said housing at said lateral arms and said lateral sides, respectively, and said cover is rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein said housing and cover are formed with cooperating protrusions and sockets so that said cover is releasably fixable in said first position by engagement of one of said protrusions by one of said sockets, and is releasably fixable in said second position by engagement of another of said protrusions by another of said sockets; and wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is fittingly insertable in the slot such that the AC input opening aligns with said AC input connector and said DC output connector engages the DC input connector; and wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position occupies roughly 2/3 the space of the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position, and said front surface and said extended surface of said cover protects said DC output connector, and said opening in said cover aligns with said AC input connector.

Claim 24

A modular power conversion unit for use with a portable computer having a module slot with a DC input connector and an opening adapted for an AC input connector, said power conversion unit comprising: a rectangular housing having a rear surface and two lateral sides, a DC output connector on said rear surface, and an AC input connector; and a U-shaped cover having a front surface, two lateral arms, and an extended surface perpendicular and adjacent to said front surface and extending down said lateral arms, and an opening in said cover adapted for an AC input connector; wherein said cover is rotatably engaged with said housing at said lateral arms and said lateral sides, respectively, and said cover is rotatable between a first position and a second position; wherein said housing and cover are formed with cooperating protrusions and sockets so that said cover is releasably fixable in said first position by engagement of one of said protrusions by one of said sockets, and is releasably fixable in said second position by engagement of another of said protrusions by another of said sockets; and wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position is fittingly insertable in the slot such that the AC input opening aligns with said AC input connector and said DC output connector engages the DC input connector; and wherein the power conversion unit with said cover in said second position occupies roughly 2/3 the space of the power conversion unit with said cover in said first position, and said front surface and said extended surface of said cover protects said DC output connector, and said opening in said cover aligns with said AC input connector.

Claim 27

A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising removing a battery from said modular slot prior to inserting said power conversion module.

Claim 30

A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein said modular power conversion unit includes a housing and a cover movably attached to said housing such that said cover is movable from a first position to a second position, and wherein said cover is in said first position when installed in said slot, the method further comprising: moving said cover from the first position to the second position; and removably fixing the cover at the second position.

Claim 31

A method as claimed in claim 19 further comprising removably fixing the cover at the first position.

Claim 32

A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the moving step comprises exposing a DC output connector on the power conversion unit for electrical connection with the portable computer.

Claim 33

A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the cover moving step comprises resizing of the power conversion unit to provide a secure fit in the module slot.

Claim 34

A method as claimed in claim 22 further comprising covering the DC output connector with said cover.

Claim 35

A method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising resizing the power conversion unit to provide a reduction in carrying volume of the unit.