US5901035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotating battery hinge for a notebook computer
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1996-06-27
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2016-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A very thin portable computer includes a computer housing for holding electronic components and a battery housing movably mounted external to the computer housing, the battery housing adapted for holding batteries for supplying power to the electronic components. The battery housing is rotatably mounted on the computer housing such that the battery housing rotates between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the rear side of the computer and an open position wherein the battery housing exposes connectors on the computer housing and elevates the rear side of the computer housing to an angle convenient for typing.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark J. Foster
- 👤 Michele Bovio
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/1613; G06F1/1633; G06F1/1635; G06F1/1615; G06F1/1616; G06F1/1656; G06F1/166; G06F1/1675; G06F1/1683; G06F1/1684; G06F1/169
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A portable computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components; an elongated battery housing for holding batteries for supplying power to said electronic components, the battery housing having a wide portion at each end and a narrow portion between the wide portions, a projection extending from each of the wide portions toward each other along the axis of rotation of the battery housing terminating in spaced apart relationship; spaced apart electrical contacts carried on each of the projections; mounting members spaced apart on the computer housing, each of the mounting members having a recess; and spaced apart electrical contacts mounted in the recess of each of the mounting members, the mounting members being positioned so that the projections are received in the recesses with the electrical contacts on the projections and the electrical contacts in the recesses in electrical contact with each other and with the battery housing mounted for rotational movement on the computer housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A portable computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components; an elongated battery housing for holding batteries for supplying power to said electronic components, the battery housing having a wide portion at each end and a narrow portion between the wide portions, a projection extending from each of the wide portions toward each other along the axis of rotation of the battery housing terminating in spaced apart relationship; spaced apart electrical contacts carried on each of the projections; mounting members spaced apart on the computer housing, each of the mounting members having a recess; and spaced apart electrical contacts mounted in the recess of each of the mounting members, the mounting members being positioned so that the projections are received in the recesses with the electrical contacts on the projections and the electrical contacts in the recesses in electrical contact with each other and with the battery housing mounted for rotational movement on the computer housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus comprising: an enclosure for holding electronic components, the enclosure having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing for holding batteries that supply electrical power to the electronic components, the battery housing having a second electrical contact and being rotatably mounted externally on the enclosure, the first electrical contact on the enclosure and the second electrical contact on the battery housing providing the rotatable mounting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus comprising: an enclosure for holding electronic components, the enclosure having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing for holding batteries that supply electrical power to the electronic components, the battery housing having a second electrical contact and being rotatably mounted externally on the enclosure, the first electrical contact on the enclosure and the second electrical contact on the battery housing providing the rotatable mounting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing for holding batteries is removably mounted on the enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is mounted at one side of the enclosure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the enclosure includes a front side and a rear side and the housing is mounted for rotational movement at the rear side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first electrical contact on the enclosure and the second electrical contact on the battery housing are in electrical contact with each other for supplying power to the electronic components throughout any and all rotational movement of the battery housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components, the computer housing having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing for holding batteries that supply power to said electronic components, the battery housing having a second electrical contact and being rotatably mounted externally on the computer housing, the first electrical contact on the computer housing and the second electrical contact on the battery housing providing the rotatable mounting, the electrical contacts being in electrical contact with each other for supplying power to the electronic components throughout any and all rotational movement of the battery housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
A portable computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components, the computer housing having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing for holding batteries that supply power to said electronic components, the battery housing having a second electrical contact and being rotatably mounted externally on the computer housing, the first electrical contact on the computer housing and the second electrical contact on the battery housing providing the rotatable mounting, the electrical contacts being in electrical contact with each other for supplying power to the electronic components throughout any and all rotational movement of the battery housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer of claim 7 wherein the battery housing is removably mounted on the computer housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein the computer housing has a rear wall, and wherein the battery housing is dimensioned such that the battery housing can move between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the rear wall and an open position wherein the battery housing is effective to elevate the rear wall of the computer housing to provide a convenient typing angle when the computer is resting on a support surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein the computer housing has a rear wall, and wherein the battery housing is dimensioned such that the battery housing can rotate between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the rear wall and an open position wherein the battery is effective to elevate the rear wall of the computer housing to provide a convenient typing angle when the computer housing is resting upon a support surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
95 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein the computer housing has a rear wall, electrical connectors being mounted on the rear wall, and wherein the battery housing is dimensioned such that the battery housing can rotate between a closed position wherein the battery housing covers the electrical connectors and an open position wherein the battery housing exposes said electrical connectors, the battery housing when located in the open position being effective to elevate the rear wall of the computer housing to provide a convenient typing angle when the computer housing is resting on a support surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
103 words
The computer of claim 11 wherein the battery housing is an elongated housing dimensioned to have a wide portion and a narrow portion, the narrow portion being generally coextensive with the connectors on the rear wall of the computer housing, the axis of rotation of the battery housing extending through the wide portion and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery housing so that when the battery housing is rotated into the closed position the narrow portion covers the connectors and when the battery housing is rotated into the open position the narrow portion provides a space for exposing the connectors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein the connectors are positioned centrally on the rear wall of the computer housing and wherein the narrow portion of the battery housing is positioned in the center of the battery housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
The computer of claim 7 wherein the battery housing has an elongated shape with a wide portion and an immediately adjacent narrow portion, the wide portion having a surface facing generally in the direction of the narrow portion, a projection extending from the surface along the axis of rotation of the battery housing, the electrical contact on the battery housing being carried on the projection, and wherein the computer further comprises: a mounting member on the computer housing, the mounting member having a recess, the electrical contact on the computer being mounted in the recess, the recess having a shape and dimension to receive the projection so that the electrical contact on the projection and the electrical contact in the recess are in electrical contact with each other and so that the battery housing is mounted for rotational movement on the computer housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components, the computer housing having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing, for holding batteries that supply power to the electronic components, having a second electrical contact, the battery housing being rotatably and externally mounted on the computer housing with the first and second electrical contacts being in electrical contact with each other for supplying electrical power to the electronic components throughout any and all rotational movement of the battery housing, the rotational movement having an axis of rotation that extends through the electrical contacts of the battery housing and the computer housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
A computer comprising: a computer housing for holding electronic components, the computer housing having a first electrical contact; and a battery housing, for holding batteries that supply power to the electronic components, having a second electrical contact, the battery housing being rotatably and externally mounted on the computer housing with the first and second electrical contacts being in electrical contact with each other for supplying electrical power to the electronic components throughout any and all rotational movement of the battery housing, the rotational movement having an axis of rotation that extends through the electrical contacts of the battery housing and the computer housing.
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) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |