External hinge for a portable computer cover

Claim 2

A portable computer comprising: a base having a first hinge groove formed in at least two external surfaces thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; and a hinge having a first portion and a second portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the at least two external surfaces of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and the second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

Claim 3

The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 4

The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the hinge is formed of metal.

Claim 5

The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the base includes peripheral sides which define a base footprint, and wherein the cover includes peripheral sides which define a cover footprint which is larger than the base footprint.

Claim 6

The portable computer as defined in claim 1 wherein the portable computer further includes a display panel housed within the cover, wherein the base includes peripheral sides which define a base footprint, and wherein the display panel includes peripheral sides which define a panel footprint which is larger than the base footprint.

Claim 7

A portable computer comprising: a base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 8

A portable computer comprising: a base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 9

A portable computer comprising: a base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position, and wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 10

A portable computer comprising: a base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position, and wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 11

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in at least two external surfaces thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; and a hinge having a first portion and a second portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the at least two external surfaces of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and the second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

Claim 12

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in at least two external surfaces thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; and a hinge having a first portion and a second portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the at least two external surfaces of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and the second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

Claim 13

The portable computer as defined in claim 8 wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 14

The portable computer as defined in claim 8 wherein the hinge is formed of metal.

Claim 15

The portable computer as defined in claim 8 wherein the base includes peripheral sides which define a base footprint, and wherein the cover includes peripheral sides which define a cover footprint which is larger than the base footprint.

Claim 16

The portable computer as defined in claim 8 wherein the portable computer further includes a display panel housed within the cover, wherein the base includes peripheral sides which define a base footprint, and wherein the display panel includes peripheral sides which define a display panel footprint which is larger than the base footprint.

Claim 17

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 18

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 19

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position, and wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 20

A computer system comprising; a microprocessor; an input coupled to provide input to the microprocessor; a mass storage coupled to the microprocessor; a video controller coupled to the microprocessor; a memory coupled to provide storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by the microprocessor; a portable computer base having a first hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a cover mounted on the base and having a second hinge groove formed in an external surface thereof; a hinge having a first portion seated in the first hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove, the first portion being rigidly connected to the base, and a second portion seated in the second hinge groove and substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove, the second portion being pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion; and wherein the hinge further includes an extension portion located between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a peripheral side of the base in a direction away from the peripheral side, such that a peripheral edge of the cover overhangs the peripheral side of the base when the cover is in a closed position, and wherein a rear edge of the second portion is offset from a plane defined by a rear side of the base in a direction away from the rear side, such that a rear edge of the cover overhangs the rear side of the base when the cover is in a closed position.

Claim 23

The method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the step of forming an offset portion in the second portion of the hinge.

Claim 24

The method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the steps of forming an offset portion in the second portion of the hinge, and connecting the cover to the offset portion.

Claim 25

The method as defined in claim 15 further comprising the steps of forming an offset portion of the second portion of the hinge, forming the cover to overhang the base, and connecting the cover to the offset portion.