DE8909490U1 - Removable magnification unit for computers - Google Patents

Description

49270G KN/EH : ! :'·;I:":·;":'·· ¹ 04.08.1989

Solve magnifying glass for computer

The present invention relates to a magnification unit for computers (laptop computers), in particular a detachable magnification unit that can be connected to the back of a computer in order to expand its functions.

To make the computers portable and easy to use,

Conventional computers (laptop computers) have a simple and compact arrangement of components. The simpler the construction of these computers, the better. Therefore

IQ , conventional computers can meet the needs of those who want to have a computer at hand at all times to handle individual information. However, due to the simple structure and limited functions that such conventional computers usually have, these computers cannot be used in conjunction with other computers. Due to the rapid development of computer technology, it is often required that a single computer unit can be connected to another computer system in order to be able to carry out further information processing operations. If

Since no additional options are provided, such a connection cannot be made using conventional computers.

V" To solve the above problem, a so-called "expansion station" has already been proposed in some related fields for establishing necessary links between conventional computers and other computer systems, so as to extend the functions of these conventional computers. However, since such an "expansion station" is provided in a fixed location, for example in the office of a company, it is inconvenient for those persons who wish to have a computer at hand for personal use to have to go to the "expansion station" and establish the necessary link in order to gain access to further information.

In addition to the expansion station mentioned above, another method has been used by some manufacturers. They have installed more components in a conventional computer to increase its capabilities. Although the additional components can expand the capabilities of such conventional computers, 5 they also increase the volume and weight of the computer, causing considerable difficulties.

The present innovation is based on the object of creating a detachable extension unit for computers with interface units and a coupling housing, which can be detachably connected to the back of a computer in order to expand its functions without adversely affecting the portability of the computer.

This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by a detachable extension unit for computers, on the rear of which additional components can be installed and removed, comprising the following components: a rear cover which is detachably engageable with the rear of an associated computer (lap-top computer); a plurality of interface elements, each having an electrical circuit arranged therein, which are detachably installed on the rear of the computer and electrically coupled to the required components of the computer via the electrical circuits; a plurality of interface cards, each having an electrical fitting arranged thereon and installed separately on each interface element; and an open housing having an elongated opening in one side thereof with a cover plate which is hinged to the lower edge of the elongated opening, the housing being detachably connected to the rear of the computer to accommodate the interface elements and the interface cards.

ments are arranged in the elongated opening of the open case so that electrical connections can be selectively made between the computer and other computer systems to expand the functions of the computer without adversely affecting its portability. The rear cover releasably engages the rear of the computer when the expansion unit is not required and is removed from the computer when it is desired to make it portable again.

The innovation is explained in detail below using an example in conjunction with the drawing. Shown are:

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Figure 1 a side view of a computer

with a rear cover removed therefrom for installation of a preferred embodiment of a detachable magnification unit according to the
present innovation;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the preferred embodiment connected to the back of the computer;
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Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment connected to the back of the computer; and
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Figure 4 is a representation of the preferred embodiment in the assembled and
to the connection lines of another

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Figures 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of a removable magnification unit for computers according to the present invention. The back 11 of a
conventional computer 1 (lap-top computer) can detachably accommodate additional components, with a battery unit (B) being provided thereon to supply the computer 1 with power. A preferred embodiment of the detachable
Magnification unit comprises: a rear cover 6 which can separately cover the rear 11 of the computer 1 when the preferred embodiment of the magnification unit is not required and which can be removed from the computer 1; a pair of interface

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elements 2 each having an electrical arrangement mounted on the rear 11 of the computer and electrically connected to the circuits of the computer; a pair of interface cards 3 each provided with an electrical socket 4 separately arranged on the interface elements 2; and an open housing 5, which is larger than the rear cover 6, removably engages the rear 11 of the computer 1 to accommodate the interface cards 5 in the space of the open housing 5 and forms an integral portion of the computer 1 (it is understood that the interface elements 2 and the interface cards 3 do not necessarily have to be in one embodiment for the computer 1 and that different types of interface elements 2 and cards 3 can be manufactured to meet the different requirements of different computer systems).

According to Figure 3, the open housing 5 comprises an elongated opening 50 arranged on one side thereof and a hinge 51 hinged to the lower side of the elongated opening 50 so that the cover plate 51 can be pivoted to open and close the elongated opening 50. Furthermore, the elongated opening 50 is designed in conjunction with the sockets 4 of the interface cards 3 so that when the open housing 5 is engaged with the rear of the computer 1, the electrical sockets 4 are arranged in the elongated opening 50.
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As can be seen from Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 3, after installation of the preferred embodiment of the magnification unit according to the innovation in the rear 11 of the computer 1, with the open housing 5 detachably engaged therewith,

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handle, the cover plate 51 is opened and the electrical plug 52 of another computer system (not shown) is inserted into the electrical sockets 4 of the interface cards 3. The functions of the computer 1 can thus be expanded with the help of the other computer system electrically connected to it. If a different computer system is to be connected to the computer 1 associated with the preferred embodiment of the present innovation, the interface elements 2 and the interface cards 3 can be easily exchanged with the associated interface elements 2 and interface cards if this should be necessary.

For example, in chemical laboratories, computers are needed to process the laboratory's experimental data. With the expansion unit of the present invention, a computer can be connected to the laboratory's experimental equipment in such a way that the obtained experimental data can be transferred to the computer connected to another computer system to perform correct processing steps without having to perform separate processing by the "expansion station" mentioned above.

According to another embodiment, a computer equipped with the preferred embodiment of the innovative magnification unit can be connected to a vehicle inspection instrument to identify the problems of a vehicle under inspection without the need for an "enlargement station".

By installing the preferred embodiment of the magnification unit on a computer, its length is only

slightly increased without a significant increase in weight. Thus, the portability of the computer remains unaffected by the installation of the preferred embodiment of the innovation.

If a computer equipped with the preferred embodiment of the magnification unit according to the invention is only used for individual use and is not to be connected to another computer system, the

3-0 open housings 5, the interface elements 2 and the interface cards 3 (as shown in Figure 2) can be easily removed from the rear 11 of the computer 1. Then the rear cover β (as shown in Figure 1) can be removably attached over the rear 11 as an integral part of the computer 1.

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Claims (2)

49270G KN/EH ! &Iacgr; '.' · · · l"'.' :":'·'- 0.4.08.1989 Hertz HO 10-lth Fl., No. 56, Hsi-Ning N. Rd. Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C. Protection claims 1. Detachable extension unit for computers, on the rear of which additional components can be detachably installed, characterized by: A pair of interface elements (2) detachably installed in the rear panel (11) of a computer (1) and electrically connected thereto to extend the functions of the computer (1); IQ a pair of interface cards (3), each of which has a have an electrical socket (4) arranged thereon and are arranged on the interface elements (2) in order to establish electrical connections with other computer systems; and an open housing (5) formed in connection with the rear side (11) of the computer (1), wherein the interface elements (2) and interface cards (3) are detachably connected to the rear side (11) of the computer (1) and received therein to form an integral portion of the computer (1). 2. Magnification unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the open housing (5) has an elongated opening (50) provided on one side thereof in communication with the electrical sockets (4) of the interface cards (3) to facilitate the insertion of the electrical plugs of another computer system into the electrical sockets (4) of the interface cards (3). 3, ¥«rgröi>eroagseinheit according to claim 2, characterized in that d. s ?- the open housing (59) further comprises a cover plate (51) which is hinged to a lower box of the longitudinal opening (10) for opening and closing the longitudinal opening.