WO1998049610A1

WO1998049610A1 - Paper holding device for notebook computer

Info

Publication number: WO1998049610A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Je Ho Yun
Original assignee: Je Ho Yun
Priority date: 1997-04-26
Filing date: 1998-04-25
Publication date: 1998-11-05
Also published as: AU7083798A

Abstract

Paper holding device for a notebook computer is disclosed. A paper holding plate installed on the back of a frame of the display compartment can be withdrawn in the lateral direction to use it when carrying out an inputting operation. A planar housing (15 or 25) has a monitor (13a) and is attached through a hinge (12) onto a rear edge of the computer body (11) in an angle-adjustable manner during its opening. A paper holding plate (14 or 24) is accommodated within the planar housing (15 or 25), and can be withdrawn to left or right.

Description

PAPER HOLDING DEVICE FOR NOTEBOOK COMPUTER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paper holding device for a notebook computer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a paper holding device for a notebook computer, wherein a paper holding plate can slide out from the housing of the paper holding device attached on the outer face of the display compartment of a notebook computer when it is used.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, personal computers can be classified into a desktop type and a portable type. In a desktop computer, a paper holding device is attached on the top or side of the monitor, or is installed on the keyboard. Otherwise, a separate paper holding device is used on the desk.

On the contrary, a portable computer has not been provided with any paper holding device.

One of advantages of a notebook computer is portability. A separate paper holding device carried with a notebook computer decreases the portability.

In addition, paper holding device is easily misplaceable. A separate paper holding device also easily scratch and damage the notebook computer when they are carried together. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient paper holding device for a notebook computer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attached or integrated paper holding device for a notebook computer, whereby the portability of the notebook computer is sustained without sacrificing the outlook.

According to the present invention, there is provided a paper holding device for a notebook computer comprising a housing to be attached on the outer face of the display compartment of the notebook computer and a paper holding plate slidably mounted in the said housing. The housing of the paper holding device has desirably a rectangular bottom face through which the paper holding device is attached on the outer face of the display compartment of the notebook. The rectangular face portion may be integrated to the housing, or is desirably formed separately from the housing and assembled to the housing. The housing has an open end at the left, at the right edge or at the upper edge of the housing, or open ends on the both edges and has a corridor connected to the open end or ends to receive the paper holding plate so that the paper holding plate slide out from the housing when it is used.

At the upper center of the paper holding plate, there is desirably formed a V shaped notch. An auxiliary supporting panel is connected to the plate through hinge pins installed at the upper sides of the notch.

The auxiliary supporting panel can be pivoted within 180 angular degrees, so that it support papers when it spreads out. In one embodiment of the present invention, the housing comprise: a housing cover having a button hole on one side thereof; a rectangular-faced portion having a releasing button to be inserted into the button hole of the housing cover, and having an engaging protuberance disposed adjacently to the releasing button so as to be engaged with an engaging step of the paper holding plate; and an elastic member having a push piece for pushing the releasing button into the button hole, and having an elastic piece for pushing one side of the paper holding plate so as to make it easily withdrawn. The housing is provided with V shaped notches to be mated with V shaped protuberances of the paper holding plate. At the entrance of one of the V shaped depressions, there are installed ring-shaped elastic pieces for elastically supporting one of the V shaped protuberances and for locking the paper holding plate when it pulls out completely.

In another aspect of the present invention, the paper holding device according to the present invention comprises: a guide rail having an I shaped cross section and attached on the rear face of the display compartment; and a paper holding plate having an elongate guide groove to be mated with the guide rail, and having a paper grasping piece.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the paper holding device according to the present invention further comprises: a Supporting panel supporting plate attached on the bottom and side edges of the frame of the display compartment, and having setting depressions at certain intervals; and a paper holding plate for being withdrawn by being turned by 90 angular degrees, and having setting protuberances for mating with the setting depressions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIGs. 1 to 4 illustrate a paper holding device in which a paper holding plate can slide out to left;

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the state in use of a paper holding device according to the present invention; FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a separate rectangular face portion of a housing according to the present invention;

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a housing cover as a part of a housing according to the present invention; FIG. 2c is a perspective view of a paper holding plate;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view showing a locked state of a paper holding device according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in use of a paper holding device according to the present invention;

FIGs. 5 to 8 illustrate a paper holding device for a notebook computer, wherein a paper holding plate can slide out to left and right, in which: FIG. 5 is a frontal view showing a state in use of a paper holding device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a of the present invention; FIG. 7a is a perspective view of the rectangular-faced portion of the housing according to the present invention;

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the housing cover of the housing according to the present invention; FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the paper holding plate according to the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state in use of the paper holding device according to the present invention;

FIGs. 9 and 10 are sectional views showing another embodiment of the housing according to the present invention; and

FIGs. 11, 12a and 12b illustrate another embodiment of the withdrawing means according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGs. 1 to 4 illustrate a paper holding device in which the paper holding plate can slide out to left. As shown in the drawings, a notebook computer 10 includes a frame of the display compartment 13 having display 13a, and the display compartment 13 is pivotably connected to main compartment 11 of the notebook computer through a rear hinge part 12 a housing25 is attached on the outer face of the frame of the display compartment. The housing has a corridor in it to receive a paper holding plate 24 when it is not used.

The housing 25 preferably comprises: a rectangular- faced portion 250 attached on the outer face of the display compartment 13; and a housing cover 251 having a corridor for accommodating a paper holding plate 24. The rectangular faced portion 250 is combined to the housing cover 251. The rectangular faced portion 250 is more preferably a rectangular strip. On the bottom of the rectangular-faced portion

250 a both-face adhesive tape 17 is provided so as to attach the rectangular-faced portion 250 to outer face of the display compartment 13.

As shown in FIGs. 1 to 4, the paper holding plate 24 of the housing 25 slides out to left. At the center of the rectangular-faced portion 250, there is formed a releasing button 253 which passes through a button hole 252 of the housing cover 251. Adjacently to the releasing button 253, there is integrally formed an engaging protuberance 254 so as to be engaged with an engaging step 241 of the paper holding plate 24. On the upper and lower positions of the other side of the paper holding plate 24, there are formed V shaped matches 255 which are mated with V shaped protuberances 242 of the paper holding plate 24. At the entrance of one of the V shaped notches 255, there are installed a pair of ring-shaped elastic pieces 256 for elastically supporting one of the V shaped protuberance 242. A button hole 252 is formed on one side of the housing cover 251 so as to be mated with the releasing button 253 of the rectangular-faced portion 250. A fixing pin 257 is formed near the button hole 252, for securing an elastic member 26. A plurality of coupling pieces 258 are formed on the upper and lower edges of the housing cover 251. A plurality of coupling holes 259 are formed on the upper and lower edges of the rectangular-faced portion

250, for mating with the coupling pins 258 of the housing cover 251. An elastic member 26 is installed on the fixing pin 257 of the housing cover 251, for elastically supporting the releasing button 253 of the rectangular-faced portion 250. The elastic member 26 is provided with a push piece 261 for pushing the releasing button 253 into the button hole 252 of the housing cover

251. Further, the elastic member 26 is provided with two elastic pieces 262 for pushing one end of the paper holding plate 24.

The paper holding plate 24 is accommodated within a corridor formed between the rectangular-faced portion 250 and the houising cover 251, and slides out to the left. An engaging step 241 is formed at the center of an edge of the paper holding plate 24.

V shaped engaging protuberances 242 are engaged with V shaped notches 255 of the rectangular-faced portion 250. Further there is a stopping wall 243 for making the coupling between the housing cover 251 and the housing 25 even.

Further, an auxiliary supporting panel 245 is installed on the paper holding plate 24, so that the paper 16 can be disposed adjacently to the monitor 13a. The auxiliary supporting panel 245 can be unfolded within 180 angular degrees around a hinge piece 244. The paper holding plate 24 is provided with a recess 246 as large as the auxiliary supporting panel 245 to receive the auxiliary supporting panel 245. The auxiliary supporting panel 245 is provided with a supporting step 248 for supporting the paper when unfolded, and for being locked by being engaged with a locking protuberance 247.

In the drawing, the rectangular-faced portion 250 which forms a part of the housing 25 is attached onto the frame of the display compartment 13 by means of a both-face adhesive tape 17. However, instead of the adhesive tape, an adhesive may be spread on the bottom of the rectangular-faced portion 250, so that it can be attached onto the frame of the display compartment 13.

Now the assembling of the paper holding device and installing it to the notebook computer will be described.

In order to assemble the paper holding device, the housing cover 251 is set upside down to make the space face upward. The push piece 261 of the elastic member 26 is temporarily inserted so as to press the releasing button of the rectangular-faced portion 250. In this state, the releasing button 253 of the rectangular-faced portion 250 is made to pass through the button hole 252 of the housing cover 251, in such a manner that the coupling pin 258 would be mated with the coupling hole 259. The housing cover 251 and the rectangular-faced portion 250 thus coupled are attached together by means of an adhesive or the like, thereby completing the assembly. The paper holding device assembled in the above described manner is installed to the notebook computer in the following manner. That is, the peeling paper is detached from the both-face adhesive tape of the bottom of the rectangular-faced portion 250, and the paper holding device is attached onto the frame of the display compartment 13 of the notebook computer 10.

The paper holding plate 24 thus assembled is used in the following manner. As shown in FIG. 4, the frame of the display compartment 13 is unfolded to the desired angle. Then if the releasing button 253 which is installed within the button hole 252 is pressed, then the engaging protuberance 254 is pressed. Therefore, the engaging step 241 is released from the engaging protuberance 254, and therefore, the paper holding plate 24 is slightly projected owing to the restoring force of the elastic member 26. Under this condition, if the pressed releasing button 253 is released, then a positional restoration of the paper holding plate is done owing to the restoring force of the push piece 261. As described above, the paper holding plate 24 is slightly protruded, and therefore, if the paper holding plate 24 is pulled by grasping the stopping wall 243, then the paper holding plate 24 can be easily withdrawn.

When the paper holding plate 24 is completely withdrawn to left of the housing cover 251, the V shaped protuberances 242 pass through between the ring-shaped pieces 256 so as to be mated with the V shaped notches 255. Therefore, the paper holding plate 24 is maintained firmly without oscillations. In this state, the auxiliary supporting panel

245 is pulled to unfold it downward. The auxiliary supporting panel 245 can be unfolded within 180 angular degrees, and therefore, it does not form a flat plane with the paper holding plate 24, but is slightly folded toward the front. Then the paper 16 is mounted on the paper holding plate 24 in such a manner that the paper should be laid on the supporting steps 248 of the auxiliary supporting panel 245.

Then the inputting operation is carried out. Since the auxiliary supporting panel 245 is inclined downward, the paper 16 lies at a height same as that of the monitor 13a. That is, the paper 16 lies adjacently to the monitor 13a, and therefore, the exhaustion of eyes can be alleviated, while the inputting efficiency is improved. After the completion of the use of the notebook computer 10, if the auxiliary supporting panel 245 is folded by pivoting it upward, then the supporting steps 248 of the auxiliary supporting panel 245 are engaged with locking protuberances 247 of the paper holding plate 24, thereby locking it. Under this condition, the auxiliary supporting panel 245 is accommodated into the recess 246, and therefore, it does not protrude above the paper holding plate 24.

In this state, if the end of the paper holding plate 24 is somewhat strongly pushed, then the V shaped protuberances 242 contactedly pass the ring-shaped pieces 256, and thus the paper holding plate 24 begins to be inserted. When the paper holding plate 24 is in the last stage of being inserted, the engaging protuberance 241 pushes the engaging step 254 of the rectangular-faced portion 250. When the paper holding plate 24 has been completely inserted, the engaging protuberance 241 is engaged with the engaging step 254 owing to the restoring force of the elastic member 26. Therefore, when the notebook computer is carried, the paper holding plate 24 is in a locked state. and therefore, the safety is ensured. Under this condition, the end portion of the paper holding plate 24 is pushing the elastic pieces 262 of the elastic member 26. Therefore if the locking state of the text paper plate 24 is released, the elastic pieces 262 exert restoring forces to make the paper holding plate 24 project.

FIGs. 5 to 8 illustrate the paper holding device for a notebook computer, in which the paper holding plate can be withdrawn to left and right. As shown in the drawings, the notebook computer

10 includes a frame of the display compartment 13 having a monitor 13a, and the frame of the display compartment 13 is connected to the hinge part 12 of the rear portion of the computer body 11, while the frame of the display compartment 13 can be opened or closed in an angle-adjustable manner.

A housing 15 is attached on the rear face of the frame of the display compartment 13, and a paper holding plate 14 is accommodated within the housing 15 in such a manner that the paper holding plate 14 can be withdrawn to left and right of the frame of the display compartment 13.

The housing 15 includes: a rectangular frame-shaped rectangular-faced portion 150 for being attached on the frame of the display compartment 13; and a housing cover 151 for covering the rectangular-faced portion 150 and having a corridor resembling a flat tunnel for receiving the paper holding plate 14.

The rectangular-faced portion 150 includes a slightly elastic stopper formed on each of both ends of the rectangular-faced portion 150 so as to make it possible to stop the paper holding plate 14 during its insertion; a pair of elastic supporting pieces 153 formed near each end of the rectangular-faced portion 150, for supporting the paper holding plate 14; a pair of straight elongate projections 154 formed on the front and rear edges of the rectangular-faced portion 150; and a both-end adhesive tape 155 attached along the whole length of the frame.

The housing cover 151 includes: a pair of coupling grooves 156 formed on upper and lower edges thereof, for mating with the elongate coupling projections 154 of the rectangular-faced portion 150; a pair of slots 157 formed on both ends thereof to facilitate the withdrawal of the paper holding plate 14; and a guide groove 158 for guiding the paper holding plate 14.

The paper holding plate 14 is accommodated in a corridor formed between the rectangular-faced portion 150 and the housing cover 151, and includes: a pair of pockmarked grasping parts 141 for preventing the slipping; and a paper holding holding piece 142 for preventing the flow-down of the paper.

The paper holding plate 14 further includes: a vertical V shaped notch 143 formed at an upper center thereof; an auxiliary supporting panel 145 connected to the paper holding plate through a hinge pin 144, for preventing the rearward fall-down of the paper 16, the auxiliary supporting panel being pivotal within 180 angular degrees; and a pair of guide protuberances 146 for being inserted into the guide groove 158 of the housing cover 151.

Now the paper holding device of the present invention constituted as described above will be described as to its installation to the notebook computer.

First, the peeling paper is detached from the both-face adhesive tape of the bottom of the rectangular-faced portion 150, and the rectangular-faced portion 150 is attached onto the frame of the display compartment 13 of the notebook computer 10. Then the housing cover 151 is coupled to the rectangular-faced portion 150 in such a manner that the paper holding plate 14 can be accommodated within the corridor under the paper cover 151. Under this condition, the coupling projections 154 are press-fitted to the coupling grooves 156 of the housing cover 151, thereby achieving a firm securing. If an adhesive is applied to the coupling projections 154, then the coupling strength can be further reinforced.

The paper holding plate 14 thus assembled is used in the following manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the user unfolds the frame of the display compartment 13 from the computer body 11 to the desired angle. Then the grasping part 141 of the paper holding plate 14 which is exposed through the slots 157 of the housing cover 151 is grasped with the user's fingers, and is pulled to the right side.

If the paper holding plate 14 is pulled, the guiding protuberances 146 of the paper holding plate 14 are guided inserted into the guide groove 158 of the housing cover 151. At the same time, the elastic supporting pieces 153 of the rectangular-faced portion 150 elastically support the bottom of the paper holding plate 14, and in this state, the paper holding plate 14 is withdrawn until it is stopped when the edge of the paper holding plate 14 is engaged with the elastic supporting pieces 153.

When the paper holding plate 14 is withdrawn, the auxiliary supporting panel 155 is unfolded by pulled it backward. Then the paper is inserted into under the paper holding piece 142, so that the paper can be secured by the elasticity of the paper holding piece 142. Since the auxiliary supporting panel 145 extends upward above the paper holding plate 14, a paper which is even higher than the paper holding plate 14 will not fall down backward.

In the above descriptions, the paper holding plate 14 was withdrawn to the right side, but it can be withdrawn to the left side. In this case, the manipulation procedure is same, and therefore, its description will be skipped. After withdrawing the paper holding plate 14, and after using it, if the paper holding plate 14 is to be inserted, the above described procedure is carried out in the reverse manner. FIGs. 9 and 10 are sectional views showing another embodiment of the housing according to the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a housing 15a consisting of: a rectangular-faced portion 150 having a corridor for accommodating the paper holding plate 14, with its left and right edges being open; and a housing cover 151 for covering the rectangular-faced portion 14.

FIG. 10 illustrates a housing 15b in which two edges of the paper holding plate 14 are supported by two edges of the rectangular-faced portion 150, and for this purpose, a pair of guide members 159 are provided.

In the above described embodiments, the rectangular-faced portion 150 is formed integrally with the housing cover 151 to form an integral housing 15a or 15b, thereby simplifying the constitution. FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the paper holding device. In this embodiment, the paper holding device includes: a paper holding plate 14a having an elongate guide groove 147 and a paper holding piece 142a; and a guide rail 170 for making the paper holding plate 14a with drawable to left and right.

In this embodiment, the paper holding plate 14a can be withdrawn to left and right along the guide rail 170, thereby simplifying the constitution and making the withdrawal very convenient. FIGs. 12a and 12b illustrate still another embodiment of the paper holding device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, an L shaped supporting panel 180 is installed along the lower and left edges of the frame of the display compartment 13, and setting depressions 182 are formed at a certain distance from a hinge pin 181. A paper holding plate 14b is installed to the hinge pin 181, in such a manner that the paper holding plate 14b can be pivoted by 90 angular degrees. There is a setting protuberance 148 on the paper holding plate 14b, for mating with one of the setting depressions 182.

In this embodiment, the paper holding plate 14b can be withdrawn by pivoting it around the hinge pin 181 by 90 angular degrees. It can be inserted by pivoting it in the opposite direction. In the above descriptions, a separate paper holding device is manufactured, and it is attached onto the rear face of the frame of the display compartment of the notebook computer.

However, the housing 15, 15a and 15b can be formed integrally with the frame of the display compartment 13. If it is integrally formed, the height of the housing can be reduced compared with the case of attaching it. Therefore, the overall thickness can be reduced, and the injection-molding steps can be reduced, thereby making it possible to save the manufacturing cost.

According to the present invention as described above, the paper is disposed immediately beside the notebook computer, and therefore, the eye exhaustion can be alleviated, and the efficiency of the inputting operation can be improved.

When the paper holding plate is completely inserted into the interior of the housing, it is locked. Therefore, when carrying the notebook computer, a safety is ensured. Meanwhile, if the releasing button is pressed, the paper holding plate is slightly projected, and therefore, the paper holding plate can be easily withdrawn by hand.

Further, the unitized paper holding device is attached on the back of the frame of the display compartment, and therefore, it will not be lost. Further, the carrying of the notebook computer is rendered easier without aggravating the external aesthetics.

Further, the paper holding plate can be arbitrarily withdrawn to left or right, and therefore, the user can enjoy a convenience when carrying out an inputting operation.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A paper holding device for a notebook computer having a main compartment and a display compartment connected pivotably to the main compartment comprising: a housingl5,25 having a rectangular bottom face and a corridor, and two opening ends connected to the corridor at the right and the left edge of the said housing or one opening end connected to the corridor at either of the right and the left edges or at the upper edge of the said housingl5,25 the said housing being attached onto the outer face of the display compartment by the rectangular bottom face; and a paper holding platel4,24 slidably mounted in the housing, whereby the paper holding platel4,24 is accommodated in the housing when the paper holding plate is not used and the paper holding platel4,24 slides out through the corridor and the opening ends when the paper holding platel4,24 is used.

2. The paper holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing comprises: a rectangular-faced portion 150 having a rectangular bottom face; and a housing cover 151 combined above the rectangular-faced portion 150, said housing cover 151 having a corridor and two opening ends connected to the corridor at the both of side edges of the housing cover 151.

3. The paper holding device as claimed in claim

1, wherein said housing comprises: a rectangular sheet type rectangular-faced portion 150 having a rectangular bottom face; and a housing cover 151 combined above said sheet type rectangular-faced portion 150, said housing cover having a corridor and one opening end connected to the corridor at one side edge of the housing cover 151.

4. The paper holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the paper holding plate 14 comprises a V shaped notch formed at the center of the upper side of the paper holding plate 14, hinge pins 144 and an auxiliary supporting panel 14 connected pivotably within 180 angular degrees to the paper holding plate 14 at upper sides of the V shaped notch by the hinge pins.

5. The paper holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the paper holding plate 14 further comprises two hinge means 244 formed at a distance near the lower side of the paper holding plate 24 and an auxiliary supporting panel 245 having two counter-hinge means, the auxiliary supporting panel being connected pivotably within 180 angular degree to the paper holding plate by the engagement of the hinge means 244 and the counter hinge means.

6. The paper holding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing 15 or 25 and said paper holding plate 14 or 24 further comprises a locking means to lock said paper holding plate when the paper holding plate pulls out or in completely.

7. The paper holding device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said locking means of said paper holding plate 14, 24 comprises: an engaging step 241 formed on one edge of said paper holding plate 24; a button hole 252 formed near one edge of said housing cover 251; a releasing button 253 formed on one edge of said rectangular-faced portion 250, for being inserted into said button hole 252; an engaging protuberance 254 formed near said releasing button 253, for being engaged with said engaging step 241; and an elastic piece 262 installed on one side of said rectangular-faced portion 250, and having a push piece 261 for pushing said releasing button 253 to make it protrude into said button hole 252, and for pushing said paper holding plate 24 to make it easily withdrawn.

8. The paper holding device as claimed in claim

6, wherein said locking means of said paper holding plate

14 or 24 comprises:

V shaped protuberances 242 formed near one edge of said paper holding plate 24; V shaped notches 255 formed on said rectangular-faced portion 250, for receiving said V shaped protuberances

242; and ring-shaped elastic pieces 256 for elastically supporting said V shaped protuberances 242 at entrances of said V shaped notches 255.

9. The paper holding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said housing 25 is formed integrally with a outer face of the display compartment 13.

10. Paper holding device for a notebook computer, comprising: an I cross-sectioned guide rail 170 attached on a rear face of a frame of the display compartment 13, for making it possible to pull out a paper holding plate 14a to left and right; and said paper holding plate 14a having an elongate guide groove 147 to be mated with said guide rail 170, and having a paper holding piece 142a.

11. A paper holding device for a notebook computer having a main compartment and a display compartment connected to the main compartment comprising: a L-shaped supporting plate 180 having hinge means at the corner of L-shaped supporting plate and having two or two sets of setting depressions 182 with each or each set equidistant with the other or the other set from the hinge means, L-shaped supporting plate 180 being attached on bottom and side edges of the outer face of the display compartment 13; and a paper holding plate 14b having counter hinge means and two or two sets of setting protuberance 148 with each or each set equidistant with the other or the other set from the counter hinge means, the paper holding plate being rotatably connected to the Supporting panel supporting plate 180 by engagement of the hinge means and counter hinge means, whereby the paper holding plate 14b is placed by turning 90 angular degrees around the hinge means and by mating setting protuberances 148 with said setting depressions 182 when the paper holding plate 14b is used.