초록 ▼

In a locking mechanism for a portable computer having a main base panel and a display panel pivotally mounted on the base panel, a latch frame is installed to be capable of moving inside the display panel, a plurality of latches are formed on the latch frame at a predetermined interval and one end p

In a locking mechanism for a portable computer having a main base panel and a display panel pivotally mounted on the base panel, a latch frame is installed to be capable of moving inside the display panel, a plurality of latches are formed on the latch frame at a predetermined interval and one end portion thereof protrudes from the front surface of the display panel, and a latch slide knob operatively connected to the latch frame for concurrently operating the latches. The latches insert into and are locked by latch grooves formed at positions corresponding to the latches on the upper surface of the base panel. Since a plurality of latches are provided and elastic forces are applied by double springs, the display panel of the portable computer is kept stable with respect to the main base panel and is not easily opened by external impacts. In addition, since a plurality of latches are coupled to a single latch frame, the latches can be concurrently operated by a single latch slide so that the opening/closing operation of the portable computer is facilitated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a portable computer having a generally rectangular base panel supporting a keyboard and having a lengthwise edge: a display panel adapted to move between an open position when the portable computer is open, and a closed position when the portable computer is closed; an

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] In a portable computer having a generally rectangular base panel supporting a keyboard and having a lengthwise edge: a display panel adapted to move between an open position when the portable computer is open, and a closed position when the portable computer is closed; and a locking mechanism pivotally connecting the display panel to the base panel along said lengthwise edge, said locking mechanism comprising:a latch frame adapted to be installed in said display panel for movement along a widthwise direction of said display panel;said latch frame having a travel axis generally parallel to said lengthwise edge; anda plurality of latches formed on said latch frame at a predetermined interval and protruding through a front surface of said display panel, said latches being concurrently movable between a latch position adapted to engage corresponding latch grooves formed on said base panel to enable said display panel to be secured in the closed position, and a release position adapted to be disengaged from the corresponding latch grooves of said base panel to enable said display panel to be moved into the open position; improvement comprising a locking mechanism wherein:a slide knob is operatively connected to said latch frame, for sliding the latch frame along the widthwise direction of said display panel to move the latches between (a) the latch position adapted to engage corresponding latch grooves formed on said base panel to enable said display panel to be secured in the closed position, and (b) the release position adapted to be disengaged from the corresponding latch grooves of said base panel to enable said display panel to be moved into the open position andsaid latch frame is elastically supported to float longitudinally along said travel axis between a tension spring installed at a first end portion of said latch frame and a compression spring installed at a second end portion of said latch frame, whereby said latches are kept in a locked state when said display panel is in the closed position.