Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a rigid panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the rigid panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The rigid panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, and interconnecting the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock members positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.

Abstract: A knock-down portable partition includes a panel frame having a central portion. The partition includes at least one cover panel covering at least a portion of the central portion of the panel frame. Connectors detachably mount the cover panel on the panel frame to facilitate assembly and removal of the cover panel on the panel frame. The panel frame includes at least two vertical posts having an upper end, a lower end, and opposite side faces. The opposite faces have at least two beam connection ports thereon positioned adjacent the upper and lower ends of the associated one of the posts. The panel frame also includes upper and lower beams extending generally horizontally between the vertical posts adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof. The upper and lower beams interconnect the vertical posts adjacent the connection ports. The panel frame includes quick-disconnect connectors such as movable lock wedges positioned on one of the posts and the beams adjacent the connection ports.

Abstract: A portable computer with a base (22) containing media, batteries, and keyboard, with the a CPU and motherboard located in a planar CPU module (28) separate from and behind the flat-panel display module (26), mechanically connected to the display module (26) with a deployment mechanism, and functionally connected to the display module (26) and base (22) by a base flexible circuit (78). The translating mechanism operates such that when the display module (26) is closed, the CPU module (28) is adjacent to the display module (26), and when the display module (26) is open, the CPU module (28) is positioned with a gap between the it and the display module (26).

Abstract: A thermal transfer circuit is provided for dissipating thermal energy within a portable minicomputer. The thermal transfer circuit is formed during assembly of the personal computer. Specifically, the thermal transfer circuit embodies dual cooling paths for extracting thermal energy from opposing surfaces of an encapsulated integrated circuit. The dual path thermal transfer circuit is formed by drawing the integrated circuit between an upper path heatsink assembly and a lower path heatsink assembly. Thermal connection of heatsink assemblies to corresponding integrated circuit surfaces, either directly or indirectly, allows enhanced dissipation of power-consumptive integrated circuits, such as modern day CPUs. Clamping of the upper and lower heatsink assemblies occurs in equal and opposite force directions normal to opposed integrated circuit surfaces.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fully functional portable computer with central processing unit, hard disk drive data storage, and liquid crystal display and a docking station having at least a floppy disk drive, video random access memory and video controller. A motorized docking/undocking mechanism automatically docks and undocks the portable computer and docking station after the user has inserted the portable computer into the docking station or after the user has requested that the units be undocked. Numerous mechanical and electrical safeguards prevent the docking or undocking of the units if such docking or undocking is likely to lead to the loss of data or damage to the components of either unit. The internal mechanical construction of the docking station allows the user to place a large cathode ray tube display monitor directly atop the docking station without hindering the docking or undocking of the portable computer.

Abstract: A portable computer having a base housing and a removable display pivotably mounted thereon, the display being removable from the base housing to be made free-standing on pivotable support feet, while having a removable electrical cable to the base housing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display for a portable computer is adapted for pivotal mounting to a base. The pivot hinge apparatus includes a torsion rod that is operative to counterbalance the display against the effect of gravity in various angular positions with respect to the base. A band brake cooperates with the torsion rod to permit angular adjustment of the display with respect to the computer.

Abstract: A battery pack apparatus particularly adapted for use on a portable appliance, as for example, a lap-top computer, is removably attached to the appliance by a coupling arangement that is organized so as to compel a wiping action to occur between the contacts of the apparatus and those of the appliance during assembly and disassembly of the apparatus to the appliance. In this way, the buildup of oxide deposits on the respective contacts is prevented. Also disclosed is a detent operated latching arrangement in which the detent is operated by a spring-biased, cam-actuated lever arm that, in turn, is operated by a spring-biased selectively operated actuator bearing a cam which cooperates with an inclined plane follower surface on the lever arm.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display of a portable computer is pivotally mounted with respect to a base fixed to the computer chassis. The pivot mount is effected by means of a pivot shaft arrangement that operates, in addition, to secure the opposite end portions of a circuit strip extending between and electrically connecting the terminals on the display and the base, respectively. The pivot shaft is axially split to secure an intermediate portion of the circuit strip whereby that portion of the circuit strip that extends from the base is windingly received on the exterior of the shaft to accommodate pivotal movement of the display. The other end of the strip is secured within the split segments of the shaft and extends axially therefrom within the display housing.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display for a portable computer adapted for utilization as an integral part of the computer chassis is separable therefrom to be free-standing in a position remote from the chassis thereby enhancing desk-top operation of the computer. The display possesses locking members that serve to secure the display to the chassis. Manually operated levers effect movement of the locking members between a display-locking condition and a display-releasing condition. Following release of the display the locking members and the levers serve as supports enabling the display to be free-standing remote from the chassis.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a plate mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement between a position covering the connector terminals in the chassis rear wall to a position angularly spaced therefrom wherein the plate extends below the lower surface of the chassis thereby supporting the rear of the chassis in raised relation with respect to the front thereof. Cam surfaces consisting of angularly spaced flats are engageable with cooperating spring-biased followers for retaining the plate in its various angularly spaced positions.

Abstract: A peripheral or stand-alone computerized stamp printer is provided particularly for office use in which a print assembly including a pressure cam and leaf spring arrangement is associated with a heated print head which contacts and impresses a daisy wheel character against an imprinting tape in a confined cartridge to serially print computer-selected letters or characters on a binder, binder spine, or other workpiece. The printer assembly may move on an X or Y axis along a fixed or movable gantry upper arm. If the gantry is fixed, means are provided for moving paper stock, binders or other workpieces into proper position for clamping on a work surface on the top surfaces of the printer chassis. A spine-holding drawer may be provided in the chassis for supporting the spine of a binder for printing letters, logos, or the like, on the binder spine. The print assembly is a discrete unit and includes a replaceable tape cartridge fitted into drive mechanisms within the printer assembly.

Abstract: A two-part binding system includes one or more bifurcated posts integrally extending from a clamping strip or member. The posts are inserted into one or more apertures in a stack of punched paper or other material and a second clamping strip having one or more integral or separate latching buttons inserted over and around the posts. Each button includes one or a pair of toothed pawls integrally hinged to a cross bar extending across a button aperture. The posts contain a series of transverse ratchets facing each other. As the second strip and its integral or snap-in latching button is manually pressed over the posts toward the first clamping strip, the teeth of the pawl teeth ratchet successively into the posts toward the base of the posts until the stack of paper is firmly grasped and the teeth mesh with a final transverse ratchet. At this position, the strips are bowed putting the edges of the stacked sheets in compression.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a fully functional portable computer with central processing unit, hard disk drive data storage, and liquid crystal display and a docking station having at least a floppy disk drive, video random access memory and video controller. A motorized docking/undocking mechanism automatically docks and undocks the portable computer and docking station after the user has inserted the portable computer into the docking station or after the user has requested that the units be undocked. Numerous mechanical and electrical safeguards prevent the docking or undocking of the units if such docking or undocking is likely to lead to the loss of data or damage to the components of either unit. The internal mechanical construction of the docking station allows the user to place a large cathode ray tube display monitor directly atop the docking station without hindering the docking or undocking of the portable computer.