Apple Inc.

Grid Systems Corporation

David M Gallatin

John Gee Tang

William G Moggridge

David J Baik

Stephen R Hobson

David C Paulsen

Glenn T Edens

Karl S Nakamura

An apparatus in a hand-held computing device for providing non-simultaneous user access to a pair of mutually exclusive electrical connectors is disclosed. The present invention includes a slidable door having three operative positions. In its closed position, the door is adapted to cover the pair of the mutually exclusive electrical connectors to prevent user access. The door can be guided to stop at a first open position where a first electrical connector of the pair is exposed for user access and the other connector remains covered. The door can also be guided to stop at a second open position where the other connector is exposed whereas the first connector is covered up. One aspect of the invention includes detents associated with the three door positions for user feedback.

Sliding protection door for covering one or both of a pair of mutually

A portable computer is contained within an outer metal case which physically encapsulates and protects the working components of the computer in the closed, portable configuration. The metal case includes a base which serves as a heat sink for transferring waste heat from heat producing electrical components to the surroundings in the open, operating configuration of the computer. The heat producing components are mounted and located in the base to maximize the transfer of heat to the base. A display housing is pivotally mounted on the base by hinge assemblies for swinging movement between a closed and latched position on the base and an upward and rearwardly inclined angle for viewing by an operator positioned in front of the computer. Stop pins coact with the hinge assemblies for holding the display housing at the desired angle of view, and torsion springs are associated with the hinge assemblies for preventing inadvertent slamming of the display housing against the base during closing. Electrical cables are guided from the base through the hinge assemblies and to the display by cable guides which protect the cables against snagging and unnecessary flexure. A single connector connects an audio circuit on a modem to use either a standard hand set for voice communications or a passive speaker and microphone as an acoustic coupler for data communications.

Portable computer

Growing community of inventors

San Jose, CA, United States of America

David M Gallatin