Dell USA L P

Rick W Wahl

Peter Nils Skillman

Otto Daniel DeRuntz

Bryan Franklin Howell

Sean P O'Neal

Andrew K Moore

Steve D Gluskoter

Bo Hom

Jeff Brostrom

A portable computer includes a base, a display panel, a cover for housing the display panel, and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The display panel includes a front surface having an active area and an inactive area surrounding the active area. The cover includes a latch hook extending over a portion of the inactive area of the display panel. The latch hook secures the cover to the base when the cover in a closed position.

Portable computer having latching hooks

A portable computer includes a housing including a top portion pivotally mounted on a base portion. The base portion includes a module bay formed therein and also includes an internal module bay connector. A modular AC adapter is removably mounted in the module bay. The adapter is provided with a stationary connector for engagement with the internal module bay connector. A storage compartment is provided in the adapter. A first movable connector assembly includes a connection to the adapter positioned in the storage compartment. A second movable connector assembly is provided for connection to the adapter in the storage compartment. The adapter can be inserted into the module bay and interconnected with the computer. An AC connector can be stored in the adapter for carrying or extended for connection to an AC power source. Alternately, the adapter can be used externally of the computer so that a DC connector of the adapter is engaged with the computer and an AC connector of the adapter is engaged with the AC power source.

AC adapter for a module bay in a computer system

A portable computer includes a base and a cover pivotally connected to the base. The cover includes a substantially planar back plate and peripheral sides overhanging the base. An LCD panel is mounted in the cover and extends in a plane substantially parallel to the back plate. A hinge connection is mounted in an extended portion of one of the peripheral sides and substantially in the plane of the LCD panel. A hinge arm extends from the base and is extended to overhang a peripheral side of the base for pivotal attachment to the hinge connection in the extended portion of the cover.

LCD housing having vertically offset hinges

A computer system includes a processor module having a clip mounted on a peripheral edge of the module. The clip includes a body which has an elongated channel portion for gripping the peripheral edge. On each end of the channel portion, a clamp is provided. The clamps each have ground contacts and locating dimples for engaging screw holes formed in the module. The channel portion also includes at least one leg member extending therefrom for contact with a surface of the computer chassis which houses the module. The ground contacts extend from the clamps and engage ground surfaces in the chassis.

Computer processor module ground/EMI-shield spring clip and method

The adjustable clutch hinge assembly includes a shaft, an adjustment member connected to one end of the shaft, a metal inner cone member, and a metal outer cone member. The end of the shaft to which the adjustment member is connected is inserted into an aperture in the inner cone member, which is split, to allow a decrease of the internal diameter thereof, and has protruding key features, such that a threaded portion of the adjustment member protrudes out the opposite end of the inner cone member. The inner cone member resides within the outer cone member, which has receptive features for the inner cone member and its protruding key features to prevent rotation of the inner cone member within the outer cone member. When the threaded portion of the adjustment member protruding out the end of the inner cone member is drawn through the outer cone member, an outer surface of the inner cone member is forced against an inner surface of the outer cone. This forces the inner diameter of the inner cone member to decrease, increasing the force on the shaft. The shallow pitch of the inner cone member allows relatively large displacements to produce small increases in force, making the torque applied to the shaft controllable.

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Cedar Park, TX, United States of America

Rick W Wahl