Computer Display Screen System and Adjustable Screen Mount, and Swinging Screens Therefor

Abstract

A computer system is described herein. In addition to a base structure for resting on a support surface, the system includes a first display panel coupled to the base structure, and a second display panel. The system further includes a hinge mechanism that couples a side edge of the first display panel to a side edge of the second display panel. The hinge mechanism allows the second display panel to rotate about a nominal axis substantially parallel to the side edge of the first display panel an allows the angle between the first viewing face of the first display panel and the second viewing face of the second display panel to be greater than 180°.

1 . A computer system comprising:
 a base structure for resting on a support surface;   a first display panel having a first viewing face, said first display panel being coupled to the base structure;   a second display panel having a second viewing face; and   a hinge mechanism for coupling a side edge of the first display panel to a side edge of the second display panel, wherein the hinge mechanism allows the second display panel to rotate about a nominal axis substantially parallel to the side edge of the first display panel and allows the angle between the first viewing face and the second viewing face to be greater than 180°.   
   
   
       2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism allows the angle between the first and second viewing faces to be in the range of 0° to 360°. 
   
   
       3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure includes a keyboard in electric communication with the first and second display panels. 
   
   
       4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the first viewing face includes an LCD screen. 
   
   
       5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is a laptop. 
   
   
       6 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism allows the second display panel to assume an obverse viewing position in which the second display panel is substantially parallel to the first display panel and the second viewing face faces away from the first viewing face, thereby allowing a first person to view the first viewing face at the same time that a second person racing the first person views the second viewing face. 
   
   
       7 . The computer system of  claim 6 , wherein, in the obverse viewing position, the second display panel is against the first display panel. 
   
   
       8 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism allows the display system to assume a storage position in which the second display panel is substantially parallel to the first display panel such that the first viewing face faces the second viewing face. 
   
   
       9 . The computer system of  claim 8 , wherein, in the storage position, the second display panel is against the first display panel. 
   
   
       10 . The computer system of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge mechanism allows the second display panel to rotate 360° from the storage position to an obverse viewing position in which the second display panel is substantially parallel to and against the first display panel such that the second viewing face faces away from the first viewing face to thereby allow a first person to view the first viewing face at the same time that a second person facing the first person views the second viewing face. 
   
   
       11 . The computer system of  claim 10 , wherein, in the obverse viewing position, the second display panel is against the first display panel. 
   
   
       12 . The computer system of  claim 11 , further comprising a keyboard having a keyboard edge to which a bottom edge of the first display panel is hingedly connected, wherein the first display panel and the second display panel may be folded over the keyboard when the display system is in the storage position. 
   
   
       13 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge mechanism supports the full weight of the second display panel. 
   
   
       14 . The computer system of  claim 13 , wherein the hinge mechanism allows the angle between the first and second viewing faces to be in the range of 0° to 360 °. 
   
   
       15 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the computer system is a laptop and the base structure includes a keyboard having a keyboard edge to which a bottom edge of the first display panel is hingedly connected.