Pin lock

• US 20030145441A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Trulsson, Christian, Andersson, Magnus
• Granted Patent: US 6,701,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 24/652
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2015/0235 Stud-like
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0038 using permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/02 Automatic catches, i.e. released by pull or pressure on the wing E05C19/06 takes precedence ; with locking means E05B63/22
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/063 Released by pull or pressure on the wing E05C19/022 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0249 Details of the mechanical connection between the housing parts or relating to the method of assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0283 for providing a decorative aspect, e.g. customization of casings, exchangeable faceplate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0217 Mechanical details of casings covers, lids, hoods or members for covering apertures H05K5/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45723 having slidably connected, nonself-biasing interlocking component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45733 and position locking-means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45743 Requiring manual force thereon to interlock or disengage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45775 having resiliently biased interlocking component or segment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/11 Magnetic

Abstract

A fastening mechanism comprising a pin having a shank coupled to the head at a first end of said shank. A metallic pin-lock is provided having a base portion coupled to a resilient pin-engaging portion. The shank has a circumferentially-formed notch at a second end, said notch being adapted to receive the resilient pin-engaging portion. A resilient member is coupled to the base portion of the metallic pin-lock and to a mobile phone housing. A retainer is provided for housing said fastening mechanism inside the mobile phone housing. Upon insertion of the pin into the pin-lock, the pin is adapted to move the resilient pin-engaging portion a predetermined distance until the resilient pin-engaging portion engages the circumferentially-formed notch. The pin-lock is adapted to be removed from the pin via a magnet attracting at least a portion of the pin-lock away from the pin.

Claims

1. A fastening mechanism, comprising:

a pin having a head;

a shank coupled to said head at a first end of said shank;

a locking portion proximal to a second end of said shank;

means to securely engage said locking portion of said shank.

2. The fastening mechanism of claim 1, wherein said means comprises a pin-engaging mechanism and a base coupled to said pin-engaging mechanism.

3. The fastening mechanism of claim 2, wherein said pin-engaging mechanism is adapted to receive said locking portion of said shank and secure said shank therein.

4. The fastening mechanism of claim 2, wherein said pin-engaging mechanism comprises a plurality of legs, each leg terminating at a pin interlocking portion.

5. The fastening mechanism of claim 2, further comprising:

a resilient member coupled to said base and to a mobile phone housing.

6. The fastening mechanism of claim 5, wherein said resilient member is metallic.

7. The fastening mechanism of claim 5, wherein said resilient member is a spring.

8. The fastening mechanism of claim 5, wherein said resilient member comprises an angle, said base being coupled to said angle disposing said base at an acute angle relative to a mobile phone housing.

9. The fastening mechanism of claim 2, wherein said pin-engaging mechanism and said base are metallic.

10. The fastening mechanism of claim 4, wherein said plurality of legs are disposed at an acute angle relative to said base.

11. The fastening mechanism of claim 1, wherein said locking portion comprises a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter, said second diameter being greater than said first diameter.

12. The fastening mechanism of claim 1, wherein said second end of said shank is tapered.

13. The fastening mechanism of claim 1, wherein said head is substantially cylindrical.

14. The fastening mechanism of claim 2, wherein said base and said pin-engaging portion are adapted to respond to application of a magnet thereto to disengage said pin from said pin-engaging portion.

15. A fastening mechanism, comprising:

a pin having a head;

a shank coupled to said head at a first end of said shank;

a metallic pin-lock having a base portion coupled to a resilient pin-engaging portion;

said shank having a circumferentially-formed notch at a second end, said notch being adapted to receive said resilient pin-engaging portion;

a spring coupled to said base portion of said metallic pin-lock and to a mobile phone housing;

a retainer housing said fastening mechanism;

wherein, upon insertion of said pin into said pin-lock, said pin is adapted to move said resilient pin-engaging portion a predetermined distance until said resilient pin-engaging portion engages said circumferentially-formed notch; and

wherein said pin-lock is adapted to be removed from said pin via a magnet attracting at least a portion of said pin-lock away from said pin.

16. A fastening mechanism, comprising:

a pin having a head;

a shank coupled to said head at a first end of said shank;

a non-metallic pin-lock having a base portion coupled to a resilient pin-engaging portion;

said shank having a circumferentially-formed notch at a second end, said notch being adapted to receive said resilient pin-engaging portion;

a coupling member coupled to said base portion of said non-metallic pin-lock and to a mobile phone housing;

a retainer housing said fastening mechanism;

wherein, upon insertion of said pin into said pin-lock, said pin is adapted to move said resilient pin-engaging portion a predetermined distance until said resilient pin-engaging portion engages said circumferentially-formed notch; and

wherein said pin-lock is adapted to be removed from said pin via interaction between a first pre-determined force between said pin and said pin lock, a second predetermined force between said pin lock and said retainer, said retainer being adapted to resist said first predetermined force, a third predetermined force between said retainer and said pin lock, and a fourth predetermined force between said coupling member and said retainer.