Latch device and electronic apparatus with latch device

• US 20040075976A1
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Uniwill Computer Company Limited (Elitegroup Computer Systems Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Uniwill Computer Company Limited (Elitegroup Computer Systems Company Limited)
• Inventors: Lee, Ming-Chang
• Application Number:
  US10/615,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20040075976A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard

Abstract

The invention relates to a latch device for engaging with a keyboard within a housing of a portable electronic apparatus. The latch device includes a support, a latch, and a saw-toothed elastic strip. The support is connected with the housing, and a portion of the latch stretches out from the housing to engage with the keyboard. Two ends of the first saw-toothed elastic strip connect respectively with the support and the latch. The latch moves relatively toward the support by using the first saw-toothed elastic strip. The keyboard can be detached from the housing when an external force presses the latch into the housing. Moreover, because of the deformation of the first saw-toothed elastic strip, the first saw-toothed elastic strip provides a recovering force to press a portion of the latch out of the housing.

Claims

1. A latch device for use with a portable electrical apparatus, the portable electrical apparatus having a predetermined device and a housing, the latch device preventing separation of the predetermined device from the housing, the latch device comprising:

a support connecting to the housing;

a latch for latching the predetermined device; and

a first saw-toothed elastic strip, one end of the first saw-toothed elastic strip connecting to the support and another end connecting to the latch for allowing the latch to move relative to the support.

2. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the predetermined device includes a keyboard.

3. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the latch latches the predetermined device when a part of the latch sticks out from the housing, the latch deforms the first saw-toothed elastic strip when an external force forces the latch to separate from the predetermined device, and the first saw-toothed elastic strip provides a recovering force forcing a part of the latch to spring out of the housing.

4. The latch device of claim 1, further comprising a second saw-toothed elastic strip, both ends of the second saw-toothed elastic strip respectively connecting to two corresponding ends of the first saw-toothed elastic strip, the first saw-toothed elastic strip and the second saw-toothed elastic strip together forming a close loop.

5. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the first saw-toothed elastic strip includes a V-shaped strip.

6. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the first saw-toothed elastic strip includes a U-shaped strip.

7. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the latch device is formed integrally.

8. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the first saw-toothed elastic strip is disposed between the support and the latch.

9. The latch device of claim 1, wherein the support connects to the housing dovetailedly.

10. A portable electrical device, comprising the latch device of claim 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 or 9.

11. A latch device for use with a portable electrical apparatus, the portable electrical apparatus having a predetermined device and a housing, the latch device preventing separation of the predetermined device from the housing, the latch device comprising:

a support connecting to the housing;

a latch for latching the predetermined device; and

a first arc-shaped elastic strip for allowing the latch to move relative to the support, both ends of the first arc-shaped elastic strip respectively connecting to the latch, the support connecting to the first arc-shaped elastic strip at a location between the two ends of the first arc-shaped elastic strip.

12. The latch device of claim 11, wherein the predetermined device includes a keyboard.

13. The latch device of claim 11, wherein the latch latches the predetermined device when a part of the latch sticks out from the housing, the latch deforms the first arc-shaped elastic strip when an external force forces the latch to separate from the predetermined device, and the first arc-shaped elastic strip provides a recovering force forcing a part of the latch to spring out the housing.

14. The latch device of claim 11, further comprising a second arc-shaped elastic strip, both ends of the second arc-shaped elastic strip respectively connecting to two corresponding ends of the first arc-shaped elastic strip, the first arc-shaped elastic strip and the second arc-shaped elastic strip together forming a close loop, the latch connecting to the second arc-shaped elastic strip between the two ends of the second arc-shaped elastic strip.

15. The latch device of claim 13, wherein the latch device is formed integrally.

16. The latch device of claim 13, wherein the first arc-shaped elastic strip is disposed between the support and the latch.

17. The latch device of claim 13, wherein the support connects to the housing dovetailedly.

18. A portable electrical device, comprising the latch device of claim 13,14,15,16 or 17.