Latching mechanism and method of latching thereby
First Claim
1. An accessory for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory including a housing having a first end, a second end, and a front surface extending between the first end and the second end, the accessory including a latching mechanism for removably attaching the accessory to the portable electronic device, the latching mechanism comprising:
- a support extending from the first end of the housing; and
a latch movably disposed within the housing and extending outward, the latch having a hooked end that extends back towards the first end of the housing and substantially parallel to the front surface for engaging a notch disposed in the portable electronic device, the latch exerting a predetermined force in a direction that is parallel to the front surface of the housing to draw the portable electronic device and the support into abutment with one another.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A latching mechanism (160) disposed on an accessory (102) for attaching the accessory (102) to a portable device (100) includes a support (164) and a latch (162) disposed about opposite ends (150, 152) that mate with first and second portions (206 and 300, 302) of a retaining device (123) disposed about opposite ends (112, 122) of the portable device (100). The support (164) includes feet (412, 414) having prongs (420) that face a hooked end (404) of the latch (162). The latch (162) includes a spring (502, 510) coupled to the hooked end (404) such that when the latch (162) is extended, the hooked end (404) exerts a force (700) on the first portion (206) of the retaining device (123) drawing the support (164) into abutment with the second portion (300, 302) of the retaining device (123). The exerted force (700), which is in a plane parallel to a front surface (146) of the accessory (102) extending between the ends (150, 152) thereof, maintains the accessory (102) in attachment with the portable device (100).
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An accessory for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory including a housing having a first end, a second end, and a front surface extending between the first end and the second end, the accessory including a latching mechanism for removably attaching the accessory to the portable electronic device, the latching mechanism comprising:
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a support extending from the first end of the housing; and a latch movably disposed within the housing and extending outward, the latch having a hooked end that extends back towards the first end of the housing and substantially parallel to the front surface for engaging a notch disposed in the portable electronic device, the latch exerting a predetermined force in a direction that is parallel to the front surface of the housing to draw the portable electronic device and the support into abutment with one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. An accessory for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory including a housing having a first end, a second end, and a front surface extending between the first end and the second end, the accessory including a latching mechanism for removably attaching the accessory to the portable electronic device, the latching mechanism comprising:
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a movable hook carried on the housing to receive a portion of the portable electronic device therein; and at least one support opposite the movable hook extending substantially planarly from the first end of the housing and further extending substantially parallel to the front surface of the housing toward the second end of the housing, the at least one support inserting into an opening of the portable electronic device upon reception of the portable electronic device in the movable hook. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. An accessory for use with a portable electronic device, the accessory including a housing having a first end, a second end, and a front surface extending between the first end and the second end, the accessory including a latching mechanism for removably attaching the accessory to the portable electronic device, the latching mechanism comprising:
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a support extending from the first end of the housing; a latch having a first end movably positioned in the housing and a hooked end extending outwardly to receive a portion of the portable electronic device therein, the latch biased towards the support to pull the support into abutment with the portable electronic device when the hooked end receives the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification