Interlocking structure and detector for sensing the position of an operating member in detachable electronic equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A detachable electronic device comprising:
- a stationary portion having an opening;
a device body insertable into the opening of the stationary portion;
a control unit removably attached to the device body;
a lock member which is mounted on the device body, the lock member being movable between a locked position and a released position, wherein the lock member engages with the stationary portion when the device body is inserted into the stationary portion and the lock member is in the locked position, thereby fixedly connecting the device body to the stationary portion;
a lock release mechanism including a lock release member which is movable between first and second positions, wherein the lock release mechanism is connected to the lock member such that the lock member is moved from the locked position to the released position when the lock release member is moved from the first position to the second position; and
a lock release prevention mechanism mounted on the device body, the lock release prevention mechanism including a restraining member which is movable between a third position and a fourth position;
wherein, when the restraining member is in the third position, the restraining member engages the lock release mechanism to prevent movement of the lock release member from the first position to the second position;
wherein, when the restraining member is in the fourth position, the restraining member is separated from the lock release mechanism; and
wherein the restraining member is biased into the third position when the control unit is separated from the device body, and the restraining member is biased into the fourth position when the control unit is attached to the device body.
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Abstract
In a detachable electronic device with a device body which can be detached from a stationary portion and a control unit which can be detached from the device body, the device body is prevented from being released from the stationary portion when the control unit is detached from the device body.
69 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A detachable electronic device comprising:
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a stationary portion having an opening; a device body insertable into the opening of the stationary portion; a control unit removably attached to the device body; a lock member which is mounted on the device body, the lock member being movable between a locked position and a released position, wherein the lock member engages with the stationary portion when the device body is inserted into the stationary portion and the lock member is in the locked position, thereby fixedly connecting the device body to the stationary portion; a lock release mechanism including a lock release member which is movable between first and second positions, wherein the lock release mechanism is connected to the lock member such that the lock member is moved from the locked position to the released position when the lock release member is moved from the first position to the second position; and a lock release prevention mechanism mounted on the device body, the lock release prevention mechanism including a restraining member which is movable between a third position and a fourth position; wherein, when the restraining member is in the third position, the restraining member engages the lock release mechanism to prevent movement of the lock release member from the first position to the second position; wherein, when the restraining member is in the fourth position, the restraining member is separated from the lock release mechanism; and wherein the restraining member is biased into the third position when the control unit is separated from the device body, and the restraining member is biased into the fourth position when the control unit is attached to the device body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A detachable electronic device comprising:
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a stationary portion having an opening; a device body insertable into the opening of the stationary portion; a control unit removably attached to the device body; a retaining lever mounted on the device body, the retaining lever being movable between a locked position and a released position, wherein when the device body is inserted in the stationary portion and the retaining lever is in the locked position, the retaining member engages the stationary portion such that the device body is prevented from being detached from the stationary portion; a lock release mechanism including a lock release member which is movable between first and second positions, wherein the lock release mechanism is connected to the retaining lever such that the retaining lever is moved from the locked position to the released position when the lock release member is moved from the first position to the second position; and a detection mechanism for detecting when the control unit is attached to the device body, the detection mechanism including a restraining member which engages the lock release member to prevent movement of the lock release member from the first position to the second position unless the detection mechanism detects that the control unit is attached to the device body. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A detachable electronic device comprising:
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a stationary portion; a device body attachable to the stationary portion; a control unit attachable to the device body; a lock mechanism for locking the device body to the stationary portion when the device body is attached to the stationary portion and the lock mechanism is adjusted into a locked state; means for engaging the lock mechanism when the control unit is detached from the device body such that the lock mechanism is maintained in the locked state until the control unit is subsequently attached to the device body.
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19. In an electronic device including a stationary portion, a device body attachable to the stationary portion, a lock mechanism for locking the device body to the stationary portion, the lock mechanism being adjustable between a released state and a locked state, and a control unit attachable to the device body, a method for preventing the device body from being detached from the stationary portion when the control unit is detached from the device body, the method comprising the steps of:
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detecting that the control unit is detached from the device body; and upon detection of separation of the control unit from the device body, engaging the lock mechanism such that adjustment of the lock mechanism from the locked state to the released state is prevented.
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Specification