Cover restricting mechanism

• US 7,380,312 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industrial Company Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industrial Company Limited (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Sutech Trading Limited
• Inventors: Tu, Hsiao-Hua, Liu, Ye, Chen, Rui-Hao, Ge, Peng-Jin, Luo, Xing-Huang, Qin, Shui-Yuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mah; Chuck Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/228,883
• Publication Number:
  US 20060112518A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 163/42, 163/30, 163/03, 16325-329, 163/74, 16 76- 78, 163/37, 16296-297, 361680-683, 361/814, 455/575.1, 455/575.4, 455/575.8, 455/550.1, 455/90.3, 348/373, 348/794, 348/333.06, 37943312-43313
• US Class Current: 16/342
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/06 Devices for limiting the opening movement of hinges
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/00 Braking devices, e.g. checks; Stops; Buffers construction of pneumatic or liquid braking devices E05F3/00; braking devices, buffers or end stops on drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture A47B88/473; combined with devices for holding wings open E05C17/00; devices for limiting opening of wings or for holding wings open by a movable member extending between frame and wing E05C17/04
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/606 for electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A cover restricting mechanism is adapted for use in a foldable electronic device. The cover (10) has a first barrel portion (13) at one end thereof. The cover restricting mechanism includes a blocking element and a cushion device (20). The blocking element is secured to and protrudes out of the first barrel portion of the cover. The cushion device includes a sleeve (21) and an elastic element (22). The sleeve includes an extending portion (216) extending axially thereof. One end of the elastic element is secured on the sleeve. The other end of the elastic element protrudes out of the extending portion of the sleeve and abuts the blocking element.

Claims

1. A cover restricting mechanism for a foldable electronic device, the foldable electronic device including a cover and a housing, the cover restricting mechanism comprising:

a barrel portion configured to be formed on the cover of the portable electronic device, the barrel portion having a blocking element formed thereon; and

a cushion means comprising;

a sleeve configured for securing with the housing of the portable electronic device, the sleeve having an extending portion formed thereon and a groove defined in an outer wall thereof, the extending portion configured for restricting movement of the blocking element, the groove defining a recessed surface therein; and

an elastic element secured in the groove of the sleeve, the elastic element having a main portion and an end, the main portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recessed surface of the groove, the main portion being received in the groove against the recessed surface, the end of the elastic element protruding out from the extending portion of the sleeve so as to abut the blocking element when the blocking element moves toward the extending portion.

2. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the groove is defined in an outer periphery of the sleeve, the groove extending to the extending portion.

3. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 2, wherein a stage is formed on an outer end of the extending portion, and one side of the elastic element abuts the stage.

4. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extending portion extends axially from the sleeve.

5. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a wave-shaped leaf spring.

6. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 5, wherein an end of the leaf spring comprises a bent portion, the bent portion protruding peripherally out from the sleeve.

7. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking element is a blocking portion extending axially from the barrel portion.

14. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blocking element is a blocking portion extending axially from the barrel portion.

8. A cover restricting mechanism for a foldable electronic device, the foldable electronic device including a cover and a housing, the cover restricting mechanism comprising:

a barrel portion configured to be formed on the cover of the portable electronic device, the barrel portion having a blocking element formed thereon; and

a cushion means comprising;

a sleeve configured for securing with the housing of the portable electronic device, the sleeve having an extending portion formed thereon and a groove defined in an outer wall thereof, the extending portion configured for restricting movement of the blocking element, the groove defining a recessed surface therein; and

an elastic element secured in the groove of the sleeve, the elastic element having a main portion and an end, the main portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recessed surface of the groove, the main portion being received in the groove against the recessed surface, the end of the elastic element protruding out from the extending portion of the sleeve;

wherein the cover restricting mechanism is configured and arranged in such a manner that;

when the blocking element is in a first position, the blocking element is located a distance away from the elastic element;

when the blocking element is in a second position, the blocking element abuts the end of the elastic element; and

when the blocking element is a third position, the blocking element is restricted by the extending portion of the sleeve, and the end of the elastic element is located between the blocking element and the extending portion.

9. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the groove is defined in an outer periphery of the sleeve, the groove extending to the extending portion.

10. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein a stage is formed on an outer end of the extending portion, and one side of the elastic element abuts the stage.

11. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the extending portion extends axially from the sleeve.

12. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic element is a wave-shaped leaf spring.

13. The cover restricting mechanism as claimed in claim 12, wherein the end of the leaf spring comprises a bent portion, the bent portion protruding peripherally out from the sleeve.

15. A foldable electronic device, comprising:

a housing;

a cover;

a cover restricting mechanism comprising;

a barrel portion formed on the cover of the portable electronic device, the barrel portion having a blocking element formed thereon; and

a cushion means comprising;

a sleeve configured for securing with the housing of the portable electronic device, the sleeve having an extending portion formed thereon and a groove defined in an outer wall thereof, the extending portion configured for restricting movement of the blocking element, the groove defining a recessed surface therein; and

an elastic element secured in the groove of the sleeve, the elastic element having a main portion and an end, the main portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the recessed surface of the groove, the main portion being received in the groove against the recessed surface, the end of the elastic element protruding out from the extending portion of the sleeve;

wherein the cover restricting mechanism is configured and arranged in such a manner that;

when the cover is in a closed position, the blocking element is located a distance away from the elastic element;

when the cover is opened at a predetermined, intermediate angle, the blocking element abuts the end of the elastic element; and

when the cover is in a full position, the blocking element is restricted by the extending portion, and the end of the elastic element is located between the blocking element and the extending portion.

16. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the groove is defined in an outer periphery, of the sleeve, the groove extending to the extending portion.

17. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein a stage is formed on an outer end of the extending portion, and one side of the elastic element abuts the stage.

18. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the blocking element being a blocking portion extending axially from the barrel portion of the cover, and the extending portion extending axially from the sleeve.

19. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the elastic element is a leaf spring.

20. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein an end of the leaf spring comprises a bent portion, the bent portion protruding peripherally out from the sleeve.