Foldable electronic device having latch mechanism

• US 7,407,202 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2006
• Issued: 08/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Jiang, Xiao-Gang, Ye, Dian-Hong, Tsai, Chien-Li
• Primary Examiner(s): Engle; Patricia
• Assistant Examiner(s): MERLINO, ALYSON MARIE
• Application Number:
  US11/583,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20070096474A1
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 292/159, 292/251.5, 292/121, 292/96, 292/102, 292/122, 292/127, 292/203, 292/220, 292/227, 292/DIG.11, 361/686, 361/683, 248/552, 248/553, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 70/14, 70/57, 70/58, 70/63, 70/67
• US Class Current: 292/251.5
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 63/248 the striker being movable for latching, and pushed back by a member on the wing for unlatching, or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/006 for covers or panels for manholes E02D29/1427; for holes enabling access to installations in buildings E04F19/08; for pressure vessels F16J13/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 19/163 a movable bolt being held in the striker by a permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05C 5/00 Fastening devices with bolts moving otherwise than only rectilinearly and only pivotally or rotatively E05C9/1883, E05C19/009, E05B63/125, E05B63/126, E05B63/127 take precedence; pivotally-mounted hooks-like fastenings with toggle action E05C19/14; bayonet-type locks E05B63/125; locks for sliding wings, with additional movement E05B65/0817
• 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 1/1679 for locking or maintaining the movable parts of the enclosure in a fixed position, e.g. latching mechanism at the edge of the display in a laptop or for the screen protective cover of a PDA G06F1/1681 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/11 Cover fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0926 Spring projected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/11 Magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/68 Keepers

Abstract

A latch mechanism for fixing a top member to a base member of a foldable electronic device includes a magnet, a locking member, and a first resilient member. The magnet is for being mounted to the top member of the foldable electronic device. The locking member for being movably received in the base member of the foldable electronic device includes a hook at a top thereof that is made of magnetic material, for engaging with the magnet. The first resilient member is for being mounted between the base member of the foldable electronic device and the locking member.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism for fixing a top member to a base member of a foldable electronic device in a closed position, the latch mechanism comprising:

a magnet for being mounted to the top member of the foldable electronic device;

a locking member being slidably received in the base member of the foldable electronic device, the locking member comprising a hook at a top thereof that is made of magnetic material, for being attracted up by the magnet, the hook engaging with the top member when the locking member is in a locking position; and

a first tension spring, with one end connected to the locking member, the other end connected to the base member of the foldable electronic device, for biasing the locking member down to an unlocking position;

wherein the locking member further comprises a locating part at a bottom thereof, for being restricted in a horizontal direction by the base member when the locking member is in the unlocking position, and being restricted in an upward direction when the locking member is in the locking position, the locking member still further comprises a body, the hook extends from a top of the body, the locating part extends from a bottom of the body, a tab is stamped from the body configured for engaging with a corresponding end of the first tension spring, the hook having a general ridge shape comprises a locking portion extending horizontally from a distal end thereof toward the body, configured for engaging with the top member of the foldable electronic device by biasing force of the first tension spring when the locking member is in the locking position.

2. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locating part has a general U shape.

3. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an operating member for being horizontally movably mounted to the top member of the foldable electronic device to drive the hook of the locking member to move to disengage with the top member of the foldable electronic device.

4. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the operating member comprises a main part located in the top member of the foldable electronic device, an operating part parallel to the main part and located outside of the top member, and a connecting part connecting to the main part and the operating part, the main part is for driving the locking member, the operating part is for facilitating manual operation.

5. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a second tension spring connecting the operating member and the top member of the foldable electronic device, wherein the operating member further comprises a hooking part connecting to the main part and the operating part, for engaging with a corresponding end of the second tension spring.

6. A foldable device, comprising:

a base member;

a top member, with one end thereof pivotably mounted to a corresponding end of the base member; and

a locking mechanism comprising;

a magnet mounted to the top member;

a locking member being slidably received in the base member, the locking member comprising a hook at a top thereof that is made of magnetic material, for being attracted up by the magnet, the hook engaging with the top member when the locking member is in a locking position; and

a first tension spring, with one end connected to the locking member, the other end connected to the base member, the first tension spring biasing the locking member down to an unlocking position, or to hook the top member to further ensure the locking position;

wherein the base member comprises a bracket, and a lid mounted to the bracket, a first tab and a second tab extend up from a front side of the bracket, the locking member further comprises a locating part at a bottom thereof, for being located between the first and second tabs, the first tab comprises a slanting surface at a side thereof facing the second tab, for the locating part of the locking member moving upward therealong.

7. The foldable device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking member still further comprises a hook at a top thereof, the lid defines an opening in a front side thereof, for the hook of the locking member passing through.

8. The foldable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first end board extends down from the lid at an end of the opening, for restricting the locating part of the locking member when closing the top member.

9. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a slanting guiding portion extends down from the lid at an opposite end of the opening and toward the first end board, for the hook of the locking member sliding therealong.

10. The foldable device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the top member comprises a bezel, and a cover mounted to the bezel, the bezel defines a through-hole in a front side thereof, for the hook of the locking member passing through and engaging with an edge surrounding the through-hole.

11. The foldable device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising an operating member being horizontally movably mounted to the top member to drive the locking member to move to disengage with the edge surrounding the through-hole, and a second tension spring connecting the top member and the operating member.

12. A foldable device, comprising:

a base member;

a top member, with one end thereof pivotably mounted to a corresponding end of the base member; and

a locking mechanism comprising;

a magnet mounted to the top member;

a locking member being slidably received in the base member, the locking member comprising a hook at a top thereof that is made of magnetic material, for being attracted up by the magnet, the hook engaging with the top member when the locking member is in a locking position; and

a first tension spring, with one end connected to the locking member, the other end connected to the base member, the first tension spring biasing the locking member down to an unlocking position, or to hook the top member to further ensure the locking position;

wherein the base member comprises a bracket, and a lid mounted to the bracket, a first tab and a second tab extend up from a front side of the bracket, the locking member further comprises a locating part at a bottom thereof, for being located between the first and second tabs, the locking member still further comprises a hook at a top thereof, the lid defines an opening in a front side thereof, for the hook of the locking member passing through, a first end board extends down from the lid at an end of the opening, for restricting the locating part of the locking member when closing the top member.