Locking device for docking station

• US 7,633,750 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2006
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fu, Chin-Chung, Fan, Chien-Ming, Yang, Chang-Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi; Jayprakash N
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUNTER, QUINN T
• Application Number:
  US11/615,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20070297130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/686, 361/679.41, 361/679.43
• US Class Current: 361/679.43
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

A locking device includes a case defining at least one slot therein, a hook module including at least one hook for passing through the at least one slot, a linkage module includes at least one first lever configured for shifting the at least one hook to move between a locking position and a releasing position, and a positioning module for releasably engaging with the first lever. When the at least one hook is shifted to the releasing position, the first lever is blocked by the positioning module, when the at least one hook is shifted to the locking position, the first lever is released by the positioning module.

Claims

1. A locking device for releasably locking an electronic device, the locking device comprising:

a case for attaching the electronic device thereto, the case defining at least one slot therein;

a hook module comprising at least one hook configured for passing through the at least one slot;

a linkage module comprising at least one first lever configured for shifting the at least one hook to move between a locking position and a releasing position; and

a positioning module configured for releasably engaging with the first lever, wherein when the at least one hook is shifted by the first lever to the releasing position, the electronic device is unlocked from the case, the first lever is blocked by the positioning module for temporarily holding the hook at the releasing position before the electronic device is detached from the case, and when the electronic device is detached from the case, the first lever is released by the positioning module, and the at least one hook is shifted by the first lever to the locking position;

wherein the positioning module comprises a first positioning portion configured for being slidable relative to the first lever, and a second positioning portion configured for detecting whether the electronic device is attached to or detached from the locking device, and selectively blocking the first positioning portion;

wherein the first positioning portion comprises a first plate configured for slidably mounting to the first lever, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first rack attached to the second plate, and a first angle is defined between an elongated direction of the first rack and the first plate.

2. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first spring interconnecting the first lever and the first positioning portion, and configured for urging the first positioning portion to engage with the second positioning portion.

3. The locking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first lever defines a first receiving portion configured for slidably receiving the first positioning portion therein.

4. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of first guiding slots are defined in two opposite sides of the first plate, and are configured for a pair of corresponding mounting posts extending from the first lever to slidably engage therein.

5. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second positioning portion comprises a base, a detecting pin substantially perpendicularly extending from the base and passing through a through hole defined in the case and configured for being retracted into the case substantially when a pressure is applied thereto, a second rack arranged at a sidewall of the base for detachably engaging with the first rack, and a second spring resiliently supporting the base and configured for urging the detecting pin to extend through the through hole, and a second angle is defined between an elongated direction of the second rack and the base, and the second angle is substantially equal to the first angle.

6. The locking device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base is movable between a first position to make the second rack release the first rack, and a second position to make the second rack block the first rack.

7. The locking device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the linkage module further comprises at least one second lever interconnecting the at least one hook and the first lever and configured for being guided by the first lever to shift the hook to a release state.

8. The locking device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second lever comprises at least one sliding pin configured for engaging in and being guided by at least one traction slot defined in the first lever, and a retaining portion arranged opposite to the sliding pin for engaging with the hook.

9. The locking device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first lever comprises a first inclined portion and a first guiding rod, the first inclined portion and the first guiding rod are arranged at two opposite ends of the first lever, and a third spring engages around the first guiding rod and is configured for urging the first lever to release the hook.

10. The locking device as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a release button configured for driving the first lever, wherein the release button comprises a cap for a pressure applied thereon, and a pressing post with a second inclined portion formed for contacting the first inclined portion.

11. The locking device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a third lever interconnecting the first lever and the release button, wherein the third lever comprises a main body, a third inclined portion for engaging with the second inclined portion, a fourth inclined portion for engaging with the first inclined portion, a second guiding rod extending from the main body, and a fourth spring engaging around the second guiding rod for urging the third lever to resume its original position.

12. The locking device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the third lever is parallel to the second lever and perpendicular to the first lever, and the third lever and the second lever are arranged at two opposite sides of the first lever.

13. The locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case comprises a plurality of positioning posts for securing the linkage module.

14. A docking station for docking an electronic device, the docking station comprising:

a housing defining at least one slot therein; and

a locking device comprising;

a hook module comprising at least one hook configured for passing through the at least one slot;

a linkage module comprising at least one first lever configured for shifting the at least one hook to move between a locking position and a releasing position; and

a positioning module configured for releasably engaging with the first lever, wherein when the at least one hook is in the releasing position, the positioning module is urged under weight of the electronic device to engage with the first lever, such that the first lever is blocked by the positioning module and the hook is temporarily held in the releasing position before the electronic device is removed from the docking station, and when the positioning module is released by the electronic device, the at least one hook is shifted to the locking position, and the first lever is released by the positioning module;

wherein the positioning module comprises a first positioning portion configured for being slidable relative to the first lever, and a second positioning portion configured for detectably blocking the first positioning portion;

wherein the first positioning portion comprises a first plate configured for slidably mounting to the first lever, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first rack attached to the second plate, and a first angle is defined between an elongated direction of the first rack and the first plate.

15. The docking station as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second positioning portion comprises a base, a detecting pin substantially perpendicularly extending from the base and passing through a through hole defined in the case and configured for being retracted into the case substantially when a pressure is applied thereto, a second rack arranged at a sidewall of the base for detachably engaging with the first rack, and a second spring resiliently supporting the base and configured for urging the detecting pin to extend through the through hole, and a second angle is defined between an elongated direction of the second rack and the base, and the second angle is substantially equal to the first angle.

16. The docking station as claimed in claim 15, wherein the base is movable between a first position to make the second rack release the first rack, and a second position to make the second rack block the first rack.