CLAMSHELL DEVICE

Abstract

A clamshell device includes a cover, a flexible supporting plate, and a base. The cover includes a notch, a friction edge, and a lateral slant surface located at an inner wall of the notch. The supporting plate includes a curvy rim, an elongated groove, and a lateral post. The supporting plate is installed on a base and aligned with the notch. When the cover is rotated at a supporting angle, the friction edge is pressed against the curvy rim of the supporting plate. Consequently, the curvy rim is deformed toward the elongated groove to result in interference, and the supporting plate provides a friction force to allow the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle. At the same time, the interference between the lateral post of the supporting plate and the lateral slant surface can facilitate the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamshell device, and more particularly to a clamshell device with a supporting function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A small-sized electronic device with a cover is usually equipped with a mechanism for fixing the cover at a specified angle in order to facilitate the user to use the electronic device. Take a barcode printer for example. Before the barcode printer is used, the cover should be uplifted by a specified angle, and then the paper roll can be placed into the internal portion of the base. After the cover is closed, the printing task will be performed. For achieving this purpose, a hinge structure is employed to connect the cover with the base in order to rotate the cover to an open position or a close position relative to the base. Conventionally, when the cover is in the open position, the cover should be supported by one hand of the user in order to smoothly place the paper roll into the internal portion of the base. Since the way of supporting the cover by the user's hand is very inconvenient, the hinge device should have a function of fixing the cover at the open position. Moreover, since the angles of uplifting the cover are usually different according to the usual practice of most users, a hinge structure for allowing the cover to be stayed at a plurality of open positions is introduced into the market in order to comply with the diversified requirements.

For example, a hinge assembly and a cover with such a hinge assembly are disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M388820. FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a conventional hinge assembly, which is disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M388820.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a shaft 11, a base bracket 12, a first pressing block 13, a second pressing block 14, an elastic member 15, a fastener 16, and a cover bracket 17.

The shaft 11 comprises a fixing part 11a and a thread part 11b. The base bracket 12 comprises a perforation 12a and two concave structures 12b. The first pressing block 13 has an axial hole 13a and two convex structures 13b. The second pressing block 14 has a through-hole 14a. The elastic member 15 comprises a plurality of resilient discs. The cover bracket 17 has an aperture 17a.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the hinge assembly 1 will be illustrated in more details. Firstly, the cover bracket 17 is fixed on an upper cover (not shown). Then, the aperture 17a of the cover bracket 17 is connected to the fixing part 11a of the shaft 11. Then, the base bracket 12 is fixed on a base (not shown). In addition, the base bracket 12 is pivotally connected to the shaft 11 through the perforation 12a. Then, the first pressing block 13 is pivotally connected to the shaft 11 through the axial hole 13a, and the two convex structures 13b of the first pressing block 13 are respectively embedded into the two concave structures 12b of the base bracket 12. Then, the second pressing block 14 is sheathed around the shaft 11 through the through-hole 14a. In addition, the first pressing block 13 and the second pressing block 14 have complementary convex structures and concave structures at the facing surfaces. Consequently, when the second pressing block 14 is rotated in a specified direction relative to the first pressing block 13, the first pressing block 13 and the second pressing block 14 are distant from each other. Then, the elastic member 15 is sheathed around the shaft 11 and sustained against the second pressing block 14. Afterwards, the fastener 16 is engaged with the thread part 11b of the shaft 11. Consequently, the fastener 16 is fixed on the shaft 11 to prevent detachment of any component which is sheathed around the shaft 11.

In a case that the upper cover is in a close state, the second pressing block 14 is in close contact with the first pressing block 13. Meanwhile, the second pressing block 14 is no longer sustained against the elastic member 15.

In a case that the cover is distant from the base and rotated to a specified angle, the second pressing block 14 is moved in the direction distant from the first pressing block 13 to compress the elastic member 15. Consequently, a friction force is generated between the second pressing block 14 and the elastic member 15. In other words, when the upper cover is rotated to be fixed at any angle, the upper cover is positioned by the friction force.

The conventional hinge assembly disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M388820, however, still has some drawbacks. For example, since the structure of the hinge assembly 1 is complicated, it is difficult to assemble the hinge assembly 1. Moreover, if any component is damaged, the hinge assembly 1 will malfunction. Under this circumstance, the risk of resulting in damage of the hinge assembly 1 is increased, and the difficulty of maintaining the hinge assembly 1 is raised. Therefore, there is a need of providing an improved hinge assembly to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clamshell device with a simplified structure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamshell device. The clamshell device includes a cover, a supporting plate, and a base. The cover is disposed over the base. The cover has a notch, and the notch has a friction edge. The supporting plate is disposed on the base and aligned with the notch, and includes a curvy rim, a first supporting rim and an elongated groove. The elongated groove is formed in the supporting plate and located beside the curvy rim. The first supporting rim is extended from a first end of the curvy rim and connected to the base, so that the supporting plate is fixed on the base. When the cover is in a close status, the supporting plate is penetrated through the notch, so that the base is covered by the cover. When the cover is at a supporting angle rotated relative to the base, the friction edge of the notch is pressed against the curvy rim of the supporting plate to deform the curvy rim toward the elongated groove, so that the cover is stayed at the supporting angle.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate is flexible.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes a second supporting rim and a pivotal hole. The second supporting rim is extended from a second end of the curvy rim. The pivotal hole is located at a junction between the first supporting rim and the second supporting rim. The cover further includes a shaft. The shaft is located beside the notch of the cover and pivotally coupled to the pivotal hole of the supporting plate, so that the cover is rotatable relative to the base.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes a lateral post. The lateral post is located at a junction between the curvy rim and the second supporting rim. A lateral slant surface is located at an inner wall of the notch. When the cover is rotated relative to the base at the supporting angle, the lateral post of the supporting plate is pushed by the lateral slant surface of the cover, so that the supporting plate is moved toward an external side of the cover to facilitate the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle.

In an embodiment, when the cover is rotated relative to the base at a non-supporting angle, the friction edge of the notch is not pressed against the curvy rim of the supporting plate, so that the cover is not supported by the supporting plate.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes at least one salient, which is formed on the curvy rim. During the cover is rotated, the salient provides a tactile feel.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a conventional hinge assembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is in a close status;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a second supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint;

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the third embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention, a clamshell device with a cover is provided, wherein the cover is rotatable relative to a base and can be stayed at one of a plurality of positions.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a first embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamshell device 2 comprises a cover 21, a supporting plate 22, and a base 23.

The cover 21 comprises a notch 211 and a shaft 212. The notch 211 has a friction edge 211a and a lateral slant surface 211b. The lateral slant surface 211b is located at an inner wall of the notch 211. The shaft 212 is located beside the notch 211. The supporting plate 22 comprises a curvy rim 221, a first supporting rim 222, a second supporting rim 223, a pivotal hole 224, an elongated groove 225, and a lateral post 226. The first supporting rim 222 is extended from a first end of the curvy rim 221. The second supporting rim 223 is extended from a second end of the curvy rim 221. The pivotal hole 224 is located at the junction between the first supporting rim 222 and the second supporting rim 223. The elongated groove 225 is formed in the supporting plate 22 and located beside the curvy rim 221. The lateral post 226 is located at the junction between the curvy rim 221 and the second supporting rim 223. In addition, the supporting plate 22 is flexible.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Firstly, the first supporting rim 222 of the supporting plate 22 is connected to the base 23, so that the supporting plate 22 is fixed on the base 23. Then, the cover 21 is placed over the base 23, and the shaft 212 of the cover 21 is pivotally coupled to the pivotal hole 224 of the supporting plate 22. Consequently, the cover 21 is rotatable relative to the base 23. In addition, the notch 211 of the cover 21 is aligned with the supporting plate 22. Consequently, upon rotation of the cover 21, the supporting plate 22 is allowed to be penetrated through the notch 211.

Hereinafter, the operations of the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is in a close status. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a second supporting angle relative to the base.

In a case that the cover 21 is in the close status, the base 23 is covered by the cover 23. Meanwhile, the supporting plate 22 is penetrated through the notch 211. In a case that the cover 21 is at a first supporting angle relative to the base 23 (see FIG. 5), the friction edge 211a of the notch 211 is pressed against the curvy rim 221 of the supporting plate 22, so that the curvy rim 221 is deformed toward the elongated groove 225. Due to the flexible restoring force of the curvy rim 221, the interference between the curvy rim 221 and the friction edge 211a provides a friction force to allow the cover 21 to be fixed at the first supporting angle. In a case that the cover 21 is at a second supporting angle relative to the base 23 (see FIG. 6), the friction edge 211a of the notch 211 is also pressed against the curvy rim 221. Consequently, the friction force generated from the interference between the curvy rim 221 and the friction edge 211a also allows the cover 21 to be stayed at the second supporting angle. That is, as long as the cover 21 is opened, the friction edge 211a of the notch 211 is pressed against the curvy rim 221 of the supporting plate 22, and thus the cover 21 can be supported and fixed by the supporting plate 22.

When the cover 21 is rotated relative to the base 23 at any supporting angle (e.g. the first supporting angle as shown in FIG. 5 and the second supporting angle as shown in FIG. 6), the lateral post 226 of the supporting plate 22 is pushed by the lateral slant surface 211b within the notch 211 of the cover 21, so that the supporting plate 22 is moved toward the external side of the cover 21. Meanwhile, due to the flexible restoring force of the supporting plate 22, the interference between the lateral post 226 and the lateral slant surface 211b provides another friction force to facilitate the cover 21 to be fixed at any supporting angle more stably.

In this embodiment, the distance between the curvy rim 221 and the pivotal hole 224 from a supporting point x (see FIG. 6) to the first supporting rim 222 is shorter than the distance between the curvy rim 221 and the pivotal hole 224 from the supporting point x to the second supporting rim 223. Consequently, when the cover 21 is rotated relative to the base 23 to the region between the supporting point x and the close position (i.e. at the non-supporting angle), the friction edge 211a of the notch 211 of the cover 21 is no longer pressed against the curvy rim 221 of the supporting plate 22, the cover 21 fails to be supported and fixed by the supporting plate 22.

Hereinafter, a clamshell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a second embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint. FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamshell device 2′ comprises a cover 21′, a supporting plate 22′, and a base 23′.

The cover 21′ comprises a notch 211′ and the shaft 212′. The notch 211′ has a friction edge 211a′ and a lateral slant surface 211b′. The lateral slant surface 211b′ is located at an inner wall of the notch 211′. The shaft 212′ is located beside the notch 211′ of the cover 21′. The supporting plate 22′ comprises a curvy rim 221′, a first supporting rim 222′, a second supporting rim 223′, a pivotal hole 224′, an elongated groove 225′, and a lateral post 226. The first supporting rim 222′ is extended from a first end of the curvy rim 221′. The second supporting rim 223′ is extended from a second end of the curvy rim 221′. The pivotal hole 224′ is located at the junction between the first supporting rim 222′ and the second supporting rim 223′. The elongated groove 225′ is formed in the supporting plate 22′ and located beside the curvy rim 221′. The lateral post 226′ is located at the junction between the curvy rim 221′ and the second supporting rim 223′. In addition, the supporting plate 22′ is flexible.

The assembling process and operating principle of the clamshell device of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein.

The clamshell device 2′ of the second embodiment is distinguished from the clamshell device 2 of the first embodiment in that the distance between the curvy rim 221′ and the pivotal hole 224′ of the supporting plate 22′ from the second supporting rim 223′ to the first supporting rim 222′ is kept unchanged.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base. Since the distance between the curvy rim 221′ and the pivotal hole 224′ of the supporting plate 22′ is kept unchanged, the friction edge 211a′ of the notch 211′ can be pressed against the curvy rim 221′ of the supporting plate 22′ whenever the cover 21′ is opened at any angle. Consequently, the curvy rim 221′ is deformed toward the elongated groove 225′, and the interference between the curvy rim 221′ and the friction edge 211a′ provides a friction force to allow the cover 21′ to be fixed at any supporting angle.

Hereinafter, a clamshell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell device according to a third embodiment of the present invention and taken along a first viewpoint. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according to the third embodiment of the present invention and taken along a second viewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the clamshell device 3 comprises a cover 31, a supporting plate 32, and a base 33.

The cover 31 comprises a notch 311 and a shaft 312. The notch 311 has a friction edge 311a and a lateral slant surface 311b. The lateral slant surface 311b is located at an inner wall of the notch 311. The shaft 312 is located beside the notch 311. The supporting plate 32 comprises a curvy rim 321, a first supporting rim 322, a second supporting rim 323, a pivotal hole 324, an elongated groove 325, a lateral post 326, and a salient 327. The first supporting rim 322 is extended from a first end of the curvy rim 321. The second supporting rim 323 is extended from a second end of the curvy rim 321. The pivotal hole 324 is located at the junction between the first supporting rim 322 and the second supporting rim 323. The elongated groove 325 is formed in the supporting plate 32 and located beside the curvy rim 321. The lateral post 326 is located at the junction between the curvy rim 321 and the second supporting rim 323. The salient 327 is formed on the curvy rim 321. In addition, the supporting plate 32 is flexible.

The assembling process and operating principle of the clamshell device of the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment, and are not redundantly described herein.

The clamshell device 3 of the third embodiment is distinguished from the clamshell device 2 of the first embodiment in that the salient 327 is formed on the curvy rim 321 of the supporting plate 32.

During the cover 31 is rotated by the user, a larger force is required to allow the friction edge 311a to be sustained against and transferred through the salient 327. Since the user can obviously feel that the cover 31 is transferred through the salient 327, the tactile feel is enhanced during the operation of the clamshell device 3.

In other embodiments, a plurality of salients 327 are formed on the curvy rim 321 of the supporting plate 32 for facilitating the user to clearly realize that the original supporting angle of the cover 31 is switched to another supporting angle.

In the above embodiments, the notch is located at a single side of the cover, and the supporting plate is located at a single side of the base. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the clamshell device may comprise two notches and two supporting plates, wherein the two notches are located at both sides of the cover and the two supporting plates are located at both sides of the base. In such way, the cover may be stayed at one of a plurality of positions.

In the above embodiments, since the cover has the notch with the friction edge and the supporting plate has the curvy rim and the elongated groove, the cover is rotatable relative to the base and fixed at one of a plurality of supporting angles.

From the above description, the clamshell device of the present invention is capable of fixing the cover at any supporting angle by forming a notch in a cover and installing a supporting plate on a base. In other words, the clamshell device has simplified structure and can be easily applied to various machines. Moreover, the process of maintaining the clamshell device is very easy by simply replacing the supporting plate with a new. The supporting plate may be replaced by the user himself (or herself). Consequently, the process of maintaining the clamshell device is time-saving, and the use life of the machine is prolonged.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

1. A clamshell device, comprising: a cover disposed over a base, wherein said cover has a notch, and said notch has a friction edge; anda supporting plate disposed on said base and aligned with said notch, and comprising a curvy rim, a first supporting rim and an elongated groove, wherein said elongated groove is formed in said supporting plate and located beside said curvy rim, wherein said first supporting rim is extended from a first end of said curvy rim and connected to said base, so that said supporting plate is fixed on said base,wherein when said cover is in a close status, said supporting plate is penetrated through said notch, so that said base is covered by said cover, wherein when said cover is at a supporting angle rotated relative to said base, said friction edge of said notch is pressed against said curvy rim of said supporting plate to deform said curvy rim toward said elongated groove, so that said cover is stayed at said supporting angle.

2. The clamshell device according to claim 1 wherein said supporting plate is flexible.

3. The clamshell device according to claim 1 wherein said supporting plate further comprises a second supporting rim and a pivotal hole, wherein said second supporting rim is extended from a second end of said curvy rim, and said pivotal hole is located at a junction between said first supporting rim and said second supporting rim, wherein said cover further comprises a shaft, wherein said shaft is located beside said notch of said cover and pivotally coupled to said pivotal hole of said supporting plate, so that said cover is rotatable relative to said base.

4. The clamshell device according to claim 1 wherein said supporting plate further comprises a lateral post, said lateral post is located at a junction between said curvy rim and said second supporting rim, and a lateral slant surface is located at an inner wall of said notch, wherein when said cover is rotated relative to said base at said supporting angle, said lateral post of said supporting plate is pushed by said lateral slant surface of said cover, so that said supporting plate is moved toward an external side of said cover to facilitate said cover to be fixed at said supporting angle.

5. The clamshell device according to claim 1 wherein when said cover is rotated relative to said base at a non-supporting angle, said friction edge of said notch is not pressed against said curvy rim of said supporting plate, so that said cover is not supported by said supporting plate.

6. The clamshell device according to claim 1 wherein said supporting plate further comprises at least one salient, which is formed on said curvy rim, wherein during said cover is rotated, said salient provides a tactile feel.