Patent Application
20060261604
The invention relates to a fastening mechanism, and particularly to a fastening mechanism that does not require screws.
With the rapid advance of information technology, wide varieties of electronic devices have been developed and have become indispensable to people in their daily lives.
A conventional electronic device usually has a host case which consists of a plurality of panels (such as a front face panel, a rear panel, a upper lid, a lower lid and two side panels) latched on or fastened to a frame. Fastening is usually accomplished by screwing the panels on the frame with a plurality of screws.
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The fastening method for such a side panel requires several screws and a tool for assembly and disassembly, which is inconvenient. Moreover, the side panel has to be removed by unfastening the screws from the rear panel. In the event that the screws are lost during assembly and disassembly, a short circuit could happen to the host and result in hazardous conditions. Moreover, the assembly and disassembly processes mentioned above are time-consuming and not competitive in the present market environment.
On the other hand, the screw-free fastening mechanisms now being adopted mostly are used on data storage devices. When removing data storage devices, the case has to be removed first. Hence to develop a fastening mechanism that can reduce assembly and disassembly procedures without using tools is needed to improve production and maintenance efficiency and enhance competitiveness.
In view of the aforesaid problems, the primary object of the invention is to provide a fastening mechanism to enable machine cases to be assembled and disassembled rapidly without using tools.
The fastening mechanism according to the invention mainly includes an anchor hole, a latch plate, a latch member and a pin. The anchor hole is formed on a body (such as a frame) of a case. The latch plate is located on the case corresponding to the anchor hole, and has a retaining aperture. The latch member has a turning section and a stem extended from one end of the turning section. The stem has a through hole on a distal end.
The turning section is larger than the anchor hole, while the stem has a diameter smaller than the anchor hole and the retaining aperture. The pin may run through the through hole and is turnable with the turning section.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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The anchor hole 50 is selectively formed on a body (not shown in the drawing). The number of the anchor holes 50 may be one or more according to requirements. It has a sliding trough 50a on an outer side with one edge marked by a lock position and another edge marked by an unlock position. The body is the frame of an electronic device or a frame containing a front panel (face panel).
The latch plate 60 has a retaining aperture 65 formed thereon. The retaining aperture 65 has two opposite sides of different lengths (a latch side 65a and an unlatch side 65b). The latch side 65a is slightly shorter than the pin 80. The unlatch side 65b is longer than the pin 80.
The latch plate 60 corresponds to the anchor hole 50, and may be formed on the case integrally, or by stamping, soldering or riveting. The case may be a single side panel that includes an upper lid and a lower lid and two side panels, an upper lid and a side panel, or a lower lid and a single side panel.
The latch member 70 includes a turning section 72 and a stem 74, which is extended from one end of the turning section 72. The stem 74 has a through hole 76 on a distal end to receive a pin 80 so that the pin 80 may be turned with the turning section 72.
The turning section 72 is formed to a dimension greater than the anchor hole 50. It has a lug 72a to indicate the latch position and the unlatch position. The lug 72a is movable in the sliding trough. The diameter of the stem 74 is smaller than the anchor hole 50 and the retaining aperture 65. The stem 74 is formed to a length which can pass through the anchor hole 50 and the retaining aperture 65 so that the pin 80 may be coupled with the through hole 76 at the distal end thereof.
By means of the aforesaid construction, when the stem 74 passes through the anchor hole 50 and the retaining aperture 65, the turning section 72 is stopped outside the anchor hole 50 due to its larger size. When the turning section 72 is turned, the pin 80 also is driven and turned.
The stem 74 also may be directed by a barrel (not shown in the drawing) extended from one end of the latch plate 60 close to the latch plate 60 to pass through the latch plate 60. The latch member 70, latch plate 60 and pin 80 may be made from materials with sufficient harness and strength without restrictions, such as resins or metals. Refer to
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By means of the latch mechanism of the invention mentioned above, the case and the body may be coupled temporarily. Then they may be fastened through the fastening mechanism of the invention.
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By means of the construction set forth above, the fastening mechanism can function without tools, and is not limited to assembly and disassembly of the rear panel. Assembly and disassembly operations are thus more convenient. Screws may be dispensed with to prevent short circuits from occurring to the host.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.
