FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING A LATCH MECHANISM

Abstract

A latch mechanism for fixing a top member to a base member of a foldable electronic device includes a locking member, an operating member, and a resilient member. The locking member for being pivotably received by the top member of the foldable electronic device includes a locking portion for engaging with the base member of the foldable electronic device. The operating member for being slidably mounted to the top member includes a driving portion to drive the locking member to pivot. The resilient member is for being mounted between the top member of the electronic device and the operating member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a foldable electronic device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the foldable electronic device includes a base member, a cover, a bezel, and a latch mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a circled portion II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, isometric view of the latch mechanism, and a part of the cover of FIG. 1, but an inverted view;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1, but partially cutaway, and showing the latch mechanism in a locked state; and

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing the latch mechanism in an unlocked state.

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 locking member for being pivotably received by the top member of the foldable electronic device, the locking member comprising a locking portion for engaging with the base member of the foldable electronic device;an operating member for being slidably mounted to the top member, the operating member comprising a driving portion to drive the locking member to pivot; anda resilient member for being mounted between the top member of the foldable electronic device and the operating member.

2. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving portion of the operating member comprises a through-hole defined therein, the locking member further comprises a projecting portion extending down therefrom, for movably engaging in the through-hole of the operating member.

3. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient member has an M shape, and comprises two mounting portion in a middle part thereof mounted to the operating member, distal ends of the resilient member are for being received by the top member of the foldable electronic device.

4. The latch mechanism as clamed in claim 3, wherein the operating member defines an opening therein, the resilient member is received in the opening, with the mounting portion being mounted to the operating member at a front side of the opening.

5. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein two sliding slots are defined in the operating member at opposite sides for slidably engaging with the top member of the foldable electronic device.

6. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking portion of the locking member extends down from the locking member, the locking portion defines a locking hole therein.

7. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating member further comprises an operating portion at a front side thereof.

8. A foldable device, comprising: a base member;a top member, with one end thereof pivotably mounted to a corresponding end of the base member; anda latch mechanism mounted to an opposite end of the top member, the latch mechanism comprising:a locking member pivotably received by the top member, the locking member comprising a locking portion for engaging with the base member;an operating member slidably mounted to the top member, the operating member comprising a driving portion to drive the locking member to pivot; anda resilient member mounted between the top member and the operating member.

9. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the driving portion of the operating member comprises a through-hole defined therein, the locking member comprises a projecting portion extending down therefrom, for movably engaging in the through-hole of the operating member.

10. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the resilient member has an M shape, and comprises two mounting portion in a middle part thereof mounted to the operating member, distal ends of the resilient member are received by the top member.

11. The foldable device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the operating member defines an opening therein, the resilient member is received in the opening, with the mounting portion being mounted to the operating member at a front side of the opening.

12. The foldable device as claimed in claim 11, wherein two locating tabs extend down from the top member, each of the locating tabs defines a receiving space therein, the distal ends of the resilient member are received in the receiving spaces of the locating tabs respectively.

13. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein two sliding slots are defined in the operating member at opposite sides, two cylinders extend down from the top member to be received in the corresponding sliding slots, each of the cylinders defines a mounting hole therein, screws are engaged in the mounting holes to slidably mount the operating member to the top member.

14. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the locking portion of the locking member extends down from the locking member, the locking portion defines a locking hole therein, the base member defines a recessed portion therein, a protrusion protrudes into the recessed portion from the base member at a front side of the recessed portion, for engaging with the locking hole of the locking member.

15. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the top member defines a first cutout therein, the base member defines a second cutout therein, the operating member further comprises an operating portion at a front side thereof, for being received in the first and second cutouts.

16. The foldable device as claimed in claim 8, wherein a plurality of mounting tabs extends down from the top member, each of the mounting tabs defines a receiving slot therein, the locking member is pivotably received in the receiving slots of the mounting tabs.