LATCH MECHANISM FOR FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Abstract

A latch mechanism for fixing a cover unit to a base unit of a foldable electronic device in a closed position is provided. The cover unit includes two locking portions. The base unit defines two slots. The latch mechanism includes a locking member, and at least one resilient member. The locking member is configured for being slidably received in the base unit. The locking member includes two protrusions. The locking portions of the cover unit extend through the corresponding slots of the base unit, and engage with the corresponding protrusions of the locking member for fixing the cover unit in the closed position. The resilient member is engagable with the locking member, for keeping the locking member in the locked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a circled portion 11 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of FIG. 1, but partially cut away, and showing the latch mechanism in a locked state;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but showing the latch mechanism in an unlocked state; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the foldable electronic device.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism for fixing a cover unit to a base unit of a foldable electronic device in a closed position, the cover unit comprising two locking portions, the base unit defining two slots, the locking portions of the cover unit extending through the corresponding slots of the base unit in the closed position, the latch mechanism comprising: an elongated locking member configured for being slidably received in the base unit of the foldable electronic device, the locking member comprising two protrusions configured for engaging with the corresponding locking portions for fixing the cover unit in the closed position; andat least one resilient member engagable with the locking member for keeping the locking member in the locked position.

2. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member further comprises an operating portion extending out of the base unit for manipulation from outside the base unit.

3. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises at least one cutout, the at least one resilient member is configured to be disposed between the base unit and a side of the at least one cutout.

4. The latch mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one resilient member is a coil spring, a positioning post is formed on the side of the at least one cutout, one free end of the spring is positioned around the positioning post.

5. A foldable electronic device, comprising: a base unit defining at least one slot;a cover unit, with one end thereof pivotably mounted to a corresponding end of the base unit, the cover unit forming at least one locking portion adjacent an opposite end thereof and extending through the at least one slot; anda latch mechanism mounted to an opposite end of the cover unit, the latch mechanism comprising: a locking member slidably received in the base unit and manipulable from outside the base unit, the locking member comprising at least one protrusion, configured for engaging with the at least one locking portion to fix the cover unit in a closed position; andat least one resilient member disposed between the locking member and the base unit, for restoring the locking member after the locking member is disengaged from the at least one locking portion of the cover unit.

6. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the locking member further comprises an operating portion extending therefrom, the base unit comprises a sidewall defining a through hole, the operating portion is received in the through hole and manipulable from outside the base unit.

7. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein a guide sleeve guide sleeve perpendicularly extends inward from a middle of the sidewall and communicates with the through hole so that the operating portion is capable of extends through the guide sleeve before entering into the through hole.

8. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base unit comprises a top plate, the at least one slot is defined in the top plate, the top plate forms at least one receiving portion, the locking member comprises at least one cutout, the at least one resilient member is disposed in a space cooperatively defined by the at least one receiving portion and the at least one cutout.

9. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the base unit further comprises a chassis, the locking member being sandwiched between the top plate and the chassis.

10. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one resilient member is a coil spring, a protruding post is formed on the at least one receiving portion, a positioning post extends from the locking member to the at least one cutout, two opposite ends of the spring are positioned around the protruding post and the positioning post, respectively.

11. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one locking portion of the cover unit defines a locking hole, the at least one protrusion of the locking member is inserted into the locking hole of the at least one locking portion when the cover unit is in the closed position.

12. A foldable electronic device comprising: a base unit defining at least one slot;a cover unit pivotably mounted to the base unit, the cover unit comprising at least one locking portion extending through the at least one slot;a locking member slidably attached to the base unit, the locking member comprising at least one latch configured for locking with the at least one locking portion to retain the cover unit to the base unit, and an operating portion extending out of the base unit and being pushable inward to drive the locking member to slide from a locked position where the at least one latch is locked with the at least one locking portion to an unlocked position where the at least one latch is unlocked with the at least one locking portion; andat least one resilient member disposed between the locking member and the base unit and configured for urging the locking member to slide from the unlocked position back to the locked position.

13. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the base unit comprises a chassis and a bezel covering on the chassis, the locking member being disposed between the bezel and the chassis, the cover unit covering the bezel.

14. The foldable electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the bezel forms at least one U-shaped receving portion at a surface facing the chassis, and the locking member defines at least one cutout facing the at least one receiving portion, the at least one resilient member being received in a space cooperatively formed by the at least one cutout and the at least one receiving portion.