BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional cushion device for packaging a computer housing;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a packaging cushion device according to the present invention for packaging the computer housing in a folded state;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a base member of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modular component of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 shows an assembled state of the components of FIG. 2, wherein cushion units of the first preferred embodiment are in a first modular configuration, a box shown in FIG. 2 being omitted;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing that the first preferred embodiment is used in packaging the computer housing in an unfolded state;
FIG. 7 shows an assembled state of the components of FIG. 6, wherein cushion units of the first preferred embodiment are in a second modular configuration, a box shown in FIG. 6 being omitted; and
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing cushion units of the second preferred embodiment according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A preferred embodiment of the packaging cushion device according to the present invention is usable for packaging a housing of a computer device that can be folded and unfolded. Referring to FIG. 2, a packaging cushion device of the present invention is made from Styrofoam® and includes four sets of one-to-one assemblage cushion unit 2. Each cushion unit 2 includes a base member 3 and a modular component 4. As shown in FIG. 3, each base member 3 has a substantially rectangular base wall 31, and first and second sidewalls 32, 33 proximate to each other and extending perpendicularly from first and second edges 311, 312 of the base wall 31, respectively. The first and second edges 311, 312 of the base wall 31 form a right angle corner 313 therebetween. The first and second sidewalls 32, 33 are spaced apart from the right angle corner 313 by a predetermined distance so that a substantially L-shaped receiving corner portion 34 is defined therebetween.
As shown in FIG. 4, each modular component 4 has a bottom panel 41, a first side panel 42, a second side panel 43, a first projection 44, and a second projection 45. The bottom panel 41 has adjacent first and second lateral ends 411, 412 forming a corner therebetween. A juncture between the first and second side panels 411, 412 is defined as a reference point. A direction that extends perpendicularly from the reference point and away from the bottom panel 41 is defined as a first direction (I). Another direction that extends along the second side panel 412 and away from the first side panel 411 is defined as a second direction (II). The first and second side panels 42, 43 are formed to extend respectively from the first and second lateral ends 411, 412 in the first direction (I). Each of the first and second projections 44, 45 has a shape complementary to that of the receiving corner portion 34, and is to be assembled in the receiving corner portion 34. The first projection 44 extends along the first direction (I) from a part of the first side panel 42 and a part of the second side panel 43 adjacent to the reference point. The second projection 45 extends in the second direction (II) from the second side panel 43 and a part of the bottom panel 41. A distance of a distal end 441 of the first projection 44 from the reference point along the first direction (I) is smaller than a distance of a distal end 451 of the second projection 45 from the reference point along the second direction (II) so that the modular component 4 and the base member 3 can be assembled together to form two selective modular configurations that provide receiving spaces with different heights.
FIGS. 2 and 5 show a first modular configuration of the cushion units 2 which are used in packaging a lay-flat, folded computer housing 81. The procedure of packaging is as follows: Firstly, the base members 3 are positioned respectively at four corners of a bottom of a box 83. After the computer housing 81 is placed in the box 83, the first projection 44 of each modular component 4 is assembled in the receiving corner portion 34 of the respective base member 3. As a result, eight corner parts 811 at top and bottom of the computer housing 81 and four vertical edges 812 interconnecting adjacent top and bottom corner parts 811 are covered by the respective cushion units 2 to space the computer housing 81 from the walls of the box 83. Aside from achieving cushioning and protecting effects, the modular components 4 and the base members 3 which are interlocked provide a support to reinforce the structure of the box 83.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second modular configuration of the cushion units 2 useful in packaging a computer housing 82 in an unfolded rectangular configuration. The packaging procedure is as follows: Firstly, the base members 3 are positioned respectively at four corners of the bottom of a box 84. After the computer housing 82 is placed in the box 84, the second projections 45 of the modular components 4 are assembled in the respective receiving corner portions 34 of the base members 3 so that eight corner parts 821 and four lateral edges 822 each interconnecting two adjacent top and bottom corner parts 821 are covered by the respective cushion units 2. Especially, as the first projections 44 of the modular components 4 provide prolonged length to cover edges of the computer housing 82, the protecting and cushioning effects are enhanced. In addition, the interlocking of the base members 3 with the respective modular components 4 provides a support to reinforce the structure of the box 84. On the other hand, inner side faces of the base members 3 and the modular components 4 which are in contact with the computer housing 82 are provided with a plurality of recessed and raised patterns 35, 46 that are matchable with the surfaces of the computer housing 82. For example, the recessed and raised patterns 35, 46 matchable with the surfaces of the computer housing 82 at positions corresponding to leg pads 823 can avoid interference between contact surfaces so that the base members 3 and the modular components 4 can abut tightly against the surface of the computer housing 82.
Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown the second preferred embodiment of a packaging cushion device 6 according to the present invention. The second preferred embodiment is substantially similar to the first preferred embodiment. The difference therebetween is that the base member 5 in the second preferred embodiment may be considered as one having two interconnected base members 3 of the first preferred embodiment (see FIG. 2). In particular, the base member 5 includes the base wall 51, the first sidewall 52, the second sidewall 53, a third sidewall 54, and first and second receiving corner portions 55 defined by the first, second and third sidewalls 52, 53, 54. The second sidewall 53 is longer than the first and third sidewalls 52, 54. The base wall 51 has first and second edges 56, 57 forming a corner therebetween, and a third edge 58 forming another corner with the second edge 57 opposite to the first edge 56. The first and second sidewalls 52, 53 are connected respectively to the first and second edges 56, 57 and are spaced apart from the corner thereof so that the first receiving corner portion 55 is defined therebetween. The third sidewall 54 is connected to the third edge 58 and opposite to the first sidewall 52. The third and second sidewalls 54, 53 are spaced from the aforesaid another corner so that the second receiving corner portion 55 is defined therebetween. Thus, the first and second receiving corner portions 55 are formed at two longitudinally opposed ends of the second side wall 53 to receive respectively the first projections 44 or the second projections 45 of two modular components 4.
Therefore, the packaging cushion device 6 according to the present invention includes two sets of one-to-two assemblage cushion units 7 each has one base member 5 and two modular components 4. Since the method of assembly in the second preferred embodiment is similar to that in the first preferred embodiment, it is not detailed herein.
In sum, due to the changeable modular configuration of the base members and the modular components of the cushion units, the packaging cushion device according to the present invention can satisfy the packaging requirements of the foldable computer housing in either folded or unfolded configuration. In addition, the present invention reduces consumption of packaging materials, facilitates configurational changes, effectively reduces shocks caused to the computer housing during transport, and provides better protecting and shock-absorbing effects.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various arrangement included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.
Patent Application
20080053866
