The present invention relates to a shaft structure, and more particularly to a shaft structure which can be fixed at an arbitrary angle.
Nowadays, various common electronic devices are provided with flip covers, such that when the electronic device is not in use, the user can close the flip cover to protect the screen of the electronic device. However, the flip cover function of current electronic devices is very simple, namely, the flip cover only has a function of protecting the screen when an electronic device is not in use, and is idle during the period when the user uses the electronic device. Therefore, there exists the problem that the screen cannot be seen clearly in strong light conditions during the period when the user uses the electronic device. Furthermore, if it is desired to keep the electronic device inclined toward the desk top during the period when the user uses the electronic device, the problem of no suitable supports will occur.
In view of the aforementioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a shaft structure, so as to solve the problem that a shaft structure for a flip cover of an electronic device or an article with a flip cover cannot serve as a light-shielding plate to shield strong light during the period when the user uses the electronic device; or to solve the problem that a shaft structure cannot serve as a support to keep an electronic device inclined toward the desk top during the period when the user uses the electronic device.
According to the object of the present invention, a shaft structure is provided comprising a fixing part and a braking part. The fixing part is disposed in a housing, and the fixing part comprises a plurality of first protruding parts and a plurality of concave parts formed between any two adjacent first protruding parts; the braking part extends from the housing toward the fixing part and is disposed around the fixing part, and comprises a plurality of second protruding parts, and each of the second protruding parts leans against to one of the concave parts.
When the braking part is rotated, each of the plurality of flexible second protruding parts is crossed over the first protruding part and leans against the adjacent concave part. At this time, each second protruding part can be fixed at this rotating angle which is determined by the number of the first protruding parts of the fixing part.
According to the object of the present invention, a flip-cover apparatus is further provided comprising a body, a cover, and a shaft structure. The shaft structure is connected to the body and the cover, and comprises a housing, a fixing part, and a braking part. The fixing part is disposed in the housing, and comprises a plurality of first protruding parts and a plurality of concave parts formed between any two adjacent first protruding parts. The braking part extends from the housing toward the fixing part and is disposed around the fixing part, and comprises a plurality of second protruding parts. When the body and the cover are in an open state, each of the second protruding parts is configured to leans against to one of the concave parts.
As described above, the shaft structure according to the present invention may have one or more of the following advantages:
(1) The second protruding parts lean against the concave parts so that the shaft structure can be fixed at a specific angle.
(2) The angle through which the shaft structure is rotated each time can be determined by the number of the first protruding parts of the fixing part.
(3) The shaft structure can be fixed at a specific angle and combined with a flip-cover structure to achieve the effects of shielding strong light and supporting the device.
With these and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention that may become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the detailed description of the invention, the embodiments and to the several drawings herein.
The exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the context of shaft structure.
Those of ordinary skilled in the art will realize that the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiment(s) is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of the exemplary embodiment(s) as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be used throughout the drawings and the following detailed description to refer to the same or like parts.
Embodiments of the shaft structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the related drawings. For the convenience of understanding the description, the same elements in the embodiments will be given the same reference numerals.
Referring to
When the housing 120 is rotated (either clockwise or counterclockwise) by turning the cover 11 over, the braking part 1210 will be driven by the housing 120 and rotated around the fixing part 110. The plurality of flexible second protruding parts 1211 of the braking part 1210 are crossed over the first protruding parts 1110 and lean against the adjacent concave parts 1120. The angle through which the braking part 1210 is rotated around the fixing part 110 is determined by the number of the first protruding parts 1110 of the fixing part 110 in conjunction with the size of the concaves of the braking parts 1210. As illustrated in
Returning to
Referring to
The above description is illustrative only and is not to be considered limiting. Various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such equivalent modifications and changes shall be included within the scope of the appended claims.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to encompass within their scope of all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiment(s) of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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098224152 | Dec 2009 | TW | national |