This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 101114503 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Apr. 24, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to sliding door structures, and more particularly, to a sliding door structure applicable to a casing having a port.
A conventional portable electronic device is typically equipped with a plurality of ports 4 (as shown in
However, the sliding door structure 2 made of rubber or a soft plastic material proves unfit to protect the ports 4 of the portable electronic device against an external impact. The sliding door structure 2 comprises a door body 6 and a connection element 8. The connection element 8, however, disadvantageously restricts the opening and shutting movement of the door body 6 to a specific angle, direction, and manner. For example, in the situation where one of the ports has to be connected to a battery charger (not shown), the battery charger has to be equipped with a specific charging connector suitable for operating smoothly in the open state of the door body 6, thereby bringing inconvenience to users. The door body 6 and the connection element 8 are made of rubber or a flexible plastic material. Due to the low tensile strength and low modulus of elasticity of rubber and flexible plastic materials, the door body 6 and the connection element 8 are likely to sever or deform when pulled and stretched hardly.
Accordingly, it is imperative to provide a sliding door structure capable of protecting the ports of an electronic device.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a sliding door structure capable of protecting a port of an electronic device.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a sliding door structure coupled to a casing having a receiving space therein and a port received therein. The casing has a first opening and is provided with a first guide rail fixed to the casing to face the receiving space and positioned proximate to the first opening. The sliding door structure comprises a frame body and a door body. The frame body is received in the receiving space and has a second guide rail, a resilient arm, and a second opening corresponding in position to the first opening. The resilient arm is disposed at the frame body and positioned proximate to the second opening. The door body is disposed between the casing and the frame body. The door body has a first sliding portion, a second sliding portion, and at least a stop portion. The first sliding portion and the first guide rail are coupled together. The second sliding portion and the second guide rail are coupled together. The door body slides along the first guide rail and the second guide rail to change a state of communication between the first opening and the second opening, such that the resilient arm abuts against the at least a stop portion and thereby enables the door body to be positioned stepwise.
Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a sliding door structure characterized advantageously by mutual interaction between a casing, a frame body, and a door body such that it is feasible to determine whether a port inside the casing should communicate with the outside of the casing by giving considerations based on the movement of the door body between the casing and the frame body, thereby protecting the port.
Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Referring to
Referring to
The sliding door structure 10 comprises a frame body 14 and a door body 16.
The frame body 14 is disposed in the receiving space 124. The frame body 14 has a resilient arm 144 and a second guide rail 146. The second guide rail 146 corresponds in position to the first guide rail 126. The frame body 14 is formed with a second opening 142 corresponding in position to the first opening 122. If the first opening 122 and the second opening 142 are unobstructed (to be described in detail below), the port can be exposed from the casing 12. The resilient arm 144 is positioned proximate to the second opening 142.
Referring to
Referring to
The dimensions of the door body 16 are no less than the dimensions of the first opening 122, respectively. The door body 16 is made of a rigid plastic material for withstanding any external impact and thereby protecting the port.
The frame body 14 further comprises a plurality of first positioning portions 148 formed at the edges of the frame body 14. The casing 12 comprises a plurality of second positioning portions 128 corresponding in position to the first positioning portions 148, respectively. The first positioning portions 148 and the second positioning portions 128 can be coupled to each other, respectively, such that the frame body 14 is fixed to the casing 12. In this regard, the first positioning portions 148 are each exemplified by a ring-shaped structure, and the second positioning portions 128 are each exemplified by a post-like structure. The ring-shaped structures can be disposed around the post-like structures, respectively, so as for the frame body 14 to be fixed to the casing 12, thereby preventing the frame body 14 from loosening.
The frame body 14 further comprises a plurality of first fastening portions 150 formed at the edges of the frame body 14. A plurality of second fastening portions 130 is disposed at the casing 12 and corresponds in position to the first fastening portions 150. In this regard, the first fastening portions 150 are each exemplified by a ring-shaped structure, and the second fastening portions 130 are each exemplified by a nut-like structure. Referring to
Due to the aforesaid positioning function and the aforesaid fixing function provided by the first positioning portions 148, the second positioning portions 128, the first fastening portions 150, the second fastening portions 130, and the fastening elements 18, the frame body 14 can be positioned at and fixed to the casing 12 as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In this embodiment, the contact elements 170 are exemplified by the bumps, and the door body 16 slides and comes into a mere linear contact with the frame body 14 to reduce the friction between the door body 16 and the frame body 14, reduce the noise resulting from the sliding of the door body 16, prevent the door body 16 from colliding with the frame body 14, and enable the door body 16 to open and shut smoothly.
In conclusion, the present invention provides a sliding door structure coupled to a casing and comprising a frame body and a door body. The door body can be opened to expose a port from the casing. The door body can be shut to conceal and protect the port. The door body is not only slided smoothly and stepwise, but also positioned and stopped precisely.
The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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101114503 | Apr 2012 | TW | national |