Patent Application
20050206171
The present invention is related to a two-sided engaging device, and more particularly, to a two-sided engaging device for engaging frames of a portable device.
Tablet PC is a kind of PC that users can use it anywhere and write on its touch screen for input with a special stylus. Because using the operating system of MS Windows XP Professional for Tablet PC, tablet PC is regarded as a new type of laptop computer.
Microsoft specifies two different designs for tablet PCs: slate form and convertible form. In the slate form, all the hard hardware is located underneath the display. A keyboard is always optional. The advantage is that slate devices are light and thin. The latter feature is particularly important for using the tablet PC as a writing pad on the desk. If the writing plate is too high for the user, stylus input will be a nuisance. Writing plates having powerful software for recognitions are substitutes for paper. In testing, the software even recognizes illegible handwriting very reliably—and without any training.
At first glance, the convertible form looks like a conventional sub-notebook. Components such as the CPU and hard drive are underneath the keyboard and the display is fixed at the usual place as shown in
Unfortunately, most of convertible devices only have one side to be engaged with. When the screen is turned 180 degrees and folded over onto the keyboard, the screen is not fixed on the keyboard. That will be dangerous to a certain extent.
It is the main object of the present invention to provide a two-sided engaging device for engaging frames of a portable device.
It is another object of the present invention to engage frames of a foldable device when the screen is turned 180 degrees.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the two-sided engaging device for engaging frames of a portable device includes a main body disposed on a first frame of the portable device; an engaging element connected to the main body and having two hooks and at least one pillar; wherein the hooks are respectively positioned at an upper side and a lower side of the engaging element; and a switch having at least one Z-shaped guiding groove for guiding the pillar passing therethrough so as to switch a position of the engaging element.
Preferably, the two-sided engaging device further includes a slider attached to the switch for a user to easily move the slider.
Preferably, the portable device is a laptop computer.
Preferably, the portable device is a tablet computer.
Preferably, the main body further comprises an elastic element urging against said first frame for generating a force in response to a press applied thereon.
Preferably, the elastic element is a spring.
Preferably, the engaging element has a structure of cross type.
Preferably, the portable device further includes a second frame.
Preferably, the second frame further includes a receiver for engaging with the engaging element.
Preferably, the first frame further includes a first opening and a second opening disposed respectively on a first surface and a second surface thereof for the engaging hooks passing therethrough.
Preferably, when the switch reaches a first position by switching the slider in a lateral direction, one of the engaging hooks protrudes the first opening of the first frame.
Preferably, when the switch reaches a second position by switching the slider in an opposite lateral direction, the other of the engaging hooks protrudes the second opening of the first frame.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the two-sided engaging device for engaging frames of a portable device includes a main body disposed on a first frame of the portable device; an engaging element connected to the main body and having two first engaging media and at least one guiding medium; wherein the first engaging media are respectively positioned at an upper side and a lower side of the engaging element; and a switch having at least one Z-shaped guiding groove for guiding the guiding medium passing therethrough so as to switch a position of the engaging element.
Preferably, the main body further includes an elastic element urging against the first frame for generating a force in response to a press applied thereon.
Preferably, the first engaging medium is a hook.
Preferably, the guiding medium is a pillar.
Preferably, when the portable device further includes a second frame.
Preferably, the second frame further includes a second engaging medium for engaging with the engaging element.
Preferably, the second engaging medium is a receiver.
Preferably, the first frame further includes a first opening and a second opening disposed respectively on a first surface and a second surface thereof for the engaging hooks passing therethrough.
Preferably, when the switch reaches a first position by switching the slider in a lateral direction, one of the first engaging media protrudes the first opening of the first frame.
Preferably, when the switch reaches a second position by switching the slider in an opposite lateral direction, the other of the first engaging media protrudes the second opening of the first frame.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following descriptions with reference to the drawings, wherein:
The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiment. Referring to
Please refer to
Please refer to
The engaging device according to the present invention is two-sided as shown in the
As described above, the conventional engaging device for the tablet PC can't engage the screen onto the keyboard when the screen is turned 180 degrees. That will be dangerous and may cause damage when using. However, the engaging device according to the present invention not only has a good shape, but also utilizes a slider to switch the position of the engaging element. That will be convenient and increase the safety when using. Otherwise, the two-sided engaging device according to the present invention also can be applied to the portable players such as VCD/DVD players, and the likes.
While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation, so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. According, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by reference to the following claims.
