Portable computer having improved latch mechanism

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly to a portable computer which includes a reliable latch mechanism.

2. General Background

Portable computers, such as laptop computers and notebook computers, have become increasingly popular for general use. Generally, a portable computer includes a cover unit and a base unit pivotally connected with the cover unit, and the cover unit is folded onto the base unit to cover the base unit when the portable computer is not in use. A latch mechanism is provided to lock the cover unit to the base unit.

As disclosed in China Patent No. 01208955.9, a portable computer includes a latch mechanism which acts to lock a cover unit to a base unit when the portable computer is not in use. The latch mechanism includes a hook for engaging the base unit, and a post movably embedded in the base unit for disengaging the hook from the base unit. An end portion of the post is exposed outside the base unit for facilitating pushing the post to disengage the hook from the base unit. However, the end portion of the post is liable to be accidentally touched resulting in undesired opening of the cover unit.

What is desired, therefore, is a portable computer which has an improved reliable latch mechanism.

In one preferred embodiment, a portable computer includes a cover unit and a base unit connected with the cover unit. The cover unit includes a pair of spaced movable latch members. A flexible connecting member is connected between the latch members. A driving member is manipulated to bend the connecting member thereby moving the latch members. The cover unit is latched to the base unit via the latch members to cover the base unit and unlatched from the base unit via moving the latch members by manipulation of the driving member.

Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a portable computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable computer including a base unit, a cover unit and a latch mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of part of the cover unit and the latch mechanism of FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are assembled views of FIG. 2 , respectively schematically showing the latch mechanism in different working states; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a portable electronic device like a portable computer includes a cover unit 1 and a base unit 2 pivotally connected to a rear portion of the cover unit 1 . The cover unit 1 includes a latch mechanism disposed at a front portion thereof for locking the cover unit 1 to the base unit 2 when the portable computer is not in use.

The latch mechanism includes a driving member 30 generally disposed at external surface of the cover unit 1 for facilitating manipulating the latch mechanism, a pair of latch members 40 , and a connecting member 50 connected between the latch members 40 .

The cover unit 1 includes a panel 10 and a housing 20 . A pair of spaced threaded holes 11 is defined at an internal side of the panel 10 adjacent a front edge. A pair of posts 13 depends from the internal side of the panel 10 adjacent the threaded holes 11 respectively. A cutout 15 is defined between the posts 13 by cutting rearward from the front edge of the panel 10 . A first projection 152 is formed adjacent the cutout 15 with a through hole 153 defined therein, and a first stopper 151 is arranged adjacent the first projection 152 . A pair of spaced L-shaped tabs 154 is arranged at the rear of the cutout 15 , each tab 154 defining an arcuate bearing surface 155 . A second projection 157 is formed parallel to the first projection 152 . Antic 159 is defined in the second projection 157 in alignment with the through hole 153 of the first projection 152 .

Referring particularly to FIG. 1 , the housing 20 defines a pair of apertures 21 . An opening 23 is defined in a front wall of the housing 20 , and a second stopper 25 is arranged adjacent the opening 23 .

As shown in FIG. 2 , the driving member 30 is generally rectangle shaped. A handgrip portion 31 is formed at a rear edge portion of the driving member 30 , and a protrusion 33 protrudes downward from a front edge portion of the driving member 30 and then extends slantingly toward the rear edge portion thereof ending with an essentially cylindrical end portion. A pivot hole 335 is defined through a free end of the protrusion 33 . A driving portion 331 is formed on the end portion of the protrusion 33 , with a concave portion 333 defined at the driving portion 331 . A flange 337 protrudes outward from the end portion adjacent the pivot hole 335 . A shaft 39 is provided to attach the driving member 30 to the panel 10 .

Each latch member 40 includes a longitudinal body defining a slot 41 in a first end portion thereof, the slot 41 corresponding to a respective threaded hole 11 of the panel 10 . A hook 43 is arranged adjacent the slot 41 corresponding to a respective aperture 21 of the housing 20 . A groove 44 is defined in a middle portion of the body corresponding to a respective post 13 of the panel 10 . A beam 441 is arranged in the groove 44 in cooperation with the respective post 13 to attach a coil spring 49 in the groove 44 . A threaded hole 45 is defined in a second end portion of the body.

The connecting member 50 includes a flexible strip 51 . A pair of holes 53 is defined in opposite ends of the connecting member 50 corresponding to the threaded holes 45 of the latch members 40 . A pair of screws 55 is provided to attach the connecting member 50 to the latch members 40 .

Referring back to FIG. 1 , the base 2 defines a pair of apertures 27 at a front portion thereof corresponding to the hooks 43 of the latch members 40 respectively as complementary parts of the latch members 40 .

In assembly, the driving member 30 is positioned relative to the panel 10 , with the driving member 30 engaging an external surface of the panel 10 and overlapping the cutout 15 of the panel 10 . Part of the end portion of the protrusion 33 of the driving member 30 is positioned between the tabs 154 . A torsion spring 35 is provided to mate with a bushing 37 . The shaft 39 is extended through the notch 159 of the second projection 157 , a through hole 371 of the bushing 37 , the pivot hole 335 of the protrusion 33 , and the through hole 153 of the first projection 152 in sequence until the first stopper 151 prevents further movement of the shaft 39 . Two free ends of the torsion spring 35 engage the flange 337 of the protrusion 33 and the second projection 157 respectively.

The latch members 40 are slidably attached to the panel 10 with two fasteners 47 engaging in the threaded holes 11 respectively. The posts 13 are received in the grooves 44 of the latch members 40 respectively. The coil springs 49 are received in the grooves 44 respectively, each coil spring 49 having two free ends attached to a respective post 13 and a respective beam 441 respectively.

The connecting member 50 is attached to the latch members 40 with the screws 55 extended through the holes 53 to engage in the threaded holes 45 of the latch members 40 respectively. FIG. 3 shows an assembled view of FIG. 2 .

The housing 20 is then assembled with the panel 10 to form the cover unit 1 , and the hooks 43 of the latch members 40 protrude outward from the apertures 21 of the housing 20 respectively. The opening 23 of the housing 20 corresponds to the protrusion 33 of the driving member 30 for allowing free rotation of the driving member 30 (see FIG. 5 ). The second stopper 25 of the housing 20 engages an end of the shaft 39 adjacent the second projection 157 of the panel 10 for preventing axial movement of the shaft 39 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , the cover unit 1 is pivotally attached to the base unit 2 , and the cover unit 1 is folded to cover the base 2 , with hooks 43 engaging in the apertures 27 and latching the base unit 2 . FIG. 3 shows the working state of the latch mechanism when the cover unit 1 covers the base unit 2 .

To open the cover unit 1 from the base unit 2 , the driving member 30 is lifted up by the handgrip portion 31 and rotated outward. The torsion spring 35 is twisted. As shown in FIG. 4 , the concave portion 333 of the driving portion 331 pushes the strip 51 toward between the tabs 154 . The strip 51 is bent along the bearing surfaces 155 of the tabs 154 and drives the latch members 40 to move toward each other along the fasteners 47 , the hooks 43 are thereby disengaged from the apertures 27 of the base unit 2 respectively. The coil springs 49 are extended out. The cover unit 1 is ready to be opened. When the driving member 30 is released, the torsion spring 35 is restored to rotate the driving member 30 toward the cover unit 1 , and the coil springs 49 are restored to move the latch members 40 back respectively.

It is believed that the present embodiment and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiment.